2020 Schools » 2020 Schools

RSS Feeds

steven3985 — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:33:25 +0000

I recently learned about RSS feeds, a Web 2.0 tool. RSS is a simple way of getting customized information from the Web delivered to you computer automatically. It is a fabulous way to stay current on all of your favorite topics. This short video will tell you all all you need to know about RSS feeds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU

Here is what Wikiapedia says about RSS feeds.
RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines or podcasts. An RSS document, which is called a “feed,” “web feed,” or “channel,” contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favorite web sites in an automated manner that’s easier than checking them manually.

RSS content can be read using software called an “RSS reader”, “feed reader” or an “aggregator“. The user subscribes to a feed by entering the feed’s link into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The reader checks the user’s subscribed feeds regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds.

The initials “RSS” are used to refer to the following formats:

Really Simple Syndication (RSS 2.0)
RDF Site Summary (RSS 1.0 and RSS 0.90)
Rich Site Summary (RSS 0.91)

WEB 2.0 Tools

steven3985 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:57:48 +0000

Web 2.o tools are changing the world. If you didn’t believe that we live in a digital world the short video below will demonstrate that you may already be using Web 2.0 tools and not even know it. Many of the networking tools Wiki’s, Blogs social networking services such as Twitter and Second Life are connecting the world in ways never thought of 24/7. Time zones and location are no longer barriers for sharing digital media. Sites like De’lic’ous and Pageflake let you access your bookmarks for favorite sites wherever your are. GOOGLE Reader and RSS feeds let you be updated on news and information that you are interested in automatically 24/7. WEB 2.0 good or bad allows us to live our lives in real time. The video below reminds us that we are using our machines to make all this possible; or is the machine using us? You decide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

Never Ever Say Never

steven3985 — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:36:00 +0000

None of us know what the next great idea is going to be. The video below demonstrates that in education there have been naysayers to many innovative ideas yet they became accepted practice and have moved us forward. We are the Columbus’s of the 21st century. Just think of how radical his ideas were in his day. New idea’s do not always involve new technology or even dollars. However, they almost always involve doing things differently then we have done them in the past. In a world that is changing as quickly as ours we need to take a little risk to keep moving forward. The video below is not about technology but it does chronicle some key moments in education. Let me know what you think.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2855786550703993653

2020 Schools, Active and Engaged Learning, Collaborative Work

steven3985 — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 16:52:21 +0000

A few weeks ago I told you about a project that is taking place at a school called IIT High School. It is one of the four schools that are located in what was once known as Edison Tech in Rochester, New York. Students there have been working on a project that will result in the publication of a book about two local historical figures, Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony. The project has been able to garner support from the Mayor and our County Executive. There are many adults working in the background to run interference on the project but it has been been totally student driven. It has fostered collaboration and engagement with all the constituencies involved. Thus far it has had amazing results. At the most recent update students rolled out a draft of the text and illustrations. The students are now making decisions on how the book will be published. The collaboration between students, teachers, elected leaders and the public is amazing. Adults are getting ready to solicit donations to get the book published. If all goes well, the book will be distributed to all 3rd graders in Monroe County this spring. Plans are in the works to give the book a library code (ISBN) so it can become part of libraries across the country. After the initial publication there are plans to make the book available on demand on Amazon. This project has so much positive energy I hope it can be replicated by others.

2020 Is Like Building A Plane In The Air

steven3985 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:23:06 +0000

In this digital age we in education are bombarded with new ideas. We want to consider these new ideas as we continue to move forward and try to predict what skills our students will need in the future. Students are very comfortable with change. They understand text messaging, blogs, social networking, and how to move information digitally. This is the world they have grown up in. Pretty remarkable when you stop to think about it. What is remarkable is all the networking possibilities that are at every-ones fingertips and how many people are there to help.Moving toward the year 2020 is like the video below, “Building A Plane In The Air.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2zqTYgcpfg

U.S. Department of Education School 2.0 and Brighton

steven3985 — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:34:50 +0000

School 2.0 is an initiative by the United States Department of Education to encourage conversations about what schools could and should look like in the 21st Century. Representatives from the DOE have made several visits to Brighton to learn about our 2020 Vision. They have been very interested in all of the information that was collected and synthesized to create the 2020 Vision. To aid in this conversation, the DOE is working with Stanford Research Institute to create an interactive map to facilitate thinking and helping others with the visioning process that Brighton went through last year. Brighton is well ahead of the curve with it’s vision. The DOE will be video taping representatives from our constituent groups who provided input last year January 22 and 23. We are very proud to have Brighton featured and be part of this project. To learn more about School 2.0 click the link below.
http://www.school2-0.org.

President Bush Off To Chicago To Push The Reauthorization of NCLB

steven3985 — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:32:51 +0000

Has anyone in his/her presidential campaign taken a hard look at NCLB? How are we measuring it’s effectiveness. I think it was John Dewey who said” You can keep weighing a pig but that won’t make it get any fatter.” If we believe that education for our students should be differentiated, why isn’t NCLB? All schools should benefit by reaching real targets and receiving recognition for doing so. Dollars are important for schools that need help as well as those that are successful. This stick vs carrot approach won’t work. It only serves to slowly pull all schools into the “Schools in Need of Improvement” category. We have one of the greatest educational systems in the world. Does it need to change? You bet? However, you are not going to test and punish your way to success which is what NCLB ultimately does. As a person who has worked in urban and suburban settings I know that one shoe doesn’t fit all. Let’s raise the bar for all students but let’s do it in a way that fits the needs of students and school districts so that everyone can be successful.

WIKI’s What A Great Way to Collaborate and Discuss

steven3985 — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:42:41 +0000

Hey! I’m not the youngest kid on the block but this year I have learned the power of WIKI’s and how they can help to create dialog and collaboration between people. WIKI’s in our school district have helped to get input, energize projects and move agenda’s forward. It allows everyone to come to the table with their ideas. It is one of the many tools at our disposal in this digital age. I thought this short video clip would be helpful to explain the project to any neophytes out there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY&feature=related

60 Second Tech Moments

steven3985 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:36:13 +0000

Download Video: Posted by BCSD2020 at TeacherTube.com.

Having technology is a blessing and a curse. Actually, more of a blessing. The curse is the equipment is capable of doing so many things for us yet we seldom have enough time to learn all of the nuances. For some ideas the learning curve is steep and will take time. But, there are many little quick tech secrets that we sometimes overlook or are not aware of. Phil O. has put together a number of 60 Sec Tech moments to share the little secrets behind the hardware and software that we sometimes miss. What do you think of the concept? Do you think it makes a difference? Click on the link below and see what you think.

:60 Sec Tech Tip: Importing Microsoft Word into Notebook

College Today

steven3985 — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:34:17 +0000

College students today are used to so many new ways of synthesizing information. Are we using the right tools right now to maximize student learning. What suggestions would you make? As the father of two college students I have heard stories of how textbooks go unopened and lectures with chalk can be less then engaging. There is always going to be a need for good teaching, but do you think it is time for the tools to change?