I have been given the O.K. to purchase some things for the new school year and they are finally starting to come in. Ms. Rauch has as usual been very kind to the media center as well. Please come and see the new books that are being added daily. the new falt screen monitors allow old folks like me to actually read the webpages in a normal font. Bravo!
Add comment October 13th, 2007
The Golden Compass, which for my money, is much more exciting than Harry Potter, is coming in movie form very soon. Check out the trailer.
http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/
Add comment October 13th, 2007
This is a picture of Dearborn Public Schools’ Exhibitors Booth in the Second Life Educator’s Best Practices Conference which took place May 25 in the Second Life Virtual world. Presenter from all over the globe presented at this marathon 24 hour conference. Well known names from the U.S. included Kathy Schrock. (pictured below)
She reminded the audience of over 1000 educators about the importance of evaluating resources and teaching our students how to look for credible sources of information. For video archives of the major conference presentations, see the link below.
http://www.slcn.tv/best-practices-in-education
For live blog of the event including posts by yours truly under my SL name of Cyndi Uriza, See the link below.
Add comment May 30th, 2007
I have entered a machinima in the Gale “Why I Love my Library” contest. If you are able to view it on Youtube, please do. In some respects this is a popularity contest.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8079jJ5wRIO
Otherwise, you can watch it here. If you like it, please rate it on Youtube when you get home.
1 comment May 21st, 2007
I have somehow managed to get myself involved up to my eyeballs in the Second Life Educators Best Practices Conference. It is a real conference with a call for proposals that are being vetted by real university professors. I am one of the K-12 program chairs and you could have knocked me over with a feather when one of Bernie Dodge’s assistants contacted me with regards to presenting. It appears that many of the big names in edtech would like a shot at this new form of conference in a 3-D virtual world. The line-up is shaping up to include the likes of Kathy Schrock, Peggy Sheehey and David Warlick. The event takes place entirely inside the virtual world Second Life on May 25 all day and evening long. The price is right. It is totally free. If you are not familiar with Second Life, you should register and take a look around. You cannot do it at school however, as it is blocked. It also needs a better graphics setup than most of the school computers and a fast Internet connection. Go to SecondLife.com and try it out. if you are interested in the conference, go to the link below for information and registration. I am also willing to do some personal mentoring in Second Life. My username is Cyndi Uriza. You can send me an IM after you register for Second Life.
http://slbestpractices2007.wikispaces.com/
Add comment April 23rd, 2007
Yesterday’s iLearn session participants did a great job of developing new ilearn content to support writing in their classes. I want to highlight one course that is open to all McU students and staff. The Wancha/Wilkie Wanna-walkers is a walking/running club that encourages everyone to get moving and shed some of the extra pounds that some of us tend to put on over the winter. I encourage everyone to join this class and get walking! The enrollment key is “walk”.
Add comment April 17th, 2007
I will be giving a professional development section about using iLearn for content writing. The content I am going to use for my example is new media. If you would like a taste of the 3-D virtual world Second Life and how it is being used in K-12 education view the video below. Go to the links and choose CoSN video.
Feel free to comment here about the video and the topic of new media in education.
Add comment April 5th, 2007
We had a great Family Reading Night last night, but the best is yet to come. Author Pam Flowers is visiting us on Monday, March 26. Pam has been in the Iditarod and snow mobiled up to the North Pole. She will show and tell about her exciting adventures and her book “Big Enough Anna”.I If you would like to purchase an autographed copy of her book, contact Mrs. Alvarado at 827-1710. 
Add comment March 23rd, 2007
We have great plans for Family Reading Night next Thursday, March 22, from 6:00-7:30 PM. Come hear storytellers, make bookmarks, make a powerpoint book review and win some books palying bingo. The best powerpoint book reviews will be broadcast throughout the school
Add comment March 16th, 2007
This week is Teen Tech Week. That means it is a great week for kids to try new technology. I have recently begun using a virtual world called Second Life. The picture above is my avatar attending the Teen Tech Week event given by the YALSA ( the part of the American Library Association that deals with youth) and ISTE ( International Society for Technology in Education) I learned about amazing ways teens are using technology in schools and libraries. Did you know that many libraries are now using video games for learning? Second Life also gives me the opportunity to have conversations with national technology leaders and ask them specific questions about what they are doing. Second life has a Teen version that is only for students ages 13-17. Adults are only allowed as teachers and librarians, and they have to pass a background check, so it is a safe space. I hope every student at Unis will learn something new about technology this week.
Speaking of technology, Mr. Shockey and the video students are doing a fabulous job of covering and supporting reading month. They are responsible for the great video of Ms. Waddell reading that we saw, as well as the nice powerpoint slides. Hats off to the video team!
Add comment March 8th, 2007
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