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Smart in America
Article posted January 21, 2006 at 11:21 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 403
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Meanwhile, back on the blog beat…
Recently, John Stossel laid waste to American public education in his 20/20 episode entitled Stupid in America. Granted, perfection is hard to find in anything. Thus, perception becomes reality. Stossel could not hide his negative bias for American public schools…and as any good journalist he delighted in spreading his opinion as gospel. But I would like to counter that the American public education glass may be half full, not half empty.
One advantage of Web 2.0 blogs is easy publishing. Yes, students (and adults) can run amuck with careless words published globally. On the other hand, thoughtful words carefully crafted can be showcased. This is where I am today…strolling down memory lane. Walk with me, if you will, as we spotlight students who appear—believe it or not—to be “Smart in America.”
Colin Mayo (AP Calculus instructor at Croatan High School) issued the following directive to his students: “Discuss the role of technology as you see it in the study of mathematics in general and Calculus in particular. Has it been an accelerator of learning or a hindrance? Has it assisted you or not helped. Support your answers with concrete examples. Please write this entry in the form of an essay prior to entering it on the blog.”
View 16 thoughtful responses http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=15718524&postID=113398044849754206"> here. Not bad for a bunch of Yanks, eh?
Jim Butler (AP Biology instructor at Croatan High School) challenged his students to consider life and death issues on scientific, legal, moral, religious and philosophical grounds. Granted, that is a lot to ask of American public school students (aspiring to be scientists and doctors), but perhaps you will agree they http://epnweb.org/blogmeister/blog.php?blogger_id=7662&new_display_count=1000"> answered the challenge.
Pam Lewis (10th grade Honors English instructor at West Carteret High School) took her young Americans to the blogosphere this year. With academic rigor and high standards, she challenged them to discover and relate universal truths in Oedipus, Antigone, and Medea. We are fortunate that they share http://epnweb.org/blogmeister/blog.php?blogger_id=15625&newlimit=2000">their good work with us.
Carrie Avery (English instructor at East Carteret High School) was the first teacher in the school system to use blogs with her students. Her Creative Writing students use blogs to publish their poems, fiction and musings. The students explore realms such as the metaphysical, psychosocial, and emotional. In their writing, they are allowed to be passionate, ingenious, and inquisitive. They test the edges. And this may be the one place where Americans historically have held the clear advantage.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License.
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Article posted January 21, 2006 at 11:21 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 403
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Achieving our Destiny
Article posted January 18, 2006 at 08:50 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 636
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In October I presented information concerning our school system’s plans to migrate our library automation system to Follett Destiny. The advantages are centralized servers, centralized data (patrons and resources), and browser-based accessibility.
The centralized servers streamline tech support concerns such as updates, security, and maintenance. Centralized servers ease pressure on LAN servers and improve data backup processes. Centralized data affects both patron and resource management. For example, patron records now follow students as they move from school to school. This web-based solution runs in common browsers, thus eliminating the need to install client software. The result is unfettered, ubiquitous access for patrons and stakeholders.
I am pleased to report that the transition went smoothly and as of January 5, 2006, our media centers are Destiny-powered. Patrons are using Follett Destiny from school, from home or from any Internet-connected computer.
I would like to acknowledge three key individuals to this transition.
Meg Bradford, media coordinator at Bogue Sound Elementary (BSE), represented the 15 other media coordinators and served as the liaison between Follett and Carteret County Schools for matters related to library science. She did much investigative work to keep all stakeholders informed in the decision-making process. She hosted five days of workshops at BSE, and she went the “extra-mile” to ensure that the workshops were successful to all participants.
Harry Smith, Director of Technical Support Services, set up two centralized servers and served as the liaison between Follett and Carteret County Schools for all matters related to networking, hardware and software. He was responsible for transferring all pre-existing patron and resource data to Follett. He continues to work with Follett engineers to ensure that all Follett patrons and administrators are completely satisfied with the Destiny solution.
Carolyn Ingram, Administrative Assistant and e-Rate Administrator, organized all the details of the meetings from the decision-making process to the final training workshops. This encompassed a nine-month period and involved many people. In addition, Carolyn has worked with J. Ipock and Follett reps to guarantee payment will occur on the terms to which we agreed.
The dawning of a new year brings Destiny Resource Management Solution to Carteret County Public Schools. It could not have gone nearly as well without the key people working behind the scenes…and the endorsement of the Board of Education.
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Article posted January 18, 2006 at 08:50 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 636
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Destiny Library
Article posted January 3, 2006 at 04:02 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 383
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The dawning of a new year brings Destiny Resource Management Solution to Carteret County Public Schools. This library automation software is centralized and web-based.
