World of Media: February 2008

How to Subscribe to RSS World of Media

If you have an RSS feed setup, here is the subscribing URL: http://worldofmedia2007-2008.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

If RSS is new to you, here’s a brief discussion and the steps. An RSS feed allows you to aggregate several pieces of information from the Internet. The advantage is that you don’t have to bookmark dozens of sites and remember to check the sites one-by-one on a regular basis. You can go to the RSS feed (one Web site) and any updates will be available for you. So, you could have a feed for World of Media, a feed from MSNBC for current events, a feed from a national educational organization, a feed from the Iowa Department of Education, etc. and read it all from one Web site. Take a look at this short video that describes RSS, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU&feature=related.

The following RSS step-up uses Bloglines (other software works, also).
Steps:
1. Go to http://www.bloglines.com
2. Set up an account, then check your e-mail to confirm and activate your account.
3. Go to http://www.bloglines.com and in the Bloglines pull-down menu in top right, choose Subscribe to URL, and click the blue arrow.
4. Enter this URL in the Blog or Feed URL box, http://worldofmedia2007-2008.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default, and click Subscribe.
5. To read the feeds (new issues of World of Media), go to http://www.bloglines.com and click the Feeds tab in the upper left.

Web 2.0 Vocabulary Terms, K-12

One of the biggest differences between Web 2.0 and the traditional World Wide Web (referred to as Web 1.0) is greater collaboration among Internet users and other users, content providers, and application developers. The emergence of Web 2.0 is providing opportunities for personal participation and social connections in ways that offer new possibilities for education. Web 2.0 is the popular term for advanced Internet technology and applications including blogs, wikis, RSS, and social bookmarking.

Blog (short for web log): This is a Web site where entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. The World of Media electronic version was created with blogging software.

Federated search: This is the simultaneous search of multiple online databases and is an emerging feature of automated, Web-based library and information retrieval systems. The new Com Cat database uses federated searching, http://comcat-agent.auto-graphics.com.

Feed aggregator, feed reader, news reader or aggregator: This is client software or a Web application that aggregates syndicated Web content such as news headlines, blogs, podcasts, and vlogs in a single location for easy viewing. The World of Media newsletter can be delivered to your computer desktop using a feed.

Folksonomy: Open-ended labels called tags are used to categorize and retrieve Web pages, photographs, Web links, and other Web content.

Google Earth: This is a virtual globe program that was originally called Earth Viewer and was created by Keyhole, Inc. It maps the earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite imagery, aerial photography, and GIS over a 3D globe.

Mashups: The combining of content from Web sites or Web applications creates a single new site or experience.

Open source software: This refers to any computer software whose source code is available under a license (or arrangement such as the public domain) that permits users to study, change, and improve the software and to redistribute it. It is often developed in a public, collaborative manner.

Podcast: This is a collection of digital media files distributed over the Internet, often using syndication feeds, for playback on portable media players and personal computers.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication): This is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines, or podcasts. An RSS document, which is called a "feed," "Web feed," or "channel," contains either a summary of content from an associated Web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favorite Web sites in an automated manner that's easier than checking them manually. The World of Media newsletter is available as an RSS feed.

Social bookmarking: This is a method for Internet users to store, organize, search, and manage bookmarks of Web pages.

Social networking: This is a phenomena defined by virtually linking people to each other in some way. Examples: MySpace, FaceBook, blogs.

Social software: This software enables people to rendezvous, connect, or collaborate through computer-mediated communication and to form online communities.

Tagging: By giving a Web page, photo, video, or blog entry individual search terms, it makes it easier to find when searching.

Tag cloud: This is a visual depiction of user-generated tags that describes the content of Web sites. Tags are usually single words and are typically listed alphabetically, and the importance of a tag is shown with font size or color.

User Generated Content (UGC): This is content created by users themselves. It can be in the form of posts on discussion groups, personal or departmental blogs, or wikis.

Webcast: This describes sending audio and/or video live over the Internet. In essence, Webcasting can be thought of as broadcasting over the Internet. A Webcast uses streaming media technology.

Web feed: This is a data format where users can subscribe and receive frequently updated content. It’s also known as aggregation. A Web feed is also sometimes referred to as a syndicated feed.

Webinar: This is a presentation, lecture, workshop, or training that is delivered over the Web. A key feature of a webinar is its interactive elements.

