January 14, 2010

I had an interesting time today trying to get a piece of database software working. I could not figure it out so I called the dreaded tech support and actually got someone who spoke English without a foreign accent (I know, stereotyping again). The first person tried well but could not solve the problem so I had to call again. The second person kicked proverbial donkey and solved the problem and taught me something about databases as well. I thank her profusely. I also worked on several teacher web sites, and I would say that over half the staff is up and running. I know as they progress my job will be tougher. That is okay with me. I look back at those teachers who got their Promethean boards two years ago and where they are now. I am amazed at how much they have increased their comfort zones. I just had a comment today from a faculty member who was proud of herself and what she was able to accomplish. I chided in on that and praised the effort. tomorrow............flick

January 13, 2010

TTWF was another bust, but no one can say that I am not trying to reach the populace. I did get to teach eportfolios today to a group of seniors. I know there are various aspects to eportfolios, but this one dealt with the job concept. The questions were great, and I tailored it well to their situation as best as possible. One of the easiest ways to create a good eportfolio is to utilize a wiki. This gives an on line functionality to the portfolio. I also discussed with them some on line dangers such as Facebook, etc. Many students as well adults feel that the items they post are so secure--they are NOT, and it is difficult to convince them of that. I am still forging ahead on the web sites, and when they see the ease of it, their comfort zones are now expanded to include WYSIWYGs. I also had an interesting conversation with a power who wants me to work with the entrepreneurship challenge. I will attend a meeting next week to find out the particulars.................flick

January 12, 2010

Today, I taught a class to embed sound into a powerpoint. Again, I am suppose to marvel at how technologically savvy our students are today, yet I still find it unfathomable that they are unable to do something basic as this. I believe, my theory only, that this generation is savvy when it comes to the communication, gaming, and socializing aspects, but when it deals with having to go outside their zones, they rely on good old teaching to learn how to do something instead of delving into itself. I know that this is a stereotype, but I did not create the stereotype that this generation has technical moxie, either. The web page introduction is continuing as more and more teachers are complying with the edict (?). This has some negativism with me because teachers have been bombarded with many new initiatives, and this is just something else coming down the proverbial highway. I am making it painless as possible. TTWF tomorrow...........flick

January 11, 2010

Expletive, I had to go back in and edit a couple of posts because I forgot what year it was. Ya gotta love old age. I am still exploring RCampus, and I am liking it more and more. I think the rubric section is sound and has a lot to offer. I am beginning to work with teachers here to publish their own web sites which are linked to school's web site. The site uses a WYSIWYG and is quite simple to create and maintain. I will not put pressure on them to pursue the various aspects because the comfort levels vary so much. I know that I will be busy in the next couple of weeks teaching them the basics of this. I still feel that it is still not teaching our students anything about web site development--another conversation for another day. I still love seeing people try the different concepts that I am espousing. Well, tomorrow............flick

January 8, 2010

I have been looking at RCampus for a possible collaboration site, and from my preliminary experience with them, it does offer an easy way to collaborate and offers some unique features. I have noticed a lot of these sites being offered to educators, and I feel that the net is meeting the needs of 21st century teachers and learners. I feel the abundance is a boon to us. With that boon also comes problems in that it is so difficult to choose, and my advice is to choose one that meets your needs; those needs will vary with the teacher. Some love the variety and are comfortable with that while others fear that variety and would rather deal with something more staid. I am finding that most of these sites offer both. Well, it is off to the weekend.............flick

January 7, 20010

I wore three inches of my shoes today. I must admit that the inundation was quite overwhelming, but I did conquer almost all. I also had an interesting meeting with the powers; I am not at liberty to discuss the meeting, but I am sure that there will be more to expose in the weeks ahead. I did attend the PSEA meeting on the retirement fund, and I know that it does not deal with technology, but in a round about way it does. The PA government in its infinite wisdom decided to delay payments to the pension fund, and now the payment is coming due. I love how government looks out for the people. The reason why this deals with technology is because now that the payment is due school districts are scrambling to pay it and technology will be cut to fulfill the monetary demand. I will refrain from lambasting those involved. tomorrow................flick

