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Re: Jumping into the 21st Century: One Teacher’s Account

Robin Ellis — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 12:54:10 -0000

I believe one of the key issues Shelley points out is as educators try different ways of engaging students it is difficult, and there are times when the easiest thing would be to go back to the way that was tried and true, regardless of the level of interaction. We do need to remember the struggles are necessary steps in scaffolding for us as well as for our students as we push them to become more independent in their thinking, asking them to take more ownership in their learning. Shelley is definitely making a positive shift in her own learning as well as that of her students. I look forward to learning more with her as she continues moving in this direction.

Re: Off the Hook (My Response to @mcleod)

Robin Ellis — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:41:17 -0000

Lots of great comments here, mine takes a little different course. As long as "technology" is still considered something one does in a classroom in addition to the curriculum being taught, and not thought of as just another resource to use, this conversation will go on forever. When will we stop having technology departments and technology staff? Continuing to separate technology out as something to be learned in addition to all else keeps it as an add on.

I do believe when people are pushed it should be done with love, patience and understanding, change is difficult and some perceive it to be threatening. I would ask though, when there is a decision around curriculum, say a district decides to implement a new math or science curriculum. Teachers receive training, do you believe every one who goes through the training feels they know the new content inside and out before they actually teach it for the first time? My guess would be no. Do schools provide support for anyone who is uncertain every period that uncertain person teaches a new concept? My guess again would be no. So why is this (technology) different?

When will a technology person and a curriculum person become the same person? When will we stop having technology workshops or technology professional development offerings? When will we get to the point that all professional development supports whatever resources are applicable within the context of the curriculum and we remove the word technology from the conversations?

Re: The Most Important Post of the Year, Valedictorians, and Getting Out As Soon As Possible

Robin Ellis — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:27:57 -0000

I think this statement from her address is very true, not only for those who have graduated recently but also for parents who have had children graduate from high school. I know both of my own children would be able to relate to what Erica says here.

"This is the dilemma I've faced within the American education system. We are so focused on a goal, whether it be passing a test, or graduating as first in the class. However, in this way, we do not really learn. We do whatever it takes to achieve our original objective."

The goals do seem to focus on how well students do on standardized tests, what their class rank and GPA are, what schools one has applied and been accepted to. I can't say my own children truly enjoyed what they learned at school or enjoyed how the learning took place. It was pretty much follow the lecture, take notes, study for the test, move on once the test was done. They did enjoy the social aspect, but enjoy and learning were not two words that went together in many conversations over the years.

I wonder if we will ever get to the point where our focus shifts away from the stringent set of goals most pursue now, and we move to include joy in learning, that it be a goal.
Thanks for posting this, gives lots to think about.

Re: Teaching Teachers that Teach Teachers

Robin Ellis — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:03:46 -0000

I think it is a good idea to blend the two, you will be building a PLC, but you also want people to understand the changes which are taking place all around us, and the expectation ( I am assuming) that those you have hired are open minded educators willing to take risks and stretch their own thinking. I agree with Jethro, it isn't about the technology, it is about student learning , but isn't it also about the learning of those you have hired?

The suggestions some of us made would hopefully push ideas of conventional classrooms and pedagogy, open the door to conversations of how the changes in the world today, due to the technology, have changed how we live our lives in some respects. This is all about building a PLC, but I think, and Darren please correct me if I am wrong, a foundational goal of this PLC is to also build a culture of change.

Re: Media Technology Specialists

Robin Ellis — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:46:26 -0000

There are times you must begin anew, and this is one of them. With a position like this, not all current library media specialists will be comfortable with the role described, nor will all agree, as you found out today, with the role you envision. We know many who would embrace what you have posted as an ideal position, and love the opportunity to work in an environment which supports this role, but if you don't have individuals with this philosophy currently, you cannot afford the luxury of time to convince someone this shift is necessary. Congratulations on having the vision and support to post for this position Darren, too bad Utah is so far away, because it sounds like a job I would love to have :-)

Re: Taking Your Network With You

Robin Ellis — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:45:30 -0000

When I read Steve's post and asked the question I had a feeling you might be the one to take on the challenge of figuring something out and you have done a fine job I might add! This would be a great tool to enhance conference attendance IMHO. Having Ustream and Twitter available side by side for sessions and the backchannel would be very easy, and setting up a pageflakes pagecast isn't too difficult, once you find the right embed codes, they are easy to share too. Good work as usual Darren.

