March 28, 2008

A catch up day for sure, but one that is needed. I was able to get a laptop into another teacher's hands. He is a non-CFF teacher, but he has come on board because he had a desire to do so. I like that, and I know that it will work out well. I had a few hardware issues today and spent a lot of classroom time helping students prepare for presentations on Wednesday. I do wish other teachers would avail themselves more of me to come up with ideas, but I do know that it is early in the game. I have a meeting this afternoon to work on next year's grant, and I am glad that the district is again striving to forge ahead. I do believe in this program, and I also know that the seeds are planted. There are some political workings that are occurring concerning some matters, which I cannot and will not elaborate upon. I mention them for my own reasons, mainly to job my mind in the future. I am not a fan of these backdoor maneuverings, and I do not have a play in them. I am sure the outcome will be quite interesting and have ramfications in the future. A hard drive completly fried today in one of the Lenovos; I do wonder about them. Hey, have a great weekend.

March 26,27, 2008

Training has taken the greatest amount of time these two days. It is good with respect that I have learned that something can be broken down to a simpler aspect, with respect to teaching, than before. The training was excellent, but it has put me behind. Tomorrow I will need to catch up with everything. I also have a meeting tomorrow to rewrite the CFF Grant for next year. I am glad that we are placing a high priority on that. It will be a lot of work, but I do feel that the rewards are worth it. I did manage to squeeze some CFF time into the schedule and found out that my log must be up-to-date. I have been procrastinating that, but I sure am glad that I kept notes and kept my blog alive. They have been invaluable to me in many ways. I still cannot believe that I am blogging. It is good.

March 25, 2008

I was in training for almost the entire day yesterday, but I still was able to do some CFF items. I had a meeting after school with the teachers to talk about next year's grant and to go over the software Inspiration. I also talked about the Embedded Learning course. It was a good meeting although few in attendance. The grant took up most of the time, and I found the input invaluable. I will be ready for Friday's meeting. I have been working with Spry, and I find it to be quite good, but there is definitely a learning curve. It will help me in the future. That is about all so I will be back tomorrow. I do have another day of training for the day.

March 24, 2008

After I got the hardware issues solved today, I was able to proceed in working with some classes that are doing projects. I completed the tutorials for the different programs and gave them some introductions on the software. I also worked on the agenda for the CFF meeting after school tomorrow and met with the principal concerning some issues. The hardware issues took most of my time, though. I did have an interesting problem with a Lenovo in that one of the teachers took it home and connected with another network but used the thinkpad software; man, did it play havoc when it was brought back to school. It would not connect with our network. We had to uninstall the thinkpad software and download the driver for the wireless. Quite interest would you not say. We could not solve the problem otherwise. I also helped with a web site using spry. I guess one could say that I learned a lot. Tomorrow is training so I will be indisposed most of the day. Well, I will be back again tomorrow. Adios!

March 20, 2008

I do have to remember to write the blog the day of or the day after because my memory does not last over a three-day weekend, but I am beginning to jog it now. It was mostly a hardware day just putting out fires with my usual panache. My day on Monday is scheduled mostly with the classroom teachers on some strategies. I must prepare for Tuesday's meeting because I will be involved in training for three days next week. I did find out that we are applying for the grant again, and we will see where the winds will scatter my remains with respect to my role applying for the grant as well as my role with next year's implementation. I know we are off to a good start, and I feel it will make a difference. The blogging next week will be limited due to the aforementioned training, but I will be forging ahead. I will be back Monday--check it out!!!!!!!!!!!

March 19, 2008

Already a much better day. The puter is done and working well. It takes time to do it right, but that is what needs to be done. This was mostly a hardware day. I think that I have a teacher Lenovo dying. I am going to have to work on it. Even though I like the hardware end, I will be happy when this gets pretty well done. I have to work on a web site and finish the board presentation. I still like the fact that the CFF teachers are really moving forward on ideas, etc. I have seen everything from interactive movies to a probability game using rendition of Wheel of Fortune. This is great. They are making time in their schedules to learn and try new concepts. They are rethinking past workable ideas and evolving them by using technology to enhance the lesson and engage the learners. I have two meeting tomorrow and five on Monday to go over ideas with teachers and students on material. This is the part I like the best. I will be keeping a compulation file of projects to show people. I feel the best thing to do is to show student work because that is the end product. Well, wish me luck with the board meeting. One never knows the questions, etc., but I feel confident with what I know and believe. I will let all of you loyal readers know tomorrow.........HMMMM that would be I.

March 18, 2008

If one could pick a day when everything goes wrong, this is the day. I could not believe it. The biggest problem was a desktop computer crash--mine. I spent a long time rebuilding it. I finally finished it on the 19th. Those things happen from time to time, and I was mostly responsible for it. It is a good thing that I had all of the files backed, and the rebuild did not take too much time. it is always good to rebuild it, but I like to do it on my terms. I am preparing for a school board presentation tomorrow night, but there is so much in the way of student work that I decided just to talk with them and answer questions. I feel this is the best way to approach this meeting. I do not know how much time I have for a presentation so I decided to do this. I feel that I am ready. I know that I will attend another meeting, and I will have some teacher and student work to show. I am glad that this is over. It was one disaster after another. It is good that I could just laugh and continue. Be back tomorrow.

