I will now tweet “Our Page” instead of “My Page”

In the 1990’s while a classroom teacher I started bookmarking good educational sites.  When I became the teacher-librarian in my school I started a website of links for all subject areas. I was still finding the sites myself but I then found Kathy Shrock who shared amazing information. Once I got on Twitter in 2009 I started building a great PLN.  My first follows were: @coolcatteacher @web20classroom @shellterrell and @tomwhitby.  I started getting great links from them and as time went by my Twitter followers kept providing great sites that they were using.

For years I have tweeted pages from my website http://cybraryman.com/0_teachers1.htm and stated “My Page.”  I have now changed that to “Our Page” because without my wonderful PLN how would I ever find such great sites to add.  As a constant learner and a person who truly wants to help busy students, educators and parents I cannot keep up on everything without your help. 

My PLN means a lot to me #YouMatter.

Thanks to the following and all others who share so much:

@angelamaiers @mbteach @kyplepace @alicekeeler @pernilleripp @brholland @s_bearden @joycevalenza @KleinErin @mr_isaacs @gcouros @jmattmiller @justintarte @KerryHawk02 @sylviaduckworth @shannonmmiller @mssackstein @kevinhoneycutt @ClassTechTips @pammoran @SNewco @TonySinanis @wkrakower @scottrocco @TheBradCurrie @burgess_shelley @NikkiDRobertson @jeffherb @E_Sheninger @burgessdave @RossCoops31 @iTeachLipscomb @TeacherToolkit @gwynethjones @ICTEvangelist @ICTmagic @elissamalespina @ShiftParadigm @JoyKirr @librarian_tiff @TeacherCast @ozge @jenniferlagarde @JennRegruth @ncarroll24 @nathan_stevens @TechNinjaTodd @plnaugle @Lynch39083 @RACzyz @JenWilliamsEdu @ncarroll24  @PeterMDeWitt @LaVonnaRoth @timbuckteeth @russeltarr @elemenous @EdTechNerd @johnsonmaryj 

Control Alt Achieve @ericcurts

Education World @education_world

Emerging EdTech @EmergingEdTech

My Best of series | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… @Larryferlazzo

SurfNetKids @barbarafeldman

Talk Tech With Me @Katie_M_Ritter

Teachers Edition | U.S. Department of Education @usedgov

The Tech Edvocate @techedvocate@AdvocateforEd

#EduGoalsMOOC resources @SteveWheeler

Kathy Shrock’s Guide to Everything @kathyshrock

ASCD @ASCD Which for me as a member in the 1980’s was the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Blogging About the Web 2.0 Connected Classroom by Steven Anderson @web20classroom

BrainPop @BrainPop

Common Sense Media @CommonSense

Cult of Pedagogy @cultofpedagogy

Daily Genius @DailyGenius

EdSurge @EdSurge

EdTechTeam @edtechteam

Education Week Teacher @educationweek

Edutopia (I have followed them since their start) @Edutopia

eSchoolNews @eschoolnews

Four O’Clock Faculty @4OClockFaculty

Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne @rmbyne

Getting Smart @Getting_Smart

Learning in Hand @tonyvincent

Mind Shift @MindShiftKQED

Shake Up Learning Website and Blog @ShakeUpLearning

SimpleK12 @SimpleK12

TeachThought @TeachThought

Tech & Learning @techlearning

The Learning Networks @NYTimesLearning

You can find all these on Some Favorite Resources page

Tech Share Live – A Must See at FETC 2018

Buckle your seat belts for a rousing and extremely entertaining learning time when Adam Bellow @adambellow, Kathy Schrock @kathyschrock, Leslie Fisher @lesliefisher and Hall Davidson @HallDavidson present their Tech Share Live (Thursday, January 25th at 8:30 am) at FETC – Future of Education Technology Conference in Orlando Florida from January 23-26, 2018.

I have thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much from these amazing educational technologists and leaders at their previous FETC sessions.  I love the way that they interact with one another and share so many great tech tools.  This smorgasbord of tech gadgets, apps, hardware and software they show will astound you.  Just wish I could own all the things that they introduce the audience to.

Don’t miss Tech Share Live and good luck figuring out how to attend all the fantastic learning opportunities from outstanding educators at FETC.

Hope to see y’all at FETC 2018.

Energetically,

Jerry Blumengarten @cybraryman1

 

I can, I shall – I did! #1000in2014

I just completed another 500 miles in 2014.  After doing my first 500 I decided to do it again.  I want to see you and your students also set goals but keep at them and reach what you have set out to accomplish.

