I was feeling pretty good about our technology integration during year two of our one-to-one initiative. Then yesterday's session with Will Richardson went down. I now have a clearer vision of where we're heading.
While I'm more inspired today, by his words and the work going on in several district's in the state, I'm reassessing where CAM High School is as a building. You see we may be falling short in the area of teaching students how to access the learning communities in "the cloud".
Personally, I'm just starting to establish a learning network and my eyes are opening wide to the possibilities. I now see how several colleagues can wax on so eloquently about their vision and where their districts are heading.
My biggest take aways from yesterday.
The Shift - Education will change. How and when is uncertain, but the facts are the abundance of learning tools online, and the networks you can join and become a part of, means it will either change willingly, or kicking and screaming. My bet is on the later. Allowing students to network with "anyone" is inconceivable to many people. Even though outside of the school day they will be doing that anyway.
We need to unblock everything and teach everything - If not us, then who? 'Nuff said. Get it done, address patron's fears, teacher's fears, everyone's fears head on. Teach Digital citizenship, how to use social networks for learning and that's for everyone.
Bring everyone together - Sure we got everyone on board for one-to-one computers. That wasn't that hard of a sell. The problem is until 24 hours ago, I didn't exactly know what I was selling. This conversation will be different..vastly different.
We/students need to be Googleable - Student's need to be found in the cloud and their work needs to reflect positively on their new literacy skills. This goes against many people's ingrained mis-conceptions.
We need to dive into the CLOUD head first - Get your PLN set up, get your teachers involved in setting up a PLN and get your student's work out there for everyone to see and then promote it!
We need to get moving now, get teachers involved and get everyone to the table. These are exciting times, but we have to be ready to empower patrons and faculty to overcome their fears.
The students don't have them.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Snow days - just another school day?
If we take our essential skills, create a student-centered classroom, create and embed authentic assessments, create and maintain online learning environments - then snow days would be more like a typical day - not a complete and total stoppage of school.
We are mired in a "blizzard" in Iowa and most schools have canceled, some for the second day in a row. Teachers who have till Christmas to wrap up their semester just had their plans condensed, fine arts programs preparing for holiday concerts are scrambling and looking for times during the day to practice.
Students are connected via internet (75% of our students have access at home) or most have cellphones that have apps if not browser access on their phone. If we made these tools part of our curriculum delivery then physically having the student's logging seat time would be unnecessary.
Regular days and snow days could be administered to anyone and everyone, whether they were at school or not.
The questions are limitless and are often stumbling blocks for reform in education by using technology. A total shift to online curriculum looks impossible.
But is it? We have two classes that have 60-90% or their curriculum online and if they had too, they could have instructed students to refer to their sites these past two days. Definitely something I'm going to bring up at the next leadership team meeting.
We are mired in a "blizzard" in Iowa and most schools have canceled, some for the second day in a row. Teachers who have till Christmas to wrap up their semester just had their plans condensed, fine arts programs preparing for holiday concerts are scrambling and looking for times during the day to practice.
Students are connected via internet (75% of our students have access at home) or most have cellphones that have apps if not browser access on their phone. If we made these tools part of our curriculum delivery then physically having the student's logging seat time would be unnecessary.
Regular days and snow days could be administered to anyone and everyone, whether they were at school or not.
The questions are limitless and are often stumbling blocks for reform in education by using technology. A total shift to online curriculum looks impossible.
But is it? We have two classes that have 60-90% or their curriculum online and if they had too, they could have instructed students to refer to their sites these past two days. Definitely something I'm going to bring up at the next leadership team meeting.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
"You Tweet???"
I'll admit. Twitter was a just another one of those Web 2.0 applications that I just didn't want to deal with. After all it was getting athletes and celebrities in instant trouble. Sarah Palin Tweeted...It just wasn't for me.
Folks, we live in a world where you need to embrace and at least try EVERYTHING that comes out new and gets buzz. Yes, everything has their trivial and meaningless side. But EVERYTHING has it's beneficial and productive side.
And the beauty is ... you can do both ... alternatively at the same time. As I check email, facebook or edit personal pictures, Tweetdeck (a twitter application) buzzes me with education posts that my professional network is tweeting.
Most of the Twittering I do as to do with Technology in education. There is a nightly discussion on education issues at "educhat". The information that I read and see is relevant, interesting and mostly backed with real data.
What if we did that with students in our district with students across the country?
Twitter is amazing. Twitter is trivial. That can be said for a lot of Web 2.0 applications.
I was just invited to check out Google Wave...the next new thing from Google.
It just keeps coming
Folks, we live in a world where you need to embrace and at least try EVERYTHING that comes out new and gets buzz. Yes, everything has their trivial and meaningless side. But EVERYTHING has it's beneficial and productive side.
