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

November 16, 2009

I am going on the record by saying I am going on the record; I am glad that is out of the way. Well, today I taught my first lesson using Paint.net. After working with Photoshop all these years, I find the interface to be similar, but the behavior is not what I expect. This will teach me to do some previewing before I do the teaching. Secondly, off of the listserv I have found a way for teachers to download Youtube vids to use within their lessons. The best part is that the format is quite compatible with Activinspire. I do warn teachers that once the lesson is completed they need to destroy the vid due to copyright infringements. Speaking of the listserv, I have found it to be invaluable for certain information, and I do value it, even though it can sometimes be overwhelming with the plethora of emails. I did receive good news in that I am attending PETEandC. I still wish PAECT could find a different venue for it. Well, tomorrow I am in the classroom quite a bit so I must prepare.......flick

November 13, 2009

It's Friday the 13th!!!! I am not sure how the number 13 got such a bad rap, but I am sure there is some reason out there. For all of you triskaidekaphobics, I raise a toast of sympathy to you; for the rest of you, I commiserate with your logic and just wish all of the hype would just go away. Wow, what a politically correct statement! I proffered myself to both sides. Let's get to the good stuff. I went into two classes and showed them the power of Photoshop. I had them morph a subject and create a new being. A lot of them were surprised when they could actually do it, and some of them pined that it did not look like mine. I told them that this is their creation, and it needs to have their signature. I also had several meetings with teachers. I am preparing to teach photomosaics Monday. I am looking forward to it. Have a great weekend.

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

November 6, 2009

Ah, the end of the week and coming back after a day out--adding those two together can lead to chaos. I also had surprise in that the IT person was out this day. Bizzy. I did solve the projector problem with a off the wall the solution, but it works. I spent most of the adding dates to my calendar for next week. Everything from Photostory to Photoshop: could be interesting. I am also setting a time to hold after school meetings each week for anyone interested in meeting with me. I am keeping the agenda open, and I feel Tuesday or Wednesday would be good days. I think it is important for me to hold regular times for those interested. It also can help with accountability, if needed. On Monday we have graduation project presentations, and I am doing one via Skype from South America. I do like Skype and Oovoo and feel that they have a place in education. I will inform you on how well it went. Have a great weekend. And for all of my Nigerian readers Ka odi.

October 1, 2009

Holy Kadongies!!!!!! October is here, and it is quite cool. I got that out of the way. We are still working on the wireless; there is something wrong, and with my limited knowledge, I cannot discern what it is. I worked on everything from Photoshop today to Office. Some interesting problems, and I have to admit that I also had some learning moments--just love those. Like I said before, one never knows what will happen. Well, I am off to prepare for the day......flick