Brian’s TRT Blog

I love adventure, and this summer has been no exception. I write this from London in a friend’s flat, but recently stayed in a hostel in Brussels and worked there for over a week. While my purpose was to work with Serve the City, I had the opportunity to work beside a 15 year old Australian student who was in the public school system there. As all teachers do, they like to question, and this student was remarkably mature and great conversationalist. While we chopped through massive quantities of cabbages as we prepared for 500 people for dinner that night, the conversation revolved around their school system.

What an eye-opener! Students are not allowed to advance to the next grade until they pass the end-of-year tests. I about dropped my knife when he said that it is quite common for over half the class to fail the grade level and rare for students to graduate before 20. Surprisingly enough, he commented, the teachers don’t seem to worry about the high numbers. What an amazing comparison to how the American schools work. He was shocked when I told him in the States the teacher would be in trouble.

And, as a technology teacher, I had to direct the conversation to technology. Computers are rarely, if ever used, in the classroom. “They’re a waste of time,” he said, madly chopping the heads of cabbage, “and the only lesson we had was how to turn the computer on.”

I wonder what other countries around the world handle instructional technology in the classroom?

Do you wish to take your class on a field trip and not have to pay for it? Imagine the word “free” and I’ve got a great way for this to happen. Instead of having to line up transportation, parents to assist, field trip permission forms, and the like, why not just take one from inside your classroom?

Students stay in the classroom and tour a multitude of sites and places via the web. Not only can it be a tour to a museum that is difficult to see because of expenses and distance, students can tour flowers, international places, or take field trips through a book. The possibilities are endless!

Do you need ideas? This fall I can visit your classroom and help you set up your field trip, work with you, and help you plan and find resources. Curious? Here are some links to whet your appetite:

Background and Starting Points:
==>Adapt Virtual Adventures: How To’s, examples, links
==>Tramline

Resources:
==>Walter McKenzie’s Innovative Teaching: resources
==>LDS Homeschooling
==>Tech Trekkers

Virtual Field Trips:
==>Virtual Field Trips

It’s comforting to know when we (Portsmouth’s I.T department) are bucking national trends in instructonal technology. In a recent survey/study conducted by the NEA, teachers are feeling underprepared in the areas “that matter most: instructional software, technology integration, learning outcomes management, and designing individual lesson plans.” ["Classroom Technology 'Woefully Inadequate,' Study Finds," David Nagel, T.H.E. Journal, June 2008]. The study conducted was Gains and Gaps in Technology by NEA, finds that teachers feel technology in education is important:

95 percent said that technology improved student learning, when used properly;
88.9 percent said technology is “essential to teaching and learning”; and
89.1 percent said that technology helped their students enjoy learning more.

I also found interesting from this article: “For the most part, educators did report that they’d received “adequate” training in the technologies they use for teaching and other aspects of their work. Again, however, a large minority said they did not have at least adequate training in using technology equipment (31.7 percent reporting inadequate training), using administrative software (also 31.7 percent), using instructional software (38.7 percent), using technology to evaluate student progress (42.4 percent), integrating technology into instruction (44.3 percent), and using technology to design individualized lesson plans (54.4 percent). The category of using the Internet for research was the only area in the study in which dissatisfaction dipped below 30 percent, with 71.1 percent of respondents saying they were happy with their training, rating it as “adequate” or “more than adequate.”

Our Instructional Technology Department is conducting a week long technology intgegration session for many areas: Adobe Photoshop, Promethean Board integration, Movie Making in the Classroom, Podcasting, and many, many more. Feedback has been positive: around half wish that there was more time in each session (good–you want more!).

Nancy and I are leading the workshop for video production and ways to integrate this into classroom instruction. We reviewed the AFI Screen Education program (great oohs and aahs!) and are excited to see how movie making is going to be used in our schools this fall!

Have you ever had a quote go past your ears that causes you to stop, turn around, come back, and listen to it again? Today was one of those that I heard one by Wintley Phipps: “It is in the quiet crucible of your personal private sufferings that your noblest dreams are born, and God’s greatest gifts are given in compensation for what you’ve been through.”

You may wonder what this has to do with a blog about Instructional Technology/Educational Technology/I.T. and the like. Stay with me on this.

