December 4, 2009

I needed to catch up on all sorts of loose ends today, and I was able to achieve that goal. I also set up a time to meet with some elementary cohorts to help them with some problems. I also had some time to research the new state SAS standards, which is why I am headed to Hershey next week. I do not feel the site is ready to access and do much good, but I feel it is the way of the future. There is one aspect that bothers me about this way of checking student progress; teachers are linked to the student in name no matter whether that student passes or fails to meet the standards. I do not care what anyone says with respect to students; not all students care whether they succeed or not. With 21st century concepts, the onus is supposed to shift to the student, and they need to take charge of their learning. I have been teaching for over 30 years, and I must tell you that in that time I have had one to two per cent of my students not give a damn about their learning at any level or subject. What I also found amazing is that I have had a couple of students come back and blame the system for their failures. I do believe that there is some fault with the system, but I watched these students choose to fail. To a tee, they come back and ask the question, "Why did you not make me work." I say #$%^&$##%$ to that question and tell them point blank that they failed and not the system. I do not make any friends over it. Which brings me to the point that not everyone is the same even though we try to lump them all into the same category. We will not achieve 100%. I do agree we can make it to the 90's. Okay, Okay I am done with this. I will report my findings from the conference to my salivating fans who are hanging on the precipice awaiting my twist...Have a great weekend..........flick

November 3, 2009

I took a good look at my color scheme for the blog, and I said to myself, "Self, it is still appropriate for the upcoming month; therefore, I will not change a thang." I know I have great conversations with myself. Speaking of conversations, I had a great one with a Social Studies teacher yesterday who came to me wondering what innovative and 21st Centuryesque could be done with a new class. We brainstormed the topic and came up with several. I loved it. Oh, the the teaching went great yesterday, and I must admit that I missed being there. I love the collaborative aspect of education at this point, and even though it is not new to me, I think it is great to watch this aspect unfold. Technology is helping to spearhead the collaborative concept, and I take some satisfaction in knowing I was correct in my approach years ago, even though I took some heat for it. I do not like the regimen that is driving it all here, but I know one can adapt. I also told all of my loyal reader(s?) that I would keep up the blog, and I am adhering to that promise. So, for all of you out there in blogdom.....pppppppppttttttttttttttttttt...flick

February 8, 2008

Back in Billtown, whoa o o o o o o. IU 17 is not a bad place at all. It is in a fairly modern building and quite comfortable. Today we learned some audacity and the use of PhotoStory. I must admit that I am impressed with the use of PhotoStory in that Microsoft has made something quite easy to use and somewhat powerful from the ease of use. I used my webcam to set up the entire shoot for PhotoStory. I feel good about the training and the trainers. I have learned some new things which makes going to these worthwhile. Again, I feel the networking with the other coaches is quite valuable. I still have some other trainings to attend: the Adobe and the Promethean training. I hope that these two sessions are as valuable. Talk again with you next week...

This is the PhotoStory that my group did. It is inane but interesting. The second is from another group. It was done with Smarties. Great Job!!!