Comments on: Few and Far Between http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/ teaching technology abroad Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:36:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: The Energy to Focus on Change | always learning http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1980 The Energy to Focus on Change | always learning Sat, 01 Nov 2008 05:39:58 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1980 [...] Energy to Focus on Change 1 11 2008 Many of us are the lone voice of change in our institutions. Some may be lucky to have the support of their administration, or to [...] [...] Energy to Focus on Change 1 11 2008 Many of us are the lone voice of change in our institutions. Some may be lucky to have the support of their administration, or to [...]

]]> By: mscofino http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1376 mscofino Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:10:11 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1376 Rick, I think the thing to remember when working with teachers (on anything related to professional development) is differentiation. We need to work with our teachers, the same way we work with our students. Just like you say, we need to "meet them where they're at." Sometimes this can be frustrating for us, but building understanding at the individual level is the only way to bring about change. I also think you could very compellingly wrap effective and authentic technology integration training within the bigger picture of constructivist teaching. It might be a good way to get even more people on board. Always start with the pedagogy! Rick,

I think the thing to remember when working with teachers (on anything related to professional development) is differentiation. We need to work with our teachers, the same way we work with our students. Just like you say, we need to “meet them where they’re at.” Sometimes this can be frustrating for us, but building understanding at the individual level is the only way to bring about change.

I also think you could very compellingly wrap effective and authentic technology integration training within the bigger picture of constructivist teaching. It might be a good way to get even more people on board. Always start with the pedagogy!

]]> By: Rick Biche http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1306 Rick Biche Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:31:37 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1306 Trying to bring the echoed calls for change to those outside of these networks is hard. This post resonates with me right now as I contemplate how to run a discussion at the district level about what good technology integration is. I feel I have to meet those in attendance, as well as those later on, where they are at. Think about the great examples out there that those of us in the blogosphere know are excellent and that motivate us to try more. Many of those examples will be immediate turn-offs for people who may see a hill to steep to possibly climb. But should I abandon them? I want to bring them along. So I have to break it down. Where can a teacher who emails and wordprocesses go next? At what point is a teacher ready to manage the problem-solving nature of working with web 2.0 in a filtered/proxy environment? Or should I forget about the technology for now and just head for some constructivist reform? Thanks for posting this. Trying to bring the echoed calls for change to those outside of these networks is hard. This post resonates with me right now as I contemplate how to run a discussion at the district level about what good technology integration is. I feel I have to meet those in attendance, as well as those later on, where they are at. Think about the great examples out there that those of us in the blogosphere know are excellent and that motivate us to try more. Many of those examples will be immediate turn-offs for people who may see a hill to steep to possibly climb. But should I abandon them? I want to bring them along. So I have to break it down. Where can a teacher who emails and wordprocesses go next? At what point is a teacher ready to manage the problem-solving nature of working with web 2.0 in a filtered/proxy environment? Or should I forget about the technology for now and just head for some constructivist reform?
Thanks for posting this.

]]> By: mscofino http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1274 mscofino Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:17:38 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1274 Chrissy, Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! It is amazing how closely connected we all are! Your statement: "If one joins in with a project and is spurred onto more, I am thankful; If no one joins in, I am still thankful that I have the technology and the support to participate, and I remain hopeful that I can inspire someone to give it a go next time." perfectly sums up how I feel about these projects too! Jackie, I know how frustrating lack of access can be! What about making a timetable of all the classes blocking the lab and showing your principal? That was one of the key factors in our decision to move to an integrated model back in Munich (and now, three years later, they have no labs and are going 1:1 - pretty good progress, I think!) Jabiz, What a good reminder! I have felt that way in the past and it's so easy to forget the isolation now that I am working with such an amazing team. Thanks! Susan, Starting small, of course! The best way to convert teachers is through other teacher's success - another easy one to forget sometimes! Diane, Yes, I agree - admin is the key. Without them you're just fighting a loosing (and oh so frustrating) battle. Susan S, Seriously - I totally forget what a geek I am, it all just seems so exciting and cool to me! Ann, Yes! Those personal conversations are essential! Another easy one to forget... Hmm, I'm seeing a trend here: perhaps a post about the small steps that are easy to forget, but totally essential to the success of technology integration? leestepup, Time. Always our enemy. I know exactly what you mean - sometimes it's not my time that's the issue (although it can be), more often it's the class teacher's time. We just never have enough. Chad, I think those small groups are really important - you're doing with students what Susan was suggesting we do with teachers. Whatever we can do to build a support base is the essential first step. Chris, Thanks :) Chrissy,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! It is amazing how closely connected we all are!

Your statement:

“If one joins in with a project and is spurred onto more, I am thankful; If no one joins in, I am still thankful that I have the technology and the support to participate, and I remain hopeful that I can inspire someone to give it a go next time.”

perfectly sums up how I feel about these projects too!

Jackie,

I know how frustrating lack of access can be! What about making a timetable of all the classes blocking the lab and showing your principal? That was one of the key factors in our decision to move to an integrated model back in Munich (and now, three years later, they have no labs and are going 1:1 - pretty good progress, I think!)

Jabiz,

What a good reminder! I have felt that way in the past and it’s so easy to forget the isolation now that I am working with such an amazing team. Thanks!

Susan,

Starting small, of course! The best way to convert teachers is through other teacher’s success - another easy one to forget sometimes!

Diane,

Yes, I agree - admin is the key. Without them you’re just fighting a loosing (and oh so frustrating) battle.

Susan S,

Seriously - I totally forget what a geek I am, it all just seems so exciting and cool to me!

