Teacher Toolbox

Teacher Toolbox Yep, I've Been Slack ;-)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:43:00 GMT

Hi All, Yesterday I friend of mine mentioned that I was being rather slack with keeping everyone up to date via my email newsletter. On checking, I haven't sent one out since April 15 so, yes I o believe the critisism is valid ;-) That said, I've been a busy lad. Trips to run workshops in New Zealand, several trips to Melbourne and last week a Gifted & Talented celebration in Mackay. I believe I've knocked up a few frequent flyer points. hehehe So here's the bit you are interested in. If you just want to browse my new stuff at your own pace, use these links. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/</a> <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/page/2/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/page/2/</a> <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/page/3/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/page/3/</a> <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/page/4/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/page/4/</a> <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/digital_storytelling.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/digital_storytelling.htm</a> <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/science_software.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/science_software.htm</a> <a href="http://code-samuel.blogspot.com/">http://code-samuel.blogspot.com/</a> But if you are keen for a narrative... I've been experimenting with machinima (machine cinema). This is where you capture images from video games and use them to create digital stories. Here are a few examples from my Mackay workshop. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/tag/machinima/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/tag/machinima/</a> During my initial experiments I've found that teachers and kids are very keen to give machinima a go but (insert any one of a plethora of reasons for not taking risks) so I've put together a bank of game graphics that people can download and drop into Comic Life or Photostory to get them started with this form of digital story telling. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/digital_storytelling.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/digital_storytelling.htm</a> I've also been playing with my Oddfellows <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yjbndtk">http://tinyurl.com/yjbndtk</a> while I've been exploring alternative digital story telling techniques. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/481/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/481/</a> <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/sigmund-dora-scamper/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/sigmund-dora-scamper/</a> I believe you and your students could have a great learning experience photographing toys, writing scripts and dropping the images into Comic Life <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ylgk4qs">http://tinyurl.com/ylgk4qs</a> or Photostory 3 to tell stories. As many of you know I have a bit of a passion for Science teaching and I've just found these great tools for complementing your Science teaching. Check them out, have a play and see what you think. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/science_software.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/science_software.htm</a> My Roman Numerals webquest is still taking shape. Plus it is starting to get some serious traffic 12 000 page hits in October. Not bad for a site that is still only half finished :-) - You might like to add your 2 cents worth to the poll on weather or not roman numerals should still be taught. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/roman_numerals/roman_numerals.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/roman_numerals/roman_numerals.htm</a> NB I've just read a book by Matt Groening <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yz3o2me">http://tinyurl.com/yz3o2me</a> and I'm very pleased with the way this character came out based on what Matt had to say. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/roman_numerals/roman_numerals_xxiii.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/roman_numerals/roman_numerals_xxiii.htm</a> Another friend of mine has asked me to do a bit of work with her son on maths, so I guess you'll see a few more math resources pop up on the site over the coming months. Here is a prism poster the lad and I put together for his wall. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/maths/posters/prisms/prisms.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/maths/posters/prisms/prisms.htm</a> & the nets section of the site is also remaining very popular - <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/maths/nets/3d_shapes.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/maths/nets/3d_shapes.htm</a> In August I took my son with me to a ICT Conference a few months ago where he really rose to the occassion and presented three tutorial sessions. One on Stopmotion animation, one on video game creation using and the other on puppet plays using a Flip Video <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yzrzlyu">http://tinyurl.com/yzrzlyu</a> . You can check out his game and movie on his blog. <a href="http://code-samuel.blogspot.com/">http://code-samuel.blogspot.com/</a> A lot of teachers are now using his work as a model for blogging with their class. We also had a little play with Animoto to put together some of the images from our workshop into an online multimedia presentation. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/youngest-presenter-at-elh/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/youngest-presenter-at-elh/</a> A huge thanks has to go to all those who offered him praise for a job well done. In September I was invited to have a chat to the lads from one of my favourite podcasts - The Edtech Crew. Feel free to have a listen to what I had to say to get a bit of an insight into what I do. <a href="http://www.edtechcrew.net/2009/08/24/ed-tech-crew-98-adrian-bruce/">http://www.edtechcrew.net/2009/08/24/ed-tech-crew-98-adrian-bruce/</a> Ok, so now I'm thinking if you've made it to the bottom of this you are doing very well esp the Aussie & Kiwis who are on the downhill slide to our summer break. To close and if you are feeling a little stressed here is a cartoon I made of a Xmas 'incident' let us say that might bring a chuckle. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/stressbusters/stressbuster_choir.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/stressbusters/stressbuster_choir.htm</a> Cheers Adrian Bruce <a href="http://twitter.com/adrianbruce/">http://twitter.com/adrianbruce/</a>

