Web 2.0 Usergroup

I sent out this email to everybody in my district on Friday:

This invitation is for ALL teachers (all grades, all content areas). Are you interested in participating in a web 2.0 usergroup? It's OK if you do not know what that means... Web 2.0 includes communication tools that emphasize publishing and sharing of ideas. There are many ways that web 2.0 can make a big difference in student learning! Examples include blogs, wikis, video creation, podcasting, and social bookmarking. Reply to this email if you are interested. Together, the group will determine where, when, and how often we will meet. We will first explore web 2.0 applications, then will identify one to focus on and begin experimenting. The first goal for the usergroup is to learn to use these tools for our own professional development. Of course, you can earn staff development hours. Teachers of all grade levels are encouraged to participate.

By the end of the day, 70 teachers, administrators, and other staff had replied to express their interest! There are over 80 responses now. Wow! I am thrilled with this excellent response. Now I need to figure out how to best get it off the ground, schedule convenient meetings, and plan a strategy to try to meet everyone's needs...

The Reflective Practitioner

This 3 minute video says it all.  It describes how I believe that both teachers and students are learners.  It also speaks to the importance of learning and teaching 21st century skills. 

[googlevideo]5578217149746321732[/googlevideo]

Walled Lake is GREAT!

Today I spent the day at a middle school in Southeastern Michigan.   Terese Fitzpatrick, another Walled Lake teacher, and I have been assigned to be "Digital Coaches" for this school by the Freedom to Learn program (Michigan's laptop program).  The FTL teachers had good attitudes, but didn't know what to do first to roll out the laptops to their students.  This school did not have a on-site person to call for technical assistance.  We experienced many technical difficulties with the hardware and connectivity.  Terese and I were able to train the teachers troubleshooting strategies.  When we return in March we will co-teach or help with technology lesson planning.   We developed a bond through the work we did and got to know each other.  

Our experience at this school made us so much appreciate the technology program available in Walled Lake.  We have a full-time teacher (called a CRT: Computer Resource Teacher) at all of our middle schools who helps with technology support and teacher training.  Also, the administration in Walled Lake supports and encourages technology use, another key component in why our technology program is so wonderful.   Walled Lake is GREAT! 

I've Been Tagged!

In case you haven't seen it yet, the latest blog meme going around is "five things people don't know about you." When you get “tagged,” you think about five things that most people do not know about you, then you tag five other bloggers.  I do not know how this game of tag got started but it seems I’m it.  I was just tagged by Sharon Betts, a teacher from
Maine with a love for ed tech.  Here are my five things:

1.   I was a RN for 10 years before becoming a teacher.

2.  I once had a biting Ball Python loose in my house for a few months.

3.  I want to go to Las Vegas sometime (I’ve never been there).

4.  I am an Avon lady… not a very good one, as most people do not know I am one.

5.  I’m a soccer mom.  My son is the starting goalkeeper at Bowling Green State University.

Tag, you are it!  Danny Maas, Silvia Tolisano, Sonja, Susan van Gelder, Durff

FTL Showcase Site

Sarah Banks Middle School is one of Michigan's Freedom to Learn (Laptop Program) Showcase Sites for the 2006-2007 school year. Winning applications were those that showed successful implementation of one to one teaching and learning so that powerful technology and instructional integration are fundamental to the classroom. Requirements included having effective, vision-into-action teams (principals, teachers, technology coordinators), who have overwhelmingly demonstrated technology integration best practices. The FTL team at Sarah Banks Middle School have committed to providing core activities that will be offered statewide. 6th grade teachers Mark Lada and Randy Micallef use interactive whiteboards, tablet PCs, videoconferencing, and the CPS the evaluation system as part of their instructional practices. Additionally, students and teachers are podcasting and creating instructional video.

To learn more about the events and support that will be offered in 2007, please visit the FTL Showcase website. We extend an open invitation for administrators, technology personnel, and teachers to visit. We can also set up a videoconference or chat session if you are unable to come to Walled Lake.