Blogs
Try It, You May Like It
Submitted by mott on July 24, 2008 - 17:38
A great, inspirational Bunsen and Beaker introduction to any class activity that encourages students to take risks. The Muppets are timeless.
The video ends with the tag, "You never know until you try."
The Truth Is Out There
Submitted by mott on July 24, 2008 - 17:25
"I hardly slept at all last night."
"Yes, your snoring must have kept you up."
Wives tell it like it is.
Sounds Fishy, in D: Tuna Pitch
Submitted by mott on July 22, 2008 - 16:49
There seems to be a great divide between those who live in Mac's Dashboard, and those who prefer the traditional Finder launched application. It's a surprise all-war isn't underway.
For any music teachers out there, or six-string enabled educators, Tuna Pitch is a very useful little Widget for those without perfect pitch. Saddle up to your Mac, launch Dashboard, and tune your guitar without having to find your pitch pipe or electronic tuner.
With or without talent, at least your guitar will be in tune. After all, not every teacher can be Sting.
You Can't Take the Truth...
Submitted by mott on July 21, 2008 - 16:14
Planned? Planned? You don't plan sincerity, you gotta make it up on the spot.
- Denny Crane, Boston Legal
Graphing Memes
Submitted by mott on July 21, 2008 - 14:04
Teaching how to use graphs appropriately can be challenging... in which case, why not start by teaching how to use them inappropriately?
The latest issue of Wired mentions GraphJam.com, a user contributed site with examples of funny charts relating to popular culture, and an explanation on how to create your own.
Education that can make you smile can't be all bad. Although, if you're using the site with students, be aware of mature content - and act appropriately shocked.
iLife a Great Tool for Integrating the "iArts"
Submitted by mott on July 1, 2008 - 08:32
A brief article in the Clarion Ledger recently outlined the success of a program developed by Marcia Daft (coincidentally, a Mac user, as evidenced by her iWeb site) with a grant from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, to integrate the arts into learning.
Her method involves integrating song, dance, poetry into subject specific learning. This is not a new technique, just ask the likes of Sesame Street, Grammar Rock or any number of educational kids programming shows.
The Arts Education Partnership, provides some interesting research data on arts in the curriculum to support this integrated pedagogy. For example, students who take arts classes have higher math and verbal SAT scores than students who do not.
What's the point?
The Mac is a perfect tool for a teacher wanting to integrate the arts into the curriculum: make those movies, take those pictures, write those songs!
The evidence is in: iLife improves teaching and learning. Start those Macs, leverage that learning
