tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42737344080690869782024-03-06T02:49:49.145-05:00Blog-gone Write!Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-9072907465173817692010-08-31T13:12:00.014-04:002010-08-31T15:07:17.118-04:00ZooBurst<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnGznqdRYS1s6e8excu4umZKUd5Z9PX1Tqo6WrjRJAEZT68fxwvYIE918tlJ56YDErmBkKp4ODhoQ66VoOQ7iRnpBBiS11aPRN6unLlpD7c4QkPYCuw6XaApl2XT6cAgeLGbIda6NOSYR/s1600/zooburst2.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 163px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511625741640948562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnGznqdRYS1s6e8excu4umZKUd5Z9PX1Tqo6WrjRJAEZT68fxwvYIE918tlJ56YDErmBkKp4ODhoQ66VoOQ7iRnpBBiS11aPRN6unLlpD7c4QkPYCuw6XaApl2XT6cAgeLGbIda6NOSYR/s320/zooburst2.bmp" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74dQwVI2ikpfYaiGQoV0ra4IpEgXBG09YP2xLdaeIEyIMhyWosDHXMB4fhOwLKOiseBt5HyfRiOn9-XmgKsrupuLGnxq0zelM2-jGqNZxXtK4X63S8j7mtIS-cR-kcBHpVfApotz5CFss/s1600/zooburst.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 92px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511625733873152162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74dQwVI2ikpfYaiGQoV0ra4IpEgXBG09YP2xLdaeIEyIMhyWosDHXMB4fhOwLKOiseBt5HyfRiOn9-XmgKsrupuLGnxq0zelM2-jGqNZxXtK4X63S8j7mtIS-cR-kcBHpVfApotz5CFss/s320/zooburst.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><div>I apologize for not creating a post in so long. I've made myself a new-school-year resolution...;) I've just stumbled across something (or should I say twittered across something) that has fired up my creative juices. It is the COOLEST thing I've seen in a long time. And I've seen some VERY cool things through my GLN.<br /><br />It's called <a href="http://www.zooburst.com/">ZooBurst</a>. It is...<br /><br />Are you ready for this???...<br /><br />an Augmented Reality 3D Pop-Up Book Creator<br /><br />Is that not the most amazing thing you've ever heard of?!?!? Talk about digital storytelling!!!<br /><br />Let me point out some of its features:</div><ul><li>it's free</li><li>the book can be rotated around with the mouse pointer</li><li>items or characters can be made "clickable" and once clicked a speech bubble pops-up</li><li>one of the newest updates allows the author to create voices for their characters through the ZooBurst audio recorder</li><li>authors can share books with readers everywhere if they'd like</li><li>books can be embedded in blogs</li><li>moderated discussion forums can be created for the books</li><li>there is a classroom management feature that allows teachers to have a protected environment for their students</li><li>teachers can moderate student work</li><li>students can be set up within the program by teachers without giving out personal information</li></ul><p>And, as if that isn't enough, the most amazing feature of all is the capability of recording a reading of your story using a webcam that will allow you augmented reality capabilities.</p><p>Check out this video for a fantastic introduction:</p></div><p align="center"><object style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 250px" width="300" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tpmqs7Yn8VU?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tpmqs7Yn8VU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="250"></embed></object></p><p align="left">And the following video shows all ZooBurst's newest updates:</p><p align="center"><object style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 250px" width="300" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nhjyb_I_nOA?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nhjyb_I_nOA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="300" height="250"></embed></object></p>Can't wait to see all the great things our students will do with this tool. Oh man, I wish I had a classroom!<br /><br />Enjoy!Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-59861035512611217202010-04-30T18:39:00.015-04:002010-09-10T14:55:42.142-04:00...and GrowingI just ran a few days of my favourite technology workshop this year! All my Ed Tech workshops have been curriculum based, and this one was regarding the integration of technology into Social Studies, Geography and History. My obvious choice was everything Google:<br /><ul><li>Google Street View</li><li>Google Earth</li><li>Google Lit Trips</li></ul><p>During the time that I was gathering resources to share, I was fortunate enough to catch a tweet from a Web 2.0er/Educator extraordinaire, by the name of <a href="http://twitter.com/dougpete">Doug Peterson</a>. He had just posted a blog entry called, "<a href="http://dougpete.wordpress.com/2010/03/22/an-idea-that-just-keeps-growing/">An Idea That Just Keeps Growing</a>."...and <strong>grow</strong> it continues to do!</p><p>Google Street View can be found in <a href="http://maps.google.ca/">Google Maps</a>. If you hover your mouse over the yellow <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">peg-man</span> you will see him begin to jump off of his space. If you drag him out onto the map, any streets that turn blue have Google Street View. I decided that I would give my participants the basics of Google Street View and tell them Doug's story as they explored the images within the regions of their choice. I wanted to make sure they had all "chapters" to this great story, so definitely had to make mention of people like <a href="http://www.zefrank.com/the_walk/"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ZeFrank</span></a>, and <a href="http://middleschool101.edublogs.org/2010/03/21/a-walk-down-memory-lane-with-google-street-view/">Megan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Palevich</span></a>. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLUJuOYx6ILx3MHVN5XmvSfI8KrJC9Dmv5E7S4AMA_GsGoXXeQTJO09ccNVw_tk8OFXF0J8HNm5NQoLR2GgKUyGdwjRo8yQ6vUEJhMfg4YU6B7LjAT7LAIxQ2y3Z9-0jqv8TIpt2kACqL/s1600/peg_man.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 110px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466112334953927250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLUJuOYx6ILx3MHVN5XmvSfI8KrJC9Dmv5E7S4AMA_GsGoXXeQTJO09ccNVw_tk8OFXF0J8HNm5NQoLR2GgKUyGdwjRo8yQ6vUEJhMfg4YU6B7LjAT7LAIxQ2y3Z9-0jqv8TIpt2kACqL/s320/peg_man.jpg" /></a> What followed was fantastic. Within every session, someone had their own story to tell. One such story was from my partner-presenter, whose passion of Social Studies compliments my love of technology beautifully. She had gone home to explore Google Street View herself and went to her hometown, a little village in New Brunswick, Canada. This is her story:<br /><em>"It was so cool to "walk" the same streets on which I grew up. Then I clicked on a video link. It was a video a scuba diver took in a quarry not far from my mom and dad's place. There was my dad's boat that was sunk in that quarry many years ago. He had been a commercial fisherman all of his life and, when his boat had seen it's last days, he had donated it to the divers in order for them to achieve their various levels. My dad will be moved to tears when he sees it..he fished in it until it wouldn't hold water any more. Pretty amazing!"</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_vCllvlgQjPmuipjca6h2iSrNbPY_ZU0xp9yR3xXl8ONgSQd8UZcayToaFYORetS7u2lRWgyHAt6pUCOMGwxxpQbWAnMtjoppRG0owcqOSTv0SnRoJsDigjJGfpXyck3hPFhBj2UAo6w/s1600/Google%2520logo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 98px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 106px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466113368044212338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_vCllvlgQjPmuipjca6h2iSrNbPY_ZU0xp9yR3xXl8ONgSQd8UZcayToaFYORetS7u2lRWgyHAt6pUCOMGwxxpQbWAnMtjoppRG0owcqOSTv0SnRoJsDigjJGfpXyck3hPFhBj2UAo6w/s320/Google%2520logo.jpg" /></a> <p>It was hard to drag the participants away from this, but hey, next came Google Earth! There are many people who have created some great support resources and tutorials for Google Earth. I inserted some of these items within my presentation so participants could refer to them at a later date in order to review some of the features we explored during the workshop. <a href="http://tw.neisd.net/webpages/mbelmo/google.cfm">Misty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Belmontez</span></a> has an incredibly helpful website where she has posted such items.<br /><br />Once you get your hands on some of the code that is needed to created thumbtacks in Google Earth, you are good to go - Misty gives us the code:) You simply insert your own images, text, audio or video files within the code of your choice and voila, you've created your own personalized place. </p><p>There are so many things to explore within Google Earth that you could fly off on different trips for days on end! Most recently, imagery from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has been added. Turn on "Points of Interest" and look for an icon in the Gulf. There is a 3D layer in which to view Ancient Rome. Make sure you have your 3D Buildings checked, in the Layers portion of the sidebar, and you'll see where famous and historical places have been brought to life for you. World oceans can be explored. And once you've tired of Earth, head out to Mars, the Moon or the Sky in general by clicking on the planet button.