From the Archive...
Win a Copy of The Busy Educator's Guide to the World Wide Web!
Marjan Glavac's Busy Educator's Guide
to the World Wide Web has been revised and updated, and Dr. Harry Wong has contributed the foreword. The 2nd edition is available through Amazon.Com or directly from the author at http://www.glavac.com. Teachers.Net will give away a copy in a drawing on January 5 at 6pmE. To enter, e-mail kathleen@teachers.net with "BUSY EDUCATOR GUIDE" (in caps) in the subject line before January 5 at 6pmE.
Featured Chat...
Marjan Glavac (Monday, June 29, 1998)
Kathleen - Marjan, thank
you for being here at Teachers.Net, would you tell us a bit about your
background, training, experience?
Marjan - Hello.
Looks
like we've got an enthusiastic group here! My name is Marjan Glavac, author
of The Busy Educator's
Guide To The World Wide Web. I'm from London Ontario (2 hours east
of Detroit Mi; 2.5 hours west of Niagara Falls) I teach K-8 computers at
Bonaventure Meadows Public School, pop. 750 students http://www.lbe.edu.on.ca/bonavent/welcome.htm
Kathleen - Marjan,
please tell us about some of the recognition you've received for your work
;-0
Marjan - I've received
5 major awards. The latest was a certificate of merit from TVO (PBS equivalent)
Kathleen - Marjan,
when and why did you decide to write the "Busy Educator's Guide to the
WWW"?
Marjan - I've been
on the Internet since 1993. It's a great resource and getting better all
the time. BUT, I still noticed a lot of fellow teachers were having a heck
of a time trying to integrate the Internet into their classes. My students
would waste a lot of time surfing. So, I tried to find a book that incorporated
projects and sites into the curriculum, but all I found were the old ftp,
gopher, wais, veronica commands:-)
Kathleen - So, you
decided to invent the book :-) What did you learn while writing the guide?
Kathleen - Marjan,
would you explain the organization of the book?
Marjan - Kathleen,
what I learned was that the Internet has really really changed a lot in
2 years. A lot of high quality sites (for free) like this one have come
on line.
Marjan - The book
is organized into 6 chapters. The first chapter is designed to get you
online real fast! Other chapters deal with sites that can be used with
grades k-college/university. I really enjoy projects, so I've got one chapter
on the best projects online.
Kathleen - What do
you think the Internet offers students that other tools do not?
Marjan - The sites
are organized by grade and age. Also if the site changes on a daily, weekly
or monthly basis.
Marjan - Kathleen,
its the interactivity. When any of my students can e-mail anyone in the
world for information and receive a reply, that's incredible. As well,
the immediacy of information is incredible!
Kathleen - Marjan,
address the lack of stereotyping point you make in the book
Marjan - Kathleen,
I was teaching special ed when I first got into the Internet. I just noticed
that e-mail levelled the playing field for my special ed kids. They weren't
judged on their looks, but on what they wrote; not on their spelling, but
on their content; not on their race, or gender, but their ideas.
Kathleen - Marjan,
what do you tell the parents of your students to make them feel comfortable
about the kids' use of the WWW in the classroom?
Marjan - Kathleen,
we have an Acceptable Use Policy that goes out every year to parents and
students to sign. I don't hold anything back about the 'Net. I tell them
that it's like a community, with good places and places I wouldn't go to,
just like any big city.
Kathleen - Marjan,
how much and what kind of expertise/experience with the 'net should a teacher
have before taking students there?
Marjan - I've got
a 6 year old and I taught K this year. I really like the travelling buddies
projects. Check out http://mrsburns.simplenet.com
and http://www.gsn.org
for a list of them!
Marjan - Kathleen,
good question. At least with my book (or any good resource) teachers can
structure lessons. A teacher really should be "street wise" when it comes
to the Internet and older students.
Kathleen - Okay,
we'll go to open forum. But please allow Marjan to address one question
at a time :-)
Sandy/Mo - Did you
include a copy of the letter you sent the parents?
