Just a forewarning...this blog is going to go a smidge off topic, meaning it will not be all about my technology module for this week. I need to get some unbiased feedback on a scheduling issue I am having. In a nutshell, our Catholic School shares many things with our public school (busing, lunch, Title services, band, music, and PE). The latter is where I am having my issue. We only share band and PE for our 7/8 grade students, who are bused out to the high school near the end of the day to have these classes. This year they leave our school at 2:15 for the last 90 minute block of the day...IF they are in band or choir, they have that every other day for 45 minutes and then go to PE. Next year, they want to take our students a half our earlier so they can have band/choir for 30 minutes and then everyone can have PE for 90 minute A DAY! That is 360 minutes (our students only go out 4 days a week) of PE a week!! I have been told the reason for this is so they can have their sports practice at this time....okay, but I thought it stated in Rule 10 that sport practices could not be done during the scheduled PE time. I was quickly told by their principal that I was wrong. Anyway, that is not really my argument, if you want to have your practice time then..fine! My concern is our 7/8 grade students are getting 360 minutes (450 if they attend public school) of PE EVERY WEEK versus 210 minutes of their core subject areas...are we sending our children to school to be athletes or to educate them? Anyone want to give their two cents? Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? Should I just be the quiet school leader and let this issue go? Thanks for any and all opinions...
Now...digital collaboration. In my comments from Dr. Mausbach on my research, she stated that I may be getting this idea confused with apps...and after rereading my paper, of course she is right! :) It is easy to say we are digitally collaborating at the student and teacher level; "We are using this app and that app to do this and that" but when I look at what digitally collaborate means, using digital devices, open source data and cloud technolgoy to share knowledge, manage information and contribute user-generated content to communities of people regardless of time or place (Wikipedia). In my brain, this sounds easy...I am finding it may be challenging, at least in the beginning. I really want to implement Google docs (or something similar) next year with my staff to help streamline meetings, have a central location for documents that need sharing. I know that is just a tip of the iceberg on what Google docs will do for us. Is there a good place to go for training, remembering we are a Catholic school with a tight budget?
I want our staff to be the best they can be when it comes to technology and for that to happen, I have to know how to help them. This class, your blogs and advice have opened my eyes to many things I hadn't thought of, so thank you. I will always work hard to help my students and staff succeed and technology is becoming a huge part of that, so with patience and practice we will learn new things and do great things!
Monday, May 2, 2016
Monday, April 25, 2016
Start Small
I read some great advice this week during my research collecting...Start Small. Many times, as could be the case in our school next year, we are bombarded with all this fancy, shiny, new equipment and told how amazing it is and all the wonderful things we can learn and teach with it...but there is no training and we become overwhelmed trying to teach it to ourselves so we can teach our students with it. Or, we have amazing training and are so excited to share what we have learned with our students and then it just doesn't work. It's okay!! I think sometimes as educators and leaders, we forget that it is okay for US to fail...we always want things to go smoothly and be sunshine and sprinkles, when in fact it is anything but...
I have vowed to try one new thing a week, thus not overwhelming myself and giving up on everything! If I work with this one new thing all week, by the end of the week I should be a master (or at least feel more confident in my ability to do it). So, in one school year I would try roughly 40 new things in technology. I also plan to share my learning with my staff through an inter-school sharing site and ask them for their feedback on the tool for the week. I also want to challenge myself to use one of the new things during our staff meetings...maybe in turn encouraging them to branch our in their classrooms!
I also teach technology at our school for grades 5-8 and have learned new things this year, number one...when computers don't work frustration is not the answer. We have done lots of cooperating learning at one computer and though it is not ideal, it works. I am excited to have equipment that will work and show those students the power of collaboration with students from other schools. I want to incorporate their core classes into our collaboration, I am not sure how that will look yet, but there is a wealth of resources available to us. I want to learn and teach google docs, I have used it for classes in our program, but beyond that have not gotten brave! :) I would love to dive into social media with them but again am hesitant. I would love to see how a class/school has made this work.
