Inviting Your Input and Comments
Welcome to my meandering mind!
This blog is a place where I explore writing and teaching and technology. But I don’t like to go on such a journey by myself and I want you to come along as a companion. Although I am doing the writing of posts, I am hoping you will feel comfortable enough to join the conversation and enrich my experience. Teaching can be an isolating experience, but it does not have to be.
If you feel the urge to join the discussions, you should search for the comment link at the bottom of each post. If you are the first, you will see the words: “no comments.” That means I’ve been waiting for you! (If others have posted comments, the link will indicate how many comments are there). This comment link will bring you to a comment box, where you will be asked to fill out some basic information (unless you are logged in as part of the Edublog Community and, therefore, are already known by my blog).
I do have the comment moderation switched on at this point. It is not intended to muffle your voice. Instead, it is intended to keep out unwanted Spam. But I am rethinking the use of moderation, so that may change in the future. For now, though, you should know that your comment will appear only after I approve it. A little note should indicate that your comment is being moderated when you submit it. Rest assured that I do check my blog regularly, so it won’t be a long wait.
I do not edit comments nor change comments. Your thoughts are your own and I respect that. And the voice of dissenters are as welcome as those in agreement, as long as we are all civil in our discussions.
Thank you for visiting and I hope you join the digital dialogue with me.– Kevin
Entries (RSS)
October 26th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I enjoy reading these comics because they are both humorous and at the same time present situations in the classroom setting that (hopefully anyways) do not occur however one could not throw it pass the students for it to happen.
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January 25th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Am becoming very interested with a group of students in doing more with stop motion animation in middle school classes. Have an opportunity to do some professional development with this during the summer, and wonder if you know of seminars or workshops I might consider.
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July 1st, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Although I haven’t used this particular application, I love the idea and inspiration behind it. When kids can share their own stories in a meaningful way, learning takes place. Sharing those presentations enhances the learning. I have to say that your idea of giving kids time to “play” with the application prior to working on their “real” project is genius! Indeed, they will focus more after they’ve had time to experiment and goof around. Nice!
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July 13th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
The comic book idea is great! I teach fifth grade in NY and I could really see how the cartoons could pull you in.
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July 13th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Very enjoyable. I definitely agree you need to give the students time to play. Come fall, I hope to give it a try. Thanks!
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July 29th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Hi Kevin
I have been refered to you by Mathew Needleman on Classroom 2.0.
I am involved in a European Union funded education project looking at how to use digital comics in schools http://www.educomics.org
I am looking for websites and forums that focus on the use of digital comics in education, any suggestions would be very welcome.
I have a good list of websites that have comic tools, this is mainly about using the comics within the school.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Joel
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September 9th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Kevin! I’m so glad you came by and commented on my Kindle 2 article! Then, I was pleasantly surprised that we both share similar passions – for technology integration into the curriculum AND music! I’m a singer/songwriter/ (guitar – drums) kinda guy. Anyway, so great to see your piece on the Prez’s speech in Wordle!
Well, about the Kindle 2, I very much agree with your assessment of it being a closed environment that Amazon set up which may indeed hurt it’s position in the long term. Wouldn’t it be cool, though, if some of the large text book publishers partnered with Amazon and licensed their content to school districts willing to go digital? That’s kinda what I was hinting at when I mentioned my point about publishing issues… I imagine a system where schools would pay for a license key which would provide access to specific, district adopted content –and Amazon (or a company like it) could simply act as the distributor/middle man. I mean, if I were a big text book publisher, I’d be all over this — it would cut down on physical publishing costs for the publishing houses, which would improve their own bottom line. Ultimately, it would serve as “another” distribution method and open other agreements down the line.
Also, there are ways to get free (public domain classics) onto the Kindle… In other words, Amazon COULD, when the time was right, OPEN their closed environment. The fact that their pipeline is a closed system (with the potential to open it and really do what it wants to) may be attractive to text book publishers worried about a “wild west” digital rights mentality with no sheriff in town… What do you think?
Anyway, so great to meet you in cyberspace.
Buzz Garwood
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