Why I love my job September 23, 2007
Posted by Dottie Black in : Uncategorized , add a comment
Last Thursday was our first full day of training for this year’s K-12 Technology Mentors. You will soon see their profiles. At the end of the day, I asked them to use our wiki to write a reflection of what we had done that day. Robin shared these “Big Ideas” she came away with:
Ethics of how we use material, what we post, how we give credit
-How to think critically about the information that we find on the web, Is it valid? What are the writers purposes?
-How can students use these tools as a way to share their own thinking and creations.
Wende was thrilled to have the time to learn about all of the tools that Durham Public Schools have available for teachers. “I found out that there are many programs available right on the DPS network. I made sure that I had all of my logins and passwords so that I can access these resources at home and school. My co-workers are going to be so excited to see and use all of these hidden gems”
It is truly a joy to work with teachers who see the value of learning new things.
The plate is too full September 18, 2007
Posted by Dottie Black in : Blogging, Uncategorized , add a commentLast week I met with two teachers about a project to save our local YMCA. They were passionate about the project and how excited their students were about participating in saving a community treasure. During the conversation I mentioned the blogs I read. They both squinched up their faces and said they didn’t have time to do that. I gently suggested that there were some excellent authors on the web that had really influenced my thinking about education. As I usually do in these situations, I backed off. I will wait for the appropriate moment to share a blog that will be meaningful to them. Then this afternoon I read Chris Lehmann’s post about not blaming the teacher for being technologically illiterate. He had some excellent points to make.
A few months ago I read this blog post by Greg Farr. I was so impressed that I sent it to a middle school teacher and asked her to pass it on to her principal. He was so impressed that he made it mandatory reading for the next faculty meeting. Chris and Greg, like all teachers, won’t ever know how many teachers and students they have positively influenced. I’m just glad they blog and that I can share it when they do.
A New School Year and a New Look September 17, 2007
Posted by Dottie Black in : Blogging, Technology, Uncategorized , add a commentWelcome to the new face of the Pepsico K-12 Technology Mentor Program. I decided to move my previous website into a Wordpress blog to make it more flexible and accessible to the teachers I am working with. I hope you like the new design. As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated.
Last fall I attended the NCETC in Greensboro. The keynote speaker was Will Richardson. In his presentation, he showed the list of blogs that he reads on a regular basis. He refered to the list as his textbook and the authors as his teachers. Over the past year I have come to understand what he was referring to. I have learned so much from Will and David Warlick and several other leaders in the K-12 technology field whose blogs I read regularly. I hope I have a chance to teach my new audience some of the great things I’ve learned from my new teachers and from being a part of the Duke Center for Instructional Technology. I am looking forward to a very productive year.