It is easy to collaborate with our friends and classmates, but think of the things we can learn if we get the opinion of someone we have never met...they have no idea how we feel on the topic, thus would give us their own personal opinion. Collaboration is the 21st century skill and we are behind at our school, unless you count face to face, small group inside classroom walls...which after my research and this class, I have decided just isn't enough...we need to break outside our walls, even borders! Our students have great ideas, letting them share them with the world is amazing, I just have to bring it to reality!
I have vowed to try one new thing a week, thus not overwhelming myself and giving up on everything! If I work with this one new thing all week, by the end of the week I should be a master (or at least feel more confident in my ability to do it). So, in one school year I would try roughly 40 new things in technology. I also plan to share my learning with my staff through an inter-school sharing site and ask them for their feedback on the tool for the week. I also want to challenge myself to use one of the new things during our staff meetings...maybe in turn encouraging them to branch our in their classrooms!
I also teach technology at our school for grades 5-8 and have learned new things this year, number one...when computers don't work frustration is not the answer. We have done lots of cooperating learning at one computer and though it is not ideal, it works. I am excited to have equipment that will work and show those students the power of collaboration with students from other schools. I want to incorporate their core classes into our collaboration, I am not sure how that will look yet, but there is a wealth of resources available to us. I want to learn and teach google docs, I have used it for classes in our program, but beyond that have not gotten brave! :) I would love to dive into social media with them but again am hesitant. I would love to see how a class/school has made this work.
It is easy to collaborate with our friends and classmates, but think of the things we can learn if we get the opinion of someone we have never met...they have no idea how we feel on the topic, thus would give us their own personal opinion. Collaboration is the 21st century skill and we are behind at our school, unless you count face to face, small group inside classroom walls...which after my research and this class, I have decided just isn't enough...we need to break outside our walls, even borders! Our students have great ideas, letting them share them with the world is amazing, I just have to bring it to reality!
Monday, April 18, 2016
Digital Collaboration?
*Photo courtesy of EduTopia
Digital collaboration...I know what digital means and I know how to collaborate but putting the two together goes way beyond what I am accustomed to doing. Here is the definition for you: digital collaboration is using digital devices, open source data and cloud technology to share knowledge, manage information and contribute user-generated content to communities of people regardless of time or place (Wikipedia). Through this class, I have learned how to digitally collaborate with fellow classmates and LOVE it...but I have to be honest and say I have never done it in the classroom. I still don't use the cloud, though my phone tells me I have saved stuff to my cloud...I am becoming more familiar with Google docs, but have never created a document myself...of course there is my new found love/hate relationship for Twitter (I LOVE all the information I am getting from here, it is amazing, I hate that I sometimes become consumed in all the information and get nothing else done).
As educators, we have done the face to face, one on one, small & large group collaboration from the beginning of our careers and they are good ways to communicate. BUT, they are not the only way...face to face is great for many reasons, but we have to look outside the box (our classroom and school) to find someone who may have a fantastic idea we would have never dreamed of pursuing. The problem is we sometimes lack the push or desire to step out of our comfort zone and collaborate beyond our school walls. If this is the case, we are not only hurting ourselves, but also doing a disservice to our students. The ways to collaborate are seemingly endless and can become overwhelming, but when we take baby steps, it may not seem so bad.
How amazing is it for students to be able to have a conversation with a student in South America when they are studying different continents, take a virtual field trip to the jungle when studying habitats, learn how to work a math problem with someone in a different state. When we get our students beyond the classroom doors, we excite them and revive their desire for learning. When it becomes real to them, it becomes something they will remember. A classroom desk and white board are so "not fun" but an iPad connected to a student in Mexico when learning about Cinco de Mayo is WAY more engaging.
