Virtual
Teacher Newsletter No. 94 24th July 2004 - MANIFESTO
THE
FREE ONLINE FORTNIGHTLY IT TEACHERS' NEWSLETTER
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CONTENTS
1.
Welcome
2.
Mind Candy
3.
WWWinfo Panama Canal
4.
New Printables - Beginning Digital
Portfolios
5.
Technical Stuff AVAST & Blogs
6.
Web Site Focus Data Loggers and Probes
7.
Email from Subscribe
8.
Great Sites
9. Readers' Requests/Comments
10
Next Issue
11.
Code of 'Netizens'
12.
Tips
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WELCOME
EVERYONE. A number of folk
have written to me
with
newsletter withdrawal symptoms. I
have been busy doing some
seminars
fantastic, and giving inservice at schools, and setting
up a
network during the last 4 weeks so have been flat out.
This
is the work I love, so it did get priority. I love it because
schools
that incorporate technology well, WILL change education.
The
limitations of the pencil and paper tyranny of the last 50 years
will
give way to a better more equitable more enjoyable more
effective
learning environment. The results
are in, using
computers
increases everything, including, in some
cases
house
prices around technology rich schools.
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2.
MIND CANDY
Workplace
and classroom cultures are real, powerful and they
can
work wonders. I have just written a Manifesto of core Values
to
set the tone of the room, to get the teamı working together,
to
make sure that when I am working I actually enjoy the team
I am
working with. This has proven really successful. It is not a
list
of rules, but proactive in creating a great working environment.
Here
is one version. Set up one for
your classroom, your
school,
make them places you want to be you can make
the
change. Make it specific, make it personal, make it original,
donıt
use cliché.
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³A
small team of A+ players can run circles around a giant team
of B
and C players.² Steve Jobs
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Core
Value number 1 ³We tell the truth.² Itıs an absolute
core
value, we are just not interested in slimeballs, politicians
and
liars, if your into this your outa here, you are immediately
persona
non grata.
2.
Weıre here to win. To continually do better and beat OUR
last performance. We donıt accept
anything else but constant
improvement. Our class is the best, we are smart and
we work
hard.
We value attention to detail, and precise knowledge,
logic
and reason. We donıt let things languish. We solve the
problem
and we donıt catastrophize.
3. We
do whatıs right for ourselves and the class
Individual
initiative will be acknowledged and rewarded. Everyone
needs
to work toward improving their individual performance
and
the groups performance, itıs your job to think about what
you
can do and improve it. Go, be
proactive, and make it happen.
4. We
set goals to improve, be more efficient, less wastage
of
time and equipment, improve performance, and personal
relationships
because the alternative is rotten, to be an aimless
floater, with no goals, no objectives,
who says:- What?
Who
am I? Why am I here?
5.
Quality is job number one. Quality classroom environment
and
quality work. Itıs the most important thing we do. We do
the
best we can. Our Class needs to be
a friendly place that
folk
enjoy coming to and feel welcome. We believe in quality
work,
no work leaves our desk, that isnıt a great work.
³In
every job that must be done there is an element of fun,
you
find the fun and SNAP the jobs a game.² Mary Poppins
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Values in NSW public schools
A Ministerial
Statement
by Hon Andrew
Refshauge, MP,
Deputy Premier
Minister for
Education and Training and
Minister for
Aboriginal Affairs
March 2004
Supported by the
Federation of Parents and Citizensı Associations
of NSW, NSW
Teachers Federation, Primary Principalsı Association,
Secondary
Principalsı Council and Public Education Council.
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The core
values are:
INTEGRITY
Being
consistently honest and trustworthy.
EXCELLENCE
Striving for the
highest personal achievement in all aspects
of schooling and
individual and community action, work and
life-long learning.
RESPECT
Having regard for
yourself and others, lawful and just
authority and
diversity within Australian society and accepting
the right of
others to hold different or opposing views.
RESPONSIBILITY
Being accountable
for your individual and communityıs
actions towards
yourself, others and the environment.
COOPERATION
Working together
to achieve common goals, providing
support to others
and engaging in peaceful resolution of
conflict.
PARTICIPATION
Being a proactive
and productive individual and group
member, having
pride in and contributing to the social and
economic wealth
of the community and the nation.
CARE
Concern for the
wellbeing of yourself and others,
demonstrating
empathy and acting with compassion.
FAIRNESS
Being committed
to the principles of social justice and
opposing
prejudice, dishonesty and injustice.
DEMOCRACY
Accepting and
promoting the rights, freedoms and
responsibilities
of being an Australian citizen
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3.
WWWinfo
This
is a seriously terrific site. I watched the series the Seven
Wonders
of the Industrial Worldı recently on ABC Hereıs site
that
deals with one of them - The Panama Canal, transit,
Operation,
Live Images, History. WOW
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4.
