Pinterest: A great addition to my Tech Tools!

I am a TWEETER. I love Hootsuite for keep track of my PLN. I enjoy reading ZITE on my Ipad every morning. I Blog on Blogger. I keep track of family on Facebook. I am getting to be a GOOGLE expert and NOW I have added another great tool to my Tech TOOLBOX,

PINTEREST!

Pinerest grew from 483,742 visitors in April 2011 to 19,744,958 visitors just one year later. It has now moved into the 3rd spot for the most popular social networking site in the world. Frankly, I ignored this site after joining earlier this year. I had a student of a faulty member come to my office every morning this year, going crazy about what she found on Pinterest. When I first visited the site all I saw was a bunch of "Artsy" pictures and photos. It looked like nothing but "Girly" things. I lost interest pretty quickly. I know this is going to sound chauvinistic, but here goes. 80% of Pinterest members are women. All I could vision was swapping recipes, fashion design, talking about painting finger nails, shopping, and going your hair. I wasn't too interested.

Then as I started hearing more about this resource for Education, I thought maybe there was something for me.  This week, it finally hit me. NOW I"M A PINNER!  SO FOLLOW ME!

Pinterest is set up much like Facebook, with one important exception. Pinterest is an INVITE ONLY Social Media Site. You have to request an Invite or be invited by one of yoru friends that are already on Pinterest. Once you get your account set up you follow people, you like things, and instead of posts you PIN things. Pinterest was developed to provide a single location where people could share things they found INTERESTING on the Web. Yep, it was initially set up for women to share fashion, plan weddings, and save recipes. But NOW it has also grown for a place for EVERYONE TO SHARE stuff they think is interesting. Users create Boards and when you find something you like on the world wide web you can Pin It to one of your boards. I have created boards for the Education Resources I have been accumulating. I have created BOARDS for, New Teacher Resources, Tech Resources for Educators, PBL Resources, Flipped Resources, Twitter Resources, Blogging Resources, Twitter Resources, and Math.  I plan on using Pinterest to share those resources with my fellow educators. All my resources NOW can be found in one easy to access location. You could also have your students follow you and share interesting STUFF with them. If you look, you can find BOARDs for nearly every topic you can think of EVEN MANLY THINGS. I found Boards for the New York Yankees, Miami Dolphins, and NASCAR. It's not just about "WOMEN STUFF".

A great feature Pinterest has is the ability to share your friends list from Twitter and Facebook. You can also EASILY merge these TOP Social sites with Pinterest. Once your a PINNER, I recommend you put a "PinIt" tool in your tool bar. So, when you find something interesting on the WEB, you just PIN IT. You will also find Pinterest is on many of the sites you visit so you can also share from there. Don't discount this tool until you explore it and really try it out. All of us can use another great resource tool in our classrooms.

Is Education Half Full or Half Empty?

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about education in our country? If you listen to the Main Stream Media, there is nothing good about education. Teachers are terrible, administrators are clueless, and students don't care. We pay teachers too much money, we aren't teaching the right stuff and there is NO HOPE! Everyone has a solution and everyone predicts doom and gloom. They're all experts. Politicians, Parents, and Community members all know the answer. It's kind of like me watching a Yankee game. When they are losing, I should get a call from Girardi asking my advice! Since I'm a fan, I also am an expert.

I may not be an expert in education either, but I live in the trenches and that gives me the right to say: "I love what's happening in education right now!" I refuse to go as far to say the system is broken. Several people, and people I highly respect, say we should scrap the entire system and start over. That is crazy. Do we need to make some changes? Yes. Can we make those changes within our current system? Yes. Will we make the changes and get better? ABSOLUTELY, YES!

Our education system is living in a time where information is available everywhere. I can't believe people are criticizing education for "being behind" in reference to adapting to the available resources we now have. Are you kidding? The speed at which change is occuring is AMAZING. As I surf the web and discover new resources every day, my head is spinning. We live in a social media, connected, information driven world. These areas are exploding at an exponential pace. Who CAN keep up?

