Too Few Teachers Not Connected?

Recently, while on lunch break from a technology in-service on the use of Chrome Books the conversation naturally migrated towards the use of some of the social applications (Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, etc).  There were five of us at lunch so invariably there was five different opinions or opinions directly related to the level of understanding and use of these great social tools by the individual conversationalists (Oops! My bias is showing). But I did notice that the conversation did not get to the effective use of these or any of the social media types in the educational or professional setting ( I take some of the blame for not bringing it up, not that I am an expert on such matters). But like anything in this world the tool is only as good as the craftsman using it (if all you have is a hammer, then everything becomes a nail).
 
I shadow/follow many people/organizations through these social tools for my own personal and professional gain. As a professional you should follow only those people/organizations that you have investigated and their presence will be a benefit to you and you will be a benefit to them (don't just be a taken and not a giver to the community). 

I presently use these tools (personally and professionally):

Edmodo-provides a safe and easy way for your class to connect and collaborate, share content, and access homework, grades and school notices.

Face Book-is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them.

Twitter-Instantly connect to what's most important to you. Follow your friends, experts, favorite celebrities, and breaking news.

Blogger-is a blog-publishing service that allows private or multi-user blogs with time-stamped entries.

Linkedin-is a social networking website for people in professional occupations. 

Ustream-is a company founded in 2007 that provides video streaming services to more than 80 million viewers and broadcasters

Vimeo-is a U.S.-based video-sharing website on which users can upload, share and view videos. 

Coach's Eye-You can't fix what you can't see! Coach's Eye provides video capture with slow-motion review, drawing tools, and simple sharing.  Coach’s Eye delivers “ah-ha” moments that elevate athletes from good to great.

Nike+ Running- The Nike+ Running app tracks distance, pace, time and calories burned with GPS, giving you audio feedback as you run.

iBook-is an e-book application by Apple Inc. iBooks is an amazing way to download and read books. You would be surprised how many downloads are FREE!!

Below is the link to an article I came across about the use of one particular social tools, called Twitter.  Check it out and respond by to me on this site.  I would love to hear your voice on this matter!

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2013/07/are_there_too_few_teachers_on_twitter.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Have a great day!

Dragoncoach1

 


Follow me on Twitter: @dragoncoach1

It did not get any more real than this...

Once more and again we arrive at end of another school year (though this year has been more trying/intense than most). By that I mean we started the year under pressure and it did not let up until June 7, 2013.  Last year I blogged about and showed you a soccer ball that had an amazing adventure in our physical education and playground.  And summed up the willingness of our students endure.

 Boy did we have a ball this year!

We started the year with more than half of our class equipment gone (due to an administrative snafu).  We achieved the status of Blue Ribbon, lost the availability of our gym for more than half the year,  sponsored a winter chess festival, worked through the passing of our principal just after Christmas, living under the cloud of STARR, working with an interim principal (who was fantastic by the way), sponsoring a school wide field day, unveiling a new gym floor with dragon logo and this is just scratching the surface from our point of view (the other faculty and staff members have a story that would rock your socks). 

So this year we started out with a brand new soccer ball that "Took a kicking yet kept on ticking". The posting of the image below illustrates the kind of year that the Dragon Community experienced, through thick and thin we endured to cross the finish line victorious!! 

This is the actual ball that endured the 2012-2013 school year!

 

Worn, Torn, and Shorned! 

So the plan now for the summer is to Recoup, Regroup and send our Super Hero outfit to get cleaned and pressed.  

Until then have a great summer, learn a new skill set to add to your teaching arsenal, tune into the Dragon Network (KDES) every Friday morning at 9:00 am < http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-dragon-network >  and all you Alumni like our Face Book page < https://www.facebook.com/DouglassElementary?fref=ts > > to keep tabs on us!

Via con Dios!

Coach Davis

Twitter: Dragoncoach1

Face Book: Gregory Davis