One Word

Collectively a team, group, club, community, or school staff can create a pretty comprehensive “to do” list, resolutions, and/or goals, (personal and corporate). To this end they then can move forward working to “check off” their accomplishments as they move through the year. Often we miss the mark in checking everything off the list and our resolutions (albeit important) tend to fall by the wayside. So  there must be another way to set goals and remain focused.

This month our school staff opted forgo the traditional New Year’s resolutions and decided to select a single word that would represent our goals, vision, and focus for 2014. We each selected that single word to represent our focus for 2014.

Jon Gordon, author of “One Word that will change your life”, explains that by narrowing your focus to a “one word” vision you add clarity and focus to your year.  Gordon’s January 1, 2014 appearance on the Today Show solidified my decision to begin this process.  You can learn more about selecting your “One Word” by checking out Mr. Gordon’s website: 

http://getoneword.com/

Here’s a sample of the “One Words” from the staff at Francis Howell Middle School: Perseverance, Relationships, Character, Motivate, Risk, Balance, Ambition, Embrace, Sacrifice, Dedicated, Encouraging, and Strengthen.

Soon our student community will begin the process of selecting their “One Words” in their Character Connection Classes. Keep us posted on your journey and if you feel like it, share your “One Word” with us.

It’s time for Snow-cial Media

When life gives you a snow day- make Snow-cial Media work for you. In maximizing the best facets of our snow day/s, there are a plethora of avenues to pursue in order to feel productive and validated. You definitely need to take time to shovel the driveway or build a snowman, but you can also spend time relaxing, reading, reworking projects, or renovating your social media venues.

Making the best of your snow day using Snow-cial Media…

·         Start/Continue/Finish reading “that book”:  I have several books on my iPad that I’ve started reading. So on my first snow day, I carved out some time to simply read.

·         Write a Blog post: Many of have our established blogs. For some our initial initiative to blog weekly may not have come to fruition. So… take this snow-cial media opportunity to write a blog (or two). It will help rejuvenate your Blog (or keep you on track).

·         Participate in a PLN chat: Take this time to branch out. Look into other chats that you would not normally participate. This is a new way to expand your PLN.

·         Unearth educational websites: This is a great time to carve out time to what new websites you can use as secondary resources to implement in your classroom, share with your teachers, or parents. Www.canva.com is home to Canva. This is what I used to create the picture insert for this blog post.

·         Research APPs: this is a great time to delve into APP research and discover new tools to use to maximize productivity, enhance learning, and increase your creativity. Compliments of @2Guysshow I discovered @Gosphero). Also, I just came across Thinglink. This APP allows you to insert video and text into your pictures.

·         Watch a Podcast: For example, three Social Media leaders here in St. Louis led out a Snow Day PD session today on “Social Media in the Classroom”. Check out this podcast on Google Hangouts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gtlM5Dg1AQ

·         Educate staff and parents: This is a time to prepare information tweets, blogs, or video letters for your community. I plan on using this forum to help educate parents on some of the social media venues their children are using which they should be monitoring (i.e. askfm.com).

I hope you are able to relax during your next Snow Day. Who knows, if time permits you might be able to turn your snow day into a Snow-cial Media Day!!!

Taking your game to the “Next Level”

As we will soon enter the year of 2014, there is no time like the present to consider making few changes or adjustments to how you are embracing 21^st century learning. Look at the new year as a way to broaden your perspective with technology in the classroom, understanding the different facets of Common Core, and/or embracing Social Media. Below are six areas where you could consider beginning or enhancing this journey.

·         Follow a Twitter Hashtag: A very easy way to increase your understanding of social media and the multitude of benefits it will bring your way. A several hashtags  (or accounts) that I’m following include: #Venspired, #2Guysshow, #cpchat, #txed, #satchat, and #edchat, #flippedlearning, @cybraryman1 and #moedchat

·         Participate in a new PLN Twitter Chat: By doing this you will be able to learn from experts in your field.

Simply join a specific chat. Here’s a link to a pretty comprehensive list of chats:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiftIdjCeWSXdDRLRzNsVktUUGJpRWJhdUlWLS1Genc&usp=drive_web#gid=0

I’ve learned quite a bit from #moedechat, #txed, and #satchatwc.

·         Embrace a new APP in your classroom: Thanks to Brett Catlett (@catlett1) I just learned about Flipagram. This APP allows you to design a picture collage using pictures from your Camera Roll, edit them and add music. Then you have a picture story. I just created two Flipagrams. One that chronicles our first semester at Francis Howell Middle and another that celebrates my oldest son’s first year marching with the Blue Stars Drum Corps.

·         Look at Augmented Reality as a tool for your classroom. Taking the APP process one step further, you will actively engage your students from the onset when you use AR Apps. www.twoguysandsomeipads.com is a great place to check out some pretty cool AR apps. Brad Waid and Drew Minock are leading experts in this area.