January 6, 2010

After coming back from the Challenger Center meeting, I still like the idea, but I think the vision might be too much for the community, and I also question the concept of hiring only two full-time people to staff the facility. Something of this magnitude, I believe, would require more than two full-time staffers. I will go and visit one of the facilities and get the skinny on the operation. I also did some Photoshop today in two classes, and I enjoyed dealing with it a whole lot. I have finished the tutorial for the teacher web pages and have worked with a couple of teachers on this task. My philosophy of personalizing their sites will remain the same with all. I know there is a comfort level when working with these, and that comfort level will increase with the correct tutelage. I am hold TTWF after school, but there is a PSEA meeting after school today so I doubt if I will have anyone. Be back tomorrow............flick

January 5, 2010

I am much intrigued about the new Challenger facility. I do feel it will be a boon to the area and be great for school children to visit to have the hands on approach to learning and problem solving. I did think it was more out of the planning and fund raising stages than it is. I also feel that it should include some technical areas for those students who like to delve into more hands on approach to their education. I expressed that at the meeting. I thought the meeting was quite good, and I am looking forward to visiting a center to see how they work, and the interaction of the students in the educational process. I so have a worry that this will not come to fruition for another five years. I still think it will be quite viable, though. Tomorrow.............flick

January 4, 2010

The first posting for the new year, and i am sooooo glad to be back...oops sorry for the sarcasm. It seems like y2k struck 10 years after the fact, but everything is back to normal. I am ready to unveil a program to talk with teachers about their respective web sites. Again, my job is to get them ready and show them some of the features and let them take off to make it as thorough as they want. I know that there are time constraints on it. Tomorrow I will attend a meeting at the IU to investigate the new Challenger facility. I have done my homework about it, and I am looking forward to finding our more information. Be back tomorrow.........flick

December 21-23, 2009

I have decided to combine these days. The days before a holiday break are somewhat mindless, but it gives me a chance to work on paperwork, tutorials, etc. I also talked with some teachers and worked in four classrooms during the three days. I know these last few postings have not been earth-shattering, but I am sure 2010 will bring is some interesting things. Have a great holiday(s)..............flick

December 18, 2009

It was a day to check on the teachers and talk about plans. I have been working on the cookie-cutter web site concept and have a tell-all book ready for the perusal. I know I will meet some recalcitrance from some about sites, but I feel that it will all work itself out when others start questioning why there is not a site from that person. This is a good time to check with all with the holidays fast approaching. Well, off to the weekend...........flick

December 17, 2009

This is my 275th posting, and I would have never thought that I would have stuck with this for all this time. I know that few read this, and I also know that it really serves no purpose except for me alone to vent and talk about mostly technology. I have read many other blogs and the substance they have, but I feel this is my Twitter on a grander scale. I am going to have an end-of-the-year ranting and raving about many different topics. This is a good venue for me, and I think it will help me focus on the task ahead. I still get bogged down with mundane tasks, but they still need to be addressed; otherwise, the task of incorporating technology cannot be accomplished. I had a ton of those mundane tasks today, but each one dealt with not being able to use the technology at hand. I do realize those tasks will alleviate frustration, and that is so important when aiding all in the integration of technology. To all of my Korean readers......Annyong-hi kashipshio...........flick

December 17, 2009

TTWF rocks. I know that you have been waiting for the latest outcome of TTWF, and I am here to tell you that I did have a participant and it went well. I know that it is not that well-received, but I will continue the endeavor because I feel it is important to offer. I worked with Movie Maker again with a class, and I must tell you that the industry needs to standardize codecs. They cause more problems, and I do remember that audio codecs used to cause a lot of problems. At least that has stabilized to some degree. I am a firm believer in standardizing things because the average person finds all of the different technological quirks to be cumbersome and frustrating. It needs to happen. People will eventually not use products who use proprietary code. Microsoft is finding this out more and more and has lost a lot of its base because of this. Google has gained a tremendous share of the fan base because it will not dwell in that realm, although I am beginning to see a change there to some degree. Hey, back tomorrow...............flick

