Saturday, July 25, 2009

Second Life Blog Entry

My entry for this week is connected to an assignment that surrounds Second Life
and how it can be used in education. There is so much to reflect upon so I’ll begin by saying that there are so many different options available for educational use in Second Life. Educators will be able to teach their student’s different topics by having them take on various roles; this will help them get a sense of what things are like from different genres, from different perspectives. Virtual clouds is just one of the highlighted features used to help spark and keep students interested in subjects like science, geography, and physics, things/subjects used to create simulator actions or animation activities.

What is Second Life?
http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/

Developed by San Francisco based company Linden Lab, Second Life http://secondlife.com is an online 3D virtual world currently gaining in popularity around the world.
Second Life allows users or 'residents' to come together to interact, play, learn, do business and communicate in an online environment which is 100% user owned and created. The platform provides tools which allow residents to build their own environments, create highly personalized avatars, clothes, vehicles and all sorts of amazing virtual objects.

Second Life residents can engage in rich, sensory experiences, authentic contexts, activities, and opportunities for reflection that form an exciting new domain for a range of educational applications including distance education, vocational and tertiary education and workplace training.
Using Second Life in Education
Second Life offers a range of new and exciting possibilities for educators and their students.

Already, there are many prominent educational institutions and organizations exploring the use of virtual worlds for the delivery of a wide range of courses and educational events including Distance and Flexible Education, Presentations and Discussions, Historical Recreations, Multimedia and Games Design and Language Learning practice.
For further information view our comprehensive list of the Educational Uses of Second Life http://sleducation.wikispaces.com/educationaluses

Vassar University-Second Life

Second Life

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Tutorial Kg-2 Grade Hooked on Phonics

School House Rock Mother Necessity

http://www.teachertube.com/embed/player.swf"width="470"height="260"bgcolor="undefined"allowscriptaccess="always"allowfullscreen="true"flashvars="file=http://www.teachertube.com/embedFLV.php?pg=video_69324&menu=false&frontcolor=ffffff&lightcolor=FF0000&logo=http://www.teachertube.com/www3/images/greylogo.swf&skin=http://www.teachertube.com/embed/overlay.swf&volume=80&controlbar=over&displayclick=link&viral.link=http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=69324&stretching=exactfit&plugins=viral-1&viral.callout=none&viral.onpause=false"/>

How to put a Glog in Wiki

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson's Ghost

iGoogle

Formerly known as the Google Personalized Homepage, this personal start page is also known as a web portal -similar to Pageflakes, Yahoo, MSN, and Netvibes. It made it's debut in 2005 and it's features at the time, included Google Gadgets with the capabilities to add web feeds (a data formt used for providing users with frequently updated content), with the distinguished orange and white web feed icon. iGoogle Gadgets interact with the user and utilize the Google Gadgets API(application programming interface). With iGoogle, users can select distinctive themes for their Google homepages and Google also allows users to create a special gadget that does not require the use of the Gadgets API, and the gadgets created can be shared with family and friends; but the special gadgets have to be created using an online wizard which must be from the following: Framed Photos, Free Form, Google Gram, Daily Me, Countdown, Personal List, or the YouTube Channel. The name was changed to iGoogle in 2007, and is currently available in 43 languages, in localized versions of the Globe and in over 70 country domain names.
Visit the site at http://www.google.com/ig or fontbonne family and friends keep in touch with me at collinsk711@gmail.com you never know, your fontbonne email account, may not last forever-plus I would love to keep in touch.

Netvibes

Want to do a little remixing on the web? Then try Netvibes. Netvibes is a personal web portal, a place that presents information from different sources in a cohesive manner. Web portal like Netvibes, offer other services such as email, news, stock prices, entertainmnet and other information and MSN, Yahoo, iGOogle, AOL, Live Pageflakes, Sthrt, and Wakooz are examples of web portals. You can personalize a page using existing themes or by creating a theme of your own. Visit http://www.netvibes.com to learn more.

Monday, June 22, 2009

My blog and My delicious

Netvibes.com was one of the sites that I selected from the CED580 delicious site. Other sites that I added to the list were: iGoogle -I really like google reader, ikeepbookmarks.com, Organizing Your Bookmarks and Favorites and a new project based learning tool called Notestar.
I find these new technological tools to be quite helpful and resourceful for educational sites.
Take a moment and visit me on delicious at: http://delicious.com/collinsk

Monday, April 20, 2009

A Lesson About the Heart

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE4wktrmsTQ

Sunday, April 19, 2009


Health and Wellness - A Lesson from the Heart

Jump Rope for Heart

As you may have gathered, health and wellness are important topics for me. I have always been active in some type of sport or activity that's health related; and one of my favorite school activities for outside educational enjoyment is Jump Rope for Heart.

