Coach’s Corner

Ning seems like an excellent resource for a teacher that is involved with technology classes all the time.  As a PE teacher and values instructor, I did not find many discussion items of interest for my focus.  I looked around the website for about 30 minutes and it all looked the same.  There were a ton of different social networks to join. Everyone was asking a question and/or giving a comment about a certain topic.   There would be a few replies to each person.  I was honestly a little scared to look into different social networks, I felt like someone from the group would find my e-mail address and stalk me through the internet!  I know that sounds crazy, but I like my friendship circle small.  This social networking thing kind of scares me.  I’m sure there are huge benefits from social networking using Ning and Classroom 2.0 websites.  For now, I will not join but browse the discussion boards for information relevant for my areas of teaching.  I still can not get over all the resources out in this big world called the internet.  Thank you Web 2.0 for opening my eyes to all of these great resources available to me and my colleagues!

Cheers!

I am definitely impressed with the layout of PageFlakes.com.  The website seems to be easy to use from the limited time I had to play around on it.  I will definitely consider this website as my home page.  I can not think of any ways that this site can help support classroom learning, but I can definitely see this tool helping me professionally.  PageFlakes.com reminds me of one stop shopping.  You can organize all your educational websites in one location for instant access from any computer connected to the internet.  I am starting to understand the power of having outside websites set up for your own personal use.  I am worried about having my technology imprint in so many different places and trying to keep up with all of these passwords and usernames!

Cheers!

I can definitely see myself using shared documents through Google in the near future.  As the diector of values and outdoor education programs at Trinity School, I have weekly meeting with 8 to 12 teamates.  For various reasons people can not always be present at all the meetings.  This limits the input to a fraction of the group.  If we used this sharing documents tool through Google would enhance the involvement of the entire team.  This would keep everyone involved and be part of every lesson and schedule. 

My biggest obstacle in the use of a shared document site is for everyone to be willing to view the documents and feel empowered enough to make changes to an existing document.  I absolutely love the possibilities this shared document has to offer.  The three ways that I can use Google docs are:

•  Values lesson plans
• Outdoor ed. trip schedules
• PE unit planning

Due to my technology gifted PE colleague Jedd Austin, I have been using You Tube to introduce different units, such as dance, lacrosse, cup stacking, and basketball.  Students seem to be 100% engaged when I use a video.  This is a little scary, but if this generation of students need music and highlights to internalize information, I’m up for it!  While viewing YouTube and teachertube I used my time in searching ways to use video to instruct my 5th graders on how to throw the discus and javelin.  Youtube had some exceelent videos on technique.  For my personal viewing, I watched a few mountain biking videos, good stuff!

I enjoyed watching a promotional video to become involved in the Special Olympics.  I have volunteered to be a coach at two seperate Special olympic events o, one in GA and one in CT.  Check out the video!
Download Video: Posted by specialolympicsyouth at TeacherTube.com.

Evoca was an easy website to use after viewing Shelley’s video on how to do a podcast using Evoca.  Thanks for all your hard work.

Please listen to my three ideas about using podcasts with 6th graders.

I was introduced to podcasting earlier this year.  My school’s technology department did an excellent job in introducing podcasting and how easy it is to use.  I have been interested in creating my own podcast, but have not tried it yet.  I was excited to see under the list of podcasts Health/PE selections. I chose to listen to Get Psyched for Sports Show 22 -  Two Very Important Mindsets For Sports

 This podcast was intended for athletes from ages sixteen to sixty.  I enjoyed the podcast because it related to my own interests in sports psychology.  I would not use this podcast in my classroom because of it’s competitive nature.  The focus was on the differences between a training mindset and the competitive mindset.

Why kids curse was another podcast that I listened too.  This was interesting because I am raising two young boys in a complex world.  Obviously, I need to be aware of what is coming out of my mouth!  I have not found a podcast for health and PE for 5th and 6th graders, but I’m sure they are out there!

Cheers!

After looking through the 43 things website, I left with mixed emotions.  Personally, I am a goal setting type of person.  I set the goal, lay out a plan, and then try to obtain it.  I do not need any outside encouragement unless it is a group goal.  Then, I will give my input and encouragement to the group and appreciate the same from my teammates.

As for a resource for my classroom.  I think my 5th and 6th graders would benefit from the added encouragement.  Our fitness unit is based on goal setting and I could see how a child that hates to participate in the 10 minute run receive encouragement from a blog entry. 

I would of never thought there would be this type of resource on the web. 

Cheers!

Library Thing is a decent resource if you are into reading or teach Language arts class.  Unfortunately, I do not teach language arts class, but I do enjoy reading when I have the time.  I can see myself using this website to find books that I’m interested in.  Outdoor recreation and adventure books are my favorite.  I did a quick search and here were the results:

• Friendship fun for all seasons: Great ideas for outdoor… by Lori Stacy (1)
• Hey Ranger 2: More True Tales of Humor and Misadventure… by Jim Burnett (1)
• Indian Creek chronicles by Pete Fromm (1)
• Never cry wolf by Farley Mowat (1)

I just finished adding tags to my del.icio.us account.  I focused on the 5th grade Olympics of the Body.  It was easy to use and I enjoyed looking into different people’s accounts that have similiar interests.  I can honestly say that I will be using this resource in the future!  I think this is a great resource for teachers!  I highly recommend this site!   http://del.icio.us/ 

I want to thank Eric Brown for writing about “Second Life: K-20 Educators Exploring Virtual Worlds – Panel”.  I enjoyed my first experience with the virtual world.  I would have never thought of holding a book review class on a virtual world website such as Second Life.  This may be the case because I am a PE teacher or because I never made the connection.  After viewing this session, I could definitely see how kids who participate in this type of virtual world outside of school would be psyched and motivated to engage in an educational project in the virtual world.  I’m starting to see the endless amount of things you can do online foe educational purposes.  It’s a crazy world out there, virtual or reality!  Enjoy it while you can!

Cheers!