The IPEVO Document Camera at $69.00!!

On any normal day in my classroom, I'm using my computer, projector and document camera. My students are using my 2 computers in the classroom in addition to an older Mac and a Netbook that I also keep in the room. But honestly, on a daily basis, due to all the writing we do, and all the modeling I do with my students, I'd be lost without my document camera. For a few years now, our district has used and supported document cameras in upwards of $500 each. They also require splitters and changing the input constantly in order to get the image to project. If the light isn't just right, even with the added bulb, the projected image is grainy.

In full disclosure, I want to tell you that I often get offers to try out new products if I will do a write up on my blog in exchange. Most times I ignore the offers, sometimes I consider them, but this is the first time I agreed, after a few back and forth emails with me asking, "What's the catch?" Over the summer, Pauline Peng, a representative from IPEVO, Inc. offered me an IPEVO document camera for free to keep and try out. She asked me to provide her some feedback and blog about it if I liked it, but said she understood if I did not have time. Either way, she wanted me to try it out. This struck me as sincere. I also checked out the document camera online and it looked interesting.

After it arrived, it was ironic that my classroom document camera's lens broke. So, out came that IPEVO from it's very small box. I liked how the only connection was via USB to the computer and truly the best part was the clarity of the images. I zoomed onto my finger and you could see my fingerprints. The camera transmits directly to my computer, just like any USB camera; no splitters, no power cords, no changing inputs. If your computer is hooked to a projector, then so will your image be projected.

You can zoom and flip easily so the camera can be placed where ever is most comfortable for you. I love the auto-focus option that's perfect for moving objects. Great way to spotlight students in the class!

I can see this being perfect for science experiment demonstrations, any dangerous demonstrations or where supplies are limited. This really would be perfect for not only classrooms but conference presentations where you are traveling, need a document camera and have very limited space.

At $69.00, I would highly recommend these!

100 Episodes Strong!

Today PalmBreezeCAFE celebrated its 100th episode. It was great fun in the studio today as we did our regular thing with some great websites and had a special segment with a video montage of some funny moments from our past few seasons. We're very proud of how far we've come since our first show in 2005. As soon as the segments are posted, I'll embed the segment from the montage but in the meantime, I invite you all to add a congratulatory message to our 100th episode Voicethread. There's so many people involved in creating the show and knowing there are even a few of you watching makes it all worthwhile. Thanks!

I'm Not Who You Think I Am

This post is in response to a few conversations that have been weighing on my mind lately. Recently an article was written in ISTE's magazine Learning and Leading that accuses Will Richardson of chastising parents and teachers for not having the correct vision for demanding change in their and their childrens' classrooms. In that same article, one of my blogposts from the end of last school year is quoted along with comments from the same post, where I explain many of the struggles I experienced trying to incorporate the very things I've been preaching (and continue to preach) for years. The premise of the ISTE article is that what so many edubloggers are preaching are not really viable in the "real world." I don't necessarily agree with that and Will says he was taken out of context, however there's a more recent post of his where he refers to Alec Couros' experience at his daughter's Back To School night. Alec Tweeted his observations and was unhappy with the arrangement of the desks, the fact that the teacher said they'll need to learn the rules this year, and lots more. Lots of people in the EduTwitterverse rallied around Alec in support. What we, as parents and teachers, tend to forget is that even a great teacher may not be a great speaker. That terrific teacher might be really good in the classroom with your kindergartner (despite the rows) but maybe isn't so good at explaining herself at Open House. Maybe she's also very nervous and is telling the parents what she thinks they are most interested in. Lisa Parisi Tweeted back to Alec that instead of being upset, why not ask "why?" after all, she says that her desks are in rows too.

Read Will's post AND the comments because reading it all made me realize this about myself: I suck!

I must be a fraud. I'm not who you think I am!

People in the edublogger community who once thought I was a great teacher would be appalled if they came into my room! Why?

1. I also have rules about sharpening pencils. Have you ever had 6 students get up to sharpen their pencils while they should be working on something else. While they are sharpening they are horsing around? All the while you are trying to read with a small group of students? Truly, there HAS to be some organization in a classroom. My rule? Sharpen pencils in the morning and afternoon. Otherwise, take one of my golf pencils (you know the short ones with no erasers?)
2. I also thank parents for sending in white board markers and copy paper because I've already spent $800. of my own money this school year alone. Every little bit helps. By the way, I still need sticky notes, if you'd like to send me some. I'll thank you too.
3. I often use the textbook as a guide or [GASP] teach from it, because I HAVE to teach to standards and I have to teach 5 subjects every single day and I don't have time to create a project-based activity for every single lesson.
4. If I had a parent send me "helpful" emails and copy the principal on them, I would find myself watching my words with such a parent more carefully than I would ordinarily like. 
5. If I had a parent who told their child he/she can ignore my homework because the parent felt it was unnecessary.... the child will still be held responsible for the homework.
6. My students have assigned seats. They are allowed to talk when the talk is meaningful and productive. They are not allowed to talk when someone else is speaking to the group. My students are sitting where "I," THE TEACHER, determine each student can do their best work.

And there's lots more rules! Yes, I have rules in my room. Sometimes I even have to invent more based on some things that occur repeatedly. Often times, I can let rules go because I see the students have adapted beautifully. 

And you know what? Despite all these terrible things I do, practically every day I hear from one or more parent that their child is so happy to be in my class. I also hear from former students and parents and administrators and others, but then again, what do they know? 

They're not edubloggers.