Sandberg's Meanderings

Thing 8

2009-04-06T20:32:00.001-05:00

? Did you discover a particularly useful feature in a database?

In the student edition from the Thompson Gale main database, I liked the feature that gave the subtopics (the see also sections). Students can put in a general topic and then look at those sections and discover a topic that is narrower but has information available to research. It would be a nice supplemental feature for them to narrow down their topics without narrowing them too far.

In addition, Culture Grams has a similar feature, but more suited to a nation and people. This list is on the side of edge of the main screen. Students most likely will not find these features on their own, so I will need to direct them towards these areas.

? Which databases did you explore and how might you plan to use them in the future?

I?ve been using the databases this year specifically with two research projects connected to novels we are reading in class. With the nonfiction work Into the Wild, I had them complete mini-research projects on real people, places, and events that were mentioned in the book and teach what they learned to the class in a PowerPoint presentation. It was a ?getting our feet wet? experience with databases, using the internet more than the databases.

Next, students researched a topic related to Afghanistan (people, places, events) utilizing more of the databases in the entire search. They need to document their process more (search, notes, bibliography, creative project), which is more of the focus for this research.

? How do/will you explain the benefits of using databases to students?

What?s so nice about databases, and something I?ve said a lot this year, is that they do the work for us. They go out and find what?s good on the internet, in journals, and in newspapers and put it in one place for us to find and use for our needs. Why go out and do the work, when we can utilize what?s there and then spend time on analyzing the information and presenting our learning to our peers.

I?m so excited about databases as a learner. Information is at our fingertips and the need to set aside time to physically go to the library is not always needed.

pb wiki

2009-03-02T14:08:00.001-06:00

I do find the constant emails saying there is an update or change on the wiki to be a little annoying - after one. :)

Thing 7

2009-02-10T19:53:00.002-06:00

The idea of using a different browser is interesting, but to me it truly does not matter. The volume of work or type of searches or the way I search does not seem to limit me at the moment. But, I suppose the day that changes, I will change my browser. To be honest, reading the article comparing the browsers went over my head; it is out of my realm of prior knowledge. What did resonate with me was section that showed the productivity depending on the number of tabs open; that I did understand. Again, when I feel limited by my browser, I will make a change, but I’m glad to know there are options. I did not know that before. So, my prior knowledge has indeed expanded.

I liked the Google Image Search. I haven’t used image searches much, but I have helped students with there’s, so I’ve practiced through them. I’ve used regular Google search to search for images but not specifically an image search. I really liked searching that way because the images show up in front of you immediately – a link does not have to be followed to see the image. I will definitely use image searches in the future.

I found it interesting that Google maps would actually show you the view as you drive down the road. It was unneeded but cool looking. Personally, I would not want that options – too distracting to the page. I did like Google’s capabilities with maps over other sites like Yahoo and MapQuest.

I didn’t know that there was such a thing as a specific blog search. I’m still not sure what I might use it for. There’s not much I’m that obsessed over that I need to read blogs about something, but I did blog Casey Carlson’s name while goofing around doing Thing 7 work to see what and if there was information out there about her on American Idol – yes, there was. She might be voted off tonight since she forgot her lyrics. I happen to be watching as I’m working on Thing 7. I’m off to watch the end of Idol.

Thing 6

2009-01-13T20:28:00.001-06:00

Google Docs

I believe that Google Docs can improve productivity, but at the moment I see it more as a too for the students to use in the classroom for collaborative and individual assignments. Google Docs fits more into their productivity for the course.

However, I really like reading how one teacher uses Google Docs to comment on rough drafts of students work. I read that posting very carefully and would like to do something like that this next semester while students are individually working on their papers. That would be a definite way to improve my productivity.

I personally haven’t used Google Docs to collaborate with others except when practicing and playing with it. But, I do plan on having the student use Google Docs collaboratively next quarter with an assignment. My classes used Google Docs last semester but not collaboratively. That is something I want to add next quarter.

Wikis

The only wiki participation I’ve been a part of is during Metronet classes. I began setting up a wiki but completing did not happen because I didn’t readily find a use for it at that time. I thought about putting my courses on one but CHS has a program that I’m already using for that and it felt redundant to do that type of set up again. I know other teachers who had students work with one; it just didn’t float my boat then or now. I see a possibility of using it with an assignment where students show what they learn from some research.

