August 22, 2006 by jmmblake.

Susan Mann, CEO of the Curriculum Corporation:

“The old concept of curriculum is dead but you can’t tell anyone,” she says. “There are innovative schools and clusters ofschools but others are stuck in a time warp.”

And that’s in Australia…people here are even less happy to hear thatthe concept of curriculum is dead. What will we do with all those tests?

Thanks for this dig Will Richardson of Weblogg-ed.

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August 16, 2006 by jmmblake.

This happens, but is hard to document.

What began as a grade-fixing scheme in a Camden, N.J. high school is now a growing scandal, according to an August 11 story from NPR. The fixing scheme was first uncovered by Paula Veggian, a scheduler at Brimm Medical Arts High School, in 2004. However, a state investigation begun in early 2006 has since widened to include a former Superintendent and two other elementary school principals. Allegations include not only grade-fixing, but unauthorized expenses and bonuses as well. Results of the state’s investigation expected any day, according to NPR.

technorati tags:test

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August 16, 2006 by jmmblake.

Moodle is three years old!

by Martin Dougiamas.

Moodle 1.0 was released three years ago today on August 20th - looking back we’ve come a long way in that time, and the future still looks good. So,

Happy birthday to Moodle!

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August 15, 2006 by jmmblake.

I am a regular reader of Steve Sloan’s great blog.  When I read his post below, it made me think about the many hours I spent this summer conducting of interviews and late nights editing the poor audio to turn out some podcasts for a consortium.  I researched several different devices to use to conduct my interviews, and finally settled on using Griffin Industries iMic and Lapel Mic.  Well, the audio really was not ready for CNN.  However, that is also part of the “allure” or authentic podcasting.  Sure Steve, aggree 100% with you– as a webcam is no substitute for a 10 Megapixel Nikon digital camera, so is a computer with a cheap mic a replacement for a high quality digital recorder.  Still, we podcasters have to be true to our craft-  the Marantz is professional grade, but this all make me think about watching my middle school students wipe off the cut grass clipping from the $200 basketball shoes.  I laugh at them as ask them if they think that a $200 pair of shoes will actually make them a better basketball player.  It make them mad as heck.  So, I am not going to bad mouth anyone that uses a Marantz recorder to create a podcast.  I would use one if I had the money to spend on one too, don’t get me wrong.  But, it is impossible for me to justify spending that kind of money on something that just records audio.  I like the iAudio U2 for the best bag for the buck.  Check this out, for $90, we can buy a refurbished one from CowonAmerica.  I like Creative’s Zen M with the 30 harddrive with built-in microphone too.

I certainly hope Steve reads this, because I too struggled with audio quality from hell.  I replaced the iMic and LapelMic with an Andrea anti-noise USB NC-7100 headset w/mic.  Immediately, the audio quality I was able to attain got much better while recording audio in Garageband.  For example, I was able to dub my interview questions into an interview. 

Also, I am in the process of migrating from Garageband to Ubercaster.  I have been very impressed with Ubercaster’s audio filtering, which includes many of the features available in Audacity.  Garageband is easier for me to include photos, pre-recorded intros and outros on my Mac.  Ubercaster make me have to keep files, that I can not preview or search for like Garageband does in iTunes and iPhoto.  In Ubercaster, however, I am able to make use of either auto fade of segments, or adjust the levels manually of individual segment within the same track.  I have not learned how to do that Garageband. 

I actually had saved my money up for a Marantz 660, and looked long and hard at the Edirol R09 but did not like the Edirol because I needed two mic to conduct my interview series.  But, when it came down to time to order the device, I heard a podcast created by Aaron Smith  over at Acdemic Aesthetic.  He uses an iPod Video and Belkin TuneTalk stereo mic.  His podcast sound really clear.  I use video clips to help my students learn science concepts.  I want to be able to grab images from my digital camera’s memory stick using the add on device to connect the usb cable directly from my camera to the iPod video and then clear off the memory stick and keep on shooting images.

Computers make lousy recorders for podcasting

I have found using a serious recording device has caused the audio quality of my podcasts to take a huge jump forward. Would I take a step backwards? No way! I started off recording into a mic attached to my computer, I moved to a mic attached to an iPod and have graduated to a real quality field recorder. This has worked to me and I am no audiophile.

Here is my field kit list of equipment for doing good quality audio podcasting. Some of this I have, some I am saving up to buy:

• Shure PG14/PG185 Wireless Lavalier System on instructor
• Marantz PMD 660 Recorder, run automatic level control on the recorder
• Floor Stand
• Wired Floor Mike (optional wireless mike) like a Shure SM58 Dynamic Handheld Microphone
• Both audio channels going into the two channels on the recorder or into a mixer
• Mix both tracks to mono in post production on the computer using Audacity

technorati tags:podcasting, Marantz, iPod

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August 15, 2006 by jmmblake.

Ads coming to texbooks

Textbook prices are soaring into the hundreds of dollars, but in some courses this fall, students won’t pay a dime. The catch: Their textbooks will have ads for companies including FedEx Kinko’s and Pura Vida coffee.

If this means Kinko’s or Pura Vida are coming to the country– bring them on.

Here are some of the advantages of working for FedEx Kinko’s:

• Proven track record of success
• On-going employment, education and advancement opportunities in a multitude of locations
• Competitive incentive programs
• Excellent benefits and 401(k) plan
• Friendly working atmosphere
• Active nationwide recruitment network
• An innovative, dynamic and visionary spirit

technorati tags:textbooks, k-12, news

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August 12, 2006 by jmmblake.

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August 2, 2006 by jmmblake.

How many stories like this could an elected official ignore before his voters would remove him from office? Here is another “Wikialiaty” — ‘the Internet is full of evil, so let’s block it.’ Ironically, enough folks believe it, so it must be true. Right? Wes Fryer mentioned in his recent podcast that the current version of DOPA that was passed in the US House and is now in the Senate Trade committee, has a stipulation that Blogging is allowable in schools if the project is approved by a teacher. Fryer interviewed Jonathan and Michelle Moore about the role of Moodle in schools. This is a very good podcast and one I will listen to again. I wonder if how many schools will allow Blogging or Moodle at all if any Federal Laws are passed banning blogs like in the article below. I think educators that are trying to use Blogs in their classroom will find that there will be a “throwing out the bathwater with the baby” of all social software in the majority of school districts if DOPA is passed into Federal Law. School Boards are not going to stick their necks out for a few early adopters for technology. It ain’t going to happen. If DOPA passes, watch, teachers will not use blogs and Moodle and anything that could get them in trouble. Teachers go by the rules. They will not invest the energy to learn how to effectively include blogging strategies in their instruction. I am sorry if I sound negative, it is just reality speaking here. Educators should not fold your cards on this issue. What will be blocked next? Should schools even have Internet access? Do we really even need computers to teach reading, (w)riting, and (A)rithmatic? Where will it stop? We all know teachers that would be just happy as a clam if they took all the computers in the school out tomorrow anyway. No it is not just the “old farts”, I know beginning teachers too that never to check their email and never take their students to the lab or ask for the laptops, because it is too much trouble. The issue is out of my hands. Just interesting to follow and observe which way the politicians go with it.