Following the Backchannel at Microsoft Innovative Education Forum

» 28 July 2011 » In Events, Social Web, Visualizations » No Comments

I'm a guest blogger attending the 2011 Partners in Learning U.S. Innovative Education Forum (IEF) on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA. Here's some of the Twitter stream following our #MSFTPIL hashtag. I've met some great teachers with very clever projects. Expect to see some of their guest posts in the future. Click here for info on IEF winners

Personal note: thanks to Microsoft for bringing recognition to these great projects. I was inspired by the dedicated teachers and their creative approaches to enhance teaching and learning. Thanks to all the folks who posted social media content for me to draw from. While the #MSFTPIL search will eventually fade away from the Twitter feed, this post will remain as an artifact of one awesome assembly of educators.

Here's a Photosynth of our reception at Bell Harbor. After (most) all of you went downstairs, I decided to document the location - how can you describe a view like that in words?

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How to Tell a Story: Five Rules for Better Writing

» 25 July 2011 » In How To » No Comments

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When it comes to writing – less IS more. Simple rules from noted writer / teacher, William Zinsser that will improve your writing. Plus links to more tips.

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Teachers, Have the Courage to be Less Helpful

» 19 July 2011 » In Commentary, Strategies, Teachers » 13 Comments

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Most of our students get a steady diet of force-fed information and test taking strategies. We’re giving a generation of kids practice for predictable, routine procedures. Here’s thoughts on how you can begin to “be less helpful” and give students practice in “figuring it out” for themselves. That’s where the real learning will take place.

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How to Flip Your Classroom – and Get Your Students to Do the Work

» 13 July 2011 » In Ed Tech, How To, Strategies, Students, Web 2.0 » 6 Comments

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Here’s a step by step guide to “flipping the classroom.” Students assist in the selection of video content for posting online. Student then watch content on their own time. Class time is then devoted to problem solving – with the teacher acting as a guide to teams of students. It’s like a “TiVo time shift” that can reshape your classroom. Additional resources and links provided.

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OMG! Google+ Is Now Open To Anyone With a Google Account!

» 07 July 2011 » In Commentary » No Comments

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My first post on Google +. (I’m guessing I will do more). OK, I admit it’s starting to grow on me. Still this Extranormal video nails it.

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My TypePad to WordPress Conversion

» 06 July 2011 » In Commentary » 4 Comments

TP2WP

Thinking of migrating from TypePad to WordPress? When I first started blogging back in ’05 I was a bit confused by WordPress, so I opted for TypePad. TypePad has been easy to use, but I’ve enviously watched WordPress evolve into a far superior platform. Here’s how Foliovision smoothly managed my recent move.

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