I was crunching statistical data on this blog, and my assumption was that the pages which were read the most would be about technology education. Imagine my surprise when I saw, at the top of the list posts on quotes for inspiration and encouragement. Could this be a need that many have?

The past month my wife has had a cancer scare (we’re not out of the woods yet), I’ve had bad news at home, normal work stressors, and this morning a person pulled out in front of me and we collided. To add insult to injury, this was our good car that I’ve babied, and the car looks totaled. What’s left at home? The old ‘88 Ford. Once I gathered my thoughts, it dawned on me that:
–I have a home
–I have food in the refrigerator
–My daughters do not give us trouble
–I’m enjoy my job as a TRT
–I’ve got a great staff that I work with
–I’m happily married (26 years)
–I have my health
–The worst thing that happened this morning that metal got damaged
–The air conditioning works
–I’m safe
–I have at least one car that works (albeit old and ugly)
–I have friends
–I’m content (not always happy, but content)
and I’m loved.

Sometimes we have to get shaken to the core to realize how to focus. Do you have words of wisdom on what you’ve done to look on the bright side of life, in spite of sufferings?

I am sitting in my “bunker,” AKA my office, and am planning, thinking, and strategizing for next school year. The impetus for my train of thought is that my morning started with two opposing comments from staff members today: “We’re not sure what questions to ask you,” (sad!) to a comment from another teacher who is already planning for what we can do in classrooms next year (good).

Now, how can I convince teachers to step over into the 21st century? And, how can I stay on top of the latest trends?

I try to keep on top of latest trends in educational technology by reading top notch blogs. There are the usual to-go-to blogs, such as Cool Cat Teacher, Will Richardson, David Warlick, and Kathy Schrock’s, but there are others out there that we can easily overlook.

ISTE has just posted the top ten technology education blogs for June 2008:

==>Speed of Creativity
==>Technology strengthens, deepens, and broadens our learning...Bill Mackenty
==>The Daily Grind
Musings and Mutterings from a Primary Head Teacher
==>The Shifted Librarian: Sharing libraries at the speed of byte
==>Blog of Proximal Development: teaching.blogging.learning
==>Metonia: 4 eyed technologist
==>Left Lane Ends
when the road narrows … we begin to think
==>Cogdogblog: Alan Levine’s place to talk about instructional technology
==>Gordon’s Ramblings
The random thoughts and reflections of someone involved in education in Scotland
==>Integrating ICT into the MFL classroom:
Joe Dale offers practical tips and advice on using ICT to enhance the teaching of modern foreign languages

OK, I’ll admit it. I associate having a video camera in the classroom with having Hollywood in a classroom: video camera=major movie project=teacher has no time=video camera collects dust. Why not branch out and NOT use it for making videos?

In the most recent magazine of Technology and Learning, Bob Sprankle writes in “Caught on Video” things that a teacher can do with a video camera. Here are some highlights:
==>Film students on the first day of school asking them wht their goals are for the school year.
==>Film the progression of fluency on a weekly and monthly basis.
==>Ask a student how to solve a math problem and capture his exact process (rather than just the answer).
==>Have students film what they’ve done that day and e-mail it to parents.
and here is my favorite: Never write another long note for a substitute teacher!

There are many more examples and explanations from Bob. Interested? Click on the link above!

I always thought my Social Studies teachers were boring. Very, very, VERY boring. In fact, just the word history made me cringe. To me, I always thought that to be a history teacher, one had to be a coach. I can remember when I applied for a 6th grade Social Studies position in Ohio, the principal’s first question at the interview was, “Can you coach football?” Obviously, he proved my hypothesis correct!

What turned my distaste of history into a passion? I live near Colonial Williamsburg, and one Labor Day weekend, when the girls were little, and we had little funds for fun, we decided to check out the encampment on Labor Day (press release). We were enthralled! As we strolled on to Market Square, the area was full of pup tents, reenactors, artisians, actors, musicians, story tellers, tradesmen, and much more. My particular fascination was with the cooking demonstration in one area, and the smell of the food cooking was intriguing. “Why,” I wondered, “couldn’t I do something like this for my students?” I was hooked.