Web 2.0: This term generally refers to a second generation of services available on the World Wide Web that lets people collaborate and share information online.

Web 2.0 tools: This refers to software applications on your computer and applications that are Web-based.

Vodcast: This is the delivery of on-demand video content using a computer, an MP3 player, or an iPod.

Wiki: This server software allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any browser. Wikis support hyperlinks and have a simple text language for creating new pages and cross-links between internal pages.

Why Pay Attention to Web 2.0, K-12

http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/archives/2008/01/information_beh.html
A study by the British Library raises some interesting points about information literacy and 21st century skills. “Social networking is of particular interest to librarians and publishers because it is part of a wider trend: users creating and posting content for themselves, blurring the age-old distinction between information producers and information consumers. And…it is sometimes almost impossible to tell the difference between formally published and self-published material…This is a phenomenon affecting the whole of society and the current popularity of social networking among the young perhaps diverts attention from who actually generates…content…” Information Behaviour of the Researcher of the Future, p. 16.

Web 2.0 Workshop, K-12

http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/home
Atomic Learning has released a new online workshop focusing on Web 2.0 tools. The Web 2.0 workshop is a series of one to four minute tutorials that explain what Web 2.0 means and also teaches learners how to use Web 2.0 tools, such as blogs, wikis, social networking sites (MySpace, Facebook, etc.), RSS feeds, and more. This workshop was created by Vicki Davis, a classroom teacher, blogger, and co-author of the Flat Classroom Project. The tutorials include definitions of Web 2.0 terminiology, how to set up an RSS reader, how to copy links, and more.

Online Databases, K-12

A new four-page flier has been created to support teachers as they integrate online databases into teaching and learning. It includes a summary of student information-seeking behaviors, the importance of information literacy skills, brief descriptions of the databases, and an overview of Com Cat and federated searching. Click here for the PDF version. Paper copies are available from the Heartland professional library.

New IPTV Education Web site

http://www.iptv.org/education/
The newly redesigned IPTV Education Web site provides access to timely, relevant educational resources from Iowa Public Television and PBS. The site features content area "landing pages" that aggregate information about all IPTV resources including video, ICN sessions, Web content, and other resources related to the particular content area. Following is the list of available content areas. A guidance/careers/personnel growth content area will be added in the near future.

Social Studies
The Arts
Reading & Language Arts
Science & Technology
Math
Library Media & Technology
Early Care & Education Providers
Adult Literacy

Current topics of interest:
Iowa DTV Answers
http://www.iptv.org/digital/

Iowa Adult Literacy Connection
http://www.iptv.org/education/adultliteracy/educators.cfm

Iowa High School Summit (December 2007)
http://www.iptv.org/video/browse.cfm/collection/70

Connections to Science
http://www.iptv.org/video/detail.cfm/852

Connections to Science: Geology
http://www.iptv.org/video/detail.cfm/603

School to Careers: Wind Turbine Technician
http://www.iptv.org/stc/people_detail.cfm?pplID=532&occid=34

Practical Strategies for Differentiating Instruction, Grades 3-6

This two-part DVD training program contains practical differentiation strategies videotaped in actual classrooms. Effective ways to support and challenge learners and take all students to higher levels of achievement are highlighted.

Making the Most of Student Choice and Small Instructional Groups, 44 min. (#255686)
This series features intermediate-grade classrooms where teachers and children are engaged in differentiated learning activities in core subject areas. It shows how to maximize student achievement by giving students a degree of choice within academic activities. In addition, it demonstrates how to enhance students' learning by delivering instruction and guiding practice in small flexible groups.

Tiering Assignments and Tapping the Power of Multiple Intelligences, 58 min. (#255687)
This program shows how intermediate grade classroom teachers tier assignments to maximize student achievement with appropriate levels of challenge. In addition, it demonstrates how to take advantage of students' multiple intelligence preferences to promote a deeper understanding of content area studies.

Diversity Tool Kit, K-12

One of the most challenging tasks for educators is how to meet the educational needs of diverse students (cultural, ethnic, linguistic, socio-economic, physical and mental, etc.). Making instructional and curriculum practices responsive to differences requires educators to adopt role definitions, curricula, and teaching practices.

Heartland has created some instructional and professional development resources. Click on the titles listed below to view the resources before ordering. All resources are in full-color. Please use the production request form to order.