NEW PRINTABLES - Digital Portfolio Beginning
Digital
Portfolios are what folk have if they use computers.
If you use a
computer and save your work you have a
digital portfolio
http://www.virtualteacher.com.au/digitalp.htm
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5.
TECHNICAL STUFF
avast! Virus Cleaner - free virus & worm removal tool
avast!
Virus Cleaner is available free for every user.
This
tool will help you remove selected worm infections
from
your computer.
http://www.avast.com/eng/products/free_software/cleaner/avast_virus_cleaner.html
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Educational
uses of blogging
Hangleton
Junior School in Hove.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3804773.stm
Simply
Science at http://users.pipeline.com.au/jpearce/default.htm
Site
updates at http://simply-science.blogspot.com/
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6.
WEBSITE FOCUS Using Data Loggers and Probes
Innovative
Ideas for Teaching Science
One
of the really big buzzes from the Apple 1 to 1 conferences
was
the hands on lab with Laptops and probes of various types.
Using
a variety of sensors that plug into the computer where
measurements
are recorded, graphed and interpreted was quite
amazing, Using these gadgets you can get
immediate feedback
and
data analysis so cool. One of
the most amazing results
was
the ball thrown into the air, speed and height were measured simultaneously. For the first time I could see
graphically
represented,
the spot where the height was at a maximum and
the
speed was at zero just brilliant.
This is serious science,
kids
can make things happen, and it is 100 times more fun.
Maths
sensors, science sensors, chemistry, biology, earth
science,
physics etc.
Data Logger Pro
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7.
kia ora (greetings) Cathy
Thanks
you for your recent newsletter. Seymour Papert is an
inspirational
speaker and his assertion that (via your notes):
"what
should be included in the curriculum has some
how
been taken off the agenda, because we are so busy
trying
to teach the curriculum that we are not discussing the
really
important questions of what should be IN the
curriculum.
And this is really where the discussion should be."
. . .is indeed the main point and we
must always ensure that the point
about
what we do always remains the main point and we are not distracted by
red
herrings
Or in
the words from a recent article:
"In
summing up, it is clear that unless this vision is put in place we will
spend
the next 20 years talking about "red herrings" such as assessment
schemes,
team work, computers as tools, effective leadership models etc;
which
are all good and well but unless there is a vision for all this to sit
within
it amounts to nothing more than busy work with little or no real
purpose.
"
But
against this backdrop there are tens of thousands of teachers so busy
that
they never have time to come up from below decks to check that those
frantically
rowing the boat have someone on board that has a map and has the
capability
to steer the ship and navigate around the icebergs and stop off
and
enjoy the occasional white sandy beaches. Teachers are excellent rowers,
have
good training and experience as rowers, encourage each other to row
well;
we even reward the better rowers BUT we simply going around in
circles;
great rowers going nowhere taking their passengers nowhere because
there
is no one on the ship that understands how to read a map, how to
navigate
and where they actually want to go to. That is why education is
globally
going nowhere.
However
not all is lost: Like you I believe that technology has the
potential
to allow our frantically rowing teachers to spend some time on
deck,
get some sun and ask the big questions BUT this is an opportunity that
is
only just beginning to emerge; the technology up until now was simply not
up to
it (too expensive, unreliable with most used as an expensive set of
textas
to colour in low level thematic work). Saying technology is the
answer
is not good enough; there has to be a plan and the plan has to be
sustainable.
Ministry of Education here in NZ are about to adopt the plan
and
it will propel this country to a point where our teachers here will be
able
to have the luxury of time on deck. So what is the plan . . . Read the
article
http://www.teachers.work.co.nz/archive_April_2004.htm if interested.
Like
you we write a newsletter each month and it goes out to thousands of
teachers
(nine years of newsletters and almost 10 000 education web site
reviews
later). We have archived some of the newsletters and web site
reviews
at http://www.teachers.work.co.nz/archive.htm
The
article that provides a framework for the plan described above is at
http://www.teachers.work.co.nz/archive_April_2004.htm
but
read these two articles first http://www.teachers.work.co.nz/archive_Feb_2004.htm
(the
first section) and http://www.teachers.work.co.nz/archive_dec_2003.htm
More
archives will be added in the next few weeks.
The
latest newsletter deals with wireless technology and its role
in
the grand scheme of things.
Apologies
for the long e-mail. The newsletter and web site reviews are free
and
we do not advertise products or services within it. I have the luxury of
not
teaching or being employed by anyone and spend a lot of time on deck
contemplating
how we can manage our way to a sustainable education system.
