Podcast #163 - Using Google Video Chat to Visit the National Constitution Center

Some days you do an activity in the classroom that just works incredibly well and you walk away thinking "AWESOME". I had that experience today. Today my 8th grade history students in Liberty, Missouri were able to take a visual field trip to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and participate in a tour given by National Constitutional Center Education Director Eli Lesser. We used Google's new Video Chat feature - it was very easy to use and we had a quality picture. Eli used his laptop and a web cam to move around Signers Hall at the National Constitution Center. He told stories about the statues in the hall while showing my students specific details. He answered questions as they raised their hand in my class. It was incredible. I know this is not a ground breaking event - many classes participate in video conferences every day, but I found it amazing that all we needed to make a connection was a G-mail account, a web cam and one click. Very impressive. If this is possible with minimal effort, what else can be accomplished with this application? Wow.

I talk about today's experience in the podcast and I recorded the experience with my Flip camera from the back of the room. I have uploaded a 7 minute segment from the video experience to You Tube and have embedded it below.

I would like to thank Eli Lesser for taking time out of his day to participate in this activity with my students. I would encourage all history teachers to sign up for the National Constitution Center educator newsletter to stay informed about all upcoming activities and events.

If you have any comments or questions about the video conference please leave a comment to this blog entry. I would also love to hear about any experiences you have with connecting classes via Google Video Chat. Are you an 8th grade American history class that would like to participate in a project with us in Liberty, Missouri? If so please let me know - send an e-mail to speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to Podcast #163 - Using Google Video Chat to Visit the National Constitution Center - MP3 Audio File

Deadline Approaching For 2009 Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards

Last Chance to Nominate and Apply for 2009 Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards Application Period Ends at Noon PT on December 17th Washington, DC – The application deadline for Cable’s Leaders in Learning Awards is only two weeks away.

Applications are being accepted through December 17th from individuals who implement creative learning programs in their communities, helping to push education progress to new heights. The annual program recognizes outstanding educators, administrators, policymakers, and other leaders at the forefront of innovation in education. The application period ends Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 12 noon PT. Applications can be submitted online only via www.LeadersInLearningAwards.org.

A podcast discussion about the application process is also available on the awards website for those considering applying. Cable’s Leaders in Learning Awards recognize a broad array of innovators, including:* Highly inventive classroom educators, administrators, community leaders, and policymakers who are transforming education from pre-kindergarten through high school.* Those who have had a major impact on educating youth both in and out of the classroom.* Those who have adopted innovative learning practices that have transformed an aspect of education on a large or small scale. In addition to national and local recognition, winners receive:* A $3,000 cash prize* An all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC in June, 2009 - While in Washington, award recipients will visit with members of Congress to talk about their award-winning programs. - Winners will attend an awards ceremony with policymakers, government officials, national education leaders, cable executives, and other VIPS. Cable’s Leaders in Learning Awards, administered by Cable in the Classroom, recognize innovative programs in several categories including: General Excellence, Cable Partnerships for Learning, and Media Literacy Education. For more information, please visit: www.LeadersInLearningAwards.org.

Cable in the Classroom (CIC), the cable industry's education foundation, works to expand and enhance learning opportunities for children and youth. Created in 1989 to help schools take advantage of educational cable programming and technology, CIC has become a leading national advocate for media literacy education and for the use of technology and media for learning, as well as a valuable resource for educational cable content and services for policymakers, educators and industry leaders. For more information about Cable in the Classroom, please visit: www.ciconline.org.

Podcast #162 - Create A Word Cloud of the Constitution Using Wordle

Hello. Today's podcast is a quick one about using the application Wordle in your social studies class. Wordle is a web based application which allows you to create a word cloud from a sample of text. You can manipulate the colors, shape, font, etc. to make a really cool visual represenation of text.




Since we are studying the United States Constitution right now in class I create two "Wordles" composed of the text of the Constitution. I think they look pretty cool and my 8th graders thought they were awesome. Listen to the podcast to learn a little more about using Wordle in your social studies classroom.

