K12 Online Echo: Jane Ross

 Jane Ross joined us for a lively conversation around her K12 Online 2009 presentation, Living History - Authentic Learning Empowered By Digital Technology. She eloquently discussed the impact of personal relationships on her students' learning. The project was driven by the pedagogy but was infused with technology.

Chat Log

2010-04-27 19:16:34 [Message] bob  : hi
2010-04-27 19:16:39 [Message] bob  : anyone here?
2010-04-27 19:58:22 [Message] matt montagne  : hi jane
2010-04-27 19:59:47 [Message] Peggy George  : Welcome Jane!! We're so excited to have you with us tonight!
2010-04-27 20:01:38 [Message] Jane Ross  : Hello, glad to be here
2010-04-27 20:01:52 [Message] Peggy George  : Here we go!!
2010-04-27 20:02:21 [Message] Peggy George  : I'm hoping we'll have more people join us in the chat, but if not I'm sure they will pick up the recording!
2010-04-27 20:02:27 [Message] Peggy George  : Welcome Jim! Great to see you!
2010-04-27 20:02:58 [Message] matt montagne  : welcome Jim!!!
2010-04-27 20:03:06 [Message] Peggy George  : It's already tomorrow for Jane! 7:00am where she is :-)
2010-04-27 20:03:49 [Message] Peggy George  : her presentation is excellent and so motivating! Can't wait to share it with all of you!
2010-04-27 20:05:13 [Message] Peggy George  : such a fabulous way to get their information! primary sources!!
2010-04-27 20:06:12 [Message] Peggy George  : wonderful reminder about how flat our world really is with Susan's family story!
2010-04-27 20:06:44 [Message] Peggy George  : let us know if you have any problem hearing the video
2010-04-27 20:08:27 [Message] Jane Ross  : It was great for the kids to be able to ask questions about Indonesia to Ms Elizabeth.
2010-04-27 20:08:38 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : I love the variety of resources you used
2010-04-27 20:08:50 [Message] Peggy George  : these were such powerful learning experiences for the kids!!
2010-04-27 20:09:04 [Message] Peggy George  : truly authentic!!
2010-04-27 20:09:05 [Message] wfryer  : Greetings everyone
2010-04-27 20:09:08 [Message] matt montagne  : hey wes!!!
2010-04-27 20:09:11 [Message] Jane Ross  : We are very lucky to have such a tech rich environment at our school.
2010-04-27 20:09:11 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : Hi Wes
2010-04-27 20:09:15 [Message] Peggy George  : hi Wes! so glad you could join us!
2010-04-27 20:09:23 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : Are most of the teachers Indonesian?
2010-04-27 20:09:24 [Message] matt montagne  : I know there is a future of ed talk going on right now as well
2010-04-27 20:09:25 [Message] wfryer  : so excited to hear from you and your students tonight, Jane!
2010-04-27 20:09:50 [Message] wfryer  : hi matt, peggy and susan!
2010-04-27 20:10:04 [Message] Jane Ross  : Yes 3/4 are Indonesian - the rest are expat. We have 20 different nationalities at our school.
2010-04-27 20:10:08 [Message] Peggy George  : you have a 1:1 environment but I'd love to hear you talk about how this might be done in a classroom without 1:1 (after the video) :-)
2010-04-27 20:10:27 [Message] Peggy George  : your students are so smart!!
2010-04-27 20:10:37 [Message] Jane Ross  : Sure - my last school was one computer PER classroom :)
2010-04-27 20:10:46 [Message] Peggy George  : excellent!
2010-04-27 20:10:57 [Message] wfryer  : this kind of conversation about learning, verbalizing learning- is so important!
2010-04-27 20:11:15 [Message] wfryer  : wow, 20 different nationalities!
2010-04-27 20:11:31 [Message] wfryer  : how long have you all been 1:1, Jane?
2010-04-27 20:11:32 [Message] Peggy George  : look at how they collaborate!! all hands on the keyboard :-) what fun!!
