Inauguration Expedition: Road to the White House Video Reports

GlobalSchoolnet is sponsoring a wonderful activity for students, K-12, helping them to understand different views across the country as the Inaugural of President Barack Obama is underway. Check out the site, listen to at least a couple of the videos, if not more than a couple, and post your comments about the potential of the site and the use of online expeditions.

Phillip K. Ireland has created the Inauguration Expedition, traveling from California to Washington D.C. over 10 days in time for the Inauguration, January 20. Each day, he interviewed people at different stops, gathering their views of the country and the direction they would like to see Obama and the country go. Topics include hope, courage, unity and division, and tolerance. Ireland has stopped as of last Friday in Escondido, California; Willcox, Arizona; Merykl, Texas; Gurton, Arkansas; and Stanton, Tennessee: his stops and short videos at each will give viewers insights into small-town America's views on country.

After viewing a couple or more of the videos, post your comments about the project. As time permits, also explore other expeditions that GlobalSchoolnets has been sponsoring. Bookmark the site under your Favorites, and return to explore further, considering how you might use the site in your own teaching. The site covers many areas of the curriculum, often in cross-disciplinary ways.

For now, let us know what you think of the Inauguration Expedition: Road to the White House Video Reports. Post a comment, please! Use this direct link to go to the page with the videos: http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsnexpeditions/inauguration/index.cfm

Mobile Technology

Recent research and observation of trends indicate that mobile technology, such as smartphones, will increasingly be used in schools to enhance the curriculum and invigorate learning. Already, a movement is afoot to lift cellphone bans in schools to allow students to use this convenient communication tool to interact with programs found on websites and through other technology sources. For now, the problem resides with teacher training; teachers need to grasp how mobile technologies can be used effectively in the classroom.

Project K-Nect, implemented in four North Carolina high school, uses smartphones to teach 9th graders algebra lessons. As noted in a Digital Dimensions article, “Teachers, from their laptop computers, send specially designed activities related to curriculum topics to students’ smartphones.”

To learn more about the national call for increased use of mobile technology to re-shape learning, consult the Digital Dimensions article. Also, take the time to skim this 52-report: Pockets of Potential: Using Mobile Technologies to Promote Children’s Learning Carly Shuler, Ed.M.January 2009

Please post your comments after reviewing the article and/or report. How do you envision mobile technology affecting your teaching and students' learning?

Image from: http://www.uberphones.com/

Global Networking

Numerous exciting projects exist to link classes across the globe. Check out, for instance, iLearn, Global Schoolnet, Taking IT Global, and ePALs. Participation in any one of these global networking sites can revolutionize your teaching and excite your students. I am leaving the URLs to locate the sites for you to learn how each connects students internationally. Feel free to explore one or more, and please post your comments upon your review.

ePALS: http://www.epals.com/
Global Schoolnet: http://www.globalschoolnet.org/
International Education and Resource Network: http://www.iearn.org/
Taking IT Global: http://www.takingitglobal.org/