We had a small gathering this week, perhaps due to our change in broadcasting time (now at 8/7/6 pm EDT/CDT/PDT). Alice and Maria, joined by Lisa in the chat room discussed the uses of interactive whiteboards.Discussion included, but was not limited to:

While Sheila is away in Belize this week, Lisa and Maria co-hosted the show. John Fladd returned this week to contribute to the conversation. This week the discussion was about people who inspire us to try new things, get our thinking going and provide the models we build upon. Where do you get your inspiration? Whose model do you follow or build on to create new ideas of your own. Does your work inspire others?

Chat Log

Happy Valentine's Day! Today, we discussed skyping in the classroom and posting student work on blogs. We discussed ways we have used skype to connect with other classrooms; reading to others, sharing via video, and more. When posting student's work to their own blog, do they post their best or show a work in progress? (This conversation stemmed from the Feb. 11, 2010 SEEDlings show.) Does all work get published? What about the varying abilities within the class? We missed Lisa this week as she was on vacation, but she will be back next week. 

This week our conversation was about the EduCon experience. The Conversations crew were joined by two first time Educon attendees: Meredith Stewart from North Carolina and John Fladd from New Hampshire.

Chat Log

This week we discussed iPod Touch/iPhone apps in the classroom. Lisa was unable to join us but we were joined by Amanda Marrinan from Australia. Many of the apps can be found on Maria's wiki at http://classroomipodtouch.wikispaces.com.

 This week we started our conversation with a discussion about what educators can do to connect with Haitians and support efforts in Haiti.  This conversation turned into a plan.  We created a wiki for educators in wikispaces.  Please come see what we've created and join in with your class.  http://kids4haiti.wikispaces.com/

Chat Archive:

 This week, Sheila and Lisa were joined by Amanda Marrinan to discuss the topic of dealing with adults who say or do inept things in front of children.  Who is responsible for saying something: the teacher who overhears, the children, or the administration?  Maria Knee was missed this week but was well represented by Amanda, who graciously stayed up very late in Australia to join us.

Beginnig of the year edition of It's Elementary Webcast. We are moving our format to one informal chat and one interview per month.  On this occasion, we shared some educational conferences coming up both on the East Coast (Educon 2.2, PETE&C) and West Coast CUE where we expect to go or present. As well as NECC 2010.  We also had a chance to share what we are doing in our classrooms. The fact that there isn't a lot happening that is new and inovative but rather, just using some tools like voicethread and our classroom blogs. For a tech use in the elementary classroom perspective, join is the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month. Check the ETT calendar for up to date information.

Link to Text Chat

What inspries you? What makes your journey great? Sheila, Maria and Lisa and the folks in the chat room respond to the Guilding Stars poster by Peter Reynolds and share who and what inspires them. Sheila also talked about the Earthbridges echo events she did with her students.