The project is moving well and updated information can be found at;
The Big CATS Project....
TelePresence with QiYi Primary School in Beijing
Whispering Wind Academy and QiYi Primary have entered into an agreement to partner across the boundaries. We are currently pursuing a grant for Telepresence technology from Cisco to facilitate the partnership, and beyond.
Technology is Plenteous
Technology is plenteous but by committee decree, it must be split equally amongst all of thee.
We always want more software we can place in our dock, but when it comes to PD, we’re stuck in our clock.
The ohh’s and the ahh’s echo our halls, but understanding total support, sometimes slides off the wall.
We always want more software we can place in our dock, but when it comes to PD, we’re stuck in our clock.
The ohh’s and the ahh’s echo our halls, but understanding total support, sometimes slides off the wall.
We know that our kids exhibit differentiated thinking, but substantial change in practice requires more than quick blinking.
How do we wrestle this thing called technology, when our system prefers focusing on content specifics like biology.
Why we have to bust our schedules, dispose of old ways,
Project-based, thematic instruction, integrating technology tools, but hey….
I know we can do it, a teacher taught me,
The little red engine can drive all three.
The Curriculum, the Instruction, the Assessment you see.
Teachers are magical, they guide the world to,
Towards democracy and citizenship for all, not just for you.
So buckle your belt, help steer the plan,
We’re bringing big pipes through our project, the wireless WAN.
For teaching and learning is more than math, science, reading and writing too.
It is the essence of life in whatever we do.
Technology can help, if we use it just right,
It can also cause frowns if we choose not to be bright.
Technology is now part of how we approach life,
Including time to turn it off, and have a real chat with one’s wife.
How do we wrestle this thing called technology, when our system prefers focusing on content specifics like biology.
Why we have to bust our schedules, dispose of old ways,
Project-based, thematic instruction, integrating technology tools, but hey….
I know we can do it, a teacher taught me,
The little red engine can drive all three.
The Curriculum, the Instruction, the Assessment you see.
Teachers are magical, they guide the world to,
Towards democracy and citizenship for all, not just for you.
So buckle your belt, help steer the plan,
We’re bringing big pipes through our project, the wireless WAN.
For teaching and learning is more than math, science, reading and writing too.
It is the essence of life in whatever we do.
Technology can help, if we use it just right,
It can also cause frowns if we choose not to be bright.
Technology is now part of how we approach life,
Including time to turn it off, and have a real chat with one’s wife.
3D Web
Web 3.0 Component - 3D Web
Well, as we get better with Web 2.0 (participatory web - podcasts, blogs, wikis, boards, collaborative apps, etc), there might be
a Web 3.0 function, forming around the bend. They are calling it "Second Life", or the "3D Web".
consortiums, individuals, teams, and organizations are starting to embrace it. Not much out there in K12 education (YET), other than "teen space"
type applications and communities. However, Ohio University and Harvard Law School, University of Michigan and many others are in it, then see what my daughter likes - see below. I love the "universal" currency concept
as exchange and economies unfold.
Now think 3D Web in K12....our kids already are!
After describing the proposed new Board Room to Jenna (6th grade), in 15 minutes she makes a little 3D layout and movie - note the flat panel displays, hanging from the ceiling (better tools and she could make better resolution). She said if I would email her a couple of pictures, she could make it more realistic....sigh....
Jenna's latest house design - I think I've seen over 100 designs for houses, gardens and cities....design, design, design.....hmmmhh....
Two Types of IT Directors/CTOs
There are typically two types of IT Directors (CTO's, Coordinators, etc.).
• Lock Down Mentality - don't let teachers and students change the settings, install software (go Open Source), etc.. This type of IT Director has a Business Services mentality and considers his/her role as being efficiency and effectiveness in support.
• Chaos Mentality - creates problems of its own, but employs a "freedom" type approach. Freedom to create and transform learning. This type of IT Director considers his/her role to be focused on transforming learning first, effectiveness second.
Which focus do you want - pick your poison. But remember, second order change requires bold leadership, or stick with the insanity you've already been doing. Guess which type of IT Director I am...;-)• Lock Down Mentality - don't let teachers and students change the settings, install software (go Open Source), etc.. This type of IT Director has a Business Services mentality and considers his/her role as being efficiency and effectiveness in support.
• Chaos Mentality - creates problems of its own, but employs a "freedom" type approach. Freedom to create and transform learning. This type of IT Director considers his/her role to be focused on transforming learning first, effectiveness second.