Thing 5

2008-12-09T19:42:00.001-06:00

• What is your experience with public libraries and librarians? Long-time user? Scared away by a mean librarian in your youth?

I spent quite a bit of time at the library in high school, but I didn’t ask for help from librarians back then. When I went to college, I began asking for help here and there due to the fact that the University of Minnesota library was huge. The experiences with that library increased my confidence in librarians. I now ask librarians first thing when I enter the building. I realized that they enjoy doing their job and helping others, and that I’m not imposing on them when I ask for assistance.

• What would you improve about your library and its services?
One recent complaint I have about the public library is the time it takes for materials to be transferred from one place to the next. I wanted something from a southern Minnesota library and was told that it would take 8 weeks to be delivered to Chanhassen. Personally, I thought that was ridiculous and have not been back to request materials from another library since then. It really turned me off on it in that regards. Otherwise, I like the library.

• How do you use the public library to support your teaching?

I used it a lot when I first started teaching – mostly for videos and materials to supplement curriculum. Once my personal resources increased at school, I no longer went to the library as much. Now, I encourage students to go and use the library and talk to the librarians, reminding them to ask nicely for help and that they are not bothering the librarian. I want them to learn sooner than I did that the librarians are there for a reason – to help and assist, especially with the Afghanistan research that my students are working on for these 2 weeks.

• How will using MnLINK help your students? Is timing an issue?

Obviously, one thing that is nice about MnLink is that students can look from home and see if the local library has what they are looking for, and if not, then they can order it if they are truly interested and have time to wait. I like MnLink for these same reasons. What bothers me though is how it constantly updates its page and throws you out of whatever other window you have open. I can’t work on something else when my search results are open; at least that was my last experience with MnLink – a little frustrating. All in all, it’s a good resource despite some quirks. (Timing is definitely an issue as I mentioned above.)

Thing 4

2008-12-09T08:00:00.001-06:00

• Which customizable homepage did you choose? Why did that one appeal to you? Will you make it your permanent home page?
I set up an iGoogle page last spring for my RSS feeds, which I don’t really read, but they are there. It worked fairly well, but this year I've added and changed it to better fit my needs beyond the feeds. One of the most helpful items I've put on is my blog. This works nicely because I don't have to log in to blogger to submit a post; it really does save on time. I've also added a doplar radar screen for MN. I get obsessed looking at that on certain snowy and rainy days. iGoogle will be my permanent page because I find it better to learn one new thing and then get good at it.
• Did you find a tool that has some uses for you at school or home? Which tool(s) would you recommend to others?
The make-a-list productivity tools seem very helpful, but I already make lists by hand and seem to do okay on that. But I do like the idea of going techy on the to-do list, but that would be one more thing to access; I'll look for one to attach to iGoogle - let me put that on my to-do list. :) FYI – I found a few and put one on…My Listy. It seemed the most friendly and had the fewest complaints.
• How can the online calendars be useful to you?
I've just spent some time playing with my calendar on iGoogle. It's been one of my personal goals this year - try using an online calendar. I'm a diehard Franklin Planner type of person, and I love it and live by it, so it is challenging to change. I like having my calendar and personal contacts all in one place that I can carry and access anywhere (not so w/the internet where I go at times).
I've played with the calendar, but it's just playing. I don't see it taking the place of my current hard copy planner. I don't think I'm there yet. Maybe I need one of those new fancy phones (satellite) things in order for me to change.
• How would you compare and contrast the use of paper-based assignments and assigment notebooks to the potential use of online assignment calculators and to do lists for students?
For students it might make sense to introduce them to these productivity tools. They like and are pretty good at the techy items. I would like to have students submit papers to me electronically and then access them the same way. I would like to go paperless, and I would like to have that productivity tool available to me at CHS. I've taken college courses that way, and I would like to do that a little more at the high school level - a good thing for students, for me and for the earth. Personally, the RPC emails did annoy me but that might be because I really wasn't doing the assignment, so maybe it would be good for the students. But, each person works differently - different strokes for different folks - and that wouldn't account for individual work habits as much, but a reminder is a reminder (it was just irksome to me).

