On Friday, March 26 I met with a group of pre-service intern teachers from the University of Lethbridge. I’ve had an intern teacher in my classroom since Christmas, and it has been a fantastic experience for both myself and my students.
I met with the cohort of pre-service teachers to share some of the ways I use technology in the classroom, focusing on connecting with the world.
Videoconferencing:
Polycomm/traditional VC – This system offers high quality connections and works great within Alberta, but I find it a bit cumbersome. Sources of information and connections:
Collaborations Around the Planet – Will send daily emails with new opportunities
VC Alberta – A great source of experts, tips, and how to videos (one featuring me…!)
2Learn Regional Network – An Alberta provincial network of VC contacts
Skype – a fast free way of connecting around the world. Fast becoming the main VC medium in education.
Skype in Schools Wiki - a directory of teacher Skyp contact info from all over the world.
Edublogger – another great list of contacts
Around the World in 80 Classrooms Ning and Blog – Silvia Tolisano’s blog and Ning all about her Around the World with 80 schools project. she connects classrooms all over the world with Skype.
Skype an Author – Authors that will Skype with your class!
50 Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom
A Blog Post about Using Skype in the Classroom packed with ideas and resources (more than this one!)
RSS
RSS or Really simple Syndication is a great way to read blogs, news updates, and even sports. You can bring all of your favourite sites into one place to read them on a daily basis. It is like a newspaper, but a newspaper you can customize to deliver only the content you want to read. I use google reader to collect all of my feeds.
Twitter is my best tool to connect with like minded educators. I can share ideas, ask for help, and get new resources and ideas. A great list of twitter in education resources. I could talk forever…watch for a new post soon about how I use twitter in the classroom.
what fun teaching in the carribean! I would love to do that someday
That would be an awesome experience. I think it’s a great that there are opportunity for teachers in the United States.