Marjan - Sandy, no
I didn't, but I did include a site that carries some great ones http://fromnowon.org
denise/3/nj - What
are your feelings about using a safeety program like nanny?
Mary K&1 - Marjan,
do you recommend the use of filter proxies - net watch dogs - Net Nannies
etc?
Marjan - Thanks Kathleen.
Although I taught keyboarding this year, I'm getting a workout here. This
is great!
Tess - I am finding
many wonderful sites, but it is getting difficult to keep track of what
is where, any suggestions for organizing a site list and managing it?
Steve - Marjan, I
understand that you had a specific physical property that you wanted your
book to have.
Marjan - Mary, personally
I don't. The reason is that we tend to have a false sense of security when
those are used. Kids see it as a challenge and do "crack" them. I really
try to foster a sense of trust and peer pressure. It's tough and I have
suspended a number of kids the first year. This year, none were suspended.
Diane - Try again.
What would you look for in a "good" collaborative project?
Marjan - Tess, that
was the big reason why I wrote the book--to organize all my sites.
Marjan - A good collaborative
project needs a good coordinator or moderator to keep everyone on task.
Newsday does a great job at this. Lists go out to the participants with
the activities that have been completed and activities that need completion
etc.
Mary K&1 - How
can your book be kept up-to-date? Sites change and addresses change so
fast!
Kathy/5/IA - Could
you describe Newsday a little more?
Ginn/Or/4/5 - Marjan
what is the cost of you book? Also many congrats on all the positive comments,
very exciting to go to your web page and read them...
Marjan - Mary, I
do have a newsletter (low frequency) and a web site with updates to keep
it up to date. BUT, it's like Sisiphys!
bobbie/VA - can we
buy your book in a bookstore?
Jo/5/NC - How do
you get around to a whole room of students with one computer and internet
connection?
denise/3/nj - How
do you suggest that I organize my sites, lessons, projects?
Marjan - Newsday
is a great project...it saved me from my worst class in 13 years! It's
an online collaborative newspaper project. Great idea.
Carrie - bobbie/VAI
just bought Marjan's book on the internet at Amazon.com It is a secure
site.
Kathy/5/IA - Does
Newsday have a specific URL...(I have one of THOSE classes coming up next
year)
Sandy/Mo - then Newsdya
is little old for my kinders??
Marjan - Bobbie,
the book is available from the good folks here at www.teachers.net or through
my site at http://www.glavac.com
Bob R/CA - You can
get it in two days from Amazon on-line at this link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0968331009/teachersnet/
Diane - Try again.
What would you look for in a "good" collaborative project?
Bob R/CA - Sorry,
Marjan, get the book from Marjan's site - support self-publishers!!! :o)
Marjan - Carrie,
if you buy the book through teachers.net, they get a % of the book's price.
I really think it's a great idea to support a site like this!
Sandy/Mo - does that
site have anything for kinders??
Marjan - Bob, thanks!!!
But, support some of these great teacher sites as well :-)
Wren - How do you
get started using the net in the classroom? this'll be the first year I've
had access in my classroom and can't wait to incorporate it!
Carrie - Thank you
Marjan for letting me know, I didn't realize that. Sorry teachers.net-
my face is red!
denise/3/nj - Wren
I second that; I am excited to have my first class on line but a little
nervous.
Nonnie/MD - Any good
tech conferences to attend this summer?
Mary K&1 - Marjan,
Is your book written in such a way that it doesn't rely on addresses and
specific sites?
Marjan - Wren, I
had one 286 hooked up to a 14.4 modem and a telephone line. I first started
with e-pals, then I had one of my friends play long distance chess with
a brilliant kid in the class.
Carrie - I have been
also looking for sites that help the children with K skills, like numbers
and letters. Are there any listed in your book?
denise/3/nj - Marjan
it sounds like you have come a long way!!
bobbie/VA - Did you
run across projects for Work and Family Studies (high school level)???