The advantages are centralized servers, centralized data (patrons and resources), and browser-based accessability.
The centralized servers streamline tech support concerns such as updates, security, and maintenance. Centralized servers ease pressure on LAN servers and improve data backup processes.
Centralized data affects both patron and resource management. Patron records follow students as they move from school to school. Collection data moves from a "multiple records, multiple copies" model to a "single record, multiple copies" model. With built-in features such as Alliance Plus, records will become more detailed.
This web-based solution runs in common browsers, thus eliminating the need to install client software. The result is unfettered, ubiquitous access for patrons and stakeholders.
Check out this Photo Story of our media personnel in Destiny training.
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Article posted January 3, 2006 at 04:02 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 383
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More Awesome Media
Article posted December 21, 2005 at 02:59 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 397
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More awesome work from the digital video workshop was posted today. Here are links to two samples of how tools of the new media can work for schools.
Lisa Raines of Morehead Middle School chronicles Minutemen Madness in an up-tempo Photo Story. (By the way, I was there and was glad I was not on the court against the formidible MMS Boys Hoops team.)
Minutemen Madness
Janet McLendon put together this video Christmas card from Beaufort Middle School. She combined Photo Story and Movie Maker to show the faculty and the Toys for Tots campaign. I especially like the cameo intro by none-other-than principal Greg Guthrie and jolly ol' St. Nick (not Verrelli).
BMS Video Christmas Card (click on cable version)
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Article posted December 21, 2005 at 02:59 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 397
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'Tis the Season
Article posted December 18, 2005 at 11:00 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 201
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Perhaps my faithful reader wonders why my blog postings have become infrequent of late. It’s not that I no longer revel in writing. It’s just that I’ve been dabbling in different digital contexts, a departure from the text-heavy blogosphere.
I have been enhancing my messages with digital audio and video… the literacy extensions of our time. Instead of publishing messages to a blog, I have been looping them on TV monitors in school corridors and cafeterias…AND projecting them with LCDs at central office administration meetings...AND teaching a high school theatre arts class to create and display them about the school…AND orchestrating a http://glenngurley.com/resourcesvideoagenda.htm"> professional development event to empower our Instructional Technology folks with greater digital video and audio literacy skills and resources…
AND watching my three lovely children in their seasonal pageants, performances, ceremonies, and sporting events. Did I mention shopping? WHEW!
On December 14 and 15, guru Glenn Gurley did a masterful job of empowering our Instructional Technology leaders to use http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx">Photo Story III, http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/videos/create.mspx">Movie Maker II, and http://www.microsoft.com/office/powerpoint/producer/prodinfo/demos.mspx">Producer for PowerPoint 2003. These are all free Microsoft downloads. (Glenn has recently retired from a stellar career as a science teacher and instructional technology pioneer. He now uses his vast experience to help school systems move forward with instructional technology. He is as thorough and even-keeled a facilitator as there ever was! Check out his new site.)
Now, we are ready to share the first fruit of Glenn’s work with us. Without further ado, I connect you to a Producer message by Melissa Vincent (music teacher extraordinaire, web keeper, graphic artist, and all-around amazing individual) from Beaufort Elementary School. There is no doubt in my mind that BES instructional tech facilitator Janet McLendon had a major assist on this presentation.
As you take in this presentation, think about this question: With the digital tools at our disposal, are we entering a new season of literacy and communication?
http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/bes/teacherwebs/vincent/music2_files/Default.htm#caps=1572863">BES Music Technology
Viewing notes:
--Compatible with IE and Netscape browsers
--May require high speed internet connection. The presentation may take a minute to load. But it is worth the wait!
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Article posted December 18, 2005 at 11:00 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 201
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The Challenges Ahead
Article posted December 6, 2005 at 03:04 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 234
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The five-year tech plan was submitted to NCDPI on October 28, 2005. The plan has been on the web for input since the spring of 2005. The current form of the plan remains available on the web for continued comment. The plan addresses the goals of the school system’s strategic plan. Simply put, the tech plan can be considered a rough outline for the next five years of our school system’s educational technology story. At best, though, the tech plan is a critical underpinning for the academic and operational aims enumerated in our strategic plan.
The challenges of implementing a technology program capable of achieving the vision outlined above are as follows:
First, we must develop and constantly reassess the steps required to implement these goals, the details of which will continue to evolve over time.
Second, we must clearly define the role of our teachers/staff in this process and provide training and incentives for buying into the process. Administrators must re-engineer time, space and roles to allow teachers the opportunity for professional discourse and development. We must be prepared to persist in the face of what is at times, in the educational profession, a legacy of isolation and autonomy.
