March 30, 2009

I saw several teachers today, viewed the video with the CDT reporter, did some troubleshooting, caught up the blog, worked with some students, found a cure for the ozone problem, etc. Just kidding about the blog....LOL... I also have been trying to put together some material for presentations. It does not seem like a lot, but there is a lot in all of this. I am getting all of this ready so I can move ahead on a lot of issues. I know there is not much to tell, but a lot has been accomplished........flick

PS--Changed the color of the blog to reflect the time of the season. If ya don't like it, blame Lily

March 27, 2009

The presentation went great. I only took one of the two girls because of some testing conflicts. I just love when people see this video and look at their faces. I know I am bragging, but I am so proud of them and their work. I loved when the brass asked them questions about what they have learned through technology. I also had them do the interview with the CDT, and the reporter wants to come and look at the video on Monday. I am still not up-to-date with all I need to get done, but it is getting closer. Next week, I have several meeting scheduled, and we will see what I can get accomplished. I am looking forward to the weekend. I love computers, but I am staring at them too much lately...LOL I will worry when they start staring back...............flick

March 26, 2009

Today I met with many teachers to go over their plans and talk with them about the integration of technology. I also met with our new literacy coach, we talked about the how we can combine our efforts to work together for our students. We know that our combined efforts will aid our teachers. I also had a call for the Centre Daily Times. The reporter wanted information about the trip to San Antonio. I was able to set up interviews with the students. Cool. I am so glad that they get to tout themselves through various avenues. Tomorrow, I am taking them to speak to a group of fellow educators and various IU persons. Later dud....errr...dude..........flick

March 25, 2009

Wow, 120 miles and it was worth it. The two girls from Promethean did a great job of explaining the software and its uses. WZ and MD are good. They are able to field questions and work through some great scenarios. Not only that, but they are able have a lot of resources for us to bring back for our teachers. I love it when I can go to one of these and have it to be worthwhile; it allows me to keep faith. I feel that is so important. I sometimes get immersed in the day-to-day GMC's that I fail to look at the big picture. What an exciting time to be involved in the educational process. Yes, I am realist to know that the purported panacea of technology is a myth. What I am talking about is the vehicle to disseminate information is like no other time in history. We need to look at these different vehicles and use them to our advantage......................flick

March 24, 2009

I am just keeping up the blog. Tomorrow I must go to Canton, PA. I know you are wondering where the heck that is; let's just say, "Go North" and do not deviate. The workshop will deal with Promethean and its new software. I am looking forward to this. This is a follow-up of last year when I was omitted from the list. Again, another brief one......flick

March 23, 2009

Now it is catch up time. I had to catch up on a lot of things because of being away. Embedded Learning is calling my name as well as a group of teachers. I also have a lot of other paperwork to do. I know that I have Promethean training on Wednesday and a CFF meeting on Friday. I plan to take the girls and have them present the video. I am awaiting the go ahead to be able to post it across the net. I am quite proud of them and their work. I know this blog is a throw back so it will be a short entry.........flick

March 18-20, 2009

I know, I know--where the heck have I been. I have been busy trying to get caught up with going to San Antone, etc. This blog posting deals with that time. First I had to awaken at 2:30AM to gather the girls at 3:30AM for the flight to begin the journey. All things went well as we checked in and went through security. This is the first time I have ever flown commercially, but I was not nervous. We took off on schedule and flew to Charlotte on US Airways (I will get back to them in a moment). I enjoyed the flight, and it was great watching the terrain. When we got to Charlotte, it was fogged in so we had to fly to Greenville and sit on their tarmac for several hours. We finally took off and landed at Charlotte, but we ended up staying on their tarmac for an hour before we were unloaded. The nightmare now begins.

I do not blame US Airways for the weather, but I blame them for not taking care of their passengers who, through no fault of their own, could not make a connecting flight. I received assurances, boarding passes, standbys, etc. that were ineffectual through various reasons. I had boarding passes in my hand for a flight and found out that when I got to the area that my name and the names of others were gone from the computer. That means someone over rode the system and placed someone else in the seats or they were saved improperly. I could not get four of us on a plane together. It was frustrating, and I even considered booking a flight back to Harrisburg. US Airways did a horrible job of accommodating their charges. I finally was able to secure a flight for one to Dallas and assurances that they other three would follow me the next morning. I chose to send me to Dallas because I knew what time I would arrive (1 AM), and I would be alone. I am so glad that my wife was there; of course, there was a mix-up, but she was able to take care of that.

