January 20, 2009

Hooray, it is my one year anniversary for blogging. I had to attend several blogging balls last night to commemorate the occasion. I really hate dressing in those white ties. Notice it happened on the same day as the inauguration. You know what that means, don't you--absolutely nothing. Sounds like a little bit like Edwin Starr. That name really dates me. Anyone remember the song? Well, today and this week still involves getting all of the technology working, talking with teachers on registering for Embedded Learning, assuaging fears over the voluminous tasks, and West Virginia K is working on the new image. I am learning more and more about imaging as my knowledge base has increased due to the circumstances. I also had to replace two bulbs in projectors. There was a myriad of to do's. I also attended a departmental meeting. We will get there. Hope all of you enjoyed the party...flick

January 19, 2009

This is finals week; therefore, there is not too much working in the classes. I had some real great talks with teachers today and tried to allay some fears with the initiative. There is a lot of tension here with all that is happening. I feel I need to diffuse a lot of it by not pushing at all and gradually easing into the technology. I have some teachers moving at light speed, and others who are uneasy. I am okay working with both. We are still trying to image the Lenovos, and it is a pain because of the boot sector. I thought we might have core duos this year, but we are still dealing with Celerons. I will tell you that Pennsylvania has done its work in ridding the planet of a lot of inferior processors. Okay, I will let it go. I am just amazed that we tout the technology; well, you know the rest. It will be a good week to get teachers caught up.

January 16, 2009

I am ready to finish the week. I had a teacher Lenovo die on me, and I mean it was DOA. I just can't wait to deal with Lenovo. We are trying to image the lappys. K has been working on the image and is going to teach me some ghosting unlike the old C promised he would and never delivered. That will teach the old anonymous one. I see a light at the end of the tunnel dealing with a lot of things, and then I can concentrate on working with the implemenation of it all. That is where it is. Next week, I have to get the embedded learning ready for deployment (sounds like a new OS, not quite). Like I said, not much to write. I will have more next week--I just checked my calendar.

January 15, 2009

A two-hour delay gives me the right time to finish installing the software. I got it all done, but the compressed schedule also makes it a very busy time to deal with all sorts of problems. It will all get accomplished I keep telling myself. I know that my writings have been sparse this week, but it is really because I have been dealing with the mundane problems I should not have to do. It is called circumstances, and the needs outweigh the description. It is getting close to my year celebration, and I invite all of my readers to attend the gala party being thrown by Google in my honor of this milestone. Hold it, I just woke up from the dream. It is hard to believe that it has been a year since I began the endeavor of a blog. I have enjoyed this journey and will continue until my tenure has elapsed. Talk to you tomorrow.......flick

January 14, 2009

This week could be labeled "The week of Ipanema." I know you are asking, "What is an Ipanema/" The answer is quite simple: a beach in Brazil. What does that have to do with CFF? Nothing, but it is the first thing that came to mind. I just have been busy trying to get teachers up and running with the Promethean boards. I have the software loaded on desktops, and I have emailed particulars to all about updating drivers, etc. It is a long and involved process, but it is needed to get all on the right track. The projectors need aligned and the lappys need imaged. I am in the process of learning some about ghost to aid me in that. We also got the Polycomm unit working so students can take a college credit class. Some small setting had to be changed. Weather is getting quite colder and some snow. We will see about tomorrow, Flick

January 13, 2009

I am trying to diffuse a lot of problems, and i am getting there. I know it sounds like a rehash of yesterday, but in many ways it is. One of the biggest problems is getting the driver updates for the Promethean boards. At least I have some new software to accomplish the job. I also ran into a interesting problem of converting wordpad to excel. I did it. I was not sure how it would work, but it interfaced well. It was just a day of getting to the list. I know it is not much, but I refuse to bore with other plebian details.

January 12, 2009

As a friend says, "Another day in Paradise." Really, not a bad day. Right now I am working open getting the new technology up and running so it can be used by a new group of teachers. I know I know that is no my job, but when IT is short and teachers want to use it, then someone has to move; that someone is I. I am also working on getting the embedded learning ready to go, and I have worked on the log. I definitely trying to work on the list. I need to get it shortened. I also worked to try and get the polycom unit running for a distance learning concept. It will occur; I know that Smuck will get it. Tomorrow,

January 9, 2009

I had an appointment this morning and arrived a little late. The projectors need aligned for the boards, and there are questions about software, etc. I do hope that we get a new IT person soon; it will help alleviate a lot of the hardware problems. I am dealing a lot with helping teachers work in the software and give them ideas on what to do. I know one teacher in the science department already completed the board tutorial. Speaking of boards, my hat gets doffed to Promethean and especially WZ. She is fantastic with her help and advice. I am impressed with the support the company gives. Inspiration is becoming a daily word here as more and more teachers and students are using the software. One teacher has reported a glitch, and I may have to do a fresh install. The Janus project is on task and ready to launch next week with actual filming. I am anxious to view the final for that. I need to complete getting all teachers registered for embedded learning. I guess one of the big things is to get the coach's log up-to-date. February is becoming an interesting month. For all of you Icelandic readers sjáumst. Till next week.................flick

January7-8, 2009

Well, as it happens in public education we had a day off on Wednesday because of the weather, and, yes, for all you naysayers, it was needed. A tremendous amount of ice, but we all survived well. I did come in to prepare for tomorrow for the installation of the Promethean boards and the arrival of the laptops.

8-Sometimes plans do not go according to Hoyle so one must have a back-up plan. I did, and the installation went well. All of the boards are up. We now have to ghost the laps and get them ready for the populace. The Smuck did a great job of getting everything together, and we are already fielding questions. I send out and email for all to take an online tutorial to help them ease into it all. I was running around this place (you thought I was going to write 'like a chicken with its head cut off) like the Mad Hatter on fire. Now, the fun begins.

January 6, 2008

I am back after the hiatus of the holiday and dr appointment, and what to my eyes do appear, (nope not eight tiny reindeer) but a voluminous amount of work to get caught up. We have the installation of Promethean boards this week as well as the handing out of laptops. If that is not enough, I also have to get the teachers ready for Embedded Learning and bring them up to speed about the how to use the boards. Also, without the IT person on board, I have been saddled with working on some problems, but it with mainly CFF problems. That is taking enough of my time. I sent out over 50 emails today dealing primarily with CFF. I also know that I am going to have to get my log up-to-date, etc. This is my first blog of the new year, and it does feel good to get back in the proverbial saddle. I am anxious to bring the new teachers on board. Sure, it will be trying, and I will face the same recalcitrance by some. In the end it is worth it. I just had a talk today with a tech ed teacher and told him how progressive his department has been for years when working with students. I think it is neat, and we all could learn. Well, I need to finish this and hit the trail. I will be back again tomorrow, if we have school. the weather does suck out there right now.....toots