As leaders, we have to help our fellow staff step outside of their comfort zone. I think many of us have already done that through this class and we have survived to LOVE it (or at least I have). We have to share our knowledge with those teachers we know who are reluctant to jump on the train of technology! It is always moving and changing, we have to hang on and learn as we go! What better way to be a life long learner!
Monday, April 11, 2016
Technology...What's Not To Love...
 |
| A caffeinated way to explain SAMR...I am not a coffee drinker, but I get it! :) |
Now that I am back online (at school, cause it still isn't working at home). I wanted to share what I learned about SAMR. After listening to some of you talk so highly of this model of technology integration, I turned my paper in that direction and I am so glad I did. It has made this task of how in the world are we going to do this with all our new technology, a little less scary! The thing I think I like the most about SAMR is that as you move through the SAMR continuum technology becomes more important in the classrooms and also is easily woven into the demands of good teaching and learning...it becomes second nature.
I also like that it states the non-use of technology is okay and will sometimes be appropriate in your classroom, this is the Substitution part.
Augmentation is when the technology is used as a tool to perform common classroom tasks, like taking quizzes, completing worksheets, or using google notes instead of pencil paper. This is the part where you are "getting your feet wet" learning how to include some of this technology without really changing much of your instruction. Teachers can receive immediate answers and give students feedback instantly. This also is a paper saver!
Modification, this is where you are crossing the line between the traditional paper/pencil, lecture classroom to the transformation to computer technology classroom. This is allowing students to be learning the same skills, just compiling and presenting the concept in different ways, ways that suit their learning style. The teacher is guiding them while they are learning hands on with technology.
Redefinition, is the step where technology allows new tasks to be completed that were previously inconceivable in the classroom. This step will not happen over night, which is why I like the SAMR model and how it gives you steps to ease into the use of technology in the classroom.
As our students become more and more digital, we need to continue to learn or, in my opinion, find a different career. If we as leaders cannot help our teachers become comfortable using technology in their classrooms, beyond showing a Youtube science video, we are failing our students and teachers. I don't think we have to be technology all the time, but getting to that modification step is key and then honestly, reaching redefinition will seem pretty easy.
I am going to have to lead the integration of new technology for my staff in the 16-17 school year. I will give them this model as a guide and offer them ample professional development. I think that is a HUGE step in implementing anything new correctly...when teachers are comfortable, students will benefit from their knowledge. When teachers are not comfortable you have technology equipment that is not being used and students who are not being challenged in the world of technology and not learning the amazing things they can do beyond paper/pencil/textbook.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Life...
You see that e-mail from your professor wondering why you haven't done your assignment and you feel like someone just died...yep, that was me about an hour ago! Why did I think this was due Thursday, I have no idea...April 5 is Tuesday, not Thursday. Regardless, here is my blog for the week...though late!
An update on E-Rate first of all. We are currently in the 28 day waiting period, which is what you must do between filing your initial request for E-Rate and filing your "actual" request. In this 28 days, you should receive bids from local carriers to provide you service for you telecommunications and or internet access (so far, we have not received any bids...I am not sure if that is good or bad). As you receive these bids, you will put them in your prepared matrix to compare them all and see which one is best for your school. Once your 28 days are up, you then file Form 471 which is showing them who your carrier will be, the cost of their services, and they will factor the discount amount you are given. I HIGHLY recommend contacting your ESU to help you with this. Diane, my E-Rate fairy, has been SO helpful through this process and made it so easy for my team (remember...me, myself, and I). I did share this amazing program with my staff today at our bi-weekly meeting and had some great response to the fact that we were saving money...one willing to help with the process next year! :) I will present this to our school board tomorrow evening and hopefully get one of them to help chair this project as well. As Dr. Mausbach said...you shouldn't have to beg for volunteers, if you can show them the great ways it will help your school you should easily get volunteers. I pray that is the case!
