Virtual Teacher Newsletter No. 145 - 26TH MAY 2007 - ENTHUSIASM
THE FREE ONLINE FORTNIGHTLY IT TEACHERS' NEWSLETTER
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CONTENTS
1. Welcome
2. Mind Candy
3. WWWinfo - NETLINGO
4. New Printables - SAMUEL ULLMAN
5. Technical Stuff - MOODLE
6. Web Site Focus - ASKING THE RIGHT SORT OF QUESTIONS
7. CATHY'S FORUM - EVIDENCE BASED RESEARCH DRIVING
EDUCATION - Sue's Challenge.
8. Great Sites
9. Readers' Requests/Comments
10 Next Issue
11. Code of 'Netizens'
12. Tips
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1. WELCOME EVERYONE. Enthusiasm is the way through it,
after all we don't want any wrinkly old souls out there. And there
is much to be enthusiastic about. Some of the great ideas in this
newsletter include, rewiring your brain so that you set yourself
up for success and the best possible time you can have. Tackling
those grim teenagers with some techniques using great questions
and statements. I know you've probably heard about this before
but do something about it this time, they need us and our
mentoring. Take up Sue's challenge, review some research
and put it into practice.
The feelgood effect of this alone is worth, you are a professional
working in one of the most important professions in the world.
Download a Leunig cartoon, read the great Cocky story
in words and pictures.
Here endith Cathy's enthusiastic late autumn motivational speech.
Enjoy
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2. MIND CANDY
Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm
wrinkles the soul
Samuel Ullman
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Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never
cease to grow. Anthony J. D'Angelo
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Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you: you
must acquire it. - Sudie Back ~
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I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said
I
was being ridiculous - everyone hasn't met me yet.
- Rodney Dangerfield.
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3. WWWinfo NETLINGO
NetLingo has thousands of definitions that easily explain
the Internet and the online world of business, technology,
and communication.
http://www.netlingo.com/
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4. NEW PRINTABLES - Samuel Ullman
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/enthus.html
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5. TECHNICAL STUFF
This site is for you to practice using the most recent stable released
version of Moodle
http://demo.moodle.org
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Press Releases - now schools need all the publicity they
can get - to drive enrolments and attract funding
http://www.press-release-writing.com/prwbookreport.htm
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6. WEBSITE FOCUS - ASKING THE RIGHT SORT OF QUESTIONS
The brain works by finding answers it concentrates on your
questions even when you are thinking of something else.
You've experienced it - meeting someone you haven't seen
for ages - you ask what's her name? - you may get you
answer back in 5 secs or 5 hours - your mind will work quietly
in the background til it finds the answer. I've been using
this technique for years. Your not conscious of your mind
doing this - your question is worked on subconsciously
in the background while you get on with other thing.
Sometimes you might have a Eureka moment,
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/VT138.html
sometimes the solution is a little more subtle.
STATEMENTS also work in the same way. Our brain
gets busy finding evidence to support the statements
we make about ourselves.
There is no solution to this maths problem.
(brain says switch off and don't bother)
There is a solution to this maths problem and I am going to find it.
(brain says, here's a challenge I am going to work on this
til I find a solution)
Everyone hates me.
(brain busily finds evidence to support this statement,
and disregards contradictory information)
Everyone loves me.
(brain busily finds evidence to support this statement, and disregards
contradictory information)
So analyse the messages you are giving your brain, and set yourself,
as well as your students up for success.
Great questions and statements
What if……
What next….….
What are the thing/s most important to me?
I am a writer. I can paint. I am a good friend.
http://www.winwenger.com/part78.htm
http://pos-psych.com/news/david-j-pollay/20070502224
Don't Buy the book just check out some of the TOPICS on this site.
http://www.brainbasedbusiness.com/2006/08/questions_that_reboot_your_bra.html
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7. CATHY'S FORUM - EVIDENCE BASED RESEARCH DRIVING
EDUCATION - Sue's Challenge.
I am sooooo tired of the simplistic, electioneering, sound bites
about education. If John Howard is so keen on tradition for
OUR children, maybe he should let his doctor treat HIM with
1950's methods. Why is everyone so keen on the latest research
in everything but education? How does he intend to broaden
children's education.... by making it narrower!
Have you and your readers seen 'In teachers' hands'
which was a very thorough piece of research into literacy
teaching??? Can anyone share a piece of current,
evidence-based, educational research they have enjoyed?
Our public schools have always taken the best from traditional
methods and the best from research and innovation, and
combined them to provide the best learning for students.
Sue Piggott
The site Sue mentions is at
http://inteachershands.education.ecu.edu.au/index.php?page=48
you will need to register at this site, it's free and worth it.
Here you can see real teacher's working. Great for staff
meetings and discussions
Take up Sue's Challenge. What other research drives your
teaching? What do you think of this site. What other great ideas
do you have for doing things better? I am a maniac for this
I always have a plan for the next thing I want to improve.
Paste it on the wall(I love doing this to), THIS MONTH/WEEK
WE ARE TARGETING the letter K, reading with passion,
asking great questions, finding solutions etc. Providing a real
focus helps me focus, find research, articles, and improve.
What do you think? Does it Matter? It sure does.
