Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is a site that has a plethora, yes...a plethora of valuable information for students, teachers, and parents about the crazy media-rich world that we live in.

This site has a place for educators to get lesson plans, guiding questions, videos and more.  There's even a place to see ratings for websites, apps, games, TV, and music.

Hey, there's even a place in iTunes U to subscribe to their FREE courses.

So, if you are looking for a good place to get quality information for your students, check out this site!

Living Digitally - I sit in awe of it...

There are days when I just sit in awe of "technology".  Yesterday was one of those days.

I use technology all day long, but yesterday afternoon I kind of chuckled at how easy and useful it is to me in my daily life.  Take my afternoon for example.  I had a planned iChat meeting with a couple of educators from a local district.  We were all three at different locations, using the video portion of iChat to discuss the topic-at-hand.

In the not-so-recent past, I would have probably driven to the school (35 minutes or so) to meet.  Then the return trip back to home or work (another 35 minutes), 70+ miles, gas, time spent driving, probably would have stopped and had a snack Sonic...probably a smoothie...mmm, Sonic.  [Pause for dramatic effect]  I would have ordered a Banana-Strawberry smoothie....

...But I digress.  Back to the topic of living digitally.

Through tools like iChat for the Mac, Google Talk, Skype, FaceTime, etc. etc. Time and money can be saved!

Where was I?  Oh yes, my video chat.  We share, we work, we plan...via video chatting.  So just about as our discussion ends, I have another person, from another district altogether, contact me via iChat.  this person has a quick "tech question".  I answer it and I move to my next task.  Parent-Teacher conferences!

Well since I'm at work, I can't make it to parent-teacher conferences in person so I video chat with the teacher and my wife.  It's as good as being there!  They held up my son's scores, we discussed his progress.  I also conferenced with my daughter's teacher in this fashion as well.  I must admit, it was pretty slick.

So?!

I've used video chatting for years now it seems.  I guess it just struck me yesterday again that...wow, this is awesome.

I flash forward to today as I'm working...

• I'm using my Mac server to upload and share video.  
• On the same Mac server, I'm using a wiki and blog to plan an event with a school
• Posting video to YouTube
• Uploading items to iTunes U
• Blogging
• Asking advice of others on Twitter
• Using Skype to both text chat and video chat.
• Emailing a school to schedule a time to visit

Get the picture?!  

What did we do prior to this?  What did we do?

I have to go now.  I have another video chat with a tech person and a handful of students to plan an event...Need I mention I'm not traveling to do it?

Immediately after that I will train staff at my workplace to create a PDF portfolio...but in my presentation, I'll direct them to the previously made videos to help learn the task-at-hand.  

So...I'm going to sit right here in my nice cozy office and get it all done.  

All I need is a fireplace and maybe some slippers.  I'll settle for a space heater and my jacket.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.  When I'm done with this post...I'll share it on Twitter and then Facebook.

I sit in awe of it...

I love my job.

INFO:

1:  YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/coreydahlesu8?feature=mhum  (but this won't work for you if YouTube is blocked)


2:  My blog:  http://esu8techstuff.blogspot.com/  (but again, I've embedded my YouTube videos into my blog, so if it's blocked, that won't work)

3:  Go to iTunes U: Nebraska Department of Education - Corey Dahl's Tech Stuff  http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/nebraska.k12.edu.1904348227.01904348230  (This should work)

4:  Look here:  I've uploaded it to my Mac Server  http://podcast2.esu8.org/groups/esu8tech/blog/  (This should work)


5:  Twitter - http://twitter.com/coreydahlevent

Going Digitial

What does it mean to "go digital"?  What does it mean for schools?  Kids?  Teachers?  Personally?  Professionally?

My thoughts go to YouTube, Facebook, and creating digital content.  As I look at apps like iPhoto, Screenflow, and others, they include (in them) an option to "upload to Facebook" or "send to YouTube".  It's becoming easier by the moment.

My mind also goes to the world of Creative Commons.  Should we share what we make and make it available for all?  I think that if we create digital content, it should in fact be shared...not hidden.  What do you think?

Have you been to iTunes U?  This is a great example of the sharing that should be taking place by all of us!

Have you ever been to or heard of the Khan Academy?  His instructional videos are wildly popular right now and can be viewed on YouTube or iTunes U - Khan Academy.

What's the best "digital" place to go to learn?

Please share!