January 27, 2009

Tomorrow's weather sounds ugleeeee so we may not have school. Nothing to worry about because I cannot control it. I am working on the in-service presentation and Photostory presentations. I have some time, but I want to be well-prepared for them, especially the in-service because teachers can be a tough audience. I guess it is good that I am old because they may have pity upon me. I am still preparing the embedded learning groups and will have three running simultaneously. I did find a facilitator for the math one. I did not relish doing three of them. Getting the paperwork done for all of them is quite time consuming. I am out and about visiting classes and talking with teachers. The new tech dude is doing well and taking a lot off of the plate. He will assimilate well, I am hopeful. I am just forging ahead and getting things moving at PV. My prinicpal sent to me a wonderful article entitled Benchmarking for Success: Ensuring U.S. Students Receive a World-Class Education. It is quite long, but I think you should read it. I do believe that it postulates what we have been saying since CFF's inception. http://www.achieve.org/files/BenchmarkingforSuccess.pdf Maybe tomorrow, if not the next day......flick

January 26, 2009

In-service days are one of those things that a teacher has to do; some are great; others remind you a visiting the dentist and no novocaine. I believe that this one ranks up there by being quite good. Does not rank as great so I guess that means the previous polarization is a misnomer. I attended a seminar on learning focused and brought my plans for the 13th to meet the format. I also worked on Embedded Learning to bring that up-to-date, and I worked on the presentation for the 13th. I also scheduled a Photostory presentation to a media class for Friday. I will get that done. Tomorrow is an Atomic Learning lesson for business. The continuation of ghosting is ongoing. Tomorrow is also the start of the new semester, which will free me to do more in the classroom. With my last blog, I alluded to a problem, and I have now solved that problem. I am happy with the resolution, and I am sure that somewhere down the road there will be a conflict with it; I will be ready. I guess it is my rebellious nature from the 60's and 70's. Well, I am off to work with embedded learning and found out some answers.................flick

January 23, 2009

Finished the week, and I did make it. Started the ghosting process of the laptops. They should be done sometime next week, and I can finally get them out and be used. I have been tagged to do an in-service on Feb 13 on the functions of the whiteboard. I also have to model it using the learning focused concept. I will begin the preparation for that on Monday. I also have the embedded learning class ready to go and have released them for Monday. Not all of the teachers have signed up, and I will have to go and talk with them individually. I will also have to get the books out to them and create another class for the math group. I have no facilitator for that group and may have to fill in there. I also have to address an issue which I have thought very diligently upon and am ready to act on it. No details, this is just for my recollection. That sentence will keep ya guessing. Well, it is time to wrap up another week. Have a great weekend...........flick

January 22, 2009

Did you ever have one of those days when you would just like to pack it in and say %$#%^&*&%^^ the world? Today was that day. I envision a confrontation which I will not back down from, but I may shut down using some of my skills to comply with the exact letter of law. We will see. I will not jump the gun but will keep it there with other alternatives. We do have a new IT guy, and I am quite glad about that. How long he stays and other questions will be a determining factor in keeping my elatedness. I need to do my task the way it was meant to be and not force things. I know this path is correct. I am looking forward to doing Janus tomorrow with the students. This project is taking on a life that is quite consuming, but the students have organize everything well, and the most important concept is that it is totally a student project. What a way to learn! I will not hide my elation over this. To me, this is where real learning takes place when one can take the practical application and apply it to reality. A person can read all he/she wants about driving a car, but the test comes when one gets behind the wheel. I just facilitate. Hey, I hope the mood is better tomorrow. Toots.....flick

January 21, 2009

Someone once said that it is the little things that cause the most problems, and I must say that this is what has been happening more and more. The little things are consuming my time along with getting the Embedded Learning running. I also found out that we are getting a literacy coach, and I will be working with her on implementation concepts. I still find reluctance to among some to work with the infusion, but I also know that this is due to many reasons. I have the time to deal with it eventually conquer it. It is the end of the first semester, and business will be picking up again soon. I look forward to it. Need the classroom stimulus. I will be back tomorrow.

January 20, 2009

Hooray, it is my one year anniversary for blogging. I had to attend several blogging balls last night to commemorate the occasion. I really hate dressing in those white ties. Notice it happened on the same day as the inauguration. You know what that means, don't you--absolutely nothing. Sounds like a little bit like Edwin Starr. That name really dates me. Anyone remember the song? Well, today and this week still involves getting all of the technology working, talking with teachers on registering for Embedded Learning, assuaging fears over the voluminous tasks, and West Virginia K is working on the new image. I am learning more and more about imaging as my knowledge base has increased due to the circumstances. I also had to replace two bulbs in projectors. There was a myriad of to do's. I also attended a departmental meeting. We will get there. Hope all of you enjoyed the party...flick

January 19, 2009

This is finals week; therefore, there is not too much working in the classes. I had some real great talks with teachers today and tried to allay some fears with the initiative. There is a lot of tension here with all that is happening. I feel I need to diffuse a lot of it by not pushing at all and gradually easing into the technology. I have some teachers moving at light speed, and others who are uneasy. I am okay working with both. We are still trying to image the Lenovos, and it is a pain because of the boot sector. I thought we might have core duos this year, but we are still dealing with Celerons. I will tell you that Pennsylvania has done its work in ridding the planet of a lot of inferior processors. Okay, I will let it go. I am just amazed that we tout the technology; well, you know the rest. It will be a good week to get teachers caught up.

