School Tech

Data Driven Teaching

2010-02-22T08:12:00.000-08:00

I am somewhat amazed at the direction education has taken in the past couple years. Through classes there always seems to be the battle between data driven summative assessment and more informal yet informative formative assessment. Due to technology, it seems to make sense. Data is more readily available and the context is so accessible in any format considered. It is great to review a spreadsheet of a class and highlight skills versus weaknesses to help determine how to teach those students. It still seems like the data driven classroom has left behind the other important life-like factor and this is the formative assessment. During a PLC, these life experiences in the classroom are rarely considered, I would imagine primarily due to time. We are so divulged with data, resources, and school improvement that the topic of a child's personality is kind of forgotten.

I like to think that when all is said and done, the teacher is still using formative assessment in the classroom although it is not shared during benchmarking and evaluation time.

Teachers Blogging

2010-02-15T15:57:00.001-08:00

There has been some discussion if teachers should be required to maintain a blog for their classroom. As I thought about this there would be some definite pros and cons. As far as communication, this would eliminate the parents who say they never know what is going on in the classroom. A con, would a teacher be responsible to respond at any hour? There are a lot of possibilities with teacher's maintaining a blog. What does everyone else think?

Beyond the Courseroom

2010-01-29T07:42:00.001-08:00

My thought about blogs is that they will certainly become outdated and forgotten. I am going to try to defy this notion. Although there is no one out there still reading this blog site, it is my commitment to update it weekly so if perchance someone happens upon it, there will be something current to read about. The idea of being done and turning another direction seems the most logical but some part of me thinks this is an important part of the future so I better try to be here to stay. Hopefully, the more I update my blog, the more natural and habitual it will become. So, welcome to my blog, frequent it if you are interested in reading about my experiences with technology in my community and school. Thanks!

Thing 19

2010-01-12T13:03:00.000-08:00

One topic at last nights board meeting was Race to the Top. I had read some about the program early in the school year but did not fully understand the magnitude of its implications. Today I found several interesting podcasts about the program. Two addressed concerns but one showed support but they all gave information to better understand the revolutionary impact taking place in the education system. Through iTunes I wathed Cato Daily Podcast from December 16, 2009 "Problems with Race to the Top." The podcast discussed how powerful the federal government is becoming and that this is not going to help educate students. There were also several comments about the topic.

During a graduate course at EMU my group was assigned to read, review and create a podcast. It was a great and rewarding experience. Now, somewhere hidden deep in iTunes is the podcast we created about the Globalization of Education. One of the great uses of podcasts is the ability to listen to them on an ipod. This makes the commute to work less tedious and more productive. Students can also make use of this opportunity to listen to research for a report or tutoring for a physics class while they are waiting or traveling somewhere. Podcasts are so abundant it would be nice if there were a blogline for podcast updates!

Thing 17

2010-01-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

http://roadtoprincipalship.wikispaces.com

I have spent the last week exploring wikispaces. It actually took the most time for me to figure out and I am not convinced I truly understand its uses although some ideas are coming to mind. During the process I actually created three different wikispaces trying to create one that seemed pertinent to my current personal and professional life.

As I started a new class today at Eastern Michigan University, I was quickly reminded of what is all consuming at this time, my K-12 Administration Certification. I began down this path in September 2009 and will continue for the next couople years. It then seemed reasonable for my wikispace to focus on this path to my future.

My next thoughts, will I want to focus on keeping my blog updated or my wikispace. Is it reasoable to expect that I focus on both and accept the interaction as part of my learning and experiences toward principalship? It is really great how the wiki can be edited by others. This means my thoughts can not be set in stone, which would never be a good thing. Yet, I like the pureness of contributing on a blog and knowing what I type can not be altered. It is my goal to maintain both sites and learn as much as possible from a variety of opportunities. I truly believe it is a benefit to have Web 2.0 become a part of my learning experiences as a future school leader. So, here we go!

Thing 4

2010-01-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

What is all they hype about? My sister asked me over a year ago what I thought of Wrb 2.0 and I told her I had no idea what she was talking about. When we looked it up (on Wikipedia) it still didn't make sense to me and there was no apparent importance or relevance to my daily activity. Well, at some point it hit me in the head and I can hardly remember what it was like without Web 2.0. The most relevant usage in my life is the Online program at Eastern Michigan University for my Administration Certification. The program fully utelizes all the conveniences of Web 2.0 including Wikispaces, Skype, online conferencing, blogs, etc. The connection I formed with my professor was far greater than any live lecture class I've taken. I am looking forward to using this course as a way to develop skills using Web 2.0 in my classroom and as a future administrator.

Thing 11

2010-01-05T04:53:00.000-08:00

The experience of trying something new like blogging and wikispaces is more managable than I imagined. This is something like writing in a daily journal or diary, something I never liked to do. For whatever reason keeping a blog doesn't seem like such a chore. The feedback definately makes writing more interesting. There is opportunity to gain knowledge or hear someone elses perspective making the writing more worthwhile.
Since it is difficult for me to separate personal from professional use it seems most likely I will continue blogging from my professional life (there isn't much separation). It would be nice to have parents interracting on my blog so they can be aware of the communication between school, the community, and the use of technology. The problem may be how supportive the school district is with the use of blogging, something I haven't inquired about yet.

