Tag: School’s out Friday

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School’s out Friday

I love this University Professor’s Halloween joke with his class, and I agree with the comment appearing under this video on YouTube,

“…if every teacher was like you there will be better students. Continue like that, maybe that will inspire other teacher’s. And im sure students also learn better with fun.”

I think humour plays such an important part in teaching. Sure, we’ve all got important messages and information to impart to our students, but sharing a laugh and teaching them how important this ingredient is to a healthy life should be part of that too. I shared plenty of laughs with our Year 7 students this week as they worked on their inquiry project. Together, we tackled the joys of using technology as we converted files and sought out ways to fix problems we were encountering. Laughing along the way, and not getting disgruntled as we hit roadblocks, made the learning so much more enjoyable.

I had to laugh to myself when I sent out a tweet asking for help about a filetype I was attempting to convert. Alec Couras replied informing me that a WMPL file was a project file and not a rendered movie file. There lay the solution to our problem, and there I was looking foolish on Twitter! I figure you just have to accept that no question is a dumb question, so I dutifully thanked Alec for his help. What’s truly wonderful about this is that I could have tried sorting that issue for a lengthy period of time, but instead, I went to my network for help. It came within a minute or two from Canada. As Alec pointed out after I’d thanked him,

So there you have it, republicans, reason to retain the monarchy!!

I’m the subject of John Larkin’s Friday Follow interview this week. If you feel so inclined, take a visit to John’s site and see what I have to say about social media and education. I’d like to thank John for inviting me to participate. He is one of the gentleman on Twitter. Someone I’ve never met face to face, but whose online demeanor makes me feel like we would get on.

I don’t have much planned for the weekend ahead, but I’m figuring that’s a good thing. Just happy right now to go where the flow takes me.

Enjoy whatever comes your way.  : )

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School’s out Friday

Those of you who are die hard Harry Potter fans will be champing at the bit waiting for July 15th to unveil the final installment of the saga. Judging by this trailer, it’ll be a tad more steeped in action than the first part of the final installment that was released last year.

And just when we thought we could put the whole Harry Potter saga behind us, then what should JK Rowling do? None other than tease all those die hard fans with this!


Hmmmnnn… just what is JK Rowling up to? I have to say, reading the final pages of the saga made me think we were definitely going to see more of Harry Potter, only this time I’m figuring it will focus on one of his children rather than Harry. Here’s what appears at the bottom of the Pottermore webpage;

Harry Potter and Pottermore Publishing Rights © J.K. Rowling

Of course, the fan pages and blogs are abuzz with the news. Apparently JK Rowling will make an announcement 5 days from now, enlightening us all as to what is in store. Expect to see it reach the headlines! Embedded within the Pottermore webpage is a link to a hidden video from JK Rowling with a countdown clock and a message saying, “The owls are gathering… Find out why soon

It’s all very intriguing. Can’t wait to see what it’s all about.

Try and contain your excitement and enjoy the weekend ahead. I’m definitely going to make a go of doing so. ; )

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School’s out Friday

Here’s improveverywhere’s lastest mission, The Mute Button. 23 actors and 2 dogs assembled to go ‘mute’ at coordinated intervals in Brooklyn’s Battery park. This mission was filmed to support the Guggenheim Museum’s Stillspotting exhibition. Stillspotting is a response to the pace of life in New York City.

“The ever-present cacophony of traffic, construction, and commerce; the struggle for mental and physical space; and the anxious need for constant communication in person or via technology are relentless assaults on the senses. One wonders how locals and visitors can escape, find respite, and make peace with their space in this “city that never sleeps.” “

The Guggenheim Museum takes their Stillspotting exhibitions out to the five burroughs of NYC, to places where they identify a need for ‘stillspots’. I’d never heard of this idea until now, but it makes sense to do something like this in New York. Having spent just a week there, you do notice the ‘always on’ pace of life. I would love to live in New York for a period of time at some stage in my life, but I do wonder if I would get to a stage where I craved for a quieter existence.

I’m craving a good night’s sleep and a decent lie in right now. Thank goodness it’s a long weekend here in Australia. Three wonderful work free days ahead. With any luck, I’ll get some time to devote to the HTML and CSS course that I am failing miserably at right now. If not, it might be time to graciously admit defeat!

If a long weekend awaits you, enjoy. If it’s a regular weekend for you, enjoy that too. They’re always good. : )

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School’s out Friday

I’ve seen some Facebook in real life videos before, but this one tickles my funny bone. (Excuse some of the language within it – I try to steer away from videos that contain course language, but a couple of words are contained within this one). It makes you think a bit, doesn’t it? Why are some people comfortable sharing some pretty personal details with an audience of hundreds (sometimes thousands or more!) in an online space like Facebook, but baulk at the idea of revealing any details to people in face to face settings? Interesting facet of human nature, and no doubt one we’ll be analysing more as we see social media become mainstream.

I had a lovely day today at Ringwood Secondary College. They hosted the Vitta Mobile Technologies conference, and it was an opportunity to catch up with Clare Rafferty, Tania Sheko, Jo McLeay, Jenny Ashby and John Pearce. I even got to meet Roland Gesthuizen for the first time, although I’ve ‘known’ him on twitter for quite some time. Lots of talk today about iPads and their use as 1:1 devices, something I’m not sure that I’m sold on. I think that should form the basis of a blog post, given the feedback generated through twitter when I posted that thought this morning.

