November 2, 2009

Back from a weekend and wondering what will await the intrepid CFF/technology integrator dude. I did find out that I will be heading to Hershey for the SAS conference, which CFF is now a part of. SAS is Standards Aligned System. I was also out and about today. I finished some housekeeping duties with the wiki project and discussed some with others. I also found out my role in the upcoming teacher's in-service right before Thanksgiving, and I am looking forward to working with the elementary teachers on Activinspire. I did have one tech problem that I could not figure out, but tomorrow is a new day. I am also going to teach some LA this week, and I must admit that I think I will enjoy that. Back tomorrow............flick

October 13, 2009

The frost definitely covered the pumpkin today; I could tell because it was cold outside then building and cold inside. That did not stop the intrepid CFF, oops, secondary technology integrator from attacking his duties. I still working on the wiki presentation, and I do think it will be a good one. Wikispaces is making it easier and user-friendly to get students and teachers involved. I think it is great. I also finished the kmz file for the teacher who took students on a field trip. I was out and about. I also had a chance to work on my wiki. I have taken a look at it, and it is huge; there are great resources there, but it is overwhelming. I have decided to break it down even more for ease of use. A good day with lots of work accomplished so I will be back tomorrow. Maybe the frost will ease....Nawwwww!!!!!!!!!!! ...............flick

October 6, 2009

There was a guy named Arte Johnson of Laugh-In who made famous a phrase, "very interesting." Today made me think of Arte and that phrase because there were a myriad of problems, a multitude of what if's, and multiple solutions. I also contacted my TIMS to talk about where CFF is going and what we should do in relation to all of the information that we must submit to the state. I am not sure if we should maintain the status quo or move ahead. I know that we are still in survey mode, etc. I do not have a definitive answer. I also am working on different ideas for people and presentations. I do love unsolvable problems, and I had two of those today with viable solutions. It has been a good one. I will inform all of my loyals about the GPS unit. I am sure I will be talking about it over the next few day. Take care and talk with ye tomorrow...............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 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 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

July 23, 2009

Well, I thought that I would check in over the summer and let you know how things are going. First of all, I have now moved to a new area; it is okay if one does not like air conditioning or ambiance...oops, her comes the sarcasm. I will survive...thanks Gloria Gaynor...some more sarcasm. I also did some Promethean training for PV teachers. It went extremely well. I kept it simple and showed them the basics and allowed them to create something for themselves. I know that they were pleased with the outcome and so was I. I have been doing things here and there for preparation for the year and the class I will be teaching in early August. With the news from Harrisburg, it sure does sound like that CFF as we know it will be dead in the water. I am sure that the legislators will get their pay. How do you like it when ya got something that works and the state takes it away. I know that I am biased, but it is the truth. I will get a vacation soon, and I am looking forward to it. Sure do love my water recreation. Well, I thought I would blog in and let the loyals know what was happening. I did not fall off the face of the earth....LOL...............flick

June 12, 2009

The last day of school. I think I am getting old because it does not mean as much to me as it once did. I am more concerned about getting the stream of graduation working properly. It is such an important event, and I just want to make sure it works. The news concerning CFF looks quite bleak for next year. I do not see much of anything from the state in terms of money or equipment. I do understand the cutting of the program, but I do not have to like it one bit. I have become quite cynical when it comes to politics, and I would love to see the budget and the perks that are there for certain so-called public servants. Okay, okay...I will quit the b errr I mean, complaining. I will let you know how the stream worked..............flick

May 28, 2009

I am on the road again visiting the lovely burg of Curwensville for a CFF regional meeting with our lovely TIMS--Eddie. I took the literacy coach with me. The meeting dealt with getting the math people on board, and Curwensville did a great job with their teachers showing some of the things they were doing. I hate to be stereotyping math teachers because it is not politically correct, but I have never been accused of being politically correct. As a group, they do not want to change. There are exceptions to the rule, and I have two who break that stereotype. We also heard from the state about what is happening next year, and it does not look good money-wise. That does not surprise me. Not a bad meeting--a little lengthy. Talk to you tomorrow.......flick

May 27, 2009

I taught a group of 4th graders interent safety today, and I thought it went well. I was surprised at how little they knew when it came to the internet, but they did know enough, I feel, to find some problems like all people do. I know this is a strange comment, but I find that most people can venture out into cyberspace and have no idea what can happen. I feel that people need to make themselves aware of some of things out there. I thought it went well, and I thought that I communicated well with them with a lot of reiteration. I came back here to mostly a quiet day so that is good. Tomorrow, I am off to the land of CFF at the IU. I need to have a cart ready for an interesting project which I will miss. We will be working with one of the most recalcitrant groups of innovators. Man, that is a mouthful. I will inform my loyal readers [sarcasm] about the results. tomiglio...........flick