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_CCJkY4z6euq_LppcUWeZCr4sdYB18fctFSYF7MreIMcE9llCZ2ZOjlHjRgZNsaj4eWXqv3dDGXGK53YbiSJVPSqCXVDxcN_wY5yMEG-k0JyPbzHL2M3jg7fqWLSN6jPE4Xm3cocm4NN/s1600/littrips1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466114962770747266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_CCJkY4z6euq_LppcUWeZCr4sdYB18fctFSYF7MreIMcE9llCZ2ZOjlHjRgZNsaj4eWXqv3dDGXGK53YbiSJVPSqCXVDxcN_wY5yMEG-k0JyPbzHL2M3jg7fqWLSN6jPE4Xm3cocm4NN/s320/littrips1.JPG" /></a><a href="http://www.jeromeburg.com/">Jerome Burg</a> has spent some time creating a wonderful site called <a href="http://www.googlelittrips.org/">Google Lit Trips</a>. Here you can download all sorts of literature-based trips that educators have created to be travelled in Google Earth. You simply download the trip of your choice and open it in Google Earth. You'll see it appear in the places section of the side bar. Click the check box to turn it on, then double click on the main link and off you'll fly to the path of the Lit Trip. Make sure you click on the "plus" button beside the main link and a drop down of all of the trip parts, often chapters, will appear below. Double click on them one by one and you will find yourself soaring to the next place of the adventure.</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FB6_twxcahse8Rpu9S0SteVKRjebNwZj78QAZawbCmMzM4J1mLGszt5Xhy9m7woN4Mzi0WrnqxHhh0G00uMNjBWvQZjkBgPHhJBH6nT3mGNsAtqurfq8c0Vz35oBKSUeHS52wV3Z8KTj/s1600/Big+Anthony.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 140px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466114959182077026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FB6_twxcahse8Rpu9S0SteVKRjebNwZj78QAZawbCmMzM4J1mLGszt5Xhy9m7woN4Mzi0WrnqxHhh0G00uMNjBWvQZjkBgPHhJBH6nT3mGNsAtqurfq8c0Vz35oBKSUeHS52wV3Z8KTj/s320/Big+Anthony.jpg" /></a>One of my personal favourites is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tomie</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">DePaola's</span> "Big Anthony: His Story." Big Anthony travels across Italy and with every leg of the journey there is so much to see and discuss. Again, make sure that 3D Buildings is checked because you are then able to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and so much more.<br /><br /><p>Once you and your students are comfortable with travelling on a Lit Trip, of course you should embark on the journey of creating one yourself. Go to Jerome's Lit Trip Tips in the "Downloads, etc." link on his website and you'll have found yourself the tutorials and guides you'll need. Then, once you've created your trip make sure you share. Jerome welcomes contributions to his site.</p><p><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ahhh</span>, I love Google...</p><p>The following is the presentation I used for my workshop:<br />http://prezi.com/wglanqi5cgdk/tech-tools-and-social-studies/</p></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-12864118902103404942010-04-06T08:32:00.004-04:002010-04-06T09:40:32.369-04:00To The Basingi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZkVi8fz6DBuXEMhSEJM14D7LE5Vd9vVLicRuRa5g_A8psycnjj-Eve_a9M3ssIgazVjmeOWiE9pq-102pJ5lEq1gpoktDqo68ct7HpQUTMySonofdpuLDPyvaipVnyUxmBi_pYnatoNV/s1600/einstein2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 261px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457017947783721858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZkVi8fz6DBuXEMhSEJM14D7LE5Vd9vVLicRuRa5g_A8psycnjj-Eve_a9M3ssIgazVjmeOWiE9pq-102pJ5lEq1gpoktDqo68ct7HpQUTMySonofdpuLDPyvaipVnyUxmBi_pYnatoNV/s400/einstein2.JPG" /></a> <div></div><div>Today I deviate away from my technology emphasis and post an entry dedicated to my good friends from across the pond. It is today that they say good-bye to their dearest and most cherished companion. I too have a four-legged furry sweetie pie and know all too well the love that is felt for such an addition to your life. My heart breaks for them. </div><br /><div>There are quite a few things I will remember and smile about when it comes to Einstein. </div><br /><div>The way he "swims" is adorable: he plods around in the water, refusing to go any deeper than his knees, <strong>except</strong> for that memorable day at the beach when he decided to show the crazy springer spaniel who was boss. I'll never forget the look on everyone's face as we watched him race, jump, swim and get to that ball before Keela could even think about what was happening. He glided back by her and to the beach where he stood tall, ball in mouth, and even the "Keela-Monster" knew who truly was the leader of the pack.</div><br /><div>I love the way he looks when he's scolded for begging: "Einstein! Are you begging?!?!" He puts his head down with that shy look, but it is sooo obvious he knows that, in the end, he will get some tasty little morsel...just because he is so cute.</div><br /><div>He adores going to work. This is obvious to anyone who gets to witness it. He knows that he will get to lay by the water's breeze, see all who love him as he moves from job to job, and most of all be with his Eddy who simply loves to just exist with him.</div><br /><div>I love to see the expression of glee on his face if he happens to notice that he is not leashed to someone. Off he gallops, smiling from ear-to-ear and I'm sure if he could use human words we would clearly hear "Yaaaaahoooo!!" I'm not sure if he loves the freedom of it all, or if he really just likes to hear the commotion that ensues. Both are pretty funny for any bystander to watch...:)</div><br /><div>Yes, everything we need to know about living a great life, we can learn from our dogs:</div><ul><li><em>When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.</em></li><li><em>Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.</em></li><li><em>Take naps.</em></li><li><em>Stretch before rising.</em></li><li><em>Run, romp and play daily.</em></li><li><em>Thrive on attention and let people touch you.</em></li><li><em>Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.</em></li><li><em>On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.</em></li><li><em>On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.</em></li><li><em>When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.</em></li><li><em>Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.</em></li><li><em>Be loyal.</em></li><li><em>Never pretend to be something you're not.</em></li><li><em>If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.</em></li><li><em>When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.</em></li></ul><p>Here's to you Einstein, you handsome fellow. Thank you for touching all of our lives. God speed.<br />xoxo</p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-56297673391873768312010-02-21T12:31:00.016-05:002010-02-28T22:48:24.386-05:00Oh Canada!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY5EZfiysUHHglMuCcbxAq6G6tke8w9ncNM1SYEE5VqzXI3Ip4RrBIB5QtE8hiGaITkjZaEjjjKzmYG0xp6-vTtZfuIM9KU4F88EgkaDkiN79Ce5n2a6-MDIm9jB4YUyU1iPGVepS50dD/s1600-h/canada.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443502425243455090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidY5EZfiysUHHglMuCcbxAq6G6tke8w9ncNM1SYEE5VqzXI3Ip4RrBIB5QtE8hiGaITkjZaEjjjKzmYG0xp6-vTtZfuIM9KU4F88EgkaDkiN79Ce5n2a6-MDIm9jB4YUyU1iPGVepS50dD/s320/canada.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.ctv.ca">CTV</a> seems to be the only station that has been on in my household since the start of the Olympics. We have not had any desire to watch anything else. They have shown several segments where announcers and fans spoke of their favourite Olympic moment.<br /><br />I have so many favourites that I just need to blurt them all out onto the page...in no particular order:<br /><br /><p>Kristi Richards' determination to finish her mogul run...how inspirational is that!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mjhrmufje9vwCj1Ib-_B1EJz5Q51XrAsr2MmCNhgSl9PG8a3sehXs-rWCep3zKp41_-mI_sSBy0MXrkNA1Ef8oC_uMwWQPtsgkoRMvmTe2ZFoh3zC1wnt4MyvzuqNPHZf5eTd4Vl_wT-/s1600-h/kristy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443484569727538546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mjhrmufje9vwCj1Ib-_B1EJz5Q51XrAsr2MmCNhgSl9PG8a3sehXs-rWCep3zKp41_-mI_sSBy0MXrkNA1Ef8oC_uMwWQPtsgkoRMvmTe2ZFoh3zC1wnt4MyvzuqNPHZf5eTd4Vl_wT-/s320/kristy.jpg" /></a>How can you not like John Montgomery?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlpQxv7aMy490L02VuK13_pA8bNEbkYyMTiOIqjr2_5fRlbvCWESeS0oxYJvj8qHmPsARGDj6xI7Yj56tbl8sn4uGFQaSo74dzJnMRP2hbIECKucTR-syWUz1KPqF2PMryJtNbawQ26IZ/s1600-h/montgomery.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 209px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443486182896443810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlpQxv7aMy490L02VuK13_pA8bNEbkYyMTiOIqjr2_5fRlbvCWESeS0oxYJvj8qHmPsARGDj6xI7Yj56tbl8sn4uGFQaSo74dzJnMRP2hbIECKucTR-syWUz1KPqF2PMryJtNbawQ26IZ/s320/montgomery.jpg" /></a><br />Joannie Rochette's courage and heartwrenching skate ending with an emotional kiss toward her mother touched us all.