Marjan - Mary, I
really tried hard to pick sites that were solid (like this one, and others).
Out of the 250 sites, only 2-3 have moved! Knock on wood!
Kathleen - Marjan,
you list 25 reasons why every school should have a website, would you mention
a few here (priorities)?
Marjan - Mary, I
also picked projects that have been around for a long time.
Tony B/CA - Greetings
and salutations! Welcom Marjan - thanks for the book! We sure appreciate
your work.
Marjan - Kathleen,
first is to get the word out about your school, what you've done, your
fantastic staff, students, parents. Teachers really have a hard time "blowing
their own horn" but especially here in Ontario (and eleswhere) I think
we really need to stand up for our profession. Tell the world what your're
doing!
Rabb - Marjan--how
difficult is it to set up a site for your school? Is this addressed in
your book?
Sandy/Mo - I have
problems getting some parents to give me permission to use pictures of
their kids how can I explain
Marjan - TonyB--thanks.
I appreciate it. We're a "mom and pop" shop here. Just an elementary teacher
and his spouse giving something back to the Internet and education.
Marjan - Rabb, it
really is simple and complicated at the same time. It all depends how much
you want to do. It's like publishing a book. It sounds so complicated,
but once you get into it, ask questions, get help, it gets done.
Steve - Marjan, how
do you find enough time in the day to do all this Internet stuff?
Marjan - Sandy, that
is tough. I put baby pictures on my site, but no others, especially ones
where the student can be identified. There are well documented horror stories
out there, unfortunately.
Kathleen - Marjan,
talk about the role of 'chat' for students and educators
Marjan - Steve, I've
got one heck of an understanding wife! I also don't eat lunch in the staffroom!
Sandy/K/Calif - Marjan
I have many parents who won't even let me put students work online even
without names or photos. too scared
Kathy/5/IA - Do your
internet projects line up with your curriculum?
Mary K&1 - Good
question, Kathleen! Chat has a bad name in my area!
Marjan - Kathleen,
chat is a tough one for kids. First they need to know how to type fast
and accurately! For teachers, it breaks down the isolation of the four
walls of the classroom.
Marjan - Mary, the
chat I recommend is a monitored one for different grade/age levels at http://www.headbone.com
Try it out first.
Mary K&1 - Marjan,
how do you convince administration and parents that not all chat sites
are bad?
Marjan - Ginn, I'm
glad :-)
Steve - We put pictures
and names on our school web site (with parental permission). But no student
email addresses.
Bonnie - Marjan,
I teach 7th/8th grade language arts. Does your book contain lessons specific
to these grade levels?
Mary K&1 - All
Chat it blocked by BESS, I have to convince the big wigs to get rid of
it!
Marjan - Steve, yeah,
that's a good way of doing it. I wholeheartedly agree.
Karen/Canada - Marjan,
do you involve parent volunteers with your Internet projects?
Ginn/Or/4/5 - MArjan
do you use anything toscreen at your school, like Net Nanny?
Bob R/CA - Marjan,
I've been to your site and I see the pictures of your students. Do you
have any advice for teachers considering to do this, how to keep their
students safe?
Marjan - Bonnie,
that's my area of expertise gr. 6, 7&8 (13 years teaching grade 7).
I focused on this group.
Kathleen - Marjan,
you've been spending some time in the Teachers.Net chatroom, are you hooked?
;-)
sarahw - mary--if
you get BESS kicked out, let me know how you did it!
Marjan - Karen, yes
and no. In my school area, a majority of families don't have computers.
So, there are few parents to help out...but that is changing.
Bonnie - Marjan,
does the book cover AUP's at all (Acceptable Use Policies)?
Marjan - Ginn, we
do have a firewall, but I have "breached" it many many times. It's really
based on a lot of trust and peer reinforcement. It's tought to do, but
so far it's working out.
