So this week we celebrated our new beginning; a rebirth of an exciting mission - to deliver the best digital content for K-12 students, teachers and families. Don't know if I've shared this with you all before, but I use to work at CompassLearning back in the day - the Jostens Learning day. Sixteen years later, I'm back. I've never been more excited to be a part of something so truly amazing. The people that work here are absolutely the best at what they do, the development of new content is exactly what educators and students need for instruction and intervention. And now, the move to becoming a truly independent company with the leadership and alignment to key initiatives including college readiness, RtI, credit and grade recovery, adolescent literacy, this is truly a time where the "stars have aligned."
We just completed our two-day company wide meeting here in Austin where we got to meet our new owners and learn about their business and their mission. Look for great things in the coming months and road ahead. Arrrrr Mate.
CompassLearning sets a new course.
View Press Release.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
A Speedy 2009
With a new year comes new resolutions and new beginnings. Among the many of my New Year's resolutions is to start blogging again. I took somewhat of a break after the transition to a new job, new school for the kids and a new city all together. 2009 proved to be a year of many challenges. Gab graduated and is off in college, AC entered the 10th grade, Caroline and John started public school and Grace got mom all to herself. Me, I seem to go where the wind takes me. My hope for 2010 is to get a better focus on my priorities.
So here is a quick (very quick) update on our 2009.
America and I wish you all a joyful New Year and one that is filled with many blessings. How fitting it was that today's reading at mass was one of new beginnings and new blessing of peace. This we wish for you.
Numbers 6: 22-27
The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!
So here is a quick (very quick) update on our 2009.
America and I wish you all a joyful New Year and one that is filled with many blessings. How fitting it was that today's reading at mass was one of new beginnings and new blessing of peace. This we wish for you.
Numbers 6: 22-27
The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Live stream with Ustream now available.
Yea! No more jailbroken iPhone with last weeks updater...
In a move that many suspected would never happen — surely the carriers would loathe the increased data usage resulting from such apps — Apple has approved the Ustream Live Broadcaster application, bringing live streaming video straight from the iPhone to the uStream Web site and any embedded players posted around the Web.
The app works on 3G and Wi-Fi connections, supports yes/no polling of viewers, displays chatroom messages, serves up a viewer count, can transmit your location via GPS and allows you to adjust the resolution.Monday, December 7, 2009
VSS09 Podcasts
Thanks to Miguel for posting and sharing!
Assorted Podcasts from VSS 2009
Labels: Education, OnlineLearning, Podcast, VSS2009
- Listen to Podcast #1 - This podcast discusses the use of mobile phones in the classroom. Shares the use of PollEverywhere. How to get out of the site-based model, lack of alignment to course design or quality assurance, no common learning experience for students because teachers innovated and went their own way, the importance of a cheerleader at the District level....
- Listen to Podcast #2 - Differentiating instruction in online learning by Jackie Mangieri. Resources online at http://delicious.com/docjmm
- Listen to Podcast #3 - Elements of course design and tools you can use to customize.....
K12 Online Conference is up and running!
The K-12 Online Conference invites participation from educators around the world interested in innovative ways Web 2.0 tools and technologies can be used to improve learning. This FREE conference is run by volunteers and open to everyone. The 2009 conference theme is “Bridging the Divide.” This year’s conference begins with a pre-conference keynote by classroom teacher and international educator Kim Cofino the week of November 30, 2009. The following two weeks, December 7-11 and December 14-17, over fifty presentations will be posted online to our conference blog and our conference Ning for participants to view, download, and discuss. Live Events in the form of three “Fireside Chats” are listed on the events page of our conference Ning and Facebook fan page, and live events will continue in 2010 through twice-monthly “K-12 Online Echo” webcasts on EdTechTalk. Everyone is encouraged to participate in both live events during and after the conference as well as asynchronous conversations. Over 122 presentations from 2008, 2007, and 2006 are available, along with archived live events. Follow the K12 Online Conference on Twitter and Facebook!
Little Kids, Big Possibilities
Presenter: Kelly Hines
Location: Washington, North Carolina, USA
Link to presenter’s K12Online Ning Profile page
Presentation Title: Little Kids, Big Possibilities
Presentation Description: Learn about the what’s, how’s and why’s of using web 2.0 tools and social networking with elementary age students to enhance learning and student engagement.
DotSub Video Presentation Link
Blip m4v direct link (video file)
Blip mp3 direct link (audio file)
Link to presentation’s supporting documents:
http://littlekidsbigpossibilities.pbworks.com
Additional Information:
Blog: http://keepingkidsfirst.wordpress.com
Twitter: kellyhines
Thursday, December 3, 2009
You Never Let Go
(Change from my traditional blog posting… then again this is life and then some.)
I have known Jim Elliott for close to 10 years. We have worked together in the past at a previous company and recently joined forces again at our current company. He is truly an inspiration to me and so many.