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYudr6i7eAatMRXc8EJB5uSvSLLvqecyoJ2ufmAqp74CUn9JijjyOUxgoAMUbgXnS-Obpb7Ho0W9nPBfwOdD6rujOVXPwWblhdpxacMXa_lte1opX3wlzZxE_Q1gEBAWy83Slq2BxNQYsU/s1600-h/joannie.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443490794482288050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYudr6i7eAatMRXc8EJB5uSvSLLvqecyoJ2ufmAqp74CUn9JijjyOUxgoAMUbgXnS-Obpb7Ho0W9nPBfwOdD6rujOVXPwWblhdpxacMXa_lte1opX3wlzZxE_Q1gEBAWy83Slq2BxNQYsU/s320/joannie.jpg" /></a><br />Curling pants from Norway...love 'em!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqYlor0FXkTdg6Gm_ZmUpCuPX9lGbKB3DqpPNCDv9EEnr75bIryZRIw4u7Ns-PzUPzc4rdCZEBT8BvQVk_ftoHv4KmImyOSLq-a2kYdGihx-ghspnDH67xI52ceucfjoHp76Yaoe3PJVk/s1600-h/norway.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443482049017449330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqYlor0FXkTdg6Gm_ZmUpCuPX9lGbKB3DqpPNCDv9EEnr75bIryZRIw4u7Ns-PzUPzc4rdCZEBT8BvQVk_ftoHv4KmImyOSLq-a2kYdGihx-ghspnDH67xI52ceucfjoHp76Yaoe3PJVk/s320/norway.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div>I have no more nails and think I need to get my blood pressure checked after watching the Gold Medal Hockey Game.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItFsUuxTeARXjODUh23R6bWtRUsP_pwiBX1DFJr_Rdskx0WP-4xZG-o9iSAH694o0aMUfLutE4uWb1mWK6JVFIrCJ37KuRZzYd8LB2VSOFo-ojpN1j5s4yZw1tClizLvr-sMBoZLSEzjm/s1600-h/hockey.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443503919134191858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItFsUuxTeARXjODUh23R6bWtRUsP_pwiBX1DFJr_Rdskx0WP-4xZG-o9iSAH694o0aMUfLutE4uWb1mWK6JVFIrCJ37KuRZzYd8LB2VSOFo-ojpN1j5s4yZw1tClizLvr-sMBoZLSEzjm/s320/hockey.jpg" /></a>I must admit my favourite was Alex Bilodeau and his inspiration who is his brother Frederic. We all need to learn from them. And of course, when he said, "the party is just starting for Canada," he wasn't kidding!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdm8G0UFzI1RGxfZNYKQNjHO7gA9AyY3SknI8X6tL8VRhQr0OntwjYGH1Ay12fLvhDciW1REEEH-5EM3W_EJJ9aEdwFXaXd0CeUW4udO5-LRt6wc0gXAKzyf85ak73-WvFlKAYhDOpSQ0/s1600-h/alex.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443499402659407666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdm8G0UFzI1RGxfZNYKQNjHO7gA9AyY3SknI8X6tL8VRhQr0OntwjYGH1Ay12fLvhDciW1REEEH-5EM3W_EJJ9aEdwFXaXd0CeUW4udO5-LRt6wc0gXAKzyf85ak73-WvFlKAYhDOpSQ0/s320/alex.jpg" /></a><br />What a fantastic idea to start the Closing Ceremonies with the magical rising of the fourth column in the Olympic Cauldron. And the magical lifting of Katrina La Mae Don to light it...amazing!<br /><br />Where have you seen a space where so many flags from so many countries form a bonding circle to signify unity...beautiful!<br /><br /><p>Neil Young...oh yeah!<br /><br />...and yes, I openly admit that I love the champagne, cigars and zamboni rides:) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGQ-nWrXxYpNYTCUecDhONnvIdAh1lWkwN4YtpQNH-JnGskzbPnKzhFNvAHv0WwE6M6u2GJQ8BTkooPNF5XMAGlKtRWKYVxH0hYIZx9bXrHy_3VW6gMMkmXgsL61pZGiKZPQVJhP7Zy0j/s1600-h/zamboni.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443504492585405570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGQ-nWrXxYpNYTCUecDhONnvIdAh1lWkwN4YtpQNH-JnGskzbPnKzhFNvAHv0WwE6M6u2GJQ8BTkooPNF5XMAGlKtRWKYVxH0hYIZx9bXrHy_3VW6gMMkmXgsL61pZGiKZPQVJhP7Zy0j/s320/zamboni.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.ctvolympics.ca/">CTV's Olympic website</a> has great <a href="http://www.ctvolympics.ca/music-of-the-nation/broadcastHighlights.html">highlights of the day</a> set to some pretty powerful music from Canadian artists. </p>The commercials have even been fantastic:<br /><p align="center"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwIgblw8SI1p8QhodOadIaUAv0p0Z8etYJqCDLa01h8YsNJpeIWg7yx3YuycqFxGvFuqUo_NLH3FRNTeGGcfg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br />The outbursts of our national anthem have been incredible. No one could have missed the sea of energetic red clothing.<br /><br />Yes, we Canadians are patriotic. I am so proud to be Canadian. Oh Canada! Yes I believe!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5vjr9aSfIn1OyKVOqPUxgH_tlwcKcBZpcl4hLsndQh2N2NNmDOzxK3sBER0drJ36zy9ejXc8XABOFIMjVyAF5hJGss48o353MZ4mDvkOPJwq8mGoYL9knsMiLJqxHvbKGlND_zZXqzb-/s1600-h/flag.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443506209555732290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5vjr9aSfIn1OyKVOqPUxgH_tlwcKcBZpcl4hLsndQh2N2NNmDOzxK3sBER0drJ36zy9ejXc8XABOFIMjVyAF5hJGss48o353MZ4mDvkOPJwq8mGoYL9knsMiLJqxHvbKGlND_zZXqzb-/s320/flag.jpg" /></a>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-17945417670377219822010-01-30T19:56:00.011-05:002010-02-10T10:38:18.715-05:00The Science of the Olympic Winter GamesI've just been reading through my <a href="http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/FebruaryNo5/L_L_February_2010.htm">Learning & Leading with Technology</a> magazine from ISTE. Lo and behold, staring me in the face was an excerpt about NBC's contribution to the Vancouver Olympics. Sadly for a Canadian such as myself, <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/science-of-the-games/">NBC</a> has decided to make this fantastic educational tool "restricted to viewers within the United States." Fortunately the <a href="http://www.nsf.gov/">National Science Foundation</a> has come through for us international educators and has the <a href="http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/olympics/index.jsp">whole series</a> available for viewing.<br /><br />Here is an example of one called Slapshot Physics :<br /><div align="center"><embed style="WIDTH: 344px; HEIGHT: 223px" height="223" width="344" src="http://www.nsf.gov/js/video/player.swf" flashvars="file=winter_olympics/slapshot.flv&streamer=rtmp://nsfgov.flash.internapcdn.net/nsfgov_vitalstream_com/_definst_/video/&image=http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/olympics/images/openingtitle640.jpg&smoothing=true&controlbar=over" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="000000"></embed></div><br />Global news has been holding a series of clips called "Beyond the Podium" that is also addressing a lot of the science behind the scenes. One example is a <a href="http://www.globalnational.com/video/index.html?releasePID=ffpgpp9mS9oNvZ2norTrLJfTRdCBxT1W">clip</a> that speaks about the possibility of borrowing snow from Isreal!!!<br /><br />Discovery Network's Daily Planet is also hosting a fabulous series called "<a href="http://www.discoverychannel.ca/Showpage.aspx?sid=13287">Daily Planet Goes to Vancouver</a>." If you go to this link you will have access to these clips and many others that are associated with the Olympics.Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-44001199108776913832010-01-20T17:27:00.016-05:002010-02-10T10:57:47.035-05:00The Best of Us - ALL TOGETHER NOWEvery time I see this Olympic commercial I get goosebumps. After several viewings I started to wonder why it has such a fantastic effect on me. I decided to do some searching. Of course I tend to go <a href="http://www.youtube.com/">youtube</a> before I go anywhere these days. Anything you ever wanted to learn <em>about</em> or <em>how to do</em> you can find on youtube. It is REALLY effective, especially for those visual learners like myself. This commercial is called "The Best of Us - ALL TOGETHER NOW."<br /><br /><p align="center"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i9lrFC7ZNDY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i9lrFC7ZNDY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p>I noticed that the commercial is sponsered by <a href="http://www.olympic.org/en/content/The-IOC/Commissions/Marketing/Best-of-Us/">olympics.org</a> and found on this site, some background to the message this committee wanted to convey. The following is an excerpt from this site:<br /><em><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#cc0000;">"The "All Together Now" Public Service Announcement communicates the fundamental Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. In this spot, six larger-than-life Olympians seem to be competing against each other in what appears to be a gigantic tug-of-war. As the spot develops, it becomes clear that the athletes are not working against each other, but actually working together to unite the world in celebration of the Olympic Games. Thus, the spot conveys not only the determination and excellence of Olympic athletes, but also their unique ability to bring the world together for the Olympic Games in a massive display of optimism and inspiration."</span><br /></em><br />No wonder I LOVE it!! I've already told you how much I love the Olympics. I need to let you in on a little secret now. I'm not an athlete. Those of you who know me, know that I'm the farthest thing from it. What I am is a hopeless romantic. I'm in love with the notion of bringing the whole world together in harmony. And the Olympics does just that. For a few weeks, these athletes come together from every walk of life imaginable and gather on even playing grounds to act out their passion of sport and team spirit and love of their country. How fantastic is that?