2010-04-27 20:11:40 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : The power of stories
2010-04-27 20:12:03 [Message] wfryer  : I love your demeanor in this video, Jane. It is REALLY like a "fireside chat" as you share with us
2010-04-27 20:12:11 [Message] matt montagne  : I'm looking forward to our school's move to 1:1 this coming year...
2010-04-27 20:12:17 [Message] Jane Ross  : It surprising even to me how much discussion happens in a 1:1 environment.
2010-04-27 20:12:24 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : My in-laws all spoke Malay
2010-04-27 20:12:43 [Message] Jane Ross  : I love Axel - great kids
2010-04-27 20:12:45 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : I love the way the kids are problem-solvers
2010-04-27 20:12:57 [Message] Jane Ross  : Yes - they are
2010-04-27 20:12:58 [Message] matt montagne  : that is an interesting observation Jane... I like to see 2-3 students lumped around a computer talking, even when they all have their own personal computer...
2010-04-27 20:13:09 [Message] matt montagne  : to me the use of a computer is very much a social experience
2010-04-27 20:13:17 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : They have such confidence
2010-04-27 20:13:20 [Message] wfryer  : YES! talking with eyewitnesses to history, and becoming "digital witnesses" as learners. I love it!
2010-04-27 20:13:34 [Message] Jane Ross  : Yes, you should see my You Tube channel - lots of examples
2010-04-27 20:13:50 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : What is the address?
2010-04-27 20:14:06 [Message] Jane Ross  : http://www.youtube.com/user/swatechnology
2010-04-27 20:14:39 [Message] Peggy George  : This is Jane's blog--incredible resources! http://1to1inpractice.blogspot.com/
2010-04-27 20:15:04 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : My father-in-law, mother-in-law and their son were all in separate camps during the war
2010-04-27 20:15:18 [Message] Jane Ross  : Ena is from Serbia
2010-04-27 20:15:26 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : I love the confidence of these students
2010-04-27 20:15:28 [Message] Peggy George  : you can't help but get excited about the project when you listen to the kids!!
2010-04-27 20:15:48 [Message] Jane Ross  : 1:1 is so different
2010-04-27 20:16:11 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : Story connects people to real events
2010-04-27 20:16:11 [Message] wfryer  : Susan, do you have any recorded interviews with any of your family members who were in the camps?
2010-04-27 20:16:14 [Message] Jane Ross  : That is Axel's brother
2010-04-27 20:16:22 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : no - unfortunately not
2010-04-27 20:16:29 [Message] Jane Ross  : I had Axel last year and Darrel this year
2010-04-27 20:16:36 [Message] wfryer  : I just watched "Letters from Iwo Jima" last night. It was so different from all other WWII theme movies I've ever seen.
2010-04-27 20:16:45 [Message] matt montagne  : cool that the kids are so open and comfortable talking about how they use facebook for collaborative productivity
2010-04-27 20:16:46 [Message] Jane Ross  : They are true digital natives
2010-04-27 20:16:59 [Message] Peggy George  : http://blip.tv/file/2914127 This is the original of the video presentation we're watching if you'd like to view it later.
2010-04-27 20:16:59 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : I love the way she responded - took a real interest
2010-04-27 20:17:04 [Message] wfryer  : Jane: what kind of a camera did you use to do these interviews?
2010-04-27 20:17:22 [Message] Jane Ross  : Just a Sanyo Xacti
2010-04-27 20:17:37 [Message] Jane Ross  : The output is MP4
2010-04-27 20:17:40 [Message] Peggy George  : and your students used Skype to connect?
2010-04-27 20:17:46 [Message] wfryer  : http://1to1inpractice.blogspot.com/2009/11/support-documents-for-k12-onl...
