Well, I finally did it. Finally, this "technological immigrant" (term, Alan November) has placed himself squarely in the midst of other bloggers. My first blog didn't destroy my computer and I didn't get arrested so I guess all is good.
After months of prodding, prying, pushing, shoving and downright evil comments from Zachary Chase, a teacher at Phoenix Academy, what finally pushed me over the edge? I am writing this as I sit post-session at the Florida Educational Technical Conference (FETC). If I heard the value of blogging once I heard it a thousand times. Alan November, noted Educational Consultant, and many other experts believe that for us to teach our students we must learn to communicate in their "media forms". Blogging, podcasting, email, IM, MySpace, You Tube, text messaging, etc... is what makes the kids tick, so we better get on board if we want to connect. Connect both educators with students and, more importantly connect students to their future.
Our school has a leg up on most schools when it comes to technology. One-to-one laptops, Intranet Blackboard System, ActivBoards in all classrooms, wireless connectivity throughout the school, a wonderful Instructional Technology Coach and, most importantly, teachers that want to use it.
As I leave FETC I think back to Michael Benno's presentation on integrating technology into the classroom. He detailed the following scene:
Walking through an airport he ran upon a college-aged student that had earphones on. He asked the young lady what she was listening to and he was quite surprised to hear her response. She told him that she was listening to a podcast of her professor's lecture in one ear, and listening to music in the other. Two MP3s, two purposes. She stated that the music "got her in the zone" to study.
The challenge for me is to break through all of our "old ways" of thinking and to cautiously move ahead into the the Next Generation of learners, making sure that our school bases its decisions on research, resources and "bang for the buck". Fortunately, I have a staff on board with this revolution and students who will help us make these decisions, and help us move into their world of communication.
The purpose of this blog then becomes more clear. Hopefully, this blog will lead
our school into more discussion on effective uses of instructional technology.
Our students' future might depend on it!
After months of prodding, prying, pushing, shoving and downright evil comments from Zachary Chase, a teacher at Phoenix Academy, what finally pushed me over the edge? I am writing this as I sit post-session at the Florida Educational Technical Conference (FETC). If I heard the value of blogging once I heard it a thousand times. Alan November, noted Educational Consultant, and many other experts believe that for us to teach our students we must learn to communicate in their "media forms". Blogging, podcasting, email, IM, MySpace, You Tube, text messaging, etc... is what makes the kids tick, so we better get on board if we want to connect. Connect both educators with students and, more importantly connect students to their future.
Our school has a leg up on most schools when it comes to technology. One-to-one laptops, Intranet Blackboard System, ActivBoards in all classrooms, wireless connectivity throughout the school, a wonderful Instructional Technology Coach and, most importantly, teachers that want to use it.
As I leave FETC I think back to Michael Benno's presentation on integrating technology into the classroom. He detailed the following scene:
Walking through an airport he ran upon a college-aged student that had earphones on. He asked the young lady what she was listening to and he was quite surprised to hear her response. She told him that she was listening to a podcast of her professor's lecture in one ear, and listening to music in the other. Two MP3s, two purposes. She stated that the music "got her in the zone" to study.
The challenge for me is to break through all of our "old ways" of thinking and to cautiously move ahead into the the Next Generation of learners, making sure that our school bases its decisions on research, resources and "bang for the buck". Fortunately, I have a staff on board with this revolution and students who will help us make these decisions, and help us move into their world of communication.
The purpose of this blog then becomes more clear. Hopefully, this blog will lead
our school into more discussion on effective uses of instructional technology.
Our students' future might depend on it!
posted by Steve Cantees | 1:27 PM
9 Comments:
Congratulations Uncle Stephen; another leap into technology. This is a very effective way to communicate to this generation... I think it is a great idea! I look forward to checking it out.
I am impressed!! I need to learn more. Will you help me get one started? It is refreshing that the principal is willing and able to join the 21st century and be an example for his staff and students.
Way to go, Stephen! What's next?
Steve, this is very exciting! What a great role model for other principals and administrators. The world is changing rapidly, not just for our students. I am very proud of you and of the great strides you have made to stay on top of new technoligical advancements. Thanks for sharing!
Steve I am so proud of you and your initiative to communicate with your students and faculty at this level. It is absolutely wonderful that you are ahead of the gang when it comes to the use of technology. I would love to visit you and your school. They have to be so proud of you and your accomplishments. You continue to make the family proud!!!
Keep up the awesome job you are doing. I am so impressed with you!!!
Steve what an awesome way to get connected with your faculty. I am curious on how it would work with students. Wouldn't it be an awesome avenue for teachers to connect with their students. So much better than email. I have always wanted to somehow connect my students through livechat with students from other countries. I thought wouldn't that be amazing for them to share educational experiences with one another and also help to enhance their writing skills as well. Not sure how safe that would be or even if our school system/servers would support that with all of the security that has been installed on them lately. If you have any ideas on that please share! I am definitely glad to see that our district/state are at the forefront of technology as your school system is. I wrote a grant 4 years ago and was one of the ten recipients in Pike County to receive a wireless hub and 30 wireless IBM Thinkpad Laptop Computers for use with the students in my classroom. We also have Prometheam Boards installed in our school as well. Good Luck with the blog. I will keep checking it out!
Technological immigrant, MP3 (lecture in one ear and music in the other)...thought provoking and presents quite a case for constant change to connect with students! Kudos to you for learning and leading with your staff. I venture to say we could all learn by your example.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hi Christy,
A teacher at Phoenix Academy, Zac Chase, uses a blog in his classroom to communicate with students. He would be much better qualified to answer your question about using the blog in the classroom than I. I will ask him to comment to you on this blog so others might benefit from the discussion.
Sounds like you are on the forefront of this technological journey...kudos to you! It is an exciting, and yet, somewhat unsettling time in education as we try to balance the need to educate our students for their future careers while making sure that we are "on target" with state benchmarks, NCLB, and other accountablity measures.
Keep up the great work!
Steve
Hand it over to the kids.
It's the first thing that pops in to my head after reading this post.
When dealing with our clientele, you are dealing with students who have had few opportunities to be experts, to be in the know or impress the adults in their lives.
We have to be willing to co-participate and not necessarily lead the change in educational practice.
The pilgrims didn't show the natives how to farm maize. (dated reference?)
Keep posting. More importantly, keep reading. There are innumerable edublogs out there to set the mind reeling over the possiblities open to education and what students can do with it.
Yes, our school has a leg up on others in our level of technological preparedness. What we must do now is use that technology - all of it - to do new things, not just the same things differently.
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