Google Sky, Moon, and Mars

Exploring Google products for lifelong learners is like being the kid in the candy store...so many choices but not as bad on the teeth or the sugar levels.

Google Sky, Moon, and Mars are just a few more cool tools in the long list of Google products and labs. So whether it is family night for space exploration, a scout meeting for backyard astronomy, or classes that are using the Internet instead of an outdated textbook, or a local group just exploring and sharing knowledge...go ahead point, click, and explore. You might have fun while learning something new.

Google Sky - http://www.google.com/sky/
From the infrared view of the sky from the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) to the microwave sky from NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP and the historical view of the sky as drawn by Giovanni Maria Cassini (printed in 1792) showing the constellations in their classical form from the collections of David Rumsey.

Google Moon - http://www.google.com/moon/
Four different types of data in Google Moon:
Visible - A mosaic of images taken by the Clementine missions. This is a black-and-white version of what you would see if you were in orbit around the moon. This composite imagery was prepared by the USGS.

Elevation - A lunar terrain map generated by the USGS in conjunction with the Unified Lunar Control Network 2005, and shaded using an airbrushed shaded relief map.

Apollo - A collection of placemarks that tell the story of the Apollo missions that landed on the moon. This includes stories, quotes, images, panoramas, audio clips, and links to videos of the astronauts' adventures on the lunar surface.

Charts - A collection of geological and topographic charts of various regions of the moon.

Google Mars - http://www.google.com/mars/

Three different types of data in Google Mars:

Elevation - A shaded relief map, generated with data from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) on NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft.

Visible - A mosaic of images taken by the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) on NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. MOC is like the digital camera you have at home. Basically, this is what your eyes would see if you were in orbit around Mars.

Infrared - A mosaic of infrared images taken by the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) on NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft. Warmer areas appear brighter, and colder areas are darker. Clouds and dust in the atmosphere are transparent in the infrared, making this the sharpest global map of Mars that has ever been made.

Another favorite blog...

Another favorite blog I keep up to date with is the Cool Cat Teacher Blog. While I do not know Vicki Davis personally, I mentioned her blog during a job interview with the GA Department of Education. We were discussing the variety of technology and I mentioned that I wish every school could have a Cool Cat Teacher blogger, my preference would be to have one in every grade in every school. She is a committed blogger and self described "teacher, entrepreneur, edublogger, conference presenter, freelance writer, an avid reader, and a technology "geek".

From Vicki's post (http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/) on 6/23/08 of sites that caught her eye: The 23 things is a fascinating way to teach teachers about these tools. Great resource for professional developers to look at. Check out http://k12learning20.wikispaces.com/23Things

From the K12 Learning 2.0: Tools for 21st Century Teaching & Learning "23 Things" wiki, "This self-guided online learning adventure is designed to provide classroom teachers and other school personnel with an introductory "What's out there?" exploration of some common tools and concepts related to Web 2.0"

I conducted some computer workshops at the local library using some of the "23 Things" in this self-guided online learning adventure. Check out 23 Things: http://k12learning20.wikispaces.com/

If you have never visited Vicki Davis' Cool Cat Teacher blog, check out her blog and the links to the many supplemental projects she has created or participates in: http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/

A little more research into the beginnings of "the 23 Things" took me to The Learning 2.0 (http://plcmcl2-about.blogspot.com/) program which was designed by Helene Blowers, PLCMC (Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County)Technology Director, with the support and assistance of several staff and is loosely based upon Stephen Abram's article, 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year (Information Outlook - Feb 2006) and the website 43Things.

The design of this online program was completely built on Web 2.0 technologies that are freely available on the Internet. These sites include: Blogger, Flickr, Odeo, YouTube, PBWiki & Bloglines.

From Learning 2.0 comes Learning 2.1 with more "Things" as the adventure continues in a Master List of items number 24 - 60 with Wikis, Facebook, Ning, Plaxo, Google Groups and many others: http://explorediscoverplay.blogspot.com/2007/02/adventure-continues.html

Great sites whether you are new to online tools or an old school computer geek that needs to verify a skill set. Have fun and enjoy the online learning process.

How do you know? Which one?

This question comes up quite a bit when discussing which tools are right for students, certain groups, or curious individuals.