Diversity bookmarks $.05 each

Brochure—A Tool for Cultural Competence $.50 each
The brochure lists professional development workshops in central Iowa, Iowa Events Calendar, diversity teaching resources, and Community Service organizations in Iowa.

Outstanding Scientist posters $1.20 per set
These four 11x17 posters depict the lives and accomplishments of contemporary scientists with physical challenges.

PD360: Student-Led Conferences, K-12

http://www.schoolimprovement.com/pd360
PD360 is an online professional development resource with video segments that can be viewed online. The videos can be used as part of a school or district inservice or as part of a teacher’s professional growth plan. Student-led conferences are a practical and effective way to involve students in the assessment process. Student-led conferences must be planned with specific goals and targets that promote learning. These video segments feature Rick Stiggins and real teachers using conferences.

Click on these hyperlinks then enter your school’s EBSCO username and password to view the video segments.

Segment for elementary teachers:
http://www.schoolimprovement.com/pd360/pd360.cfm?&ContentId=101

Segment for secondary teachers:
http://www.schoolimprovement.com/pd360/pd360.cfm?&ContentId=136

New Internet Safety Course, K-12

A new Internet Safety course is being offered. The course is three credits and will be delivered online March 10 - April 30, 2008. Staff development credit is available for $60 per credit hour, and Drake credit will be offered at $90 per credit hour.

Course Description:
This online course will make educators aware of the detours and roadblocks students face online, such as pornography, gambling, hate, spam, mouse trapping, online predators, and cyber bullying, as well as exposure to viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Using the iSafe curriculum, educators will find ways to help students avoid these problems.

Learning Goals or Targets:
• Participants will be able to explain the many facets of Internet safety. They will learn how to help students use the Internet safely and responsibly and will learn about hidden dangers that lurk online and how to be on guard.
• Participants will learn about the detours and roadblocks students face online. They will realize that many types of material found on the Internet is inappropriate for students, and they will learn how they can teach students skills to avoid these problems.
• Participants will realize the methods of the grooming process used by predators and how they can recognize them to help protect students.
• Participants will find out how malicious code (spam, worms, Trojan Horses) can damage any computer or network and how to recognize and avoid it. They will explore the growing problem of identity theft and learn how to avoid becoming a victim.
• Participants will embrace the moral implications that go with using intellectual property found on the Internet and the importance of protecting and respecting intellectual property.

To register for this online course, go to: https://prodev.aea11.k12.ia.us/4DCGI/YYYYYYYYYYYYYYSRCH and enter activity # IL003199990801.

Connections with Japan, 3-8

Connections with Japan is an online video lesson series that may be used in the classroom or home. The purpose is to provide students with an opportunity to learn about Japan and the Japanese people. Dr. Sachiko Murphy, a Japanese native and teacher of the Japanese language, presents four topics that she covers in her own classes: sumou, sushi, manga, and kabuki. The videos are designed for grades 3-8, although they would be appropriate for older students and educators as well. Each video is approximately 15 minutes in length.

Sumou
http://www.iptv.org/video/detail.cfm/995
Dr. Murphy explains the various aspects of sumou wrestling, sumou's cultural significance, and how matches are conducted. Then she shows two students how to make origami sumou wrestlers, name their wrestlers, and carry out a match.

Sushi
http://www.iptv.org/video/detail.cfm/994
Dr. Murphy explains types of sushi, its origins, and its cultural connections. Then she shows her student, Carin, how to make sushi, discusses the ingredients involved, and explains the Japanese idiom "packed like sushi."

Manga
http://www.iptv.org/video/detail.cfm/996
Dr. Murphy talks about the art of manga, its history, and styles of manga animation.

Kabuki
http://www.iptv.org/video/detail.cfm/997
Dr. Murphy talks about the history of kabuki theater, then two of her students prepare for a kabuki performance. She also demonstrates how to dress someone in a kimono and shows examples of kabuki theater.

Connecting Kids and Culture, K-5

http://www.connectkidsandculture.org
Connecting Kids and Culture is a new initiative developed to provide culturally enriching educational opportunities for students in grades K-5. Even though this program was designed for students in Polk and Dallas counties, educators across the state are encouraged to access the site and its varied resources.

This innovative program will align community-based arts and cultural experiential learning to core curriculum objectives and provide opportunities for educators to connect to local arts and cultural experiences.