<br /><br />Yes I can hear you pessimists right now murmuring to yourself. I urge you to ignore the politics that try to ooze their way into these games and focus on the unparalleled energy that exists within them. It is such a rush!<br /><br />As for the potential education that lies within this commercial, have your students really analyse it from both <a href="http://newmedialiteracies.org/">media literacy</a> and <a href="http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/sssi05/html/gini_newman1.html">critical thinking</a> points of view - before you read them the excerpt from the site. Both these terms are linked to great websites that give you nice overviews of each through video clips.<br /><br />Have your students deconstruct the message that was intended by this commercial. Let me know how it goes:)Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-90860627088951994822010-01-13T22:22:00.001-05:002010-02-10T10:58:04.955-05:00K-7 Classrooms Invited to Contribute to Olympics Website<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6fp8cIDnzxEm1SNr6_NLVoHrTIMNCrHgtIlJPqbP2xMa2aSCailzaBJZYR-RdEQKp_VxpZ8xoPBEkNcfhZ6SRvw6sLdRQf6C2bGinHG9z7M9CIfzfYJeofqfxWZSwrPEGYVap89pVMVL/s1600-h/olympick-7site.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426433629457603138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6fp8cIDnzxEm1SNr6_NLVoHrTIMNCrHgtIlJPqbP2xMa2aSCailzaBJZYR-RdEQKp_VxpZ8xoPBEkNcfhZ6SRvw6sLdRQf6C2bGinHG9z7M9CIfzfYJeofqfxWZSwrPEGYVap89pVMVL/s320/olympick-7site.bmp" /></a><br /><div>Nicole Chatz, a second grade teacher, who is undertaking a graduate diploma in Learning & Teaching with Technology at Simon Fraser University, has posted in the <a href="http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/education/2010/01/08/k-7-classrooms-invited-contribute-olympics-website">Vancouver Observer</a> a fantastic opportunity for students. She has created a collaborative project that will have kids from all over the world engaged in posting information to her <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/misschatz/">website </a>based on three different ideas. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>By clicking on the links within the paragraph above you can find more information about her project. Registration closes January 25th.</div><br /><div></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-42037914087295011172010-01-13T20:54:00.001-05:002010-02-10T10:58:24.102-05:002010 Vancouver Olympics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_Q1mOiopVD0GMzf2rD7BBlHwV4zT3pBxo2AEHhTZ47ovDpLKSpwMi83kIND4xdCF_1Se7ZuOrprPzOCUALmcRYcrYaHThTSElLZJH-P6HLKmA31s0vUNjojP8AP3s5jwcJF4LKZCIEOa/s1600-h/2010winterolympics.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426428976531116610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_Q1mOiopVD0GMzf2rD7BBlHwV4zT3pBxo2AEHhTZ47ovDpLKSpwMi83kIND4xdCF_1Se7ZuOrprPzOCUALmcRYcrYaHThTSElLZJH-P6HLKmA31s0vUNjojP8AP3s5jwcJF4LKZCIEOa/s320/2010winterolympics.jpg" /></a><br /><div>For those of you who know me, you know that I LOVE winter Olympics. Since I can't immerse my own class in the event this time around, I'm going to try to send everything I would use in a classroom your way. Of course I'm going to try to integrate tech tools where ever possible :)</div><br /><br /><div><br />I always had students follow events from a both a Canadian website and an American website, as well as the two different broadcasting networks on television to compare viewpoints based on athletes.<br />Official Olympic Site and their Education Programs:<br /><a href="http://www.vancouver2010.com/">http://www.vancouver2010.com/</a><br />Canadian Site:<br /><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/">http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/</a><br />American Site: </div><div><a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">http://www.nbcolympics.com/</a></div><div></div><div>Look for postings weekly until this fantastic event is over:)</div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-41794408083678647762009-11-22T11:40:00.000-05:002009-11-26T18:28:48.351-05:00On Being "Twitter"pated<div align="left">Disney's term <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXBbgzQmpJw">twitterpated</a> brings on a whole new meaning in the 21st Century:) And you, like Thumper and the gang, may say that it's not going to happen to you. But my experience says that you will become hooked whether you're ready for it or not!<br /><br />In my mind, Twitter is, by far, the best way to receive timely, ongoing, at-your-fingertips professional learning, anytime and anywhere you can connect. I use Facebook to socialize, but I use Twitter only from a Global Learning perspective. In a relatively short amount of time I've attached myself to some of the most extraordinary educational leaders from all over the world. It is quite a rush to be in contact with them. I can honestly say, I've never learned so much in so little time. AND I haven't had to travel, or spend hundreds of dollars to receive such valuable professional learning. Here is a video that exemplifies my feelings:</div><p align="center"><object style="WIDTH: 425px; HEIGHT: 344px" height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZYz9M70KVR0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZYz9M70KVR0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p>In order to get started:<br />1) Create a <a href="http://twitter.com/">Twitter account</a><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4YGp4cWdndc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4YGp4cWdndc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p>2) Know that, in authentic global learning networks (GLN), people want to know who you are so, when setting up your profile make sure you:<br /><br /><ul><li>use your first name and last name - no nicknames</li><li>state where you are from</li><li>if you have a blog or website you'd like to share as being part of you, post the URL </li><li>state some things about yourself in the bio section<br /><p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406988673107840210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 356px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 82px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XgnyhO_dNOFqqWHqjOk5lHM0Qr_AKFgKU3EJRnfdq_vLn21LlkIeLtQCGjFoUtKuDZxp99KbnxznsuTdnZ6-wwDnBgwMEqFPabrCqr5sIMYgWPPKYk2MFUJsQh68VkZ3pjJnaHQ1Y11J/s400/twitteraccount.bmp" border="0" /></p></li></ul>3) Once your account is set up, you will automatically have a list of people who you "follow". Delete this bunch unless you really want to follow them. Just know, they are not necessarily educators.<br /><br />4) This next step is definitely a method of viral communication. Remember this "and they told two friends...and so on" method. Within each person's home page, there will be a list of people who they follow. If this person has worked hard on creating a GLN, then they will be following some pretty great people. I like to think of myself as one who has created such a realm. <a href="http://twitter.com/ITLynda">Follow me</a>:) If you go to my twitter profile, you can scroll through the list of people I follow and choose to follow them too. But don't just believe me. Look at their profiles and make sure they are who you'd like to see tweeting. I always look at their profile (making sure they have followed my rules from above), and scroll down through their tweets to see if they are saying anything that intrigues me. I'm looking for people who can educate me - I don't care if they are driving on the 401, or what they are having for supper. I want to see them posting "food for thought" about education, URLs to educational sites and blogs or pics of educational value. If I had to choose one person for you to follow it'd be <a href="http://twitter.com/web20classroom">Steven Anderson</a>: he tweets the most beneficial Educational PD that I've received...hands down. His motto is "Trying to Change The World, One Tweet At A Time..." He's definitely doing that!<br /><br /><p></p><p>Give yourself permission to "lurk" for awhile, but eventually you need to join the conversation. It is a little scary at first because once you've tweeted, you can't take it back. But you soon get over that. I have two rules for tweeting:<br />1) Learn some tweeting etiquette through a couple of websites:</p><ul><li><a href="http://mashable.com/2009/07/20/twitter-new-users/">Twitter for Beginners: Five Steps for Better Tweeting</a></li><li><a href="http://mashable.com/guidebook/twitter/">The Twitter Guide Book</a></li></ul><p>2) Give them something to look at - blogs, websites, pics.</p>Recently, <a href="http://educationaltechnology.ca/couros/about">Alec Couros</a>, during a keynote speech in Oshawa, stated that,<br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">"Twitter is trust among educators."