This Should Make You Sit up and Take Notice

This video is the updated version of the famous “Shift Happens”.  It helps one to get a better perspective on just how the mobile communications world is changing our world.  We can get on the bus or get left behind.

A Leap Year Day Mission

This is such a wonderful idea and it actually comes from one of my former students!  Elizabeth Kay, a radio personality on WMYX 99.1, was my fifth grade student.  She has come up with the idea of using this extra day in 2012 to do something for others.  Listen to her request and consider helping her out.  I did!  Way to go Elizabeth!!!!!

Women Were into Computers Long Ago

Just learned about this film from DePaul University’s College of Digital Media.  It looks like a very interesting film.  Might be worth checking to see if it’s on NetFlix.
 

Top Secret Rosies Trailer from LeAnn Erickson on Vimeo.

Lent Begins

As I was thinking about Ash Wednesday and Lent in general, I came across this video from a group called Busted Halo that I think really does a good job of reminding us of what Lent is really all about.

New Learnings

I just finished an entire day workshop that showed us many different things we can do with technology in the classroom.  This one, called Voki is kind of fun because you can actually create a character and then tell it what to say.  It’s a great way to give kids, and others, a presence on a website without actually revealing their identity.  Click on the beagle and listen carefully. If you like it, why not go to voki.com and sign up for your free account.  Have fun playing.

Wonderland Express

This was a holiday exhibit at the Chicago Botanical Gardens.  It was absolutely gorgeous and simply amazing that everything you see here, with the exception of the trains, is made from completely natural materials.  There is no plastic, metal or cardboard used in this recreation of the city of Chicago as well as the suburbs.  Enjoy the show and maybe next year you can make it in person.  Happy New Year to all of my loyal readers.

This flash photo slideshow gallery was created with PhotoSnack in a couple of minutes.

How would the Christmas Story Unfold Today?

This is actually quite clever.  Enjoy it.

Asian Unity 2011

On Sunday, I attended a very beautiful event at the Cousins Center in Milwaukee.  As you probably already know, it was World Mission Day, but I bet you may not have known it was also Asian Unity Day in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  The day was celebrated with a wonderful Mass in which we experienced many of the languages of Asia, from Malyalam to Taglog.  Many attendees wore the dress of their native land which added to the pageantry of the occasion.  Then we moved to the auditorium where we were treated to a sampling of cultural dances.  I created the short movie below to give you an idea of what we experienced there.  The afternoon finished with all of us being invited to the cafeteria for a wonderful sampling of the foods of several Asian countries.  All in all the day was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and I walked away with a great amount of hope for our world.  If people from many different countries, languages and cultures can come together to share our one faith, maybe somehow we can find a way to do this as God’s people no matter who we are or where we come from.

Pancake Breakfast

Each year our community holds a Fall fundraiser which involves a pancake breakfast, crafts, bakery, silent auction, raffle, imports and chapel tours.  It takes a great deal of people to make this event a success and I am very proud to report that once again, the students of Messmer High School pitched in and offered their service.  These young men and women were fantastic.  They really “tear down” any negative stereotypes that one may hold about urban youth today.  They worked hard and did everything that was asked of them with great happiness and respect.  I just wanted to share this slide show I created to let everyone see how wonderful this year’s event was.

Let’s Help Change the World

eduTecher.net is a 100% free resource for teachers, students, and parents.  I take great pride in the fact that the site is ad-free and promotes good-will towards educators and scholars.  Change the World is a way to promote small change in order to make a difference.  Between NOW and November 24th, I will be donating a penny on the behalf of unique visitors to www.eduTecher.net.  It is “small change”, but can add up!  The idea is simple and it is one that I hope will become contagious in our schools and with our students as well.  Little things matter and we can work together to make a difference and promote positive change.  Click on the link below to help make a difference in the lives of our children.  Thank you.