Tapped In Newsletter: June 2007
...On the Tapis
June 2007
Issue 115
In This Issue
[1] Member Perspective: Danika Brown
[2] Online Collaboration: Transforming Curriculum Through Technology Beyond NCLB
[3] Tips and Comments from the Experts
[4] News Nuggets
[5] Tapped In Technology Tips
[6] About ...On the Tapis
Quote of the Month - "It is paradoxical that many educators and parents still differentiate between a time for learning and a time for play without seeing the vital connection between them." - Leo Buscaglia
[1] Member Perspective: Danika Brown
Before coming to her current institution, the University of Texas, Pan American, Danika developed several online learning environments to support various writing courses. She helped design and develop "OldPuebloMOO" for the University of Arizona and also developed an online environment for professional writing courses that integrated what was called "Teamwave" at the time.
Danika's Perspective
I am a professor of Rhetoric and Composition at the University of Texas, Pan American. Because I teach both writing and the teaching of writing, technology plays an integral role in my classrooms. My current institution does not have a diverse technological infrastructure (relying primarily on WebCT), and I found Tapped In as I investigated alternatives that I could use for writing courses. From the first time I logged in, I was hooked! Of all the polysynchronous Internet environments I have used, I find Tapped In one of the most flexible yet remarkably easy to use.
Read the rest of Danika's Perspective.
[2] Online Collaboration: Transforming Curriculum Through Technology Beyond NCLB
On Saturday, June 23 from 8-2 Eastern, Jeff Cooper and David Weksler will conduct a hands-on workshop at NECC 2007 entitled "Online Collaboration: Transforming Curriculum Through Technology Beyond NCLB." An overview of the workshop may be found here.
The room has videoconferencing, several Web 2.0 tools and much of it will be mirrored using Tapped In. During the last 3 hours participants will work on setting up professional development groups and K-12 classes at Tapped In. There will also be mini breakout sessions, where educators may spend between 15 minutes and an hour in conference with the participants using Tapped In, videoconferencing, and/or several Web 2.0 tools.
If you are interested in attending, or participating and sharing your expertise, please contact Jeff Cooper directly at jbcoops@gmail.com to be placed on the calendar. This is your opportunity to collaborate and support educators as well as picking up useful technology tips and tricks for the next school year.
[3]Tips and Comments from the Experts
Leticia Banion: thank you all for your advice!!! how did I get trough student-teaching without YOU ALL!!! I kick myself for not doing this sooner!!!
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If you have a comment or experience to share with the Tapped In community, please submit the information to BJ Berquist at bjb@tappedin.org or post to the How You Use TI.
[4] News Nuggets
Coming soon to the TI homepage: A link to the Tapped In Festival page. Event topics for the festival, scheduled for July 25, have been posted to the July calendar. Watch for more info soon!
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Lesley Farmer's latest news is that she was awarded the campus Distinguished Scholarly and Academic Achievement Award!
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TI member Rushton Hurley was a keynote speaker for Rotary District 5190's annual spring conference in Reno, Nevada, speaking on how online resources can invigorate classrooms.
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Lewis & Clark Then and Now, June 21-24, 2007, a summer institute replicating Corps of Discovery experiences of 1803-1806 and introducing classroom experiences for carrying the Lewis and Clark Legacy forward is an interactive, fun-packed classroom and community experience with outstanding presenters and teachers. Anchor activities will take place on the campus of Indiana University Southeast in New Albany and Study Trips and other events spread throughout the Falls of the Ohio region in Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky.
The Legacy Forward Committee, formed by the Indiana Lewis and Clark Commission, aims (1) to maintain the expedition legacies of two hundred years ago recently revived during the last three years; (2) retain the excitement and lessons in leadership, citizenships, survival skills, courage and ethnic sensitivity; and (3) to promote all with classroom applications for the future. Additional information and online register go to Wilson Educational Service Center website and click on Online Workshop Registration.
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Do you have a News Nugget about yourself or another member of the Tapped In Community? Send your News Nugget to BJ Berquist at bjb@tappedin.org.
[5] Tapped In Technology Tip
Tapped In Festival Wiki
The Tapped In Festival Wiki is being hosted at helpingstudents.org. Log in to the TI Festival Wiki page to submit a podcast of your rap or poem or song about technology and education. You can request a login (recommended) or use one of the temp logins on the K12 Teacher Wiki Group Room whiteboard to sign in to the Tapped In Festival Wiki. There is a featured passageway in Tapped In reception to A K12 Teacher Wiki group room.
The following lyrics can be used for your podcast or you can compose your own!
A-Y-P, I-E-P, No Child Left Behind,
Alphabet soup lurks like shadows in my mind.
Testing, training, stress and strife,
School makes a person want to get a life!
Food fights, playgrounds, swinging rings,
Sports, drama, choral sings.
Planning, grading, assessments to the max
The Institute of Learning is full of cracks.
No wonder burn-out has teachers on the run.
When did we forget that
LEARNING SHOULD BE FUN!
[6] About ...On the Tapis
Past issues of ...On the Tapis newsletters are available online.
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