Welcome to the Prototype EHMS IMC Blog!

This blog was created for the Rutgers-SCILS 598 Social Software Literacy Class taken during the summer of 2007. I created semi-fictional entries that reflect issues in my day-to-day job duties. The interview with my principal was real as well as the WMM photos of the construction at another school in the district.

I discovered blogs and web 2.0 tools are a tremendous way to communicate information quickly and easily to your community-whether they are students, teachers, administrators, or parents.

I plan on keeping up this blog during the school year to share ideas and promote the library within my school community. I would like to use this blog and training other teachers to create their own as my professional development goal this year.

This is the first class I have in the program that I can see immediate applications in my current selection. Thank you to Steve G. for making me remember why I want to become a librarian!

Justification of Web2.0 tools at EHMS

Every time I open a magazine or go to a web site, I see evidence of web2.0 tools. I am catching up on reading (even re-reading) professional journals this summer and there are references to using social software in schools and libraries in every issue. When I start searching on the web for curriculum ideas, there are hundreds (thousands) of ideas.

For a school, cost is of utmost concern. Not only for the initial implementation of the new programs but for the renewal costs each subsequent year. The Web2.0 tools we looked at in class are free or have nominal costs to upgrade. To quote Prof. G's mom, "If it is free, it's for me!" The equipment costs are also nominal-headset and digital recorder. We already have digital cameras in school.

The report from PewInternet on Teenage Life Online found here illustrates the wide spread use of the internet and social networking sites. If schools can use the same resources to teach, enhance, and expand current curriculum, hopefully we will be reinforcing appropriate uses of the technology as well as teaching valuable technology literacy skills for future careers.

Other Tools to explore

Wikis-

• I can see benefits for language arts teachers and process writing. I would like to test wikis with a class to see if all students can access pages at the same time.
  
• I have concerns with students messing about with other students' work. (This is an issue already in my middle school.)
• I can see benefits for teacher team communication and collaboration. The issue is getting people to commit the time to learning and setting up. I know some teachers will jump on it, though!

Shelfari

• I would like to set up an account so students can recommend books to purchase.

SlideShare

• Used by Melissa in her final project

Groups in Yahoo and Google

• To share handouts from class and student work

Podcasting

• Podcast daily announcements
• Podcast classes for students who are out for long periods of time

Smartboards and United Streaming
We currently have these two technologies in school. I would like to explore ways to incorporate them into teacher and classroom blogs.

Issues/Problems with Web2.0 in schools

First and foremost, the biggest issue is filtering. We have very little control over the filters. My TWITTER account does not show up in school. We can not access g-mail or yahoo mail, either.

We also have a technical problem with our service. Every once in a while (with no rhyme or reason) we get "not authorized" messages. It lasts any where from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Before you get the "not authorized" message, the computer just hangs. This results in multiple posts (if you refresh) or uploads not showing up. I could update from home but I doubt students or other teachers will have patience to deal with this. Our technical support services say they are "working on it."

Another main concern is the current Acceptable Use Policy and Parental Photo Release. I toyed with idea of videotaping student presentations but like the idea of podcasts much better. There are no pictures to worry about.

Meet Mr. Block-New Principal at EHMS

I recently sat down with Mr. Block to find out more about him before the school year starts.

Click To Play

Perfect Points Night June 2007

Check out the FLCKR badge on the side bar! This is WAY cool. I paid the fee to have unlimited uploads. I can see lots of applications in school and with the yearbook.

If it says "No such photos" try refreshing page. Sometimes the badge works, sometimes it doesn't.

Please note I cannot leave these on the public blog due to the school's photo release policies. I plan on taking pictures around school during the school year. These were just some pictures I had on my computer right now. Thanks to Monica for taking the pictures.

6th Grade Social Studies Ancient Egypt research Sites

Use this link to access saved research links about Ancient Egypt. As you find your own links, add the tags ancient_egypt ehms and then your own initials.

NEW CONSTRUCTION @ FJ Smith School

Here is a movie of the construction at FJ Smith. Yes, they really will be ready by the time schools starts! So it will be out of the pool and back to school!




OR





Click to Play Video

FJ Smith Construction Update
(right-click to save)
Click To Play

Practice Flashcards for Keyboard Shortcuts.

If you want to practice before the quiz on Friday, use these flashcards.





Make your own flashcards at http://www.proprofs.com/flashcards/

Book Talks

Would you like to know what a book is about before you start to read it? Here are some sites to explore. Please note some of these are audio files. See Ms. Dennis if you would like to borrow overnight an mp3 player with the files loaded on it.

Nancy Keane Book Talks
http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/podcast_list.htm
Use the "find" option under file to search for an author or book.

Bookwink
http://bookwink.com/02_grade_level_a.html
Use your grade level and browse through the books.

If you are interested in creating podcast book reviews for EHMS, please talk to Ms. Dennis during the Middle of the Day.