tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.comments2009-06-22T21:49:58.087-04:00Teach21@BoltonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-56785145185461914252009-06-22T21:19:42.220-04:002009-06-22T21:19:42.220-04:00Even if I didn't see you on a daily basis, I k...Even if I didn't see you on a daily basis, I knew that I could always count on you to help me with issues that other Tech people never could/did help me with. I will truly miss you - the school and the daily dismissals just won't be the same.Lori Allennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-51262678973618430982009-05-26T09:51:21.303-04:002009-05-26T09:51:21.303-04:00I think this sounds like a good letter to the edit...I think this sounds like a good letter to the editor and to those who set assessment policies. :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18149460205665593307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-21716693600442284002009-05-25T17:31:44.511-04:002009-05-25T17:31:44.511-04:00Yes, it is interesting to hear what people think -...Yes, it is interesting to hear what people think -- especially those who have so much effect on our world. Reminds me of Howard Gardner's book "Five Kinds of Minds" which is about what is needed for 21st century success.Linda McDermonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11619882728262714567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-42211854825900101142009-05-07T12:15:00.000-04:002009-05-07T12:15:00.000-04:00I have done a lot of work with my students this ye...I have done a lot of work with my students this year using Problem-Based Learning (PBL) experiences. In the beginning of the year, I was more of a teacher and director during these explorations. I introduced a PBL activity two days ago, and as I observed my students working, I reflected on how far they had come in terms of their thinking skills, reasoning, providing support for ideas, and critical/creative thinking skills. Those skills are not easily measured on a standardized test. My role in conducting PBL activities shifted from teacher/director to providing guidance as a facilitator.<br /><br />The technology things we have done this year have also followed that same progression. I smiled when I saw how quickly my students went to our class blog to type about their thinking and what things they did to solve the problems.<br /><br />These observations and personal reflections are a few of the ways I am "measuring my effectiveness" this year.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18149460205665593307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-19210947222325528952009-04-30T13:50:00.000-04:002009-04-30T13:50:00.000-04:00I am not exactly sure how to get a true measuremen...I am not exactly sure how to get a true measurement of my effectiveness, but I think comparing what my students were able to do (or knew) at the beginning of the year with what they are able to do (or know) at the end of the year is a good place to start. I have had my students at various points during the year, write blog entries about what they have learned and how they can use that knowledge in the future. I hope to do that closer to the end of the year also.<br />I have discovered that I can learn a lot (and gather a great deal of information) by listening to (observing) the conversations my students have while they are working and/or with others about what they have worked on in my class. I am able to figure out what lessons have or have not worked, what skills need some or more work, and more ways to stretch the critical and creative thinking of the students. <br />I guess I could do a formal comparatve analysis project to prove effectiveness, but for me I think the simple comparision (and realization) of the change in students from the beginning of the time period to the end (whether the time period is a day, week, month, or school year) is enough. Writing down the observation and things I learn is a way for me to document both student progress and my progress.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18149460205665593307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-35526360961682503532009-04-28T13:51:00.000-04:002009-04-28T13:51:00.000-04:00I hope we can follow in these footsteps as we move...I hope we can follow in these footsteps as we move into our new building. Your success is exciting! Congratulations to all of your staff for taking this big step and "risking the comfort zone."Linda McDermonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11619882728262714567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-7048697710747912492009-04-28T13:47:00.000-04:002009-04-28T13:47:00.000-04:00This is a tough question and I agree, that it does...This is a tough question and I agree, that it does leave you with reflections. Having the students write reflections seems like a good thing. As teachers I don't ever stop reflecting on what worked with a student or a teacher I'm helping. Over time, I have become more comfortable in that I'm now working with the students of the children I taught in 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade, or computer lab. They come back and visit and talk and have fond memories; I know this isn't assessment, but they are functioning adults who are engaged in their children's education and that is enough for now.Linda McDermonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11619882728262714567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-65316607071082919402009-04-23T09:13:00.000-04:002009-04-23T09:13:00.000-04:00The book chocolate fver was awsome.It was a cool t...The book chocolate fver was awsome.It was a cool thing to skyp with Robert Kimmel smith. I learned that if you eat too much chocolate can get you sick.Olivernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-20652249581364963212009-04-23T09:05:00.000-04:002009-04-23T09:05:00.000-04:00Ilistraters don't always have to be young. It is w...Ilistraters don't always have to be young. It is was cool because we can skype all the way from North Carolina to New York City.I learned that we can't always have what we want.Jorgenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-27950029950265719192009-04-23T09:03:00.000-04:002009-04-23T09:03:00.000-04:00I learnd that he likes chocolate as much as Henry....I learnd that he likes chocolate as much as Henry. I want to read more of his books because I think their fascinating. I wondered why Henry had brown spots on him and I learnd that if you eat to much choclate that you may have spots pop on you. I want to read War with Grandpa.Diamondnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-54612322815111267712009-04-23T09:02:00.000-04:002009-04-23T09:02:00.000-04:00I was very exited. This book is a very good book. ...I was very exited. This book is a very good book. I learned not to eat to much chocolate. It was like we were with him in New York city. I want to read more of his books.Diananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-8718653176129452132009-04-23T08:59:00.000-04:002009-04-23T08:59:00.000-04:00I was so exited when I got to stand up and ask the...I was so exited when I got to stand up and ask the author my question. I liked the book Chocolate Fever because it is fun to read.I learned to not eat to much chocolate or else I will have chocolate spots like Henry.Johananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-51805593040895837612009-04-20T10:31:00.000-04:002009-04-20T10:31:00.000-04:00You've got a great thing going here Sam. The teach...You've got a great thing going here Sam. The teachers should be proud of all they have accomplished! Celebrate every step (no matter how big)!Marlo Gaddishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18196555729351453984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-29933225270239381292009-04-16T21:16:00.000-04:002009-04-16T21:16:00.000-04:00inspirational video!