December 16, 2009

I began the day with an almost clean calendar; well, that sure changed. Wireless issues are still plaguing us, and I am not sure what to do. We are going to test a Windows 7 image to see if that will solve some of the problems. Tonight is TTWF, and I expect a crowd unsurpassed in the annals of tech symposiums. I will tell you that we are progressing well here with technology even though we do have some glitches. I am off to TTWF. I will let you know how it all turns out....flick

December 15, 2009

I am still working with Movie Maker and having a blast with it. I am worried about the timeline with the students so I am mostly acting as a troubleshooter and helper to get them going. I talked with the teacher about getting some flip cameras, and she has actually started the process. They will take off well. I also scheduled some time for a teacher to talk about eportfolios with a class of seniors. I love this topic, and I know that the software is there to create some fabulous ones, but there is a limitation of time. There is no doubt that the use of eportfolios will explode in the next decade, and the traditional resume will be gathering dust with the telephone. I also experienced the same problem with the wireless today. It is so odd. I had to call the network wizard for help. This needs to be handled. My trip to the elementary yesterday did not go as planned. I cannot solve the issue of Activprimary. I may have to call another wizard. Hey, a busy but not a bad day................flick

December 14, 2009

I looked at my schedule today and told myself that it is wonderful that I have worn my sneakers because I am going to be all over this district today. I had to do a lot of fixing today, and I have noticed a trend with the wireless that concerns me. I also taught a class on Movie Maker and a class on Photostory. I love to see those projects come together, and they should be good ones. I am hoping that the school will invest in some flip video cameras. They are wonderful for down and dirty shooting of video, and for the most part save the district money, especially in peripheral equipment such as cords, tapes, and investment. I also have a meeting with two elementary teachers today at CH. I believe I can help them with some of their frustration. Well, getting to be HO HO time........................flick

December 11, 2009

Well, it seems like I have been gone four days--wait I have been. I taught two classes today, and it was good getting back into the classroom. I did not spend too much time talking about things they already knew, but I did challenge the students to think outside the box; some took up that challenge, and i am anxious to see what they do. I also had to catch up on a host emails and messages. I thought I got a lot done, but I sure did not sit back and muse about too much. I am looking forward to the weekend when I can immerse myself into something else to rest the gray matter. Well, another week on the horizon--let's see what goodies it may bring............flick

December 11, 2009

The final day of the conference, and I am glad that it is over; I feel like my butt is about 10ft. wide at this point sitting there and listening to people talk. I will give you my assessment of it all. I will tell you that Standard Aligned Systems Portal is going to be okay when it is finished, and I do like the fact that all lessons there are aligned to the standards. I think this will help educators work toward the standardization of concepts, but I do have a fear. That fear is that this will become a state curriculum. I know that in all of our workshops the presenters integrated that this is not there to be used as a curriculum for the districts, but I must warn all of my readers that the potential to use it in this fashion is now in place. That is okay if the districts in the state want to migrate to a set curriculum, but I still love my autonomy. Only time will give us the answer. I also thought it was interesting that all of this will be tied to the PIMS system in some way. I am glad it is over, but I do dread what I am going to face back at school...............flick

December 9, 2009

I forgot to ask all of my loyal readers what they think of the holiday motif of my blog. I do admit that addition of the tacky animated gif brings out the best in it. I just try to stay current with the time of the seasons, and I know that I will add some more gifs to it for future reference. Today at the conference was quite good. It was great to see teachers teaching lessons integrating the standards and showing great creativity; albeit, only 20 minutes of it. I about conferenced out, and I have another half day left of it. There is a lot of relevance with what is presented, and I am glad to be working with it. I have had some interesting questions concerning integration, and I must do some research. I have learned some things, and I am grateful for that chance. Well, back to the grindstone.............flick

December 8, 2009

I will not lie with respect that SAS will make the integration of the standards into the classroom easier. I do worry that some may use this database as a curriculum and not become inventive with all that they need to to. Of course, it may not happen, but I do know the human spirit has a streak of laziness. Everything one needs is right there to utilize. I do like the function that teachers have a toolbox to store and create. The web page component is quite elementary and will be easy for teachers to create a web page. I look at this site as a way to synchronize what is taught across the commonwealth. It has been a long day, and I know that there will be other trainings in the future which I will attend because I will be a facilitator for our district. Well, I must be off..............flick