Send in your thoughts.
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7b. EDUCATION BUDGET - WHAT DID YOU THINK?
Hi Cathy,
Isn't Julie Bishop the Minister of Ed???
Bill Gillespie
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Yes of course she is - how many Bishops do we need to run a
country?
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Having read the recommended articles, including the one about
Mr. Coutts-Trotter, I felt compelled to write a brief response.
As per Mr. C-T's 'colorful' history, I feel both sides of the coin
should be considered.
It is understandable that many feel a convicted felon should not
be an integral part of the educational system. The situation
could establish a difficult precedence; one that creates a vast
grey area with no clear delineation. How would one then
address the next issue about who should be an appropriate
role model for children?
Yet after some soul searching, and considering what I'd read,
I find myself supporting Mr. Coutts-Trotter. Often, it takes
someone who has experienced positive and negative situations
to fully understand both sides of any issue. This is especially
true when it comes to teenagers.
If one reads the articles about how teenage brains work
differently than those of adults, their social/emotional needs
become more clear. It's true they must be able to feel worthwhile,
make good choices, have opportunities to contribute, and
realize it's not only the right answers that count. Yet teenagers
still and often make the wrong choice on any given issue.
Learning about someone in a position of authority who has
previously made an inappropriate choice early in life, made
amends and still succeeded is a great lesson for teens.
One of the greatest virtues we can learn is empathy.
Nancy S-G
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Thanks Nancy, let's hope he uses his empathy and does something.
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8. GREAT SITES
HOT SITES
Some Great Sites from Jeff
Science Optics and You - Interactive Java Tutorials - Great
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.html
A beautiful love story about a cockatoo with only one wing
and her prince in shining feathers who fell in love and asked
for her wing in marriage.
http://www.juliusbergh.com/cocky
100 photographs that changed the world.
http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0309/lm_index.html
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Go here, find a Leunig cartoon that has resonance for you
print it out and stick on a wall somewhere.
http://leunig.com.au/cartoons/
Last week's Leunig Cartoon in the Saturday Herald certainly
resonated with me.
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9. READERS COMMENTS/REQUESTS
Hi Cathy
Thought your readers may be interested in this art competition
being organized by Scholastic and Wacom
We have a new section on the web site called Community
http://www.wacom.com.au/community
which has some great examples of digital art including
some work by children. There is also a case study from
a Catholic school in ACT that includes many examples
of the children’s work which records the life story of
two indigenous Australians.
http://www.wacom.com.au/casestudy/casestudy_index.html
Regards
Linda Zugai
Wacom Australia Pty Ltd
Thanks Linda
Also take a look at the John Derry Interview at this site
http://www.wacom.com.au/community/procorner/interview/johnderry.php
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Have you heard about joost?
http://www.joost.com
Online TV...free!
Works on all XP PCs...and INTEL macs(only)
The issue of content is still the question
But National Geographic is there with IBM sponsoring
Eats the bandwidth though...so be warned!
Regards
Gary Bass
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Hi Cathy,
I enjoy reading your newsletter.
It occurs to me that your readership may want to know about a
contest we're running right now on a new offering called
Student Gallery - would it be appropriate for you to share
it with them? There are 4 iPods to be won.
See http://www.apple.com/au/education/studentgallery
and the attached PDF.
Kind regards,
Wendy Kotila
National Education Marketing Manager
Apple Pty Limited
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Love that oxymoron list - and don't you just the word itself!!!!
Judy McCue
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Hi Cathy
I love reading your newsletter, unfortunately I have somehow
(ie pressed delete key without thought) deleted your latest.
I would appreciate a resend if possible.
I have told my people about your wonderful resource.
Great ideas, useful information and resourceful links.
This is one I use quite often.
http://www.rubricstar.com
Thanks for you time
Pam
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Hi Pam - please remember - all newsletters are available from
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/archives.html
and there is a great google search engine for all previous articles at
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/directory.html
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Hi Cathy,
Many thanks for your mind candy. I am always looking for entertaining
quotes for my newsletter.
Sue
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10. NEXT ISSUE - This issue has largely been inspired by readers
responses, next issue I hope to to devote to the best of
what you have to say. ciao Cathy
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11. Code of the 'Netizens'
This Newsletter is not free, despite the misleading advertising
above. The Fee is now due. Each week you must help one
colleague on the Internet who has less knowledge than you.
Help that person even if you have to visit their classroom or
do a little research and get back to them. Trust me, this will
help a lot of people get their computer classrooms running better.
OK I'm trusting you!!!
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12. TIPS
1. Double click on highlighted URLS to open in browser.
2. Send in your Questions, Questions will be published with
Answers, send in your Answers, if you have expertise to share.
3. Nominate a brilliant site for review and inclusion in this
newsletter.
4. Nominate a fantastic school site for review and inclusion in
this newsletter.
5. Make contact with other schools using fantastic programs.
6. Prepare and innovative article for this newsletter.
7. Tell 2 colleagues about this newsletter.
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The opinions expressed here are purely those of the editor,
Cathy Brown. All other small print clauses apply. Such as:
Use at your own risk. Nothing in life is guaranteed. If it doesn't
work for you send me an email.
Editor: cathy brown mailto:cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
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