Comments for Luv2teach1084's Weblog

Comment on Different Schools, Same Problems… by schoolnurse

schoolnurse — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:03:56 +0000

In my school the Technology Coordinator says the problem with implementing technology in the classroom is not about having expensive equipment. It is about time and money for staff development and teacher attitudes toward using technology. He said he has visited schools with very limited resources make the most of the technology they have because the staff is willing and able to use it.
Technology also has to be user friendly. Last week I made a list of web sites for teachers about nutrition for “No Junk Food Week” and I emailed them the hyperlinks. I carefully researched sites that had fun and educational activities for elementary level students, as well as educator sites with lesson plans and standards. I told the teachers that I made sure all the links worked, and that they were not blocked by the schools filter. The response has been overwhelming, so many teachers have come up to me to say that they had used my information. One teacher said she had her class on the nutrition sites because she got my information at the same time it was her turn to have the computers on wheels in her room. She did not have to waste a lot of time hunting down equipment and finding websites that were appropriate and workable. If we make it easy to use, teachers will be more likely to

Comment on About by Mitchell Esteller

Mitchell Esteller — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:57:21 +0000

Greetings:

My name is Mitchell and I am a senior Journalism major at Northeastern University. I am actually in the process of writing a profile on Pete Reilly, with a focus on his blog, and I wanted to get some feedback from you. It would be greatly appreciated if you got back to me.

Thanks for your time.

Mitchell

Comment on Tightening the Rein/Reign… by Valerie

Valerie — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 22:59:59 +0000

Tina,
I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. I will have to start small to see any change. If and when others notice the changes, I’ll be happy to share what I have learned. Until then I must be patient. Thanks for the advice.

Valerie

Comment on Tightening the Rein/Reign… by tcoffey

tcoffey — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 01:45:31 +0000

Valerie,
I have a card posted on the board in my office that has a quote by Theodore Roosevelt ~ “Do what you can where you are with what you have.” I try to remember this when I start pushing hard for change, and I don’t see any results. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that the best change starts small and spreads from there. So, take a look at your classroom, do what you can with what you have there, and the rest will follow…slowly but surely. And while you’re at it, keep blogging and sharing so those of us who know how hard change is can help.

With that said, if you are interested in trying to set up a project to get your students excited about technology, let me know. I bet I can find some 5th grade teachers to collaborate with you! Our two geographical areas are vastly different, and I bet all the students would learn a lot from each other!

Also, if you haven’t already, check out Twitter and find some good Tech Ed people to follow. It’s a great resource for ideas!!

Tina

Comment on Kudos to School Bus Drivers… by Pete Reilly

Pete Reilly — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:46:22 +0000

Valerie,
Thanks for pointing this out. We take a lot about our schools for granted.
pete

Comment on Tightening the Rein/Reign… by kevin brady

kevin brady — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:19:08 +0000

It sounds like you’re making them nervous. You must be doing something right!

Comment on Why do I have to blog?? by luv2teach1084

luv2teach1084 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:11:32 +0000

I’m literally overwhelmed by the response to my blog. It took me a while to gather my thoughts to respond. It takes a while to get used to life in the “blogosphere”. I look forward to sharing my experiences and learning from the experiences of my colleagues, however near or far they may be.

Comment on Why do I have to blog?? by Pete Reilly

Pete Reilly — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:16:24 +0000

Valerie,
I will be publishing a post about you and a link to your blog over the weekend.
Pete

Comment on Why do I have to blog?? by Miguel Guhlin

Miguel Guhlin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:00:43 +0000

Welcome to the conversation. One of the most interesting things you wrote above was, “I am reluctantly employing the first method in my daily practice because that was how I was trained and that seems to be the way of the education world.”

Please, share your experience with us. What you share, as well as your reflections on a single experience that captures why you state that, is what will draw more folks to the conversation.

For example, in Literacy with An Attitude, the author asserts the following:

When students begin school in such different systems, the odds are set for them. I’d like to hope that a child’s expectations are not determined on the day she or he enters kindergarten, but it would be foolish to entertain such a hope unless there are some drastic changes made.

He’s referring that different teachers–depending on their educational background–find themselves working in different places, teaching students destined for one of three different societal roles. Those include worker class (domesticated), artists (rise of the creative class appplies here), and executive elite (those who manage everyone else). Teachers who follow what you describe are actually domesticating children, teaching them functional literacy and little else.

From books like Richard Florida’s “Rise of the Creative Class” and Daniel Pink’s “A Whole New Mind,” it’s obvious that worker bee learning isn’t going to cut it. But changing a system that has focused on creating worker bees is tough work.

I saw the connection between what you wrote and my experience in my school district in this way. As a teacher, you’ll do what you need to do to make your paycheck and keep working. What incentive is there for you to step outside of years of training and experience? What do I have to do as a district admin to help you get there?

Miguel

Comment on NCLB and technology by Katie

Katie — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:57:13 +0000

I appreciated reading your post because it connects with my critical issue that I am writing about. The issue I am writing about is the teacher’s role in promoting tecnology in the classroom and at what point it becomes our job to faciliate learning through new technology.
Thanks!