New laptop cart

I am in the process of adding a 25 laptop mobile cart to our inventory. This cart will be available for check out in for in classroom use. We also need to start encouraging our Juniors and Sophomores to sign up for dual credit courses this summer. The open enrollment date is today.

'To be a teacher you must be a prophet - because you are trying to prepare people for a world thirty to fifty years into the future.' -- Gordon Brown MIT

David Warlick

Les, Janie, and I attended a presentation by David Warlick Feb 22 at the Lubbock Christian University campus. For myself, I always am interested in what Mr. Warlick has to say about the direction that technology and school is taking. If you are not familiar with Mr Warlick you might go to http://davidwarlick.com/wordpress/ this website has the handouts from all of his lectures, among other information about web 2.0 and becoming a "Master Learner".

Promethean Board

To all of you with Promethean iwbs, and those who will get one soon:

Maybe we should get together sometime to share our experiences? I am still learning a lot about how this fantastic tool can benefit my students. I want to know more about using Web 2.0 interactive tools, and also the possibility of using a graphics tablet.

The graphics tablet would allow a teacher to wander the classroom more, increasing student
participation. A student could be at the iwb, but another student could manipulate the board from their seat. They could then pass the tablet to others. This would facilitate more interaction among students. In my class we pass a cordless mouse this way. Thoughts?
This is a link with info.

New Framework of Essential Skills for K-12

Information about the new framework can be found at http://www.cosn.org/framework/ the new framework addresses the professional development and technical literacy that schools will need to provide adequate technology education to our students.

CoSN is the Consortium of School Networking which is a professional association of school district technology leaders. They have been around since 1992 and are committed to using technology to improve teaching and learning.

From Charles Schulz, creator of "Peanuts."

I appropriated this from http://www.classroom20.com/
Les


Scroll through slowly and read carefully to receive and enjoy full effect

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.
You don't have to actually answer the questions just ponder on them.

Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies..
Awards tarnish.
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz.. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials... the most money...or the most awards.
They simply are the ones who care the most.
Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life, like I did.


'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia !'
Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Aristotle

Online Courses

Dawson ISD believes that all students deserve not only the best education possible but access to the most current learning technologies available. Because secondary classrooms have less flexible schedules, Interactive Online Learning for high school students will be provided by request. Online learning is a student centered approach to learning that will provide:
Comprehensive Courses that will enable our school to
Expand and provide more complex curriculum
Provide credit recovery year round
Support student advancement
Make the most efficient use of teachers and resources
The curriculum integrates academically rigorous, standards-based content with realistic applications in traditional academic courses as well as electives. These courses will be offered through the Tx VSN project during the fall and spring semesters and the Target Technology for Texas Collaboration Grant (T3) for the summer semester. Dawson ISD will provide a facilitator and counselor that will monitor the student’s progress during the online course.

Please discuss this with your students. For a complete listing of course offerings please contact me.

Here is great chat board that has sites for all teaching disciplines. I have learned many things here in the last two years.