Marjan - Kathleen,
hate to admit this, but back in 1993, it was chatting by telnet that "hooked"
me on to the Internet. This is very addictive :-)
Ginn/Or/4/5 - May
I ask how much is the book?
Marjan - Bonnie,
no. Go to http://fromnowon.org
and see what's available.
Gumbo - Marjan-------you
recommend that we not post pictures of students?
Kathleen - Marjan,
pleae tell us about your next book :-)
Tony B/CA - IMHO,
we need to respect parents with reservations about posting their children's
faces and names to the Web. I would certainly secure AUP's and image releases
for work, before posting to the site
Marjan - Ginn, $14.95
US $5.00 shipping and handling (19.95 Canadian) I even autograph books
bought from my site :-)
Tony B/CA - in short,
don't post pictures of students without parental permission in writing.
Tony B/CA - my 2
cents...
Ginn/Or/4/5 - I'll
be requesting one, what a BARGAIN price, It sounds like a book worth a
goldmine !
Jimmie/TX - I agree,
Tony. Some of these parents have extremely good reasons behind not wanting
anything posted on the Internet. We can't be too careful.
Marjan - Gumbo, tough
call. You really have to know your community. Personally, I wouldn't. I
can explain privately if you send me an e-mail at: marjan@glavac.com
Beverly - Marjan,
you just sold me-Nothing thrills me like an autographed book!
Bob R/CA - Thanks,
Tony, maybe we should have you in the chaty some day soon? ;o)
Kathleen - It is
a very helpful book,, easy to use.
Marjan - Tony, you
got that right.
Marjan - Beverly,
ahh, gee! Thanks!
Kathleen - Marjan,
another book coming?
Mary K&1 - Tony,
we started out doing that, but found that it really slowed things down.
Now we notify the parents at the beginning of the year that their child's
picture and or first name may be used. If they don't want us to do this,
they are to send us a letter stating so and we keep it on file.
Marjan - Kathleen,
with my spouse overlooking my shoulder, I'm inclined to say...not yet :-)
Bob R/CA - Mary,
is that more or less the standard now? Is it safe to show faces, and first
names?
Kathleen - Blanket
persmission saves time and paperwork, good idea
Bob R/CA - (Marjan,
I noticed your approach was unique - showing infant pictures!)
Kathleen - Marjan,
tell us how you came to use an excerpt of Robert Frost's "road less traveled"
poem in your book's introduction
Marjan - Kathleen,
blanket permission is great, but it won't hold up in Ontario. To really
"cya" inform, inform and inform your parents and administration over what
you're doing.
Mary K&1 - On
our site it is! In fact people just love it! It was and is a big selling
factor for us now. They were shy at first about it, but now welcome it!
Tony B/CA - I wouldn't
recommend that method Mary - permissions may be time-consuming, but I wouldn't
count on that holding water with the parents who would take issue with
the deal. I suppose if you worked this permission statement into a student
handbook that parents read and sign in agreement.....
Marjan - Bob, yeah,
that was one way around the conundrum of the pix.
Steve - Marjan, what
is the best Internet project you have worked with? If a teacher can only
do one, which one would it be?
Marjan - Kathleen,
I first heard that poem in grade 7 and had no idea what it meant. But,
it really symbolizes everything I've done in the past 5 years with the
Internet in the classroom (getting permission, overcoming obstacles and
then just doing it)
Mary K&1 - Tony,
that is how we do it! Just the same for discipline matters. We put the
burden on the parents to notify us. It's all right up front at the beginning
of the year.
Kathleen - Marjan,
please tell us about the web directory disk that you offer for purchase.
Ginn/Or/4/5 - Marjan,
can yu recommend a good place to start with a 4/5 blended intermedaite
class
Tony B/CA - I see,
Mary. Cool - now I get the picture ;)
Marjan - Steve, I'm
biased: Newsday, NewsOntario are two great projects. I also really like
a new one on the scene CyberSurfari http://www.lycos.com/cybersurfari
Probably the best scavenger hunt on the net...great prizes, gets kids (grades
5 ) reading, thinking, solving problems, team work...the whole 9 yards!
