Though this feels a bit like sideways progress, I have really enjoyed this resource: http://www.eduscapes.com/sessions/nests/
Though I have never been a fan of Inspiration, I like the idea of concept maps I think I just have an aversion to free things stuffed in conference bags.
I am favoring Gliffy. The collaboration feature is what grabbed me. I also like the readability and the ease of use. I create things like this in PowerPoint but the online collaboration opens a whole new world of possibilities.
I also looked at Bubbl.us http://bubbl.us/edit.php, but didn't like the interface as much. I'll try both in more detail and add another post.
Wet Paint http://www.wetpaint.com/page/Who-wikis is another one the is luring me in. I see how my NYC project could work well in wiki form. It would allow the students I am travelling with to start contributing to the research. Since I don't work in the same school as they do, this could be a way of connecting. Security is an issue. I will need to did into the dark corners of Wet Paint so that I can assure parents that it is a safe place. The stigma of social networking sites is not an easy one to overcome.
If I want to create a safe wiki space, I might go with a Moodle at http://rose-prism.org/moodle/. This site would give me a lot of flexibility and I think the teachers and parents would be supportive. It is bigger than I need, but that might not hurt anything either. I teach a class using Moodle already, so my own familiarity is there. I could get started right away.
The other thing I have in the works is email contacts with several schools in NYC. I am focussing in on schools that are part of the Diploma Plus program. I have a contact there. Plus there are four or five Diploma Plus schools starting up in Indy. Here is a list of the schools in NYC.
Brownsville Academy
schools.nyc.gov/schoolportals/17/k568/default.htm
Crotona Academy High School
schools.nyc.gov/schoolportals/07/x321/default.htm
Harlem Renaissance High School
harlemrenaissancehighschool.org
Liberation High SChool
schools.nyc.gov/schoolportals/21/k728/default.htm
P.U.L.S.E High School
schools.nyc.gov/schoolportals/10/x319/default.htm
This link details more info about the people who run the Diploma Plus program. http://www.commcorp.org/diplomaplus/resources.html
As a wild hair, I am also contacting a couple reporters at the NYTimes. I use their education section of the newspaper all the time. There classroom resources make me wish I was in the classroom full time every time I visit them http://www.nytimes.com/learning/index.html?8dpc.
Let’s Look At Europe! Collaborative Project.
15 years ago
2 comments:
Thanks for the post on Gliffy. We look forward to seeing the review once you've had a bit more time with it. We welcome feedback about changes we could make to make us more classroom-friendly/student-friendly. Regarding the security issue: You might like the Academic Multiuser accounts. It would ensure privacy and give you the ability to keep tabs on your students' progress. http://gliffy.com/productcomparison.php
Best,
Debi K
Gliffy
I realized time will not allow me to do many school visits. Really only one. And now I have one. NYTimes just featured a new start up school in Greenwich Village
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/nyregion/19school.html?ref=education
Its motto "work hard, be kind, take risks". It will not be up and running when I am there, but I am hoping to get a moment to talk with the head of schools. It sounds like the type of school systems I dream about.
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