Direct link to Podcast #162 - Create A Word Cloud of the Constitution Using Wordle - MP3 Audio File

California Teacher Selling Ads on Math Tests

An enterprising math teacher in California is selling ad space on his math tests. Wow. I wonder if this will catch on?

Link

Podcast #161 - Teaching Gas Prices in Class

Hello. Have your students been talking about the steady decrease in the price of a gallon of gas? Here in Liberty, Missouri we currently have some of the cheapest gas in the country. I filled up in Independence yesterday for $1.39 a gallon (see image above).

Our next unit in class is our unit on how the Constitution works today and we always discuss taxes - both federal and state. Gas taxes are always a great way to introduce this concept to my 8th graders. This podcast will discuss a couple of great websites to help you discuss gas prices in class with your students and make it a truly teachable moment.

GasBuddy - check out what people are paying for gas all over the country and find the cheapest gas in your city

List of State Gas Taxes - compare how much you pay in state taxes for gas compared to other states

Map of Gas Taxes - a colorful PDF map showing the total gas tax paid in each state - updated with data from October 2008

If you have a great gas related resource for teachers you would like to share (insert any jokes you feel appropriate here) please leave a comment to this post.

Direct link to Podcast #161 - Teaching Gas Prices in Class - MP3 Audio File

Podcast #160 - Read the Words - Text to Audio Tool for the Classroom

Hello. Today's podcast is a very quick review of a free online application called "Read The Words". Many of you are probably already familiar with this application but I wanted to do a quick podcast to let everyone know about it. Read the Words allows you to convert word documents, PDF files, blogs, web sites, etc. into MP3 audio files. I think this application has some powerful potential in the classroom.

Please let me know what you think of this application by leaving a comment to this blog entry. I would also be interested in any comments from teachers who have already used Read the Words in their classrooms.

Direct link to Podcast #160 - Read the Words - Convert Text to Audio - MP3 Audio File

Pearson's 2008 Teachers of the Year Videos

Several weeks ago I was in New York with the other state teachers of the year and attended our last activity as a group. We were the guests of Pearson and had the opportunity to create a short video answering the question "Why Do I Teach?" It was a great experience as each of us created a short video in one afternoon of work. The videos of all the 2008 state teachers of the year are now posted online.

Link to see all the 2008 Teacher of the Year Videos from Pearson

I encourage you to visit the site and view some of the videos. Over the past 10 months this group of teachers became incredibly close and I have enjoyed viewing each of the videos and recalling conversations I have had with each of them. These teachers have so much to share and hearing their stories is truly inspiring.

I would like to thank Pearson for the opportunity to capture our stories and allow us as a group to experience digital storytelling. Pearson also provided each of us with a Flip videocam to use for future projects and I have truly enjoyed using this device which I think should be in the hands of each teacher in America.

2008 Missouri State Teachers Association State Convention Presentations

Tips From the Trenches

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: teaching langhorst)

Mp3 Players In The Classroom

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: mp3 players)

What Would You Tell Mr. Obama in 100 Words or Less?

This blog post is a special assignment for my 8th grade American History class but anyone is free to join us.

If you could tell Mr. Obama anything in 100 words or less what would it be? Would it be advice? Would it be words of wisdom? Would you tell him what you would like to see him do as President? Would you tell him which issue is most important to you? Here is his official website as he transitions to the presidency.

Please leave a comment on this blog post. I am asking my students to leave their comment as "anonymous" but leave their first name at the end of the post. No last names please. Thanks.

Election Day 2008 Report

Hello. Hope everyone is enjoying Election Day 2008. I woke up around 5:00 AM and took my 5 year old daughter with me to vote. We were in line at 5:45 AM, polls opened at 6:00 AM and we were on our way home at 6:45 AM. Not too long of a wait and everyone was pleasant.

The students of South Valley Junior High School here in Liberty, Missouri participated in the Kid's Voting Project taking place across the Kansas City. Our results will be available on Tuesday night here.

I'm participating in the US Voting project with the students of Diana Laufenberg of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadlephia, Pennsylvania and Kyle Steven's students at the Bishop Dunne Catholic School in Dallas, Texas. Here is my video report on how the voting went this morning.