Music streaming from Twining

I would like to think that one factor giving our writing some credibility is that we prepare teachers, but are also directly involved with classroom activities. I have written before about Cindy’s unique employment with both the university and the Grand Forks Schools.

The school in which Cindy does most of her work is located on an air force base. This situation presents some unique challenges. One and sometimes both parents may be deployed and as a consequence miss their son or daughter’s school activities. This reality became part of the school’s interest in streaming today’s end of year band and orchestra concert (actually the full concerts are this evening, but performances during the day allow the students to perform for peers).

Twining Concert

The project was accomplished using UStream, a wireless connected laptop, and the type of camcorder you probably own.  This is what the video looks like. I selected a frame with the intent of not revealing too much. The content was not recorded (although an option) because of copyright issues. I listened from my office. I have a pretty nice AV setup (Klipsch speakers, large monitors) and the sound quality was great (reminded me of the concerts I used to attend when my kids were the same age). The concert drew 33 online viewers.

There were a few glitches. Cindy had to operate the camcorder in record mode so that a signal could be sent to the computer. At one point, the tape had to be rewound so the camera would continue to function. The camera was plugged in, but the connection was bad so the battery ran down.

cindychat.jpg

Cindy and I are chatting during the concert. I was attempting to let her know the first time I lost the signal.  Mysterious things always seem to happen when technology is involved. Cindy seems to find the unexpected problems an interesting challenge. She decided she would go back this evening just in case.

The UStreamTv technology is very easy to implement. My previous experience was in viewing the distribution of  conference presentations, but there would seem to be many school applications. The equipment requirements are minimal and getting started requires little preparation or background. Information is available online if you want to explore.

Loading

A small bit of bragging

I have commented previously that our son works as an editor for a television program called Dragonfly TV. It is middle-school science program based in Minneapolis and sponsored by PBS. If you listen to podcasts, download a few episodes from the Dragonfly site.

Todd called today to let us know Dragonfly was being considered for an Emmy. It took me a long time to locate the announcement online because all of the press for the day time competitions seem focused on the “soaps” and Google had the announcement a few pages of links into the page rank. I did manage to locate the complete list of categories.

emmy.jpg

Way to go son. This technology stuff your mom told you about may work out yet.

Loading

Is there time?

One very interesting new character (to me at least) on the participatory web scene is Clay Shirky. You may recognize the book title – Here comes everybody. It is one of those books on my desk.

I happen to come across this video. The key question is whether people will be willing to “produce and share” when given the opportunity. How will we allocate the “cognitive surplus” we presently have? Put another way (in the video) will any time presently devoted to watching Desperate Housewives be devoted to Web 2.0 sharing opportunities. Shirky seems to think the answer is “Yes”.

Video thumbnail. Click to play
Click To Play

Loading

Creative Space

CreativeSpace is an interesting new tool for conducting image searches. The tool relies on Google image search capabilities and can be set to “safe search” which may be a useful option for educators. The revenue model appears to rely on ads.

My screen capture reflects the results from a search attempting to locate images from a local state park. I hoped to see some of my images (no luck).

Creative Space Image Search

Loading

Are teachers mature enough to use facebook?

This from the Washington Post – an article about teachers and the things they post to their Facebook pages. Another version of the “do you know your boss might look” theme. Obviously, the answer is “I didn’t think of that?” What, you didn’t think your students or the parents of your students might check to see if you have a Facebook account? While you were sleeping, this technology thing has caught on and you aren’t the only one who knows how to use it.

I know that some folks assume they can do and say what they want outside of school (at least learn how to limit access), but according to sources cited in the article:

Teachers caught with inappropriate Web sites could get a suspension for a first-time offense, said Michael Simpson, assistant general counsel for the National Education Association, a teachers union with more than 3 million members. If they can prove that no one at school complained about the page, then they might prevail in a personnel dispute “because there would be no evidence of any real or potential harm to the students or school,” he said.

If teachers claim free speech protection under the First Amendment, Simpson said, the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that governments can fire employees if their speech harmed the workplace’s mission and function.

Loading

Every day an adventure

The weekend was scheduled to involve a nice trip to Minneapolis to see our kids and granddaughters. Things do not always work out as planned. We had intended to make this trip two weeks ago, but did not leave town because of a late season blizzard. This time we made it out of town and were caught in another blizzard. Now, North Dakota / Minnesota is the region of the country that is prone to winter storms, but we are now in the last week of April.

Anyway, we were lucky to make into a town – Fergus Falls – and find a hotel. Might have spent the night in the ditch or at a Salvation Army shelter. The total snowfall was 18 inches.

snowcar1.jpg

The interstate was closed until late this afternoon and the trucks were lined up trying to get going again. The view from the overpass revealed the problem.

trucksditch1.jpg

We have spent a little time driving around Fergus Falls for something to do. Check out this greenhouse “closed for the day” in the Kmart parking log.

gardenwinter.jpg

Loading