Third, we must communicate our plans to the community and those responsible for funding technology. Effective educational use of computers is critically dependent on a dependable technology refreshment cycle, continued enhancement in communications bandwidth, adequate technical support staff, instructional technology facilitators who are able to devote their time to curriculum-based, technology enabled activities, and increased opportunities for training of all staff.
Fourth, we must develop measures of success by which we can demonstrate and evaluate the positive impact that technology is having in our educational system.
For a provocative read on what a technology-inspired future of education looks like, check out Future Fiction by David Warlick.
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Article posted December 6, 2005 at 03:04 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 234
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Student Voices: Deep Thinkers at Work
Article posted November 23, 2005 at 03:03 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 214
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Check out the stellar examples of student writing on http://epnweb.org/blogmeister/blog.php?blogger_id=15625">HEAR ME!, a classblog by Pam Lewis, sophomore English teacher at West Carteret High School.
Pam offloaded the essay question from her Oedipus test this year, and launched it instead into the blogosphere. She used the “request for publishing” feature in Blogmeister as an ongoing editing tool with students. I believe she returned every student publishing request at least three times. (Blogmeister keeps a running record of suggestions for edits.)
She even used the tool for individual conferencing with students whose writing required further attention. This is an uncanny example of a writing teacher adopting and adapting a 21st century strategy to deal with the timeless proposition of composition instruction.
In the last paragraph of each entry, students compare a quote from Sophocles to modern experience. Take the time to read several student entries. A navigational hint: the entries toward the bottom of the Titles list on the left column of HEAR ME! tend to have been approved by Pam earlier in the process.
Setting up classblogs: time, energy, vision, planning, risk.
Stellar examples of student thinking: priceless!
Can you http://epnweb.org/blogmeister/blog.php?blogger_id=15625">HEAR ME now?
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Article posted November 23, 2005 at 03:03 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 214
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Oh Where, Oh Where Did My Computer Lab Go?
Article posted November 22, 2005 at 10:24 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 258
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Lisa Raines, instructional technology facilitator at Morehead Middle School, laments an unintended consequence of the new, state-mandated on-line 8th Grade Computer Skills Test.
"With the new online version of the NC Computer Skills Test came unforeseen tie ups of our school's main computer lab for a 3 week period of time as well as the 'lab' in our Media Center for 1 week. I will admit that I am a bit befuddled about how to conduct this review/testing next year. I really hate telling teachers that they're going to have to wait to do that fabulous Internet activity for a month or that their class can't blog or create a newsletter for several weeks. There has to be a better way to do this stuff!"
This points to a larger supply/demand challenge. How do we funnel thirty classes during any given period into one or two computer labs? Our current work around is almost Darwinian in nature--survival of the fittest. I can assure you that our continued adoption of Web 2.0 applications and 21st century information resources will only exacerbate this challenge...a challenge that exists to some degree at every one of our schools.
Lisa's solution: What are we waiting for? Roll-in the wireless laptop carts! Visit Lisa's Click 'o the Mouse blog to read the true Morehead Middle story called Computer Lab Lockup.
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Article posted November 22, 2005 at 10:24 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 258
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Student Voices from the Middle Ground
Article posted November 17, 2005 at 02:07 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 227
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Indications are strong that blogs are in a state of adoption and diffusion in our schools. Here are three examples of middle school blogging...
From Morehead Middle comes Lancaster's Late Edition. Students are using this space to blog about Hurricane Ophelia, stereotypes (based on The Outsiders), and air pollution.
One, if by land; two, if by sea...from Newport Middle we have Renee Gilpin's Soaring Eagles doing some "revolutionary" blogging. Check out these interesting twists on King George III by Dance Crazy and Speed Demon.
On a different tangent is Check It Out! This is the bibliophile blogspace of the Newport Middle Book Club. Right now they are blogging about books by C. S. Lewis.
Student writing evolves over the K-12 continuum. In the blogosphere, we are "seeing" endless opportunities for our students to meld their voices and perspectives as they attempt to connect with real audiences.
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Article posted November 17, 2005 at 02:07 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 227
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My Classes & Students
About the Blogger
Whether a Yellow Jacket, a Yosef, an Achiever, a Cardinal, a Patriot, a Pirate, a Charger, a Cougar or an Eggie -- Joe has witnessed the power of technology as a tool to support and enhance teaching and learning. He is forever curious about such possibilities. He is an experienced collaborator, designer, and presenter of staff development for the successful implementation and integration of technology in learning environments.
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