September 28, 2009

There are some problems with our wireless system. I am not sure what it is, and we are calling in the wizards to fix the problem. We will see. I know there is some frustration among teachers, but I do try hard to have workable plans to overcome the problems. It is also frustrating for me. Tomorrow I will be attending a seminar on migrating to Windows 7. I hope that it helps for the future. Not much today......

September 25, 2009

I have no idea what is up with the wireless network, but it has caused a lot of constipation (I know I chose that word) today when I am trying to have classes do things. I talked to the grand wizard of IT, and he is going to see what can be done. I am worried about next week because I know a lot of classes are going to be using it. A lot of the classes are finishing their Photostories, and I will get to view some creative geniuses. I spent a lot of time in the classrooms to day working with teachers. I am also finding great new sources to pass along to teachers and add to my wiki: http://cffflick.wikispaces.com/ . It is a sound wiki with good resources. I do need to do some recategorizing. Well, it is off to the weekend. Next week already looks busy, and I will be in a conference in Harrisburg on Tuesday. Take care...........flick

September 24, 2009

I did forget the onset of the autumn season. It is definitely my favorite time of the year (I almost used texting lang there). The leaves are starting to turn and cooler weather is embracing the evenings. Okay, I got all of that out. I finally got a chance today to catch up in my office. Oh, I did a fair amount of getting out to aid and abet (naw, not criminal activity unless one views education as such). It has been a solid day with solid results. I do love the bizarre questions about converting images into as2 files. I still do not have a definitive answer for that one. The others have all been satisfied. I have dealt with everything today from 9 to 5 to graphic properties. That is what I love about all of this--the menagerie (I know for you purists of the language that the word is animal based). Of course, my bailiwick (tribute to the asst. super) is running fairly well at his point. I will return tomorrow to end the week and almost the month...................flick

September 23, 2009

Someone once said that it is the little things that can drive one crazy so don't fret about the little things. I know this is a paraphrase so I did not add the quotes. Sometimes these little things can raise the frustration ten-fold. Today turned out to be the "little thing" day. I traveled to many destinations to solve 90% of those problems. I consider that number pretty good for a neophyte. I also am preparing for next week when i travel to the science department to immerse CFF into their curriculum. It should be interesting. I also became bogged down in an internal investigation of some students. Fun....Hey be back tomorrow........flick

September 20, 2009

Working with the sophomores on Photostory has gone well. This is just another tool that a student or teacher can use instead of the dreaded powerpoint. It is easier to use and input one's voice into the mix. I will be out tomorrow so I am trying to get things together for the absence. I am still out and about with teachers, and I already have a lot of things booked for next week. I finally am making inroads into science. I am quite patient with the teachers and look forward to working with the students. I also came across and email about an online event campus technology virtual conference on December 3. I think this would be good, and I need to check into it. Hey, be back on Wednesday..........flick

September 18, 2009

What a difference between yesterday and today. Things went smoothly, and we were able to get a lot done. I did find out that the node will definitely have to be upgraded. I am in the classrooms quite busy. I am still doing a lot of firemen work, but it is slowly getting there. In other words, things are working. I know this is as short entry, but there is little else to say. To all of my Gabonese readers..........Magha.........flick

September 17,2009

I must have made the SNAFU guardians really angry by not paying them some sort of homage because today they wreaked their havoc upon me and others. Everything from a corrupted file to a wireless node not being able to handle 28 computers. Both problems are in the process of a solution; it might take longer for one than the other. I will tell you that the hours are hurtling by according to my internal Timex. I am quite busy, and it is nice the lit coach is here to help with a lot of things. There is just a lot to do. It will be nice when everything is working well, and I can just go ahead and not have to troubleshoot when teaching. Well, I need to prepare for tomorrow.....................flick

September 16, 2009

Give me my soapbox, for I have a tale to tell which involves a group of people who fail to listen to advice. The tale: The great powers decided that they must trickle down some new concepts upon a educated populace--the knowledge givers. This populace's charge was to impart knowledge to another populace and were called to task when the knowledge was not imparted correctly. The great powers dictated the changes but failed to properly inform and educate the knowledge givers about the changes and how to properly use these changes. Of course, no one is there to call them to task......the end.

