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.  

A Hammer or a Nail Gun

I had a parent tell me that he couldn't believe we gave our students computers. What were we thinking? He compared it to handing out "handguns" to children. Wow, what a comment. As quickly as I could, I came back with continuing the metaphor, "if students were going to use handguns in life everyday, wouldn't you want them thoroughly trained in how to use them properly?"

That's the best I could do. I'm not that spontaneous.

To change the subject, slightly, what about comparing a Nail Gun and a Computer. I like to build things. I have built a few decks in my time. I've framed, drywalled, and hammered my share of nails. I love to do my own maintenance on my Harley. When ever I have a chance, I talk my wife into buying me the latest and greatest tools. Last year I got an air gun. Now when I take bolts off the Harley or tires off the truck, it sounds like a NASCAR garage. A ratchet will still work, but I can get so much more done with the air gun. I use a high quality torque wrench instead of guessing. I use the right tool for the job. If it's better to use a claw hammer, I use it. If it calls for a Nail Gun, I want to use that instead.

Several years ago, I built a HUGE deck on my house. That was long before I had any cool "High Tech" tools. Yep, I did a great job. It took me all summer and my forearms were like concrete when I finished. Since that time I have seen quite a few houses built. Nearly all construction crews use Nail Guns. Very rarely do you see real hammers doing the big jobs. I'm sure there are some purists who would believe you CAN'T build a house or put on a new roof without an old fashioned hammer. A hammer is still a good tool. You have to have one.  A Nail Gun is much more efficient and effective, if used properly, in the right situations.

I just don't understand all the resistance to technology in the classroom. I hear so many "purists" say we don't need all this technology. I hear so many say the computer can never replace a good teacher. AMEN TO THAT! These "PURISTS" miss the  point of technology in the classroom. They can't vision its real value. Just because someone is touting Khan Academy, doesn't mean they are plotting to eliminate teachers. I've done a lot of research about the 21st Century Classroom and Technology. I have NOT found ANYONE who is advocating elimination of teachers with technology. I have heard many say computers/technology can certainly help to provide differentiated learning better than a teacher. I have heard tech solutions so teachers can spend more time helping those who struggle. I have heard them say technology can help increase engagement. Technology might redefine the teacher, but it will not eliminate then. I heard Will Richardson speak at an IAPSS meeting and I think he hit the nail on the head, (sorry about the pun).

 "IF OUR  VALUE   IS TO GET OUR STUDENTS TO PASS THE TEST, WE'RE TOAST. WE NEED TO CHANGE THE PERCEPTION OF OUR VALUE."

Computers can deliver content. "Drill and Kill" is better taught electronically. Is my value as a teacher only to deliver content?  Or is it to fuel IMAGINATION, CREATIVITY, CRITICAL THINKING, COLLABORATION, and COMMUNICATION? Is it to ASSIGN WORKSHEETS, or is it to ASK THE BIG QUESTIONS and let students learn by doing? Is it to teach disconnected lessons or help students explore REAL LIFE lessons through Challenge Based Learning? I don't want to be known as a great lecturer. I want to be known as a teacher who gets students excited about learning and exploring. I want to be known as a teacher who prepares students for their future, not my past!

Technology is the enabler and the tool to be able to teach these HIGHER ORDER skills. We couldn't teach like that before technology. I love using a hammer, it feels good. But, when I really want to get things done, the NAIL GUN, the power tool is the tool of choice.  I can use a screw driver or my DeWalt power gun. I could still be riding a horse, but I sure like my CHEVY CRUZE.  It's time to embrace technology and explore the world of learning from a completely new and wonderful perspective.

Invigorate your teaching!

My trip back to the classroom is full steam ahead. I have been spending a lot of time in professional development. All of it has been via the Internet. It has been exhilarating. I feel like I'm an educator again. It's funny that the more I get into learning, the more I feel like an educator. I wonder how many teachers have lost the passion for education because they have lost the desire to learn. In the past, learning meant going to a local university, doling out hundreds of dollars, and spending valuable time away from home. Now PD is right in your home and virtually costs nothing.  My PLN (Personal Learning Network) is growing in leaps and bounds.  Education around the world is changing and I am on the front lines. Not because I am cutting edge. I am on the front lines because I am learning from those who are.

I have connected with great professionals like @willrich45, @stumpteacher, @ddmeyer, @toddwhitaker, @globeprogram, @usembassykl (Embassy in Kuala, Lumpur), @robertjmarzano, and many other great professionals. These educational leaders, and many others, have filled my electronic files with great ideas for my classroom and training.

Building a PLN is easy via twitter. I also use Zite. Zite is a personal magazine that is built by the subscriber, for the subscriber. One of our High School Teachers (Beth Leitch) recommended it . Wow is it great. You choose the sections you are interested and then as you read and rate articles, your magazine is built around your interests. I have gotten great PBL lessons, Professional Development ideas, and Staff Tech Training ideas.

