Today is Pearl Harbor Day. Give thanks to those who sacrificed all for our country and those that are sacrificing in Iraq and Afghanistsan.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Citing Twitter and Facebook
Google Project Tips: US History students, check out this blog about citing Twitter and Facebook. If you use Twitter or Facebook as a source, critically analyze your sources of information! Check this interesting post from the APA Style blog here.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Video editing online...
To my students in US History working on their Google project who are planning on making a video... Check out this post from Richard Byrne. Also, you may want to play around with the VideoSpin.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The President's Afghanistan Message - Extra Credit
Tonight the President will address the nation outlining his strategy for the ongoing war in Afghanistan. Your task tonight is as follows:
1. Wath his address.
2. Provide a detailed summary of the President's straegy (who, what, when, where, why)and describe the changes to the Nation's Afghanistan policy with regard to former President Bush's strategy.
3. Desribe the rhetoric used in the speech. Make specific references to the President's speech. How does the language used affect the message?
Type up your responses and ideas to these prompts and bring them to class tomorrow (12/2) and give them to Mr. Savage. I will not take these on Thursday!
NOTE: The White House usually streams this typs of addresses online at their website here. I will try to embedd the stream. If I am unable to do so the speech will be on a number of news channles.
1. Wath his address.
2. Provide a detailed summary of the President's straegy (who, what, when, where, why)and describe the changes to the Nation's Afghanistan policy with regard to former President Bush's strategy.
3. Desribe the rhetoric used in the speech. Make specific references to the President's speech. How does the language used affect the message?
Type up your responses and ideas to these prompts and bring them to class tomorrow (12/2) and give them to Mr. Savage. I will not take these on Thursday!
NOTE: The White House usually streams this typs of addresses online at their website here. I will try to embedd the stream. If I am unable to do so the speech will be on a number of news channles.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Darmok Extra Credit
Recall the two video clips we watched in which both liberal and conservative interviewers attempted to make both sides look as foolish as possible. Keeping that idea in mind, watch the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Darmok". After watching type a response to the following:
1. What do the two videos from the liberal and conservative sides and the "Darmok" episode have in common and what do they tell us about people and the government? Think critically... Due not later than Nov. 30th (Monday).
"Darmok" episode and two biased clips embedded below.
1. What do the two videos from the liberal and conservative sides and the "Darmok" episode have in common and what do they tell us about people and the government? Think critically... Due not later than Nov. 30th (Monday).
"Darmok" episode and two biased clips embedded below.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
SnagFilms Film Widget
Watch the films... type a one page response to the film that includes the following: a) the part of the film that touched you the most, b) the imortance of Veteran's Day as a national holiday, and c) do we (as a country) honor our veterans enogh. Make sure to explain your reasoning. DUE on Thursday!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Time
I initially started this blog as a place to consider and think about the growth of WEB 2.0, education, and the classes I teach. I have had the opportunity to give a few presentations in my district about WEB 2.0 applications and I have begun to realize that it is not as simple as turning people onto these resources. I feel comfortable with a number of these applications, but there is a growth process that still needs to take place. I have been struggling with incorporation of these applications because the infrastructure is not always there nor do all kids have the same amount of confidence using WEB 2.0 tools. The skills necessary to use these applications are just as important as the content I am tying to get the kids to analyze, synthesize, and process.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The 21st Century Skills Movement - Related Stories - ASCD SmartBrief
With our new state standards and its focus on 21st Century Skills, this is a good resource.
The 21st Century Skills Movement - Related Stories - ASCD SmartBrief
Shared via AddThis
The 21st Century Skills Movement - Related Stories - ASCD SmartBrief
Shared via AddThis
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
President Obama's speech to the Nation's students...
On Tues., following Labor Day, my classes will be watching the President's address at 9AM. There has been some significant backlash against showing this speech in the national media. So much so that our district has released an "official statement" regarding the speech. I try throughout the school year to present arguments, ideas, thoughts, etc. from all sides of the political spectrum, and I recognize the political climate that exists as the health care debate continues. That being said I feel it is important for my students to watch the speech out of respect for the Office of the President (regardless of who sits in the Oval Office). Watching the speech will give me and my students an opportunity to reflect and talk about the content of the speech and also analyze the speech as possible political propaganda (as it has been referred to by some). Also, we can place the speech into the context of the political debate that is occurring in Washington. Not to mention the Republicans have asked for TV time after the President's upcoming address to a joint sessions of Congress. This seems like a wonderful moment to teach and talk about the give and take, the compromising, and the debating that are important components of our Republic. Ryan Bretag wrote a fantastic post on his blog Metanoia about the President's address that speak to my views and opinions on the address. The President's address will be streamed below.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Web 2.0 and the begining of Class
Last week I had the opportunity to make a brief presentation to a group of teachers from my school district about Web 2.0. I briefly explained how Web 2.0 was different and then showed them two versions of Bloom's taxonomy. The original image of Bloom's most teachers would be aware of, but the second image however was updated to address the 21st century. I found this image after reading the Free Technology for Teachers blog (A fantastic resource by the way... thank you Mr. Byrne). The new image for Bloom comes from Visual Blooms and it serves as a nice concrete visual to help others understand how Web 2.0 is a viable education resource.