Some ideas for you if you want to do this:
COOKING: Have some dutch ovens, iron skillets, and plenty of hardwood, and impress your students. I demonstrated how colonists prepared their daily meals, and students realized that with today’s technology, life IS easy. We made fried apples, homemade bread, pies, biscuits, chicken stew, and homemade butter. Start your fires early so as buses pull in, anticipation builds!
GAMES & TOYS: Research games of the colonial era. My students enjoyed playing with Bilbo Catchers and then making their own out of Dixie cups, string, and balled up foil (honest!).
WRITING: Have students write with quills. Find some calligraphy lessons from the era and show how nice handwriting was emphasized.
PLANT A GARDEN: I thought students would resist, but they actually enjoyed digging, hoeing, and planting seeds.
CANDLE MAKING: Have an adult demonstrate dipping candles. If supervision is excellent, maybe have students practice also
COLONIAL SCHOOL: Times were different then! Show how they had lessons on slates, etc.
BASKET MAKING: My wife made baskets and had children practice also
QUILT MAKING: Do you have someone in your community to demonstrate how to make a quilt?

There are many resources for supplies, and two examples are James Townsend and the Teacher Resource catalog from Colonial Williamsburg. Here are examples of two sites after doing some research: 1 and 2. Colonial Williamsburg’s Teacher Gazette from December 2003 is also a good resource to read: Colonial Day

Do you know of other ideas, resources, or links? If so, please share! Also, don’t hesitate to ask a fellow Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Instiute graduate, Lisa, for assistance. She’s our elementary Social Studies specialist and will be happy to share her ideas.

Previous posting: Go (also check the comments)

Textbooks can strike terror in a student, especially if the teacher has students read aloud and then says after the lesson, “Answer the questions at the end of the chapter.” Argh! Last week, when Lisa and I were teaching a sixth grade history lesson, I asked the students, “If you hate history, please share your reasons.” Many said, “We memorize,” “We learn the same thing every year,” “We memorize,” and on and on and on. Time to spice up your lessons!

Colonial Williamsburg sends out a monthly Teacher Gazette newsletter via email that focuses on primary sources, shares lesson plans, and other pertinent helps to get your students out of the Social Studies Hum Drum.
!
For example, this month’s newsletter covers “Tight Lacing: Taking Great Pains with Fashion,” by Susan Pryor; Primary Source of the Month:
“Tight Lacing, or Fashion before Ease” ; and Teaching Strategy:
“Extreme Fashion” in the 1700s

If you are interested in signing up, click here: Go

Also, if you wish to have a wealth of resources to explore, don’t forget to go to the Teacher’s Resources page on the CW website. There you will find:
–>podcasts
–>videos
–>recordings of songs, music, and other multimedia
–>lesson plans
–>virtual maps and interactives
and much more

If you are a teacher and have a blog (as our department asks us to do), one often wonders if it is effective or not. What is its purpose, and what audience does it serve? I signed up for Google Analytics, a data analysis site that tracks traffic and gives statistics for which pages are viewed the most, how many visit, and the like. Wow! What an eye opener!

Tonight, after analyzing it, I discovered the following:
==>There were no visits from Portsmouth teachers.
==>There were 47 visits from three continents and all corners of the U.S.
==>The most visits were for resources.
==>Visits from Classroom 2.0 were NOT the biggest director of traffic (I thought it might be).
==>There ARE folks out there that have Colonial Fairs.

Obviously, John Tyler and Olive Branch (schools I service) are not using it for resources as often as I thought. Could it be the present state of testing frenzy? Am I not serving their needs? Is blogging not as common in eastern Virginia as I thought? Time for me to start planning some inservices!

I can check for updates weekly, so I’m interested in seeing what happens after testing is done and teachers can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Are you a blogger? What have you found out to be successful for your sites?

Remember how on March 18th we had Tornado Preparedness Day? Remember how some students rolled their eyes, giggled, and took it as a joke ? Now is the time to reinforce how to prepare for emergencies, and if you’re a Science teacher, think about keeping some resources handy from this experience. I found some things that are interesting:
All of the following are on the Virginian Pilot website:
===>Look how close it came to Portsmouth: Satellite map
===>Videos: Go (warning: commercial content)
===>Photos of the tornado and damage afterwards: Go