May 13, 2009

We had a debriefing session with the JANUS group from PSU. It lasted an hour, and I think it will lead to a very productive liaison between PV and PSU--more productive for PV. I like the idea that we will be able to produce something that they can use. It is so important to have authenticity and relevancy when doing projects because it adds an important concept to its completion. I know that it will lead to some great productive projects. We are also having trouble completing the CFF survey with PSU. We and PSU have no idea what the heck is wrong, and someone needs to find a solution. I feel that it has something to do with our student profile. I am not sure, though. I also met with teachers today. We are starting to wind down with things. I am helping them with last minute details and budgetary concerns. Other than that I have nothing to report.................flick

May 11, 2009

I started this over two hours ago so you know what kind of day it has been. Meeting with several teachers has gone really well. I am more and more amazed at some of the things they are doing. It is really coming around full circle. I would say that we are reaching over 60% of the teachers willing to come out of the box. Today was the first day of the cff survey, and their has been major problems connecting to the survey. PSU has to realize that the traffic is going to increase, and they need to be ready. I know it will get fixed, but the teachers are losing teaching time, and they and I do not like that. Be back tomorrow. I am coming up on my 200th anniversary...yeah....................flick

May 6, 2009

My calendar this week is looking more like a teacher repository of names, but the one name that is prominent, and I have to pay special attention to is my TIMS man. We met concerning the state of CFF. The meeting went quite well, and we able to talk on a variety of subjects. The visit went well, and we are well within compliance. The TIMS does a great job. We also set up our first classroom wiki, and we are ironing out the bugs with it. I am anxious to see how it works. I also have been doing some research on some Web 2.0 apps. One of the concepts that worries me about a lot of it is the age restrictions being placed on them by the developers. We will get by this. Well, back again tomorrow..............flick

April 29, 2009

The meeting went well today, and we have things finalized for the new image. It was busy dealing with all the consultations. I need to work with the solar car folks. I have to finalize some of that this week to get things ready. Next week I have to get my CFF group ready to do the survey. I know this will be lots of fun. There will be a million questions, but ya gots to do what you gots to do. I also have a meeting with the lit coach and the TIMS. I will let you know how it all goes.................flick

April 23-27, 2009

As you can see, I have lumped several days together because I have attended three different conferences during this time. I am conferenced (I know this is not a word, but in the Flick lexicon, it is perfectly acceptable). I am believer that if one walks away with one item, then it was worthwhile. Well, I must tell you that these were worthwhile. The one over the weekend (yes, I said over the weekend--I know this may surprise some of my loyal readers err, I meant reader) was at Hershey. I took one teacher with me to a conference about Promethean boards. It was quite good, and I feel the networking was fantastic. On Monday, I attended a CFF conference. This conference dealt with hands on concepts dealing with the different disciplines. I attended the math and social studies sessions.

Finally, the previous two days I attended the one-to-one computing conference held at PSU. Again it was very good, and I enjoyed most of it. I must admit that I did not enjoy PSU's lack of a viable internet connectivity. It was pathetic. It limited my multi-tasking...LOL. I especially thought the presentations were good, and I got more out of this than the PETE&C. I know everyone touts the aforementioned conference, but it has become too large and unwieldy. The neat part about the one-to-one was that we had a large contingent of teachers attend. This alone has stimulated some into areas, hitherto, unknown to them. Now it is back to the grind....flick

April 20, 2009

I met today with both the principal and the literacy coach in separate meetings. Again both were productive, and I feel we are all on the same page, which is good. I also worked with Inspiration and the embedded learning. I got the chance today to work on a web site, which I have not done in a long time. It took me awhile to remember where some of the things were, but I did it. I must admit that I miss that. I also am trying to make arrangements for some conferences. Conferences are like coaching clinics; if you get one thing out of them, then it was worthwhile. I also am preparing for a visit from the TIMS to discuss the implementation of CFF. I will have to work out all of the details for that. It was a good day, and I feel on top of things. Be back tomorrow...........flick

April 7, 2009

I have been searching for more resources for the teachers and finalized some teacher contacts. I am also trying to finalize a meeting with my TIMS--Eddie. We will get a date finalized so we can get another component out of the way for CFF. I also worked on the embedded learning; I must tell you that facilitating two courses is, well, let's just say, time consuming. It will all get done. Tomorrow I am ready to introduce photostory to a new group. It will be to special needs group so it could be interesting. I will let you know how it goes. I also had a talk with the network guru about images and things to order. We are looking a netbooks, and I do feel that is the way to go next for the future because of cloud computing and cost. The cutting edge is great. Be back tomorrow.

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 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

February 25, 2009

I have been integrating Photostory3 in quite a lot of classes, and the students love doing projects with it because of how easy it interfaces with the user. They are able to be quite creative, interject their own voices, and get off of the powerpoint kick. People are tired of powerpoint, and this program gives a viable alternative. We will become a photostory district soon. I had another teacher approach me about using it, and we have set up a time next week to talk about it. The CFF lappys are done, and I will distribute them tomorrow to the teachers. I am preparing and Indesign module for K tomorrow. I am watching teachers transform their ideas and engaging students more in various functions. I love it. We have back to school tonight, and that will give me a chance to work on tomorrow, etc. I know some teachers are showcasing student work. Well, I am off to the land of sleep...see ya tomorrow...............flick