Though E-Rate is still fresh in my head and I continue reading on it, my brain has switched gears to my next module, Technology Integration. I look forward to hearing what those of you who have done this module have learned tonight (yes, I do have that date right) in our BlueCafe discussion. In my brain, this should be a simple task...well as you may realize from my forgetfulness of this blog my brain may not always be right! In a perfect world, technology integration should be just like using your reading basil or your math workbook. It is just part of your curriculum and "how we do things". Though this may not be the case right off the bat, after some practice and implementation...it will be, right?! Dr. Mausbach has suggested that I look at some of the technology models when I am writing my paper. Honestly, they are all new to me so I am taking a peek at each one and trying to decide which one would work best for our 1-8 school. Any suggestions? I of course like parts of each one and do have one that I like more than the others, but haven't decided why I like that one the best yet...more research. I have been most familiar with the TIM model, as Doug Zauha our "tech guy" has talked about this and I have read up on the SAMR model after reading Candace's blog. That doesn't mean I won't look at the others, but these two were in the forefront of my research as I was more familiar with them.
I look forward to learning more about these technology models and how they can help us in our school to make technology "how we do things" in our classrooms. I am up for the challenge of taking our school closer to the digital era!
An update on E-Rate first of all. We are currently in the 28 day waiting period, which is what you must do between filing your initial request for E-Rate and filing your "actual" request. In this 28 days, you should receive bids from local carriers to provide you service for you telecommunications and or internet access (so far, we have not received any bids...I am not sure if that is good or bad). As you receive these bids, you will put them in your prepared matrix to compare them all and see which one is best for your school. Once your 28 days are up, you then file Form 471 which is showing them who your carrier will be, the cost of their services, and they will factor the discount amount you are given. I HIGHLY recommend contacting your ESU to help you with this. Diane, my E-Rate fairy, has been SO helpful through this process and made it so easy for my team (remember...me, myself, and I). I did share this amazing program with my staff today at our bi-weekly meeting and had some great response to the fact that we were saving money...one willing to help with the process next year! :) I will present this to our school board tomorrow evening and hopefully get one of them to help chair this project as well. As Dr. Mausbach said...you shouldn't have to beg for volunteers, if you can show them the great ways it will help your school you should easily get volunteers. I pray that is the case!
Though E-Rate is still fresh in my head and I continue reading on it, my brain has switched gears to my next module, Technology Integration. I look forward to hearing what those of you who have done this module have learned tonight (yes, I do have that date right) in our BlueCafe discussion. In my brain, this should be a simple task...well as you may realize from my forgetfulness of this blog my brain may not always be right! In a perfect world, technology integration should be just like using your reading basil or your math workbook. It is just part of your curriculum and "how we do things". Though this may not be the case right off the bat, after some practice and implementation...it will be, right?! Dr. Mausbach has suggested that I look at some of the technology models when I am writing my paper. Honestly, they are all new to me so I am taking a peek at each one and trying to decide which one would work best for our 1-8 school. Any suggestions? I of course like parts of each one and do have one that I like more than the others, but haven't decided why I like that one the best yet...more research. I have been most familiar with the TIM model, as Doug Zauha our "tech guy" has talked about this and I have read up on the SAMR model after reading Candace's blog. That doesn't mean I won't look at the others, but these two were in the forefront of my research as I was more familiar with them.
I look forward to learning more about these technology models and how they can help us in our school to make technology "how we do things" in our classrooms. I am up for the challenge of taking our school closer to the digital era!
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
E-Rate?
Does your school have E-Rate? Are you signed up for E-Rate? Have you filled out the paperwork for E-Rate? Wait...What.Is.E-Rate?
I have heard about E-Rate for about 3 months now and been asked the above questions, repeatedly...and honestly I thought "We don't have it now, we don't need to worry about it". Well, that was until I started working on that dreaded thing called BUDGET and I realized that we needed to find some ways to save our school some money. So, I questioned one my colleagues that asked if I was using E-Rate for our school, what exactly is E-Rate. Her response was a simple one that I liked..."it is a way for your school to save money on their telephone and internet bill"! YES!!! Save money, sign me up! That is when I started doing research (and lucky for me, it fits into my EDU 617 class!).
