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 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

November 12, 2009

The hole in the proverbial dike this week has been patched for a little while. It was nice to work on some items that needed attention and prepare for the photoshop and photostory tutorials. Most of the students know photostory. I have a neat tutorial on how to morph something into a Shrek-like creature so get to know the power of the software. I also have been meeting with more and more teachers who are breaking out of their comfort zones to work with technology such as wikis, mosaics, etc. I am finding my services more and more in demand. The Skype with Iraq went well. The students were able to talk with someone actually there, and, from what I hear, was the hit of the assembly. I am just forging ahead and doing certain things. Tomorrow is Friday, and I have no idea what it will bring. I still love that unknown. Oh, the additional wireless node in a classroom has solved a lot of problems. Okay, I am finished. Be back tomorrow.............flick

April 28, 2009

I had a meeting scheduled today with the regional TIMS, but with the incident here, I have rescheduled it for next week. It was a day to catch up on all of the problems, etc. There were a bunch of them. Getting to all of them and meeting with the literacy coach to set up a wiki was fun. We were able to do it all. I had some unique problems to overcome. I like the idea that some of the faculty is really stepping out of their comfort zones to tackle. I really must commend one J, who is really trying some new things. Tomorrow is a meeting with the IT wizard to talk about some tech things to get all puters ready for next year. We need to change our image to accommodate some new features, etc. Well, gotta get caught up..............flick

February 19, 2009

I just received a phone call that made me smile so much. I have a new teacher who called and wants me to sit in on his class to watch his attempt with the interactive whiteboard. This is what I call daring, innovative, and out of the comfort zone. I know this teacher well, and this was a big move for him. This is what I am talking about--challenging the self and the students. I am headed there now; I will report. I am back, and it did work well. I love to see the utilization and the confidence increase. Great job C. Things went well, and we will be able to do some other things. He already asked me about it. I also love the part that he did not feel threatened by my being there. I am not there to judge but to help. I also worked some resource library magic today and did some other things. I have been in several rooms today just talking and getting my schedule in order for next week. It does look busy. Great... later.......flick

December 18, 2008

Well, I have a funny feeling that this will be my final post of 2008 because tomorrow the weather is supposed to be ugleeeeeeee so no school. It is better to be safe than sorry. So, I have dedicated this blog to talk about the triumphs and tragedies of 2008. The first triumph is the starting of the blog. I know that I have posted in the past that I never thought blogging would be part of my routine, but it become that. I have enjoyed writing about CFF and some of the happenings this past year, and I do plan to continue the practice. Another triumph is my teachers who have tested the waters and come out of their comfort zones to try new ideas dealing with the integration of technology. I applaud their efforts, and at the same time I do not castigate those who are moving at a slower pace. I do understand the trepidation and concern about the impact of trying to integrate technology. All of my teachers know that I will be there to further their forays. Another triumph is definitely the district's vision to make integrator positions full-time at both the primary and secondary levels. I commend them on this move. I know that my sarcasm sometimes gets into the way, but I am quite serious this time. The biggest triumph of all has to be the students who as a collective group have settled into the 21st century will little resistance, and why shouldn't they do this (rhetorical).

Now the tragedies--The first deals with the school personnel as a group (teachers and students). Everyone needs to throw away some misheld myths. First the teachers need to believe that they can accomplish PSSA preparation in a new way of conveyance. We are so caught up with testing that I worry that we are just creating students who can do well on tests but unable to think on their own. The students need to embrace technology and school from the aspect of learning and preparing for the future instead of finding the so-called easy way out. They have choices to make, and those choices are what will create a future that is proactive and not automatonish (new word created by me). I do recognize that my use of stereotypes is not indicative of all, but I do think it is above 50% for both groups. I am not that far removed from these groups because I do understand the mentality, but in the same right, I can hope for change. Finally, another tragedy is the district which continually wants to institute changes and programs but refuses to give the time to proffer the correct means to utilize those changes and programs properly. I do agree with the facilitation model of education, but I do not agree with the hodgepodge model. I do see changes there, and I will be patient because I do preach that to my teachers and students.

I know that this is the longest blog of my more than 100 entries, but in this I have not rated myself. If I had to grade myself, it would be an 88% on the Penns Valley scale. I have the wherewithal to complete my assignment, but I sometimes get bogged down in the intricacies of technology. By that last statement I mean that I know that things must work in order to embed them into the curriculum; I make sure that they do work. I also have not learned all that I need to learn about certain softwares, etc. that I need to learn. I do excel in gathering resources and being there. My goal for 2009 is to increase my grade to 90%. I am on my way there, and I will achieve it.

There you have it. I have enjoyed the ride, and I know that I will continue to enjoy it. There is much to do. I know that I will have to help change some mindsets, learn new concepts, and be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. I will do it. I thrive on the challenge and will succeed. I will be back in 2009.....Are you ready for some more wit and wisdom from the sage? I am as long as the parsley and rosemary come with it....yeah, I know that is terrible, but at least in that respect I see no reason to change that concept. Goodbye 2008--I am looking forward to 2009. I do want to wish all my loyal readers the best of holidays no matter what aspect you celebrate...................flick

February 19, 2008

The day started off poorly, but it got a lot better. LME. I will talk about the good part. One teacher, who is not even a part of CFF, talked to me about doing a webquest in social studies. She told me that it was out of her comfort zone, but she was quite excited about doing it. Good job Mrs. Dean. The second occurred when another teacher took my suggestion--she is part of CFF--about the possibility of using PhotoStory for logic fallacies. This is also out of her comfort zone, but she is willing to give it a try. She is worried about the facilitation mode of teaching. It is a foreign concept. I love it. I also have the embedded learning set up and have emailed teachers about using it. I know some are worried about the time and the technology, but as long as they are willing to work with me, I will be willing to throw myself into their projects. It is moving ahead, and I am quite happy with these little victories. I know that this is tough because we have been programmed to believe that there is only one way to do things; it is very tough to reliquish that control. It will start slowly, but every revolution must start some where. I will be back tomorrow.