I see schools working hard to make changes and making them quickly. At GHS, we went 1 to 1 last year. Many schools in our area are moving in that direction. NO, that's not a silver bullet. Nobody has claimed it would be. Technology isn't an answer, it's a step along the path. Our goal is to provide our students with the best education they can get. With technology we have access to amazing resources to help prepare our students for their future. With these new resources we are ALL hoping to engage our students at a different level. We hope to spark something to excite our kids to solve the problems which face us today. 


More important than technology is the amount of deep analysis going on at my school and schools across the country. We are looking for new and better ways to help prepare our kids for the future. While I believe the Common Core miss the point of changes needed in education, it's amazing that educators nationwide are working from the same set of standards. Not only are we looking at what we teach, we are looking at HOW we are teaching. Although I see problems with evaluations systems for educators, it has already been successful. WE are trying to get better, as a profession. With competition, our schools are working to improve. We have done amazing things with less funding and reduced staff levels.


Yep, I AM excited about education. The glass is filling and, in my opinion, will be overflowing! I can't wait to see what this new year will bring. 

FLIPPING, One size does NOT fit all!

          It's been about a week since my return from ISTE 2012. I loved the conference. As a first time attendee, I gained a wealth of information. As a matter of fact, it will be awhile until I can digest everything I learned. One of my goals at ISTE was to find out more about the FLIPPED Classroom. I am a new Tech Integration Coach and am heading BACK to the Classroom as a Math Teacher. I have been an administrator for the past 11 years and have decided to head back to my first love: "The Classroom".

          Since January I have been curious about the FLIPPED model of teaching. I thought this NEW model might be just what I was looking for. I have a vision to completely redo mathematics teaching. For too many years, we have focused on the abstract and done a poor job REALLY preparing our students for life outside the walls of our school.  In my search, I have heard FLIPPED teaching as a way to continue with traditional Math while giving more classroom time for REAL MATH. WOW! wouldn't that be great. I attended several ISTE sessions on FLIPPING. I was unimpressed, to say the least. I attended a round table style presentation with 9 proponents of flipping. Let's just say I didn't have any "Wow, I should be doing this" moments. We have a teacher at my school who has experimented with flipping his class this year. His thoughts were less than convincing. (View his journal at  The Flipped Journal. The more I've researched, the more I realize FLIPPING is not the answer. Although "FLIPPERS" tell you this method is NOT about the videos, most of the models I've seen ARE. I have researched MANY Math Videos across the web. From Khan to Sophia to a multitude of selections. The videos I've seen are average at best. Not to "toot" my own horn, but I'm a lot better LECTURER than Sal Khan. With my 20 years in education, I think I have more experience at presenting Math material than he does. But, is that what I want? Do I want to just be a DYNAMIC LECTURE style teacher? Do I want to be the DELIVERER of all MATH for my students. Shouldn't the question be, "What's best for my students?"

So, what's the answer? What IS BEST for my students?

I have come up with a plan. I'm a big fan of Will Richardson willrichardson.com, Yong Zhao - zhaolearning.com , Dan Meyer - Dan Meyer Blog, Mike Schmoker - mikeschmoker.com, and numerous twitterites! I have combined many of their thoughts to form my own blend of learning. Here are my key thoughts:

1. Reduced Standards - The test is killing our students creativity. I don't teach "Common" students, so the common core won't be the focus. I will not put the common core ahead of the needs of my students. I will not be held hostage to a test. We will focus on Math across the curriculum. What that means is that some of the "Core" will have to go. I will teach with depth. Teach Less, Learn More.

2. Simple, Simple, Simple - Along with reducing the standards, we will focus on what students really need. In Mike Schmoker's Book "Focus" he has a great formula I will use as my standards. I will FOCUS on:  Adequate amounts of Essential Math Content, Intellectual/Thinking Skills, and Authentic Literacy. That's pretty simple.

 3. Student-Centered -- The reason why American Education is the best Education system in the world? WE CARE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS. Yong Zhao PROVED we are the best. (Here is a link to his video at ISTE. Well worth watching.  ISTE KEYNOTE. WE (students/teacher) will build important relationships. WE will decide where to go. WE will struggle with thinking, learning, and inquiring, TOGETHER. I will concentrate on WHO I teach, not WHAT I teach.