Ann,

Yes! Those personal conversations are essential! Another easy one to forget… Hmm, I’m seeing a trend here: perhaps a post about the small steps that are easy to forget, but totally essential to the success of technology integration?

leestepup,

Time. Always our enemy. I know exactly what you mean - sometimes it’s not my time that’s the issue (although it can be), more often it’s the class teacher’s time. We just never have enough.

Chad,

I think those small groups are really important - you’re doing with students what Susan was suggesting we do with teachers. Whatever we can do to build a support base is the essential first step.

Chris,

Thanks :)

]]> By: Chris http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1255 Chris Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:29:20 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1255 Yep, I needed to read that... your advice is sage and timely! thanks Kimbo. Yep, I needed to read that… your advice is sage and timely! thanks Kimbo.

]]> By: Chad Lehman http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1248 Chad Lehman Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:43:49 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1248 This post is right on the money. There is an online community sharing a ton of great stuff. I wish my online community was bigger, but there's only so much time for reading and blogging in a day. There is a network out there supporting each other and working towards getting our students ready for the future. However, there are also a lot more people not involved, not ready to take the necessary steps, and not even looking at technology at all. Most have pretty valid reasons, but that shouldn't stop them. I'm a library media specialist and don't have access to enough time with students, but I'm starting small. I'm working with small groups of kids on the side, hoping that small projects grow. Once they do, hopefully teachers will see how easy it is and will expand their teaching and learning. This post is right on the money. There is an online community sharing a ton of great stuff. I wish my online community was bigger, but there’s only so much time for reading and blogging in a day. There is a network out there supporting each other and working towards getting our students ready for the future. However, there are also a lot more people not involved, not ready to take the necessary steps, and not even looking at technology at all. Most have pretty valid reasons, but that shouldn’t stop them. I’m a library media specialist and don’t have access to enough time with students, but I’m starting small. I’m working with small groups of kids on the side, hoping that small projects grow. Once they do, hopefully teachers will see how easy it is and will expand their teaching and learning.

]]> By: leestepup http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1247 leestepup Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:19:19 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1247 Thank you Kim ... my constant dilemna: one can stand up in front of a group of educators and with passion and excitement, expound on Web 2.0, change, creativity, engaging students, etc, etc ... and when they look back at you with tired eyes, a shakey smile, a thank you and a promise to "give it a go" when they have time, you know that when they get back to the coalface it will be "a big ask". I just wish I could have time with each one of them .. for professional dialogue ... for hand holding .. and for sharing the highs when they have a small, but significant step forward with ICT. AND that's our challenge! Thank you Kim … my constant dilemna: one can stand up in front of a group of educators and with passion and excitement, expound on Web 2.0, change, creativity, engaging students, etc, etc … and when they look back at you with tired eyes, a shakey smile, a thank you and a promise to “give it a go” when they have time, you know that when they get back to the coalface it will be “a big ask”.
I just wish I could have time with each one of them .. for professional dialogue … for hand holding .. and for sharing the highs when they have a small, but significant step forward with ICT. AND that’s our challenge!

]]> By: Ann O http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1243 Ann O Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:21:52 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1243 You are right on the mark here. I've been getting involved with your "echo chamber" for the last nine months or so. Since August, I've really started interacting with the online community. I went to a local conference almost two weeks ago. I know that I was able to "keep up" with the theme (Education 2.0) because of my online education. I'm getting the students used to these online tools and showing the results to the teachers in the building. Hopefully, they will realize we have the capabilities to use this type of tool to provide our students with global collaboration. In my own personal teaching, I try to do something new every year with every class. I also try to get one more teacher in the building to hop on board with trying something new. Sometimes, the best I can do is keep reminding local teachers about the possibilities. The personal win for me this year has been finding conversations for professional growth. You are right on the mark here. I’ve been getting involved with your “echo chamber” for the last nine months or so. Since August, I’ve really started interacting with the online community. I went to a local conference almost two weeks ago. I know that I was able to “keep up” with the theme (Education 2.0) because of my online education.

I’m getting the students used to these online tools and showing the results to the teachers in the building. Hopefully, they will realize we have the capabilities to use this type of tool to provide our students with global collaboration. In my own personal teaching, I try to do something new every year with every class. I also try to get one more teacher in the building to hop on board with trying something new. Sometimes, the best I can do is keep reminding local teachers about the possibilities. The personal win for me this year has been finding conversations for professional growth.

]]> By: Susan Sedro http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1237 Susan Sedro Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:11:34 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1237 Thanks. I needed this reminder. It HAS become such a part of my daily life that I forget how "geeky" I am. Hopefully, this post has me back on track. Need a mantra of persistent baby steps. Thanks. I needed this reminder. It HAS become such a part of my daily life that I forget how “geeky” I am. Hopefully, this post has me back on track. Need a mantra of persistent baby steps.

]]> By: diane http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1230 diane Sat, 08 Dec 2007 17:38:22 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/12/08/few-and-far-between/#comment-1230 We seem to be the majority, and we're trying as hard as we can not to be silent. Sometimes I feel that the most I can give my colleagues is word recognition: if I mention something like del.icio.us often enough, at least they've heard the term and someday perhaps they investigate further. If only we could get our administrators on board! They agree with everything I say, in theory, then play the budget card, which trumps everything. Until there are state or national mandates - funded - here is the US change is going to come slowly. Thank goodness for virtual learning networks! We seem to be the majority, and we’re trying as hard as we can not to be silent.

Sometimes I feel that the most I can give my colleagues is word recognition: if I mention something like del.icio.us often enough, at least they’ve heard the term and someday perhaps they investigate further.

If only we could get our administrators on board! They agree with everything I say, in theory, then play the budget card, which trumps everything. Until there are state or national mandates - funded - here is the US change is going to come slowly.

Thank goodness for virtual learning networks!

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