Comments on: Back from MACUL… Now what?

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:45:05 +0000

Lack of time to meet with staff seems to be the huge log in the road right now. Those of us that attended MACUL are of like minds… now we need to put those like minds together to figure out how to get the administration moving with us. For me, the building principal couldn’t be more supportive really… but the support needs to begin even higher to really make things happen. I’ve had one meeting with those folks and plan for another one before summer begins. I’ve always come back from MACUL filled with ideas and excitement but feel let down when the spark I carry back isn’t always readily seen by those in the trenches being bombarded daily by students, parent, curriculum, etc. I came back this year determined to keep spreading my spark bit by bit. After spending a couple summer weeks in Lansing working on tech infused lesson plans, I’m determined to push, pull, drag… whatever to make sure that our “tech plan” becomes an “Ed Tech Plan” in the very near future.

Enough ramblings from me! (for now)

By: mstdesign

mstdesign — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:13:05 +0000

OK Pam, when can you get to the other MS teachers? Since Info Tech is on its last legs, the impetus for integrating technology that is relevant and current is even more critical. As one of the teachers who, along with Sharon Ratzlaff, are always looking for new resources and trying them out in the classroom-even spending a day together on Spring Break at Panera surfing and chatting, I need my principals support to keep things moving forward. (how about that for a run on sentence…..)

Question for you and the implementation of course management systems in WLCSD. What is the status of Moodle? How does it compare to Hotchalk.com? Sharon and I spent some time exploring Hotchalk and really like the user interface (though I have not used moodle in awhile and I understand they were doing some overhauling). I also like the quick access to NBCnews video clips (3-5 min) on various interesting topics. You can imbed the videos as resources into a class assignment and then have kids watch a clip and take a quiz. We did not want to go too much further figuring things out (like what about kids who dont have an email) before we understood the WLCSD relationship with Moodle. What is happening at the HS level?

BTW-check out the edublog I made for the Math,Science, Technology Through Design in collaboration with Oakland Schools. mstdesign.edublogs.org

By: Ben Rimes

Ben Rimes — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:52:53 +0000

I feel for you on the limited time for staff development on truly meaningful work that utilizes technology. I’ve been fortunate to be given 3 hours next week for a tech meeting with teachers from around the school, and I’m looking forward to leading everyone through what they learned at MACUL, but in the long term, I can see a LOT of work that will have to be done (including getting my principal to MACUL next year) in order to keep technology relevant to our teachers.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:16:32 +0000

I just talked with my daughter’s principal today and I asked for some time to talk to his staff. I plan on sharing some of Andy’s material and some other tidbits that I picked up along the way. He was receptive to the idea and has suggested their staff meeting next month, hopefully it will come to pass!