So tonight, not being able to sleep, I decided to go through all of Jim’s blog posts from day one, Oct. 2008 to December 2nd, 2009. As I read through each of his posts throughout the past year, a common theme became very clear to me – Courage, Faith and Love. Much of Jim’s writings seldom focused on the negative or sadness that such a disease brings. Rather, much of what he shares has to do with the strength he gains from all of the support and prayers of those around him. Also much of what he shares is the gain in closeness to God. Throughout many of the posts, he writes of how ‘thankful’ he is for the journey. It is truly amazing to me that in a time of despair and uncertainty, his outlook on life and the journey are filled with courage, faith and love.
So after reading all of his posts tonight, I pulled out a few of his comments and quotes and thought I would share a years worth of reflection from Jim Elliott.
(This is a song he referenced in his blog post Wednesday, February 4, 2009
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimelliott/journal/15)
Although many of us have said a few prayers for his support and healing, I believe his prayers and strength have touched each on of us even more. I know I am a stronger person because of the example and courage he has exemplified in his current journey.
So today, I ask that you take some time to pray or pause for the healing and successful surgery that he is undergoing today. I hope to hear from his family later tonight with word on his big day. As he so often says… “your prayers are what keep me going… God is good.”
Well, we have come to “the night before.” This is a time I have thought about, prayed about, prayed against and researched for well over a year.I could not sleep tonight... All day yesterday, I have known that one of my closest friends is coming upon the biggest battle of his life this day. Today Jim will undergo a 12 hour surgery to try and rid his body of this deadly disease. And through it all, he has remained steadfast to his faith and commitment to fight the fight. At 7AM today, he will begin his next step in his journey that he has been leading. Through it all, he has remained a rock; a man on a mission guided by his trust and faith in God. Me on the other hand, I’ve been a nervous wreck. He called me last night at 11:30pm from his prep room to let me know that he was good. It was amazing to me, that through all that he will face today, he called me to see if I was up and not to worry. We said a short prayer together, laughed a bit and I shared with him that so many of you were out there sending your prayers out for him. Of course, he was thankful and gracious as always.
I have known Jim Elliott for close to 10 years. We have worked together in the past at a previous company and recently joined forces again at our current company. He is truly an inspiration to me and so many.
This Saturday is October 31st , a year ago my physician called me and told me I have appendecial adeno carcinoma and it at a stage 4.A little more than a year ago, I received a call from Jim giving me the news of his acknowledgment of his stage 4 cancer. This was overwhelming for me and I can only imagine how he and his family were taking it all in. Obviously the worst came to mind. I vowed to call him everyday to keep his spirits in check and quite frankly, to keep my own spirits in check. Jim did a much better job of checking on me to see if I was okay. Shortly after, he began a CaringBridge blog site to keep those of us up to speed on his progress and his journey.
Learn more: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimelliott
So tonight, not being able to sleep, I decided to go through all of Jim’s blog posts from day one, Oct. 2008 to December 2nd, 2009. As I read through each of his posts throughout the past year, a common theme became very clear to me – Courage, Faith and Love. Much of Jim’s writings seldom focused on the negative or sadness that such a disease brings. Rather, much of what he shares has to do with the strength he gains from all of the support and prayers of those around him. Also much of what he shares is the gain in closeness to God. Throughout many of the posts, he writes of how ‘thankful’ he is for the journey. It is truly amazing to me that in a time of despair and uncertainty, his outlook on life and the journey are filled with courage, faith and love.
So after reading all of his posts tonight, I pulled out a few of his comments and quotes and thought I would share a years worth of reflection from Jim Elliott.
(This is a song he referenced in his blog post Wednesday, February 4, 2009
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimelliott/journal/15)
Although many of us have said a few prayers for his support and healing, I believe his prayers and strength have touched each on of us even more. I know I am a stronger person because of the example and courage he has exemplified in his current journey.
So today, I ask that you take some time to pray or pause for the healing and successful surgery that he is undergoing today. I hope to hear from his family later tonight with word on his big day. As he so often says… “your prayers are what keep me going… God is good.”
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
What if schools could...
I thought this was interesting and worth reposting. What if schools really had access to innovative tools that students and teachers are using outside the school day and not just on their laptops...?
Labels: Education, TechTips, Web2.0
Tools - Banned and Mobile
Labels: Education, TechTips, Web2.0
Thanks to Jane Hart coming up with a list of tools. There is a lot to like in the list but I can't help but ask, "How many of these tools are banned in public schools?" For example, here's the list of top 50 that includes tools that are banned in Texas school districts I'm familiar with...of course, not ALL school districts ban all products at the same time, although some districts sure try to! (smile)
Aside from how many of the tools are banned, what does the selection of these by voters mean? If many of these tools are banned, how many are accessible by mobile phone? How many are used after-hours?