</span></div>This is a fantastic analogy. Historically, we educators have spent countless hours within the four walls of our classrooms and worked our behinds off, alone. In the 21st Century we need to learn to have flat classrooms. We need to get past this state of being too nervous to share because, collectively, we are an extraordinary force. As a newly hired IT Consultant, I've seen the most amazing things happening right within my district. Educators are doing the most incredible things for their kids in their classrooms, but no one else gets to see, because those four walls keep getting in the way. If there was ever a way to start peeking out from those walls, it's by connecting to others through Twitter. Believe me, you will not regret becoming Twitterpated:)Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-6153912537848309852009-10-17T17:56:00.000-04:002009-10-18T22:31:29.397-04:00The Wonderful World of Wordle<a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a> is the grrrrreat!<br /><br />You can easily create word clouds by copying and pasting text into the space provided. Then you can change the font, the layout, and the colours to make the cloud represent your artistic intentions. The more a word occurs in the text, the larger it will be in the word cloud. It's easy and so much fun!<br /><br />When I first decided to play with <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a>, my mind automatically went to Dr Seuss. After all he has the most amazing way with words. As a matter of fact, it wouldn't surprise me if he is somehow connected to the word "wordle"...:) I easily found a reader's theatre version of one of my favourite Seuss stories, copied and pasted it into the <strong>Create</strong> window, pressed <strong>Go</strong> and voila! Can you tell which story I chose?<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLDtbvMpzDW59jusKLCiv5HNFEORIDTK3fvyOPMcwkhkCRwD0vtXyJarLTAnwliyTZeWI10rZWgWBQaTe2uZXTf90RJ4voiPpHrfhaYnCQFlxsg2tiYHp__xHCr9UrsHj-qLJWozNNOd7/s1600-h/green+eggs.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394124130844382098" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 207px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLDtbvMpzDW59jusKLCiv5HNFEORIDTK3fvyOPMcwkhkCRwD0vtXyJarLTAnwliyTZeWI10rZWgWBQaTe2uZXTf90RJ4voiPpHrfhaYnCQFlxsg2tiYHp__xHCr9UrsHj-qLJWozNNOd7/s320/green+eggs.bmp" border="0" /></a></p>Obviously someone does "not-like-them" in the Seuss cloud. I think this would be a great little exercise on identifying the main idea in a piece of text, whether it be fiction or nonfiction. The larger words help the viewer quickly and easily identify the main idea.<br /><br /><a href="http://guessthewordle.pbworks.com/">Guess the Wordle</a> is a great site that you can use with your students in order to guess the topic of the <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a>. Another great strategy for practicing finding the main idea.<br /><br />I recently read an <a href="http://www.iste.org/">ISTE</a> magazine article, where a middle school teacher, Samantha Morra, wrote about how she uses <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle </a>for all sorts of great things. She spoke of having her students go to the <a href="http://www.ourdocuments.gov/index.php?flash=true&">Our Documents</a> website (obviously American) and choosing a document from the 100 Milestone Documents on the site. Her students had the most amazing conversations about the information shown in their clouds. I wondered what that might look like and decided to find a document on the Rights of the Child - copied into the <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle </a>window and this is what it looked like:<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLdZRMEMnxhI892b1XeTWKlxjj6twezu4Ln7mK7J-j0a-azPmlHy0BFNSQwlbh1jVvImq1mFCHMyVIhr334wmLSmCqea52UKhu1-tsWh-iNYptcKZyndqxB9WDp-wPuI1945smRT-frm6/s1600-h/rights+of+the+child.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394119857843196130" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLdZRMEMnxhI892b1XeTWKlxjj6twezu4Ln7mK7J-j0a-azPmlHy0BFNSQwlbh1jVvImq1mFCHMyVIhr334wmLSmCqea52UKhu1-tsWh-iNYptcKZyndqxB9WDp-wPuI1945smRT-frm6/s320/rights+of+the+child.bmp" border="0" /></a></p>Ms Morra also spoke about a student putting her book report into <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a>. When it created a cloud the word "also" appeared as the largest word. The student decided that perhaps she used that word too much. Talk about a seize-the-moment teaching opportunity!<br /><br />So I noticed that you can make a <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle </a>out of your blog feed. I decided to create one with my blog to see what it would look like:<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcv0bcufUTx7dBk-quZ1-Hq5pnI1Ib_5tQ2BQAh54WBlDRa8O7vykvF5fyyfMUUJYZmBTaQw7JxGoHp90sBmyNvqbnvCJZgFh9Cr7rqJE-lcZSwdiW9pRmhyPNeVw7tGPUbno_ryVz3v9/s1600-h/blog.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394127414473171010" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcv0bcufUTx7dBk-quZ1-Hq5pnI1Ib_5tQ2BQAh54WBlDRa8O7vykvF5fyyfMUUJYZmBTaQw7JxGoHp90sBmyNvqbnvCJZgFh9Cr7rqJE-lcZSwdiW9pRmhyPNeVw7tGPUbno_ryVz3v9/s320/blog.bmp" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Guess I use the word "just" too much??? Hmmmm...</p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-79869587049180884342009-08-25T22:41:00.000-04:002009-09-07T23:09:12.819-04:00"Flip" Over Extreme Makeover Home Edition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfi78zk06kGCvh3w5cHcKSD-jzW_bhbJ5Av5KO86j5cJ27qhfOc4cM35sNg2rssn8bOQ_ENzhowTxNf2KlEAJLHAKBNpoPgtxxaJYvPt8nd6pQtfHsTzb1xPcMDvHIzRROe211DGIH1i1/s1600-h/extreme-makeover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378927370560630594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfi78zk06kGCvh3w5cHcKSD-jzW_bhbJ5Av5KO86j5cJ27qhfOc4cM35sNg2rssn8bOQ_ENzhowTxNf2KlEAJLHAKBNpoPgtxxaJYvPt8nd6pQtfHsTzb1xPcMDvHIzRROe211DGIH1i1/s320/extreme-makeover.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div align="justify">When I was in Erie, PA earlier this summer I found out that, none other than, <a href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition/index">Extreme Makeover Home Edition</a> had chosen a local home with which to perform their magic. I was VERY excited about this as I often spend Sunday evenings cozied up on the couch with my dog curled up in my legs (and some kleenex) to watch this heartwarming show. My hubby never concedes to watching, but I think that's because he minds the crying a little more than I:)<br /><br />I did a little research and found that Ty and the crew were helping out a local "angel" named Clara Ward. She is the founder of the Youth Development Center in Erie, PA where she teaches children who have been abused and neglected. She often uses her own money to provide for the needs of these children. Clara is wheelchair bound due to a rare degenerative muscular disease and lives with her daughter.<br /><br />It just so happened that my dear friends the "Hubbles" had gone to see the site a few days earlier and thought it was so neat that they kindly took me back to the site when they heard my relentless enthusiasm about it. This is what it looked like during their earlier visit: </div><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378086967357865346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCjeKM6e3bx9HP-190YOZwTNkvxwsqaQjuooVUCbM4SBOhqnEEjTTGKZ_canAgvBVN-xdyO9KxsiCqyOb5GLzZreYn87HIyZ527K8o7x61iPnW6gZ77P5OBk44aWfrZMYNj1x74poe-BE/s400/DSC07226.JPG" border="0" /> The day they took me, the builders had completed building the house and the moving trucks were unloading furniture and medical technology. "Little Hubbet" took pics of the celebs and I was faced with the perfect opportunity to try out my new video technology called a <a href="http://www.theflip.com/products_flip_ultra.shtml#scene=sceneMain">Flip</a>.<br /><br />As you can see below, Paige is walking out from the house to meet the truck. She is just as beautiful in real life as she is on TV. I LOVE her pink construction attire!!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374125935471039010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTSaHevvEsFhrMIqT1pT97rtukuH1ecIwLyzGT2AB8c0mnv_s5WUN3Le9eJuD5M8RTLHgFBrLxjsOryWTrrmcZyPMnVxsV7iXhx46nXrpI6TYPzfTZ_dq0G02JGYKGvSsr7UOQkoxwZq6/s400/DSC07304.JPG" border="0" /> "Little Hubbet" caught Ty and Pauly jumping from the truck in this pic. I just happened to see Pauly downtown that evening while dancing my feet off to the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23J2RgW_8k0">M-80's </a>(a fabulous band if you're into 80s music like me:)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7ILFOERftHbJuAVYD_pi-D8vrS9NsxmrZyqdCr5ODrTXjl4FCA58jkoDX3YTq4vZPc1VE1wbVM27IzA9jJhyaktdpvOhdtEwKdRtmj2hJXEMewyG751CbeBqyX_DSC048rCyvx3ne3eu/s1600-h/DSC07299e.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374125925849122466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7ILFOERftHbJuAVYD_pi-D8vrS9NsxmrZyqdCr5ODrTXjl4FCA58jkoDX3YTq4vZPc1VE1wbVM27IzA9jJhyaktdpvOhdtEwKdRtmj2hJXEMewyG751CbeBqyX_DSC048rCyvx3ne3eu/s400/DSC07299e.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The following is the movie I made with my new toy:<br /></div><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyNAvIGZwy9QOOr5---fMnkOZbUoKa3pq5JwWVOCW_nvxgHVnB7hbzH78XibJxKtJMOE4R0CTFJdv7h8EXDLA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p></div><div>We were told that this episode will be second in the new season this fall. I know I'm going to be looking for it!