February 27, 2010. by Keith Schroeder.

These are not my own ideas, I “borrowed” them from one of those “chain” emails but really feel it’s worth posting.  Just read through these, you’ll get the point.

Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
Name the last five winners of Miss America.
Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
Name the last six Academy Award winners for best actor or actress.
Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is, we remember very few of headliners of yesterday.  Now, mind you, none of these are second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields.  Applause dies, awards tarnish, achievements are forgotten, accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.  Now see how well you do on this quiz!

List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?  The Lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.  They are the ones that care.  Now here’s my suggestion.  Have your students do this exercise.  Let someone know they have made a difference in your life.  Find a way for your students to let someone know they made a difference.  Better yet, make a difference yourself!  Continue the “Tradition of Excellence!”

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January 24, 2010. by Keith Schroeder.

Where does marketing fit into your program?  What types of things are you doing to market your library?  With my district, the Howard Suamico School District, beginning some promotional items like our new “I’ve Got A Place” video (see below) 

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January 24, 2010. by Keith Schroeder.

Thanks, everyone, for your patience.  I’ve been taking a break from my blog as I reevaluate all of the things that I’m involved in.  I’m now back so watch for my updates here.  Thanks again for your patience.  I look forward to your feedback on my posts!

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April 9, 2009. by Keith Schroeder.

So you’ve heard of speed dating, right?  Well for our next staff development we’re trying a new twist on speed dating called speed geeking.  Speed geeking is the technology geek’s version of speed dating.  Each of the members of the Pirate Quest (the group of staff members who have been a part of an extensive staff development training culminating in them receiving a SMART classroom) have prepared a quick 5-7 minute lesson on various technologies that have been employed in the Quest.  These are technologies that they have then been utilizing in their classrooms or in their personal life as a part of developing their personal learning network.  We will rotate every 5 – 7 minutes and at the end of our speed geeking session, those attending will have been exposed to 10 different technologies. If they want to learn more, they can come to trainings on the technologies or work with the “speed geek.”  The staff development training will conclude with refreshments at the end of our speed geeking session.  I’ll let you know how it goes!

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March 20, 2009. by Keith Schroeder.

The next few days I’ll be attending/presenting at the Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association’s annual conference.  If you haven’t registered yet, you can walk in and attend the conference.  Check out what some of the topics and who the presenters are on the website at http://wemtaonline.org  Click on events and 2009 conference.  Hope to see you there!

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February 14, 2009. by Keith Schroeder.

9:00 – Copyright or Copywrong:  Copyright and fair use in the classroom  Not sure what is allowed or is not allowed under copyright laws?  Need a refresher on what to be telling students when they produce their multi-media presentations?  Need practical suggestions on how to bring your staff up-to-date with fair use and copyright?  Then attend this webinar and get “up to speed.”  Presenter:  Keith Schroeder  Web address:  http://keithschroeder.net

10:00 - LEARN 360  Learn360 is a diverse collection of thousands of online streaming videos and video clips created by organizations such as PBS, National Geographic, and Sunburst Visual Media, as well as educationally relevant audio files, newsreels, speeches, and images. Many videos can be downloaded in QuickTime, Windows Media, and Flash and imbedded in classroom presentations.  Even if you’ve seen LEARN 360 before, you haven’t seen anything yet!  They have greatly expanded the available resources and tools.  Presenter:  Tom Bukowski  Web address:  http://www.learn360.com/

11:00  iSafe – Internet Safety Curriculum  Recent legislation appears to require schools to provide Internet Safety education.  This wording was added to the Communications Act: ‘‘(iii) as part of its Internet safety policy is educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyber bullying awareness and response.’’  One of the resources available for your use is the www.iSafe.org approach to educate and empower youth in internet safety concepts. IT is a free curriculum, though you need to be complete some training in order to access the materials. iSafe covers five basic internet safety concepts.  Presenter:  Chris Rogers  Web address:  http://www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/content/ils/index.asp

12:00  The Importance of a Personal Learning Community (PLC) and How to Develop One  A PLC is a personal learning community.  These are the people who are your resources.  This is where you can bounce ideas, get new ideas, brainstorm, etc.  You are not alone any longer when connections are so easy to develop with the new tools available on the internet.  We’ll take a look at what all of the buzz is about and I’ll show you some of the great tools available for you to start developing your PLC!  Presenter:  Keith Schroeder  Web address:  http://keithschroeder.net

