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© Jerry Swiatek for Thoughts from a tech specialist..., 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: education, K through 12, Teacher, technology, Worksheet

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Being a technology specialist in a high school can be frustrating at times. I have so many tools and great uses for them, that I sometimes get a bit distraught when I do not have anyone willing to listen to my ideas. Every so often, I’m reminded about why I do what I do.  Although technology adoption typically does not occur at the pace I’d like, occasionally I’ll get an email like this one:

I just want to say what a difference the Elmo (I call it a Waldo) made for me. It is just easier than an overhead, and I like that I can use a book, and I used some visuals this week to measure an object, and I put it under the Elmo for the kids to see. It may sound like small potatoes, but it is a big step for me to use technology like this. Some day, I will hook up the computer to the Elmo. You have a nice Christmas. Paul

This if from a guy who was unsure about email and an electronic grade book at the beginning of the school year.

The small potatoes are the reason I love doing what I do. Taking a technology that some people have never heard of nor seen and making them comfortable enough with it to make a difference in their teaching…

I love my job…

© Jerry Swiatek for Thoughts from a tech specialist..., 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: High school, technology

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I am a big fan of using video in the classroom to enhance the lesson being taught. I’m not referring to using an hour long movie to replace my lesson for that day, but adding a 4 minute clip here and a 2 minute clip there can be the difference between kids falling asleep and keeping them engaged. Last year, I used a clip from The Simpsons to demonstrate how the Internet can be used. The students loved the video and they got the concept. It was very powerful.

There is no shortage of video available online. The key is finding something that is going to engage your students yet still be appropriate. I came across a post at the Free Technology for Teachers blog about using Nova in the classroom. The post mentions a site named Snagfilms.

SnagFilms is committed to finding the world‘s most compelling documentaries, whether from established heavyweights or first-time filmmakers, and making them available to the wide audience these titles deserve.
SnagFilms.com is a website where you can watch full-length documentary films for free, but we’re also a platform that lets you “snag” a film and put it anywhere on the web. With a library of nearly 450 510 films, and rapidly growing, you’re bound to find films that resonate with your interests. We make it easy for you to find a film that shines a light on a cause you care about. You can then open a virtual movie theater on any web site, so any one can watch your favorite SnagFilms for free.

SnagFilms can be summed up in four words: Find. Watch. Snag. Support.

My favorite feature of the site is the ability to create my own “virtual movie theater.” You can add up to 5 films, then embed your movie theater into any site. I’ve embedded my virtual movie theater below:

Individual films can also be embedded. The video quality is excellent and everything offered is free (which is always good.)

Check it out at snagfilms.com.

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• SnagFilms reinvents film distribution

© Jerry Swiatek for Thoughts from a tech specialist..., 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Feed enhanced by Better Feed from Ozh

I am a big fan of using video in the classroom to enhance the lesson being taught. I’m not referring to using an hour long movie to replace my lesson for that day, but adding a 4 minute clip here and a 2 minute clip there can be the difference between kids falling asleep and keeping them engaged. Last year, I used a clip from The Simpsons to demonstrate how the Internet can be used. The students loved the video and they got the concept. It was very powerful.

There is no shortage of video available online. The key is finding something that is going to engage your students yet still be appropriate. I came across a post at the Free Technology for Teachers blog about using Nova in the classroom. The post mentions a site named Snagfilms.

SnagFilms is committed to finding the world‘s most compelling documentaries, whether from established heavyweights or first-time filmmakers, and making them available to the wide audience these titles deserve.
SnagFilms.com is a website where you can watch full-length documentary films for free, but we’re also a platform that lets you “snag” a film and put it anywhere on the web. With a library of nearly 450 510 films, and rapidly growing, you’re bound to find films that resonate with your interests. We make it easy for you to find a film that shines a light on a cause you care about. You can then open a virtual movie theater on any web site, so any one can watch your favorite SnagFilms for free.

SnagFilms can be summed up in four words: Find. Watch. Snag. Support.

My favorite feature of the site is the ability to create my own “virtual movie theater.” You can add up to 5 films, then embed your movie theater into any site. I’ve embedded my virtual movie theater below:

Individual films can also be embedded. The video quality is excellent and everything offered is free (which is always good.)

Check it out at snagfilms.com.

Related articles by Zemanta

• SnagFilms.com - documentaries for free
• Snagfilms offers Free Documentaries Online
• SnagFilms Remembers 9/11 with Five Online Films
• SnagFilms reinvents film distribution

© Jerry Swiatek for Thoughts from a tech specialist..., 2008. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Documentary film, education, Nova, SnagFilms

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