Teacher Toolbox - A Quick One

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:25:00 GMT

Hi Guys, It has been a long day today as I was hacked. A team of hackers defaced my blog but the support of my host was unreal. I'll buy those lads some Australian beer if ever they get down Byron Bay NSW way :-) That said, I'm back to a very 'sparce' blog theme at the moment but have chosen to concentrate on content and get to the 'pretty pictures' happening again in the next couple of days. Resources for You. 1. 3H - Here, Hidden, Head - After 23 requests to get this resource happening here is the first draft for, 'Infering Word Meanings from Context' - Feel free to add your two cents worth via email, comment or via an invite to the Google doc. I aim to publish the complete resource with your input by Monday. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/3h-hidden-it-begins/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/3h-hidden-it-begins/</a> 2. I'm really happy with my latest Stressbuster as every now and then I have to have a second look at 'thay' just to check that I'm not making a mistake :-) <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/stressbusters/stressbuster_spelling_test.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/stressbusters/stressbuster_spelling_test.htm</a> 3. Here are a couple resources & ideas to help you build your Professional Learning Network and a little creative presentation. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/more-personal-learning-network-pln-tools/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/more-personal-learning-network-pln-tools/</a> 4. Science Videos - Have you thought about showing your students something like Beakman's World <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/science-videos-from-youtube/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/science-videos-from-youtube/</a> and then getting them to put on a Science show for another class. It is a really effective way of raising the profile of science in your school e.g. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/science/science_experiments/science_experiment_2_rocket_science.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/science/science_experiments/science_experiment_2_rocket_science.htm</a> 5. Chess Strategies - I love teaching Chess to kids as I think it has some sort of cross over to reading due to increased concentration. This week I've started a collection of posters to help with strategy as well as basic moves. I struggled with my drawing skills and my knight but am rather pleased with the way he has turned out. See what you think. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/chess/chess_posters.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/chess/chess_posters.htm</a> NB Instead of saying, 'Oh I can't play chess'... how about you learn by co-learning it with your students?!!! If you don't learn it this way at the end of your career you'll still be saying, 'Oh I can't play chess' :-( So much for lifelong learning!!! 6. I've received some really nice feedback about this Stressbuster as soooooooo many people can relate. I'm sure you know a person who you can nail it to their door hehehehehe <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/stressbusters/stressbuster_difficult_people.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/stressbusters/stressbuster_difficult_people.htm</a> 7. Lastly it is official, I'm off to Mackay, Queensland to keynote in June. Feel free to drop by if you get a chance. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/integrate-2009-mackay/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/integrate-2009-mackay/</a> Catch ya soon Adrian

Teacher Toolbox A Favour 4 the Captain :)

