Comments for kBlog

Comment on Sleep Talking by Daniel

Daniel — Sun, 02 May 2010 13:52:34 +0000

…couldn’t agree more. I heard someone say once that the side effect of fun is learning and it’s so very true. I have had similar conversations with my own little girls who are now 7 & 8. Both of them LOVED the entire idea of school and couldn’t wait to go to Kg. I couldn’t help but notice that the realities of first grade killed off a little bit of that enthusiasm to learn and interact. 2nd grade has caused a larger part of it to fade away and I anticipate 3rd grade will firmly grind what’s left into the ground. …as an educator, it worries me. As a parent, it makes me very sad and even angry at times. As an American, it makes me scared. We are doing what appears to be our very best to discourage creativity in our schools and for what purpose?

Comment on Microsoft Innovative Teachers Program by mark

mark — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:27:55 +0000

Thanks for the review!

Comment on UDLearning by Brian Mull

Brian Mull — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:09:38 +0000

Just a quick correction. The blog is on the November Learning site, but the story and posting is by Jim Wenzloff.

Comment on On the Bus by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beac

Sheryl Nussbaum-Beac — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:11:47 +0000

We are thrilled as well. Should be an outstanding year.

Comment on Listen and Learn by Anne

Anne — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:00:32 +0000

Nice! Thanks!

Comment on Learning 2.0 by Brian Olmetti

Brian Olmetti — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 01:11:57 +0000

Nice blog… I have started using Gcast to allow my students to summarize a lesson or ask a question to the forum of our class via my cell phone in class. It is really great.

Comment on Microsoft Innovative Teachers Program by Ana Maria Mascenik

Ana Maria Mascenik — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:50:08 +0000

We visited a theater that was decorated in an Asian Theme. As we toured, connections were made to real places in China, historical references were also made. These are traditional core subject themes. Examples of learning and innovation skills affected the materials used by the builders. In the early 1900’s, wood was used when theaters were built. This led to dangerous fires and when renovations were made, wood was discarded and plaster used. Later, in the 1980 an earthquake caused the cornices to crack and fall. When they were replaced, polyurethane was used in place of plaster making it safer. These are all examples of creativity and innovation, a 21st century skill. I would extend this to the students learning by having them participate in a local tour of our historical town and try to develop their connections within there community.
Another learning experience that was described was the West Side Story gang discussion. A powerful piece that came from this is that when unlike people come together behind a common goal and everyone has buy in, this leads to powerful learning. Collaboration and ownership apply to students as well as adults.

Comment on Microsoft Innovative Teachers Program by Mike Heidelberg

Mike Heidelberg — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:41:05 +0000

Part I

There were a great number of 21st century skills that were present throughout the day. It was an exciting educational experience about a something that I didn’t know much about before. The basic framework of the day – from the anticipatory set of the mystery write – to the know – want to know discussion, all the way to this reflection was designed in order to foster knowledge and build understanding.

We touched on all of the 21st century skills in our experience. Most importantly, we built core knowledge about the theater industry and the 5th Ave. theater in particular: such as what the different jobs in a theater is, the history of the theater, the art and design of the theater, etc.

What I found most interesting however were the learning and innovation skills on display. As one member of the theater said, each show starts with a “black box” and there are a myriad of people that need to work together to bring a show from the concept all the way to production.

Comment on Microsoft Innovative Teachers Program by Kay

Kay — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:39:44 +0000

The West Side Story Project incorporated community, the arts, and schools in a very impressive project to contribute positively to community.
The technology talk about what is involved in running the theater was enlightening. The lighting which used to be hand controlled are now centrally integrated.

Comment on Microsoft Innovative Teachers Program by Kay

Kay — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 22:34:04 +0000

An abundance of 21st century skills were seen today. What struck me the most was the collaborative structure within the theatre community in the 5th Avenue Theatre as a whole. Each member has a very specific role in the production and maintenance of the theater, and each valued as a piece of the whole.