Jump Rope for Heart engages elementary students in jumping rope while raising funds to support lifesaving heart and stroke research. Students ask friends and family for donations and receive thank-you gifts based on the dollars they raise. This educational program teaches physical fitness and promotes the value of community service to students and their families. It shows students that they can contribute to their community's welfare.

Jump Rope for Heart Turns 30

The Jump Rope For Heart program owes its existence to Jean Barkow, a physical education teacher at Milwaukee Riverside High School. Jean held her first ?rope-a-thon? with her local American Heart Association chapter in the late 1970s. In 1978 the national fund-raising event was launched with the support of the American Heart Association and American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Check your school's Physical Education Department
You can sign up and raise money online! Check out our new computer donation Web site and find out how easy it is. Watch our great video for more information!


So Jump right in and >>>>>>>>>>>>Sponsor A Student!
To register your school for Jump Rope For Heart, please fill out this form.

Please be encouraged and feel free to make a donation.
I AM READY to raise money online for Jump Rope For Heart!

Thanks for reading! Thanks for your support!

American Heart Association Programs

After completing my video lesson on the Heart, I though that it would be a good idea to add a little of that lesson to my blog. Here are just a few programs of interest for you to look at or maybe even participate in.

Health Code ACLS
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3059650

BLS Healthcare Provider Online Part 1
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3019553

Coping With the Death of a Child
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3012832

The American Heart Association wants to help you find information quickly and easily. Here are some useful questions and answers.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=10000055

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Cells

Cells are the structural and functional units of all living organisms. Some organisms, such as bacteria, are unicellular, consisting of a single cell. Other organisms, such as humans, are multicellular, or have many cells—an estimated 100,000,000,000,000 cells! Each cell is an amazing world unto itself: it can take in nutrients, convert these nutrients into energy, carry out specialized functions, and reproduce as necessary. Even more amazing is that each cell stores its own set of instructions for carrying out each of these activities. For more on cells visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_(biology) - 120k - Cached

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Friday, March 13, 2009

Medical Problems

Youth and health have become a very common topic thanks to a few of the reality tv shows like the Biggest Loser - Weight Loss and Reality Shows, Information from OnHealth
Weight Loss Camp for Kids & Teens
Superman To Help Kids With Weight Problems Weight Loss,101 with Shaq
Weight Loss Reality TV: Why?-Here's a comment straight from this link:
There is a relative banquet of programming out there to choose from, "Biggest Loser UK"," Biggest Loser US", "Perfect Bodies", "Extreme Make Over", "Honey We're Killing The Kids", "Super Size Surgery" to name a few - enough to satisfy the biggest appetite for this particular brand of reality TV.

Visit the KidsHealth link below for more information on General Health, under it you will find dozens of links with various information about your kids Body Basics. This is truly informative!
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/index.html

Kids Health

Read more about what attracts kids 7-17 to violent gaming that is restrictive for this age group.
News - Violent Video Game Labels Actually Attract Kids A new study points out that restrictive age and violent-content warnings make blood-and-gore video games more appealing - not less - to minors.

What This Means to You!
In this study, as well as other things that we say to our kids, or tell them (not) to do, kids become more attracted to the what you can not have's and the what you can not do. To help keep your kids from playing inappropriate video games, a good idea according to the article would be to: *Put computers and video-game consoles in common areas — not in kids' rooms. * Make sure younger kids aren't playing games meant for older siblings.
* Look at ratings, but also be sure to preview games before giving them to your kids. *To try before you buy, check your local library or video store first.
* Talk to your kids about the games they're playing and monitor how games might be affecting them.

"Just as you should be aware of which shows and movies your kids watch and the websites they frequent, make sure you know what kinds of games they're playing — and what types of messages they're sending." And this is straight talk from the article.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Kids Health

Ok, I told you earlier that health and wellness are important issues that we really need to look into and share with one another. Well, on this next site is one of the world's most visited sites about children's health. With a site for Parents, a site for Kids, and a site for Teens, the Nemours Foundation provides information in both English and Spanish for Parents information is available with just a click of the mouse. They even offer health lessons for Teachers! If you can't find what you are looking for, there's a Search text box nearby ready and waiting.
Don't forget to read the Privacy Policy Terms and Use of the site. We as a people like to visit a lot of sites while online, and we often neglect to read the Polcy/Terms of use that accompanies the site. So come on, take a look! Let's continue to look out for our children.

http://kidshealth.org/

The 2009 Race In Saint Louis

I am trying somthing new this year. Vindi (my husky) and I will be participating in this year's event. Normally I'm stuck on campus, sitting in someone's Saturday class and participating on the side lines. Well, June is only a few short months away, and I would like for all my family and friends-immediate and extended (after reading this blog) and/or their emails, to accept the challenge of assisting me in or by participating in this years [ Race for the Cure ] event, by contacting myself here or at: write4kitty@yahoo.com- or by checking out the link below.

By participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, the most successful charity event ever created, you will experience an event that has changed the way the world views breast cancer. You can make a difference as you celebrate survivorship, honor those who have lost their battle, and most importantly, raise funds and awareness for the fight against this life threatening disease. Join the fight where you live, work and play.

Find A Race Search Results
Location
Date
Race
Contact Information
St. Louis, MO
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure®
St. Louis AffiliatePhone: (314) 569-3900Email: kmcmillan@komenstlouis.org

Physical Education-Missouri Assessment Info

o 50 Must-Read Up and Coming Blogs by Teachers
This is where I came across Mr. Lee's Blog Page earlier from PE for Children, where Florida took a look at Enacting Mandatory PE. After reading this again, I wanted to know what (if any) views (MO-DESE) Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, had to say about our curriculum. What they have posted is:
Physical Education Assessment Data
PDF Files
2005-2007 Physical Fitness Assessment Data
2004 Physical Fitness Assessment Data
2003 Physical Fitness Assessment Data

Excel Documents
2005-2007 Physical Fitness Assessment Data
2004/2005 Physical Fitness Assessment Data
2003/2004 Physical Fitness Assessment Data

Email: Health and Physical Education
Phone: 573-751-2625Last Revised: >>>>>October 9, 2008
Information that is available to and for the public.

Why Blog With Elementary Students

While searching for something new to add to my blog, I came across this site that asked this question: Why Blog with Elementary Students? So, this is my entry for today.
I just had to add it--check it out!

http://www.adrianbruce.com/blogging/why_blog/why_blog_with_students.htm

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Music Teacher's Blog/Teaching

http://musicteachersblog.com/

This last blog comes from Janice's blog-Adapting Music Games to suit Special Needs Classes, Is my favorite of the three blogs from TeachingTips.com. I had the pleasure of working at Gateway Michael the Elementary and Middle Technology Schools in Midtown Saint Louis City when it opened some twelve years ago. There were six students, all boys one with autism the others, cerebral palsy. The one thing that they had in common was the ability to play musical instruments through a device that connected to their motorized wheelchairs with keyboards attached to them.

What I found most interesting about this site was the game ideas and Music Flash Cards that are available as free downloads at Music lesson Plans along with other curriculum ideas for teachers.
Janice and her husband share a passion for teaching and sharing music with people with special needs and they want to share some of their ideas in this post. This may be a new experience for some, and the needs of different disabilities in individuals vary quite a lot, so feel free to use and adapt the ideas that you feel most comfortable with. Knowing that there are so many special teachers out there who share the joy of music with disabled people every day, so if you have your own experiences, advice or teaching tips please feel free to add them to the comment box on Janice's blog.

Betty's Blog: Timely Teacher Talk

http://bettyb.teacherlingo.com/

One of my favorite blogs as the first from Teaching Tips; I chose this blog because it speaks to me personally. I too have substituted in classes that have had additional education assistance such as Millionaire and Jeopardy Games set up in a PowerPoint presentation by the classroom teacher for Substitute's to use as a part of their lesson plans. All I had to do was pick up the folder, follow the instructions, click on the screen, and select the teams. The students picked the questions and I clicked again to get the answers. The students really enjoyed the gaming activity-talk about group invovlement, it was really fun!

This is a great tool for teachers to use for reviewing lessons; the Jeopardy game is even available in a math format. After reading about it I decided to doodle with creating a Health and Wellness version and versions for Biology, Physical Science, and Chemistry. I would really like to post a Health Trivia version like Millionaire to place on my blog page.

PE for Children: A Physical Education Blog

http://www.tandalay.com/peforchildren/

Lees's P.E. & NCLB-Policy is taken from a CNN article titled: "No CHild Left Out of the dodgeball game" raised some issues about Physical Education in U.S. schools; including the continuing debate over physical education and test scores that admininstration and teachers seem to fuss over year after year after year. It also focuses on a claim that school administrators as well as the Bush Administration, placed so much emphasis on the NCLB Act, that it actually forgot about the physical education and well being of America's Students when it placed more interest in the test scores and less interest in the students' physical education.

No Child Left Behind information from U.S. Department of Education

Lee's blog includes a quote by Russell Pate, a Professor of exercise at the Univesity of South Carolina stating that: "We really feel that a national problem is that P.E. and health education are not included in core curriculum in schools. I think it is obvious schools are going to understandably pay the most attention to areas where they are evaluated. If we continue to leave P.E. off the accountability records, it will be hard to get schools to incorporate it."

The blog continues by saying: "Kids need to move" meaning that students need physical education classes. It's the P.E. that helps students develop good exercise habits that will last a lifetime.
Read more about the article:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/08/20/PE.NCLB/index.html