Set goals, design mission and vision statements but focus on what you have done and reflect periodically making the necessary adjustments. This is a follow up to my previous blog post “Setting Goals and Reflection

There were days that I was at first not motivated to get outside and do my walk/jog/run morning activity but I persevered.  The following chats, etc. helped keep me going:

The Breakfast Chat #530   I look forward to this spark chat (5:30-5:45am EST – Mon-Fri.).  It gets my Twitter day started.  Luckily I don’t need or like coffee as I am wide away when I arise (yes, I do sleep a few hours).  After the chat I would hit the road.  It was dark before we set the clocks back.  I got to see students waiting for their school buses at 6:15am, horses grazing and then the beautiful sunrises. I try to make it home to prepare coffee for my wife when she gets up.

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On Saturdays I try to get my usual minimum of 4 miles in before the very stimulating #satchat for educational leaders (7:30am EST/PST).

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Sundays it is easier as #sunchat starts at 9:00am EST.

My Walk Tracker Pro app also was a great help to keep me motivated as it tracked my mileage and spurred me on to complete my miles in less than 13 minutes.

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One of my heroes is @Principal_EL and it was a tweet by him in January that alerted me to the #500in2014.  He set out to accomplish this feat but got injured along the way. It definitely slowed him up but he did not give up and is back on track. Also have to give shoutouts to @Vroom6 who also came back from an injury.  And I could not leave out @WonderingWinter who had to put up with the climate of Vietnam to complete her #500in2014

Here is an update on the progress of the original 52 of the #500in2014

13 have completed 500 miles in 2014

4 have completed 1000 miles in 2014

I wonder if this is the same percentage of people who make New Year Resolutions and then keep them.

I am worried as we are not in shape physically, mentally or educationally.  It is easy to make resolutions, mission or vision statements but living up to them should be our goal.

 

 

I am excited about #EdProdChat

#EdProdChat is starting real soon and I can see this will be a tremendous way to find out about great products to use in your school.  This much needed forum will give teachers a chance to interact with the designers of products that are used in classrooms.  It will also benefit the developers who will get real feedback on their work.  Both parties want students to learn and it will lead to better products being used in classrooms throughout the world. We are not endorsing these products but showcasing them because we feel they will be valuable additions for student learning.
 
When I wrote educational activities for the utility company I developed not only a teacher review network but one for children as well as industry personnel. The final product was successful because of the input from all these points of view.  
 
Please join us on #EdProdChat
First chat will be on Thursday, September 18th at 8pm EST featuring a project based learning App called WeLearnedIt.  Hosting will be WeLearnedIt CEO Adam Bellow @adambellow
 
The weekly #EdProdChat schedule of weekly chats will begin on the first Thursday of October (Oct. 2nd) at 8pm EST
 
Please sign up on REMIND using the class code: @edprod 
 
I am looking forward to #EdProdChat  because this constant learner loves finding out about wonderful products that will benefit students.

#satchat Live at #ISTE2014 and reaching the world

When the “Jersey Boys” (@wkrakower, @ScottRRocco @bradmcurrie ) asked me once again to guest moderate #satchat Live at ISTE I was honored. I came up with what I thought was an appropriate topic and questions for this special event “Starting a Tech Revolution in Your School or School District.”

My questions

I posted the questions.

This past year I have been asking students, parents, teachers and administrators wherever I have been about the actual use of technology in their schools. In the Stone Age district of Florida where I live when I questioned students and teachers if they ever did a Voice Thread, blog, a mystery location call, flip their learning or even connect they look at me as if I am talking a foreign language. I was also taken aback when I asked about tech use and a student replied: “We only really use technology when taking standardized tests!” Luckily I am moving to a new area in Florida where they “get it!” Are you ready for me @dennisdill @MLMRobertson @DianaLRendina and @professorjosh?

 

In the dark ages I made signs by hand!

In the dark ages I made signs by hand!

When rock star and my good Twitter buddy and one night roommate, @thomascmurray, who recently testified in Congress on our behalf (ed tech), agreed to guest moderate we were set for a special live show.

@cybraryman1 @wkrakower @thomascmurray

@cybraryman1 @wkrakower @thomascmurray

So, there we were facing an enthusiastic audience of over 60 educators at such an early hour, on a Google Hangout with Scott and Brad (on his vacation) and a very active Twitter feed ( over 5,000 tweets in an hour).

