Ninja Moodle session

I was kind of bad this am, sneaking into a paid session on Moodle. Post facto rationalization: I missed the first hour because of the Covey keynote and the door was open--is that equivalent to "the cash register was open" or "the keys were in the car"? And despite the fact that the session mostly covered the basics, I learned quite a bit, like embedding a video or better managing a forum. I had the temerity to ask a question about grading--"Can a teacher assign more than 100 points on an assignment?" The otherwise excellent instructor replied, "I dunno."

What? So What? Now What?

Those were the reflection questions posed in the evening 'Birds of a Feather' focusing on eFolios facilitated by Dr. Helen Barrett. Kathy (our librarian) calls her the mother of portfolios. Helen defines reflection as "engagement assessment for learning." Her website has a great picture but I like the What - So What - Now What (present, purpose, future) idea. Her PLC is found at http://electronicportfolios.org/academy/

These are the basic components of bringing people to ISTE for me.

WHAT?  What will this idea do? How do you use this technology? How does this impact teaching? Learning? What are the best practices?

SO WHAT?  I hear and see this all the time.....prove that it will help my students, help my class.  Integrated technology is about best practices, best teaching, expanding and challenging others to look beyond the box - not just outside the box.  What is that nugget that makes you pause and wonder?  What creates(or reignites)  that spark or that taps into your passion? For me being immersed in these moments and discussions with our group is why I KNOW that this is valuable beyond words.

NOW WHAT? The overall exhaustion and excitement will slowly diminish leaving those true ideas that will impact students, classes, departments, levels....the school environment.  We are lifelong learners - I've learned so much from my Seattle Academy colleagues in these past few days that will help me be better at what I do.  It's a connection made one person at a time that I believes impacts the dynamics of our school.  The ripple in the pond....

Wait - their creating a pandemic (virtual) in this systems class....hmmm the ripple, it's caught my attention! Let's create the pandemic best practices and let them ripple through our learnings.

There's an App for That

The common theme of all of my sessions at ISTE so far: Apps and Resources. I will admit, I'm on information overload, as the audience members at this conference seem to be able to handle lighting speed changes in topic and mention of great sites to visit. I, on the other hand, listen, think, and tell myself, "I'll just go to the website and click on the links later," because I can't keep up!

I've been thinking a lot about the seeming inevitable switch to handheld devices in the classroom--The ipad revolution is certainly likely to hit SAAS sometime soon--and I am on board, but I don't want to let learning the device and its applications replace or interfere with content. I do think content matters, and not just skills developed in learning the content, so I want to find balance.

During one session, the presenter played a video in which a toddler was using an ipad based on his dad's voice prompts and he navigated that thing like a pro (certainly better than I can). I realized that I can't use my lack of experience as an excuse, so I need to find time to practice using one so that I can at least know its capabilities before assuming my students are using it as a crutch or a distraction. If I can use one as capably as can they, then I can start to make some judgments that are more informed. I think I could find use for tablets in the classroom but I also don't want to create gimmicks. I want them to offer genuine, interesting ways by which to deliver meaningful content. I do believe they can.

Good, practical session on accessing a Presidential timeline from the Univ of Texas, Austin with lots of info, primary docs. You can create your own customized timeline as well which could be helpful for subjects other than history.

google docs

OK-I'm starting to figure out what Google Docs is about. Starting.

Key Notes

Dr. John Medina was an enthralling Keynote speaker. I actually hoped his address would have lasted longer! Some Key Notes (paraphrased - pardon my memory):
+ Family stability is essential predictor of academic success
+ The brain is geared towards survival - not learning, per Se
+ Proper learning = memorization + modifications thereto
+ Full comprehension requires filling in all the gaps in the foundation
+ Corollary to above: Learning to a test results in learning to survive, not to understand
+ The typical classroom is the antithesis of the ideal learning environment
+ Corollary to above: The typical cubicle is antithesis of the ideal work environment
+ There are scant if any predictors of who would be a successful teacher
+ Likely long term consequences of heavy computer use:
++ absorption of excessive blue light resulting in
++ adverse physiology to the brain resulting in
++ insomnia

A New Post

If this is a real post then it should appear as such. :)

First Post to First Blog - It worked!

Back to Philly

Nice to be back in my old hometown. I last lived here 25 years ago--yikes!
Greatest challenge: figuring out which ISTE sessions to attend.

Heading to Philadelphia!

There was a brief moment of summer here in Seattle - yesterday. It was beautiful and reminder that it will be warm in Philadelphia when we arrive with our Seattle Academy ISTE'11 group: Alison, Barton, Cheryll, Greg, Mike, Roger, and myself. Kathryn (Greg's wife) is here attending for the Woodland Park Zoo.

I believe the checklist is done:
___ hotel reservations (within walking distance)
___ conference reservations
___ flight reservations (Thanks to Sheila who is a marvel at these things)
___ shuttle info
___ emails out
___ blog invites out
___ Diigo invites out
___ finances secured (Thanks Julie - the financial guru)

Breathing....need to add that!
Looking forward to some wonderful experiences and blogs!
Vicki

Landed! Settled! and heading to the conference!