What is the mentality of your IT Director - is that what you want? If it is, good, you'll get it. If it isn't, help your IT Director experience the joy and magic of teaching and learning. It's "a good thing".
Push Open Source
It use to be hard to get educational administration to understand and embrace Open Source. It has become a lot easier. Examples of the evolution to embrace this movement include: Open Source was a big thread of presentations and workshops at NECC 2006; at PVUSD, we now have in our Technology Plan (developed by a group of Principals, Teachers, Administrtors and Parents), the bold statement, to include and embrace Open Source everywhere possible and appropriate; PVUSD recently switched from a commercial web filtering system to SquidGuard, saving the district some $40,000 a year; the Arizona Department of Education, a historical "Microsoft Shop", has implemented their largest internet based initiative, IDEAL - and it's all Open Source, Sakai. Phoenix Union High School District, utilizes MyDesk. On the list goes.
The point is, Open Source tools and K12 is a match made in heaven. Do the economic math of just one application, say web filtering. Hundreds of schools districts times, say $10,000 a year over 5 years, and, you get the picture. Now look at other solutions - office productivity tools, online survey tools, operating systems, servers, etc.. K12 needs to move on this and Push Open Source.
The point is, Open Source tools and K12 is a match made in heaven. Do the economic math of just one application, say web filtering. Hundreds of schools districts times, say $10,000 a year over 5 years, and, you get the picture. Now look at other solutions - office productivity tools, online survey tools, operating systems, servers, etc.. K12 needs to move on this and Push Open Source.
Tap the Students
100% of our reason for being here, and 80% of the IT brain trust....
We’ve all said it and we all believe it - kids and students are 100 percent of the reason for being here. Yet, for IT, they are probably 80 percent of the brain trust. We don’t take advantage of this fact. So, tap this talent pool, create the magic and teach them by being Facilitators of Learning, not didactic instructors of this standard, or that objective. Weave academic content and 21st century skills into the process.
Several good models have already been produced. One worthy of careful consideration is GenYes. A program initially funded in the late 90;s by the U.S. Department of Education, it is now being implemented in some 40 states. Labeled by the U.S. Department of Ed as the only “exemplary” model of professionally developing teachers on technology, it’s a winner.We’ve all said it and we all believe it - kids and students are 100 percent of the reason for being here. Yet, for IT, they are probably 80 percent of the brain trust. We don’t take advantage of this fact. So, tap this talent pool, create the magic and teach them by being Facilitators of Learning, not didactic instructors of this standard, or that objective. Weave academic content and 21st century skills into the process.
GenYes has an entire curriculum set for elementary, middle and high schools. Formal courses, or before/after school programs, all fully supported with past participants to help you get going. There are “teacher academy” angles, programs targeted for Girls (GIT), programs targeted for technical support, etc.. The point is, these kids, like all kids want to help.
Teachers know how to use aides, just get them out of only cleaning the blackboard. Make it real, let them show you how to integrate technology into the curriculum. Let them help support your technology, drive down your Total Cost of Ownership, and in the process they learn and help all of us learn, what skills are relevant and rigorous as we try to bring old school reading, writing and math to the front.
Online Environments
Get Educators into Online Collaboration Environments
We say we’re isolated, yet online collaboration tools exist....
Teachers are isolated to their rooms. Principals are isolated to their schools. Inservices, meetings, and the like, just put extra stress on the big time factor in our busy lives. Why not do what the students already practice? And yes, even some businesses are collaborating more and more online.
A whole series of tools, resources, solutions, whatever you want to call them, have begun to emerge with Web 2.0. Referred to as the Read/Write web, an evolution that allows us all to not just consume surfed web pages, but produce something back on the internet. The tools are called, podcasts, blogs, wikis, threaded bulletin boards or conferences, instant messaging, video conferences etc.. You can participate synchronously (online at the same time), or asynchronously (post and come back). But, they break down the barriers of time and distance. You can participate without leaving your school, your classroom, or your home.Teachers are isolated to their rooms. Principals are isolated to their schools. Inservices, meetings, and the like, just put extra stress on the big time factor in our busy lives. Why not do what the students already practice? And yes, even some businesses are collaborating more and more online.
All can participate, not just the loud or bold ones. Ideas become rampant, as peer review becomes the norm, rather than the exception. Imagine the possibilities of all three grade teachers, all Geometry teachers, all Principals, are provided and opportunity of inputting information, processing, then outputting. The record is kept, and the continual spiraling of thought and learning emerges. It’s powerful, and our choice is to participate, or remain isolated.
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