January 16, 2009

I am ready to finish the week. I had a teacher Lenovo die on me, and I mean it was DOA. I just can't wait to deal with Lenovo. We are trying to image the lappys. K has been working on the image and is going to teach me some ghosting unlike the old C promised he would and never delivered. That will teach the old anonymous one. I see a light at the end of the tunnel dealing with a lot of things, and then I can concentrate on working with the implemenation of it all. That is where it is. Next week, I have to get the embedded learning ready for deployment (sounds like a new OS, not quite). Like I said, not much to write. I will have more next week--I just checked my calendar.

January 15, 2009

A two-hour delay gives me the right time to finish installing the software. I got it all done, but the compressed schedule also makes it a very busy time to deal with all sorts of problems. It will all get accomplished I keep telling myself. I know that my writings have been sparse this week, but it is really because I have been dealing with the mundane problems I should not have to do. It is called circumstances, and the needs outweigh the description. It is getting close to my year celebration, and I invite all of my readers to attend the gala party being thrown by Google in my honor of this milestone. Hold it, I just woke up from the dream. It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I began the endeavor of a blog. I have enjoyed this journey and will continue until my tenure has elapsed. Talk to you tomorrow.......flick

January 14, 2009

This week could be labeled "The week of Ipanema." I know you are asking, "What is an Ipanema/" The answer is quite simple: a beach in Brazil. What does that have to do with CFF? Nothing, but it is the first thing that came to mind. I just have been busy trying to get teachers up and running with the Promethean boards. I have the software loaded on desktops, and I have emailed particulars to all about updating drivers, etc. It is a long and involved process, but it is needed to get all on the right track. The projectors need aligned and the lappys need imaged. I am in the process of learning some about ghost to aid me in that. We also got the Polycomm unit working so students can take a college credit class. Some small setting had to be changed. Weather is getting quite colder and some snow. We will see about tomorrow, Flick

January 13, 2009

I am trying to diffuse a lot of problems, and i am getting there. I know it sounds like a rehash of yesterday, but in many ways it is. One of the biggest problems is getting the driver updates for the Promethean boards. At least I have some new software to accomplish the job. I also ran into a interesting problem of converting wordpad to excel. I did it. I was not sure how it would work, but it interfaced well. It was just a day of getting to the list. I know it is not much, but I refuse to bore with other plebian details.

January 12, 2009

As a friend says, "Another day in Paradise." Really, not a bad day. Right now I am working open getting the new technology up and running so it can be used by a new group of teachers. I know I know that is no my job, but when IT is short and teachers want to use it, then someone has to move; that someone is I. I am also working on getting the embedded learning ready to go, and I have worked on the log. I definitely trying to work on the list. I need to get it shortened. I also worked to try and get the polycom unit running for a distance learning concept. It will occur; I know that Smuck will get it. Tomorrow,

January 9, 2009

I had an appointment this morning and arrived a little late. The projectors need aligned for the boards, and there are questions about software, etc. I do hope that we get a new IT person soon; it will help alleviate a lot of the hardware problems. I am dealing a lot with helping teachers work in the software and give them ideas on what to do. I know one teacher in the science department already completed the board tutorial. Speaking of boards, my hat gets doffed to Promethean and especially WZ. She is fantastic with her help and advice. I am impressed with the support the company gives. Inspiration is becoming a daily word here as more and more teachers and students are using the software. One teacher has reported a glitch, and I may have to do a fresh install. The Janus project is on task and ready to launch next week with actual filming. I am anxious to view the final for that. I need to complete getting all teachers registered for embedded learning. I guess one of the big things is to get the coach's log up-to-date. February is becoming an interesting month. For all of you Icelandic readers sjáumst. Till next week.................flick

January7-8, 2009

Well, as it happens in public education we had a day off on Wednesday because of the weather, and, yes, for all you naysayers, it was needed. A tremendous amount of ice, but we all survived well. I did come in to prepare for tomorrow for the installation of the Promethean boards and the arrival of the laptops.

8-Sometimes plans do not go according to Hoyle so one must have a back-up plan. I did, and the installation went well. All of the boards are up. We now have to ghost the laps and get them ready for the populace. The Smuck did a great job of getting everything together, and we are already fielding questions. I send out and email for all to take an online tutorial to help them ease into it all. I was running around this place (you thought I was going to write 'like a chicken with its head cut off) like the Mad Hatter on fire. Now, the fun begins.

January 6, 2008

I am back after the hiatus of the holiday and dr appointment, and what to my eyes do appear, (nope not eight tiny reindeer) but a voluminous amount of work to get caught up. We have the installation of Promethean boards this week as well as the handing out of laptops. If that is not enough, I also have to get the teachers ready for Embedded Learning and bring them up to speed about the how to use the boards. Also, without the IT person on board, I have been saddled with working on some problems, but it with mainly CFF problems. That is taking enough of my time. I sent out over 50 emails today dealing primarily with CFF. I also know that I am going to have to get my log up-to-date, etc. This is my first blog of the new year, and it does feel good to get back in the proverbial saddle. I am anxious to bring the new teachers on board. Sure, it will be trying, and I will face the same recalcitrance by some. In the end it is worth it. I just had a talk today with a tech ed teacher and told him how progressive his department has been for years when working with students. I think it is neat, and we all could learn. Well, I need to finish this and hit the trail. I will be back again tomorrow, if we have school. the weather does suck out there right now.....toots