The Web site will help educators match cultural educational field experience opportunities with their curriculum objectives. The arts and cultural organizations include:
• Blank Park Zoo
• Des Moines Art Center
• Des Moines Symphony
• Salisbury House Foundation
• Des Moines Metro Opera
• Civic Center of Greater Des Moines
• Living History Farms
• Des Moines Botanical Center
• State Historical Society
• Des Moines Playhouse
• Metro Arts Alliance
• Terrace Hill Foundation
• Iowa Hall of Pride
• Science Center of Iowa

Connecting Kids and Culture is made possible by contributions from the 2007 Principal Charity Classic, the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, and Bravo Greater Des Moines combined with financial support from a planned gift by Kenneth P. and Helen I. MacDonald through the Community Foundation.

Teaching Diversity, K-12

These Web sites can be used to teach about diversity. They include practical tips, lesson plans, articles, and strategies about teaching diversity and multiculturalism.

Anti-Defamation League: Tools for Teachers
http://www.adl.org/tools%5Fteachers/tools_tips.html
Directed specifically at educators with practical tips. The site has additional links and information about teaching about religion in public schools.

Culturally Responsive Teaching
http://www.lab.brown.edu/tdl/tl-strategies/crt-principles-prt.shtml
Contains information and strategies from Brown University for adapting teaching to meet the needs of all students.

Diversity Calendar
http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/
Includes monthly listings of ethnic, national, and religious days.

Multicultural Education and Ethnic Groups: Selected Internet Sources
http://www.library.csustan.edu/lboyer/multicultural/main.htm
A mix of Web resources on multicultural education and diversity, including background articles, Web sites for K-12 teachers, bibliographies, biographies, ethnic cooking, religion, etc. from the California State University-Stanislaus Library.

Reading Resources: Celebrate Reading 365 Days a Year-Multicultural Web Resources
http://www.nea.org/webresources/readmulticult0509.html
Includes Web resources that promote multiculturalism through literature.

Southern Poverty Law Center: Teaching Tolerance
http://www.tolerance.org/teach/?source=redirect&url=teachingtolerance
Free materials are available for teaching about multicultural issues.

Inspector Gadget’s Field Trip, K-6

There are 12 new DVDs in the series. Click here for a listing of the programs and a hyperlink to reserve the DVDs online.

African-American History Resources, K-12

Disney’s Animal World, K-2

This DVD series features live-action wildlife clips of animals in their natural habitats combined with footage from Disney’s animated classics. It discusses the animal’s habitat, living conditions, behavior, diet, survival techniques, and life cycle. Content is tied to K-12 National Science Standards. Click here for a listing of the 13 programs and a hyperlink to reserve the DVDs online.

Animal Babies: Born Wild, K-6

Each program in this series shows how newborn animals move, play, hunt, feed, clean, and protect themselves. Two animals are paired together in each program to compare or contrast behavior traits and habitats. Onscreen text clarifies concepts and defines vocabulary words. Each DVD program is 10 minutes. Click here for a listing of the 13 programs and a hyperlink to reserve the DVDs online.

NWREL-New 6+1 Writing Traits Online Tools, 3-12

http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/
The 6+1 Traits Writing online tools have been redone and enhanced. NWREL (Northwest Educational Regional Laboratory) provides examples of student writing sets of scores to help teachers use the 6+1 Trait scoring guide. The Practice Scoring tool has been updated with new essays and an interactive format to help teachers and their students learn how to assess the specific scoring traits of ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. Teachers can now access prompts and rubrics for writing, reading, and oral communication as well as research about teaching these areas.

Keep in mind Heartland has books in its children’s and young adult library identified to help teach the 6 Traits of Writing. Click the following for a minicatalog:
Ideas
Organization
Voice
Word choice
Sentence fluency
Conventions

Greatest Living Writers Project, 7-12

http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/story.php?itemID=10734
"Greatest Living Writers Project" from the Apple Learning Interchange features exclusive video poetry readings and writing advice from many of the world's greatest writers such as Poet Laureates, Pulitzer Prize-winners, National Poetry Slam Champions, best-selling novelists, playwrights, and musicians. This resource not only preserves and shares the voices, writings, and teachings of literary icons, but also brings these top writers into the classrooms through on-demand video as a means to inspire today's students to share their own writing.
As a companion to the “Greatest Living Writers Project”, teachers will also want to go to TeachingBooks.net (http://www.teachingbooks.net/home/), an online database provided by Heartland. Type in your school email address for full access to the author and illustrator interviews and programs, book guides, book readings, thematic booklists, book awards lists, and valuable Web links.