I also use Google Reader to follow some of my favorite bloggers.

Between Twitter, Zite, and my Google Reader, I am a completely connected professional.

Do you want to invigorate your teaching? Do you want to update your teaching toolbox to include 21st Century Skills? Becoming a connected Educator is the first step.

What are we here for?

I just got through reading "Inevitable". This is a great book that HOPEFULLY will help us, Educators, get back to the real reason why we're here. The bureaucracy we call education has lost it's focus. It's not our fault, we are not really in control of what we teach and students aren't in control of what they learn. The book asks a great question, What's our purpose? Are we here to prepare our students for more education or prepare them for life? Unfortunately, I think my focus, as a Math teacher, has always been to prepare them for more Math! I'm not talking about preparing them for using Math. I'm saying I have always focused on teaching Math so Students can be ready for the next Math Class. I taught Pre-Algebra to get them ready for Algebra. I taught Algebra to get them ready to take Geometry. I taught Geometry to get them ready for Algebra II, then Pre-Calculus, and then Calculus. The only reason Calculus was the last class is we ran out of time. But, is that our real goal? Is it our only goal? Or can we do both? Can I prepare students for higher math AND teach them REAL LIFE MATH at the same time?

Do you know the most popular student question in High School Math??????? "When am I ever going to use this?"  I can't remember where, but some blog I read the other day addressed this very question. Do you know what most teachers answered? "Because you need it to pass the test." How sad! Do you know MY most frequent answer? -- "It teaches you critical thinking skills."  Great answer, right? Well, not really. Most brain research shows the pathways created during "Math Education" is only good for specifically doing "Math Education". I thought I had a great response, when in fact my response was no better than "You need it for the test." We need to make Math real for our students. We need to strip down what we teach so we can focus on it's real life applications. We can't do that in the present system. That's where the book "Inevitable" and Mass Customized Learning (MCL) comes in to play.

The other day I was going through the Common Core Standards and one topic struck me as "Why do we teach this?" -- Complex Numbers. When I taught students about complex numbers, students hated it. They certainly had no idea where we would ever use this. (To be honest - neither did I.) They would say, "Mr. Rhoades, why  do I need to know this? When I put the square root of -1 in my calculator it just gives me an error." But, I always  trudged forward. Do you know where you use complex numbers in real life? Google it, I did. I actually learned something. The University of Toronto has a question corner / discussion area that answers the question:


 "In electronics, the state of a circuit element is described by two real numbers (the voltage V across it and the current I flowing through it). A circuit element also may possess a capacitance C and an inductance L that (in simplistic terms) describe its tendency to resist changes in voltage and current respectively.
These are much better described by complex numbers."


I think complex numbers are fun to teach, but if we're going to teach it, why don't we teach it with the application in mind?  I know why. We don't teach it, in depth, because we don't have time. We also don't apply complex numbers because MOST of our students WILL NEVER USE IT.  If we go to a MCL (Mass Customized Learning) system, this topic (complex numbers) would still be taught. But those students interested in Electrical Engineering could CHOOSE to explore it with other students who are also interested in it. They also might CHOOSE to do it on their own or with a REAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER. Our current system just doesn't allow for that type of IN DEPTH learning. We just touch things on the surface and move on. In our current system, we rarely address the question, when am I ever going to use this because that answer doesn't apply to ALL our STUDENTS and it takes time.

With MCL , we can change our Math Curriculum to meet the needs of the learner not force the learner to fit into the curriculum.

My head's going to Explode!

It's been less than a month since the announcement that I'm going back to the classroom. Call me nuts, but I'm pumped. I know those of you that haven't had an 11 year hiatus are saying, "Wait 'til he gets back in the trenches, then let's see how excited he is." A lot has changed in the past 11 years. In my own positive view point, so much of it's for the best. Here is a list:

1. Technology -- OK most of what's new is connected to this. So, it has to be number one. GKB is 1-1. It is so amazing that all the teachers have a school supplied laptop, an IPAD supplied by the school, and many HS teachers (soon to be all) have SMARTBoards in their classrooms (This isn't new. More than 11 years ago I was the first GKB teacher to have and use a SMARTBoard in the classroom). But, to take that one step further, we now give our students their own laptop. What an amazing 11 years for education.

2. Resources -- Just in the past 2 months, I've been able to connect with some of the most amazing teachers across this country. With all the information now being packed into my brain, I feel like it's going to explode. Eleven years ago, I remember getting my new textbooks with it's "supplemental" material and being excited about all the possibilities. Now with the world at my fingertips, I realize how narrow my view was of good teaching. I have to apologize to my former students. Now, I have an amazing PLN, Personal Learning Network. Now I am just as much a learner as my students. Eleven years ago my only Professional Development was my mandatory 6 credit hours every 5 years. With the help of twitter and many blogs, I am growing professionally at an exponential rate every single day. (I just had to throw that in there, Math is great!)