Thanks for sharing your stori...inspirational video!<br />Thanks for sharing your stories, they are so important as other teachers follow you! I appreciate Sam Walker for directing me to your work! Keep it up, continue to share and grow!<br />Meg Ormistonmegohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822051049183351152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-14050619769912465262009-04-14T20:22:00.000-04:002009-04-14T20:22:00.000-04:00I will say it again: What a great experience for t...I will say it again: What a great experience for those students! I can't wait to try Skype with my students. I was feeling a bit uncomfortable about it, but after reading this, I know it is something I want to try. I look forward to it! Thanks for the encouragement (even though you didn't really mean to).Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18149460205665593307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-68485388125674519622009-04-14T12:22:00.000-04:002009-04-14T12:22:00.000-04:00I really think that teachers are having a big impa...I really think that teachers are having a big impact on students and their ability to connect, create, and be lifelong learners by incorporating technology in their instruction and not making it just something else to do.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18149460205665593307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-13432154178741633142009-04-13T18:08:00.000-04:002009-04-13T18:08:00.000-04:00Sounds fantastic! We used a satellite feed for 6 ...Sounds fantastic! We used a satellite feed for 6 years to watch a live program of "Meet the Author", a production of Fairfax Network (Fairfax Virginia Public Schools) where questions were telephoned to the author, emailed to the author, and once videoconferenced during the teleconference with the author. NCSSM also had an author or two for videoconferencing. Maybe you could post on the CILC listserv. We would be interested in doing that, too! ;-)Linda McDermonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11619882728262714567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-83814591362783635182009-04-10T10:03:00.000-04:002009-04-10T10:03:00.000-04:00Wow! What a great experience for those students an...Wow! What a great experience for those students and teachers!Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18149460205665593307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-66516785214198787112009-04-09T14:46:00.000-04:002009-04-09T14:46:00.000-04:00Thanks for all the support and understanding. It ...Thanks for all the support and understanding. It is hard to learn new things sometimes. But I have felt no pressure to achieve a goal; only support and help when I ask for it. Thanks guys. <BR/>One of these days I'll actually know what I'm doing!!!nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16729631190349705634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-77375125705120231892009-04-08T09:49:00.000-04:002009-04-08T09:49:00.000-04:00Thank you to all the leaders of Teach 21. I appre...Thank you to all the leaders of Teach 21. I appreciate the lack of pressure to "do it all" Everyone learns at a different pace. This is how we try to approach teaching but when it comes to teachers learning something new, the pressure is on and that is when the "stress" really begins. I am enjoying learning and using technology at my own "pace.bgibbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04237947461426973291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-60520289776896575432009-04-05T23:42:00.000-04:002009-04-05T23:42:00.000-04:00Great reflections! Thank you for sharing your take...Great reflections! Thank you for sharing your take on this. As teachers, we struggle with fitting it all in. Teachers at my school always say, "But I don't have time."<BR/><BR/>Who does? <BR/><BR/>But we can do something although we cannot do everything.Vicki Davis @coolcatteacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549879610620143027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-30632119616147778662008-10-30T13:11:00.000-04:002008-10-30T13:11:00.000-04:00Reality check...I loved this video and it truly go...Reality check...I loved this video and it truly got me thinking about the direction technology is turning and how important technology in the classroom has become.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-55188186775421530642008-10-30T13:07:00.000-04:002008-10-30T13:07:00.000-04:00The students did a really good job on this activit...The students did a really good job on this activity. The post shows the true depth of their knowledge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-1345837150488781452008-10-30T13:03:00.000-04:002008-10-30T13:03:00.000-04:00I think that this is a great way to incorporate te...I think that this is a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom and to show the students desired behaviors and actions!! I am going to have to get myself in geer and start utilizing these ideas in my classroom! Thanks for the idea! Keep up the great teaching!Gifford's Greatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02140834151339333944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876738063325480570.post-59193165408847243422008-10-30T13:01:00.000-04:002008-10-30T13:01:00.000-04:00It was a real treat to see the video on the little...It was a real treat to see the video on the little boy during calendar in your classroom. I have two grandsons in Kindergarten at Bolton. I have an almost step-granddaughter, who will be applying to the Pre-K program next year.Wooten's Wonderful Wordshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01077705012931067746noreply@blogger.com