Technology in Teaching...

I have written about the changes that have occurred in my classroom over the last two years with my classroom now having 24 networked computers that we can use in a vast array of ways. It has been an exciting time to be in our school as three of our four English teachers now have labs in their classrooms. In my room, I have used Moodle exclusively to organize and administer my classes. We upgraded to Moodle 2.0 this last spring and have discovered some issues I am trying to work out this summer. Otherwise, the use of Moodle has been beneficial to my students as they have felt much more prepared for the tech requirements they face in post-secondary education at even our local two year community college. The four year college students rave about being ahead of their peers--that makes me smile...

I like using tech in my teaching...it helps keep me fresh, but there are challenges. Dealing with blocked sites and applications, keeping students on task, and dealing with the wide range of tech skills that these "digital natives" bring with them to my room are just a few of the challenges. Additionally, Web 2.0 is so fluid...one can find a great site or online app that works great one day and the next it is down, costs $, or is gone. That being said, I try to approach the tech as just another part of the learning that is occurring in my English classroom. Some days it goes very smoothly--just like I drew it up--and others not so much...either way there is learning...even it is merely learning to deal with a frustrated teacher! Ha-ha!

So, tech is a constant in my room...trying to offer students as many responsible, authentic opportunities to explore and learn will continue...and even on those days when it seems like nothing is working as planned, we will move forward...that's what learning is all about...peace out!

Indiana Prospects

Indiana Prospects...
Summers Traveling

For the last four years, Caleb has played on the Indiana Prospects Blue team. During that time, he has traveled far and wide as a member of this elite baseball program. This year he is on the 17U Blue team, which just won the Pasttimes Tournaments Midwest Classic at UIndy and Butler University this past weekend. Caleb pitches, catches, and plays nearly everywhere else they might ask him to play. In this photo from last year's tournament at East Cobb near Atlanta, he is catching and involved in a rundown. This team has helped provide him opportunities to play against the best competition in the Midwest and around the country while also getting him the chance to pursue his dream of playing Division I baseball. This weekend, the team is playing in the Cincy Flames Tournament of Champions in and around Cincinnati. Many coaches from around the country will be at this event. It should be fun...

Thanks to the coaches who help with this team and quality group of young men...play ball!

23 Things Project

I am doing the "23 Things Project" as part of my own professional growth over summer 2011. The first couple of activities involved viewing two videos about media and mobile devices and today's students. Both videos offered interesting facts and figures as well as an interesting view of students and their ideas about learning. My initial reactions to the videos are that society is currently overwhelmed with media through mobile devices, computers, television,etc and students want teachers/parents to "engage me." I fully agree with the total connectedness of our society, but wonder if that is necessarily a good or bad thing...or even if one can make this determination? Do we need downtime from the overload? How much can the human mind process? Are there ways to help a person process that to which he or she seeks or is exposed. As far as the students are concerned, I wonder about the "engage me" requirement that students desire. Each student is different, and I do not see how any single person can possibly engage an entire classroom of students. Letting students have input into the process makes sense, but are students truly ready for that responsibility? As part of this idea, students want to be taught how to think...that is part of the problem. Is it not inherent to human beings that we think? Obviously, these are huge issues to consider, but I am still thinking...

A second part of the project involved the habits of lifelong learners. I believe the most important aspects of idea is the openness to new ideas, skills, and behaviors. I think part of education's problems lies in the balancing of control and the social norms for school and society. The hardest habit for me is idea of viewing problem as challenges. I tend to lean toward obstacles and complications...need to work on that. The easiest habit is accepting responsibility for my own learning. I like to learn. It's is that simple and look for ways to help me in this endeavor. One complication to all of this is staying organized...that is a huge challenge for me in learning and in life.