It was a very interesting time at Dallas-Ft. Worth, and I do not need to go into that, but I will write that I did not have the option of sleep. Well, I will badmouth US Airways, but I will laud American Airlines because they were so good at helping us. I flew to San Antonio and got things ready for the other arrivals. I got it all including our luggage and everyone arrived safely. I had heard that one needed a GPS unit to get around the city so I rented one. Thank goodness. We headed down a 10 lane highway to the hotel, and found out the GPS unit had not been updated; the exit to the hotel had been removed. Well, I did some Texas driving and we got there to find out that we could not check in for another two hours. I had already been awake for 36 hours. The hotel got us in early, and I contacted CP and we arranged a time. The girls got some rest, and I knew that if I did, it would be trouble getting awake. Well, the time for the presentation changed, and we had to get there sooner. We did, and to make a long story short--IT WENT GREAT!!!!!

The girls did a wonderful presentation, and we went to a reception afterwards and talked with the major players in all of this. These professors and professionals treated the girls as equals and talked with them. There were people from Denmark, Australia, Spain, France, etc. there. We were told that when the NASA people gave the girls an applause, the rest of group that has dealt with them before could not believe it because they had never seen this group break its stoicism. Fantastic!!! We debriefed that night, and I decided to give the girls their time on Friday. I finally got to sleep after 44 hours.

The girls went to River Walk, Alamo, and some shopping. We had to catch a flight early the next day on American, and all went well. The girls had a great educational experience. I know this is a long entry, but it is my blog so pttttttttttttttttttttt.....flick

March 11-17, 2009

Yes, I know I am behind, and today I am going to catch up by doing a ll in one inclusive. You say it is cheating, and I say that you are right, buuuuuuuuuuuuut it is my blog, and I can do what I want so ptttttt!!!!!!! I got that out of the way. I must tell you that it has been an unusual time. I am trying to get everything ready for the San Antonio trip, work my CFF job, and do technology integration (along with other things). I have been in the classroom working on Photo Story tutorials, getting the last CFF cart functioning, meeting with teachers about various topics, integrating Promethan boards, etc. I had W from Promethean come in again and work with teachers. The sad part was only a few teachers actually took part in this. I find that quite disappointing. One of the business teachers did magazine covers using InDesign, and I and the lit coach evaluated them. It is so nice watching the integration. I also found out that there is a new ActivStudio I need to evaluate and distribute. Well, I know there are some things missing from this report, but it is now up-to-date. I will do a blog from the heart of Texas. bye, y'all till later............flick

March 10, 2009

The girls finished the Janus video, and it is shipped to Texas via overnight mail. All of the workings are now in place. I got some more commitments today for money. I spent the rest of the day preparing for several class presentations tomorrow. The photostory is really picking up as teachers and students are using it in lieu of powerpoint. It gives them a fresh approach to projects. Also delivered the last of the CFF carts and hoping (crossing my fingers) that all will work well. Tomorrow will be the test. I also got a lot of odds and ends done with the embedded learning. I have two teachers done. That is so good. Some have not even started, and others are doing quite well. I know it is a lot of extra work, but I have seen it galvanize some to action. I am also trying to meet with the literacy coach. We need to talk about things and work together. I heard that other coaches may be in future. I like the concept. Tomorrow.......flick

March 8, 2009

I know I have been remiss in blogging, but I am bound and determined to catch up this week on all of that. Monday was a busy as the rest of the week. I needed to get all of the Janus stuff up-to-date and help get all things final for it. We also had to finish the product. It looks like all should be done for tomorrow. I met with some teachers to discuss what they wanted to do. I still love it that they are seeking me out. I feel like the the old maid with the filled dance card. Boy, is that an old analogy. All in all, quite busy, but satisfied............flick