So, the question is what is E-Rate..."E-Rate is the commonly used name for the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (SUAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission(FCC)" (From Wikipedia). Got it? Question answered? Probably not....So, let's try again. E-Rate is a program that provides discounts to assist schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. A great way to help your budget by saving you money on your telecommunications. Though the Archdiocese of Omaha has cautioned that you do not incorporate the E-Rate discounts into your school budget because funding can vary from year to year.
Okay, so now how do I receive the funding? Thankfully the Archdiocese has complied a great brochure called Understanding E-Rate (or if you will...E-Rate for Dummies), thank you Doug Zauha! In order for your school to be successful in establishing E-Rate funds, it takes time, effort, and patience; it is even suggested to establish an E-Rate Team at your school (I have a team, it includes me, myself, and I). There are two categories associated with E-Rate, Category I and Category II. Each has its own requirements for filing (which I am talking more about in my paper) and the filing window goes from late November through March (so I have plenty of time to get this finished up)! ;) Also, within the Categories, you have Form 470, Form 471, and Form 486, all of which have different guidelines and requirements to file for their specific benefits. Thankfully I have been scheduled to talk with an E-Rate expert tomorrow (not sure on the time yet) to help me learn about and how to file for E-Rate. It is suggested that I compile a binder which includes Build Entity Number (BEN), BEN password, and patience. Do you think it is a bad thing if I have no idea what a BEN is, not to mention the password. (I will let you know how this meeting goes). I have the patience part of the equation! I have also done some research so know a little more about this than I did a month ago. I also think that had I been aware of this prior to us installing all our new infrastructure, wiring, etc. we could have gotten a discount on some of those costs; I do intend to ask if it is still possible to ask for assistance even though they have been installed.
So, I hope you have learned a little bit about E-Rate, I am going to continue my research and get this E-Rate business figured out before the filing window closes! I am not sure you learned anything from this blog, but it was entertaining for me to put what is going on in my head down on "paper". Please pray we don't get any snow here, I put the shovel away! God Bless.
I have heard about E-Rate for about 3 months now and been asked the above questions, repeatedly...and honestly I thought "We don't have it now, we don't need to worry about it". Well, that was until I started working on that dreaded thing called BUDGET and I realized that we needed to find some ways to save our school some money. So, I questioned one my colleagues that asked if I was using E-Rate for our school, what exactly is E-Rate. Her response was a simple one that I liked..."it is a way for your school to save money on their telephone and internet bill"! YES!!! Save money, sign me up! That is when I started doing research (and lucky for me, it fits into my EDU 617 class!).
So, the question is what is E-Rate..."E-Rate is the commonly used name for the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (SUAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission(FCC)" (From Wikipedia). Got it? Question answered? Probably not....So, let's try again. E-Rate is a program that provides discounts to assist schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. A great way to help your budget by saving you money on your telecommunications. Though the Archdiocese of Omaha has cautioned that you do not incorporate the E-Rate discounts into your school budget because funding can vary from year to year.
Okay, so now how do I receive the funding? Thankfully the Archdiocese has complied a great brochure called Understanding E-Rate (or if you will...E-Rate for Dummies), thank you Doug Zauha! In order for your school to be successful in establishing E-Rate funds, it takes time, effort, and patience; it is even suggested to establish an E-Rate Team at your school (I have a team, it includes me, myself, and I). There are two categories associated with E-Rate, Category I and Category II. Each has its own requirements for filing (which I am talking more about in my paper) and the filing window goes from late November through March (so I have plenty of time to get this finished up)! ;) Also, within the Categories, you have Form 470, Form 471, and Form 486, all of which have different guidelines and requirements to file for their specific benefits. Thankfully I have been scheduled to talk with an E-Rate expert tomorrow (not sure on the time yet) to help me learn about and how to file for E-Rate. It is suggested that I compile a binder which includes Build Entity Number (BEN), BEN password, and patience. Do you think it is a bad thing if I have no idea what a BEN is, not to mention the password. (I will let you know how this meeting goes). I have the patience part of the equation! I have also done some research so know a little more about this than I did a month ago. I also think that had I been aware of this prior to us installing all our new infrastructure, wiring, etc. we could have gotten a discount on some of those costs; I do intend to ask if it is still possible to ask for assistance even though they have been installed.