<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlIlwG9JnLvozVkh0lO5_MG5vfT9NuEMQ4KJTR6dKWSxA5DL8uLLxHwCf9xrinabM6muztls0JAc2R5IOnPsbsSXNbnIovG7EfvbimI_HLSIL2iCeTycZack-kKxPttDvzwxL5EOI1trs/s1600-h/logo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378915960921054786" style="WIDTH: 103px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 101px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlIlwG9JnLvozVkh0lO5_MG5vfT9NuEMQ4KJTR6dKWSxA5DL8uLLxHwCf9xrinabM6muztls0JAc2R5IOnPsbsSXNbnIovG7EfvbimI_HLSIL2iCeTycZack-kKxPttDvzwxL5EOI1trs/s200/logo.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="justify">I tell you I LOVE MY <a href="http://www.theflip.com/products_flip_ultra.shtml#scene=sceneMain">FLIP</a>!! It's compact, it's easy to use, you can create movies lickety split and you can pick one up for only about $145 at your local Walmart. You simply turn it on and push the red button: then you're recording. Push it again when you're done. Once you've created all your footage, you click the switch on the side and out "flips" a usb connection that, once plugged into your computer, automatically launches its own movie maker program. </p><p align="justify">First you save your raw footage into albums, second you make your movie and third you share them.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPDX9KMN0V1GCIL7VEVxYRQpxI7cwNP5cjbhCT9ctDjXi3wkboN8dokUz5HhL9Gi8Q9DytrSSqdH84mX4u7OAMk8cbsJJhyphenhyphenxV1NMlVL5dagd18xaSM3-c2jarv7nd4Zg64kEloS3s61qr/s1600-h/saving+videos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378919349780925762" style="WIDTH: 212px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPDX9KMN0V1GCIL7VEVxYRQpxI7cwNP5cjbhCT9ctDjXi3wkboN8dokUz5HhL9Gi8Q9DytrSSqdH84mX4u7OAMk8cbsJJhyphenhyphenxV1NMlVL5dagd18xaSM3-c2jarv7nd4Zg64kEloS3s61qr/s200/saving+videos.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUutHRMa0TN2T1zH2YVS872VHkM2_7u_5JMt4V0wPJO-C6Au7hv6VsSlhDSpUiGFYsZKPCs92KHTd2GejUfUy8NPUWLJ1yanrj4gHXpbjMZ16tFCMI2fFwUTRg-As5OKKZlb_4fz3DQbiV/s1600-h/make+movie+mix.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378919359780431570" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUutHRMa0TN2T1zH2YVS872VHkM2_7u_5JMt4V0wPJO-C6Au7hv6VsSlhDSpUiGFYsZKPCs92KHTd2GejUfUy8NPUWLJ1yanrj4gHXpbjMZ16tFCMI2fFwUTRg-As5OKKZlb_4fz3DQbiV/s200/make+movie+mix.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJXOd8BY9f-Y-lqO8TzM5RbUvW5ANwZgGvsIoLPxJkzHGRB8iTLtsHh4XjlercES7tXnoSo2wgyem5eK5R0SaLoAW4ghBQcF4CrsKb79kvpP_rR8EBBo-pbofdFkpqbhyphenhyphenk66FKH5gtBV6/s1600-h/sharing+videos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378919363367150338" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 148px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJXOd8BY9f-Y-lqO8TzM5RbUvW5ANwZgGvsIoLPxJkzHGRB8iTLtsHh4XjlercES7tXnoSo2wgyem5eK5R0SaLoAW4ghBQcF4CrsKb79kvpP_rR8EBBo-pbofdFkpqbhyphenhyphenk66FKH5gtBV6/s200/sharing+videos.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><p align="justify">Upgrade to <a href="http://www.theflip.com/products_flip_flipshare.shtml#scene=sceneMain">FlipShare</a> and you have even more options. What a great little invention!</p></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-61627410745494223402009-07-26T22:10:00.000-04:002009-08-26T00:51:25.584-04:00The Sky is the Limit!I recently had the most AMAZING adventure I've EVER had in my whole life. I was sky high...literally!! I finally went skydiving! I have wanted to do this for years, but never found anyone who would do it with me. Who would have thought it would be my crazy hair stylist that finally got the opportunity to push me out of a plane? "A perfectly good plane," my husband keeps reminding me.<br /><br />My friend came to pick me up bright and early on what seems to be the only day of this summer that it hasn't rained. It was a clear and sunny day, so it was definitely meant to be. Fortunately he was the one who was driving or it may have been the more dangerous travel method of the day. We arrived at the <a href="http://www.niagaraskydive.com/">Niagara Skydive Centre</a> in good time where I proceeded to attempt to read a consent form, signed on the dotted line, watched a video (don't really remember that either) and was then led into the hangar where I was to show the instructor, who soon proved to be my videographer, how I could arch and get myself out of an airplane...did I mention my husband reminding me that it was a perfectly good plane?<br /><br />A flight suit was chosen for me and I, of course, chose meaningful and colour-matching head gear and goggles to go with it.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMi0pXsUU3fIFhwFhzpK6s9El0YH_xRVbg8dPG3tDRwUzewLAzNVhOGjeJMAR6NU19UfatyRM9n9Ok1iDRs01ZDF8fOctK9ZQqN8Ov7JohEGJW_Xpe3hkypSKRhKhIcB5B1k9TZQXJZ6Q/s1600-h/Jul2009+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366555226719436514" style="WIDTH: 168px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 249px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMi0pXsUU3fIFhwFhzpK6s9El0YH_xRVbg8dPG3tDRwUzewLAzNVhOGjeJMAR6NU19UfatyRM9n9Ok1iDRs01ZDF8fOctK9ZQqN8Ov7JohEGJW_Xpe3hkypSKRhKhIcB5B1k9TZQXJZ6Q/s200/Jul2009+004.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>I was introduced to Tandem Tim, a great person: very experienced (10 years and over 4000 jumps worth), calm, and much to my delight somewhat crazy!! I guess we kind of have to be...also something my husband tends to remind me of frequently. And the fun began! I don't know what else to write at this point, as you just have to watch the video to see how much fun I really had. Please note the open mouth, as I will be the first one to admit that I'm a screamer:) I was told that I could be heard back at the airport - good grief. Anyway, enjoy the flick:<br /><br /><p></p><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyM8Gn3Bm9I8T5uH_uyLRu-udUCZCpTGU656siYkoW1LZTu8qmy3ZR1m4uHDzzZUCGWKCxMcYDVUn7ar-KyWw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="left">It was the most amazing experience I've ever had in my life. I know I've already said this, but I just don't know how else to describe it while staying somewhat professional if you know what I mean:)<br /><br />The view was spectacular and meant so much to me, having boated on Lake Erie for pretty much all of my life. To my east, I could see the mouth of the Niagara River and the States side of the lake for what seemed as far as my favourite home away from home: Erie, PA. To my west I could see the "stacks" in Nanticoke and just make out Long Point...fantastic! When the pilot reached over and opened the door to the plane, the rush of air and the rush in my mind and body were equal in power. There was no turning back then! And out we flew, head first with that familiar feeling of amusement park rides, but that is the only second that felt of the carnival sort. Once we leveled out, it was the most surreal feeling - not of falling, for there was nothing with which to gauge descent. The land forms seemed to stay the same size for quite some time. It was just an influx of air, that probably would have helped me breath if I hadn't been screaming right back at it! Then BOOM and we had stopped abruptly, right in midair, as the shoot opened. You <span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic">really</span> need to pay attention to the video to see what actually happened. I'm not going to write about it, but let's just say that it was a very spiritual experience for me - it was definitely not my day to go to the greater beyond - I was high enough. From then on it was the most calming silence I've ever had the privilege of hearing. I took my goggles off and tried to decide how I was feeling. There was a lump of emotion in my throat and a smile that never faded from my face as I floated, for what seemed like ages, back to reality. This is truly an experience that can't be understood unless it's undertaken by the individual. I'm so glad I did it and thank those who made it what it was. Thanks to Kevin, Tim, Sven, Shane and the pilot with the smile that would make anyone happy:)<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff6666;">Technology:</span></strong><br />For those of you who aren't real interested in the Technology PD I've chosen to build into this blog site, feel free to stop reading now:) For those of you who would like to know about DVD conversion read on:<br /><br />I had no idea how difficult it would be to convert an "already-made" DVD to video files that could be uploaded to my blog. Blogspot allows many forms of video, such as AVI, MPEG, QuickTime, Real, and Windows Media and has a restriction of 100 MB maximum in size. But this obviously doesn't include the DVD format with which I was provided. Once I did some research I saw that my DVD was divided up into three files that represented the different parts it takes to run the video: </p><ul><li>.IFO files, which contains menus and other information about the video and audio.</li><br /><li>.BUP files, which are backup copies of the .IFO file.