Those present at #satchat Live at #ISTE2014 participated in a very lively and worthwhile discussion on technology. I have to especially mention the outstanding participation of @ugafrank and a guest appearance by awesome ISTE13 Keynotter @adambellow as well as contributions of @2footgiraffe
@plnaugle @ncarroll24 @JennRegruth @lparren @ StJMagistra @Kitty_Tripp @SandraTrach @LaurieBarron @elissamalespina @jdferries 
@janwells. @JoAnnJacobs68 @noApp4Pedagogy among others. 

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@stringer_andrea a moderator of #satchatoc tweeted in from Australia that she wanted to see my cape

The infamous cape!

The infamous cape!

@ScottRRocco still in New Jersey led the GHO (google Hangout) while @bradmcurrie on vacation was still able to pop in and out. We all missed a live showing of our dear friend @casas_jimmy who chose to tweet in from his hotel room.

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My Google Hangout page
http://cybraryman.com/googlehangout.html

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I made sure to mention my good friends in the conversation: outstanding student leader @zakmal of #stuvoice in the student section, @thenerdyteacher in the teacher part (love his idea of presenting “pilot” project to administrators), @joemazza (#ptchat & parent camp) for his leadership in the parent piece and @NMHS_Principal for his efforts and book Digital Leadership ( so happy I caught up with,
hugged, spoke to and heard his presentation in his whirlwind one day appearance at ISTE. Best of luck Eric on your new position).

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What makes ISTE so special was meeting and talking with so many members of my PLN (Personal Learning Network). So wish I could meet everyone but that would require traveling to the four corners of the world.

I will definitely keep in mind all that we discussed as I serve on the Advisory Board of #sxswedu

Please check out my good friend & co-presenter at ISTE @s_bearden amazing new app Tweechme. @kcalderw (airplane delayed but still managed to be there and followed up our #satchat discussion moderating a live #nt2t GHO with @wkrakower’s technical assistance & even I chimed in)

Thanks everyone (those present, tweeting in and watching the Google Hangout online) for making this Live #satchat at #ISTE2014 a very special discussion.

 

 

 

I am inspired and you can be too!

The motto for this year’s #tcea14 Convention & Exposition was “Get “Inspired.”  There are so many ways that you can get inspired.

During the past few weeks I attended some outstanding events that not only engaged me but re-energized me.  I met so many of my PLN that it would be impossible to list all of them.  I love you all and appreciate you.  #youmatter a lot to me.

#FETC14  – Florida

I only had the opportunity to spend one day at #FETC14 but it sure was jam packed with great experiences:

I took part in a fun app session delivered by @adambellow @kathyshrock @lesliefisher and @HallDavidson. Attend stimulating sessions at conferences or go to an edcamp where you can share what works with your students or learn from others.

I was fortunate to join @tomwhitby and @adambellow for a luncheon conversation.  Then we bumped into @rushtonh and I was able to have an enjoyable talk with him. Spend time with your PLN.  It is incredible the sharing and learning that takes place in these informal get togethers.

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I really enjoyed hanging out with my fellow #edchat moderators: @blairteach @kylepace @tomwhitby and archivist @jswiatek. Educational chats on Twitter are great opportunities for professional learning.  Take advantage of the incredible chats available.

The extremely well attended TweetUp gave me a chance to meet so many of my PLN.  It was nice to renew acquaintances and make new ones with great educators like @s_bearden @kristenswanson and @thomascmurray.

#TCEA14 – Texas

@tomwhitby and I had a fantastic time during #tcea14 and it was really special when we tweeted side by side while moderating Tuesday evening’s #edchat on: What would be the effect of building collaboration and reflection time into your work schedule?

Take part in chats and build your PLN.  Share your thoughts and learn how others feel.

@kenroyal  I definitely got the royal treatment from Ken who introduced me to so many of his friends in education.   It was so much fun hanging out with him.  It is amazing the connections that you make as you build a Twitter or Social Media Family.

@myclassflow Learned about this interactive lesson planning method that will engage students. Attending sessions gives you to opportunity to see first-hand technology that can help deliver your lessons.

I had a fantastic barbecue dinner with @PaulRWood, @shannonmiller, @TomWhitby, @woscholar et al. was nourishing for body and mind.  It is amazing when educators get together and then discuss intellectual topics that stretch the mind.

EdTech Karoke was a wonderful opportunity to let your hair down and enjoy yourself.  Always enjoy talking with my buddy @kevinhoneycutt. Once again I came across @stevedembo and we both stated that some day we would have to just sit down and talk.  Having fun and learning is great for us and our students.