So, I hope you have learned a little bit about E-Rate, I am going to continue my research and get this E-Rate business figured out before the filing window closes! I am not sure you learned anything from this blog, but it was entertaining for me to put what is going on in my head down on "paper". Please pray we don't get any snow here, I put the shovel away! God Bless.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Being in the rural area of Nebraska and at a Catholic school, both of which I LOVE, my technology experiences are limited! (I didn't even have Twitter until this class). I don't feel like we are in the stone age when it comes to technology, but probably far behind most schools. We currently are in the middle of receiving new technology for our schools through an Ignite the Faith Grant through our Archdiocese, which we are very excited and grateful for.
Currently, we have a computer lab full of desk top computers, most of which do not work and cause frustration for teachers and students! We have SmartBoards in our classrooms (which I have been told are "old news"), desktops for student use and each teacher has a laptop. Our new "stuff", which we are anxiously and impatiently waiting for, includes AppleTVs, new projectors/screens/speakers, iPads (set of 20 for each building), laptops for our computer lab (and use in classrooms) and new laptops for our teachers. All our products will be Apple, which is a switch for us. We are all willing to learn and excited to try something new...a few are apprehensive about letting their old laptops go, but I assured them, they will be okay! Why did we choose Apple? We previewed different brands and wanted AppleTVs, so we thought sticking with one brand for compatibility would be best.
The world of technology is always changing, and that is scary (for me)...I think because I look at it as a mom and all the possibilities, good and bad. When it is well balanced with non-technological things, like the outside world, I think it is a good thing...but I sometimes feel a lot of children don't have that balance. Our students do need to have exposure to technology and use it daily as their world will be much more digital than it is now. So, for me this class is going to open my eyes to new possibilities for our school, which excites me!
I like to think personally I know technology...but I think I know enough to "get by". I have a lot to learn and am excited to learn new things in this class that I can use to better our school and help myself and my staff. I hope to learn ways that we can use all the "new stuff" we are getting and make it an enjoyable learning experience for everyone involved and an amazing resource to our already fantastic classrooms.
Currently, we have a computer lab full of desk top computers, most of which do not work and cause frustration for teachers and students! We have SmartBoards in our classrooms (which I have been told are "old news"), desktops for student use and each teacher has a laptop. Our new "stuff", which we are anxiously and impatiently waiting for, includes AppleTVs, new projectors/screens/speakers, iPads (set of 20 for each building), laptops for our computer lab (and use in classrooms) and new laptops for our teachers. All our products will be Apple, which is a switch for us. We are all willing to learn and excited to try something new...a few are apprehensive about letting their old laptops go, but I assured them, they will be okay! Why did we choose Apple? We previewed different brands and wanted AppleTVs, so we thought sticking with one brand for compatibility would be best.
The world of technology is always changing, and that is scary (for me)...I think because I look at it as a mom and all the possibilities, good and bad. When it is well balanced with non-technological things, like the outside world, I think it is a good thing...but I sometimes feel a lot of children don't have that balance. Our students do need to have exposure to technology and use it daily as their world will be much more digital than it is now. So, for me this class is going to open my eyes to new possibilities for our school, which excites me!
I like to think personally I know technology...but I think I know enough to "get by". I have a lot to learn and am excited to learn new things in this class that I can use to better our school and help myself and my staff. I hope to learn ways that we can use all the "new stuff" we are getting and make it an enjoyable learning experience for everyone involved and an amazing resource to our already fantastic classrooms.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)