Creative Commons - What, How, Why

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: This is exactly what I need for the teachers and 4th graders that I am working with on presentations...

Creative Commons - What, How, Why

View more presentations from Ivan Chew.

too tired for writing

What I learned today is that I have been too tired for writing lately...and then when I read blogs like Catskill Cottage Seed, I feel completely inadequate as a writer.  But... on another note, I learned that I could exercise on the recumbent bike for much longer when listening to Hootie and the Blowfish.  duh!  Exercised yesterday!!!  

I also learned a very humbling secret today at work... but that will reveal itself later...

No yoga again tomorrow... but I did do the legs on wall pose tonight and last night.  Inversion is a good thing.  Blood flowing to the head is a great thing!

21st Century Educator

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

21st Century Educator

View more presentations from Kim Cofino.

pursuit of happiness

So, I meet this morning with my dear friend who is a future head coach for the new coaching model in my school district.  This is an official meeting vs. the usual "hanging out" meetings or grabbing a beer, or having dinner.  We use to work so closely together at our elem school and plan and collaborate.  At this meeting today, She has focused questions to ask of all the new instructional coaches and it is my turn.  She insists on face to face talk because building relationships is so very important as we both know.  The Questions??  Things like what are my fears, dreams and hopes for this new role.  All I remember saying for my dream is to be happy. I had many fears such as entry points to classrooms, expectations from admin and teachers, and most of all...learning to really really listen.  Also...Learning how to ask questions that make people arrive at a revelation or a reflection point that you are aiming for... this is something I've been thinking about a lot lately.  I had an experience this week in the teachers' lounge trying to lead a teacher to respond to the "dreaded packets" of work that he gives his students.  Oh... I so went straight to the end instead of leading him to that on his own... so therefore I failed.  It was my opinion and then his justification.  UGH! much to learn.  Back to the questions:  the last, refers to HOPE:  my hope is that I can really really do this job with my ADDHD tendancies. That I can learn the questioning techniques and the way to talk with peers.... I hope that I can feel good at the end of the day, knowing that I made a difference in someone's life, that I encouraged or taught someone something new so that they will take a risk and grow.  I hope that I can leave an imprint in classrooms all over!

I have not really been that excited or even that happy about the fact that I got this job and I'm not completely sure why.  I've actually been reflecting on WHY was I chosen as there were many folks that were not selected.  My friend shared the five things that all chosen candidates demonstrate in our professional practices/or nailed in the interviews... I'm thinking my history of work had to help as my interview was not 100 percent convincing!!!  An interesting list, but ones that I DID attempt to address on the interview from hell.  Here are the broad categories as to what I remember...

• 21st century skills
  
• credibility (based on experiences)
  
• leadership skills with character and integrity
  
• systemic understandings and relationships of FQL, TPA and PLC (all school acronyms)
• ??

 BUT... I feel happy tonight.  I was assured by my head coach friend, that I can do this... that I will get the training and support that I need to help me grow and I will learn how to question. We shared many ideas on the next months as we plan calendars, and trainings, and meetings and professional developments, etc. and we related to each other's feelings.  She really Knows me, as we have shared a room for five years earlier...in my current elementary school.  I am happy and getting excited.  The names of the instructional coaches will be announced next week.  The word will be out.  ... and I feel happy to be a chosen coach.  I learned today, that I can quit feeling guilty for getting this job and with my colleagues and friends, we can and will make this coaching model work!

The Journey Begins

Yes, I am going to start the journey. My learning is exploding. I'm using more and more social networks like twitter and facebook and google docs. I feel like I'm weird to some of my closest friends. How can I document this change? How can I attempt to even remember things that I learn on a daily basis? This may be a start. So... this afternoon, I worked with a colleague to help her understand googleforms and I also helped her set up her igoogle page. Wow... bringing one closer to my world. I learned today that you can have a google account and not have gmail. Wow... I just assumed that you had to have it all. Go figure! I also learned about a new wiki tool. I found this tool while researching Turn Homeward, Hannalee lesson ideas from Linda's Links. I found the most incredible wiki created by 6th graders and their teachers, of course. It made my lesson today so much better with my book group where I'm using a wiki. I need to remember to learn more about this wiki tool... check out Hannalee wiki

Tommorrow morning is the "think tank" group for ACPS. We are meeting at Cville Coffee. What do we hope to experience in an hour? The search and exploration of social networking within our district. Watched a great video this afternoon on the future of Social Networking.

I have no idea how to post this video... let me try. I think I just posted it. Wow... it is the beginning. Adding that to what I learned today!

dokuwiki?? comparing wikis... I just learned how non-technical I really am... wow!

SXSW09: The Future Of Social Networks

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

SXSW09: The Future Of Social Networks

View more presentations from Charlene Li.

The Journey Begins

I am starting on my blogging journey.  I am pretty sure that I will fail miserably at blogging about what I am learning, but I have to at least start.  I spend more and more time on the computer, yet I use time saving tools such as readers, twitter, etc.  My learning is exploding!!!  I am starting to be weird to folks who don't speak in tweets, and use RSS feeds,  etc.  And to think how hard I work to be a geek as it is not a natural for me.  But... just this afternoon, I moved someone closer to my world as I have been doing now for the past couple of years.  I spent several hours this afternoon with a colleague showing her igoogle and helping her set up gadgets, and exploring google forms.  I learned that you can have a google account and not have to use gmail.  wow!

I also found an incredible wiki tool on Linda's Links today while searching for lesson ideas on Turn Homeward, Hannalee.  I must explore more of this.