I saw this video about a year or so ago, and I thought it was quite good.
Enjoy "Kids React to Walkman"
When I was in HS (and early in college!) having a Walkman meant that you were cutting edge!
(Portable CD players did not become "common" until I was in college a few years)
It's funny to watch these kids look at this technology as something... well other than that.
A good reminder that while time is passing, the tools and devices we use are changing as well. Don't be afraid to embrace something new!
Like Google Docs... you will need a Microsoft account to access Sky Drive. (You need a google account to access Google docs.... and a Microsoft account to access Sky Drive.)
The San Diego Chargers will travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs this weekend. Two teams with vastly different approaches this year...the Chiefs kinda stunk the first two weeks, and won last week. The Chargers won the first two weeks, and stunk last week. Be a big win for the Lightning Bolts if they pull this one out.
The Harming family will be making a trip out west to Chamberlain this weekend. It will be our last trip to the "River City" for quite a while. I hope to get a run in this weekend. With all the moving and packing and unpacking, and the installation of services, and figuring out all the new stuff... I just haven't been able to run. I really miss it.
Have a great weekend Everyone! It's supposed to be beautiful, so get outside and enjoy it!
For your weekend video let's go with a little... R.E.M.
Tuesday Teacher Tidbits? - not very original, I know. If you think up a better title, let me know, and I'll change it.
Today's topic is blogging.
What is blogging? Well according to dictionary.com a blog is - aWebsitecontainingthewriter'sorgroupofwriters'ownexperiences,observations,opinions,etc.,andoftenhavingimagesandlinkstootherWebsites.
One thing I have learned in the short time that I've had my blog (about 2 years) is that there is a hesitance among teachers to post things on the Internet that can be seen by others. A blog can be set up with many different privacy settings.
You can make your blog Public or Private.
You can allow comments, you can allow comments only for followers of the blog, or you can eliminate comments, altogether.
You can allow your blog to be found by search engines, or you can block it from search engines.
So there is no need to fear about your blog information "falling into the wrong hands" or having someone make rude or inappropriate comments on it. Your Privacy settings are up to you, and you can adjust them however you like.
So, why blog? What's the use or benefit in an educational setting? I'll give some of my thoughts, but first, I thought I'd include this video from YouTube.
So why did I create my blog? What do I use it for?
1. Information
I used to tell my students and parents that my blog was like an "online billboard" and I just posted stuff on there about upcoming events and things of that nature. "Chapter 5 Test on Friday" "Late Start next Thursday"
2. Community Building
I also use the blog to wish good luck to other people and groups in the school community. "Good Luck to the Girls Volleyball team as they host Duebrook tonight", that kind of thing. Also, Congratulations to various groups, teams, clubs, etc...
3. Recognizing Students
Everyone seems to like seeing their name, in a positive light, on the Internet. If you have a student or two who are really doing some great things, you can call attention to it on your blog. Depending on the material, you could also link to their work right off of the blog. This is one thing I did not do enough of as a classroom teacher. I should have done this more.
4. Special Dates
This is probably more geared toward elementary students and teachers, but recognizing a student's birthday on your blog is quick, and easy, and makes them feel special. I did this on my blog last year for my boys Marcus and Miles, and then I e-mailed the link to their classroom teachers, their teachers were kind enough to show the boys in school. You can do this for many things, and yes I include my own children on my blog, it is after all "MY" blog.
5. Recommendations
Are you using a new product that you love? Or dislike? Blog about it! Have you read a good book lately? Tell people about it. Find out about a new website for students? Put it on your blog. Anything and everything you want to share with the world is fair game.
If anyone is interested in blogging, starting a blog, etc, etc and would like some help in setting one up, just send me an e-mail and we'll set up a time to go over some things. It's really quick and easy, and you'll be up and going in no time.
Hoping to finish some teacher laptops this morning.
Next week the plan is to get the teacher nettops running, and order some more equipment for the touchscreen setups. Once all the orders are completed, and the equipment has arrived, we will begin installing. Still hoping to get them up and running by the start of school, but if that doesn't happen it won't be long after the start of school. The major holdup has been getting the correct projector to make the system work. We have ordered two different ones that weren't capable of doing what we wanted.
I'm also working on Infinite Campus, learning how to get people logins and etc.
Hope everyone has a great weekend, I'll be heading back to the River City, and back in Elkton on Monday.
For the Friday video this week, let's go with something upbeat, enjoy Katrina and the Waves.
Been busy today, ordering things, learning a bit of this and a bit of that.
We will be installing the state's new firewall system today. Former Tech Director Gabe Pooler will be assisting me in setting this up. I'm grateful for his help and advice (not just today, but for answering my numerous e-mail questions, as well).
One of the features I did on my blog last year, was to post a weekly "Friday Video". Just for the fun of it, I post a music video here, just for the weekend. I'm tempted to actually put Loverboy's "Workin for the Weekend", but that would be too obvious.
So, for this week, let's go with something a little more modern.
A Very Busy Friday in the Chamberlain School District.
First, the Elementary is holding their field day on the track today. There are two sessions, but I am unsure of what the timeframes are.
Also today at 2 pm is the 8th Grade celebration in the HS Multi Purpose room. 8th Grade students will receive a number of awards and things of that nature.
Tonight at 7pm is the CHS Athletic Banquet, held at the Armory.
And then, the weekend is just beginning for me, as I will have to drive to Brookings for the Brookings Marathon, Half Marathon and Brookings Marathon Relay. I will be running the Half Marathon (for which I am NOT prepared) and Cameron will be participating in the relay.
After finishing our running, Cameron and I will drive back to Mitchell for my wife's Grandparents 65th Wedding Anniversary celebration.
Then on Sunday, aside from Mothers Day, Mrs. Harming and I will be celebrating our 17th Wedding Anniversary.
So a busy weekend in store for the Harmings!
Hope you all have a good one.
Today's Friday Video is: Slade's Run, Run, Away in Honor of the Brookings Marathon.