How do you respond? I refer them to Jane Hart's blog or the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies site where the Directory of Learning Tools (2300+) and the Top 100 Learning Tools. I encourage everyone to explore what works for them and what doesn't. This is one of the many advantages of online learning, find what works for you and the perspective audience. Better yet continue to learn and pick a tool a day or week and just try out a tool, read comments from others, and post your own comments and questions.

So whether you are a student, a budget strapped organization, or a curious individual visit the Directory of Learning Tools index ( http://c4lpt.co.uk/Directory/ ) and enjoy a site that provides an index consisting of a variety of learning tools, free and not so free, and where you can make a recommendation of a tool if it is not listed.

Nothing like a brick and mortar registration...

There is nothing like a brick and mortar registration...to make one appreciate an online school. While I am excited for my daughter to experience her first brick and mortar college...and I am even trying to talk my mother in returning to college and take advantage of the free courses for senior citizens, I can honestly say I will never attend a residential college again. My mother attended this event with us and told my daughter of the long lines we stood in as I was registering for my first college experience at UoF 20+ years ago. I appreciate the opportunity to complete some of the tasks online before attending the residential orientation.

I like having choices and options. I prefer the option to finish a course within four to twelve weeks depending on my work and volunteer schedule. I prefer to produce products used in the online learning environment, incorporate rubrics, and interact with others in an online environment.

I have thrived in the online educational environment and can only imagine where I would be today had virtual schools existed when I was younger. I love reading the blogs of teachers who incorporate technology, the educational technologists that are bridging the digital divide, and the students of today who can share their work and interact with other students growing up digital. I can only imagine the places they will go with technology tools that our generation can only imagine will exist.

Wii Fit

Wii Fit - Gotta love the gadget generation. While the articles are posted about the benefits of Wii Fit for seniors and our wounded warriors, but very few articles about the Wii Fit helping our students. How great would be to have a PE/PT class where the students had fun and moved. If the Wii Fit is good enough for our wounded warriors and senior citizens for physical therapy and social interaction, then incorporating the Wii Fit where our students are supports the mind body spirit interaction.

I live in the sandwich generation. Caring for a parent and a child and living in a true technical digital divide but the Wii Fit allows us to sweat, compete, keep track of our progress and enjoy a few laughs.

I support Wii Fit activities for all age groups, regardless of the institution being public or private. I can see more participation from the students and do away with those failing grades when a student refuses to "dress out." Does anyone have those horrible memories of unfashionable gym suits?

My mother and I tend to knock out our workouts in the morning and participate in at least one activity from the Yoga (great stretching exercises even if yoga isn't your thing), strength training, aerobics, and balance games. The activities bring attention to breathing and balance (or lack of) to the participant's attention. The side effect definitely incorporates "Laughter is the best medicine." My daughter does some activities with us...when she is the winner or in 1st place. She does other activities when no one is watching. But it is the same way in a gym and for many middle and high school students who are not comfortable in "dressing out" for gym class.

Another opportunity to incorporate technology into the classroom and counteract the inactivity of everyone who grew up playing outside until the street lights came on.

Is anyone incorporating the Wii Fit for students? Share your links, pictures, and stories.

One week until Freshman orientation

One week until Freshman orientation for my child. Like her high school graduation, I am probably more excited about my daughter beginning her second college experience. Her first experience was with Lead America (http://www.lead-america.org) at George Washington University in the CSI Program. She experienced dorm life with other high school students and she knew when she was coming home. I like that students today have options from attending computer programming camps, fitness camps, and pre-college opportunities.

This one is a little different. Her first day of school is her 18th birthday. The college is a local 4 year college, she will use the HOPE Scholarship, and she will meet a diverse group of adult learners in a very different format from high school.

I am glad she has options. She is still considering the Air Force and of course there are the multiple apprenticeships, internships, cooperatives, fellowships, grants, and scholarships available through eScholar, OPM's student site (http://www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.asp). The Air Force is still another option but so is an internship with Google, MoMA, Publix, Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, opportunities with the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps...so many options and no requirement to pick a career and stick with it for 20+ years for a pocket watch and a send off dinner.

While we are preparing her for her journey, I just completed my fourth course with multiple reading, researching, and writing assignments. I am enjoying a 2 week break before starting on a class titled, "The Connected Classroom - Curriculum and Technology". I love the courses where we develop products in support of online courses. I will keep up with the blog since the homework assignments and job interviews are on a two week hiatus.