Well we all survived the "storm of the century." Seriously though it is Wisconsin, it snows! A better use of the news broadcast would be the news versus talking every few minutes about the weather. But I guess weather, like technology, excites people.
It has been neat to locate different segments to use in the classroom. Many of my kids lack the background knowledge needed in reading to infer and synthesize. Some of the videos I found would help fill these gaps. I'm excited to use the lesson I made tonight after the holiday break when we start in ELA/SS the road to revolution.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Discovery Education Network (DEN)
I was already impressed with Discovery Streaming, but to learn about the Discovery Education Network (DEN) tonight was especially exciting. I was glad to learn that as part of Discovery Streaming, I was already part of the DEN. As a DEN member I have access to blogs, lesson plans, PowerPoints, and all sorts of teacher-created materials that have been posted on the network. I am also interested in possibly becoming a Star Discovery Educator in the near future. As a Star Educator I would have access to even more resources including Discovery learning materials, special contests, invitations to local, regional, and national seminars and webinars on web 2.0 applications, and even access to expert field managers. So often as educators (especially as a special educator) we feel isolated in our buildings. As a member of the DEN those days can be over. I am looking forward to exploring these resources further.
Embedding Videos in Instructions
Hello,
Though adding videos in preferential order still seems to be a problem, I have discovered that you can embed the video clips within your directions.
Just copy the blue label from the list at the bottom of your “Add Materials” tab and flip back to the “General Information” tab. Then paste the clip into the directions box with your other information. (Perhaps tell the students to “click here or on the video title at the bottom of the assignment directions.” Either blue label will take them to the Student Center.)
Students were able to complete the persuasive writing activity that I sent them via e-mail. The links worked well. It proved to be good activity to provide a different learning method. And any student who was “plugged in” was definitely quietly working. Another plus for independent work was that a student could stop and start the video while they took notes or completed an activity.
Just copy the blue label from the list at the bottom of your “Add Materials” tab and flip back to the “General Information” tab. Then paste the clip into the directions box with your other information. (Perhaps tell the students to “click here or on the video title at the bottom of the assignment directions.” Either blue label will take them to the Student Center.)
Students were able to complete the persuasive writing activity that I sent them via e-mail. The links worked well. It proved to be good activity to provide a different learning method. And any student who was “plugged in” was definitely quietly working. Another plus for independent work was that a student could stop and start the video while they took notes or completed an activity.
My first assignment run, less than glamorous
I don't know what I did but this is my second time typing this blog so I will not be as long-winded. I tried my first assignment and we ran into a few issues. First, we didn't have enough headphones because a lot of my students forgot theirs. Also, our computer lab at Lincoln is a little dated so we ran into buffering issues. I will have to download everything first.
Question: Can I download the video on to the L drive without having to download everything onto each computer?
The feedback I received from the students was very positive! We are looking forward to trying round two!
Paul Welch
Question: Can I download the video on to the L drive without having to download everything onto each computer?
The feedback I received from the students was very positive! We are looking forward to trying round two!
Paul Welch
Dec. 9 Class is a Go!
We just got word that the district is not calling off the after school activities so we will be having class tonight. Drive carefully! We will have work time at the beginning of class so that everyone has a chance to get here before we start.
Questions Answered
Hi All!
I spoke with the support person at Discovery Streaming, asked my questions for our class and got the following answers.
1. Question:
We see approximately 200 or so lesson plans. Are there more?
Answer: Discovery has made the 200 or so. That is all they have made, but, there are many, many created by individual teachers that are available in the professional development section and in the blogs. (We'll talk about those in class.)
2. Question:
When you do find and want to keep some of those 200 lesson plans, can they be saved to "My Content"?
Answer: No, they can't be saved to "My Content". If you'd like them you can save them to your own computer, flash drive, etc. and/or print them out.
3. Question:
Can the "resources" that you add to an "assignment" be rearranged or moved on the assignment?
Answer: No, they are working on this, but at this time they can't. Theoretically, they should be listed in the order that you add them. I said that we tried that but it did not actually do that.
4. Question:
When you delete an assignment, why does it delete from the "Search Assignment Library" Box but remains in the "My Assignments" box?
Answer: This is part of a "global" problem (everyone is seeing it and they haven't resolved it yet). Basically, the problem is that if you delete one assignment, the system will delete EVERYTHING that you have in your "My Content". Rather than have that happen, it shows that it's deleted in your "Search My Assignments" box but will remain in the other. They are working on this problem.
Hope this helps. If you ever have a question, you can call on your own, also.
The phone number is:
800-323-9084. Just ask for "Technical Support".
Chris
I spoke with the support person at Discovery Streaming, asked my questions for our class and got the following answers.
1. Question:
We see approximately 200 or so lesson plans. Are there more?
Answer: Discovery has made the 200 or so. That is all they have made, but, there are many, many created by individual teachers that are available in the professional development section and in the blogs. (We'll talk about those in class.)
2. Question:
When you do find and want to keep some of those 200 lesson plans, can they be saved to "My Content"?
Answer: No, they can't be saved to "My Content". If you'd like them you can save them to your own computer, flash drive, etc. and/or print them out.
3. Question:
Can the "resources" that you add to an "assignment" be rearranged or moved on the assignment?
Answer: No, they are working on this, but at this time they can't. Theoretically, they should be listed in the order that you add them. I said that we tried that but it did not actually do that.
4. Question:
When you delete an assignment, why does it delete from the "Search Assignment Library" Box but remains in the "My Assignments" box?
Answer: This is part of a "global" problem (everyone is seeing it and they haven't resolved it yet). Basically, the problem is that if you delete one assignment, the system will delete EVERYTHING that you have in your "My Content". Rather than have that happen, it shows that it's deleted in your "Search My Assignments" box but will remain in the other. They are working on this problem.
Hope this helps. If you ever have a question, you can call on your own, also.
The phone number is:
800-323-9084. Just ask for "Technical Support".
Chris
Monday, December 8, 2008
Feeling a Bit Behind!
I have been enjoying the class, but feel behind due to getting a flu bug this week. I didn’t even start my first lesson. I took a sick day today and I’m hoping that I’ll have another day tomorrow to catch up due to the weather. I know, it probably won’t happen, but I can at least wish. I’m feeling slightly incompetent after reading the blogs with the pictures. Thanks for sharing the Dolly story, she does look more like a Georgie. Cute name, cute dog! I think I’ll call it a night in case I need to get an early start tomorrow. See you at class. Good night!
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