Argument Writing

Today I was able to lead a pretty successful PD session for argument writing.  I think the staff is starting to come back around in seeing the Moodle as a valid resource again.  I just wish people would listen during professional development and not talk through the sessions.  Talk about rude....I'm always amazed how teachers can feel comfortable bringing papers to grade or clearly type emails while I am talking.  It makes it frustrating that sometimes teachers are worse than students when it comes to listening and paying attention.

A Vision for PD for the Year

Well, tomorrow after school Keith and I will attend the first Professional Development Committee meeting for the school year. As active members of the PD committee, Keith and I want to hear the vision for the school year and see how our PG goals can be realized within the scope and sequence for the year.  By the end of school tomorrow, we should have a clear plan in place for the school and should know what sessions will be offered to the staff this upcoming year.  Getting excited!!!!

PD, PD, and more PD

Well, the opportunities keep coming and I have begun to realize that as one travels into the realm of PD the pond just keeps getting deeper as teacher needs rise and opportunities abound.  Keith and I have found a dedicated group of teachers interested in planbookedu and the numbers keep growing with each passing day.  It's spreading like wildfire because teachers are always looking for ways to improve their classroom and be more efficient.  We have talked to ITL's in the building, met with interested teachers, and offered one on one tutorial sessions.  The school Moodle continues to be an excting place for teachers to create inspired lessons and we have been working on making it more user friendly for teachers.  In the coming weeks we plan to send out a needs survey to see what teachers need to know about using the Moodle with their classes and then will conduct follow up PD from there.  At this time we're not sure if it will be whole staff or after school break out sessions.  Common Core is still in full swing and Keith and I continue to look for ways to support that through our internship.  One way will be for teachers to log their lesson plans that meet Common Core while using a template created in Moodle.  It will allow teachers to select standards and upload content.  With teachers, we have realized that things must b simple and make their life easier.  No teacher want to add complication to their lives- no matter how beneficial.  Finally, it looks like we might offer a session on podcasts as there seems to be staff interest there as well.
     So, things are going well.  I'm exhausted, but satisfied that things are going smoothly.  I'm still not sure how I will add grad class on top of this busy schedule (class begins next week) but we'll see how it goes.  I only wish we could have taken this class over the summer since unlike previous summers, we only had one class to take (the very enlightening Admin course- can you sense my sarcasm?).  Two classes this summer would not have been too much, I could have focused on the reading, and then go into the school year with just my internship to focus on.  Call me crazy, but this just makes sense.  I have to ask someone about this....

PD well on its way...

So, teachers are back to work and PD is under way.  So far, we've been able to lead a PD session with technology on the Common Core, speak to ITL's about planbookedu and other technology resources, gather interest amongst the staff on planbookedu, begin discussions with staff on what kind of professional development they would like to see this year, and lead sessions on Moodle.  With staff interest at an all-time high, it seems that our internship is coming at a good time after all.  Now, if we can only stop all of this earthquake and hurricane non-sense, we might actually be able to get students in the seats to benefit from all of this PD.

A Productive Summer...

     I can't believe summer is coming to a close already, but at least I have a lot to show for it.  Keith and I agreed that if we have the time off we should at least get a jump on creating some of the resources we will need for professional development and our internship this year.  So far we have already created several powerpoint presentations and an interest survey for the staff.  I know once the school year begins it is going to quickly become overwhelming with a new school year, new students, grading, a final grad class, and our internship.  At least most of my pre-internship portfolio is finished (except for a few changes). 
     I have a lot of hope for this internship.  I really hope it can help my staff with all of the new mandates coming from the county and help create stronger collaboration within the school.  Right now everyone does a good job teaching in isolation but it would be nice to see the walls come down and have transparency amongst the staff.

A new partner, a new idea...

Wow!  It's been a while since I have posted.  I guess I've been enjoying summer a little too much.  But the good news- I have an idea, and a partner in which to help implement the idea.  Keith J is switching schools and will be joining me at MVMS.  Which means we can collaborate together for our internship and make a better product because of it.  I'm really excited!  I think we are going to focus on the Moodle and how it can help teachers with the Common Core role-out since that seems to be on everyone's minds anyways.  My big thing is that I want my internship to mean something.  I do not want it to be something I just do but something that will enhance my school culture.  I want to help my school embrace technology and allow it to make them better teachers and better administrators.  I think if we look at the Moodle and maybe google docs or planbookedu we might really get somewhere.

Back to the drawing board...

Well, so much for that idea!  I just heard back from central office and the answer is a big fat no!  Here the email that awaited me this morning:

Hello, Steve,
After much consideration and thought regarding the use of Turnitin as a tool to use with your graduate assignment, I have made the decision not to approve its use.  The arguments against its use overshadow the arguments for its use.  The tool is advertised as a college and university tool, with some public and private institutions electing to use it at the high school level as well.  

A tool which might serve many of your purposes is Writeonline. Folks at Hammond Middle piloted this writing tool this year- I believe- and can provide you with valuable feedback regarding its usefulness with writing instruction for middle school students.

I wish you much success with your project.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  Really?  After much consideration?  Why didn't she tell me this a month ago if ultimately it was her decision.  So much back and forth and waiting just to get this answer is quite frustrating.  I think sometimes people are afraid of new technology or even new uses of old technology and so they try to squash other people who are trying to be creative and innovative.  There is such a fear of the unknown that it is quite remarkable.  Now I'm not even sure what direction to go in.  Wow, talk about frustrating...