Clif's Notes

Kids Get Creative with AudioBoo

In episode 3 of Thinking Out Loud I pondered ways that AudioBoo might be integrated with teaching and learning. I shared a few ideas that sprang to mind and invited you to share your ideas and examples. I want to share a couple of AudioBoos that our two youngest children put together.

It is important to note that these 2 kids are young. They selected their topics, identified the major points that they wanted to share, recorded their interviews without rehearsing, and selected the title and images for their boos. They did this with minimal assistance from me. They learned to use the AudioBoo iphone app, planned their interview, and recorded and published both boos in well under 30 minutes. It was a fun and educational activity for all three of us!

Educational Uses
I encourage you to join me in exploring the potential classroom uses of this technology. Please share your thoughts and examples as text, audio or video comments. Together we learn more!

• AudioBoo: Simple Podcasting from iPhone
• Creating an AudioBoo: A Quick Demonstration
• Bookmarks for 01/17/2010
• Publishing to AudioBoo from a Web Browser

Google Error Compromises Privacy

I’m not screaming that “the sky is falling,” but I do think users need to be strategic about the files/data they choose to put in the “clouds.” This very early morning post from TechCrunch is another cautionary example.

In an apparent privacy error that underscores some of the biggest problems surrounding cloud-based services, we’re hearing that Google has sent a notice to a number of users of its Document and Spreadsheets products stating that it may have inadvertently shared some of their documents with contacts who were never granted access to them.

According to the notice, this sharing was limited to people “with whom you, or a collaborator with sharing rights, had previously shared a document” – a vague statement that sounds like it could add up to quite a few people. The notice states that only text documents and presentations are affected, not spreadsheets, and provides links to each of the user’s documents that may have been affected. (Source)

The full article is available here.

• An Introduction to Online Word Processing
• An Introduction to Online Word Processing
• Publishing to AudioBoo from a Web Browser
• Jott.com ROCKS!!!

What If All Kids Had This Attitude?

• If I Had My Child to Raise over Again
• THE CHALLENGE to All Educators 2007
• THE CHALLENGE to All Educators 2008
• THE CHALLENGE to All Educators 2009

Lost Generation

None Found

What Perspective

The Bush twins decided to share some advice with Sasha and Malia Obama about living in the White House. I believe their letter speaks for itself and requires no comment from me.

• Did You Change the World Today?
• Kids Get Creative with AudioBoo
• Google Error Compromises Privacy
• Happy Mother’s Day

Favorite Theo. LeSieg Story

I recently mentioned that while building My Google Library I decided to identify my very favorite Dr. Seuss story. It didn’t take me long to narrow the list down to Too Many Daves (from The Sneetches and Other Stories) and Wacky Wednesday. Both of these stories grabbed my imagination as a child and hold fun memories. While agonizing over which of these tales I treasured the most (I’m exaggerating a bit.) I was thrilled to realize that Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) had actually authored Wacky Wednesday under the pseudonym Theo. LeSieg. This realization spared me the dilemma of choosing which of these two beloved stories was my favorite Dr. Seuss tale. I admit it’s a technicality but it works in my favor, so I’ll take it (hahaha).

I’ve included Wacky Wednesday in my library because… well, because it’s wacky. It’s all about a boy’s zany adventures on a far-from-normal Wednesday. My friends and I would sit in the library trying to find all the wacky details in the illustrations. We were exposed to figurative language, creativity, word play, imagination, and so much more without even realizing it. Perhaps the best thing I can say about Wacky Wednesday is that I’ve read it over and over – and isn’t that the greatest testament of a good book?

• Favorite Dr. Seuss Story
• More Favorite Children’s Books
• What Is Your Favorite Christmas Show?
• EBC and NECC Preparations Underway

Favorite Dr. Seuss Story

I decided to begin building My Google Library so that I can:

• Share my favorite books with our own children.
• Easily access books, images, citations, etc. during class, presentations, workshops, etc.
• Share and suggest resources with other educators

When it came time to add my favorite Dr. Seuss books to my library I realized that I would have to add most of them, so I decided to try and narrow it down to my very favorite book. It took some reflection and deep soul searching (I’m exaggerating.) but I was able to identify my very favorite (Thanks to a technicality that I’ll share in another post.) Seuss story.