4. PBL - Student's learn best when they are actively participating in real life, authentic problem solving situations. I'm not talking about contrived situations that are focused around learning abstract content. I'm talking about practicing what they will come across upon graduation. WE will create driving questions. WE will decide what problems and approaches will be used. The problems are the places of real learning.

5. Connections -- I am excited about helping my students make connections outside the walls of my classroom. I am not the keeper of all knowledge. There is an entire world out there at the fingertips of my students. We will make connections worldwide to help us learn. We will use all means possible to connect.


6. BLENDED / Personal Learning -- Students aren't the same. They learn differently, have different interests, and different backgrounds. Using Videos, games, producing products, writing, reading, thinking, sharing, collaborating, Pencil/Paper, and Technology will be used as the tools. Our goals will be to LEARN by what ever means possible. I love Khan's practice/coaching system. I will use it as ONE of my tools. His videos are helpful when I can't be there to help as are numerous other online tools. Mindcraft is a great game for learning. Global connections with Twitter and other social media sites are exciting. One method is not good for all situations or for all people. I need to learn the tools available to help my students. I need to be a life long learner for the good of my students. WE WILL Blend all of these tools into a great learning environment.

7. Failure -- In my early days as an educator, I was so worried about failing. Now that I'm SEASONED (another word for OLD), I am not intimidated by failure. We need to teach students failure is ok. We can learn as much from our mistakes as our successes. We will adjust and adapt. We will fail and get right back up again to face another day!

8. Constant Improvement -- I expect my students to grow, to learn. I need to grow and learn. I need to act as an athletic coach. I need to look for every way possible for me to improve as a teacher. Improving as a teacher has direct impact on my students. If I'm a better teacher my students will be better prepared for LIFE. Constant Improvement is a must!

ISTE 2012 Day #3

Another great day at ISTE 2012. Yong Zhao started the day with an inspiring Keynote. We have to stop using testing to measure how we're doing! The things that matter like, Confidence, and Creativity, WE ARE THE BEST OR NEAR THE TOP!  The "successful" countries don't view themselves as successful. They want to be more like us!  Why won't anyone listen?

I really loved the session on "In School we tweet", what a great plan to connect students to the dynamic professionals on Twitter. Global Connections through twitter are VASTLY more important than the unreasonable fears of social media.

I have been visiting many sessions on the Flipped Classroom. I'm still not convinced it is the BEST platform for teaching kids. I have not heard any "drop dead" explanations why I HAVE to do do this. It really is the BUZZ word right now, but it doesn't seem to change instruction the way I am thinking we need to. All it does is change the timing, not the content.  I will keep looking and have a couple more sessions to visit to explore this new way of educating our students.

Besides the fantastic keynote, I am getting more out of informal discussions with my colleagues and other attendees at the conference. i am really getting some great resources. Today I was opened to the world of publishing my own online NEWSPAPER with paper.li This resource has some great potential. I also have been exploring videos on SOPHIA. KAHN gets all the press but these FREE videos are as good if not better.

I also got started on MY BIG CAMPUS tonight and am learning about it and Google APPs. I think both of these have soem great potential for the upcoming school year.

LAST DAY TOMORROW. I am looking forward to getting home and I am looking forward to implementing some of the new ideas!

ISTE Day #2

Day #2 didn't disappoint.

I started out the day with a great presentation about FLIPPED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. That set the tone for the entire day. This wonderful presentation really got the wheels turning about my new Tech Coaching position. Up til now, I haven't had any REAL plan to attack this new position. Now a plan is coming together, at least in my mind. I've been thinking about a Flipped Classroom for my students, but when Kristin Daniels and Wayne Feller presented the concept in terms of PD, a light went off in my head. What's good for our students should be good for our staff!  They presented 4 strands for professional development: Collaboration, Communication, Creative Media, and Presentation.

Check out their website at www.flippedpd.org , Wayne also gave us a great resource, FREE. (I'm all about free stuff) He has a book about flipped learning. It's available on IBooks. (Bit.ly/itunesflippedbook) "The Stillwater experience."