Wiki

2008-11-19T08:41:00.001-06:00

I was looking for a character from a novel we are reading in class - Kite Runner - and I stumbled upon a wiki for that novel. It was an assignment that students worked on and generated an online study guide. It seems like an interesting and interactive assignment, but it does seem like a daunting task to tackle. I shared it with my English colleagues because it does have great questions for discussion and journaling. Maybe I'll get brave sometime and attempt to do an assignment like this one in class. Here's the web address... http://litkite.pbwiki.com/Directions+for+Starting

Thing 3

2008-11-11T20:27:00.001-06:00

Teaching research is always a struggle for me. It is not something I look forward to teaching, unlike Romeo & Juliet for example. However, I do my best to give the foundations for students to be successful with research.

I was very excited to work with the RPC last year and to implement plagerism-proof assignments. I found both to be very helpful for creating a research assignment for my sophomore students. I used the RPC to help us through the steps of the research. This year I would like to do more of that - have the students evaluate sites/sources more and to maybe give students some more freedom in developing their research questions instead of me providing a list of possible topics (I'm still unsure about that, however. Do I want them to formulate their own question or do I want them to focus on research and evaluation? I know that working on research questions is something that 11th grade teachers do, and that would be scaffolding on what we do in 10th grade this year. So the question still remains.)

As far as challenges go, I find that allowing freedom for students to find their own topics to be my weakness. Thus, the question from the previous paragraph. I have trouble not controlling/guiding them. I feel that I want to give them a chance to be successful and not get discouraged by having them try to find their own way. I feel that if I focus them, then they will maybe have an easier time getting information on their topic because I know it's out there and can help guide them. I feel that with the limited amount of time we have in school and in the lab (with my help) that letting them "find" their way to a topic is a waste of their and my time. But, ideally it would be nice for them to maybe fail at trying to find a topic and work their way towards a topic, but time constraints and students who are easily frustrated hold me back on that one.

As I mentioned earlier, I used the RPC to help me create my Afghanistan research project assignment sheet. When looking at the overall picture of a research project, it becomes overwhelming for me, but I find that by establishing a structured format and focusing on some key concepts to work on (& not all) does help. In addition, jumping in and letting the students know that we are all learning and that we will get through this and not to panic works best to help calm their concerns and keep me more sane.

In the future, I would like to work more closely with other grade level teachers to see what they do with research, what works and doesn't work for them, and for them to actually listen to ideas and exchange ideas freely without it having to be their way (allow for flexibility within the team). We can each have our research assignments, but not mandate that we all do it exactly the same.

Eventually, that sharing of ideas and seeing how others use research should carry over into the other subject areas, so we can scaffold and support each other.

Thing 2

2008-11-04T08:26:00.001-06:00

RSS reader - Once it is set up with items I consider valuable, I think it will become much more to my liking. I'm just overwhelmed with all the input from the Mili group. I need to take the time set it up better into categories and take the time to scan the web to find blogs and data (news and scholarly journals) that appeal and interest me. Currently, I don't think of computer work as relaxing down time. It is more of a tool and a job. The last thing I want to do after school or on the weekends is turn on the computer. If I do that, it means grading, research for school lesson plans, or work for college. Keeping the computer off as much as possible is what I try to do to gain sanity and wind down for the next week of work and school.

Just like the students, I love the video tutorials and insights into what works and what doesn’t. The top 10 reasons clip reminds me how, as teachers, we need to have interactive and interesting lessons. Blogging is very valid and something I need to remind myself as I think about lessons for now and the future.

I've thought about using blogs with the novel Kite Runner. I like the idea that blogs extend the classroom. It also allows time for reflection and interaction with the students beyond the classroom. I just need to set up the blog and ponder how to assess the blog. The resources associated with edublog will be helpful. As I mentioned, I want to use blogs in the classroom sometime, but I want to be sure they are applicable to what we are learning, and not seem like a waste of time. The edublogs has some good directions for how to use in the classroom and I like the adobe pdf file of ideas for classroom use.
I definitely want to use blogs in my classroom, but I really look at next semester as the time for implementation. My schedule is more open then and family health/chaos should have ebbed to a trickle by then - life has been on hold and chaotic. Next semester will be a fresh start, with focus and with all sophs for a prep.

Google Docs - Again

2008-10-10T15:22:00.001-05:00

All week the sophomores have been prepping their literary analysis essays. We were at the point of typing them today. I mentioned that they might want to use Google Docs for composing today. I didn't stress it, but I did state what if they didn't finish in the computer lab today. How would they work on it this weekend? Why email back & forth if you don't need to? About 1/2 of the students used Google. I thought that was pretty good.

We had a few Google glitches, but I told them not to panic about it. Most of the glitches would go away if they saved and closed and then reopened the document.

