Tonight's Class

Tonight we had a great seminar discussing the "Whither the Postmodern Library". We split up the class into 2 parts and we started out with a debate. We began the discussion by asking ...are libraries on a downward spiral or deconstructing due to the rise of technology. I don't think that technology is taking away from libraries, but patrons need to learn how to intergrate technology more in their daily lives. Technology is something that isn't going to every go away, but will continue to get bigger and bigger. We need to learn to embrace technology and to be the captain of learning new tools! I'm preaching to the choir here about embracing technology and understanding it more!

AL project still going.....

Things are starting to come together. I have just emailed the person in charge of the Burke Co. Technology Department about descriptions on everything that is available for checkout. I made a poster listing everyhting from what is available to how contact information and how to learn how to use the equipment. I would also like to put together some descriptions of some of the equipment of some lesson plans on how to integrate the technology. I have decided on Dec. 3rd from 3:15 -4:30 for the workshop. I have about 4 people signed up so far. I also made a sign-up sheet for the workshop to keep all organized. Everyone that comes will get .1 CEUs. I'm so glad that went through because everyone needs sometime of an incentive. I also bought a notebook today to start putting some of this paper information in order! HOpefully I will get alot accomplished between now and Thanksgiving so I can actually enjoy Thanksgiving!!

Action Project continued

Currently the update on my action project is...I am trying to decided on a date to do my workshop. I wanted to do it on Dec. 4th which is a half-day for students, but of course my school has some writing workshop already planned!! So it looks like Dec. 3rd it is. I wish I had come up my ideas a little sooner so I could get this thing finished. Oh well... Friday I emailed a little in the county to check on CEUs, b/c my principal didn't seem to think it would be possible. I'm glad I did b/c she gave me the go ahead. Now I just have to get it all set it stone. I just need to come up with a timeline or something to organize everything I want to happen at the workshop. I am having 3 people to help me present this workshop. I need to get all of the little details worked out. It's just finding the time to sit and talk with each of these people! It will all work out!

Action Project Plans

Everything is starting to come together for my action project. I have emailed my principal about actually doing the workshop and receiving credit for teachers that come to my workshop. I also asked if it could be made mandatory that the ILT's come to my workshop. I want them to come the most because as a first year teacher technology is probably the last thing on their mind. They probably do not even realize that we have an AV cart that can be checked out and some may not even know how to work the technology. I also talked to another teacher that knows a lot about United Streaming and he is going to work with me to present my workshop. I just need to find out now if he and I will get more tech. credits for presenting!! That would be great! Especially now that I have to have credits. I'm starting to get a little more excited about this project. My goal is to get more teachers excited about using technology!! One extra thing that I'm doing for fun....is listening to a presentation that will help our school get $2000 worth of technology. All we have to do is have 12 people listen to the presentation. I figured, what the heck,...might as well help out a good cause!

More Ideas on AL Project

Okay...I have most of the surveys in from the teachers at my school. It looks like many teachers would like to know more about Smart Boards. So I thought about...why not do a workshop on smart boards. But I was talking with one of my group members tonight and she gave me the idea of a workshop on just basic things that are already at the school. Like LCD Projectors. We have one that teachers can check out, but I don't think it is checked out very often. I could possible to show how to set it up, then maybe use United Streaming as the next part of the workshop. I would be letting teachers see what the could be doing in their classrooms. Hopefully that would help them get more excited about using technology in the classroom. I am thinking about pairing up with another teacher who knows a lot about United Streaming and LCD projectors. I've got to get this project moving along a little quicker!!

My survey

Okay..so I've finally have my survey put together. It's only about 7 questions. I am basically trying to see what kind of interest there is for technology in my school and figure out a way to get more folks interested. I was telling Tiffany that this is going to be hard for me because I really don't get that excited about technology stuff. I mean I'm glad I'm able to type things up, and email things for convience. And I think the whole virtual world is cool, but I just don't spend hours on facebook and listen Ipods. Maybe it's just because of time. I know I don't have to time to waste on the more "fun" side of technology. I have to do the "work" side of technology all the time. Also, I wish I were able to use more technology in my own classroom, but I don't have AV project in my room. My classes are only 45 mins. long and I'm afraid that by the time that they get it to my room, set up, and ready....then it will be time for the next class to come. Also, I think about things like...what if the computer/technology program doesn't work after you've spent all of this time preparing this cool activity. :( Anyways....I will say that lately as I've been teaching, I keep thinking how much cooler it would be to present this lesson with a power point...or to demo this activity with United streaming..... Hopefully I will get to a point where I more interested and comfortable with using technology in the classroom.

Case Brief and AL project

Well...I'm starting to feel the stress more and more. It's mostly with just keeping up with all the stuff that is due! I am so afraid I'm going to forget something! And besides that I'm slacking in every other area of my life! Okay I feel better now that that is out!

I have my part of the Case Brief finished. I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so glad we were ble to work on it class together b/c it really wasn't that hard. My group met in the zone on Tuesday afternoon and broke up each part. We are meeting again on Sunday at 3 to talk about the last part. We didn't get to work on that part in class. Tiffany is doing Appendix C. I am so glad this was a group project! That really helped the work load.

Now to my AL project. I am constantly thinking about my survey and what kind of questions I need to ask teachers for how much technology is used on a daily basis in their classrooms. I have completed the planning tools for the project. This has helped the thought process tremendously. My concerns right now are I'm can't decided on what type of action that I want to take with this project. My first thoughts were a workshop. I spoke with my librarian at school again this past Monday and we talked about some possible ideas. Another idea I have thought about is something about blogging. I am going to a blog workshop next Wednesday, Oct. 8th. This is just to see how might you intergrate blogs for the classroom. So we'll see, One other thing I have done is email our part-time technology instructor for advice or suggestions on my action. So far I haven't heard any ideas or thoughts. We currently in the process of finding a new tech. instructor at our school and this lady is just trying to fill in.

I don't feel like I'm doing enough for this project right now. I start to work on it, but then I realize else that is due first! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!