Help Needed

I enjoyed today’s class and it stimulated a lot of new ideas, too many ideas. As I plan my final project I would love to attempt to do some heavy duty video editing, database development and web page development. However, time is a scarce resource so I need to begin to narrow my focus. In order to do this I could use your help. Do any of you know of a database that already exists that tracks student graduation progresss in relatrionship to Oregon grad requirements? If there is such a beast out there that is user friendly and free then I can choose to pass on that as a final project. Your thoughts are much appreciated J

Staff Survey

Staff Survey

Hole in the Wall

Professor Mitra’s “Hole in the Wall” experiment reinforced my continuing belief that we need to change the structure of our schools, or at least provide easily accessible alternatives for those whom our traditional model does not work for. Our traditional model does work for many students but it also inhibits many and without a willingness by our system to open up alternatives, without placing a negative connotation on them, we will continue to fail a large number of very intelligent students.

Better late than never :)

Our district has a strong vision for technology and it’s use in the learning process for quite sometime. However, our financial resources have limited the acquisition of hardware/software and training for staff to in order for us to fully utilize the many opportunities that technology opens up for our students.

Our current tech plan was written in 2005 for 2006-2009 and has been updated but not published as of yet. However, there are a few forward looking statements that can be found in this dinosaur, for example, “The student will become an “information architect” who uses the technology resources available to bring personal meaning and expression to knowledge.” In addition, as you look at our Education Technology Vision Statement you will see that our desired use of technology is centered on “learning”.

Education Technology Vision Statement

Technology is the catalyst that will continue to transform schools from what they were, into what they must become to meet our students’ needs as they grow into productive adults in the 21st century.

Our students will have the skills and knowledge necessary to make appropriate use of technology during their education, as members of the workforce, and as participating citizens in a global society.

Our teachers will embrace technology to enhance their teaching and their students’ learning. Technology will allow information, combined with human intelligence, to impact the power of knowledge to our students.

What Do I Want To Learn?

How can I find more time for my family and myself? How to catch a winter steelhead? If you can assist me in these two endeavors I would be forever in your debt. However, if this is even beyond the reach of this class I would like to figure out how to use technology to better communicate with my staff, students and families.

Currently I write a weekly newsletter for my staff called the “Monday’s Musings” where I focus on the positive things our folks are doing, highlighting their successes, and reinforcing their positive behaviors which are desired in our building. As of late I have been a bit negligent in publishing each weekly musing and blame it on a lack of time. Therefore, I hope that I can find a new medium, or more, to assist me in delivering these valuable messages.

In addition, I would like to develop a database that can be used to track our student’s progress towards meeting graduation requirements (CRLS, Essential skills, OAKS assessments, education plan, and work samples)