And the beauty is ... you can do both ... alternatively at the same time. As I check email, facebook or edit personal pictures, Tweetdeck (a twitter application) buzzes me with education posts that my professional network is tweeting.
Most of the Twittering I do as to do with Technology in education. There is a nightly discussion on education issues at "educhat". The information that I read and see is relevant, interesting and mostly backed with real data.
What if we did that with students in our district with students across the country?
Twitter is amazing. Twitter is trivial. That can be said for a lot of Web 2.0 applications.
I was just invited to check out Google Wave...the next new thing from Google.
It just keeps coming
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Helping with homework
Many parents ask how they can best help their students with homework. I understand how helpless a parent may feel trying to explain a math concept, science concept or even how to assist in an accounting assignment.
First off, you must help the student organize their time AND have an idea of what they are actually doing during that time. They can tell you they were working, but if you haven't dropped in on them or engaged them during the process, you will never really know.
But after that it's HOW you ENGAGE them that matters, not your content knowledge.
I, personally, didn't know some of the math terminology my son was working on last year and had to take a pause.
So instead of having the answer, which really isn't an ideal thing to provide, I had to evaluate the problem and work with him to figure out what was needed. After some frustration, he worked through the issue, with my help (mainly cheerleading and encouraging) and then was able to answer the questions.
This is why, at all levels, we need to de-emphasize getting the right answer. It's the process.
So, at home when you're asked how to help define a themes for a student in English, or which verb tense is needed in Spanish, ASK your students questions about what they're doing in class, what the teacher said, what is available online. Help them think through the process and come up with answers AND questions for the teacher.
Teacher's can answer specific questions about material and problems generated from student's attempting to solve problems. "I don't understand it," means the student hasn't tried to solve it themselves.
First off, you must help the student organize their time AND have an idea of what they are actually doing during that time. They can tell you they were working, but if you haven't dropped in on them or engaged them during the process, you will never really know.
But after that it's HOW you ENGAGE them that matters, not your content knowledge.
I, personally, didn't know some of the math terminology my son was working on last year and had to take a pause.
So instead of having the answer, which really isn't an ideal thing to provide, I had to evaluate the problem and work with him to figure out what was needed. After some frustration, he worked through the issue, with my help (mainly cheerleading and encouraging) and then was able to answer the questions.
This is why, at all levels, we need to de-emphasize getting the right answer. It's the process.
So, at home when you're asked how to help define a themes for a student in English, or which verb tense is needed in Spanish, ASK your students questions about what they're doing in class, what the teacher said, what is available online. Help them think through the process and come up with answers AND questions for the teacher.
Teacher's can answer specific questions about material and problems generated from student's attempting to solve problems. "I don't understand it," means the student hasn't tried to solve it themselves.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
High School Parent-Teacher Conferences this week
We will hold one night of parent-teacher conferences this Thursday from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. only at CAM High School. CAM Middle School and the elementary schools will be holding conferences during the last week of October.
It is important to the success of your student that you attend if possible.
High School staff and the leadership team agreed that it would be beneficial to hold conferences soon after mid-term to allow teachers and parents to get together and formulate strategies to help improve their student's performance BEFORE the end of the quarter on October 16.
Please stop in the office to see your student's lunch balance. You have received a copy of the report card so we will not have them in the office. Teachers will have a progress report ready for you in each of your student's classes.
Please keep your conferences to 10-20 minutes and if their is a line behind you, respect that and maybe schedule an individual conference for early the following week if you feel you need more time.
The key is for both to look ahead and see what needs to be done in the future. Too often we focus on what didn't get handed in, why a particular test or project was graded in the fashion it was graded.
I stand firmly behind our staff and their efforts to be FAIR while having high expectations for turning assignments in, being responsible and accountable for their work. I have looked into dozens of situations and all but ONE was an issue of the students trying to manipulate me, the teacher and yes, their parents.
The one case the student was responsible, went to the teacher and together they resolved the problem with the student's grade. In another instance I pulled a group of students in and told them what they needed to do. Defiantly they did not follow one of my instructions and will be disappointed in the grade they earned.
Our entire staff wants your student to succeed and prepares hard. I can say I've worked personally will all of the teachers and especially our first year teachers or teachers in new areas. They have all worked hard to make their classrooms dynamic and engaging and have made significant adjustments.
We hope the new format will yield improved performance in the classroom as we end the quarter.
See you there!
It is important to the success of your student that you attend if possible.
High School staff and the leadership team agreed that it would be beneficial to hold conferences soon after mid-term to allow teachers and parents to get together and formulate strategies to help improve their student's performance BEFORE the end of the quarter on October 16.
Please stop in the office to see your student's lunch balance. You have received a copy of the report card so we will not have them in the office. Teachers will have a progress report ready for you in each of your student's classes.
