Wednesday, September 25, 2013

I LOVE Pinterest

When I first heard of Pinterest, I thought it was a complete waste of time. I couldn't imagine spending hours look at random pictures and "pinning" ones that I liked. Friends and colleagues of mine were on it all the time and I just could not understand the allure. It wasn't until a trip to the nail salon that I really began to appreciate all that Pinterest has to offer. When I couldn't decide what design to get, she puled up her Pinterest account and showed me some of the designs she had pinned. I was in utter amazement. So many designs to choose from! After that, prior to each nail appointment I scoured Pinterest for the design that I was going to get. Then one faithful day, I decided to search school counseling activities since I was planning something for my groups. I could not believe the information that popped up. I have seen an abundance of awesome stuff on Pinterest. The ideas are not limited to school counseling but also education in general. They have stuff on almost every subject including Star Wars Humor! There is something for everyone regardless of what you teach or what groups you hold.

An idea of how you could use Pinterest with your students is to have them create a board related to a specific topic and pin pictures that go with it. For instance if you are doing an activity with your students about strengths they see in themselves, you could have them create a board with pictures that represent their strengths. If you are having students do a project about WWII, you can have them compile pictures about that. This could be used as an alternate to the magazine collage.

So my plee to you today is don't discount Pinterest. While I am not the most avid pinner and am very selective in the items that I choose to pin, I have found things I would never have done had I not entered the Pinterest world. Here is the link to my most favorite board http://www.pinterest.com/scccorner/. And here is mine if you want to check out what I have http://www.pinterest.com/deedralr/. So take some time and check out the fabulous world of Pinterest!

Monday, August 12, 2013

wix.com

Are you ready for a resource that just anyone will find beneficial! It is wix.com! This is one of my most favorite websites. Where else can you make your own website. Yes, you can actually make your very own website on wix.com and it is FREE! That last word just caught your attention right?



I am working on a couple websites right now. I have completely revamped the school counseling website at the school I am working at. Check it out. http://schoolcounselors.wix.com/dunbarhs (I still have a few pages to finish up but it is live). I am also working on an interactive resume so that I can showcase my various talents. And finally, I am debating whether I want to do some website designing on the side for a little extra cash, so I have been playing around with a simple website to advertise those services if I ever decide to go forward with that little moneymaking hobby.

This can be used in the education world in a variety of ways with students. One activity that I plan to have my students do is create a resume for scholarships on wix. Students can create an online portfolio of projects completed in class. For instance, we offer a class called Intro to Information Technology. I can see students creating a portfolio of all projects they do in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. This would also be a great site for a science fair project, posting research, methodology, and results. Rather than having students complete a research paper, you can have them create a research site. The ideas are endless.

So wix is pretty simple to use.  You can choose between html5 or flash. What is the difference between those two you may ask? The basic difference is how "interactive" the webpage is. The html5 tends to be more of your typical websites. This is the type of site that I used for my school counseling webpage. The flash is "flashier". I am using the flash for my interactive resume. Just make sure that whatever template you use is the one you want because once you starting editing it you can't change the template.

The great thing is, wix has a youtube channel with LOTS of tutorials to choose from, so if you get lost and are not sure how to move forward, just check out this http://www.youtube.com/user/wixmypage webpage :)


Saturday, July 20, 2013

Self-Esteem Resources for Girls

After a break for the summer I am finally back. As I was researching different resources for small groups that I could do for the new school year, I came across this jewel of a website. Many of you may know that Dove has the campaign for beauty. What you may not know is that it has a TON of resources for girls of all ages. This website is perfect not only for school counselors, but teachers, and parents. Check this website out it gives options for all age groups and is customizable for your purpose. http://www.dove.us/social-mission/self-esteem-toolkit-and-resources/

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Screencast-o-matic.com

Do you want to make your own YouTube videos? With this website, it makes it super easy and it’s FREE. Well with this program you can do that, plus more. You can use whatever presentation software that you want with this program whether you choose powerpoint, prezi, or smartboard notebook. You can also create demonstrations on how to use different technology so example if you wanted to show how to create a master slide in powerpoint, you can easily record this. If you want to show how to use a particular website, you can record that too. And if you have a web camera, you can put your face on the screen as well.

Teachers! If you have an especially difficult lesson that you want to post on your website, you can use this tool to record your lesson on something like SMART Board. You can also have students create their own videos on ANY subject matter. This would make a GREAT project for any subject. I am planning to use it in the future to show how to use some websites that I love and instructions on how to sign up for classes on Florida Virtual School so that I can post it on my school counseling website.

Screencast-o-matic is easy to use. My suggestion is to have a script ready before you begin recording and know what you want to show. Have students submit a script and an outline of visuals they will show.
Try it out and see if you like it. Better yet, have your students try out this website with your next project.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Test Anxiety


Next week begins our dreaded testing season. Standardized testing is not what it was like when I was a kid. We just had a one test and that one test was not a big deal. The tests didn’t determine if we would be held back. It didn’t govern what reading class we went in. It didn’t even decide if we would graduate. Testing now has become a monster. Not only does FCAT and EOC testing effect students in all of the above ways, it also impacts educators since pay is now being tied to testing. While testing can be debated for hours upon hours, the fact is, high stakes standardized testing is here and rearing its ugly head. In the high school level standardize testing for us starts next week and continues until May 17th. That is 6 weeks of testing between the FCAT and all the EOC’s! Students will be effected by testing in some form or fashion.