3. Textbooks -- This is closely tied to the first two. Textbooks are going the way of the dinosaur. Textbook publishers have always given us the impression we couldn't live without them. They were in complete control of education. Now I can be in control of my classroom. I have so much freedom to concentrate on what my students want and need. I'm not tied to a chapter. I'm not tied to a boring, repetitive grind. I can even create my own textbook. I can completely design my own classroom or I can look to others who are the REAL PROFESSIONALS, the teachers who have come up with great lessons that have been successful in their classroom. I'm not tied to worksheets. I'm not tied to the odd answers in the back of the book. Yippee!

4. Cell Phones -- Ok, this is just like number one. BUT, the cell phone and the mobility of information and connectedness is great for education. Our students have more powerful computers in their pockets, hidden because they can't have them out at school, than the computer I had 11 years ago. They can use this technology and run circles around me. I am excited about having them teach me a thing or two!

5. Vision -- I know most teachers fight change. Really, just about everybody fights change. We want to teach the way we were taught. That's natural, but the voice of change in education is picking up speed and I think it's fantastic. I'm seeing a vision from great leaders across this country to change our outdated, broken model and replace it with a new updated Ferrari. For years we've heard, we're here for the kids. In fact, our students have changed and we have not. We've fought testing, we've fought technology, we've fought testing, and we've fought accountability. We've complained about everything from school vouchers, to lack of parent support, to wages and benefits. This is true of our entire profession, administrators, teachers, and staff members. But, I sense even more change! I'm now seeing and connecting with people who see the glass as half full. Many educational professionals are finding great things happening in education. We are getting to hear first hand about changes that work. We get to hear them straight from the students. We can actually witness it via Skype and other great web tools. Many education professionals are looking OUTSIDE the box to help improve and get past the negative view of schools in America. A great vision is growing.

6. Competition -- I've been an Athletic Director for 11 years. I love competition. I believe competition forces us to grow, even when we don't want to. Even as AD, I have complained about Private Schools and their unfair advantage. But, all my teams have worked extra hard to compete with them. I hate to admit it, but the Private schools have forced us to get better athletically. Now the same is true academically. Vouchers, charter schools, home schools and standardized testing have forced us in to a very competitive time for education. Like I said, I love competition. I love a challenge. I love the idea that I'm going to be judged and paid on the quality teacher I am. Call me arrogant or cocky, but I welcome the competition. Just like athletics, the playing field is not always level. I guess I'll just have to outwork the other guy. I hate losing and I'm not about to let GKB lose to a bunch of private or charter schools. Competition is good for education. It's driving the changes. It's getting us to look deeper at what we're doing. How can that be bad? What do we have to be afraid of? Bring it on. GKB is a better school corporation than most. We have some of the best professionals anywhere? I'm confident we can stack up with any school, anywhere, anytime. Bring it on!

A lot has changed in 11 years. Our profession is growing and changing. Our students will benefit from that change. Perspective is everything. I chose to look at all the great things going on in a positive and exciting way. The glass IS half full and my Brain is going to explode imagining the possibilities!

Blogging Links and Tips

Here are some blogs and websites with information on Blogging:

Steven W. Anderson (@web20classroom) 2/2/12 4:48 AM 10 Things You Should Know About Blogging: bit.ly/gOwG9X

Jerry Blumengarten (@cybraryman1) 1/29/12 7:18 AM Five Steps to Starting a Class Blog in 2012 zite.to/wAee5Z via @zite My Class Blogs pg bit.ly/dYRf6l#edchat #elemchat

Steven W. Anderson (@web20classroom) 1/23/12 3:48 PM 14 Steps To Meaningful Student Blogging: bit.ly/iOxery

Steven W. Anderson (@web20classroom) 1/18/12 8:35 PM New Blog Post: So...You Wanna Be A Blogger bit.ly/xZvXSX

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2008/12/26/the-best-sources-for-advice-on-student-blogging/

Steven W. Anderson (@web20classroom) 1/4/12 11:48 AM One Of The Largest #edtech Blog Collections Around: bit.ly/gj0AXT

Blog examples

Steve Rhoades (@stvrhoades) 2/6/12 8:48 PM Teaching Mr. Love teaching-mr-love.blogspot.com/?spref=tw

Steven W. Anderson (@web20classroom) 2/6/12 10:48 AM This Blog From @gcouros Is A Great Example More Admin And Districts Need To Follow: bit.ly/Ayhafj

Steven W. Anderson (@web20classroom) 1/4/12 11:48 AM One Of The Largest #edtech Blog Collections Around: bit.ly/gj0AXT

Jeffrey Bradbury (@TeacherCast) 2/6/12 10:33 PM @TeacherCast has served over 25,000 teachers in 165 countries… Take TeacherCast with you wherever you are … itunes.apple.com/us/app/teacher… #edchat Blog: Real teaching means real learning  Post: Angry Birds and calculus:  Link:http://realteachingmeansreallearning.blogspot.com/2012/02/angry-birds-and-calculus.html