Time to trundle off to long awaited sleep now. I’m finding the weekends are just too short at the moment. No sooner has it been Friday night and then I find myself confronted with Monday morning!

I hope your weekend lasts an age. Whatever you’re doing, enjoy it.

(And just to make sure you do, take a read of this post, written by a woman who worked in palliative care situations. I bet it makes you think.)

 

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School’s out Friday

Does this remind you of anyone? You, maybe? Those of us who tweet regularly, update our status on facebook, those of us who blog? Once again, improveverywhere have made me smile, and plenty of others in that audience too by the looks of things.

BUT, not everyone agrees with the mirth and merriment. This video was posted on the TED site this week, and the comment thread accompanying it shows that some TEDsters are unhappy that something so ‘light’ could be put up as being worthy of inclusion. Take this comment as an example,

Between the video on how to tie your shoes and now this improv anywhere video that is reminiscent of something that would recommended to me on youtube, I’m a little bit disappointed in the videos that have been posted recently. It’s not that theres nothing to learn from these videos; one could make the case that the shoe tying video shows the importance of reexamining things we’re sure of or that this video shows the value of play and spontaneity, but I think those would be a far stretch. I guess over the years I’ve become accustomed to a TED that challenges me and expands my view of the world, not panders to me.

Really TEDsters? Lighten up. Not everything needs to be serious. In fact, sometimes taking the mickey out of ourselves provides insight into the way we conduct our lives.

Anyway, my need to share brings me to this. Last week was House Music day at my school, and I was mightily impressed with the small group music items. The winning group posted their effort on YouTube, and like a proud mother, I just have to share the talents of the students at my school with you all. So, take it away Cerutty Mads 2011, singing Love You by Free Design.

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Have a great weekend. Enjoy : )

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School’s out Friday

This very clever marriage proposal has gone viral on YouTube, and for good reason. It appeals to the romantics in all of us, and I bet there are quite a few people out there who are thinking back to their own marriage proposals and figuring they pale in comparison to what this clever young guy thought up for his beloved. (Clue for you all – replace the words ‘I bet there are quite a few people out there’ with ‘Jenny’ and you’ll know I’m referring to me!!)

Finally, the lurgy is leaving me and I think I’m returning to normalcy. What I need is 12 solid hours of rest and I think I’ll finally get over the sickness of the last week and a half! I better not relapse, because our School Library is in for a big week of author visits and an official launch next week and I need to be on deck.

Hope the weekend ahead is full of good times for you all. Enjoy. : )

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School’s out Friday

I first saw this video awhile ago on Chris Betcher’s blog. I’ve never been able to locate it on YouTube and was happy when a colleague sent me the link yesterday and said, “You will love this”. I do too.

I know there are thousands upon thousands of people out there with a deep attachment to the printed book, but I’m not one of them. I do have a deep attachment to attaining information, and I really don’t mind if that information comes from a printed book or a website. And despite what Nicholas Carr might say, I love the fact that a website can pull me in so many different directions and lead me to something I hadn’t even realised I might be interested in. So when I see these kids with their mockumentary take on the book, I’m with them all the way.

I’ve been laid up this week with a viral malady that robbed me of my voice yesterday. That, combined with some hideously awful weather here in Melbourne, have made for a grim week of sorts. I’m looking forward to reinstated vocal chords and some cheery sunshine in the coming days. Hopefully they’ll both be here sooner rather than later. Right now, I’m listening to some serious hail pelting down on our roof, so it’s not looking all that promising!

Hope your weekend treats you well. Enjoy whatever comes your way. : )

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School’s out Friday

I spent $540.00 on these revolutionary new products this afternoon. I sure hope someone picks them up off the shelves to make that expenditure worthwhile!

Another ‘hold my eyes open with toothpicks’ Friday night here after a long and busy week. It’s my long desired hope to share with you this weekend what has been keeping me occupied all of this school year. Hopefully I’ll have the energy to get that post written.

Mother’s Day this weekend in Australia. I’ll be cooking my own Sunday morning breakfast I expect as my husband’s work has deemed it necessary that he attend functions interstate. Good planning gone into that one! If you’re a Mum, Happy Mother’s Day to you. Hope you’re well and truly pampered.

Enjoy your weekend. : )

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School’s out Friday

How could School’s out Friday be anything else but Kate and William sharing a kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace! What a great wedding. Two people who seem to genuinely love one another- such a refreshing change from the wedding of William’s mother and father.

And just for a bit of fun, here’s the T Mobile version of the Royal nuptials. You know, given the opportunity, I think Wills and Harry would have been up for a bit of fun like this.

Crack open the champers and raise a toast! Have a great weekend. : )

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School’s out Friday

Hello, I Like You from Mixtape Club on Vimeo.

This film was made by Mixtape club, and according to them, it’s an artistic espresso conveying happiness. I’ll leave it up to you to decide if they’ve succeeded.

Easter holidays for most of us. That time of the year where chocolate abounds. I’m determined to not let the abundance of chocolate haunt me past Sunday. Well, maybe it will until Tuesday. But after that, no more!!

Hope you’re Easter break treats you well. Enjoy, within limits!