We have decided to begin a “Geektionary” to help explain some of the terms we use during presentations or just in our everyday speak. Please feel free to leave us a comment if you would like something explained or added!
We Love Interactive WhiteBoards but a Wii IWB??
SMARTBoard workshops
Ok…I was curious. I have seen the YouTube video of Johnny Lee. I have had a SMARTBoard in my classroom for 4 years. I know about school budget crunches. All three of those reasons combined led Mom and me to attend a session at the East Central IL Tech Conference on Friday entitled “Interactive Whiteboard (aka “SMARTBoard”) for <$100″.
It seems like this $100 Wii IWB thing is really starting to become a reality. There are quite a few places online where you can purchase the light pens, as well as accessories for the Wii Remote to make it stand on a tripod as a functional piece of classroom equipment. Software is available as a free download to get your computer compatible with the hardware.
Any surface can be transformed into an IWB.
Even a table top.
And with Multi-touch capabilities if you have more than one light pen.
Wow…the opportunity to have a multi-touch table in my classroom in 2009?
Well…I have to admit. I was less than thrilled with the functionality of the Wii IWB as a suitable means within a classroom.
Sure, it would work….if you were using your IWB as a game board, or to write and wipe.
But I think there are many folks who are beyond the “glorified whiteboard” idea. At least we hope they are. And if they aren’t? Well, we can certainly help with that!
We have a multitude of ways that the SMARTBoard can be used within the educational setting from small individualized center activities, to whole group lessons, to alternative assessment tools, to differentiated instruction.
I could never go back to teaching without my board. Ever!
The Princess
SMARTBoard workshops
Today Recess Tec traveled to Charleston, Illinois to present a workshop on SMARTBoard Notebook 10 to a great group of teachers. We have done many of these sessions, and although we cover the same basic information, each session is different given the difference in teachers, their personalities, and the subjects and grade levels they teach.
This group provided a very pleasant morning. The lab at Jefferson School was clean, bright, and there were no “equipment malfunctions”. The participants had many questions, but “got it” quickly. The room was often very quiet as they worked and concentrated. This is one of the many things we enjoy very much about our training sessions… to see the different ways teachers use the SMARTBoard, and the lessons they begin to build or download.
Our session closed and Shannon, Ashton and I rewarded ourselves with lunch at one of our favorite restaurants…
Yum…
Both the school and the restaurant are within blocks of my first “home” as a young married bride. My husband was attending Eastern Illinois University on the G.I. Scholarship,
and I was working at Eastern’s Booth House in the Office of Nonacademic Personnel.
I remember when we first moved into the house. It was old then, and divided into three rental apartments for students.
I drove by to see if it was still there. It was. And one of the apartments was for rent… and except for the addition of some vinyl siding, had changed very little.
I remember how excited I was to have a little place to “fix up”…
(And it required MUCH of that!) and how I looked forward to getting a phone hooked up, and to be able to call home from work.
One evening I arrived home and discovered that the telephone man had been there, and he hooked up “our phone”. My first disappointment… It was NOT the phone of my dreams. “Heavy” was not what I had dreamed of.
Black did not fit in with the pastel blue walls, and although pastel blue walls were important, color coordination was the dream.
It had a cloth covered cord… that did not stretch when you pulled on it. A “stretchie” cord was part of the dream.
And the dial. Sigh… It didn’t light up.
It wasn’t a “princess”.
Even back then, technology was important.
Presentation Squats
workshopsYesterday Shannon and I presented at the 2009 East Central Illinois Technology Conference at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois. We always enjoy this conference since this is one opportunity to see many of the new friends we have made through our workshops, as well as visit with many friends from the past to catch up on family, and to share pictures on our cell phones.
Our last session was also the final session of the day.
The room was packed and I even gave away my chair for someone to use.
This was one of our favorite presentations requiring two computers, two sets of speakers, and two projectors. The biggest challenge of the hour:
maintaining internet access.
Shannon carries the delivery. She talks much faster than I do, and she is excellent at voice projection. (I understand these things. I had her in my 7th grade study hall once.)
My job was to show as many links as possible, and to throw in comments when she needed to take a breath. I was down on my knees or squatting most of the time since my computer was on a low table, and the room was dark.