Please keep your conferences to 10-20 minutes and if their is a line behind you, respect that and maybe schedule an individual conference for early the following week if you feel you need more time.
The key is for both to look ahead and see what needs to be done in the future. Too often we focus on what didn't get handed in, why a particular test or project was graded in the fashion it was graded.
I stand firmly behind our staff and their efforts to be FAIR while having high expectations for turning assignments in, being responsible and accountable for their work. I have looked into dozens of situations and all but ONE was an issue of the students trying to manipulate me, the teacher and yes, their parents.
The one case the student was responsible, went to the teacher and together they resolved the problem with the student's grade. In another instance I pulled a group of students in and told them what they needed to do. Defiantly they did not follow one of my instructions and will be disappointed in the grade they earned.
Our entire staff wants your student to succeed and prepares hard. I can say I've worked personally will all of the teachers and especially our first year teachers or teachers in new areas. They have all worked hard to make their classrooms dynamic and engaging and have made significant adjustments.
We hope the new format will yield improved performance in the classroom as we end the quarter.
See you there!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Homecoming wraps up with students dancing
What a great week. Homecoming week 2009 was an undeniable success.
The Dance was well attended and most students danced the full two hours allotted.
A victory in district helped with the mood as well as every player seeing the field that was able against the Hawks. It was a good release before starting preparations for district rival CRB.
A big thanks goes to the student council and sponsor Larry Hunt. They organize the theme, dress-up days, the auction, coronation, bonfire, parade, game presentation of homecoming court and dance. That means a lot of phone calls, time writing coronation script, making sure each class knows what to do and when among many things.
Another big thanks goes the staff for organizing and supervising float building, supervising events and decorating the field, the coronation and the dance. Also for keeping a focus on academics as well as allowing for the students to enjoy the week.
You see, at the beginning of the year there was a wild rumor that the administration had canceled all homecoming festivities. Now two years ago we did make a decision to limit the elementary's involvement to the parade, but we have never talked about eliminating homecoming activities.
What we DID do was reduce the amount of interruptions during the school day during homecoming week. We had all of our float building and decorating during Wednesday, when anyone taking IWCC classes could be free to participate. We did our "anything goes" competitions on Monday night (In the gym because of the rain) instead of during the school day. So in the end, other than Wednesday, we missed no class time (other than reduced day on Friday for the parade).
We have made a few notes for next year, but I would look for homecoming week to have a similar feel.
The Dance was well attended and most students danced the full two hours allotted.
A victory in district helped with the mood as well as every player seeing the field that was able against the Hawks. It was a good release before starting preparations for district rival CRB.
A big thanks goes to the student council and sponsor Larry Hunt. They organize the theme, dress-up days, the auction, coronation, bonfire, parade, game presentation of homecoming court and dance. That means a lot of phone calls, time writing coronation script, making sure each class knows what to do and when among many things.
Another big thanks goes the staff for organizing and supervising float building, supervising events and decorating the field, the coronation and the dance. Also for keeping a focus on academics as well as allowing for the students to enjoy the week.
You see, at the beginning of the year there was a wild rumor that the administration had canceled all homecoming festivities. Now two years ago we did make a decision to limit the elementary's involvement to the parade, but we have never talked about eliminating homecoming activities.
What we DID do was reduce the amount of interruptions during the school day during homecoming week. We had all of our float building and decorating during Wednesday, when anyone taking IWCC classes could be free to participate. We did our "anything goes" competitions on Monday night (In the gym because of the rain) instead of during the school day. So in the end, other than Wednesday, we missed no class time (other than reduced day on Friday for the parade).
We have made a few notes for next year, but I would look for homecoming week to have a similar feel.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Mid-term approaching and JMC
The first date in grade analysis for the district is Friday, September 18th when the mid-term of the first quarter for 09-10 hits. Teachers will be balancing units grading and points which are supposed to run up to and on that date. But after the grade cut off, there is grading and entering so grades will be printed on Wednesday, September 23rd and sent out that day or the next morning.
Grades are available to all parents on our JMC online parent access page connected to our website. There are buttons for High School, Middle School and Elementary. You have an username and a password which can be provided to you by request from any of the school offices.
We ask that you focus on grades year round, instead of just at these flash points, because we have seen many students involved in activities find themselves ineligible and parents are frustrated.
Because we have grade checks weekly, teachers are required to update at least once and week and most update more than that, often posting assignments ahead of when their due.
Grades are available to all parents on our JMC online parent access page connected to our website. There are buttons for High School, Middle School and Elementary. You have an username and a password which can be provided to you by request from any of the school offices.
We ask that you focus on grades year round, instead of just at these flash points, because we have seen many students involved in activities find themselves ineligible and parents are frustrated.
Because we have grade checks weekly, teachers are required to update at least once and week and most update more than that, often posting assignments ahead of when their due.
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