We
tend to do two year focus blocks 2000-2002 theme was creating a thinking
community
http://www.i-learnt.com/Thinking%20home.html
(these are my lecture notes for
conferences etc rather than essays so follow links under gadget on LHS of
screen). Our latest project has been to create Knowledge Networks (integrated
intranets/extranets) that will allow schools to purchase cost effective environments
to deliver what we have described above. V2 of the Knowledge NET will be
completed by the development team in about 5 weeks time. We can provide you
with a userID and password to play with version 1 if you are interested. The 2005-2006 plan is to build the
dream here in NZ
and
then export the results globally; quite a modest plan really!
Anyway
I had better let you get back to work. We appreciate your newsletter
and
the work you do; quite stunning really as I presume you are teaching
full
time as well as doing this! Cheers
ka
kite ano (farewell)
Mark
Treadwell
Knowledge
Networks (intranet & extranet solutions)
http://www.knowledge-networks.co.nz
Teachers@work
(web site reviews and ICT advice)
i-Learnt
(Mark Treadwell's online notes) http://www.i-learnt.com
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8.
GREAT SITES
HOT
SITES
Fascinating
look inside the Computer. about technology and the internet. itıs interactive
and very informative.
http://www97.intel.com/scripts-tji/index.asp
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Toymaker
A
great range of free toy templates that can be cut out and glued,
gift
baskets, spinners, gazebos, pop up cards great range.
In a
Victorian style.
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Art
Principles Animated
Creating a
composition is one of the most exciting and challenging
aspects facing an
artist. How do you use art principles like
balance,
contrast, movement, and proportion to compose a
powerful work of
art?
http://www.wildlifeart.org/Rungius/index.html
By
now perhaps you have seen that many things in the world are changing in a
variety of time scales. But have you considered all of the changes that are
occuring in a single place? From microseconds to thousands of years, here is
your chance to observe a place in time. My kids loved this.
http://www.playingwithtime.org/index.html
Color, Contrast
& Dimension in News Design
http://www.poynter.org/special/colorproject/colorproject/color.html
The Poynter
Institute, a school for journalists, future journalists and teachers of
journalists, has created an online tutorial to help designers with the
complexities of color and its use in print and online. Imbedded in the tutorial
are page design exercises, which let the learner experiment with the use of
color in magazines, newspapers, and websites. This tutorial would be a great
addition to journalism and web-design classes. Jounalism teachers will also
want to check out Poynter's High school Journalism Guide at http://www.poynter.org/centerpiece/highschool/index.htm.
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9.
READERS COMMENTS/REQUESTS
Cathy,
your
comments are very welcome.
though
the reference to 'magic' may be lost on those not at the
conference
...especially
when referring to the magic is gone now the national
curriculum
is in place...
the
newsletter is well received each fortnight, it sends to quite a list...
best
regards
gary
this
too on a G4 powerbook!!
arn't
they just the best...how to explain this to anyone else...
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Hi
Cathy
Great
job I enjoy getting the newsletters and wish I had more time
to do
it ALL.
Thanks
and
keep up the good work!
Sherry
------------------------------------------
Hi
Cathy,
A
teacher at the school where I work has just set up
http://www.secondaryschoolresources.com/
for teachers to share
resources.
I wondered if you wanted to add this to your next
newsletter.
The site is set up in subject areas along with a
discussion
forum.
Regards
Paul
(first-year-out teacher)
------------------------------------------
Take
a look and let me know what you think...
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hi.
just
wondering if you have lesson plans, etc..
for
preschool level? 4 year
olds.
thanks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can
anyone suggest, there are lots of links on VT including
³Ants
on an Apple² just use the search engine on the site.
Ants²
Preschool² etc
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Hi
Cathy,
My
name is Marco. I teach year 9 Consolidation
and
Year 11 Foundation Maths. I am struggling
to
get my kids interested in Maths so I am wondering if there is any good software
that I can use to get my year 9s more excited about Maths.
Theyıre
just not made for pen and paper and bookwork. Help!
Regards,
Marco
I
will cover some of these sites next newsletter please write in with your
suggestions and weıll make a feast of it.
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Dear
Cathy,
I
haven't received a newsletter since June. My internet was down
for a
few days during the holidays, so could I have missed one?
Hope not. Hope to get one soon!.
Many
thanks
Rosi
Hardy
hope
you enjoy this one.
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10. NEXT ISSUE Letıs take a reall
look at Maths next time
send in
your ideas and websites this has got to be one of
the best
areas to use computers. 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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Lesson Plans, Great Sites, Free Stuff, Tips, Time savers,
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cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
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Teacher Newsletter or on the Virtual Teacher site.
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more information contact,
cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
For
information about inservice and training contact me at
cathy@virtualteacher.com.au
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