March6, 2008

It is Friday, the weather is warmer than usual, met with four teachers today to plan to plan technology integration, and won the lottery....err, I got ahead of myself....No lottery. More and more are understanding what I am doing and willing to give me the chance to move forward with regards to technology implementation. The CFF buggy is done and will be delivered. I do swear that my mind is is gone. I am forgetting the little things. This is unlike me, and I need to make some changes. I have sworn this, and I will make it happen. I need to take my time and not take on so much. That is my personal concept for the week. Really, the integration and CFF are going well. I am busier than ever. This is my goal. Next week Promethean is coming in to do some more in-servicing with the teachers. That is so good. I have training at the end of March so I can hone my skills. I can work my way through a lot of it, but it would be nicer to have the knowledge base I need to expedite the matter. Well, I am off for the weekend. For all of you Italian readers (yes, I know you are out there),,,,,hanno un grande week-end.

March 5, 2009

Today the two girls presented their video to PSU concerning the Janus project. We have a resounding thumbs up from them. We needed to someone else to to view the video to make sure that our biases were not running rampant. They suggested a couple of changes, which the girls will make. From there, it is to get the final, ship it to San Antonio, present it the committee, and then do some presentations around the district. It is a good vid, and the girls need a big congratulation. We are working through the problems with laps and boards, and I have faced some unique scenarios such as embedding web pages into Activstudio, etc. It does keep me on my toes. I have two meetings tomorrow with teachers interested in integrating technology into their classes. I also have some other meetings to discuss other technologies with other teachers. They are beginning to come to me more with these problems. I have a lot to do since I missed this morning. I vill be baack 2morrow..........flick

March 4, 2009

I do believe that someone opened Pandora's box today. Not that there were a plethora of problems, but I had answers to questions about Janus that have plagued me for awhile. Those answers created problems which I had to overcome, and I do believe that we are on course to solve those problems. Yes, we are going to San Antonio to deliver the film the students made to the NASA panel to fulfill the community component for the grant. I think the opportunity for these students is fantastic and a great learning experience. It will take a lot of work to bring it altogether, but I also know it will be something they will always remember. I will have a lot of people to thank for their intercessions on behalf of these students to make all of this happen--I will report on them later. Still getting into the classrooms a lot and integrating a lot things. I have meetings with several teachers. It is moving in the right direction. That is so great. I also dealing with teachers solving tech issues, but they are mostly just pointing them to the correct procedure. I am worried about jinxing myself by saying things are hectic but going well, but I believe in the honest approach. I will keep y'all updated......toots..........flick

March 2, 2009

Hello once again to all of my voracious reader(s). I have met with teachers to discuss some implementations of various software. I like it now that they are coming to me instead of me going to them. I still am trying to get see all of them at least three times a week to discuss and check any problems. It is working well with all of that. I am trying caution some of them to work slowly and integrate a single concept until they become comfortable. From there they can branch out and begin other implementations. I am also learning a lot from the Embedded Learning courses. As I read through their discussions and logs, I am discovering more and more about them. I do see the value of the courses because it allows them to discourse without fear. Well, I am off to Valhalla to visit with others. I will be back tomorrow........................flick

February 27-28, 2009

I put two days here bacuause on the 28th I did some IT stuff for TSA. The group had its regional competition here at PV, and they needed an IT person. There were some glitches, but we got it working for the most part. PV did well in the competition. I also had a talk with my counterpart last year, and some of the things she is doing. It was quite good, and I do love to find out how she in integrating technology. We also talked with one of the TSA people from a district near here and heard his horror stories about his fight to just get computers. Some people need to get out of their caves. Friday turned out to be a lot of fun talking with the seniors and how to create electronic documents for view to a prospective employer. The students liked the talk, and T did a great job of assisting. Everything that I have researched for eports deals with PDF's, and I do understand why. We also solved a problem with the Janus video, and it should be ready quite soon. I also created a DVD for the middle school teachers for their conference. I did not have time to edit it, but I kind of liked the raw footage better with all of its foibles. A good week with a lot of learning on all levels. Well, I am posting this the first day of March, and so far it is coming in like a lamb. We will revisit the adage on the last day of the month. I will be talking with all of you later. Oh, I had to change the color scheme for this month to reflect Hibernia..........flick

PS--Hey, I forgot to thank C for all of his help Saturday. I do appreciate it....smack