Thursday, August 28, 2008

45 years ago today........

Forty-five years ago today, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have A Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Today I would like to share one of my favorite pictures of my daughter on our last trip to DC when she stood on the spot. She had learned about the speech in her preschool class and it was a very cool "dad moment" to be able to tell her this was the exact location. In light of the political events occuring today, it does make me pause to think about how much, or if, we are making progress and how we will look back on this moment 45 years from now.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Podcast #157 - Could the Google 20% Principle Work in the Classroom?



Hello. Today's podcast is a carcast in which I discuss the possible use of Google's 20% principle in the classroom. How would it work and would it be possible. Just some random thoughts to start off the new school year.


Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Podcast #156 - Review of the Flip Video Camera as a Tool for Teachers

Hello. Today's podcast is a quick carcast recorded as I drove across Nebraska on a recent family vacation. It is a short review of the Flip video camera - which I think would be a great purchase for any teacher. If you have used a Flip in your classroom please leave a comment to this post and share your ideas. In the podcast I mention it would be a great tool for administrators as well.

Friday, August 08, 2008

Podcast #155 - Grace Corrigan, Mother of Christa McAuliffe, at 2008 International Teachers Space Camp


Hello. Today's podcast is a presentation from the 2008 International Teacher Space Camp by Grace Corrigan (mother of Astronaut Christa McAuliffe). It is great presentation about the life of Christa and what it meant for her to represent teachers in space. I was not aware until listening to Grace that Christa was a history teacher and had a very interesting approach to how she taught history to her students.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Podcast #154 - 2008 International Teacher Space Camp



Hello. Today's podcast is a recap of the 2008 International Teacher Space Camp. The camp was a collection of the state teachers of the year and about 30 international teachers from around the world. As we attended the week long camp in Huntsville, Alabama we studied rockets, science, space, ran simulated shuttle missions, listened to astronauts and had a blast (no pun intended). After you listen to the podcast, check out the pictures and video from this great week.

Video of Space Shot Ride from Space Camp

At the U.S. Rocket and Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama they have a Space Shot ride - similar to ones you may see at amusement parks - which simulates a launch. This ride gives the rider the experience of 4G's. I rode it twice - once I had someone film it from the ground, the second time I held my Flip video camera to record what it looks like from the seat of the ride.