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 05:02:00 GMT

Hi Again All, In the late 90s I did a heap of work and reading about Science teaching in schools. One article I remember discussed, 'Not what Science was taught, but IF Science is taught'. Another article stated that many teachers need 'scaffolding' to help them increase their confidence in the area. I was also reading and trying to implement some of the ideas of Professor Harlen - Here is one of her Google books for you glance over <a href="http://tinyurl.com/d4ugs3">http://tinyurl.com/d4ugs3</a> Ten years later I feel that not much has changed. My son is coming home today with craft activities that masquerade as Science & Technology :( in the same way students did ten years ago. Enter Captain Curiosity! The Captain and I have been making great use of Twitter, the telephone and face to face discussions about her Science teaching. She plans for the site to provide scaffolded science activities for teachers and students. As The Captain's site is in its very early stages I would encourage you to have your students try out some of the activities and send her a message on your thoughts, student engagement, improvements... you know the drill. Liquids - race of the super fast fish! - A fun and interactive way to learn about surface tenstion. <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-liquids/science-experiments-liquids-LQ05/science-experiments-liquids-LQ05.htm">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-liquids/science-experiments-liquids-LQ05/science-experiments-liquids-LQ05.htm</a> Light - make a rainbow - A fun science experiment for even very young kids. <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-light/science-experiments-light-L04/light-science-experiments-L04.htm">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-light/science-experiments-light-L04/light-science-experiments-L04.htm</a> Light - 3 ring light - Kids love to play with flashlights and this experiment puts them to good use! <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-light/science-experiments-light-L05/light-science-experiments-L05.htm">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-light/science-experiments-light-L05/light-science-experiments-L05.htm</a> Air - the singing balloon - A very noisy experiment that is lots of fun and effective at helping students understand something they can't see - air. <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-air/science-experiments-air-02/air-science-experiment-A02.htm">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-air/science-experiments-air-02/air-science-experiment-A02.htm</a> Air - the amazing talking coin - This one always makes the kids talk too! <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-air/science-experiments-air-03/air-science-experiment-A03.htm">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-air/science-experiments-air-03/air-science-experiment-A03.htm</a> Cadet Challenge - the Big Build - Another hands on activity to build fantastic structures with simple newspaper and tape! <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/cadet-challenges-science-experiments/cadet-challenges-science-experiments-02/cadet_challenge_02.htm">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/cadet-challenges-science-experiments/cadet-challenges-science-experiments-02/cadet_challenge_02.htm</a> Liquids - Silly String - Another way to look at surface tension. <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-liquids/science-experiments-liquids-LQ06/science-experiments-liquids-LQ06.htm">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-liquids/science-experiments-liquids-LQ06/science-experiments-liquids-LQ06.htm</a> Science fun - the cola and mentos experiment gone wild! Have a look at this video of an extreme version of this experiment - way beyond what most people would attempt at school! <a href="http://captaincuriosity.net/teacher-lab/?p=138">http://captaincuriosity.net/teacher-lab/?p=138</a> Fabulous science in the classroom - A look at a school doing a great job with science! <a href="http://captaincuriosity.net/teacher-lab/?p=141">http://captaincuriosity.net/teacher-lab/?p=141</a> Energy - heat absorption - An interesting investigation to begin understanding energy. <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-energy/energy-science-experiment-en01/science-experiments-energy-EN01.htm">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-energy/energy-science-experiment-en01/science-experiments-energy-EN01.htm</a> Liquids - Capillary action - Just like a magic trick - water moves from one container to another without tipping them! <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-liquids/science-experiments-liquids-LQ07/science-experiments-liquids-LQ07.htm">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/science-experiments-liquids/science-experiments-liquids-LQ07/science-experiments-liquids-LQ07.htm</a> Thanks Captain Curiosity Adrian