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I was honored to address the LIB-SIG group thank you @_MichelleCooper. The message to all educators should be to continue to do what you are doing but embrace technology and listen to #stuvoice.

Conferences and edcamps are invaluable as you get a chance to meet members of your PLN (Personal Learning Network) like @mattBgomez  @djakes @duncanbilingual @ipadSammy @RafranzDavis @TechNinjaTodd to discuss educational topics in person, groups or during sessions.  It is now wonderful that you can go to meetings and actually know people as a result of your being a connected educator.

Tuskegee Airmen at Fantasy of Flight – Florida

Thanks to @DennisDill and @MLMRobertson  I was able to accompany their students to a special presentation by three Tuskegee Airmen at the Fantasy of Flight.  These gentlemen gave an outstanding session explaining the struggles they faced and how they triumphed.  It was wonderful that they encouraged the students attending to get a good education and work hard.  My tweets caught the attention of @DianaLRendina who was attending the same presentation with her class.  It is always nice to meet members of my PLN.  Great also to connect with @KKStephens82 the Operations Manager of @fantasyofflight Take advantage of such learning opportunity field trips in person or virtually.

Take part in activities that will inspire you don’t wait for them to come to you.

 

Reflection

This past week’s #edchat topic on reflection got me really thinking.

We need to stop periodically and really analyze what we are doing especially in the way we are educating our students.  At the same time we should also get feedback from our students, colleagues, or staff members as well as parents on what needs to be improved.  Then, we have to come up with a plan to get accomplished what we have discussed.  I like the use of the word “we” because it should be a joint operation. 

At this time I should reflect back on all the wonderful opportunities I had this past week or so getting to know members of my PLN at #FETC14, #TCEA14 and at a special Tuskegee Airmen event.   I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of educators, parents and students in my network.  It is I who should thank all of you for keeping me young and energized.  There is a lot of work that needs to be done to improve our educational system and world.  It is not an easy task.  We need to stop, reflect and come up with ways each of us can improve education.  It is important that we listen to all parties.  Let’s all Be the Change that is needed. 

Thank you Georgia Educational Technology Conference #gaetc13

It was a great honor for me to be asked to be a featured presenter at this year’s Georgia Eucational Technology Conference #gaetc13.  I always enjoy connecting, learning and sharing with passionate educators.  Everyone at #gaetc13 was wonderful.  They were so gracious, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind….

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I tried to give sessions where not only did I share information but I was able to learn new things from my audience.   I  feel that some of the best interchanges are those given by participants.  I enjoy when they share what works or does not work with their students.  We all gain valuable information from these conversations.  I have to give a special shout out to @brholland (pictured) who shared some amazing things at several of my sessions.  Thank you Beth.

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I am a champion of the classroom teacher and I salute them for all that they have to face.  I am also a huge fan of students.  I totally enjoyed interacting with all of the student presenters.  The Student Showcase was outstanding.  It included everything from STEAM, gardening, Legos, digital storytelling, to tech prodigies.  It was great to connect with my good Twitter friend @staffdevjnkie and her students.  Glad I was able to get Sue and one of her students to learn from the amazing @ShellTerrell at her Digital Storytelling session. 

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Conferences to me are so much more meaningful because you get a chance to meet (and hug) your followers many of whom you never actually met in person before.  It is also a chance to connect with your “old” Twitter friends. I was thrilled to be able to spend so much time with my great friend @ShellTerrell and reacquaint with @NikkiDRobertson (pictured) @amandacdykes and @Fernandezc4. A very  special moment for me was getting a chance to hug my good friend @blairteach who stopped by #gaetc13

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I love the EduVue team and getting a chance to see them in person was so nice. @GaTechTeach @CatFlippen @JaimeVanderG (pictured)  #EduVue

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Could not believe in one session I gave I had a slide of @aschmuhl and he was actually in the room. Great to meet the #gaed moderating team of @aschmuhl and the very dynamic @blantonbrian.

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It was wonderful hanging out with educational leaders who I admire so much:@tonyvincent @shellterrell (pictured) @crafty184 @lesliefisher  @dlaufenberg and @Njistem.

