How timely in light of the fact that I attended an iPad for Admins professional development session today that I come across Chris Lehmann's post Daily Walkthroughs with GoogleApps and the iPad. Take a look at his post for a smart walkthrough protocol using Google forms. At the training I attended, I was not surprised a vendor was touting their expensive walkthrough app. I wasn't much impressed. First, it seems that the iPad as the tool for this process was forced and any effort on our part to actually test the app out or have questions about it answered, were quickly squashed. They seemed more excited to talk about the app then let it speak for itself (red flag!). However, do I really need an app for that? I think not.
I have successfully been using the poorly-publicized, all-in-one Tablet combined with Google forms for this work. Lehmann is taking this path too and is trying to fit onto an iPad what may be better suited for a Tablet. However, if you have an iPad, it likely beats out engaging in the is work with a traditional laptop. Regardless of the device (an NYC administrator I work with successfully uses cell phone texting technology), it is important to note that educators are realizing the importance of digitally capturing classroom successes and challenges which is powerful!
See this video for a whimsical insight into the process.
As an innovative educator I question if the administrator is the "one" who can provide valuable insight into what's going on in classrooms? In this 21st century, web 2.0, interactive, power-with-the people world, my answer is...heck no! Let's transform this work and incorporate peer, self, student, parent, and other important voices, to weigh equally in the process where we all take ownership and move schools forward in ways that make all proud.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
5 Pieces of Advice for Lawyers Trying to Scare Educators Who Think Outside The Ban
I recently shared a post about a Valedictorian who was pissed off because she had spent her years in high school being cheated of a relevant education. I share her frustration as my educational experience was not much different then the irrelevant hoop jumping she endured, but I have been hopeful because I know there are innovative educators out there passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and providing them with engaging and relevant educational opportunities. But, I had a bit of wind taken out of my sails when I heard from a teacher that lawyers were pumping fear into the hearts of principals who like Eric Sheninger were open to thinking outside the ban and using digital tools necessary to prepare students for success. I was heartbroken to learn from a teacher that s/he was told at a staff meeting that the Principal had just come from a Principal's meeting and shared that "the lawyers" had told the principals:
- Teachers shouldn't friend students on Facebook
- Teachers shouldn't use cell phones with students
- Parents could not give permission for their children to appear on the web.
- And, on and on...
My advice to any educator who has lawyers telling them how to do their job is this:
- Lawyers and educators are inherently at odds. I want to do what is best for my students. Lawyers want to do what is best and easiest for them.
- Ask the lawyer to put their advice in writing. Ask them how they feel about being sued for advising schools to engage in practice that is not in the best interest of preparing students for success in the world?
- Ask the lawyers why they, rather than educational leaders, are deciding what's best for students and think about if lawyers are really the people who have the best interests of our students at heart.
- Ask the lawyers to put in writing why they are afraid to allow schools help students begin establishing their responsible digital footprints.
- Share with lawyers and your principal that there are principals who know that banning is the easy way out and connect them to principals like Eric Sheninger who is a Principal who used to block, and now offers guidance to skeptical admins in social media use.
Students like Erica, myself and Blake Copeland (who developed an iPhone app with no help from his school) should succeed because of school, not despite it. I hope that the readers of this blog are those who will stand up and use their 21st century educator voice to advise these lawyers to think outside the ban and prepare students for success. Our students need you to listen to them not the lawyers who are only providing advice that make their jobs and that of educators easier at the risk of what is best for children.
If schools are not preparing students to operate in these environments, who is? Are we going to continue to pass the buck and say, "not my problem?"
To answer the question of the teacher who emailed me, "Have I heard of lawyers advising educational leaders taking the easy way out?" Absolutely. Would I want to work in a place that made that choice? Absolutely not.
Valedictorian Finishes High School and Asks, "Is that all there is?"
The Innovative Educator took its first step two and a half years ago and if you read my first post on this blog you'll learn that I spent most of my school years in what felt like a meaningless, dreary torture chamber. My teachers promised that though what they were teaching might not seem important then, I would need it when I grew up. I couldn’t wait to fast forward past all this boring stuff and grow up to figure out why all this stuff was important. I hurried on my way to growing up, graduating college at 19. I didn’t know how it was that growing up would teach me the meaning of what seemed an irrelevant school experience, but I was excited to finally have the mystery solved.