Re: Change

Robin Ellis — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:54:22 -0000

Congratulations Darren, you wil be an asset to the Canyons School District. Great opportunities are ahead and probably some challenges too, but very exciting to be in a position to build a community and follow through with a vision I am sure you have been thinking about for some time now. Glad to hear you will be taking the network with you, I am sure there will be times we can lend a hand.

Re: The Role of Leadership in Technology Integration

Robin Ellis — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:05:39 -0000

Darren, I struggle with this all the time. As one who provides professional development in a district, I struggle with teaching teachers about technology available to infuse into their curriculum, knowing if they do begin to enhance their lessons with new web tools, the administrator in their building may have have a strong background and may not support what they are doing. Where does technology leadership fit into an administrator's role? I know I have asked to offer an administrator's academy, centered on what is now available for teachers and students, administrator's too, but am always told, administrators have so many responsibilities, this is not something of importance. How can I make it important? I know it is, but I am not sure how to convince others.

Re: Cool Cat Teacher Blog: The "C" Word: Are you Salve or Sandpaper?

Robin Ellis — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:27:44 -0000

Vicki, My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom and your family. News like this is always unexpected and takes time to fathom. Through faith you will all find strength and grace as you deal with this.

Re: Improving Instruction, Now

Robin Ellis — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:23:32 -0000

Great post Darren. I believe all four of the concepts discussed are necessary to help us all teach better. Taking time for reflection is the key, videotaping is a great tool for this. We all think we know how we are explaining or teaching something, but thinking and seeing are two different things. We have all been there, sitting in a class or a professional development workshop thinking to ourselves the professor or the presenter doesn't have our attention, we are bored, not listening. Do we really believe our students don't look at us in the same light? We can all benefit from constructive criticism, I will take all the help I can get.

Re: If I Can Do This, Anybody Can

Robin Ellis — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:58:19 -0000

Maybe because it was your brainchild. You ask the million dollar question and the answer is absolutely, of course those who joined us should be trying to do the same thing. Wish I had an answer why no one is. Everything we used is free, all you need is a few accounts, computer, camera, internet access.

Maybe for some managing all of it on their own is too much, not that they could not ask for participation. Maybe time is a reason why some don't try, we put a lot of time into our sessions, planning, testing, reflecting. I wish I had an answer, risk is a factor too, you have to be willing to take the risk something won't work

I have had people contact me recently asking if we are doing it again, so there remains interest in attending, the interest in leading is what appears to be less appealing.

Re: If I Can Do This, Anybody Can

Robin Ellis — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:54:50 -0000

Congratulations Darren, what a great opportunity for you yesterday! You are the best one to share the experiences from OpenPD, proud to be part of the endeavor, wish I could have been there yesterday to hear you, and applaud you. You are well on your way to changing the world each and every day.

Re: Making Informative Decisions Based Upon the Research of Others

Robin Ellis — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:33:13 -0000

Your statement concerning the responsibility to effectively teach reading throughout the curriculum lies with every educator parent and responsible adult is right on. Several years ago my district recognized the need to support reading across the curriculum and obtained grant money to create positions of literacy coaches in our middle and high schools. These were teachers who would support all core content area teachers in teaching reading in their subject area, not just in RELA classes. All of our secondary teachers received RELA training, the literacy coaches were funded for two years, and the positions were staggered. Along with the coaches, in our middle schools the daily class schedule was altered to add 30 minutes every day to one period, and that extended period changed daily so each teacher, regardless of content area, had one extended period a day to reinforce teaching strategies in their content area along with the assistance of the literacy coach.
The literacy coaches in the high school and 9th grade center worked with content area teachers as well, but I believe they faced more challenges in terms of people being open to this idea of teaching anything outside of an individual's core content area.
In PA our state mandated tests center on RELA and Math, this approach facilitated through the literacy coaches helped to spread the responsibility of success of RELA PSSA scores across the curriculum as well. As Spellings states the consequences of poor reading skills for all has an extended reach which impacts one's daily life and the potential to achieve.
Great post Darren.

Re: Success In Distance Teaching

Robin Ellis — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:14:53 -0000

There is another book entitled What Works in K-12 Online Learning by Cathy Cavanaugh and Robert Blomeyer which may be a good starting point for anyone developing online learning courses. The book discusses developing quality virtual courses and selecting instructional models as well as PD for online teachers.