2010-04-27 20:17:55 [Message] wfryer  : those are the supporting links for Jane's preso for k12online
2010-04-27 20:18:00 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : A real reason to get interested in artifacts
2010-04-27 20:18:02 [Message] Jane Ross  : No - Elizabeth doesn't cope beyond email
2010-04-27 20:18:12 [Message] Peggy George  : :-)
2010-04-27 20:18:14 [Message] Jane Ross  : She is 84
2010-04-27 20:18:26 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : and Facebook - I loved that the kids became her friends on Facebook
2010-04-27 20:18:37 [Message] Peggy George  : I've been following an amazing lady from the UK on Twitter who is 84. :-)
2010-04-27 20:18:40 [Message] Jane Ross  : We convinced her to make a FB
2010-04-27 20:18:42 [Message] wfryer  : Is that a flash-based camera?
2010-04-27 20:18:51 [Message] Peggy George  : that is wonderful Jane!!
2010-04-27 20:18:58 [Message] Jane Ross  : Xacti has a memory card
2010-04-27 20:19:04 [Message] matt montagne  : xacti's are flash based
2010-04-27 20:19:24 [Message] Jane Ross  : It is only one here that outputs directly in an Apple friendly format
2010-04-27 20:19:48 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : Learn on a need-to-know basis
2010-04-27 20:19:55 [Message] Jane Ross  : I am a risk taker - I couldn't use Sketchup very well at all
2010-04-27 20:19:56 [Message] Peggy George  : Google sketchup is such a wonderful tool!!
2010-04-27 20:20:01 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : I loved this kid
2010-04-27 20:20:19 [Message] Jane Ross  : Adel is a budding child author
2010-04-27 20:20:23 [Message] Peggy George  : how great!! figured it out through experiments and mistakes :-)
2010-04-27 20:20:32 [Message] wfryer  : that is great, I'm glad to know about it!
2010-04-27 20:20:41 [Message] Jane Ross  : She is an anchor on the school radio
2010-04-27 20:20:55 [Message] wfryer  : Where did you get inspiration for using Google Sketchup for this project, Jane?
2010-04-27 20:20:58 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : Everything flows naturally from the topic and the need to explain it
2010-04-27 20:21:04 [Message] Peggy George  : oh tell us more about the school radio later :-)
2010-04-27 20:21:34 [Message] Jane Ross  : I read online that you can make a virtual art gallery and so I thought - why not make a virtual museum
2010-04-27 20:21:46 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : What a great idea
2010-04-27 20:21:47 [Message] wfryer  : I love this idea for sharing field trip experiences via a sketchup photo gallery!
2010-04-27 20:22:00 [Message] Peggy George  : so creative!!
2010-04-27 20:22:11 [Message] Jane Ross  : I wanted to do something more than the typical recount writing
2010-04-27 20:22:21 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : The teachers just thought they couldn't possibly do it so how could a kid
2010-04-27 20:22:30 [Message] wfryer  : This presentation is  exemplary for many reasons, but a big one is how you wove so many student voices throughout it, Jane :-)
2010-04-27 20:22:33 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : So tre
2010-04-27 20:22:36 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : true
2010-04-27 20:22:40 [Message] matt montagne  : hello nkhosla!
2010-04-27 20:22:44 [Message] Jane Ross  : Exactly - there were 80 teachers that these kids presented to
2010-04-27 20:22:59 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : They are so articulate
2010-04-27 20:23:08 [Message] Peggy George  : they are such great models for all of us! her comment reminds me of the comment Adora Svitak made in her TED Talk about listening to kids. :-)
2010-04-27 20:23:08 [Message] nkhosla  : Hello
2010-04-27 20:23:16 [Message] Jane Ross  : Thank you. English is their second language
2010-04-27 20:23:28 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : Welcome hkhosla
2010-04-27 20:23:30 [Message] wfryer  : @nkhosia hello from Oklahoma, USA :-)
2010-04-27 20:23:57 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : I love using VoiceThread for reflection
2010-04-27 20:23:57 [Message] Peggy George  : these students are such independent learners that they barely need a teacher
2010-04-27 20:24:02 [Message] wfryer  : "I thought I was a thinker during that activity, because I thought of most of the questions." Love that student comment
2010-04-27 20:24:11 [Message] Jane Ross  : Very PYP
2010-04-27 20:24:21 [Message] wfryer  : "I was an inquirer because I asked a lot of questions about the artifacts." Great meta-cognition there.