However, there was one thing I couldn't figure out. How can you get the spellcheck to give you options on spelling. Some would have it and some would not. I'll look into it another time.

Time

2008-10-08T10:16:00.001-05:00

How do you all make time for this? I'm scrambling as it is with lessons, grading, meetings, some down time from school (30 minutes if I'm lucky)...

I'm seriously looking for insights. I don't feel like I mismanage my time, but maybe I am not as efficient as I think I am.

Thanks.

iGoogle

2008-09-18T11:16:00.001-05:00

I had all my students sign up for iGoogle yesterday. I had 2 or 3 in each hour who had a little trouble, but it turned out that we were having trouble with the security code. We couldn't read it.

I had one student who did not have an email, so we tried to set up a gmail account at school. That did not work at all. A technology person and I finally went to Yahoo and created an email there for him. Let's just say that gmail is not too school friendly for some reason (filter???).

Today, we will be using Google presentation. I hope it all goes well.

Thing 1

2008-09-11T12:50:00.003-05:00

When I first began reading my Thing 1 assignment articles, I got a little nervous. Oops – I use Brainyquote.com for one of my assignments. It’s not a big part of the assignment, just find a quote from Thoreau or Emerson to go with a creative writing piece students generate, but it still made me stop and reflect. Even for the small things information literacy is important, and I, myself, need to apply what I know of information literacy too.

But what really freaks me out is that Encyclopedia Brittanica had not many fewer errors than Wikipedia. What does that say to those of us who teach reliable sources? What type of leg work do we, as educators, need to do before we say Brittanica is better than Wikipedia or this database is more reliable than that database?

And, since we create our own reality by only listening to and comprehending what we want to believe is there a need. According to that one article, "people have more choice, they can choose to read the things that reflect what they already believe." So reality is an individual thing. We all have our own lense through which we look at the world around us – then that’s what we teach…lense. (makes me think of 11th grade English)

Side Thought: The AskUsNow is a cool thing I didn’t know about. So…are our students really doing the work we give them or just jumping on the internet to have someone else do the, pardon the expression, grunt work? If I’m teaching students how to gather, are they gathering? I guess that’s why we have computer labs in school to monitor some of that learning.

But I suppose the need for information literacy is still vital. Maybe as more and more students receive education in regards to this, information out in the world will change. More questioning will occur and more reliable proof will be expected and need to be corroborated. Who knows? It sure changes fast (that’s the big “IT”).

Chrome

2008-09-09T15:56:00.001-05:00

All right...at tomorrow's Mili meeting someone is going to have to explain Google Chrome. I sort of get it but I'm a visual/hands on learner when it comes to computers. Can't wait to see it in action.

Bri's Amazing

2008-08-20T15:05:00.001-05:00

Bri is one of those honor students who goes way beyond the teacher at high speed. When I grow up, I want to be Bri.

Updating my Reader

2008-08-20T14:43:00.001-05:00

I set up my reader at the end of last year, and I thought it would be a good and useful tool. But, I didn't do much from with it since then. Yesterday I played with setting up folders and putting in a few Mili participants.

I'm a little frustrated today because Internet Explorer is "loading" to see whether the blogs are a security risk, so the playing with reader today has stalled. I'm blogging instead. My next agenda item is to comment on a blog, so be warned Mili participants.

The Start of 08-09

2008-08-19T14:31:00.002-05:00

I'm thrilled about being a part of Mili again this year. For me, last year was a whirlwind of new tools and vocab. I'm hoping that this year the learning curve will continue, and I'm going to strive for more implementation in the classroom. I definitely need this second dose of Mili and more practice to go beyond being introduced to concepts to actually using them to aid my personal productivity and lessons in the classrooms.

Thing 21

2008-04-23T13:04:00.001-05:00

During our Into the Wild unit, students were looking up topics and artifacts related to the book and Chris McCandless’ story. Some students found footage on YouTube that showed people hiking to Fairbanks Bus 142 in Alaska. They shared that with me, and I showed it to my classes. It gave a nice visual for them, especially when the movie hadn’t been released yet (or even before I show it).

The one challenge about YouTube is accessing it from school. I did have to get password overrides in order to show it.