</li><br /><li>and .VOB files (for DVD-Video) and .AOB file (for DVD-Audio) are MPEG-2 program streams with additional packets containing navigation and search information. Since a .VOB file is just a specialized MPEG-2 file, most MPEG-2 decoders and players can play them. You may need to change the extension from .VOB to .MPG. However, any special features such as angles or branching will cause strange effects. The best way to play a .VOB file is to use a DVD player application to play the entire volume (or to open the VIDEO_TS.IFO file), since this will make sure all the DVD-Video features are used properly.</li><br /><li>**this information was found at <a href="http://allformp3.com/dvd-faqs/410.htm">http://allformp3.com/dvd-faqs/410.htm</a></li></ul><p>I haven't had much luck via internet searches...of course I want something free. I did find a few freeware apps, but the quality wasn't the greatest (I was reminded of those old Japanese movies where the mouths certainly didn't match the voices) or there was a logo stamped in the middle of the video because I was using a trial version.<br />These sites offer "free downloads" but in the end they are just a trial version and you need to buy the full software for them to work properly:</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.avs4you.com/">http://www.avs4you.com/</a> I swear I got a virus from this one - grrrrr...</li><br /><li><a href="http://allformp3.com/isofter-dvd-ripper-platinum.htm">http://allformp3.com/isofter-dvd-ripper-platinum.htm</a></li></ul><p>Here is a forum that offers all sorts of advice regarding video conversion software:</p><ul><li><a href="http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=23341">http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=23341</a></li></ul><p>Adobe Premiere Elements proclaims to have video conversion built in and it is the newest OESS software to Grand Erie and other Ontario boards (therefore free), but it is not the most intuitive and also burns up HUGE amounts of RAM and therefore often crashes your computer.<br /></p><p>As you may well guess, I was getting more frustrated as time went on and...well time was moving on! I wanted this video uploaded NOW!! I was excited to share. So I resorted to going to my hubby who has some pillaging qualities to him if you know what I mean...Aaaargh Matey! He had some software on his Mac that he claims is called "Video Converter" and is for Macs only. If you have watched the clip, you will see that, it too, is the not the best of quality. But it will have to do for now.<br /></p><p>I have a fuzzy recollection of going through this same kind of troubleshooting when I was involved with Virtual GrandE. If memory serves correctly it is all in the initial upload from the camera that makes things easier to manage in the end...Mr. P what do you think?<br />If anyone has any knowledge, thoughts or other comments for this DVD video editing conundrum please feel free to add them to this blog.</p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-75733985748304436032009-07-06T10:56:00.000-04:002009-08-26T00:45:49.897-04:00International Celebrations<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZBTLGZonNPpH7yI9XzNedRAlaeOT1KrBBRGgJWWaqALU1xMUVnYYRKBiTwIAPvGIHFAN9GPfAcyvu1gxQITqXUZvOU2eTDaXxuJJ530UQmt5JOE7rXR9iDExa7UeGj9XupQeIJPH9dUi/s1600-h/fireworks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355362587099870130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 94px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZBTLGZonNPpH7yI9XzNedRAlaeOT1KrBBRGgJWWaqALU1xMUVnYYRKBiTwIAPvGIHFAN9GPfAcyvu1gxQITqXUZvOU2eTDaXxuJJ530UQmt5JOE7rXR9iDExa7UeGj9XupQeIJPH9dUi/s400/fireworks.jpg" border="0" /></a> Man, do I enjoy fireworks! I am a fortunate person in that I usually get to celebrate Canada Day, then head over to our "home across the pond" and celebrate Independence Day with our fantastic friends using their various methods and means. I tell you, I love my homeland, but those Americans sure do know how to put on some fireworks displays! This year we hit the jackpot and were invited to the exclusive "pyro-mortician's" home party, where I witnessed a display that compared to none other than Disney itself. It was OUT OF THIS WORLD!!<br /><br />It was not only the best I've seen, but after this work of art, we got a chance to talk to the "pyro-mortician" and his team. They explained, with great enthusiasm, all the "behind the scenes" physics- and chemistry-like details and the preparation for the event. I had no idea what was involved. They actually have pyrotechnician licenses! They sit and sift through catalogues, plan colours and reactions, then make their order. The day of the event they go out onto the vast amount of front lawn and set up each and every piece. (I'm still kicking myself that I didn't bring my camera!) Then once the sun has set and darkness falls upon their party, they gear up in their pyro-uniforms and work like "mad dogs", knowing just how each rocket is going to lift off and what it is going to do, for the duration of the event. It was just as interesting for me to watch them perform, in rhythm, a dance of fire like I've never witnessed. I don't know if they realize how amazing they looked as they worked in perfect sync with each other to create such a thing of beauty! I now understand the origin of the word "pyrotechnician": a performer capable of dazzling virtuosity; ...in the art of fire. They truly were artists in my mind.<br /><br />What does this have to do with technology in education? Well I am on vacation...and it is my blog:) But if I had to make a educational connection I would definitely see a place for the art of fireworks in Grade 4 Light and Sound. And one could link it to art, physics and chemistry courses alike. And of course I need to say that I definitely would NOT promote pyrotechnic creation in schools:) There are some pretty neat websites surrounding the history of pyrotechnics. Here are a couple:<br /><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/">http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/</a><br /><br /><a href="http://cc.oulu.fi/~kempmp/pyro.html">http://cc.oulu.fi/~kempmp/pyro.html</a><br /><br /><br />This blog post is dedicated to my Friends from Across the Pond. You are a wonderful bunch and we truly value your friendship and all the things you do for us to make us feel at home.<br /><br />Thank you for your endless and thoughtful hospitality. There is nothing like it. Here's to homemade strawberry jam, lobster cookouts, fresh out of the oven brownies doused with homemade - yes, again, homemade - vanilla ice cream and hot fudge sauce (to hell with Brewsters!), driving here, driving there, putting up with a wet dog, loaned cars, boat tune-ups, doggie ladder fix-ups, the best wings in the world, driving here, driving there, putting up with a wet dog, boat ride invitations, block parties, sloppy duck eighties bands, Extreme Home Makeover sightings, deck parties, driving here, driving there, putting up with a wet dog, elk ears and most of all the stories told and made.<br />Love ya!<br />Lynda, Will and the Keela-MonsterLyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-51284113436354250502009-05-20T09:09:00.000-04:002009-08-26T00:47:18.586-04:00Canada and Sand<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">I just found a <span style="color:#000000;">fantastic website for visual art and design while reading one of my favourite blogs written by </span><a href="http://smartboards.typepad.com/"><span style="color:#000000;">James Hollis</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. You have to visit </span></span><a href="http://thisissand.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">http://thisissand.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;"><span style="color:#000000;">. But before you do, make sure you have some time. At first it seems</span> as if the site is blank, but there is this little square at the top left of the window. Once you click on it, it becomes clear how easy it is to use. Just follow the instructions and look what can come out of it!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337904872758494786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 231px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBNTE2isI1yDu_iaAbcKC2xGXgdO6mrN1Zja6h7LMwTjju7sHuFTJWhg-SOOdrc1ks_d77LAcFYXbkCpxq3nYABJeJ6Qk6mxAlyAZ1fQD8N4GMCbizyW1kWdO8cDoKaU9THiH09JA1MU7R/s400/sand.bmp" border="0" />This picture, created through the site, instantly reminded me of one of my favourite artists, </span><a href="http://www.tedharrisonbiography.ca/Ted-Harrison-Biography.html"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Ted Harrison</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">. When I taught junior grades I used to integrate a Ted Harrison study into my Canadian units. Among the typical Canada and World Connections strands of Social Studies, I would also introduce some literacy connections, in particular, "</span><a href="http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Cremation_of_Sam_McGee"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">The Cremation of Sam McGee</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">" and "</span><a href="http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Shooting_of_Dan_McGrew"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">The Shooting of Dan McGrew</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">." Although these choices my seem macabre to some at first thought, there was a method to my madness. Both of these poems were not only written by the famous poet, Robert Service, who has been labelled the "</span><a href="http://www.threetowners.com/Kilwinning/bard_of_the_yukon.htm"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Bard of the Yukon</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">," but they have been recently reintroduced to our generation of kids through some picture books, brightly illustrated by none other than Ted Harrison himself.