·        Look at implementing a new Social Media Tool to enhance the learning experience. Evernote, Google Hangouts, Backchannels, Google+ are all important tools that will help you become organized,  advance your understanding of technology, and help connect you and your students to new facets of 21c.

·        Read a forward thinking book: There are several books out there that can push you forward, solidify your pedagogy, or enlighten you. Frederick Hess’ Cage-Busting Leadership is a great read. You can even participate in a Twitter Book Chat.  Presently #moreads and #moedchat chat are leading out a chat focusing on Daniel Isenberg’s Worthless, Impossible, and Stupid. Finally, Dave Burgess’ (@burgessdave) Teach Like a Pirate has been a very popular Twitter Book chat. You can also follow the #tlap for continued professional development.

There is no time like the present to broaden your understanding and application of educational resources of the 21^st century. Those listed above can be of great resource for you as you continue this incredible journey!

Reframing Professional Development

As we continue to move forward will all facets of our educational transformation, it is important to include PD in this movement. We must move beyond the traditional “sit and get” format and reframe our Professional Development. Authentic PD encompasses the needs of students, teachers, and administrators. By implementing a variety of formats and presentation styles within your PD will best benefit the educational professional. Knowing that your staff learns, processes, and acquires knowledge in different ways, it is paramount to design your PD around those information acquisition styles.

I’ve found the following to be quite beneficial formats for Professional Development:

·         Flipped PD

·         Google Hangouts

·         Podcasts

·         Twitter Chats

·         PLNs

·         Edcamps

There are a multitude of formats and ways to deliver Professional Development.  As you discover or implement different successful formats for PD, I’d like to hear how it goes!

Taking “Student Voice” one step further…

I hear from multiple colleagues saying that by empowering “student voice” in their schools it has re-energized classroom instruction. As we move further along in our educational journey, we need to continue to branch out and look at new ways to further this cause.  There are multiple ways to achieve this goal. One way is by utilizing the “backchannel” feature of different websites or programs. In researching ways to incorporate the “backchannel into the classroom, faculty, meetings, or for Professional Development, we’ve learned that one particular tool has made a positive impact. The “backchannel” feature of Todaysmeet has helped transform different classroom settings in our school.

It is important to note that is not the purpose to merely introduce new technology to students for technology sake, but instead to have an educational purpose (with a vision) as you introduce the new tool. The “backchannel” will allow multiple students to participate in classroom discussions at the same time while completing other assignments or activities. This collaborative tool gives merit and worth to “student voice”. Look at it as a way of “thinking out loud” without talking! Our students need additional ways to process, gather, and share information and the back channel format is an excellent tool for them to use.

Keep me posted on how you are using the “backchannel” in your classroom!

2013 Edublog Award Nominations

Often we go about our everyday business in our world of education without giving a thought to thanking those who have inspired us each day. Today, as we move at the speed of light, it’s nice to slow down just enough to recognize those who are doing great things in the area of Social Media.

Well, thanks to edublog (www.edublogs.org), it is time for the 2013 Edublog Awards (www.edublogawards.com ). Recognizing exemplary work in the arena of blogging is something they’ve been doing for nine years.

I am nominating the following blogs for this award:

·        Best Teacher Blog: @venspired  / Venspired.com   By Krissy Venosdale

·        Best Ed Tech Blog: @2Guysshow  / Twoguysandsomeipads.com  By Brad Waid and Drew Minock

·        Best Administrator Blog: @ideaguy42 / aprincipalspeaking.com  By Bob Dillon

Look for the voting to open soon. Let’s recognize these innovative educators.

The Twitter-Preneur

From the beginning of time we have had entrepreneurs. Most recently we were introduced to “teacherpreneurs”…and indeed we also have TwitterPreneurs. These lead learners are blazing a trail through 21^st century learning and on a daily basis they are embracing best practices within the Social Media framework. These advance-thinkers are “branding” new ideas each and every day. They are boldly going where no educator has gone before…

As a classroom teacher, the Twitterpreneur is… using a PLN to further advance an understanding and application of advanced applications of technology. They are reaching out to find the latest innovation that will help inspire, encourage, and engage student learners. These Twitterpreneurs are leading out chats, blogging about their discoveries, and hosting podcasts. They help empower those around them to also embrace the power of Twitter. Innovative Apps are the norm in these classrooms! Finally, these leaders are transforming the classroom experience for our students.

As an Administrator, the Twitterpreneur is… leading by example with research, blogs, and support of teachers and staff with the transition into Social Media. Administrators are also lead learners who are promoting the significance, importance, and necessity of Twitter and Social Media in the 21^st century educational setting. They are leading out online book studies, hosting chats and podcasts. They are challenging their peers to join them in this journey. They are Twitter pioneers. Finally, these leaders are transforming how their schools and districts view and use Social Media as an educational change agent.

It is time to advance the positive power and understanding of Twitter and how it can positively impact learning today. Are you a Twitterpreneur? Tell me about your innovative work!