Marwa interview

Check out this link to see a wonderful interview with Marwa Saleh about my visit to Egypt. This interview was conducted by Sarah Dye from IREX and is intended to encourage other teachers to participate in teacher exchange programs. I feel so flattered.

simply click on the title "Marwa interview" or copy the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6JtytXXbNI

Technology Usage

Wow! After making links to my videos and learning yet another new application, I got to thinking. So, I just spent the morning with Chris Bode going over the technology that I have used before, during and after my trip. The list amazed me. The good thing about all of this is that none of this was done just to "show off" technology. We would think about what needed to be accomplished, then determine what avenue was the best way to meet that goal. Chris has taught me so many new skills. Each time, I explain what I want to do, then she will introduce me to the program or tech piece, then show me how to use it; finally she has me use it on my own. I find that I am retaining so much more than if someone just did it for me.

Here is a list of what I have used; those with an * were applications I learned new for this experience.

scribd*
porta-portal*
google docs
tiny.url*
flikr*
blogging
blogging features*
prezi
tag galaxy*
photo story*
windows DVD maker*
vimeo*
word -> PDF conversion
twitter
skype
skype features*
smartboard

Sharing with the community on Cable TV

Click this link to view a 30 minute cable TV feature program in which I provide an overview of my trip to Egypt and explain the technology used to document the experience. The segment is introduced by our district superintendent and was broadcast on the local cable station; it is accessible worldwide via online viewing through the Cable 9 website.

Click here to launch video

Student Response to Culture Assignment

Check out the new links on the right under resources. I have added my senior IB students' responses to the Egyptian book Taxi. They have given a summary of what they learned about the culture by reading the book and also have written their own chapters to show some aspect of American culture. After reading, please let me know what you think by commenting on this post.

culture video

This funny little video was posted on facebook by a friend in Egypt. It very clearly shows how Egyptians look at the world in a different way!

Click here to view video.

class lesson

Today we began the classroom unit utilizing literature from an Egyptian author. For full lesson plan, see links, workshop designed for a US audience. Students were engaged in the reading of the book Taxi and were interested in the plan for the unit. Tomorrow they will read more of the text which includes taxi drivers' views on life in Cairo. I am anxious to see what they can do for the creative aspect. Now that we are reading about life in Egypt, (and our testing is over) the students seem to have more interest in the details of my experience in Egypt. With a small group, it is fun to see where the conversations lead. Today, they were very interested to know what Egyptian students think of Americans and American students. Does anyone have any input on this??