March 17, 2008

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all--I guess on this day we all have a wee bit of the Irish in us. Today was a day I needed to catch up on a lot of things that I could not get to do last week because of the training. I met with several teachers and got a list of projects that they wanted to do. I also had to do some hardware problems, but this is becoming less and less. I know I keep saying this, but the teachers are really willing to try different things. I hope that this filters down into within all disciplines, but I like the fact they are just willing to do some things differently. I do believe my problem will be trying to fit all of them into a schedule when more of them want me to come into the classroom and work with different ideas. I have been working on guides for them and their students dealing with different programs. Again, these guides only deal with the rudiments; the concept of discovery still has to be that of the student. This is all part of the learning process. I also have noticed that students will come the aid of students and teachers alike in that process. This is a goal of facilitating. I do know that the frustration level get high, but what better way to learn something than to go through that frustration. Again, this will not happen overnight, but I hope that the seeds of learning will sprout through a continuous effort. I know that I am getting somewhat philosophical, but I feel that one has to keep a lot of optimism in goal. I will be back with you tomorrow. I need to prepare a board presentation for Wednesday night. I have thought out the vehicle and the message, but it needs to be refined and completed. Till tomorrow Cha bhi fios aire math an tobair gus an tràigh e--The value of the well is not known until it goes dry. I had to throw a little Gaelic into the mix. Have a Great St. Patty's Day!!!!!!!!!

March 14, 2008

Again, I spent almost the entire day in training. The aspect I liked so much was that the CFF teachers were thinking of ways of taking the training and using it with their interactive whiteboards, etc. I like the way they think. This is great, and I know will spark some interesting questions and ideas. I know it t'ain't much, but that is it. I will be back next week. Have a great weekend.

March 13, 2008

The second day of training is over. I had to come in last night and come in this early this morning to do some work. I got the one laptop done in time for a teacher today, and also get back-up copies for all the CFF programs. I got most of it done. I do not think I will have to come in tonight. The teachers present asked me about creating some of the documents to use with the interactive whiteboards. I like how they are thinking. I have to help a girl do a web site; I wrote some javascript for her and borrowed some aspects to aid her in her competition. As a side note--there are too many things missing. I need two power supplies that I know came with the computers, and I am also missing some pens. I do sometimes wonder. I got that off my chest. Well, I will be back tomorrow. I hope you are awaiting with much anticipation.....

March 12, 2008

I just finished my first day of training, and I do see how the application to CFF is viable. I was able to offer suggestions on graphic organizers, etc. I know that I am going to have to come back in tonight and do some work to catch up. I know this is short, but there is very little new with CFF, and that is the main emphasis of this blog. Catch up tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!

March 11, 2008

The smell of spring is in the air...now that is just like "it was a dark and stormy night." I will always stick with my LA roots. A good and powerful day wafted in the wake of my departure last night. It was good to finally get the Lenovo reformatted and working. I am also pushing ahead on Doc's lappy to get that where it needs. The Embedded Learning is going well, and I am more and more inquiries from teachers on things to do. The meeting also went well after school with the CFF teachers. I also got the chance to do some research on some problems. I intermingled all of this within some other non CFF duties I had to do. I must admit as I was reading the comments from teachers' discussions in the class, I see that we all do get it and are all the same page. It is great to hear what others are thinking on the subject. I also am impressed with what I see from them. The goal is there--being the best. I am quite proud of them and their desire (patience is great, also). I foresee good a good moon (unlike CCR). I have some training for the next three days so it will be a shotgun approach to the blog. I will be a talking with you..........

March 10, 2008

Today was one of those days that you wished you could have not faced, but the dauntless CFF coach faced it with unparalled tenacity to bring order to the planet. I might start writing for Marvel. It was a day filled with a myriad of activities. I worked with CG and enjoyed the time immensely. It will take a lot more sessions to get everything up to speed, but the rudiments are there. I am quite happy. I also am getting Doc up and running. The rest of the day dealt with teaching developing of print film to creating a website using CSS. It was a busy day. I also have some training the rest of this week so that will put me behind. It is a good thing I have some student helpers to ease the crunch. They are invaluable when I need them. I am ready for the new day tomorrow. A good day to get a lot done..

