Ok, so its not the British Red Coats, but to the staff at my school, it may be just as bad. Our district is implementing a new mainframe for next school year. This mainframe is an all-in-one system that encompasses the teacher gradebook, attendance, student records, pay-roll, and more.
Why then, am I telling everyone about this? Because I have been selected, as well as a few others around the district, to pilot the grading portion of this program for the final nine weeks of this school year.
Being well versed in the arena of technology, I encourage new and exciting ideas, but this is not the case for most at my school. For example, when I mentioned to my team leader that our new grading program will allow us (the teachers) to create quizzes online and allow the students to answer them right inside the grading program where the program will then score the results and enter them directly into the gradebook, my colleague said (and I'm not exaggerating) "What's so good about that? I don't think I'm going to like that because then I can't how my students are answering the question."
When I asked him if he ever gave multiple choice questions, he responded with a resounding "yes." So I asked him what the difference was in seeing the student's circle or bubble and a computerized check box, and he told me it just didn't feel right."
At any rate, I'm excited to be a part of this pilot. The only difference that I've noticed between our new grading program and a typical LEM is there does not seem to be a drop box functionality or a discussion board. However, students will be able to send and receive messages and our IT department is working on interweaving email into the program...so we'll see.
Anyway, this is going to be an interesting final nine weeks to say the least!
-Jack
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Technology at Work
Well, this past Friday I put my new technology to use. I think the kids really enjoyed their new learning "toys." As mentioned before, I was awarded a grant to utilize Nintendo DS handheld gaming systems as well as a Nintendo Wii for whole group purposes. Friday the students were given an orientation to the DS games. They learned the requirements I have set forth in order for them to use them which involve the following:
1) All students must keep a journal of all activities completed with the game CrossworDS. They are to log which crossword they complete, as well the words they encounter. Students also have to notate when a new word they are unfamiliar with is introduced to them from the game.
2) Students were informed of the proper usage and safety protocols set in place to keep our new technology in good shape for a very long time. I was actually surprised to see how many students were not familiar with the DS handheld gaming system at all.
3) Students were then given the opportunity to utilize the Nintendo Wii game "My Word Coach" for the remainder of the class period.
All in all, I believe it is safe to say my students are definitely excited to be using the Nintendo gaming systems as a part of their learning experience.
My plan for implementation is as follows: For the remainder of the school year, my reading classes are going to begin Literature Circles. One day a week, rather than reading or meeting as a group, one literature group will be given the DS's to use instead of reading. They will all be told that poor behavior during their literature circle meetings and reading times will directly affect whether or not they will be allowed to utilize the Nintendo DS on their scheduled day.
Only time will tell...and Spring Break is finally coming (April 10th). We only have three days next week (Thursday is a half day and Friday is no school) so I may not be able to start until after then...we'll see!!!!
-Jack
1) All students must keep a journal of all activities completed with the game CrossworDS. They are to log which crossword they complete, as well the words they encounter. Students also have to notate when a new word they are unfamiliar with is introduced to them from the game.
2) Students were informed of the proper usage and safety protocols set in place to keep our new technology in good shape for a very long time. I was actually surprised to see how many students were not familiar with the DS handheld gaming system at all.
3) Students were then given the opportunity to utilize the Nintendo Wii game "My Word Coach" for the remainder of the class period.
All in all, I believe it is safe to say my students are definitely excited to be using the Nintendo gaming systems as a part of their learning experience.
My plan for implementation is as follows: For the remainder of the school year, my reading classes are going to begin Literature Circles. One day a week, rather than reading or meeting as a group, one literature group will be given the DS's to use instead of reading. They will all be told that poor behavior during their literature circle meetings and reading times will directly affect whether or not they will be allowed to utilize the Nintendo DS on their scheduled day.
Only time will tell...and Spring Break is finally coming (April 10th). We only have three days next week (Thursday is a half day and Friday is no school) so I may not be able to start until after then...we'll see!!!!
-Jack
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
And so it ends....
With comps ending a huge relief has been lifted off my shoulders.
But, I have some more good news I would like to share with everyone!! I recently received an educational grant through the Ed Foundation and was able to purchase 1 Wii, 3 extra controllers, 5 Nintendo Ds', and 5 My Word Coaches for the DS. I've used my own Wii in the classroom with My Word Coach and it is such a great learning tool. The kids are engaged and learning all at the same time. I'm really excited to have this technology available to my students.
I haven't used the DS yet, but I am hoping to test it this week. I do believe it will work our just fine. Working in a school where technology is at the bottom of the list, I've really had to push to get what I have!
But, I have some more good news I would like to share with everyone!! I recently received an educational grant through the Ed Foundation and was able to purchase 1 Wii, 3 extra controllers, 5 Nintendo Ds', and 5 My Word Coaches for the DS. I've used my own Wii in the classroom with My Word Coach and it is such a great learning tool. The kids are engaged and learning all at the same time. I'm really excited to have this technology available to my students.
I haven't used the DS yet, but I am hoping to test it this week. I do believe it will work our just fine. Working in a school where technology is at the bottom of the list, I've really had to push to get what I have!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Comps Comps Somps!