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Thanks to everyone who stopped and talked to me.  You mean a lot and I always love talking to my PLN. I am sorry I did not scan and keep everyone’s names to thank them all like @debbiechildress @cereseg @ktheodocion @AnissaLAndrews @mrnidey @BrandiKotsalis1 @PMontarella @mcrogers27 @MmeBurgess  @cmslibrarylady @vlaguaite @barber_meg @britt1119 @ldenson8 @lewisgrade5.  Special thanks for all the kind words @hoke (Hoke Wilcox)

Big thank you to the Georgia Educational Technology Consortium Board of Directors, GaETC Sub-Committee, committee members, sponsors and all the wonderful volunteers who made this an outstanding conference.

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Connect daily in person or online!

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I feel we should be concentrating on ways that educators, students and anyone interested in education can connect every day. October is #CE13 Connected Educator Month but we should be connecting every day in many different ways.

Connect with your students

Make sure you show them you care about them. Greet them each day by name. Keep up with their interests.  My #YouMatter page  Give them time to explore their passions
My Makerspaces page:  My Genius Hour page.

Connect your students to other classes around the world and with experts

Start connecting via Skype or Google Hangout with other classes.  Then take the initial meeting a step further by starting collaborating with them. My Mystery Location page.  Connect your students with experts outside the classroom to answer their questions. Adam Taylor @2ftgiraffe started #Scistuchat a monthly discussion that connects high school students and scientists.

Connect with your colleagues.

Share what you are doing and what you are learning as a result of your connecting online and offline.  Observe what they are doing with their students. 

Connect with other levels of education.

When my daughter was in sixth grade she and classmates connected with first grade students.  We need to connect elementary school students with middle & high school students and middle and high school students with higher education.  We can all learn from each other.

Connect with the parents/guardians of your students.

Find the best ways each parent wants to be communicated with.  Be transparent with them on what you are doing with their children.  Invite them in to the class to share their expertise.  Show them ways they can help you as a team improve the learning of their children.  Have hands-on workshops on how you are using technology for education.  Use such web tools as Remind101

Connect with the community.

Take the learning out into the area where you teach. Plan performances, art shows, science fairs in your public libraries, civic centers…  Connect with the members of your school community through the Chamber of Commerce and local organizations. Build relationships with businesses and local organizations  My School-Business Partnership Page

 

Connect via Social Media

Build a great PLN to connect with by following the hashtags on Twitter that pertain to your subject or grade level. My Educational Hashtags page. Seven days a week there are a plethora of chats for most grade levels and subject areas.  Participants in these chats represent a global audience of educators, students, parents and people interested in education.  Weekly Twitter Chat Schedule Use different social media connections like Facebook and LinkedIn to connect. 

Connect with your family

Step away from your technology devices and have some quality family time.  If your family is spread out connect with them via Skype or Google Hangouts.

 

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Why I am a champion for #geniushour #20Time #geniustime

#geniushour #20Time #geniustime

Throughout most of my educational journey my creativity was stifled.  I will never forget when I drew a picture on a homework paper to illustrate an answer and was reprimanded for that. 

When I first starting teaching my administrator forced me to use a textbook that my students could not comprehend.  He got upset when I had my class write their own book with illustrations.  Luckily the principal thought that was a great idea.  When I realized my students did not know anything about the world I wrote a complete socio-economic-historical curriculum of the neighborhood where I taught.  It got nice feedback from my principal and the local politicians.  However, when I was transferred to another school (I was lowest in seniority in my subject area) the assistant principal said, We don’t do that in this school.  Years later the entire school district used my community curriculum. 

Very early in my teaching career I realized it would be a wise idea to put the curriculum to music.  My students knew all the song lyrics to their favorite songs.  Unfortunately I did not have any musical talent.  I really blew it by not having some of my students (The Fat Boys) put the curriculum to rap songs. 

When Billy Joel’s song, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” first was released my students and I came up with a fantastic lesson to go along with it.  NBC News got wind of it and wanted to come into my school to film me do the lesson with my students.  My principal refused to let them come.  Maybe it was because our school led the city in assaults on teachers.

I did have one superintendent for a short while who encouraged my creativity.  He let a couple of us write complete curriculums, with lesson plans and student workbooks for the 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th grades.  When the next superintendent came in he refused to let us finish the 6th grade curriculum. 

As a result of my experiences I was determined to make sure I did not stifle my students’ creativity abilities.  During the first week of school I had my students fill out a survey of their interests and abilities.  Throughout the school year I referred to this when we did our work.  If a student liked to draw, write poetry, or was musically talented they could put that to use in their assignments.  I wish I taught now with all the wonderful tech tools there are .

Please give your students some time to pursue their passions  #GeniusHour #20Time #geniustime as it should be incorporated into your busy schedule.