Teacher Talk

Tired of Learning

That's right, I'm getting tired of chasing edtech. While the technology is changing rapidly and it's incredibly exciting to be a part of these changes particularly as they relate to the world of education...I'm starting to tire of 'keeping up.' Please understand, I love the excitement and have always been an early adopter. What is exhausting is that sometimes I would just like to use the technology instead of understand it.

Image from Somadjinn. Spinning Disco Lamp. MorgueFile.

For example, I want to access all of my email from one location (Thunderbird works for me). So, what's the issue? The level of technical expertise I need to make this happen. So, I set up an account wanting to get my gmail to this desktop application. That's easy until I get a warning that says,

Mail server pop.gmail.com responded: Your account is not enabled for POP access.

So, I go to Gmail and look around for the link to the settings page so that I can enable my account for POP access. Hey look! I can FORWARD the email to another one of my accounts...this should meet my need. In fact, what a great idea! Done. Ooooh, and here's the POP access infor too...as long as I'm here, I may as well make sure it's all on.

Basically I over-engineered a solution and now recieve emails as well as copies of emails in Thunderbird. What's more is that it all stays ad nauseum in Gmail. My EdTechies friends and colleagues will tell me exactly how to fix this, the issue...I don't want to know how. And while I want it fixed, I don't want to fix it.

Gymnastics for the Mind

Gymnastics for the mind, entertainment for the soul and training for the hands is how Oriland describes the art of origami. My much less elaborate description is "beautifully intricate and really, cool looking."

From an educational perspective:
Origami creates creates conditions of intensive interaction of the brain’s hemispheres and effectively allows development of motor skills of both hands, intellectual and creative abilities.

On a somewhat related note, no one sheet of paper can be folded in half more than seven times. Go ahead, try it.

Image: http://morguefile.com/forum/profile.php?username=sideshowmom

Child Safety

Over 3 Million Children are Safer

Thanks Yello Dyno!
When a child's life is at stake, this is what works.

The Yello Dyno Method™ is scientifically based on Nobel Prize-winning and internationally acclaimed research. Yello Dyno Methods™ activate children's "fight or flight" response. In fact, 80.8% of students demonstrate an increase in knowledge after one cycle of the Yello Dyno curriculum.

Generate proven results through the Yello Dyno curriculum and materials. Please visit the Yello Dyno web site to learn more about empowering the children in your arch/diocese's care take action. Safe & Sacred's children's curriculum partner, Yello Dyno, is an amazing influence in the lives of children ages 4 - 12.

"Unless children recognize deceptive behavior of Tricky People who mean them harm, it doesn't matter what safety rules they're taught."

- Jan Wagner, Founder of Yello Dyno

Safe environments provide a paramount foundation for learning. Children simply cannot learn, nor can teachers teach, if they do not feel safe.

Click here to learn about Professional Learning Board's
Partner in Safety

Background Checks

BACKGROUND CHECKS

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The world is no longer a simple place where everyone knows everyone in their hometown or even in their neighborhoods. The world has changed and one reality of the many changes is that teaching and safeguarding children includes performing background checks for all employees and volunteers who work with or near children.

You may be surprised to learn that there is a large range of services offered by companies conducting background checks. Make sure that your're doing everything possible to protect the children entrusted in your care.

Professional Learning Board recommends MYB Inc. as a cost-effective and school-focused resource for organizations to perform background checks. MYB Inc. is trusted by districts, schools and states across the country. Click here to visit the MYB Inc. web site and learn more about how you and your organization can better safeguard all children with background checks from a company that understands the unique needs of education.

Connecting in Internet Time

Have an interest in education and technology?
Consider joining me in Internet Time.

Visit Internet Time

BackUp your PC!

You know the value of accessing, backing up, and archiving data.

Carbonite is the AUTOMATIC backup solution for your PC. Get a FREE 15 day trial here. And then ONLY $50/year unlimited (REALLY!) storage space.

FREE Children's Books!

Earn FREE Usborne children's books. Here's how:

1. Host an online eShow
   • Complete this form.
   • Pick an end date.
2. Contact your friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc.
3. Have them visit this site, click on your eShow and purchase books.

The orders are totaled up for all the people that placed an order for your eShow and your allowance of free books is calculated based on this chart.

We can even schedule an online chat enabling your guests to learn about Usborne books' unique qualities, ask questions and get help while selecting the best books for their children.

Usborne Books

Exclusive to Usborne Books

Parents! Teachers!

• Give the gift of learning.
• Create a Wish List today!
• Earn FREE books through an online eFair.
• Sell Usborne Books. Make money. Have fun.

Thank you for considering Usborne Books from Professional Learning Board to meet your child and student learning needs.

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Exclusive to Professional Learning Board

Teachers! Parents!

• Staff Development courses only $25
  (Positive Interventions and Teaching Reading courses are great for parents too!)
• www.teacheretools.com <-- Low cost websites, hosting, tools and more!
  (Don't let the name fool you...available to parents too!)
• Virtual Classrooms enhance classroom learning experiences.
  Get yours at www.nextgenerationclassroom.com/k12

Discover additional online learning and technology tools and resources.

I'm so excited about this!

This month, and still in time for the holidays, I've begun selling Usborne Books.

"Huh? What are Usborne Books and why am I excited?" you  might ask.

Let me explain...

Usborne books are more than pages with text. They encourage interactivity and draw children of all ages into the content enabling them to experience the text. A huge selection of non-fiction material (animals, transportation, machines, careers, etc.) keeps my pre-schoolers enthralled.

As a teacher, I've found Usborne books to be one of our schools' best resources for learning to read and absorb subject matter content. As a new parent, I am thrilled to be able to bring these products into my home and share them with friends, relatives and colleagues.

Please visit my online store and let me know how I can help you pass along the gift of learning. I'll write more about this as it develops but feel free to set-up an eShow, schedule a fund-raiser, purchase gifts or make a Wish List today. And, as always, if you have any questions, comments, tips, etc. please let me know.