And then the question about…
inappropriate use of computers…and the expressed concern about students going where they shouldn’t go.
This had my attention and both Shannon and I flew to reply,
“Teachers are the best filters.”
I have never stood up so fast in my life.
I almost flew over the table.
If I could have moved out into the audience and stood next to her “face-to-face”, I would have.
I held myself back from saying,
“Teachers need to quit grading papers when they take their students to the lab.”
We are passionate on this subject. We actually did a “Guest Post” on a famous blog.
And people left comments!
Our goal is to motivate teachers to use technology.
The schools are asking us to use technology.
The schools want us to use 21st Century tools.
But the schools don’t always give us those tools.
Or allow us to use those tools.
And when they do, either because they haven’t noticed that we are using them, or because they have finally seen the value, we need to teach responsibly.
We need to monitor our students…
and we need to educate ourselves.
Today?
I’m a little sore…
Squats in heels are a little rough on the quads!
How…did…you do that?
SMARTBoard tips workshopsSaturday was cold, snowy, and windy, windy, windy, windy, windy. (Did I mention it was windy?) Oh that’s right…we were in Tuscola.
So, it was a perfect day to host one of our SMARTBoard beginners’ workshops. We can’t tell you how much we enjoy our days together. Not only do Shannon and I enjoy one another’s company, but it is refreshing to work with teachers who are excited about technology.
Originally, when we began this blog, we thought we would share our traveling adventures. One of the things we stress in our workshops is to focus on TWO things that you want to take away with you. I have found this to work for me when I have felt overwhelmed by information, and sometimes defeated before I begin. So, with that in mind, I thought I would try to find one thing at each of our workshops that I have learned, either in preparing for the workshop, or from the participants themselves.
In this workshop, the second part is very “hands-on”. We “show”, they “do”. It is then that we are available for help and guidance.
We were going over basics on formatting the background, and one of the teachers had a tiled background. She did not know how she got it, and I had to look to see whether she had cloned a piece of clipart. Finally, looking at the “formatting tab”, I saw that she had selected a small piece of clipart to use for the “insert image” fill option. I had never seen that done, nor thought of doing it myself, and it had created a “tiled” background, much like your desktop might look if you choose to use a small picture for your background. This option, especially made more transparent, might be something someone can use, and it is nice to know that it is available. On the other hand, it was nice for me to know how it was done if it was an accident. After all, isn’t that what we tell our students? That those things we learn best are from our mistakes?
Going Home
workshopsToday we had the privilege of presenting three workshops in Pana.
Why “Home”?
It was in this community that I had my “first classroom”. Before teaching in Pana, I taught as a Reading Resource teacher in Mattoon, and as a Science, Art, and Computer teacher in Shelbyville. I had never had a “self-contained” classroom where I taught all subjects to one group of students. I was between jobs, busy raising six children of our own, and teaching as a substitute whenever I could. One day I received a call from the principal at Sacred Heart School. She had a position that had opened up because of a maternity leave, and would I please come the next day and “try us out”? It was eighth grade. I winced, but she convinced me to just come one day, and if I didn’t like them, I wouldn’t have to come back. How do you say “No” to someone whose first name is “Sister”?
I stayed four years.
And they are filled with some of the happiest and best memories teaching.
Why?
The students…
How often does a teacher have the opportunity to teach eighth graders in a self-contained setting?
They were fun and funny…and they loved to learn.
They were enthusiastic about anything I offered as a challenge.
The parents…
Behavior problems were seldom an issue. If they misbehaved in school, there were consequences at home, as well. Christmas gifts arrived in the form of “home-made”, and usually ethnic.
The community…
They embraced their members, and they would do anything to make you feel like one of their own.
That is how our workshop went today.
We were met at PHS by Scott, the IT specialist. To say that he loves his job, loves his teachers, loves his administrators, and loves Pana is an understatement. He had us up and running in only a matter of minutes. He was very encouraging, and he was excited about what we were going to show his teachers. “This is cool stuff.”
I’ll let Shannon tell you the rest…
Scott was truly a pleasure with which to work. He has many big plans for Pana in the way of upgrading the capabilities for everyone associated with the school district. I was truly impressed with his passion for making a great operating system “outstanding”. It is awesome to be surrounded with other individuals in our field of work that have the same passion as we do regarding the use of technology within the classroom and beyond!