I also made some great connections with Global Scholar about  Pinnacle Gradebook. Dr. Marzano recommends this software for TRULY powerful standards based PERSONALIZED assessments. It really looks like this software is what I am looking for.

I had the great opportunity to get to see our new Hitachi Interactive Whiteboard technology. WOW! I can't wait to start "Playing" with them. GKB is very fortunate to have these as a part of our new High School! I met Pam Johnson from Hitachi. She will be our IWB trainer in August. OUr staff will be truly amazed at this wonderful resource.

Google Apps, Web 2.0 tools for Math Classes, networking with other Tech Coaches, and a great dinner with my GKB Colleagues rounded out a great day!

Can we keep it rolling with a great Day #3?  

ISTE2012 -- Day 1

The first day is over and with a little bit of rest I'll be fired up for DAY #2. The highlight of the day was the Tweet Up. I felt like a little kid meeting some of the people I have followed on Twitter. I feel like those people have been a big part of my PD and I owe them for their guidance and advice. After the Tweetup, I spent most of the evening adding to those i am following. Twitter has been the best professional development tool of my 18 year education career. I have taken 36 hours of FORMAL Professional Development courses and Twitter beats that hands down. Being able to build a PLN that includes educators from Iraq, Australia, Norway and right here in the USA is a testament to the resources available to educators.

I am really getting excited about the possibility of an "Innovation Day" at GKB Schools. I talked about it today at breakfast with a group of fellow GKB staff members and was amazed to see Josh Stumpenhorst at the opening keynote speaking on that very topic.  IF we can just do this ONE thing next year, I will feel successful. I believe if we just give kids a chance they will prove how responsible they can be leading their own learning. I also believe that teachers will begin to look at them differently if they see just what a student can do when given the freedom and tools to REALLY learn.

Thank You Sir Ken Robinson for your wit and wisdom tonight. Thank You ISTE for the NETS*C. This  really helps define my role as Tech Coach at GHS. Thank You my fellow GKB educators for the great conversations over the last two days. We have an amazing staff focused on providing the best education for our kids.

Goal for tomorrow: continue to gather ideas and network with great educators focused on leading students to a better life, a life filled with learning!

High Stakes Testing -- Because of Teachers?

          I read so many commentaries from teachers across the country that are completely against "High Stakes Testing". I agree the tests are flawed and probably do not give us the information we truly are looking for. But,  why do these tests exist? Are these tests any different than the tests most of our teachers give on a daily/weekly basis? Sure, the "High Stakes" part of the test is different. But the stakes are high when we come to final exams and how much these tests can affect the final grade? Why are teachers complaining that standardized tests don'r really test what kids have learned? When we give chapter tests, Unit tests, Mid-term exams, or Final Exams, don't our exams look just like these standardized tests? If we are using these types of tests to determine if a student has learned our material, why shouldn't the States use the same type tests?
          As teachers, we have created these poorly designed tests and it starts early in the careers of our students. I still see teachers using timed tests in elementary. We put these young learners under serious pressure to perform quickly and without error. We emphasize speed more than accuracy. We do not accept errors. My pre-school granddaughter went in for her "evaluation". She will be starting kindergarten in the fall. She was asked  to answer this question. "Soup is hot, Ice Cream is _____ ." They were looking for the answer "cold". My granddaughter answered "not". She was completely right, but because that was not the answer being looked for, her score was lowered. They didn't even ask if she knew her numbers, if she could read, or if she recognized her alphabet. This wasn't a state set standardized test. This was a local test designed by the local school. Do we wonder why the "End of Course State Assessments" are the way they are? How can we be critical of these tests, when our tests have similar flaws.
          I will grant you that many teachers are starting to change their assessments. I see more and more teachers using Project Based Learning and Challenge Based Assessments. I see the tide changing. We are doing more to assess 21st century skills. But, we need to accelerate change of our own State Assessments. We need to stop looking at regurgitating facts and figures. We need to design assessments that reflect what we really want out of our students. Do we want robot type answers or do we reward creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration?  If we , as teachers change how we test and teach, maybe we can get the state sponsored assessments to do the same thing.