Back in the Saddle Again

It has been a very long time since I last blogged.  But I'm "Back in the Saddle Again".    My apologies to the two readers I have...
I want to share a few of the things that have been very exciting in the Bowling Green City Schools this year.

• If you are not on the integration of technology bandwagon, you are way behind.  Many of the teachers at BGHS, BGJrHS and the Elementary Schools have worked hard and have begun to integrate new ideas which allow technology integration.

• Google Apps For Education:  If you have not set up an account... Do it today.  Check your email from Jay Morgan and get ready for a great experience.

• Edmodo has swept the district.  Many teachers have implemented this collaborative tool into their teaching work flow and the majority of students and parents have been very receptive.

• Chromebooks are trickling into the district and the reviews thus far are "really good".

• Thin Client and VM Ware View has breathed new life in old workstations and netbooks.  If you haven't tried a netbook lately... TRY IT!

• Teachmeet KY 2013 is happening on Oct. 3, 2013.  All the cool people will attend!!!  There are more from other districts signed up, which greatly disappoints me that more of BGISD peeps are not on the list.  Sign up at:  www.tmky.wikispaces.com

Engage Me: Don't Lay On The Tracks

Clearly my job is to encourage teachers and students to use technology in education.  It is a task I believe is very important and one that I am very confident helps teachers and students.  Not all educators want to promote the use of technology in education.  In my opinion, our world is changing.  Whether we like the changes or not, there is a locomotive of technology coming at us.  When can lay on the tracks and get run over or we can work on the train and help design lessons, strategies and projects that will teach our kids what will help them be successful in the world of work.  Realizing the emphasis placed on ACT and GPA's in our high schools, we still must not be so far removed as not to help them be more competitive in the work environment.  Everyone from firemen to Neurosurgeons rely on types of technology to be successful in their tasks at work.  Learners are changing the way they do things and we must adapt.  I yearn for better ways to solve problems, to think critically, to better collaborate and improve in communication in my current job.  I never wish I could memorize or regurgitate facts...

It has been a fabulous year in the Bowling Green City Schools; scores of teachers have embraced technology and without a doubt, we are leaders in our region and state as we implement technology.  Thank you for all your efforts.    I appreciate that ALL of you listen to ideas and tools that I share with you, not all implement...but the majority of you realize the direction we need to move.  Thank you.  As always, I am glad to work with you in whatever way that will help you and your students.

Appetizer Party

I spent a great day at Bowling Green Jr High last Monday.  We dusted off some of the response cards and talked about how we could use Turning Point Anywhere (an easy low maintenance tool) that we used to look at formative assessment within a classroom.  Thank you Mrs. West and the Junior High for using these tools in the classroom.

We also had a big appetizer party.  Mrs. West bought breadsticks, brownies and cinnamon sticks for those who stayed after school and attended the App-etizer Party.  We looked at all kinds of apps for use in the classroom and use at your own home.  I was very Appy to be there.  The ipad is revolutionizing how we do things.  Below is a site of 20 Apps in 20 Mins that Will King and I presented at the "hugely successful" Teachmeet KY.

Someone please plan another appetizer party at your school, and invite me!!!!!!!!!

Holes

Holes

I’ve been blessed beyond measure with the best job in the world; when you enjoy what you do it is not even like working.  I love the school environment (mostly because I had a great high school career), I enjoy working with and helping colleagues who have the same shared vision and desire to reach technological mountaintop accomplishments.  After twenty years of being an educator… I truly love the kids.   I do enjoy working with teachers, but it is sometimes a roller coaster ride; most of my professional development trainings are successful.  Teaching teachers can be tricky.  The group you present to often “know all the answers” or “ know little nor care about the topic” and rarely like to “not talk” while you talk.  Some want a step-by-step guide and some just want the direction in which to go.  At any rate, I still like it a lot!  Really, almost all of my pd’s have been good. 

            What happened last year and this year will be forever be an enduring part of my career.  I worked extensively with two of our elementary schools and helped teachers and students implement educational technology into the classroom.   2^nd graders, 4^th graders and 5^th graders worked on :  Edmodo, iPad apps, PhotoStory 3, Glogster, Discovery Education, Storybird, Animoto and lots more.  It all went great using the tools; the younger kids are very intuitive as it relates to embedding educational technology.  I was very pleased with the efforts of the teachers to allow me to work with them, but I did not expect what would happen next.  After working with the kids a few times, they started to like me and became excited to see me when I came back.  One of the students didn’t really know my name and called me Missssttter??? and then said Sir.  From that it stuck and all the students started calling me Mr. Sir in a kind and caring manner.  I would walk into the class a few days later and as soon as I walked into the room, sounds of Mr. Sir, Mr. Sir echoed.  I shared with them about the movie Holes and that Mr. Sir was in the movie and the book and he was one tough dude.  I felt like a real “Rock Star” every time I saw them.  School ended and I assumed the 5^th graders would have a fun summer, start the junior high and forget all about me.  Hmmmm  not the case.