Once in the real world, I realized it was all a farce. There was very little that I learned in school that was valuable…especially after 4th grade. I felt cheated and disappointed that I had spent countless excruciatingly BORING years in classrooms and had nothing to show for it but a bunch of diplomas and boxes of reports graded by my teachers that no one cared about.
My experience is, for the most part, what led me to the field of education. I wanted to do what I could to ensure future students had an experience more relevant, meaningful, and less boring than mine. How refreshing it was then, to hear from Erica Goldson who upon leaving high school this year shared this.
Erica is extremely frustrated as she jumps through what she perceives to be the meaningless hoops of life in primary, secondary, and now post secondary education. She shared her frustration ever so eloquently in her recent valedictorian speech which you can watch below and read here Coxsackie-Athens Valedictorian Speech 2010.
With nearly 1/2 a million views of her video and counting, it is clear that this young lady has struck a cord. The question now is, what are those of us in the education system going to do in response to the frustration shared by Erica and felt by so many of her peers, parents, and teachers?
Here are some places to learn more about Erica Goldson and her message.
Once in the real world, I realized it was all a farce. There was very little that I learned in school that was valuable…especially after 4th grade. I felt cheated and disappointed that I had spent countless excruciatingly BORING years in classrooms and had nothing to show for it but a bunch of diplomas and boxes of reports graded by my teachers that no one cared about.
My experience is, for the most part, what led me to the field of education. I wanted to do what I could to ensure future students had an experience more relevant, meaningful, and less boring than mine. How refreshing it was then, to hear from Erica Goldson who upon leaving high school this year shared this.
“It seems that my view of working toward experiential learning is proving to be correct. It seems that university takes away the fun of learning, just as my high school did. It seems that students are here just to pass their classes, so that they can get a degree, and then get a job, to then be consumers just like the corporate and marketing industry would like us to. It seems that we are all running into a big hole - a hole that leaves us feeling empty inside and leaves our society nugatory.”
Erica is extremely frustrated as she jumps through what she perceives to be the meaningless hoops of life in primary, secondary, and now post secondary education. She shared her frustration ever so eloquently in her recent valedictorian speech which you can watch below and read here Coxsackie-Athens Valedictorian Speech 2010.
With nearly 1/2 a million views of her video and counting, it is clear that this young lady has struck a cord. The question now is, what are those of us in the education system going to do in response to the frustration shared by Erica and felt by so many of her peers, parents, and teachers?
Here are some places to learn more about Erica Goldson and her message.
- Join her fan page on Facebook here
- Follow her blog America via Erica
- Listen
-An Interview With Erica Goldson, 2010 Valedictorian at Coxsackie-Athens High School, Regarding Education, Politics and American Culture
-School Sucks Project: 054 - Emergence (With Erica Goldson) Imagine a door to complete freedom, abounding opportunity and greater personal satisfaction… Public education is the lock. This is the fourth in a series of non-sequential shows about finding keys.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Innovative Educator Receives National Silver Award for Best How-To Article
The Innovative Educator received the national silver award for Best How-To Article from The American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) in their 32nd annual Azbee Awards of Excellence Competition. While, I admit, I had no idea these awards even existed, or that I was in contention, before I was informed that my article won the award, I am honored to have received an award for my writing. The article, “Eight Ways to Use School Wikis,” was featured in the August 2009 issue of Tech & Learning magazine after being posted here on my blog.If you want to read, the award-winning article, please visit 8 Ways To Use A School Wiki to Increase Communication, Collaboration, and Enrich Instruction.
Related article: Blogs, Wikis, or Google Docs - Oh My!
A Treasure Trove of Tech Assessments
To follow is a collection of tech literacy assessments all with varying purposes. Look around and see what's right for you. If there's one you use, or like please share your feedback by commenting here.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
What “Does Your School Need?” - Tell Bing and get 50 - 100K!
The Bing “Our School Needs” contest is designed to help schools across the country get the resources they need. “Our School Needs” is a program to help parents, teachers, students and the community make a difference at their local schools. The competition encourages students and teachers to work in groups, classes or individually to write an essay and take pictures finishing the sentence “My School Needs…” Entrants are also encouraged to create a 1-3 minute video that shows people what their school needs. Once submitted, they can then petition friends, family and networks to join the campaign and visit the Our School Needs site to RATE their local entries. 15 finalists will compete to receive either one $100k grand prize or 3 first place prizes of $50K each. You can simply get the How-To-Enter kit here. The contest is open to U.S. public and private schools, grades K-12. If you apply, please share here on The Innovatie Educator blog so we can vote for your school!
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