Why Schools Must Move Beyond One-to-One Computing | November Learning | Diigo

Why Schools Must Move Beyond One-to-One Computing | November Learning | Diigo
Again, Alan strikes a chord on the current conversations in our own ACPS.  The Design 2015 Grants are well on their way... with speed and hopefully thought?  But the speed makes me worry about the thought.  Are we really changing the culture of instruction?  As Alan states in this article...Adding a digital device to the classroom without a fundamental change in the culture of teaching and learning will not lead to significant improvement.  As I look forward to my classroom next year, I'm so aware that I will have a completely new way of teaching and learning than I did 12 years ago.  My room will look different, feel different, sound different and hopefully I can really focus on what are the important aspects of teaching and learning, together with my students.  I have no idea what devices I will have, but there is so much to think about whether it is a 1:1 access or not.  Learning will be different.  Learning will be fun!  I'm excited at the possibilities and yes, I will take risks, and yes there will be failure, but I'm excited at the possibilities!

Janelle Catlett (jacncville) on Pinterest: Supporting the Dreamer in All of Us!

Janelle Catlett (jacncville) on Pinterest
It's amazing to me how popular Pinterest has become for curating the web.  I know that typically, I join something early... then I don't "get it" and so I either keep messing with it or I leave it and completely ignore it for quite a while... which is what I did with Pinterest! I didn't really see a purpose at first... as my sis-in-law showed me how she was simply pinning color combinations to test ideas for her family room.  So... It wasn't until I got my ipad this past winter that I decided to re-visit Pinterest as a fun relaxing way to spend time with my ipad, getting to know it better!  I was so amazed at how fun it was to build what I would call a perfect magazine with all of your favorite things.  It was crazy how one awesome picture would reveal an amazing blog or resource that I found I wanted to remember and revisit.  I loved the personalization of my boards... at how they reflected who I was as a person.  I was so trying to keep Pinterest a fun, non-work related web tool... but as always, my lives merge and cannot be seperated.  I guess the real turning point for me was when Molly, an amazing art teacher at one of my schools, shared her Pinterest boards with me.  I was absolutely blown away at the extensive and highly organized art curriculum that she had built using Pinterest.  I was soo soo inspired by her boards and the amazing ideas that were gathered in front of my eyes... so then I tilted!  I began searching for my teacher friends, I began searching by educational categories.  And now... well... my boards really reflect me as a whole person and of course they will continue to expand in more categories as I diversify my boards.  It is an amazing and still very relaxing way to explore your interests via the web.  It supports the dreamer in all of us.

Technology Tidbits: Thoughts of a Cyber Hero: Top 100 Sites & Apps of 2012

Technology Tidbits: Thoughts of a Cyber Hero: Top 100 Sites & Apps of 2012
As I think about where I was 5 years ago and so aware of the top sites... I'm now struggling to stay abreast of the new stuff... but I'm feeling new energy as I think about the possibilities I can explore in my own classroom next year!  I have many ideas and there are many new tools to learn.  Always learning... often confused!  But happy to have the time and energy to explore...

Want Innovative Learning?? Whatdayaneed??

No time to respond to this fabulous article tonight, but I want to post it for my own learning and remembering and for sharing if anyone happens to stumble this way.  Lisa shared this article to the WES staff in her newsletter after announcing the awarding of a Design 2015 Grant.  AWESOME and EXCITING...
7 Essential Principles of Innovative Learning

Where we learn...

I love this quote... the world is where we learn, school is just where we meet.  To read the entire quote from a twitter Edchat... check out this blogpost.  http://pdsblogs.org/derrickwillardblog/2012/12/17/well-said/

A Teacher's New Year's Resolution: Brag More

A Teacher's New Year's Resolution: Brag More
Great article and lots to think about again as we reflect on our profession in a new year.  Resolutions, goals, selecting words to focus on for the upcoming year... yes, let's BRAG.  We know what we experience with our students each day.  I know what I experience with teachers and their students each day.  It is something to brag about in this materialistic focused world we live in...

What Can We Do? Preparing for the Worst...

The sadness of the shooting madness in CT two days ago is simply heart-breaking and mind-blowing.  How can we begin to imagine and now believe that something this horrific would happen in an elementary school and have the majority of the victims be the young children of the school?   The teachers of this school, of course are the heroes, as the media points out.  Of course, many of us know, that teachers are heroes in our world every day... with or without a tragic shooting.  Every day, teachers save lives and change lives.  But... what can we do if the unthinkable happens...an intruder invades our safe haven school.  I like how this post by Beth Still's husband states to rely on your 6th sense.  I'm thinking about the teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary that grabbed a student from the hall and pulled him into her room as the bullets buzzed by him.  Yes, her 6th sense kicked in!  Peace and strength to all of us as we struggle to move on from this and consider what we can do.   This blog Preparing for the Worst simply talks about some practical steps... but does not address the root of it all.  Right now... practical seems do-able.  The BIG ISSUES are so political in nature and we all have our beliefs and opinions, it seems too large to conquer.

Now for my political blah... I know gun control seems like the answer to many... but I really don't think it is at all... of course I'm all for new legislation to tighten restrictions.  And assault rifles?  please, what civilian needs those?  Mental health issues being recognized and addressed effectively is one area over gun control, that I would like to focus our energy even more.  And exploring even more about why is this issue becoming larger and more troublesome??  What in society and our environment is causing this rise in neurological disorders?  And my biggest concern of all lies in the violence that's simply part of our media and entertainment world, where it is acceptable and fun to watch and participate in violent acts over and over again via movies, gaming, and TV.  Where's the role of parenting in all of this, too?  Where does a parent get adequate support when they have a troubled child or a child that is crying for help and ignored or ridiculed by many?  Where is the parenting when it comes to what games are purchased?  But WHY do we even have companies that create these games... it's bigger than us.  I am so sad... and I have to focus on what is do-able.