Watch Mr. Sir - Skip to 25 seconds for the best story ever.

          

  I was asked to help one of the junior high teachers work on a dropbox  project just a weeks ago in her classroom.  I quietly walked into the rather large class and you guessed it, there were shouts of “Mr. Sir” echoing throughout the rather large classroom.  The teacher was a bit bewildered and astonished with my “Rock Star” entrance.  Most of you know me and know my head swelled two hat sizes on that day.  I felt pretty special.  Those of you who know me know that I am really not all that special; my mom and sisters think I am but to most of the world I am just another guy.  So what is the point to all of this jibberish?  I BELIEVE the opportunities the teachers provided last year helped the students to become more engaged.  They were allowed to work in an environment where “rigorous and fun” learning ensued.  The teachers I worked with were a bit apprehensive in the beginning last year, but I don’t believe any of them would change their instruction this year.  The only real problem is that the teachers I worked with are so confident in their abilities; they really no longer need me.  Remember you may not have to do a lot of technology, but you gotta do something. 

"Forget About It"

Landing at the Philadelphia, Penn. airport wasn't such a big deal, but when I crossed the Delaware River I realized that I was really in New Jersey.  Riding down the highway toward Atlantic City was not at all what I had imagined.   I had visions of black Cadillac sedans and graves lining the forests and some big brute saying "forget about it"; that's what I saw in the movies.  Actually, it looked a lot like KY, except there were tall pine trees and a lot of sandy soil.  I arrived at beautiful Stockton College and had an amazing time with some great educators from all around New Jersey and Pennsylvania. William King and  I presented several sessions and we were overwhelmed by the favorable reception we received.  So...why am I telling you all this stuff?  Bowling Green City Schools has some of the most innovative and talented group of teachers whose experience and talent are second to no one.  As I travel around the country to various conferences, it is clear we are doing some exceptional work in our district.  We are leaders in tools such as:  schoolpointe, turning point, edmodo, dropbox, animoto, intelligent classrooms, ipads, flipped classroom concepts and more.  We have a number of teachers who are truly "Rock Stars" when it comes to technology.   We also have a number of teachers who still need to consider using technology more effectively as a means to engage students.  Please contact me or your school integration specialist to assist in any of your projects.

Here are some upcoming events available for you:
Google in the Classroom                 9-4-2012           3:30-6:30      The Academy
Microsoft Innovative Educator        9-25-2012         3:30-6:30       The Academy
Teachmeet KY                              10-05-2012        8:30-3:30       WKU

Follow me on twitter:  @allenraymartin

Teachmeet New Jersey 8-23-2012

Less Time Grading, More Time Teaching.

¡Turning Point Anywhere

¡Turning Point 2008

¡Question Point

¡BrainPop

¡ResponseWare

¡Video of Skype and Turning Point

Tips for BGISD Educators - "A Must Read"

Welcome Back to School.  I would like to share some links and thoughts with you I believe will be of interest to you this year.

• Follow Me on Twitter @allenraymartin - if you have not signed up for twitter, I highly recommend you sign up and get your PLN (Professional Learning Network) On.  Many of our schools have accounts and are sharing great resources with each other.  Remember you do not have to get all of the tweets, think of it like a waterfall and grab a drink when you need it or have the time.  I recommend Hootsuite.  Hootsuite allows you to categorize your tweet feeds and follow specific hashtags.

• Edmodo has been a great success for our students and teachers.  I believe all of our schools have at least one teacher using this tool.  Veteran teachers who are slow adopters of technology are already raving about how they appreciate the tool.  Sign up using the shortcut on your desktop or by going to my edmodo page.  You will also find how to's for you and your students.

• BG Schools participates in E-Rate discounts from the federal government, as a result we save 70% on our communication costs (approximately $80,000 a year).  Part of the requirement is to teach Internet Safety to our students.  We have a couple of recommendations:
• Common Sense Media Lesson Plans
• Atomic Learning Tutorials and Workshops for Teachers and Students.

Below are a couple of websites that your STIS can help set up and account for you.  Should you need any assistance, let me know:

1. www.atomiclearning.com  (username: "your email")  ask your STIS  for the password
2. SchoolPointe Website (All teachers should have an active website)

Come To Teachmeet KY on Oct. 5 at WKU Randsdell Building