Marjan - Ginn,try
the CyberSurfari or a travel buddy project.
Kathleen - Marjan,
what is the 'web directory disk' you offer for sale?
Marjan - Kathleen,
the web directory is available on line or on disk with all the web sites
in PC/Netscape format $3.
Kathleen - Marjan,
what does the disk include?
Tony B/CA - Marjan,
what are the compelling reasons for teachers to use the Web?
Marjan - Kathleen,
the disk includes every site in the book. No need to type the addresses!
Wren - Are Cyber
safari and travel buddies in your book Marjan?
Marjan - Tony, great
question. I think the most compelling reason is to see other points of
view, perspective, ways of doing things...especially for out students who
need to be taught their future not our past.
Marjan - Wren, yes
they are.
Karen/Canada - Marjan,
do you involve parent volunteers in your Internet projects?
Steve - Marjan, where
is the web directory online?
Marjan - Karen, I
do by informing them. I also do a lot of online newspaper articles where
students interview their parents. A lot of parents really fear the Internet,
but that is changing as they see their own children getting comfortable
with the technology.
Kathleen - Marjan,
tell us about how your spouse assisted you with "The Busy Educator's Guide
To The World Wide Web" :-)
Marjan - Steve, almost
missed you--you're the same colour as me. http://www.glavac.com/websites.htm
Hope it helps. Let me know.
Mary K&1 - Getting
parents involved is the best way to break down the wall of fear that new-comers
have from listening to the talk show stuff
Mary K&1 - We
offer night classes to parents! Great success!
Karen/Canada - Thank-you
Marjan. At our school, we have parents who are eager to volunteer to help
out in any way that they can. Since our students do not have their own
email addresses, I have had them assist with sending keypal letters.
Marjan - Kathleen,
Maria, my spouse was the best editor a writer could have!! (she's still
looking over my shoulder). I found that I was only reading 66 lines on
the screen and losing the continuity of the whole book. She read the entire
book at least 5 times, whereas I've only read it twice! She also told me
when to STOP researching and start writing!
Marjan - Mary and
Karen, great suggestions!
Bob R/CA - LOL!!!
You're a lucky man Marjan! :o)
Marjan - Bob, I sure
am. She's also a DOS programmer and taught me everything about modems,
telix and dos, before I even knew what the DOS prompt was!!!
Kathleen - Maria,
I said thank you for your part in the book, but I sent the message to Tony
by mistake! :-/
Marjan - Bob, Maria
wants to know what LOL stands for?
Bob R/CA - Marjan,
did I hear you say you self-published? We have a great deal of teachers
with an interest in that, any advice to them to get started?
Bob R/CA - LOL =
"laughing out loud"
Marjan - Bob, yes.
In fact, a number of them have come up to me and asked. Best advice, read
Dan Poynter's book on Self-Publishing (he's got a great web site with lots
of freebies)
Bob R/CA - Marjan,
do you have his URL?
Marjan - Yes, I do
http://www.parapublishing.com/
Kathleen - Marjan,
now that Teachers.Net is your favorite website for educators, will you
be writing a book about us (after you and your wife enjoy that big vacation
trip she earned?) ;-)
Marjan - Katleen,
contact me privately with a contract and I can sure try:-) The vacation
sounds great...where we going?
Susan S. - I've seen
you on ENO, marjan, and enjoyed all the info. Must get the book for sure!
Mountaineer 4/WV
- Thanks for all the info - Marjan, I think you have sold quite a few more
books this evening!!! :)
Marjan - Susan, thanks!
Bob R/CA - Dan
Poynter's publishing link
Kathleen - Marjan,
when you pick up the "Busy Educator's Guide to the World Wide Web" which
section do you like to turn to?
Marjan - Kathleen,
I've rediscovered sites every time I go into Chapter 3 that I forgot all
about.