This week, make it a point to help prepare your students for these tests mentally. With the stakes so high, students will often have varying levels of test anxiety. Whether you are a teacher, school counselor, administrator, or a parent you can help lessen the anxiety level of the students at your school.

The following is a link to an article dealing with test anxiety and what each person can do help students relax and just do their best. http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/cms/lib3/GA01000373/Centricity/Domain/3152/test%20anxiety.pdf

Here is what I am doing with some of the students in my high school, this can be adapted to all grade levels.

I will have a prezi (see below) with general tests tips, I will go over some relaxation strategies if they get anxious during testing, and I will brainstorm strategies with students to prevent test anxiety in the first place. Each student will have a handout of tips and an anxiety lightening rod (you can use any tactile object that can be stored in a pocket; anything that is soothing. I am using a pipe cleaner :) ).



This is an interesting article on stress and test performance.  
http://news.yahoo.com/just-explain-it--students---stress-140418857.html

Friday, March 29, 2013

Hello My Name is Deedra and I am an Introvert


Anyone that knows me well knows that I am the quintessential introvert. In my classes, I am extremely reserved and feel anxious if asked to speak in class. This does not mean that I do not know the material. It also does not mean that I am being rebellious in my refusal to answer questions or in my short responses.  Because of being an introvert, I feel that most of the time my professors see my lack of answering as a deficiency of knowledge or inattentiveness with the material being presented. This is far from the truth. Most of the time, I whisper the answers to a more vocal classmate or write the answer down on a piece of paper.   

A few weeks ago at work I was in a faculty meeting. During this meeting a well-meaning administrator asked me a question in front of the entire staff. While I could go into detail on the subject matter if asked one-on-one, I froze and could not say anything.  


This picture says it all…


Needless to say, I felt like an idiot after the meeting.

Thanks to Facebook here are a few myths that you should know about Introverts.

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.

So, why do I bring it up… Often we work with gifted introverts that like me, find it difficult to communicate verbally in class. Use these tips when working with introverts in your life and in the classroom.

How to Care for Introverts
·         Respect their need for privacy.
·         Never embarrass them in public.
·         Let them observe first in new situations.
·         Give them time to think. Don’t demand instant answers.
·         Don’t interrupt them.
·         Give them advanced notice of expected changes in their lives.
·         Give then 15 minutes warning to finish whatever they are doing before calling them to dinner or moving on to the next activity.
·         Reprimand them privately.
·         Teach them new skills privately rather than in public.
·         Enable them to find one best friend who has similar interests and abilities; encourage this relationship even if the friend moves.
·         Do not push them to make lots of friends.
·         Respect their introversion. Don’t try to remake them into extroverts.
(Retyped from a picture on Facebook)

Here is an article about why introverts shouldn't be forced to talk in class. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/02/12/why-introverts-shouldnt-be-forced-to-talk-in-class/

Remember: Each person is different. You can’t treat everybody exactly the same, each person cannot be fit in the same box.


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Prezi & Simplebooklets

WOW! It has been way too long since I last posted. IT IS SPRING BREAK for me!!!! While I would love to be spending my time in the Florida sun, the weather has not cooperated with this plan so instead I am using Spring Break as an opportunity to catch up on my blogging.
Here are two great resources that you can use in your classroom or office.
How many of you have ever given a project and asked your students to make a PowerPoint Presentation? While I SUPER LOVE PowerPoint, sometimes it does get a little boring seeing the same old same old all the time. That is why I love Prezi.com.
I love the way that Prezi zooms in and out. Here is a Prezi I recently created for a presentation in my Advanced Counseling Methods class on the subject of Family Systems Theory.

http://prezi.com/2hec9_qtlfbs/family-systems/?kw=view-2hec9_qtlfbs&rc=ref-23143655. Overall, prezi is pretty simple to use though it does take sometime to get used to all the different tools and options. As with any good Powerpoint presentation, it is best to have a idea of what you want to include on your prezi before you begin to create it.
Here is youtube video that shows the basics of prezi.


Another tool that can be used is simplebooklet.com. It is a virual flip book. This can be used to have students design their own childrens' book, explain how photosynthesis takes place, a brochure on a recently read book, basically anything that you would ask your students to do on a PowerPoint. Educators can sign up for an account upgrade for $10 a year which allows a teacher 30 student accounts and a separate gallery to view student produced work that is also ad free. This is not necessary since each simplebooklet can be shared. I would suggest having student send you the url and keep track of them in a excel spreadsheet. Like prezi, the tools can be a little tricky to get used to especially when you are accustomed to using Microsoft based programs.
Here is another tutorial that you can watch that will help you get started with simplebooklets.