Rensky article

Just read Marc Prnsky's article "Turning on the Lights". Good article about technology in schools but does pose question about teacher preparation for their role in schools. How trained are we in being "the explainers, the context providers, the meaning makers, and the evaluators of information that
kids find on their own." Food for thought for staff development or undergrad training.

Final Day of Class

Today was good.  Little more relaxed.  Enjoyed the iChat.  It would be great to find someone to speak to your class like that.  I was so impressed with everyone's ideas today.  Especially how Kaye already had so many other teachers that were willing to do a project with her classes.  Way Cool!!!  Can't wait till I have more time to play and explore some of the sites from this week.

Dan Schmidt iChat

Really enjoying the video iChat

Analogy of one room school house was good.

·            Customized approach

 Interactions are the most important.

Transformation rather than transmission

Take something personal and layer on all the content

 

9 Principles

"Who Moved the Cheese?"  I remember many years ago when the school was just beginning the process of school improvement and we were trying to implement a plan that was much different than before we watch this video.  Change is tough.  It would be nice if it just happen smoothly however we have to remember the struggle is part of the process.  The following quote did remind me of some concern that I have pondered here at the high school for some time:

"Any significant educational transformation creates "people issues."

I have great concern for our staff.  The author talks a lot about camaraderie, team work and putting people first.  So often we have little opportunity in the working day to personally interact with our fellow workers.  Many feel like they are on an island by themselves.  It is easy in education to put large effort into the students and forget about the needs of the staff.  A counselor explained it to me one day with this:  "Who's taking care of the caregiver?"  We tend to forget about taking care of our own selves and fellow staff members.  This change is going to be stressful for all.  What are we doing to ensure the mental health of all.  It is easy to get caught up in all this new technology and new way of teaching.  It can easily be addictive and consume a person.  I would pose this question to our school leaders and my fellow peers:  What can we do for each other and what strategies can we put in place to make sure we keep our sanity?  More importantly, does anybody care?  I certainly hope so.  This is about people.  

metaphor

This was our metaphor.  This is a practice post.

Anti-teaching

It is scary to think about what our children's world will be like.  When they are our age what will be the problems they are trying to solve?  What changes will be needed in our grandchildren's education.  Kind of mind boggling!  Not sure that I have enough of an imagination to even have a clue.  Think of all of the advances in medical science that already exist.  Nanobots that will repair our bodies?  Enabling us to live longer and longer.  Some of these technologies already exist.  What will be the ethical questions and problems that will have to be solved?  Our children do have a great responsibility ahead of them.  From a mathematical viewpoint, how steep will that exponential curve be?  We better hope they are decent human beings with a sense of ethical responsibility.  (I suppose our parents thought the same thing)

Wednesday

Enjoyed the material presented by Brian and Kaye.  The book sounds very interesting.  The discussion about management issues and student attitudes was also beneficial.   I think sometimes it is hard for me to be patient.    I have to remember to take baby steps.  I also know that I am too much of a perfectionist.  I want things to work and work well.  Part of the frustration is a time thing.  There is only so much time and I don't like to waste it.