Teachers gotta Teach

I was fortunate enough last week to listen to a presentation by Dr. Holliday (KY Commissioner of Education)in which he discussed how we need teachers to teach with high standards in mind. He shared some of the new Senate Bill 1 ideas, such as: the content standards, new balanced assessments,testing accountability and so on. What impressed me most was he began his presentation with slides of students. He proposed we think about where we want those kids to be in 20 years. Now that I have past 40... things come into perspective more than they used to when I was young, handsome and in shape...well I was at least young one time. I am always pleased to hear Joe Tinius speak because he genuinely cares about the students and staff. So much so, he even said in front of the Commissioner of Education that testing was important but not our most important concern... It was for our kids and helping them achieve in life...test or not. I absolutely agree. We have students who do not know their fathers, whose mothers are on crack, they are facing abusive situations or have families who have to worry about how to pay for their electricy, rent or food. I like technology. I think we must use it to engage our students. However, we need to love and care for our students and we need to be good teachers. I hope you teach because you like teaching, if not...
Some good things:
1. 5 more teachers in the last 2 weeks have decided to use their interwrite tables
2. I have seen several teachers using their interwrite software to show interactive strategies.
3. Internet Safety week is coming and the high school has students coming to the elementary schools to talk about it.
4. the junior high and high school are creating videos on internet safety

Internet Safety Week

Please remember that the BGISD District Wide Internet Safety Week will be from Sept. 20 to Sept. 24. Many important activities will be taking place during the week.

Sept. 21 - Parent Internet Safety Night 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Bowling Green Jr High Auditorium.

Each school will also be involved in either a Video or Poster Contest. Please watch for winners at each school.

All teachers are expected to have lessons and discussions about the importance of using the internet wisely and efficiently. Below are some valuable resources that can help:

Allen's TRT Internet Safety Website
Office of Attorney General CyberSafety
BGPD Website
Netsmartz Website

Windows 7 and Office 2010 Help

I have been working on our BGISD technology support pages. I have added videos created by Microsoft to help you learning about Windows 7. They seem to be quite helpful. Windows 7 Videos

I have also added links to Microsoft training courses on Word, Powerpoint, Excel and Outlook. Check them out. Microsoft Office Training Courses

I would be glad to come to your school and do some training.

Time Toast Timelines

Below is an example of a Time Toast Timeline I made. Although it is supposed to be funny, I can certainly find tremendous educational value in this tool. Rob Paugh, our new TIS at BGJrHS, uses this tool and really likes it. Click on the photos and give it a try and see if you like it. Always remember to protect student identity when setting up accounts. The website is www.timetoast.com

SchoolPointe

Now that I have 15 followers...it is more fun to write a blog post. Before only my mom and Lee Jordan would read them.

I have been very encouraged on the implementation of the new website SchoolPointe. Two years ago we introduced Microsoft SharePoint as a web service to our faculty and schools; it was a great tool, but often difficult for the novice and apprentice users. Using that service allowed us to share and collaborate in a manner we could not previously. SchoolPointe presents opportunities for all users to create a professional looking site in efforts to collaborate and share data.

Please blog back on "Ways you think the website can be Used"

i.e: parents can download permission slips...

Web 2.0 Tools discussion from the Big Timers

This article takes a look at 3 big time educational technology leaders and they share their favorite web 2.0 tools. http://thejournal.com/Articles/2010/08/01/3-for-3.aspx?Page=1

Of the nine they talk about, I like:
1. Twitter: I have a blog post on this one.
2. Google Docs
3. Ustream

We have used all three of these tools in our school district. I find it encouraging to read an article about big timers and know that we are right in the game.

Frosty Winners

The frosty winners are:

Deana Clark

Gerri Hurt

Janet Martin

Shannon Bryant

Dianna Wolf

Tracy Imel

Gary Fields

I will bring you guys one next week sometime.