The sessions went very well, at least I think they did. Teachers didn’t throw anything at us or give us the evil eye. They were EXTREMELY quiet and seemed to be taking in all of the ideas that we were presenting for integrating technology into the classroom. I don’t think it hurt that we passed around a little chocolate to keep their tastebuds happy during the presentation…but nonetheless.
We have traveled to many schools in this area to present and Pana obviously has it figured out…what is “it” you ask? EVERYONE attended our presentation…and I mean EVERYONE. Every teacher, every administrator, as well as Scott. “It” means that they are all on the same page regarding the technology integration within their district. Now that doesn’t necessarily mean they liked all of our ideas, or will use all of our ideas. But they all received the same information first hand which hopefully will generate some spark and discussion! We couldn’t be more thrilled about that possibility. For that we extend a huge THANK YOU.
We always try to include something we learn at each of our workshops. So many times it is from our participants, each other, an IT specialist, or when we are just looking for an answer to a question. As we were setting up our speakers, they made a little buzz that I often hear both at home, and from my car speakers as I drive, especially on my daily commute to school as I pass by one particular place every day. Shannon asked me about it and “name?” explained that it was my cell phone. The phone was next to the speakers, and Scott asked if I had an AT&T phone.
He explained it’s known as the “GSM Buzz”, and it has to do with the way my cell phone communicates with the tower, and the way the GSM networks work. The radio frequency in a GSM phone “pulses”, and it’s picked up by devices that aren’t shielded well. You don’t notice it on Verizon phones because they work on a CDMA network which operates on a spectrum that isn’t as audible. The pulse rate on my phone is in a spectrum that is easily heard. He also said it’s not a problem, but it just happens.
…and the best part?
I explained this to my granddaughter, “Queen of the Cell Phone and All Things Texting”, and she, of course knew all about it.
As I was packing up our equipment at the end of the day, I looked up and saw this sign. It made me smile.
I thought you would enjoy it, too.
Finding the Secret
workshops
Yesterday we hosted our “Advanced SMARTBoard” workshop. It was a small group…only four.
As a reader of the Principalspage Blog, I felt compelled to write about the workshop, but didn’t really know what to say. Principalspage tells us to just sit down and start typing and the words will come.
…but what to say? Five people registered for the workshop. Five people paid. Four people showed up.
Today Principalspage wrote that the secret to life is to “just show up…”. One person did not show up.
Throughout the workshop I thought about the fact that we had prepared and worked to teach only four people. And was it worth it…?
I have to say, “Yes, absolutely!”
The day before my mother (Shannon’s grandmother) had emailed me a link to a video. Mom is a big fan of the “Forwards”. She has become more selective and now sends only the very best of Maxine.
This video, however, was special. It told the story of “Johnny the Bag Boy”. It tells how one person, through a commitment to make each customer feel special, touches people’s lives.
So…with our four attendees, I thought of that lesson. We were so fortunate to spend our day with our “friends”. Each of them was there working hard to learn how to make their lessons more meaningful for their students. Each of them were giving up their Saturday. And it was a beautiful Saturday…the first light at the end of the tunnel…the tunnel being a very long, cold winter.
I guess the secret IS to “Just Show Up”.
Where Are We?
SMARTBoard tips workshops“Where Are We?”
That is the question I was asking at precisely 7:55 Saturday morning as Mom and I rolled into a town that I thought was Raymond, IL. As it turns out, we were in Taylorville. I found out this little piece of information as I pulled into a BP and asked “What town is this?”. (I don’t EVER hesitate to stop and ask for directions…EVER!) The nice lady behind the counter smiled and said, “Taylorville”. After I explained that I was supposed to be in Raymond at 8:00. She informed me that I was going to be late. It was about 15 miles away.
I’m “Mom”…and yes…
When the question came up, “Where are we?”, it was shortly after I observed,
“Shannon, that building says, ‘Taylorville First National Bank?”
Then after her question, I suggested, “Taylorville Senior Citizen Center?”
If there is one thing you should know about me…I hate to be late. HATE IT. I had a boss while I was in high school who did not tolerate being late for work…so I never was…except once. And yes I got fired. Don’t worry, I was rehired later, but that is a whole different blog entry.