Ah well, just playing with the list. What other questions would you ask?
Current ranking in 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | TOOL | # Votes | ||
Name | Platform | Cost | ||||
| 1 | 11 | 43= | Twitter BANNED in K-12 MOBILE PHONE Microblogging tool | O | F | 159 |
| 2 | 1 | 2 | Delicious MOBILE PHONE Social bookmarking tool | O | F | 95.5 |
3 | 18 | 22= | O | F | 79.5 | |
| 4 | 3 | 7= | Google Reader MOBILE PHONE RSS / Feed reader | O | F | 79 |
5 | 7 | 14 | Google Docs BANNED in K-12 MOBILE PHONE Office suite | O | F | 78.5 |
6 | 5 | 6 | O | F | 69 | |
7 | 20 | 31= | Slideshare BANNED in K-12 MOBILE PHONE Hosting presentations | O | F | 64 |
| 8 | 6 | 3= | Google Search BANNED in K-12 MOBILE PHONE Web search tool | O | F | 56 |
| 9= | 12 | 11 | Audacity Sound editor and recorder | W M | F | 54 |
| 2 | 1 | W M | F | 54 | ||
11= | 16 | 31= | Ning BANNED in K-12 Social networking platforms | O | F/C | 49 |
| 4 | 3= | Skype BANNED in K-12 MOBILE PHONE Instant messaging/VoIP | W M | F/C | 49 | |
13 | 8 | 5 | PowerPoint Presentation software | W M | C | 47 |
| 14= | 10 | 9 | Blogger BANNED in K-12 MOBILE PHONE Blogging tool | O | F | 45 |
| | 9 | 12= | Moodle Course mgt system | S | F | 45 |
16 | 17 | 17= | iGoogle Personalised start page | O | F | 37.5 |
17 | 13 | 26= | Wikipedia Collaborative encyclopedia | O | F | 36 |
18 | 15 | 16 | flickr BANNED in K-12 MOBILE PHONE Photo storage/sharing site | O | F | 35 |
19 | 23 | 101= | VoiceThread Collaborative slideshows | O | F | 33 |
20 | 26= | - | Jing Screen captures/ casting tool | W M | F/C | 30.5 |
| 21 | 14 | 7= | Gmail BANNED in K-12 MOBILE PHONE Web-based email | O | F | 30 |
22= | 27 | 17= | Adobe Captivate Demo and scenario tool | W | C | 29 |
| 35= | 72= | diigo Social annotation site | O | F/C | 29 | |
| 24 | 25 | 22= | Articulate Presenter/Engage/ Quizmaker | W | C | 27 |
25 | 21 | 26= | SnagIt Screen capture tool | W | C | 26.5 |
26 | 26= | 50= | Camtasia Studio Screencasting tool | W | C | 25.5 |
27 | - | - | Evernote Note taking tool | O | F | 25 |
28 | - | - | Prezi Presentation software | O | F | 24 |
29 | 19 | 15 | Wikispaces Wiki tool | O | F/C | 23 |
30 | - | - | Wordle Word cloud generator | O | F | 22 |
31= | - | - | animoto Create videos from your images | O | F | 21 |
| | 24 | 17= | Facebook BANNED in K-12 MOBILE PHONE Social networking site | O | F | 21 |
| 50= | 43= | iPhone/iPod/ Touch and apps | - | - | 21 | |
34 | 35= | 43= | PBworks (prev PBwiki) Wiki tool | O | F/C | 19 |
35 | 59= | 50= | Adobe Photoshop Photo/Image editing tools | W | C | 17 |
36= | Blogs | - | - | 16 | ||
| 22 | 10 | Word Word processing software | W M | C | 16 | |
38= | 38= | 43= | Flash Animation authoring tool | W M | C | 15 |
| 66= | 101= | Google Apps BANNED in K-12 Google application suite | O | F/C | 15 | |
| 30= | 31= | LinkedIn Professional social network | O | F | 15 | |
| 41= | 66= | 72= | Adobe Connect Web meeting/ conferencing | O | C | 14.5 |
| | 28 | 26= | iTunes/iTunes U Music/podcast player and site | W M | F | 14.5 |
| 43= | - | - | Dimdim Web conferencing | O | F/C | 14 |
| 50= | 50= | Elluminate Web conferencing | O | F/C | 14 | |
| 40= | 40= | Google Earth Satellite and aerial imagery | W M | F | 14 | |
| - | - | Tweetdeck BANNED in K-12 MOBILE PHONE Desktop social software client | W M | F | 14 | |
| Wikis and wiki tools | - | - | 14 | |||
48 | 65= | 72= | Keynote Presentation software | M | C | 12 |
| 49 | 59= | 72= | Edublogs Educational blogging tool | O | F | 11.5 |
| 50= | 29 | 36= | Google Calendar Web-based calendar | O | F | 10 |
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