Steve - Marjan, I
finally got to website.htm. You should link to it from your main page.
Marjan - Steve, yeah,
you're right. So much to do, so little time.
Bob R/CA - Steve,
what is the full URL?
Kathleen - [Marjan,
just let us know when your fingers are taped out..you've already given
us more than the hour you agreed to, but feel free to stay as long as you
wish!]
Ginn/Or/4/5 - Thank
you very much Marjan . I have found this extremely helpful and am excited
to have the book as a resource. I also signed up for your newsletter updates.
Karen - I've been
the silent Canadian Karen listening in, but I've gained a lot of valuable
information. I also look forward to getting your book. Thank you very much
Marjan!
Kathleen - Good listeners
learn a lot, Karen!
disney cathy - Thank
you ,Marjan,for such an informative night!
Marjan - Ginn, thank
you very much. It's feedback like that, that makes it all worthwhile. Thanks!
Marjan - Karen, thank
you very much. You wouldn't know it, but I'm an introvert and very very
shy. I lurk all the time!
Gumbo - thanks, marjan......look
forward to getting the book!!!
Steve - Bob, http://www.glavac.com/websites.htm
- a huge list of educational links
Ginn/Or/4/5 - MArjan,
do you do any conferences around the states?
Marjan - Hey Gumbo--thanks.
Kathleen - good question,
Ginn
Bob R/CA - thanks
Steve :o)
Marjan - Ginn, I
was all set to do a conference up in Alaska, but State funding fell through.
If you can invite me, I'll sure consider it!!!
Steve - Bye Marjan.
Thanks for being so generous tonight.
Kathleen - Marjan,
did anyone decline being included in the 'Guide"?
Marjan - Steve, My
holidays started today:-) It's really is great talking to all of you.
Kathleen - Marjan,
thank you for giving us your time tonight, and Maria too! Perhaps you will
return?
Wren - Thanks for
the encouragement and ideas! Good night all!
Ginn/Or/4/5 - With
so many schools getting online, maybe our superintendents in the area could
get together and sponsor you. Would you like to come to Oregon? Can you
send us your fees and conferece info to Clatskanie Elementary Sch Attn
Donner 815 Nelahem St. Clatskanie Oregon 97016, I'll pass it on to the
boss
Marjan - Kathleen,
there was one person who refused to give me an endorsement, citing professional/university
duties. One site refused to give me permission for a graphic. Not bad,
eh, out of 250 sites!
Karen - Thank you
too Kathleen, for being a great host.
Kathleen - Marjan,
I'll be seeing you in the Teachers.Net chatroom! Good night and thank you
again!
Marjan - Wren, thanks.
Good night!
Mary K&1 - Marjanm
thanks for sharing with us tonight, it's been very informative.
Bob R/CA - Thanks
Marjan for all your effort with the book and for being here tonight!!!
:o)
Mountaineer 4/WV
- Goodnight all - it's been very interesting!!
Marjan - Ginn, Oregon
would be great!!! Just let me know.
Bob R/CA - (Tony
is off-line but on the phone, and he sends his thanks as well! :o)
Marjan - Kathleen,
thank you, thank you and thank you once again for setting this up. I really
enjoyed it.
Marjan - Mary, Thanks
and goodnight.
Mary K&1 - Thanks
also Kathleen for making this all possible!
Kathleen - Marjan,
our pleasure, now go on that vacation!
Marjan - Kathleen,
thanks.
Kathleen - bye all!
thanks for another wonderful Teachers.Net event!
Marjan - If anyone
wants to contact me, just send an e-mail to: marjan@glavac.com
Transcripts of live chats with Marjan Glavac:
Meet Marjan Glavac 6/29/98
Writing, Self publishing and other Internet Tips 12/11/98
More Classroom Internet Projects 11/13/98
The Internet as an Educational Tool 10/09/98
Internet Projects 9/11/98
Self Publishing Chat with Paul Chika Emekwulu
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