Teacher Toolbox Heaps of New Stuff

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:53:00 GMT

Hi All, I've been busy again so hopefully you'll find one or two things here to help make your job just a little easier. 1. My Stressbuster cartoons now have their own homepage. I'm sure you'll have a chuckle at one or two of them. Feel free to print them out for your workmates or email them on to friends. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/stressbusters/stressbusters.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/stressbusters/stressbusters.htm</a> 2. I've added a couple of new mind mapping tools to the site for you to experiment with. For me the tools change but the skills of mind mapping stay the same. Feel free to download my 'mind map on mind mapping' and explore it with your students before they do their next mind map. You'll find the quality of work produced increases significantly. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/mindmap/mindmap.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/computers/mindmap/mindmap.htm</a> 3. I've been going through some old disks looking for a collection of demonstrations that I put together as a Science show a few years ago. The Witch's Brew is the first one I've found. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/science/science_experiments/science_experiment_1_witches_brew.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/science/science_experiments/science_experiment_1_witches_brew.htm</a> NB I get the kids to write little plays or readers theatre to go with the procedures. You can have a lot of fun with this. 4. There's a Genius on My Desk. I love these little guys. They are great little motivators for any desk. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/get-some-genius-action-figures-on-your-desk/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/get-some-genius-action-figures-on-your-desk/</a> Stay tuned for the comic life experiment, 'Sigmund Freud Meets Dora the Explorer'. 5. Here is a strategy that will help you fix alot / a lot <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/spelling/a-lot/spelling.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/spelling/a-lot/spelling.htm</a> 6. Morning Tea - THis is a really nice idea for morning tea. I've been known to just make it up and put it on the staffroom table. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/morntea/spinach_cob_loaf.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/morntea/spinach_cob_loaf.htm</a> 7. Symmetry Animations - a friend of mine has put together some flash animations to help explain the mathematical concepts of flips, slides and turns. I've added these to the symmetry webquest site. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/flips-slides-turns-as-falsh-animations/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/flips-slides-turns-as-falsh-animations/</a> Thanks Andrew B 8. My son sacrificed several eggs to the gods of science in trying to find a solution to this problem. Thanks Captain! <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/cadet_challenges/cadet_challenges_01/cadet_challenge_01.htm">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/cadet_challenges/cadet_challenges_01/cadet_challenge_01.htm</a> 9. Feel free to drop a comment on my blog if you have found any of these links useful. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/</a> - It is the little number in the top right corner of each blog post. 10. The new mail sign up form is working well. Feel free to encourage your collegues to sign up if you think they would benefit from my work. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/mailinglist/mail.cgi">http://www.adrianbruce.com/mailinglist/mail.cgi</a> Cheers Adrian PS I've just been confirmed as keynote for conference in Mackay Queensland and one in New Zealand for June. Should be fun.

Teacher Toolbox - What's New February 09

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:26:00 GMT

Hi All, It has been a while since I've emailed you all as the webservice that looked after my mailing list (Zookoda) is no more and I've been looking at options. Tonight is my first test of the new software. Let's see how it goes. Over the last few days I've been working on some homophone posters for too, two and to. I'm particularly happy with the way they have turned out. See what you think. <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/spelling/too_two_to/too_poster.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/spelling/too_two_to/too_poster.htm</a> <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/spelling/too_two_to/too_poster_also.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/spelling/too_two_to/too_poster_also.htm</a> <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/spelling/too_two_to/to_poster.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/spelling/too_two_to/to_poster.htm</a> <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/spelling/too_two_to/two_poster.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/spelling/too_two_to/two_poster.htm</a> I've fixed up the broken animation on the 'Using Better Words Than Said' page and added some teaching notes <a href="http://www.adrianbruce.com/writing/writing_tip_said/writing_tip_said.htm">http://www.adrianbruce.com/writing/writing_tip_said/writing_tip_said.htm</a> A friend of mine has just launched her own website which gives away complete Science lessons. Feel free to download a few of her lessons and offer her feedback as she is just starting out :-) <a href="http://www.captaincuriosity.net/">http://www.captaincuriosity.net/</a> I was distinctly underwhelmed by Daniel Pink's book, 'A Whole New Mind' so I've set it free to roam Australia <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/setting-daniel-pink-free/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/setting-daniel-pink-free/</a> I found this cool online photo mosaic creator that you might like to have a play with in Art <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/cool-online-photo-mosaic-creator/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/cool-online-photo-mosaic-creator/</a> Here is a collection of Maths posters I've been creating for my son. They give definitions of various math terms. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/maths/posters/math_posters.htm">http://adrianbruce.com/maths/posters/math_posters.htm</a> This is a very small piece of timelapse photography software. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/time-lapse-photography-in-class/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/time-lapse-photography-in-class/</a> I've been working on a Roman Numerals site now for a while. It is still a fair way from complete but here is a comic strip that explains the addition of roman numerals. <a href="http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/so-where-you-up-to-ad/">http://adrianbruce.com/teacher-toolbox/so-where-you-up-to-ad/</a> Ok, now for the biggie... will the new software work. Here's hoping. catch you soon Adrian