February 15, 2008

In-service Day--Teachers just love these days when they can get together and do things that are deemed wothwhile by the powers that be (notice the sarcasm). I am now part of that establishment who imparts knowledge during this day. It is somewhat different being on the other side, and it will take awhile to get used to it. We did finish getting the laptops joined to the domain; now the company is checking the access points to make sure there is access throughout the building. I met with my group to get them signed onto the domain and to get them registered for the course. I also had to meet with teachers for individual problems. Getting the teachers registered was somewhat of a hassle because I did not possess the knowledge to answer their questions about administrative decisions. We now have the answers, and I hope to release them soon to get the course started. I know that there is some apprehension about getting started and doing all of the work that is being required expecially with the eschoolbook initiative, etc., but I am making it as non-intrusive as possible. I know it will all work out. We have a vacation day Monday, but I know I will be here for part of it. Have a stupendous weekend......

February 14, 2008

I have read my first comment to my blog, and I quite excited to find that someone actually does read it. I thought the question was good, and I responded in the blog. I am still amazed that someone actually does read it. I am getting ready for the meeting tomorrow. I need to get things around to aid them into logging into the course and signing up for it. We are getting the wireless all set up, but now we have to join all of the laptops to the domain. Dustin and the Smuck came up with a flash drive script to make the job easier. Good work. I am also going around and putting out fires to get all of this ready. I like the fact that some teachers are experimenting. Great Job. Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day. Ya gotta love a holiday invented by greeting card companies et. al.

February 12, 13 2008

There has been no school for these two days, but I have been here downloading audiobooks and registering students for the Computer Fair. The weather has been ugly, but that does not stop the CFF coach from doing his/her job. I guess one could compare us to the USPS except we deliver on time. Enough of the guffaws from all of you skeptics. We do take the job seriously because we believe in what we are doing. In the words of that famous sage Voychev: "не надо мешать грамматический определенный член nonbelievers и внебрачный,побочный ребенок быть одетым во что-либо ты пух." I will be back tomorrow. I doubt if anyone ever reads this blog, but I do......................

February 11, 2008

I worked top catch up today after being out for two days last week. I am so glad that the teachers are trying the whiteboards; it will be a lot of trial and error, but they must let the kids work on some of the material. It is tough to let go of those reins, but it is neat to be a facilitator. Like I said, the technology ed (shop) teachers have had the idea for years. We have our building wireless up and running. I know there will be some glitches, but doesn't that happen with most things. It will all work out with some patience; ah, the key word is patience. We expect our students to have it, and we exhibit little of it sometimes. The old adage comes into play, "Do as I say; not as I do." Time is such commodity now, but I know it will all work out. I am going to meet with the teachers this Friday and begin the course with them. I am going to get them signed up for it and begin. I am going to take a laissez-faire approach with them, but they must all take it. I find some of the course to be thought provoking, but it is mostly theory with some rhetoric thrown in. Well, I must get back to work.........cya

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!!!

February 7, 2008

I am now in Williamsport for Step II training with CDW-G. I was all set to be there on time and had my directions printed out, but there was a hitch--I forgot the folder with all of that information. Well, I got there and began the training with 18 other intrepids. We dealt with wikis, oovoo, podcasting, and screen captures. I found the information informative and useful. It was a good use of the time. One of the best aspects was the interaction with other CFF coaches. It is good to talk with them and find out other information. The networking is important and needed in this position. Tomorrow another day in Billtown.

February 6, 2008

Today dealt with problems. We finished the teacher laptops and now every teacher has one. We also worked on projectors to make sure they all worked. Also some teachers chose to keep their own laptops, and we need to update them with the software. Also we are setting up the wap's so we can put the carts into use. We are hoping they will be done this week. I am working on finishing the sites for the teachers so they use them as references. Teachers are still using the boards sporadically. I am waiting to get some more training on the boards so I can work with the teachers. I am also working on getting students involved as student techies. I see the value of this but it needs to be monitored. I am off for training tomorrow on Step II in Williamsport. If it is as good as the first one, I will be happy. Readers, if anyone reads this, feel free to click on my advertisements.....pssst, I get paid!!!!!

February 5, 2008

Since we came back from open box training, the teachers are starting to use the whiteboards, and I am ecstatic. It is neat to watch them explore. I also had to do an interview with some students who wanted information on an article for the school newspaper. It was interesting to hear their perceptions about the whiteboards and their purposes. We talked for over an hour, and I showed them some things. It was so neat to see and hear how their perceptions changed over that hour. Their excitement level rose considerably. I am impressed with how things are going.

February 4, 2008

Wow, what a whirlwind weekend. CFF is cooking now as some of the teachers have laptops in hand and have asked about using the whiteboards. A few of the students interviewed me about CFF and the use of technolgy in the classroom. I showed them some of the software, etc. and told them about the philosophy behind the idea of integrating technology into the classroom. The conversation went on almost 45 minutes, and I could tell that they were amazed with the theory and the application. One of their biggest concerns was with the concept of the teachers actually using the peripherals and applying the concepts. I told them that this was my job, and I am living proof that one can teach an old dog new tricks. They laughed, but this is also my concern: teachers thinking outside the box with respect to the use of technology. We need to use blogging and wikis instead of paper and pencil, etc. It will be interesting, but I am up for that challenge to help guide. It will be different working with teachers because they are one of the toughest groups to teach, but I feel that the ones I facilitate will be up for the challenge. Hey, do not be afraid to comment or click on my ads........flick......until tomorrow!!!!!!!!

February 1, 2008

Ice, Ice Baby--that is how I entitle today's blog. I am in Hershey today and tomorrow for a football clinic. The clinic is not that good--very little variety concerning topics, quality of topics, quality of presenters--all lacking. I guess that it has been very icy back in CC and PV with no school. It has rained all day down here. There was ice this morning. I met up with an old friend, and we reminisced about old times. It was nice to do that and find out about people whom (notice the use of the objective case) I have not had much information about. Wow, it so hard to believe that almost 30 years ago. Well, I do need to talk about CFF; otherwise, I will be dismissed from the CFF blogging association. The only thing I have done is download the Iliad and blog. I have added another video which I thoroughly enjoy and deals with thinking outside the box.