I'm doubling blogging this: curiosity on forums. Are they something we can use effectively? Or , just another tech trick with which to play? Even if that is the case, would students dance with delight at the opportunity to use a forum for class, enjoying the trick we use to enlighten?
Currently, I'm blogging way into the forum thought, after passing through the town of Wiki. We will see what I stumble upon in my curious quest.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
It's been a week...
...and a busy week at that. A disgruntled projector in room 116 needed attention after school. As 'problem solving manager', I enlisted Mike B and Tony's help after not completing the fix myself. It really can take three people to change the proverbial light bulb. But that was only yesterday; more of the past week involved preparations for enlightening English department members on uses of the tablet so that they can better choose to use one next year. I began an interactive power point to show and use with the tablet on our next late start morning meeting. Also, I discussed with Mike and Minnitti (separately) technology and tablet thoughts; the give and take provided insights and concrete opportunities for moving forward on the tablet front.
And, as always, there were the on-the-spot questions from various individuals, some about printing, scanning, form issues, Internet issues...it is nice that often when someone asks for help on a 'broken' or 'why isn't this working' sort of problem, merely standing over his or her shoulder does wonders to repair it. I know I've often experienced the same such mystical intervention. Technology, go figure.
And, as always, there were the on-the-spot questions from various individuals, some about printing, scanning, form issues, Internet issues...it is nice that often when someone asks for help on a 'broken' or 'why isn't this working' sort of problem, merely standing over his or her shoulder does wonders to repair it. I know I've often experienced the same such mystical intervention. Technology, go figure.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Dept-ditties
So the department rolls on with advancements in technology. Over the past weeks, a handful of English members commented on interest in tablet use. I continue to use it visible, like at department meeting, hoping to illustrate tablet use to more individuals. Still, other technological opportunities have been seized, while others fell flat.
Quickly today, for example, I showed Sabra how to better use labels in her blog; other individuals blogging in English are Gina and Leah, whom I helped initiate into the blog-land during a lunch area. This occurred more by orchestrated happenstance as I was working in the office when I overheard Leah discussing blogs and jumped on the moment. Getting started blogging really only takes a lil' nudge. Others, too, have ventured into blogs with ease of trial and error.
Many more of my projected offerings to show or teach an element of technology die cold deaths. Most teachers during a free or lunch period reject the immediate "let me show you...." unless already answering a question that necessitates the computer in front of us. We are all busy and scheduled into slots of time. Even more, out of school day hours are less used, though more advertised via Mike Bachrodt. I am talking more to Mike about ideas on getting teachers to accept invitations to learn more about what technology will be in the future classroom that we will all be using. For now and with the greatest success, I snag moments of sharing to pique curiosity for more; eventually, someone will ask for more training on a given topic or tech. device.
There is always so much more and new to learn that it is difficult to keep abreast of it all. The "it" being technology, as well as course content information. We continue to push ourselves to be better teachers with the content; we develop new aspects for each class after assessing successes; we grade; we learn every new technological advancement that is available to us.
Right. Not quite on that last point. There simply is not enough time in the year to do it all. My personal frustrations lie in the adage, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink, as well as balancing my own learning and work. Overall, I sincerely believe we are doing a fine job as teachers with keeping in line with new technology; and I believe as tech. coaches we do make a difference. We're all good.
Quickly today, for example, I showed Sabra how to better use labels in her blog; other individuals blogging in English are Gina and Leah, whom I helped initiate into the blog-land during a lunch area. This occurred more by orchestrated happenstance as I was working in the office when I overheard Leah discussing blogs and jumped on the moment. Getting started blogging really only takes a lil' nudge. Others, too, have ventured into blogs with ease of trial and error.
Many more of my projected offerings to show or teach an element of technology die cold deaths. Most teachers during a free or lunch period reject the immediate "let me show you...." unless already answering a question that necessitates the computer in front of us. We are all busy and scheduled into slots of time. Even more, out of school day hours are less used, though more advertised via Mike Bachrodt. I am talking more to Mike about ideas on getting teachers to accept invitations to learn more about what technology will be in the future classroom that we will all be using. For now and with the greatest success, I snag moments of sharing to pique curiosity for more; eventually, someone will ask for more training on a given topic or tech. device.
There is always so much more and new to learn that it is difficult to keep abreast of it all. The "it" being technology, as well as course content information. We continue to push ourselves to be better teachers with the content; we develop new aspects for each class after assessing successes; we grade; we learn every new technological advancement that is available to us.
Right. Not quite on that last point. There simply is not enough time in the year to do it all. My personal frustrations lie in the adage, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink, as well as balancing my own learning and work. Overall, I sincerely believe we are doing a fine job as teachers with keeping in line with new technology; and I believe as tech. coaches we do make a difference. We're all good.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Wha'z'ah Wiki
Even though it sounds a bit "Buck Rogers," it's not. Okay, maybe a bit with the forward technology since the early 80's. (I admit, I had a crush on Twiki.)
Currently, Mike is showing us much about them, and allowing us to play around a bit on them. Learning more about them will take some time of playing around on the various sites. As I test out what I can do, I hope to find an outlet that I can use and manage easily for classes. Or do like Trish Weidig and have the kids do it. Why not?
Blogging, the Beast
Recently, I have made a direct and concerted effort to blog more for my classes. After frustration of a class blog with student input as homework, I re-focused attempts at a blog FOR the class. I chose E101 as the test-group, where I blog weekly to daily a general journal of what we did in class that day. After notifying parents and students of this blog, as well as making a link to it on my class web page, I have received huge, happy reactions. Now, parents, sped teachers, guided study hall helps, and anyone else can easily keep up with what we did each day. Students have more opportunities to keep up.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Tablets!
First, tablets are awesome! Through bits of training with Mike Bachrodt, the tutorial, and some playing with the tablet, I look forward to incorporting the technology into my teaching. Already, I am thinking of the possibilites and ease of "writng" on a power point or projected document from any where in the room. Moreso, it is spectacular for my teaching, coaching, extra-curricular organization and maintenance. Meeting notes have never been as easy to record and save, without having to take time to type (or misplace a sheet of paper).
I'm still learning the nuances, and continue to discover new options for use. That, and the more I can play with it, the better adept and efficient I become with it. YEA for tablets!
I'm still learning the nuances, and continue to discover new options for use. That, and the more I can play with it, the better adept and efficient I become with it. YEA for tablets!
DEG data
So, many teachers have experienced much frustration with wait times while working on the computers. Mike (Bachrodt) shared a log sheet that orgainzed wait time in seconds for various features of the DEG. Already aware of slow changes, I know that I will be filling in lag times as I use the DEG here at school.
Moreover, I revised the original log and printed copies to tape at the computer stations in the department. I emailed my department to inform them of what the logs are and how to utilize them, as well as why. Hopefully, they will record the necessary data as slow DEG response times occur. Then I can compile the results and turn them into Mike Bachrodt.
Already, several teachers have complained at a computer while I was in the room, which provided a perfect opportunity to direct their attention to the new logs. Since, I am considering revamping them to include other lag time areas, such as waiting for a program to actually open for use.
Moreover, I revised the original log and printed copies to tape at the computer stations in the department. I emailed my department to inform them of what the logs are and how to utilize them, as well as why. Hopefully, they will record the necessary data as slow DEG response times occur. Then I can compile the results and turn them into Mike Bachrodt.
Already, several teachers have complained at a computer while I was in the room, which provided a perfect opportunity to direct their attention to the new logs. Since, I am considering revamping them to include other lag time areas, such as waiting for a program to actually open for use.
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