I remember the first time I read Too Many Daves (from The Sneetches and Other Stories). I was sitting at a table in my elementary school library with two of my friends. I read the book silently and the ridiculousness of one naming all 23 of her children the same thing just sent my imagination spinning. It remains one of my favorite poems all these years later. I’ve included the poem below in case you’re unfamiliar with it. Unfortunately, I can’t also include the artwork because it really sales the story – as is typical of all of Seuss’ work.

Discussion
What is YOUR favorite Dr. Seuss story? Why?

—————

TOO MANY DAVES
From: The Sneetches and Other Stories
By: Dr. Seuss

Did I ever tell you that Mrs. McCave
Had twenty-three sons, and she named them all Dave?

But she didn’t do it. And now it’s too late.

• Favorite Theo. LeSieg Story
• More Favorite Children’s Books
• Favorite Children’s Books
• Provocative Quote

To You and Yours…

• 7 Things You Don’t Need to Know about Me
• Have You Sent Your Letter to Santa, Yet?
• Hi There, Ithaca…What Do You Want to Discuss?
• Did You Read to Your Children Today?

Sleep Well Walsh Family

“Every child abduction is a tragedy but the 1981 kidnap and murder of one six year old boy ultimately would provide the parents of thousands of missing children with a glimmer of hope amid their despair.” (Source: ABC’s Nightline, 12/16/08)

John and Reve Walsh lost their six year old son, Adam, 27 years ago and the crime has gone unsolved. During that time John Walsh has redirected his grief and heartache in positive directions and taken on the cause of helping other suffering parents to find justice. The Walshes have helped start a number of centers for missing and exploited children, have helped reform related legislation and John’s TV show America’s Most Wanted has helped capture more than a thousand fugitives. The Hollywood (Florida) Police Department announced the perpetrator of the crimes against Adam and declared the case closed today.

Thankfully, I’ve not had to endure the suffering with which John and Reve have had to live. I can only imagine that it has been 27 years of unrest. Everything that comes to mind just sounds trite and cliche, so I’ll simply say, “Thousands and thousands of prayers have been answered today. Sleep well Walsh family. Sleep well.”

• Middle School Student Makes Scientific Breakthrough
• Happy Mother’s Day
• Favorite Children’s Books
• Favorite Dr. Seuss Story

Middle School Student Makes Scientific Breakthrough

Thirteen-year-old William Yuan…

….began working with solar cells two years ago, after science teacher Susan Duncan encouraged him to tackle an engineering project. He spent hours searching the Internet, brainstorming with Duncan, and talking with professionals before he found a topic that piqued his interest: the global energy crisis. Building on research from Georgia Tech and Notre Dame universities, Yuan found a way to improve the conversion efficiency and yields of solar cells.

Most solar cells absorb visible light to produce electricity, but his design harnesses both visible and ultraviolet light. That’s particularly helpful in cloudy areas, such as where he lives in the Pacific Northwest, because the solar cell can continue to generate electricity even when clouds obscure the Sun. To achieve this result, Yuan applied various coatings, integrated nanotubes, and added specialized nanostructures to a typical solar cell. Experts have given his method a thumbs-up. (Source: Edutopia)

A Few Thoughts

• Please consider reading the full story.
• Congratulations William!!! Not only am I impressed by your discovery, but your diligence and ability to collaborate with others in resourceful ways is inspiring.
• I send my respect and appreciation to Susan Duncan, William’s science teacher from 2 years ago, who seems to have played an instrumental and ongoing role in William’s personal work. I’d like to find her blog, website, etc. if it’s out there.

Discussion

• What lessons can educators and parents learn from this?
• What can other young people take away from William’s journey and scientific breakthrough?

• Great Kids Movie
• Teaching, Learning, Technology and the Future
• Suggested Reading for 03/13/2008
• Cell Phones as Learning Tools