Okay...so I skipped October and November...I'm sorry!

Alright...so I am not so good at this blogging thing as I previously thought I would be...or I just don't have enough time???

First I want to apologize for not being able to get the White Oak District Tech Buffet thing together like I thought I could. We have had so much going on with the Tier One Rollout (hopefully many of you are enjoying your new laptops while reading this blog) and a lot going on at my schools!

White Oak High School has started a Tech Buffet and has had three sessions to date. I think it is going well and hope the teacher's are enjoying it as well. We have 5 sessions left with a lot to learn.

Just in case you didn't know, the Spring Staff Development list came out last week. There are some great technology classes being offered. I encourage all of you to take as many of these classes as possible! I will be teaching Blogging and Wiki's and SmartBoard (as far as I know???)

Okay, now for some fun stuff! I heard about two great videos on YouTube and thought you would enjoy them. But before I give you the two videos, I found another video on YouTube that talks about both of these videos and a couple other interesting tech tidbits. Here is the link to that video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f9kn6LMz6g . The Wii video is ingenious! It is about a man who uses his Wii remote, projector and LED pen to create an interactive Whiteboard (if any of you try this...I better be one of the first people you show!!!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s5EvhHy7eQ The second is about Fair Use and Copyright and is pretty cute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJn_jC4FNDo . I hope you enjoy all 3 of these videos!

As always, if you have a great project idea, need project ideas, need an extra hand in the classroom for you tech. project, please let me know! Merry Christmas and I will try not to be off the blog for so long next time!

Gretchen

Ideas for White Oak District Tech. Buffet

Okay...so this year is already crazy! (In a good way! I am staying busy.) I know you all think I have forgotten about my idea for the White Oak District Tech. Buffet but I have not...just no time to plan. Here are the ideas I have so far for 1 hour long sessions to equal 1 CEU credit. This is your last chance to throw in ideas. This is not a final list, and some of these may NOT be included in my final course.
-Using Geometer Sketchpad
-Using Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom
-Using NC WiseOwl in the classroom
-Using MS Publisher in the classroom
-Using MovieMaker in the classroom
-Using/Creating Webquests for the classroom
-Using Excel for Graphing in the classroom
-Blogging and Wiki's in the classroom
-Computer Troubleshooting
-K-12 Computer Skills Curriculum - What are my responsibilities as a Teacher?

Okay...again, last chance to throw out ideas...I want to start this by the end of October so...go ahead and let me know! Gretchen

Do you make a difference???

I am posting a link to a video I just watched, and would love for you all to watch it, too! However, I am warning you, there are a couple of bad words...but the message that is carried across is too good to ignore! The video is called, "What Do Teachers Really Make???" Enjoy!

Gretchen

Start of a brand new year....

Wow! That is all I can say for a great beginning of the 2007-2008 school year! Here is what I have been up to so far...so if you think I have been ignoring you that is NOT the case...we just need more of me to go around! haha...seriously, I am NOT kidding!

I held a great training session with the Onslow County School Social Workers! They are excited to try a new electronic version of all of their forms! This should help them while working with your children at your schools!

It was wonderful to see such a great turnout on the first day back for teachers at the District Wide Strategic Planning event! I got to hear some wonderful ideas in relation to technology integration! It was fun seeing teachers from almost all of my schools in the same building...what an easy way for me to catch up with everyone! (Can we do that again...saves me gas and time...lol!)

I have met with several of my school's classified employees about their new electronic timesheet! This should save them a lot of time when keeping record of when they work! (If you are a classified employee that has not met with me...please send me an email!)

Go Silverdale! I had a productive workshop with several of the 4th and 5th grade teachers (and some encore, too!) on Unitedstreaming! I am looking forward to seeing some great projects come from that!

Class of 2008 Seniors!!! I am excited to say that I am going to be helping with the WOHS Senior Graduation Projects this year! I will be meeting with them throughout the year and teaching them about Fair Use Guidelines, Copyright, Evaluating Web Resources and learning about many software programs available to them to help with their final presentations! (If you are interested in helping with the Senior Projects, I am sure Karen Rose at WOHS would be willing to accept your help!!)

I have also met with several teachers about upcoming projects for their classrooms! I think it is going to be a busy year! If you have an idea, or want me to suggest ideas for your classroom, please do not hesitate to contact me...you all have my email and phone numbers! I am looking forward to a busy year!

See you soon,

Gretchen

PS...When leaving a comment or emailing me, please make sure you put your school. I have so many teachers, and I do forget (sometimes) what school you are at...I am trying to remember all of you...but in the mean time, please put your school!!!

Accessibility of the Blog...

I have had many emails asking when will my blog be available on the school computers. As most of you know, if you pull up my blog at one of the schools, you get the grandma and grandpa picture...(which you also know I hate...lol). However, right now this is not something that is in my control. Right now, most blogs are blocked within Onslow County, as are things dealing with podcasting, wiki's, etc.

I am hoping with the push of "21st Century Skills", that this is something that will soon go by the wayside...until then...send me your comments from home!

PS...if anyone wants to start planning some technology rich lessons before school starts, send me an email, and I will put you on my calendar! Have a great July!!!!

Gretchen

Technology Buffet for the White Oak District

I want to hold a bi-weekly class just for the teachers and TAs in the White Oak District of Onslow County Schools. Each week the topic would be different areas of technology (ie. learning new technology tools, how to integrate technology into your curriculum, etc). Teachers and TAs will have the opportunity to get credit for these classes. They will have to take a minimum of 10 hours. Each class will be 1 hour in length.

In order for teachers and TAs to get credit, I will have to plan for these classes over the summer. I will need to turn my topics into CJ Koreneck before school starts. I would like to get feedback from administrators, teachers and TAs in the White Oak District to see what they are interested in learning.

Please add your comments to my blog. This blog is new and I will be updating it throughout the summer and this upcoming school year. My goal is to have an ongoing conversation about technology within the White Oak District.

Hope to hear your comments! Have a great summer!

Thanks, Gretchen