Fwd: Secretary Clinton Launches the Virtual Student Foreign Service Initiative

     I recently signed up to receive e-mails from the White House Blog.  I really like the way President Obama is utilizing technology to keep people informed and to get people involved.  The program below sounds like a very interesting program.  Feel free to read more about it.  As a sidebar, I am posting this via email rather than actually going to the blog and posting.  Blogger now has a wonderful feature that allows you to post entries from email and from texts.  Check it out some time!
 

 

Secretary Clinton launched a new initiative today to allow for a rising generation of citizen diplomats to conduct digital diplomacy.

Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) Internships, announced by Secretary Clinton at the 2009 New York University commencement speech, are part of a growing effort by the State Department to harness technology and a commitment to global service among young people to facilitate new forms of diplomatic engagement. The VSFS Internships will be developed over the next year and will seek to harness the energy of a rising generation of citizen diplomats.

Working from college and university campuses in the United States, American students will partner with our embassies abroad to conduct digital diplomacy that reflects the realities of our networked world. By combining the talents of young people across America and the right technology, we can forge the solutions that our century demands.

Sign up to receive more information and updates on Virtual Student Foreign Service Internships.

Join the Virtual Student Foreign Service Facebook community.
 

 

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Why Google Apps for Education?

A Field Trip Suggestion

     Well, I finally got my wish on Tuesday.  I took my class to the Mac Store for a field trip.  Now, this is not the make-up store I am talking about.  Being the techie that I am, I was surprised when one fellow teacher wondered why I was taking the kids to a make-up store.  Many other teachers had no idea of where it was that I was going.  When I explained where it was that I was going, I got the normal "only you Mrs. Cowan" since I am such a techie geek.

     Anyway, we spent 2 hours in the store and the kids had a marvelous time.  They spent an hour creating a video using Photobooth and IMovie.  Their videos amazed me to say the least.  They spent the remaining hour checking out the IPhones, IPod Touch, and IPods.  They were asking me about the apps, programs, and much more.  The kids (and adults) really had a good time.  We then walked to McDonald's for lunch.  It was a really nice day.

     So, the next time you are trying to figure out a field trip, may I suggest the Mac Store.  Check this site out for more information. 

Glogster

Glogster

       I have recently found a site that is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME to say the least.  It is called Glogster.  I believe it was even featured in a recent InTech newsletter.  It is WONDERFUL!  I can't rave enough about this program.  I have just begun to plot its uses in the classroom.  It is a resource that I will definitely use this year and in coming years to inspire students, promote technology and integrate a variety of subject areas.

     Now I know some of you are wondering what Glogster is.  Well, I will let Glogster tell you what it is.  Listed below is Glogster's own description of their site.

A web 2.0 platform that easily allows users to upload photos, videos, text, audio and more to create a unique online, interactive poster.

A new and creative digital outlet for educators to help keep students ENGAGED and make learning more fun!

A simple and easy interface designed to introduce basic concepts to students.

A series of teamwork mechanisms to allow users to publish and share their creations and to collaborate with other users on joint efforts.

A secure, private, safe platform that can be monitored directly by teachers.

A valuable learning tool that can be integrated with several core subjects including math, science, history, technology, art, photography, music and more.

A tool that fosters advancement of skills as students progress through grade levels.

A virtual, digital, educational platform that transcends age, gender, background, subject matter, grade level, school type, location, etc.  

(Courtesy of http:www.glogster.com/edu)

     In other words, it is a FREE resource that will let you teach the students by integrating all subjects and using technology.  You can register for an educational account at Glogster.  Once you have an account of your own, you are eligible for 200 student accounts.   

     Initially, I will be using Glogster to have the students write "How To's."  I also plan on using Glogster for report writing and responses to literature this year.  I will also do "Getting to Know You" activities next year using Glogster.  As I come up with more uses and examples, I will be sharing them here.  In the meantime, check out some of the links and video below for even more information.

Sample Glogsters:

Environmental Heroes

Room B-7

International Children's Digital Library

     Well, I was recently saddened by an email from one of my favorite sites, Lookybook.  To my dismay, I discovered they had shut down.  For those of you unfamiliar with Lookybook, it was an awesome sight that allowed you to read some picture books on-line.  It even allowed you to post a book to your blog if you wanted to share it with the class.  

     Unfortunately, like all good things, it had to come to an end.  Then I checked my email today and discovered my mother-in-law had sent me this wonderful site.  It is called The International Children's Digital Library.  It is a free site that allows you to read a wide range of books in many different languages.  You can look up fairy tales in Spanish, folk tales in German, and much more.  It is awesome!  I have not explored it much but I plan on checking it out.  Let me know what you think.

GarageBand

     I found this podcast I made with my students several years ago and thought I would share.  It was a report on the red panda.  Feel free to take a moment to listen to it.  It took minutes to make using GarageBand.

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