“Mom”: Back then she told me it was because “business was down, and they had to ‘cut back’…for now…”
So as I drove a little (OK..a lot) over the speed limit, we found ourselves in Raymond at 8:25. Humiliated over the fact that we were late. The workshop wasn’t scheduled to begin until 9:00…but still. I told the facilitators that we would be there at 8:00 to set up. That doesn’t mean arrive at 8:25.
“Mom”: guess what…it was all good…and our participants could not have been nicer.
They even drew a map for us to help find our way back…taking the “Black Diamond Road”.
(“Black Diamond”?! Have we mentioned how FLAT central Illinois is?)
It was on this road upon leaving the school, she turned left, instead of right.
“Where IS that map? Here it is…OK…U-turn it…we need to head back in the opposite direction.”
Note: It is necessary to know, that when traveling from “Point A” to “Point B” in this part of the country, you must
- understand terms like “black top” and grain bins, and
- that all directions are given in cardinal directions, (thanks to the Land Ordinance of 1785), and
- keep in mind that people will seldom tell you to turn “left” or “right”…
The end result of this little mix-up? A corporate investment in a GPS. After all we DO specialize in technology integration!
“Mom”: That decision was made right after I asked, “Shannon, do you have a road map in here?”
Actually, I am a BIG fan of the road map when there is a passenger in the car…and I am the passenger.
I must back up a little before going forward in this first entry. As we were driving through a small town on our way to Raymond, we came upon this grocery store.
I felt like I was teleported straight back into 1960. Seriously. It was odd. OK, so I wasn’t exactly born in 1960…or anywhere around that time.
“Mom: that would make me old enough to be enjoying the retirement I have always dreamed of…in a little cottage in a region of France that has a name that sounds like wine. (Without a husband, but possibly a “traveling companion”…it IS France…).
Actually, I AM old enough to be retired somewhere in France…
but I still have a husband.
But I asked Mom and she thought I was right on target. We stopped at this little grocery store to pick up some chocolate. We make it a common practice to provide a steady stream of chocolate throughout any type of training that we provide. It seems like a stress reliever for those who are not feeling as “pumped” as we feel about integrating technology within their classrooms on a daily basis.
As I was entering the store…I must have stood and stared at the “Out” sign on this door for 10 seconds before realizing that I was not going to get “In” the store through that door.
“Mom”: I was in the car laughing. I’m the one with the cell phone camera.
I still capture those “precious moments” my little girl provides…
I realized that I had forgotten to throw the basket that we use into the car the night before when packing up all of our equipment. We carry quite a bit of stuff in order to keep our bases covered when we get to a school. You never know what you might find when getting ready to present technology related topics. I didn’t really want to be the tacky corporation that just throws candy at its participants…bowl, basket, box, whatever type of container will do. But we didn’t have one. I didn’t think there was probably a chance that the store would have anything like that for sale, but I decided to ask the kind produce man arranging the grapefruit if they had that sort of thing for sale.
“Mom”: He was laughing. I said, “Shannon, he is laughing at us,” and he, laughing, replied, “I am not laughing at you. I am laughing with you.”
As it turns out they didn’t. BUT…he went to the stockroom and dug around in some boxes and came up with a basket. I told him I would return it on our way back through. He smiled and said “Keep it in your car. You never know when you might need it again.”
Yes…I think I had stepped back into time.
By the way…this is the picture of our candy basket at the END of the day. Not too bad. We must not have been TOO stressful since there was actually candy left over.
“Mom”: We thought, in writing this blog, we would share things we learn on our “Excellent Adventures”.
For this workshop, we were in the high school “media center”, and the librarian, (a.k.a. “media specialist”) had signs on the wall.
We learned from one of the signs that the personal library of Thomas Jefferson was the start of the Library of Congress.
While helping a participant with “math symbols”, I was asked where she could find another symbol for square root.
We decided we would have to assemble it, but she wanted to “save it” for future use.
We are often asked, “How do you know all this ‘stuff’?” We “play”. We are “geeks”. We don’t watch television…or at least very often.
So with that said, a video of what I did to answer the question:
Finally, we would like to say thank you to the teachers from Panhandle school district for spending the day with us. We had fun and you were great participants!