Thing 13 & Thing 15

2008-04-22T11:42:00.001-05:00

During the unit on Kite Runner, I created a research assignment for the students. Each student needed to research a topic related to Afghanistan. I asked Sharon Phelps, our media specialist, to help us get started in our research. I didn’t want students to use Wikipedia or similar sites due to unreliability. I also wasn’t too keen on Google. I really wanted to introduce the students to the databases that we subscribe to and can even access when they go out in the “real” world (we have the passwords).

On the first day of being in the computer lab, Phelps took us through all the databases available to us at Chaska High. Students could then begin “playing” with these on that day. Research really began over the next two days, and it was nice to have Phelps in their helping us during that second day too. One teacher helping 30+ students at the beginning of research that doesn’t allow Wikipedia was truly not doable, so I’m glad I had a second person in there helping. After that, they did great.

Phelps helped with databases but also helped us in narrowing down our topics. It was a very worthwhile assignment, and I plan on doing it again this semester.

Thing 14

2008-04-17T09:41:00.002-05:00

Reliable Online Resources - I know we looked at many of these in class, but I really just wanted to Google the term and see what happened. I got a lot of hits. There was even a top 25 list of reliable online resources that some online university put together. Here's the address.

http://www.collegedegree.com/library/financial-aid/25-online-resources-for-reliable-researched-facts

It might be fun to check it out and see what else is out there.

Thing 12

2008-04-16T12:42:00.001-05:00

Personally, I use MSN a lot when looking up information on the internet. It is the main search engine I use because I have a hotmail account.

Last year, I noticed that students were using ASK.com frequently, and this year students seem to begin at Wikipedia even before they Google. It wasn’t really until this year that I realized that I got different results depending on which search engine I used. I know that seems slow on the uptake, but that’s the truth. I now find myself using Google a lot more because that’s where students are going, and Google has a lot more user-friendly features.

As far as the presentation of results, I prefer the list mode. The visual that looks like a web brainstorm hurts my brain. I just don’t think that way.

I find that students guide me in what search engine I use. I need to see what they use and adjust accordingly. By becoming familiar with what they use, I can adapt the search lessons I have. Because when it comes down to it, students still don’t know how to research something fully and reliably.

Thing 11

2008-04-15T09:38:00.003-05:00

All About Google - I did set up a Reader on Google. I like it because I seem to remember to access that better than the bloglines one; I'm also on it more. When I was clicking around, I noticed that it will give you recommendations for new feeds to your reader based on what you've selected/done previously, which is very much like Amazon. I just hope it doesn't get as annoying as Amazon - emailing you, making a list of a hundred plus items...

Thing 10

2008-04-11T15:33:00.002-05:00

Plagerism is something I try to teach students not to do in my classes, especially when we are doing research. It is so easy to cut and paste information these days. I remember having to write everything down, and since I had to do that, I might as well put it in my own words. Then, I just had to remember to complete a bibliography. With the internet, it is too easy to get info and students have trouble realizing why it's such a big deal because it is out there and readily available.

During research, I remind students to keep track of where they are getting their information, show them how to write down the source of internet information, require a bibliography, and give them a handout with all that information on it. At least they know that I believe it is important to give credit and hopefully they will understand that they should do that for every assignment and class (transfer of knowledge is hard for teenagers).

I also post my Academic Integrity Policy on my website and put it on the syllabus for each course. I feel I'm doing my part, but as always can do more.

Thing 7

2008-04-10T08:52:00.002-05:00

Last semester when we were working on our Afghanistan research, I showed the Research Project Calculator site to my 10th grade classes. I really liked how when we put in a due date it showed us a timeline to work towards that due date. Since our research to product time was only a week and a half, it really helped them to focus in class better and know what to be working on each day (a little at a time instead of looking at the end product and panicking).

I'll probably use it again this semester with the same project, working with Kite Runner. However, I do think I'm going to add a presentation aspect to this. So, it will end up being - research, sythesize into a product, & talk about that product.

Thing 3

2008-04-09T15:39:00.002-05:00

I created an RSS feed in bloglines, but at one of our meetings I was shown Google Reader. I haven't had much time to play with that, but I did practice putting in a few feeds, my blog for one to see if it worked.

As soon as I find more worthy items to put in, besides my blog, I will add those in. It will really save time on looking up items every time I'm working on something. A timesaving device as soon as I figure out how to better use it.

Thing 4

2008-04-08T15:55:00.002-05:00

I did get a Hennepin County Library card. I moved over here from Washington County this year, but I have not yet bought a house. The library let me use my aunt's address to get a card that would work over here. I thought that was cool & nice of them.