After the presentation I had the chance to speak with two teachers who wanted to ask where a good place to start would be for those who have never stepped foot into the pool that is Web 2.0. When preparing for my presentation I had considered that not all of the audience members would have the same technology skills, but at that moment I was at a loss for words. In my presentation I had suggested the place place to start would be "wherever you are" meaning in my mind that teachers should simply pick one Web 2.0 application and learn it inside and out. As I spoke to these two teachers, however that response seem inadequate. It seemed inadequate because there are so many applications. I alone had compiled a list of what I considered the best 25 Web 2.0 applications, but that must have seemed like a mountain with no clear path to the top. After discussing a few of the resources on my list I think those two teachers left with some idea of where to start for them, but it made me reflect on my students who I will begin seeing on Monday.
My conversation with these two dedicated teachers reminded me that even 21st Century students need skill development. My students will still need the skills involved with the effective use of Web 2.0 applications. It is easy to assume that most students are savvy enough to use most applications, but that will most likely not be the case. Some students will still need that guidance and I need to be ever vigilant in ensuring that the use of Web 2.0 applications is valuable to my students education and their skill development.
After the presentation I had the chance to speak with two teachers who wanted to ask where a good place to start would be for those who have never stepped foot into the pool that is Web 2.0. When preparing for my presentation I had considered that not all of the audience members would have the same technology skills, but at that moment I was at a loss for words. In my presentation I had suggested the place place to start would be "wherever you are" meaning in my mind that teachers should simply pick one Web 2.0 application and learn it inside and out. As I spoke to these two teachers, however that response seem inadequate. It seemed inadequate because there are so many applications. I alone had compiled a list of what I considered the best 25 Web 2.0 applications, but that must have seemed like a mountain with no clear path to the top. After discussing a few of the resources on my list I think those two teachers left with some idea of where to start for them, but it made me reflect on my students who I will begin seeing on Monday.
My conversation with these two dedicated teachers reminded me that even 21st Century students need skill development. My students will still need the skills involved with the effective use of Web 2.0 applications. It is easy to assume that most students are savvy enough to use most applications, but that will most likely not be the case. Some students will still need that guidance and I need to be ever vigilant in ensuring that the use of Web 2.0 applications is valuable to my students education and their skill development.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Remix America
I came across the fantastic website Remix America by accident, but it was a happy accident. This website enables users to create their own small videos using historical film clips, contemporary film/TV clips, recent news broadcast clips, and pictures. You can also add your own soundtrack. (I am assuming that you could upload an Audacity file converted to mp3 to their site if you wanted to voice over a clip.) The interface is quite easy to use and I believe the ability to edit together clips from the past with modern clips will be very attractive to my students. This site will allow my students to create their own documentaries and also give voice to their opinions not only on historical topics, but contemporary topics as well. It also gives them a vehicle to compare and contrast the past with the present. A very cool website!!
I have posted a sample video I made at the bottom of this blog. I put this together in just a few minutes. Their tutorial video is very helpful if you get stuck.
I have posted a sample video I made at the bottom of this blog. I put this together in just a few minutes. Their tutorial video is very helpful if you get stuck.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Review of Edutopia

As many people in the Web 2.0 are probable aware, the George Lucas Educational Foundation publishes a magazine called Edutopia. For those of you who may not be familiar with this magazine I just wanted to give you a quick review.
Edutopia investigates and analyzes a number of different facets of education. While not specifically focusing on Web 2.0 applications, it does place a heavy amount of its content in that general realm and technology in general. I think the value and the strength of this magazine comes from the wide variety of articles that have been written by other teachers; not to mention the varied topics and articles that are in every issue. For example the most recent edition has articles about stimulus money and tips on how to get students to focus in class. Unfortunately the magazine is not free... It comes with your $35 membership. With that membership however, you get access to online content and member only webinars. I personally see the $35 membership fee as a good investment in the lives of my students. Let me know what you think or if you have even seen or heard of this magazine before.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Day 1
R-15: Mr. Ochs' Classroom
Home to American Government, US History, Senior Seminar, r-15 Studios and all things basketball.
Welcome to the blog... this will be updated as much as possible with class related items, the musings of Mr. Ochs and resources/books that I feel are interesting or noteworthy.
Enjoy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)