2010-04-27 20:24:31 [Message] Jane Ross  : The kids call me Mrs T - aka Mrs Technology
2010-04-27 20:25:10 [Message] Peggy George  : amazing!! Ms Elizabeth has a website :-) very impressive
2010-04-27 20:25:17 [Message] Peggy George  : great name Jane!!
2010-04-27 20:25:25 [Message] Jane Ross  : Hugo is a wonderful partner teacher - so ready for new tech
2010-04-27 20:25:28 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : Mrs T maybe but Mrs P (pedagogy) definitely!
2010-04-27 20:25:40 [Message] Jane Ross  : Ha ha :)
2010-04-27 20:25:45 [Message] wfryer  : What is the title of that voicethread the kids were showing, Jane? Do you have the link? I didn't see it on your supporting documents page.
2010-04-27 20:25:55 [Message] Peggy George  : you packed so much into your presentation Jane!! incredible stories!!
2010-04-27 20:26:17 [Message] Jane Ross  : Thanks - I'll look for the link. It's on Adel's blog.
2010-04-27 20:26:17 [Message] wfryer  : When did you become an ADE, Jane?
2010-04-27 20:26:24 [Message] wfryer  : ok great
2010-04-27 20:26:29 [Message] Jane Ross  : I became an ADE in 2008
2010-04-27 20:26:50 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : Was it based on some of this work or other things?
2010-04-27 20:26:50 [Message] wfryer  : Was this shared at an ADE event?
2010-04-27 20:27:17 [Message] wfryer  : ah, the answer is there-- "a crowded shopping mall"
2010-04-27 20:27:40 [Message] Peggy George  : yes :-)
2010-04-27 20:27:53 [Message] Jane Ross  : Yes - the kids were brilliant - I was nervous - they weren't
2010-04-27 20:28:12 [Message] Peggy George  : they seem so completely comfortable with all of their different roles
2010-04-27 20:28:16 [Message] Jane Ross  : I applied for ADE and got chosen
2010-04-27 20:28:28 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : Throughout this presentation (in and out of school) they are confident and well-spoken
2010-04-27 20:28:41 [Message] Jane Ross  : We have learned that the student voice is so powerful.
2010-04-27 20:28:58 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : You have given them avenues to share
2010-04-27 20:29:08 [Message] Peggy George  : look at all of the tools they used!!! wow!
2010-04-27 20:29:37 [Message] Jane Ross  : http://swaadelle.blogspot.com/ Adel's blog which has that Voicethread
2010-04-27 20:29:53 [Message] Peggy George  : great example of making learning a personal experience!! they will always remember this!
2010-04-27 20:30:00 [Message] Peggy George  : thanks Jane!!
2010-04-27 20:30:14 [Message] wfryer  : yes, thanks so much! clap - clap - clap
2010-04-27 20:30:29 [Message] wfryer  : great, thanks for that link
2010-04-27 20:30:31 [Message] Peggy George  : I'm eager to view that voicethread :-)
2010-04-27 20:31:05 [Message] Peggy George  : this is really interesting about the open policy at her school
2010-04-27 20:31:26 [Message] matt montagne  : a 'facebook lounge' of sorts
2010-04-27 20:31:42 [Message] Peggy George  : the voice of reason!!! they are using them at home anyway :-)
2010-04-27 20:32:50 [Message] wfryer  : technology at home: parents are either too busy or don't understand it
2010-04-27 20:33:05 [Message] Peggy George  : her kids could definitely help to bridge that gap :-)
2010-04-27 20:34:25 [Message] Peggy George  : I'd love to hear more about the student radio show
2010-04-27 20:34:40 [Message] wfryer  : wow, 3 months into 1:1!