</span></div><p align="center"><a href="http://www.kidscanpress.com/Canada/product.aspx?productid=5281"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337912235810064450" style="WIDTH: 148px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvhtoAc6s-3Th-Lvbk2J6VCtldIqdA3u1Z9ASM2xsPFA2_qtwSri1gkp7IIZc_6gVdJ34TIQrkbfEtijdu_UUQyctrnhlDmQ709egshG0wriePOJsAzCWlqKcqwaUnHo8OTSGoyxBC7a-/s400/cremation+of+sam+mcgee.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><a href="http://www.kidscanpress.com/Canada/product.aspx?productid=5281"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337912237432298626" style="WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLtYFWNx9jHIMx96YuAa526wB-7kUYljI6ZK5nsAlznR9-qZH6IjT-jT2DAV6bMzMu3xTLwAHSrk6LdTRc4YnRUJTTfy_sUsdVvnv96YwHPIOs-uaSE7EJ1JnuHJe5OzAJ9b_UktYscDI/s400/Shooting+of+Dan+McGrew.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ_K1dre-ThPRVYpyZrZgmYu8UmCdKDydXo6r8BK2vvVVaIBu6YhuNImKYLegu1Mv4nxHnuNRUMTCAee0YJDIZd3JLMcfJAvHHV8uZ7xWO4y7tbB3hxvIiSSW4AbLvY94N5pjor-NQL2y/s1600-h/brandon.JPG"><span style="color:#000000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337916810663364338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ_K1dre-ThPRVYpyZrZgmYu8UmCdKDydXo6r8BK2vvVVaIBu6YhuNImKYLegu1Mv4nxHnuNRUMTCAee0YJDIZd3JLMcfJAvHHV8uZ7xWO4y7tbB3hxvIiSSW4AbLvY94N5pjor-NQL2y/s200/brandon.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">Once I had read these poems to my students we would embark on the journey of exploring Ted Harrison's artistic style. When we felt we had a grasp of it, we would begin to paint the most wonderful, colourful pieces of work. The painting to the left was produced by Brandon, one of my Grade 6 students. He could spend hours on his artwork and I would imagine he would continue to be inspired through </span><a href="http://thisissand.com/"><span style="color:#000000;">http://thisissand.com/</span></a></span><span style="color:#000000;">.<br /><br /></span></p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><p align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;"></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:arial;">If you want your younger students to become mesmerized by this sand experience, connect to the link via your SMART Board. Kids can use their finger to drop the sand and the onscreen keyboard to change colours. Gradient colours can be set up by dragging between two colours in the clicker. Through some experimentation, </span><span style="font-family:arial;">I found out if you double click, the sand magically falls continuously without having to touch the board. It's quite a soothing sound and display and could actually be used as a calming effect for those times when it is most needed...rainy days after indoor recess come to mind...</span></span></p><span style="font-family:arial;"><p align="center"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Explore! Create! Enjoy!</span></p>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-68491087171860752442009-04-19T11:00:00.000-04:002009-04-19T20:24:57.642-04:00The Ultimate in Collaboration<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrlu7yPWUQEEUXjpYcuB1v589f4sROX_RH00aZHGKzTwZgUJIefzeTbJL05YqMNx3DhaFZRXGEAkqrc5lsiZ2adBeD8qXj8jzxN2nZRHj1LxWzW8DcQrU3YC8m4MS9Q-l9X2FNxvH15C7/s1600-h/s671100513_5343936_8921.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326547027416159474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 92px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrlu7yPWUQEEUXjpYcuB1v589f4sROX_RH00aZHGKzTwZgUJIefzeTbJL05YqMNx3DhaFZRXGEAkqrc5lsiZ2adBeD8qXj8jzxN2nZRHj1LxWzW8DcQrU3YC8m4MS9Q-l9X2FNxvH15C7/s400/s671100513_5343936_8921.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEwyRoHOtEw2mxb-_an-luUmBh167efKJ6QjyT9R8CUGsg2fd24Y_hNpadawh1PxS1baYmHUJ9emNUCrMZx5YDEmHmGQzXvAvvDmkcLrt9ii74hMIg-7hpTzqIvP581pT5Nn69-EAZBob/s1600-h/jam2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326546770275191586" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 86px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEwyRoHOtEw2mxb-_an-luUmBh167efKJ6QjyT9R8CUGsg2fd24Y_hNpadawh1PxS1baYmHUJ9emNUCrMZx5YDEmHmGQzXvAvvDmkcLrt9ii74hMIg-7hpTzqIvP581pT5Nn69-EAZBob/s400/jam2.jpg" border="0" /></a>We have a great love of music in our family. Both of Will's sons play guitar <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8soF2Ck9IcPWW77M_b6QyQRjVSHWWgNVTAfG1TvCNXj_OZwUl8UR0M5yLNGF7OE1eJ-C3s5zTlh5OagUWoz6jvJV2kQJng_qqh8_57osF9OOXTtTqBBsLRkvN9bK0wi6CU7iVlgfmfpER/s1600-h/jam2.jpg"></a>and sing and when our family gathers there is always a jam session. It is fantastic and we always look forward to this kind of "collaboration". <div align="justify"><br />I just recently stumbled upon a different kind of musical collaboration. It exemplifies the kind of connections one can have in the world these days...with a little broadband and some creativity. It brought goosebumps to my skin and an emotional lump in my throat. I will definitely be looking into signing my family up and attempting to "play for change". Can you imagine the engagement of our students if we were to set up a collaboration of this sort?!?!</div><div align="left">Hope you enjoy the clip as much as I did:)<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Us-TVg40ExM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Us-TVg40ExM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div> </div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-27275782690747806812009-02-27T15:59:00.001-05:002009-08-26T00:48:00.492-04:00Engaging Digital Natives Through BloggingCheck out this SlideShare Presentation: <div id="__ss_31533" style="WIDTH: 425px; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><a title="Engaging Digital Natives Through Blogging" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 12px 0px 3px; FONT: 14px Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://www.slideshare.net/cliotech/engaging-digital-natives-through-blogging?type=powerpoint">Engaging Digital Natives Through Blogging</a><object style="MARGIN: 0px" height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slideshare.net/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=engaging-digital-natives-through-blogging-8963&stripped_title=engaging-digital-natives-through-blogging"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://static.slideshare.net/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=engaging-digital-natives-through-blogging-8963&stripped_title=engaging-digital-natives-through-blogging" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><div style="FONT-SIZE: 11px; PADDING-TOP: 2px; FONT-FAMILY: tahoma,arial; HEIGHT: 26px">View more <a style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://www.slideshare.net/">presentations</a> from <a style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://www.slideshare.net/cliotech">Jennifer Dorman</a>. (tags: <a style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://slideshare.net/tag/education">education</a> <a style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://slideshare.net/tag/digitalnatives">digitalnatives</a>)</div></div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4273734408069086978.post-27967690393131257612009-02-27T15:31:00.000-05:002009-04-19T20:19:55.524-04:00Expanding Our Boundaries<a href="http://blaugh.com/cartoons/060901_kindergarten_wifi.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 328px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="http://blaugh.com/cartoons/060901_kindergarten_wifi.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I just think that I have a handle on the digital world and it shifts on me again. It is both overwhelming and invigourating. To be in the mind of a <a href="http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/digitalnatives/index.htm">digital native </a>would be quite a trip for me, the immigrant that I am. It's a shift in how you spend your time reading, communicating, teaching and learning. Teachers can breath a sigh of relief though because, and I quote, "<a href="http://www.gardnercampbell.net/blog1/?p=232">natives need immigrants</a>". This is, in my mind, to say that kids may know the technology inside out and backwards, but we still need to show them how to use it responsibly. </div>Lyndahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13223472090506879087noreply@blogger.com0