My current goal will be to share what I have learned through this course with the principal and staff in our school. My concern is that I am not completely comfortable with understanding the usage of the different areas of technology. Clearly this just takes time, practice and committment. It would be best by shoveling through all the content with my building principal and she and I can discuss further uses.

Since the opportunities with technology are endless and constantly changing it will be important to continue my blog, developing my wikispace, and interacting with others on my blogline. I can hardly imagine what possibilities lie ahead.

Thing 10 Survey

2009-12-31T13:16:00.001-08:00

Thing 9

2009-12-31T12:51:00.001-08:00

What is this doing here? I can't help but wonder how many school districts use their mission statement as a way to drive the functions of their school versus shelving it in the library. This presentation should be seriously considered when evaluating the quality of the school to community relationship. Technology is not just for in the classroom but also can be used as a means for community relations.

2009-12-31T12:50:00.001-08:00

Communicating Your School's Value from the Inside

View more presentations from Estrela Consulting.

Thing 8

2009-12-30T20:12:00.000-08:00

As I was reading about Google docs, a feature I had never used, I began thinking about the Science Fair held at our school. There are a lot of materials sent home for parents to keep track of. These docs are especially important for fourth grade parents because projects are required. Google docs could help the classic line, my paper just got lost.

Thing 7

2009-12-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

www.delicious.com/stacymaynard

I was introduced to the benefits of delicious by a fellow teacher. Immediately I went home and created my own account. It is a fabulous way to share actively used websites as well as what other people's interests are who share something in common. So many powerful tools!

Thing 6

2009-12-30T19:40:00.000-08:00

So after spending a bit of time creating my schooltech RSS it occured to me how important it would be to interact with the bloggers. This made me think of a primary learning strategy. Reading alone doesn't teach the lesson but generating dialogue and interaction will lead to a true learning experience.

Thing 5

2009-12-30T18:06:00.000-08:00

I love technology! Creating an account with Blogline was an incredible experience. I am in awe at what resources are available and are really working in the daily users advantage. My frustration with following everyone's blog was keeping track of who was who, now my schooltech blogline does it for me. Thank you! The posts are interesting and informative and I truly value everyone's thoughts and opinions. The spread of knowledge is priceless.

Thing 3

2009-12-02T12:33:00.001-08:00

Information is doubling every 18months yet our school system is based on the old Carnegie Unit where seat time = proficiency, 6.5 hours, and 180 days of school. The school calendar is based on the harvest calendar and beaurocracy has been our model system for over 100 years.

As I watch Did You Know? on YouTube, it seems like the only thing changing is EVERYTHING except education. The reseach available is excellent and presents a model for education as to how children learn, the education system will need to match these needs otherwise students in America will have a difficult time in the ever changing technological and globalized world.

My Favorites List

2009-11-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

Visit www.delicious.com/stacymaynard to find the websites I have on my favorites bookmark plus links to other people with similar interests.

Thing 2

2009-11-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is my first Blog site but I have been thinking about creating one for a while now. There is an awful lot of information I come across in a day that would be helpful to others if they had access to it. I feel the reciprocate is true as well. The amount of information others have access to that I may not have even considered already leaves me in the dark.

The truth about blogging as a teacher, it is somewhat concerning because words are often misinterpreted so it is best to be clear, precise, and confirm the information is accurate. After reviewing EDTECH's Blog Rules the urgency for accuracy seemed even more relevant. The worst case would be someone didn't think I was a good writer yet sends their children to my classroom everyday, Yikes!

The ability to speak freely as a professional is definitely a freedom which, before now, primarily occurred in journal and magazine publications. So, I look forward to freely sharing my experiences and discoveries in the most professional manner possible.

Blogs

2009-11-13T12:57:00.000-08:00

Blogs

Communication? Who Knew!

2009-11-12T18:41:00.000-08:00

The power of words are truly amazing. Sometimes it just takes asking the first question to open a world of possibilities. Just ask, you never know how the answer might lead to more questions!

Skype?

2009-11-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

Did Skype just hit us in the head? Is it just me or did the entire online network link with Skype in the last couple weeks? Even my children's daycare number is Skype accessible. Hmmm, maybe it is worth checking out, since the ENTIRE online community has!!

Welcome!

2009-11-11T10:59:00.000-08:00

I am toe to head deep in technology use for schools. Oh my what a whirlwind of opportunity lies ahead for education communities. As of late, it seems there is a lot of support for parents, businesses, civic offices, medical facilities etc. to become more active in schools. This isn't new news, its just there are a wealth of new opportunities as to how to make it work and benefit everyone involved. Number one, Technology!

At this site I will inform community members (anyone paying school taxes) about some of the excellent uses of technology available to use in schools and how all can benefit. See you tomorrow!