I really welcomed the Spring Break we had because I had to study for my Master's Comprehensive Exams. I take them March 20th - 23rd. I have been so overloaded with studying that i have put everything for this class on the back burner. I just put the finishing touches on my choice activity and I am in the process, as I type, of sending it in. I am worried about not having done exactly as was expected. But, in my defense...Comps!
Do you ever wonder where the time goes? I feel like even though I welcomed the break...it just flew by me without me ever really truly noticing I was on break...I guess I blame it on the studying...I've been robbed of a true Spring Break.
Anyway, I did my choice activity on Skype. What an amazing program. I've had the ability to use it for a semester long project last semester and it was a life saver. All of my group members lived quite a distance from one another, so Skype really saved us! I do encourae those of you who have yet to try Skype to give it a shot. You might quite enjoy it! :)
Good Night!
-Jack
Do you ever wonder where the time goes? I feel like even though I welcomed the break...it just flew by me without me ever really truly noticing I was on break...I guess I blame it on the studying...I've been robbed of a true Spring Break.
Anyway, I did my choice activity on Skype. What an amazing program. I've had the ability to use it for a semester long project last semester and it was a life saver. All of my group members lived quite a distance from one another, so Skype really saved us! I do encourae those of you who have yet to try Skype to give it a shot. You might quite enjoy it! :)
Good Night!
-Jack
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
School, School, and More School
So, this week I have been busy at work making sure my students are prepared to take the FCAT next week. When I come home, I look to see what I should be working on for my two classes and then pick one to do for the evening. I feel I have neglected this class this week and have been more focused on the research for my comps that I am taking in two weeks. I am thankful for Spring Break so I can play catch up with this class. My plan is to have my next assignment for this class completed well before the actual due date. That would be a HUGE accomplishment for me.
Well, nothing else is new with me. See ya when FCAT is OVER!
-Jack
Well, nothing else is new with me. See ya when FCAT is OVER!
-Jack
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The War Between Digital Images and Being Sick.
The first part of my journey was to complete the Digital Images section. I've been working so hard on these all while fighting this horrible sickness that has caught me and my family completely off guard -- including my11 month old son! However, I've been plowing through, trying my hardest to complete this project. I love taking pictures so this is not difficult in that sense, but making sure I have the correct shot compositions was a bit of a challenge. I loved the rule of thirds composition. This to me just set an entire different mode for photography for me. It was different and it was fun creating the perfect shot.
Editing Images was not a difficult task as it was a huge part of a course I took last semester. I had a great time playing around with all the editing tools last semester that it was a lot less stressful this semester seeing as I knew what I was doing. For this I am thankful because I am not sure just how much more stress I can handle at the moment.
This assignment, tough it truly did kick my butt along with being sick, was a very interesting assignment to work on. I was quite proud of having all these different compositions to bring back to my wife and to my mother (who missed her calling as a photographer).
Looking forward to my next task!
-Jack
Editing Images was not a difficult task as it was a huge part of a course I took last semester. I had a great time playing around with all the editing tools last semester that it was a lot less stressful this semester seeing as I knew what I was doing. For this I am thankful because I am not sure just how much more stress I can handle at the moment.
This assignment, tough it truly did kick my butt along with being sick, was a very interesting assignment to work on. I was quite proud of having all these different compositions to bring back to my wife and to my mother (who missed her calling as a photographer).
Looking forward to my next task!
-Jack
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Weekly Posting 2-18
I cannot believe it is Wednesday already. The days this week have completely gone right by me. I guess being off on Monday doesn't help with this either.
So I've been working through my journey and it's really taking a lot more time than I expected. The digital images aspect is fascinating because I learned about different views of a picture and how to create these views. I feel I might be able to take better pictures because of this...which is what going to school is all about - learning how to do something new. I always thought I was pretty comfortable with taking pictures and they always seemed to come out looking great. But going into this assignment, I truly felt I was out of my comfort zone. I mean, this is something I've never experienced before...or maybe I have but never knew it. So reading about all the different types of ways you can take a picture was a step backwards for me in the sense that I was very uncomfortable holding a camera for once. But that one step backwards was erased by my two steps forwards when I could see what I am actually capable of doing now. And the best part is taking it to my mother (who is truly a photographer at heart - she just missed her calling) and showing her what she can do.
I am glad that I've had the opportunity to learn what I've learned about these digital images so far - regardless of the butt kicking I may be receiving. ;0
-Jack
So I've been working through my journey and it's really taking a lot more time than I expected. The digital images aspect is fascinating because I learned about different views of a picture and how to create these views. I feel I might be able to take better pictures because of this...which is what going to school is all about - learning how to do something new. I always thought I was pretty comfortable with taking pictures and they always seemed to come out looking great. But going into this assignment, I truly felt I was out of my comfort zone. I mean, this is something I've never experienced before...or maybe I have but never knew it. So reading about all the different types of ways you can take a picture was a step backwards for me in the sense that I was very uncomfortable holding a camera for once. But that one step backwards was erased by my two steps forwards when I could see what I am actually capable of doing now. And the best part is taking it to my mother (who is truly a photographer at heart - she just missed her calling) and showing her what she can do.
I am glad that I've had the opportunity to learn what I've learned about these digital images so far - regardless of the butt kicking I may be receiving. ;0
-Jack
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