2010-04-27 20:35:04 [Message] Peggy George  : hard to believe they took to it so quickly!!
2010-04-27 20:35:26 [Message] Peggy George  : sounds like they just needed the tools and they were ready to put them to use!
2010-04-27 20:36:50 [Message] Peggy George  : wonderful!!
2010-04-27 20:37:10 [Message] Peggy George  : do the kids prepare scripts for their show?
2010-04-27 20:37:34 [Message] wfryer  : "giving students a safe place to play online first" (before their radio show
2010-04-27 20:38:44 [Message] Peggy George  : do you also provide tech training/help for parents?
2010-04-27 20:39:19 [Message] Peggy George  : they definitely understand the "language" of reflection!
2010-04-27 20:40:05 [Message] wfryer  : I love sketchup too! But I know so little - a great vessel for creativity tho
2010-04-27 20:40:46 [Message] Peggy George  : incredible!!
2010-04-27 20:40:56 [Message] Peggy George  : the kids just get it
2010-04-27 20:41:25 [Message] Peggy George  : as her student said... they just need to respect us!!
2010-04-27 20:42:01 [Message] wfryer  : such a GREAT example of so many things here. Jane, is your background with PYP at the root of much of this?
2010-04-27 20:42:21 [Message] wfryer  : "let's play first" - so important for creativity
2010-04-27 20:42:37 [Message] Peggy George  : it sounds like the technology is completely integrated in the school--no separate teaching in a computer lab or separate environment
2010-04-27 20:42:58 [Message] Peggy George  : what's a typical day like for you Jane?
2010-04-27 20:43:01 [Message] wfryer  : Who is Adel?
2010-04-27 20:43:23 [Message] wfryer  : Is your focus and your school's focus on PYP the main reason for your pedagogical approach?
2010-04-27 20:44:10 [Message] Peggy George  : doesn't sound like she has a "free slot" :-)
2010-04-27 20:44:43 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : I lost sound
2010-04-27 20:44:53 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : anyone else?
2010-04-27 20:45:24 [Message] wfryer  : I've still got sound
2010-04-27 20:45:38 [Message] wfryer  : oops, just stopped
2010-04-27 20:45:40 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : My Skype has hung - could somone else ask questions
2010-04-27 20:45:45 [Message] Jane Ross  : Adel is the girl who made the museum
2010-04-27 20:45:55 [Message] wfryer  : Jane you may still be in the call
2010-04-27 20:45:55 [Message] Peggy George  : sorry we lost Susan in the Skype call
2010-04-27 20:46:05 [Message] Jane Ross  : I'm still in the call
2010-04-27 20:46:05 [Message] wfryer  : you are there ok Jane
2010-04-27 20:46:17 [Message] wfryer  : Jane, can you tell us a bit about PYP?
2010-04-27 20:46:18 [Message] Peggy George  : go ahead Jane
2010-04-27 20:46:23 [Message] Susan van Gelder  : Peggy can you ask the questions
2010-04-27 20:46:28 [Message] Peggy George  : yes we can hear you
2010-04-27 20:46:37 [Message] wfryer  : yes we can hear you Jane!
2010-04-27 20:47:35 [Message] wfryer  : great, thanks
2010-04-27 20:47:42 [Message] Peggy George  : hooray!! Susan is back
2010-04-27 20:47:47 [Message] wfryer  : yeah!
2010-04-27 20:48:27 [Message] Peggy George  : Wes would like to know "who is Adel?"
2010-04-27 20:48:39 [Message] wfryer  : What have been the most important things you've done, Jane, to cultivate that classroom culture where students feel empowered to be creative - AND to help their peers?
2010-04-27 20:48:58 [Message] wfryer  : @Peggy - Jane answered it - Adel was the girl who made the museum
2010-04-27 20:49:17 [Message] Peggy George  : how do schools subscribe to the newsletter? via RSS or email?