March 7, 2008

I am definitely having trouble reformatting the Lenovos. I am not impressed with this laptop configuration, etc. I am trying to create an image without the @@#$$%%^^%^ thing keeps losing its integrity. I have tried three times to get the image; I get so far and then have to redo it. I am not happy with Lenovo, CDW-G, and anything else with this particular laptop. I will try again Monday. Sometimes one just has to walk away for now. Do not get me wrong; I think Lenovo is a great brand, but I feel we got the short end of the stick when we got these with a Celeron processor, etc. I wish we could have configured the lappys ourselves. I also got bad news from Promethean. Supposedly I received an email in December concerning the training. I have those emails and found none. The training is over so I have to work out an alternate solution to get things done. The bureaucracy involved in this is wonderful {sarcasm}.
I attended a meeting with the technical director et al. to go over a document for new teachers accessing technology. It was quite productive. I was late due to the Promethean and Lenovo problems. I also met with the teachers and set up some times to deal with them individually to go over concerns, etc. I have a full day planned Monday. I also have to filter in the Lenovo, etc. I am also confirmed to go to Adobe training in Williamsport on April 28-29. I know this conflicts with the one-to-one computing computing conference, but I feel I need this more. I'll be back next week.

March 6, 2008

I spent the entire day in Harrisburg at a Microsoft conference. In my role as a CFF coach, I know that I need to broaden my skills in various applications. I am working toward that. I know that I am weak in dealing with network issues and software, but I have resolved to strengthen myself in that area as well as others. I know you are asking what CFF has to do with networking. Well, I will tell you. I am finding that many of our issues deal with networking so the more I understand the more I am able to deal with the problem. It allows me to deal with the techies better, etc. I also have always wanted to do this. The conference helped me to u nderstand things, and the software was great. I even got an evaluation copy of Server 2008 to explore. I am glad the Microsoft has done this. I must get to work creating an image, etc. Oh, I did forget to tell you that I had another comment from a student who has started to blog. I think this is great. I am awaiting to hear from others. Talk with ye tomorrow.

March 5, 2008

It is so great watching teachers explore the idiosyncracies of the interactive whiteboard. I get calls about doing certain projects on the board and finding different activities. It is gratifying for me to see them step out of the comfort zone and attack the problems. There were some hardware issues today, but they were not serious. I am also learning the whiteboard--I do wish I had one to use. That would not be a wise investment to the students. It still would be nice to have my druthers. I will be out tomorrow for a Microsoft conference in Harrisburg. I need to also hone my skills in various areas to become better in dealing with everything. I also found out that we will be applying for the grant next school year. I do not know what this may hold for me, but I am not worried about it. Facilitating the embedded learning course is a lot of work, but I am getting the hang of it better. I do not know if I am able to blog tomorrow, but I will still update all of you when I can. I know that you are waiting with anticipation...yeah

March 4, 2008

I did a lot of meetings today with various teachers to find out how things were going. Things seem to be progressing well. I am quite upset with promethean. I have called them, and they have not returned the call. I am not impressed with them, and if I do not hear from them, they will hear from me words that will express my displeasure. Promethean needs to get their act together--I have not received an email or a phone call from them for further training, and I have asked. I just love corporations who feel that they have the world by the proverbial strings. I have also opened a del.icio.us account. I have emailed my teachers about the wiki, but not about the delicious account. I will wait until I have more there. I did have my first teacher who requested a sign up for the wiki, and that is great. I know that she is not sure what she is doing, but I like the idea and the exploration. I feel that one needs to step outside the comfort zone and experience things. I am not going to say that these people will like it, but it is a step that is necessary to move one and learn. I have a bunch of meetings and tutoring tomorrow. Also, I get to see the fruits of the LA class projects. Looking forward to it. I will be back tomorrow....cya

March 3, 2008

My CFF wiki is finally up and running with some information on it. I plan to use the wiki as a resource and a test ground for teachers at PV, not just CFF teachers. I feel that getting more and more teachers involved with it will generate some interest in the use of technology. The composition of the wiki will revolve around various web sites, software tutorials, etc. I am hoping that teachers will join and become contributors to the site. I just sent the invitation to all CFF teachers. I just love the name wiki, and I am sure it does provide some connotations. Most of the day today dealt with individual problems from students. I also had to work on individual harware problems. Today, I am going to be oot and aboot (I had to add some Canadian idioms to my blog because I love the the people) and see what is happening. I need to get out more and talk with others. I need to do what I say so I will talk with ye tomorrow. Oh, the wiki for those interested, and you all (had to add some Southern) should want to visit http://cffflick.wikispaces.com/

February 29, 2008

A leap day, and I think it is great that this day only comes once every four years. Enough of the maudlin stuff; it is down to the CFF. Most of the problems I dealt with today is IT stuff, and I came across one that I could not solve one that dealt with software. One of my teachers lost the entire library, and I could not find it. I will solve it, I hope, with a fresh install. There were a few other problems here and there. I did visit another classroom, and I will head back there Monday to see some of the results. I also am finding out that I am visiting other classrooms. This is where I want to be, and I hope to do more of that in the coming weeks. The on-line class is going well, and most of the teachers find it quite easy to access it and work with it. I find that a relief. I will just keep forging ahead. I do find that having students learn some of the tech stuff and deal with minor problems is a working out well. It is able to free me up. I guess I will see you next month.