Integration vs Innovation

There is an interesting dichotomy in schools of what integration actually entails.  (I know it is early in the year and post to be throwing out the $10 words, but I just thought it was the right word for what I was wanting.)  There is an interesting TEDx talk by Richard Culatta that you only need to watch the first two minutes of the video and you will probably be able to name at least one person in your building or district that is doing what Richard Culatta is talking about.

We need more INNOVATION with the technology in our schools!  We need to be more TRANSFORMATIONAL with the technology as well!  We need to move WAAAAAAY beyond digitizing our curriculum.

How do we do this?  That is the Million Dollar Question!

I attended several session at ISTE this year that dealt with the Integration vs Innovation concept.  The thing that I have talked to teachers about with regards to this topic are several models of integration.  Each has its own flair and usefulness.  The three models are: SAMR, TPACK, and TIM.  I like the simplicity of the SAMR model with four levels of Integration/Innovation, as I will call it.  The TIM has a great matrix that allows a teacher/administrator to easily see where they are with regards to technology, not only themselves but their students uses.  The TPACK is the most complex and one that I am still learning more about.

I recently spoke with a couple of schools and challenged them, as a staff, to implement one of these models of Integration/Innovation.  I do the same to you.  Pick one of these models and  do a self-evaluation.  Are you just substituting/digitizing your material or are you innovating/transforming your classroom.  Change won’t happen overnight.  Raise yourself to the next level first and work your way up.  The next thing you know, you are transforming the learning of you students and being an Innovator.  Also don’t forget to SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!

gClassFolders

This summer I came across a script in Google Docs that will set up all the folders for your classes and save you time.  The script is called gClassFolders.  When you run the script, it will take you through the entire process.  The only information that you need is the Student’s name and email address, class(es) they are in, period (optional, but for multiple sections), and your email.  Instead of typing in all the information yourself, all you would need to do is create a form that the students would fill out with all the information that they need.

When you run the script, it will create a shared folder between just you and the student that can be used as a “dropbox” for assignments.  It will also create two more folders that are shared between you and the entire class.  One folder is for sharing documents that are able to be edited by everyone, and the other folder for those that are “view only” documents.  It puts the folders in the teachers “Drive” and the students “Shared with Me”.  

This script will save you time in creating all the folders for all of your classes.  When combined with a form to gather the information you are needing, except your email address, you will save even more time.

You can find a video showing the setup process here.

First year Reflection

Have you ever wondered where an amount of time went?  I am wondering where the last year has gone.  As I write this post, I have been at ESU7 just over a year.  My how time flies.  This time last year, I was still trying to sell a house four hours away while traveling back and forth those same four hours every weekend to see my family.  Thankfully the house sold quickly and I got my family to Columbus and settled in.  All total, my travel time on the weekends added up to 104 hours of windshield time.  That is a lot of miles, caffeine, fast food, and gas stations.

When I look back at the year and the people I have met, I wouldn’t change anything.  There are many amazing people that work at and in ESU7.  Also, I have had the chance to meet others from around the state through meetings, conferences, and twitter.  I have built a GREAT PLN of people that I can contact if I have a question that I can’t answer or can’t find.  The list is so big, it would take up to much space so I will just give a shout out to #nebedu and #nebedchat.

If several years ago I would have known what I know now, I could have been deadly in the classroom.  Not to say I wasn’t, but I would have been able to do so much more.  The learning curve has been great, but that is a good thing.  If I stop learning in this job, then I am really in trouble.  I know that there are many great conferences that I can and need to attend.  Picking the ones that won’t keep me away from a young family for a long stretch of time are the toughest.  But I know, and they do to, that it is helping me become better at my job of serving the teachers and schools of ESU7.

Thanks for a wonderful first year #ESU7!

ISTE 13 Reflection

I spent last week in San Antonio at ISTE 13.  It was a wonderful week of learning and collaboration.  There were many possible combinations of breakout sessions, poster sessions, play grounds, three keynotes, hundreds of vendors, and plenty of receptions to attend.  This type of conference allows a person to do, see and hear whatever they want to gain more knowledge in. 

For example, I was interested in Flipped/Blended Professional Development.  I attended several sessions that were very interesting and gave me several ideas of how I want to proceed with a Blended PD idea for ESU7. 

I also attended a session talking about Integration vs Innovation.  This session made me really think about what our schools are doing with the technology that they have in the hands of their students.  Are they just using it as another “tool” for writing a paper or are they enhancing the writing of the paper with the technology.  It is really something that in my job that I have to get across to the teachers of ESU7.  More innovation is needed.

Finally, the most important part of the conference for me was the collaboration time.  Sitting down, or standing, and talking to other teachers from all over sharing ideas and lessons has a big and lasting impact.  I had the opportunity to talk with people from many different states and several countries, Finland, Australia and Canada to name a few.  Also, having the opportunity to discuss findings with those in Nebraska that were at ISTE was a benefit as well.  That opportunity also allows for collaboration within the state on projects and much, much more.

I will most certainly be attending ISTE in the future.  It is well worth the travel, time, and money.  Hopefully ISTE 14 in Atlanta will be my next ISTE adventure.

NETA Follow-up

After a busy couple of weeks, things are starting to settle down.  NETA, for my first time, was a blur.  Between presenting the entire morning of the first day, then helping a Learning Web team in the afternoon, I did manage to get to one session on Thursday.  I listened to Jeff Utecht (@jutecht) talk about some Google Apps.  I did learn something new, which is always good. 

That evening was spent at Werner Park watching an Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game with several NETA attendees and speakers.  When Jeff Utecht said in that we dared him to put stuff into his Friday Keynote, which actually happened.

Friday was as much of a blur as Thursday.  Great conversations were had with many Twitter friends that now became in person friends.  I was also able to catch up with some former teachers from a previous school and even a student I had several years ago.

It was also a good week for me professionally as well.  Besides getting to present at NETA, I found out on Tuesday of NETA week that I was accepted to be a Google Apps for Education Certified Trainer.  I had taken and passed all the tests and became Individually Qualified (IQ) in November.  I finally got the application process completed in March, and a month later, I am now a Certified Google Trainer.