I use this tale for illustrative purposes only and not for any specific purpose (sarkasmos--Greek). Quite a busy day that involved many duties, but again I have rallied those to proceed into areas unknown and finish with a productive day. Tomorrow will find me working with classes all day on two programs: InDesign and Photo Story. A busy day for sure.....flick

September 15, 2009

Yep, I was right. Hardly anyone showed, but that is due to a multitude of reasons. I guess they will stop by when something does not go their way. I iterated before that I will begin after school hours once football is completed so we will see how many times I will sit by myself. Learning takes initiative. I have been out and about today, and I completed the InDesign basic tutorial. It is really basic, and I hope that the class avails themselves with the Atomic Learning. It is a great site for those things. I have been collaborating with teachers, and the schedule is sporting some names. I am off to do some good deeds for humanity. Take care all of my loyal readers.........flick

September 14, 2009

I am working on the InDesign tutorial for the classes I will be instructing. The program is so voluminous that I am just going to touch on the basics to get them started. I am going to allow KS to borrow my book during the time period. I am still working with a lot of teachers who have a lot of ideas. This is the fun part. I did only have a half day because I became ill so I will have to play catch up tomorrow and get prepared for the coaches' open house affair, which will only be attended by a few. Whoever uttered the phrase "build it and they will come" did not deal with teachers. I know some will show up but not many.

September 11, 2009

Well, the dam has broken unleashing a multitude of problems. Since there was a lag in our networked projectors, the district installed hard wired plugs. Well, one should be able to hook up a vga and a dvi on the same computer. "Should be" are the operative words. It does not work on one of the computer models we have; hence, a blown computer, and I am the one who did it. I also met with several teachers today, and the literacy coach and I are having an Open House to talk with teachers and explain to them the services we offer and the roles. We are hoping that this will give them some incentive to avail themselves of us. We plan to do this periodically throughout the year. I am supplying the cookies....LOL. The movie maker tutorial went well yesterday, and I am now working on a Indesign tutorial. I am doing that on Thursday. Things are busy, but in a good way. For all of my Sumatran readers.......Trok lom Flick

September 10, 2009

Just when you think it is safe to go into the water, something arises from the depths to take a bite out of you; the dreaded teacher who vents and frets and wants something more. Naw, I just had to add some literary sarcasm to the blog. Spent two periods today doing Movie Maker with a class, and I spent most of the time on the product than the actual program. This is a great start when students have the information to run the software and now need the facilitation to produce a good product. I am also continuing my quest to get the correct driver to run the CFF printers. This has to happen. I may have to call in the experts to get this done. I have been really busy, and I like the time. Who knows what tomorrow may bring...........flick

September 9, 2009

09/09/09 I know that numerologists are having a field day with this, but I have a hard time believing that numbers play an important role in the fates of all. I imagine the lotteries around the US will be inundated with those playing that number today. That is my take on it all. Still working on various problems. I also updated my wiki today and am prepared to teach tomorrow the moviemaker program. I met with the lit coach, and we are making a concerted effort to get the Read 180 program working. The teachers are doing a great job at integrating technology in many ways. I still love to see the light turn on in people's faces. I met with a total of six teachers today formally a three more informally. I am scheduled for the classroom many times in the next couple of weeks. It will be busy, but that is why I do this. I wish all of you numbers people great luck today...........flick

September 8, 2009

CFF is dead; there is no denying this. I do understand the reasoning behind it all, but I do not have to like it. I do believe that the US data supports this initiatives and others in PA as being viable. Viable is not always a motivating factor when it comes to budgeting. Yes, I know, the cynicism is spewing, but I again cannot help the distaste that comes from politics. It is a typical first day of school. I have been working on putting out fires, etc. I have been in 8 classrooms this morning, and the morning is not over. I am scheduled to teach four classes this week and next. It could be quite interesting, and I am sure it is. I did Promethean training over the summer to almost 30 teachers, and that went quite well, also. I had a little time right now so I thought I would begin another blogging year. Be back tomorrow........flick