Technology the answer and the question...

Working with on-line educational resources has been a real learning curve for me this year. I have had to look at teaching students in an entirely new way. The students have had to look at learning in an entirely new way. Some of the learning has been great but a larger percentage has been nothing but pure frustration for students and staff. The same can be said about any new teaching technique or concept. I remember the frustration of learning how to teach 'Guided Reading'. The frustration left after a couple of years and now the technique is accepted as every day teaching practice. So I do feel positively that on-line learning will eventually become something everyone accepts as common teaching practice.

Until then I have the following questions:

1. Curriculum staff select curriculum when will they review and select on-line learning services.
2. On-line classes work great to open schedules for flexibility but what can you do if students do not have computer or wi-fi access.
3. Working with services that are not compatible because each school has it's own service installed... when will schools all join the same compatible program.
4. What are the staff needs for on-line classes...certified staff (student ratio), non-certified staff (qualifications)
5. Standard rules for reporting on state mandated information such as Carnegie Units and coding for Easier reporting.
6. When technology goes down what should staff and students do with the down town.
7. What grade level should start on-line classes?
8. What kind of parent information is needed?
9. Who and how can cheating be monitored?
10. Should parents and or students be able to find courses and if so how does the school embrace that type of self learning?

Some of these questions seem simple some will take time. Start the conversation....

What Works in the Elementary CAN Work in High School...

This year I have an opportunity to be involved in almost every phase of teaching (Pre-school through 12th). My week often includes visiting TK classrooms and Alternative classrooms, Pre-school classrooms and high school physics classrooms, 4th grade classrooms and high school Art classrooms. With these visits and interactions I also take time to reflect on the teaching dynamics that are going on. One thing I am noticing over and over again... students who are responsible for their own learning learn more. That being said I have been doing some research and came up with a book called 'the daily 5' written by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser. It is based on fostering literacy in the elementary grades. Interesting thing is by using the ideas in the book students become independent learners and it works. Now instead of going into every detail and example I jump to a larger thought of ... Could this work with junior high and high school students in core and elective classes? The idea used is to break learning into 7 to 10 minute teacher centered instruction and then let the students (through various independent learning activities) work for 30 minutes, coming back together to reteach or teach other concepts. If you are interested in details read the book, I hope you do. Then think how would this work in Algebra, Health, and Chemistry. I think many quality teachers are using this idea but I think more need to use it with older students. Well????

Educational Possibilities and Facilities

Time to think more than outside the box...

think inside the mind!

What should education look like in this time and space... and in the next 100 years.

Yes I said 100 years.

Do the same thinking and planning the people who built the buildings that today we are replacing.

Challenge ideas that dictate schedules, grades, staff, learning needs, buildings, transportation, budgets, and everything!!!

Video - Should kids be driving alone?

Video - Should kids be driving alone?

Alternative Schools an Alternative for What?

Alternative schools are about providing an alternative to the traditional high school environment. Do they really or do they just move students from one non-successful environment to another one that does not provide the rigid antiquated settings. Does the new alternative environment require a student to do more than breathe to get the diploma? When students are not required to attend as often, be on time (regular school hours), and do not complete the entire subject area studies, is that an alternative for what? Is it really helping students or just helping the schools graduation rates. Does life after graduation provide and alternative for students now adults who are not successful? Very rarely.... Instead of offering 'Alternative Schools' why don't we provide 'Alternative Teachers and Administrators'. Does that not make more sense?

Do you still really enjoy working with kids?

Do you still really enjoy working with kids? Teaching them new things, getting excited about things that excite them, listening to them, caring about their learning, caring about them, enjoying just being their teacher? I ask myself that everyday and yes I do. The day that I don't is the day I will find a new job. I will not stay for the insurance benefits, I will not stay for the paycheck, I will not stay just to have a job to go to. I hope that all educators continually review why they became a teacher and why they still teach. Students can tell if a teacher or administrator is not in it for them. I don't want my child to be stuck in a classroom with a teacher who does not want to be there. I don't want to be stuck in a school with educators who don't want to be there. So the question might also be how can an educator continue to keep that spark of enjoyment alive? It is not easy.... give me your ideas?

Public Relations and Public Schools

PR is used by politicians, celebrities, businesses, and almost everyone in the public eye or needs to be in the public eye. Do public schools need the same type of PR?

Advertisements at the local movie theaters in between shows.

Advertisements on bill boards on the highways.

Advertisements on local cable stations.

Advertisements on radio.

Advertisements at malls.

Advertisements on Face Book and Youtube

And if PR is needed where , when , how much, and who should be responsible for it?