Use of This Blog

Although my Web 2.0 class is about to end, I am likely to continue blogging (and using Web 2.0 tools) in the future. This blog may cease to exist if I don't get feedback. However, our faculty has created a ning and hopefully it will grow and be seen as a valuable resource in the future.

SMARTBOARD recorder example

I am taking a Web 2.0 class and some people have mentioned using the SMARTBOARD Recorder tool to create a type of screencast. I tried to upload it to our class forum area on Moodle, but it looks like it may have been too large. I tried to upload it here, but it was too large still.

So, now it is uploaded to my area on YouTube. My username on YouTube is
mathteacher24. I hope to upload 19 more videos like this one and also to post them on teachertube.

The URL to the video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po9P25Nh14w

Enjoy!

another national board certification blog

Although my blog isn't viewed by many people yet, I found one that has a few more comments. It is at http://exponentialcurve.blogspot.com/2007/05/national-board-certification.html I have just posted a comment there and it is pending approval.

Documented Accomplishments Entry

One of the four portfolio entries for National Board Certification is called Documented Accomplishments. In this accomplishment a candidate needs to show how they impact student learning in their roles as learner, leader/collaborator and partner with families and community. When I go for renewal of my certification (the certificate is only valid for 10 years), I'll need to show my continued involvement in these 3 areas.

While doing some work for a Web 2.0 class, I have thought of a way I might do this. Last summer I created 20 screencasts using my smartboard to show the soltions to 20 different review problems. Now I am thinking that these could be used to reach a larger audience. As a result of this course I am planning on uploading the 20 screencasts to YouTube, Teacher Tube and School Tube. Comments that users (teachers and students) leave about the usefulness of the videos would be documentation that my work is impacting student learning. (Note: Prior to this course I had not heard of School Tube. Because alot of schools block YouTube, posting my videos to School Tube and Teacher Tube might be better options for reaching an in-school audience.) Plus to "advertise" these screencasts, I could contact some colleagues at The Math Forum and have my screencasts be listed in their weekly email newsletter which reaches thousands of math teachers.

Why I Chose to Go Through the Process

Why would anyone spend close to $2000 of their own money to spend about 200-300 hours completing the process of National Board Certification? There are many times I asked myself this as I reviewed videos and samples of student work. I suppose there are two main reasons. First, I was going to be evaluated by practicing classroom math teachers and not by a high school principal who hadn't done high school math in over 20 years. The view of other math teachers about my math teaching matters to me. Second, the standards for the Adolescent and Young Adulthood certificate described me. They helped me to focus on what is important in teaching mathematics - the students as well as the content and pedagogy. In the end, National Board Certification kept me in the classroom and made me believe I was an effective teacher.

The process is not for everyone. If you have questions for me so you can determine if the process is for you, post them here. I'd be happy to answer them.

What this Blog is about...

Greetings! My name is Leigh Nataro. I became a National Board Certified teacher in Adolescence and Young Adulthood (AYA) Mathematics in 2005. The purpose of this blog is to provide teachers with support. I went through the process without any other teachers and would have enjoyed being in a support group. I don't claim to know all of the answers to all questions, but will do my best to answer them. If you don't know anything about National Board Certification, I would recommend that you start by going to the National Board website.