Episode 52: Avoiding Junkware with David Rogers

Today on Quick Tech Tip David and I talk about…  How to Avoid Junkware…

Does junkware drive you nuts?!

It does me!

You know what I’m talking about …as David says, “…the 3^rd party software offers…click and suddenly you have any number of unwanted stuff on your computer.”

David notes, “You go to install legitimate software and then…the installation by default adds something unwanted!”

I think we have all had issues with this headache…especially me…

Listen as David gives you his …

5 Steps to Avoiding Junkware

1.     Download from a reliable source

2.     Beware of fake download buttons

3.     Be alert during the software installation

4.     De-select any options to install additional software

5.     When in doubt don’t do it!

Enjoy!

And just say no to clicking on those download buttons!

Length: 12:20

Episode 49: Quick Tech Tip… VideoLan Media Player

VLC is a free-open source cross platform multimedia player that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.

As an Open Source player it is available to users with no financial obligation... although, the producers would like you to donate to them so that they can continue to develop VLC and work on new projects.

VLC (VideoLan) has many features. Check out this list below. (By the way, Teaching Learning Leading K12 does not have a financial obligation to or an affiliation with VideoLan.) It is an amazing opensource tool that will liberate you from other players that have built in issues. 

Check it out...we use it on all of our equipment and are truly amazed at the power of this tool. 

Episode 45: Laura Robb-Vocabulary is Comprehension

Today I am talking with Laura Robb. She is a teacher, speaker, author, and coach.

She has taught for over 43 years and continues to teach each year in middle grades classrooms.

She has published 18 books primarily focused on reading, writing, and comprehension.

You will often find her speaking across the country and working with classroom teachers to learn how to address the needs of kids in reading, writing and text comprehension.

Laura is concerned about teachers who are “stressed out” with attempts to measure classroom success by using standardized, high stakes tests. The money and time that is spent on these tests could be better spent on training teachers to use better instructional practices.

Laura says, “One of the joys of teaching is that every child is unique.”

Our talk is primarily focused on one of her most recent works, “Vocabulary is Comprehension: Getting to the Root of Text Complexity”.

This work is filled with understandable lessons on how to connect vocabulary building and development with complex text comprehension.

Any teacher could easily take this book read sections and immediately begin to use its lessons in her plans for the week.

Some instructional works are cumbersome with their own language and information. The teacher would need a translator first before even getting close to thinking about using the information…not this book! It is easy to understand and use!

Take a look at her Big 10 and then turn to any of the lessons associated with them and you will be able to start making a difference in a child’s understanding of the text and content.

I strongly encourage you to take this information to heart and to use her book to help change your lessons to help the kids “get it!”

By the way…also, check out her foundation. She and her son are focused on getting books into the hands of children with none.

Enjoy!!!

www.LRobb.com

www.e2efoundation.org

Vocabulary is Comprehension

www.teacher.scholastic.com/products/classroombooks/laurarobb

www.twitter.com/LRobbTeacher

www.facebook.com/laura.robb.372

www.middleweb.com

Length: 1:00:19

Episode 44: Quick Tech Tips with David Rogers

Today we are talking about Word Pad and why you would want to know how to use it.

Often computer users think that they need to have Microsoft Office when there are many tools that help make it possible to read and create documents without have the Office Suite.

Word pad is one of those tools. 

During the interview David refers to how to find Word Pad and what it looks like. There are several screenshots that follow that will help you follow his directions to find and use Word Pad.

This is the first appearance of our new segment called Quick Tech Tips.

David is the Technology Director for the Heart of Georgia RESA.

He specializes in Linux and open source systems.

Once a month we will have a Quick Tech Tip segment.

It will last approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

David will select a topic that has been on the mind of many or frequently asked by teachers, administrators and community members.

The idea is to provide support for teachers and administrators with a “Quick Tip”.

If you have a tech question for David to answer please email me at smiletto.hg@gmail.com

David is also a musician and a blogger.

Check out his tech blog and his social media presence for his music world.

Enjoy!

http://hgresatech.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MagnoliaMedicineShow

http://mmmedicineshow.wix.com/mmms

Length 17:16

Episode 42: First Year Teaching with Mrs. Melanie Knight

Mrs. Melanie Knight is a first year middle school teacher at Wheeler County Middle School, in Alamo, Georgia. She is a graduate of Brewton Parker College’s education program and teaching is in her family tree. She is the daughter of teachers; her father was also a superintendent of Wheeler County Schools as well as her grandfather.

As of the interview, Mrs. Knight is in the middle of her first year of teaching.  She uses many instructional strategies, small groups, individual practice, integrated technology, word walls, and other techniques to help the kids get the content. When I asked her where she learned to use these she credited other staff in her school as important mentors.

I had the great fortune of watching her teach. Not only does she have good command of many strong instructional strategies but she also emphasizes a need to develop the students’ understanding of content and academic vocabulary. She uses TIPS (Terms Information Pictures and Sentences)…this is an adaption of something she learned from Learning in the Fast Lane by Suzy Pepper Rollins and what she has been taught by other staff members to develop the students’ understanding of vocabulary. 

Mrs. Knight emphasizes the need to create engagement. It is quite noticeable as the kids are up and working and part of the class. They are not passive, but active.

 She also has developed an excellent rapport with the kids. She commented, “I’m strict but friendly.” When you walk in her class you are automatically aware that it is a bright and cheerful place to be. She noted, “I use bright colors to help me create a welcoming classroom.”

When I asked her what has been most helpful for her during her first year in teaching she responded, “Help and support from the school staff and family members.” She continued, “It is helpful to have someone to talk to…to talk things out.”

She is a big fan of Pinterest and finds that the social media tool is a great help for getting ideas and support for working with the kids.

I asked her what advice she would give to someone who is getting ready to find their first teaching position and she replied, “Be open to new ideas…Be open to learning…learn from everyone around you.”

Mrs. Knight’s energy and focus on the kids is wonderful!

Enjoy!

Length 29:28