Social Networks and Teachers

Interesting move on the part of the Missouri legislature. mashable.com/2011/07/30/student-teacher-facebook/.

This is the section of MO Senate Bill 54:

SECTION 162.069 - By January 1, 2012, every school district must develop a written policy concerning teacher-student communication and employee-student communications. Each policy must include appropriate oral and nonverbal personal communication, which may be combined with sexual harassment policies, and appropriate use of electronic media as described in the act, including social networking sites. Teachers cannot establish, maintain, or use a work-related website unless it is available to school administrators and the child's legal custodian, physical custodian, or legal guardian. Teachers also cannot have a nonwork-related website that allows exclusive access with a current or former student.

This is not new for most districts that have policies in place. This gives teeth to administrators who suspect inappropriate communications between teachers and students. Big questions to ask:

1. Who is going to police this?
2. Who is going to force teachers to open systems to their administrators?
3. Will teachers take this seriously(especially those who want to be the student's friend)?
4. Will teachers de-friend students already part of their circle of friends?
5. Does this open better us of Google+ circles?

PodStock Conference

Had a great time at PodStock Conference 2011.  Saw Kevin Honycut, our keynote for KCTechNet this year.  Met wonderful people doing great thing with technology in the classroom.  This conference is worth attending.

ISTE 2011

Day one ISTE is over and two tech tips that were gleaned today:  

• for the iPad - splashtop white board, is a remote app to your desktop or laptop from your iPad over wifi.  Works nicely even on the portable hotspot from my phone.
• Livebinders.com - check out this site for creating tabbed site.  Can be embedded in your LMS and limits where your students can go.  Good way of organizing sites for a presentation.

Lots of walking in Philadelphia.  Conference is really good.  Looking forward to learning more Tuesday.

Blackboard vs. Moodle

If you are looking at using Blackboard or Moodle as your LMS, consider several items I have experienced using Blackboard.  First, students don't like BB because of the multiple clicks to get to places in the course.  Second, BB doesn't play nicely with iPads,especially as an instructor.  Third, file management in BB is far too cumbersome and time consuming in uploading multiple files.  Finally, cost!  BB is expensive whereas Moodle is free with minimal hosting cost.  Does anyone have experience with D2L (Desire to Learn)?  Would love to hear from you about your experience.

SWPRSC

Had two great  days in Sublette, KS at the Southwest Plains Regional Service Center doing teacher training.  Day one was learning all the possibilities with Google Apps for the classroom and school.  Two of the administrators got into Google Forms and the all the possibilities with the calendar.  Special thank you to Tom for his assistant others and giving of good suggestions.  His district is fortunate to have him.  The SPRSC for hosting and taking good care of us.

Sun Valley Indian School Trip

It's has been a great week at Sun Valley Indian School in AZ working with the kids and adults.  The school is very blessed with some wonderful teachers who incorporate technology in the curriculum and have great support from Ray, the IT guy.  Ray has brought the technology along ways with projectors and SmartBoards received from the Holbrook School District.  The SV School is a unique situation serving Native American children (http://www.indianschool.org).

Free Tools for Schools and Classroom

Worked with Olathe Christian School yesterday on finding a system for attendance, grades, and common assessments. Found 2 sites that are very helpful to small schools or even for classroom teachers with limited district resources. Engrade has a plethora of tools for school wide and classroom. The other site that is very helpful is Classmarker. This site has multiple assessment tools. Did I mention that these sites are free!