1:00 RSS - Your New Research Assistant!  Need Your Own Research Assistant?  Do you wish you had more time to explore the internet and find cool sites to integrate into your curriculum?  Are you looking to bridge the gap between yourself and your students in the digital world they live in?  Create a RSS feed page.  Time is always an issue, there is never enough.  A RSS feed page will allow you to find keep track of newly added information to blogs, websites and wikis that pertain to your subject area or other areas of interest.  In a few simple steps you can set up a page and you will instantly be on top of the most current news.  Presenter:  Dena Budrecki  Web address:  http://msdenabudrecki.pbwiki.com/

2:00 (Double Session)  Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens: Helping Young People Learn to Use the Internet Safely and Responsibly - FERPA and How It Impacts Schools.  We must expect that young people will post personal information online and will interact wih a wide range of people ~ including “online strangers.”  There are risks associated with these activities.  There are also risks associated wth crossing a busy street.  We don’t tell children never to cross streets.  We hold their hand when they are young ~ then we teach them how to do so safely and responsibly!  As our young people are becoming involved in the global interactive Internet community, it is important for educatros to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and values to do so safely and responsibly. This presentation will focus on materials available for students, professional development and resources for parent education.  The presentation will  give you practical suggestions that will incoporate insight from research on youth risk online and effective risk prevention.  Presenter:  Nancy Willard, the executive director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, is a nationally recognized authority on issues related to the safe and responsible use of the Internet.Web address:  http://www.cyberbully.org/

To register please follow this link:  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/621167197

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February 7, 2009. by Keith Schroeder.

Two very interesting technology realted things I’ve noted in the last week worth mentioning. . . I was awed (and shared on Monday during our Building Literacy Meeting) NBC’s Super Bowl ad for Hulu “Alec in Huluwood.”  Web address: http://www.hulu.com/superbowl/55719/super-bowl-xliii-ads-hulu-alec-in-huluwood

Alec Baldwin is awesome in this ad - “What are you going to do, turn off your TV and your computer?”  I love the new phrase “cerebral gelatinizing.” . . . does that describe anyone you know?  Now TV on your portable device. . . you mean kids are going to be watching “Desperate Housewives” during class???  Now our own State of Wisconsin DPI realizes that youtube is here to stay so they have launched their own channel on youtube!  Check out the great videos at http://www.youtube.com/WisconsinDPI   Now I’m wondering if Alec Baldwin, HULU and the DPI know something we don’t.  IS THERE NO END! :-)  Now the real question is how can we capitalize on this in our buildings. . . district. . . state????  What do you think?

Excuse me while I watch “Family Guy” on my ipod. . . . .

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January 25, 2009. by Keith Schroeder.

WEMTA Wired Wednesday “Battling Over Books” with Jeffrey Carpenter

The January WEMTA Wired Wednesday is Wednesday, January 28th at 7:00
with Jeff Carpenter “Co-founder of WEMTA’s sponsored Battle of The Books
Program.

Never heard of the Battle of the Books or are you a new coach looking for ideas and activities to do with your readers? Do you have questions about the Battle of the Books program and need answers? Have you received your practice questions and wonder not what do I do? Join us and journey behind the “battle lines” for an interactive question and answer session on this 10 year-old program. The program presenter is Mr. Jeffrey Carpenter who has been called the “Vince Lombardi” of the Battle of the Books. I know it will be a great night!

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/403598182

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January 25, 2009. by Keith Schroeder.

Although I’m still working on it, you can check out my new website at keithschroeder.net  The blog is only a small portion of the website.  Please feel free to leave me some feedback on the site.

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December 28, 2008. by Keith Schroeder.

I love this idea!  Museum Box provides the tools for a student to build up an argument or description of an event, person or historical period by placing items in a virtual box. What items, for example, would you put in a box to describe your life; the life of a Victorian Servant or Roman soldier; or to show that slavery was wrong and unnecessary? You can display anything from a text file to a movie. You can also view and comment on the museum boxes submitted by others.  I can’t wait to try this one out with students.  Check it out and let me know what you think!  There is a school registration page where you can register your school so that you can double check content.  http://museumbox.e2bn.org

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