Christmas Countdown

Time is like a mouse, it creeps up slowly and causes panic as realization sets in.

Two P's

Payslee and Lake Powell--no better way to spend a week's vacation.  Some of the highlights of our trip included:  Payslee telling me in no uncertain terms by folding her arms together that she was not going to hold my hand!  Tom and Karen both getting up on the wakeboard--whoo hoo!  Visiting with our friends Chris, Kelly, Sherma and John.  Another year of beautiful scenery and relaxation on the houseboat.

LeadCast Blog -

A new blog I discovered. Link to LeadCast.

Thoughts on Partnering

"Wordle: Curriculum Karen and Jeff">

The idea of Partnering for learning, as put forth by Marc Prensky, in his book Digital Natives, is one whose time has come. I believe that partnering for learning is a very viable option and totally realistic.  Although the role of the teacher would change dramatically; for some, the benefits outweigh the challenges. Partnering would allow the teacher to differentiate instruction, increase time for processing and reflection, and promote the idea of the students taking on more of the responsibility for learning. At its very best, partnering would improve student engaged time, create opportunities for in depth content exploration and allow students' to feed their passions. As a teacher leader, promoting partnering would first require me to be a role model and use technology as a collaborative tool and it would necessitate embedded staff development.

Even with high stakes testing taking over the country, I think there is a great need for teachers to provide information at the knowledge level and then move on to higher levels of blooms taxonomy. Only when this happens at all levels, will students come armed with the  tools needed to attack state tests with a purpose. A focus on process and higher level thinking will serve them well in the testing process and may provide surprising results!

Crayola Curriculum

Talked about this in class this evening.  Not necessarily technology based but relevant all the same.

Mike Schmoker Article

Making a Glog

http://kak1955.edu.glogster.com/technology-class/

Made a glog poster  and attempted to link it to my powerpoint for my presentation. Couldn't figure it out no way, no how!!

DC Bound

Getting ready to lobby for special education at the CASE leadership conference in DC. Taking the train down which will allow me to "play around" with my newest technology finds!

High Tech? Not there ..... yet.

Imagine, I am learning to use tools that will develop my technology prowess and promote my professional activities all at the same.  Life is good.  This week I put together a website on weebly, a blog using blogspots, a wiki on wiki spaces and now I am going to tackle twitter. I am also researching web 2.0 tools that will provide added value to language and literacy instruction for my presentation in August.

P and her technology!

Emerging Technology

Just read a great smart brief article.  See link.
http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/07/the-seven-golden-rules-of-using-technology-in-schools/