I went to the Chanhassen Library and was very impressed with the building and handy location. I'm not too keen on the parking situation. But, I have used the library a few times - checked out a video to show my 10th graders and ordered a video to show from a library in the southwest. I found the personel very helpful and knowledgable. I always tell students to ask for help because that's what librarians are for and they love what they do.

Research

2008-01-14T13:52:00.000-06:00

I'm in the midst of a research project on Afghanistan with my 10th graders. It is going quite well even though I told them I didn't want them to use Wikipedia. The media specialist came in and showed them the databases that we subscribe to and how to navigate them to do research and to narrow down topics if needed.

It was a wonderful learning experience for all, including for me. There were a lot of questions on day 1 and day 2, but today (day 3) they were confident in maneuvering through the databases and inputting better key words into Google (when needed).

Now, I just need them to keep better track of their notes. Most of them remembered to do that because I gave them a note/citation sheet and told them to either take notes electronically on Word or use the note sheet I provided. But, as usual, some students have selective hearing and go straight from reading a source to putting it into a project without the notetaking part. I'll emphasize that more next time.

I can't wait to see their research projects - only one choice was a paper (persuasive) - to see how well the assignment and their learning went.

Thing 2

2008-01-04T08:50:00.000-06:00

While setting up this blog, I was grateful that I had help and guidance. I could have stumbled through it but would have taken forever. I find posting to be easy; however, I am keeping it very simple at what I’m attempting at the moment.

But, I do struggle with reading others’ blogs. After a day of teaching, writing curriculum, and an evening of grading papers, the last thing I want to do is read more. My eyes can't take any more. Someday, reading blogs may become more of a necessity in communication for me, but right now emailing colleagues and walking across the hall to discuss day’s events and ideas gives me that personal connection and is a better use of my time. In the future, and maybe not too distant with the way technology moves, I will be a master blogger.

Thing 6

2007-12-21T14:56:00.001-06:00

I've been looking through the site, especially the worksheets and graphic organizers. I printed out the essay outline and edited it to fit the prompts for their most recent essay assignment. I think it helped them organize their ideas easier and cut back on many questions of how / what they're doing. I look forward to seeing the final prodcut that I am grading over winter break (how crazy am I?).

I'm also planning the research project with the novel The Kite Runner and have really been looking at the rpc site and the metronet site (both helpful). I'm trying to give the students choices on their final product. I'll keep working on planning over break.

Thing 9

2007-12-16T14:12:00.000-06:00

I used streaming video via United Streaming / Great Books to show a program about Henry David Thoreau and Walden Pond. It was my first venture into using the computer and LCD projector to show something in the classroom. The most challenging aspect was getting speakers so that we could her the video. LCD projectors, at least ours, don't have the loudest speakers.

I would definitely use this technology again if something worthwhile is found that fits in with curriculum. That's the hard part. There is a lot of trash out there to wade through and view to see if worthy. Again, more time needed in one's life.

Thing 5 - Teacher Webpage

2007-12-06T17:29:00.000-06:00

Being new to the district, I needed to learn how to use Microsoft Office FrontPage to edit my teacher webpage. I love the ease of this software compared to what I was using before, which of course I can’t remember. Now, I update my page almost daily and post my daily schedule as well as due dates and class expectations. Recently, I put in a link to a long-term assignment. However, I still find that students do not check the site, so occasionally I will turn on the LCD projector and show them where it is and what’s on it and what’s coming up in class.

In the future, I am going to put links to assignments that we’ve done, so students can access them if they are absent or need to catch up on late work. I’m not too keen on having the assignments linked there permanently because I don’t want them working ahead without learning along the way. We need to learn and then apply what we learn in our assignments. If they were posted early, students may be completing work without connecting knowledge from the class to the practice assignment, thus not meeting learning expectations.

My thinking on that may still be “old school” but change happens slowly.

Trying to Catch Up

2007-11-29T11:16:00.000-06:00

I've avoided technology for a while now, due to the lack of support in my previous district. However, I'm very excited being in a new distrist with readily available, working technology that allows for training and experience for me to catch up and bring it into my classroom. I want to learn more about how to use it, instead of just being aware of it.

As with any specialty, the jargon is new for me. I know some terms, but others I do not. I find that challenging, trying to figure out if I know what it is based on what it's called. But, I'll get there.

I look forward to learning, practicing, and implementing.