Early Literacy Support, K-1

http://www.free-reading.net/index.php?title=Main_Page
Free-Reading.net is an ongoing, collaborative, teacher-based curriculum-sharing project for early literacy teachers. This Web site provides a forum for teachers to openly and freely share their successful and effective methods for teaching reading in grades K-1 and for at-risk students in upper grades. Teachers can follow the full 40-week scope and sequence of lessons or tailor materials. Teachers are able to review, download, print, teach with, or contribute materials to the site. Early childhood teachers will find effective methods that they can easily apply in their own teaching.

Build Your Vocabulary and Feed the World, 7-12

http://freerice.com
Freerice.com is a vocabulary quiz Web site that builds students’ vocabulary and allows them to contribute to the fight against world hunger. It is a custom database containing thousands of words at varying degrees of difficulty. There are words appropriate for students just learning English and words that will challenge advanced placement students. The FreeRice Web site automatically adjusts levels to keep students at the upper level of their vocabulary range. For each correct definition, FreeRice donates 20 grains of rice to the United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP). Billions of grains of rice have been won for the WFP so far, which is enough to feed 200,000 people for one day.

Beyond the Page Video/DVD Series, K-3

This award-winning series from Disney blends the animated pages of a children’s book with extensions that explore key themes and cross-curricular topics. Each video comes with a copy of the book. There are 11 titles in the series and each title is 18 minutes.

Henry's First-Moon Birthday (#805338)
A Chinese-American family is about to celebrate baby Henry's one-month birthday. Big sister Jenny helps her grandmother with the preparations for the traditional Chinese celebration to welcome her new baby brother. The video features a field trip that focuses on Chinese cultural traditions and includes an interview with both the author and illustrator.

I Love Saturdays y Domingos (#805339)
A little girl enjoys the love of both sets of grandparents. Her paternal grandparents are of European descent and her maternal grandfather and grandmother are Mexican-American. The video includes an interview with author Alma Flor Ada and a field trip featuring grandparents.

Under the Lemon Moon (#805340)
The theft of all the lemons from her lemon tree leads Rosalinda to an encounter with la Anciana, the Old One, who walks the Mexican countryside helping things grow. The video emphasizes the rewards of helping others through a field trip that focuses on volunteering and it includes an interview with the author, Edith Hope Fine.

Visiting Langston (#805341)
This video features a rhythmic tale about a little girl and her father who visit the house where Langston Hughes lived. It takes viewers on a field trip to Harlem.

Float Like a Butterfly (#805342)
This video features Muhammad Ali and his accomplishments as a fighter and his contributions to society. It celebrates his love of freedom, commitment to equal rights and passion for excellence. It includes an interview with the author, Ntozake Shange, and an inspirational field trip.

Honk! (#805343)
A ballet-loving swan wins acclaim when she manages to join the other dancers in a performance of Swan Lake. She drives everyone crazy practicing plies and grand jetes until she finally gets to perform on stage. The video emphasizes the discipline of dance with a visit to a ballet studio and explores the nature of collaboration through an interview with the author and illustrator, Pamela Duncan Edwards and Henry Cole.

Freedom River (#805344)
The video tells the true story of John Parker, an ex-slave who became a successful businessman in Ripley, Ohio. It describes how he risked his life to help other slaves escape to freedom and includes a field trip that explores slavery and the underground railroad. It also features interviews with both the author and illustrator, Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier.

The Web Files (#805345)
This video features a tongue-in-cheek parody of television's classic detective shows. Ducktective Web, a feathered flatfoot, and his partner try to crack the case of the pilfered peck of perfectly picked pickled peppers. It includes an interview with the author, Margie Palatini, and a field trip to meet a real detective.

The videos are also available for checkout in a DVD package.
African American Figures (#808460)
It includes Float Like a Butterfly and Visiting Langston.

Multicultural Tales (#808461)
It includes Freedom River and Henry’s First-Moon Birthday.

Beyond the Page: Just for fun (#808462)
It includes Honk! and The Web Files.