2010-04-27 20:49:56 [Message] Peggy George  : great response!! show students how you learn
2010-04-27 20:50:16 [Message] wfryer  : yes - being willing to fail and sharing that you're a learner too! awesome
2010-04-27 20:50:22 [Message] matt montagne  : social learning
2010-04-27 20:50:56 [Message] wfryer  : kids seem to be much better at clicking and making mistakes" -
2010-04-27 20:51:17 [Message] matt montagne  : Fire Ready Aim
2010-04-27 20:51:52 [Message] Peggy George  : even the adults struggle with defining their own learning--very interesting watching this in the edufutures class with George Siemens and Dave Cormier--no prescribed curriculum or right way to learn
2010-04-27 20:53:03 [Message] Peggy George  : learning purpose :-)
2010-04-27 20:53:30 [Message] Peggy George  : it may start with "play" but results in learning outcomes!
2010-04-27 20:53:59 [Message] Peggy George  : that museum definitely evokes "suspension of disbelief"
2010-04-27 20:55:07 [Message] Peggy George  : amazing!!! chicken life cycles using comic life!!
2010-04-27 20:55:12 [Message] Peggy George  : 3 year olds!!!
2010-04-27 20:55:12 [Message] wfryer  : well you are certainly able to do an AMAZING job helping students and teachers with technology!
2010-04-27 20:55:48 [Message] wfryer  : you SO inspire me to want to be working in a 1:1 Apple environment... with the PYP foundation you all have!
2010-04-27 20:56:09 [Message] Peggy George  : I am SO glad you submitted a presentation to the K12 Online Conference, Jane!! You are such an inspiration!!
2010-04-27 20:56:28 [Message] wfryer  : you share such a compelling vision of what learning CAN be like, Jane. Gosh I wish more of our Oklahoma classroom teachers could see this and learn from you!
2010-04-27 20:57:21 [Message] Peggy George  : me too Wes!!
2010-04-27 20:57:30 [Message] wfryer  : "the total solution"
2010-04-27 20:57:34 [Message] Peggy George  : This has been a fantastic conversation with Jane!
2010-04-27 20:57:38 [Message] wfryer  : yes!
2010-04-27 20:58:35 [Message] Peggy George  : I hope everyone will be able to join us for our next Echo on May 11, 8:00pm EDT with Brian Crosby about video conferencing.
2010-04-27 20:59:10 [Message] Peggy George  : what a great point!! people forget about the human element and focus on the technology
2010-04-27 20:59:12 [Message] wfryer  : I will really work on getting our organizational aspects going, to do more advertisting / marketing for the next echo
2010-04-27 20:59:18 [Message] wfryer  : THANKS so much Susan!!!
2010-04-27 20:59:18 [Message] Peggy George  : thank you so much Jane!!
2010-04-27 20:59:22 [Message] wfryer  : and Jane!!!
2010-04-27 20:59:40 [Message] Peggy George  : watch for the recording to be posted on EdTechTalk.com
2010-04-27 20:59:47 [Message] wfryer  : Yeah Matt!!!!
2010-04-27 20:59:48 [Message] mrdinhk  : just missed you Jane, will catch on download if possible
2010-04-27 20:59:50 [Message] Peggy George  : Thanks a lot Matt for streaming this!!!
2010-04-27 21:00:11 [Message] wfryer  : @mrkinhk yes please do!
2010-04-27 21:00:13 [Message] Peggy George  : May 11
2010-04-27 21:00:13 [Message] Jane Ross  : Thanks everyone - this was so exciting for me to be a part of :)
2010-04-27 21:00:20 [Message] wfryer  : May 11
2010-04-27 21:00:37 [Message] Peggy George  : Brian's presentation is excellent!!
2010-04-27 21:00:50 [Message] Peggy George  : thank you Susan for doing these Echo webcasts!
2010-04-27 21:01:02 [Message] Peggy George  : bye everyone!
2010-04-27 21:01:09 [Message] wfryer  : bye all!