March 4-8

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Don Climer's Physical Science students study "The Chemistry of Fireworks"

Reggy Dowlen's students work on multimedia presentations 

Angela Bates' Honors English class dress in character

Beth Halbert's English IV students use technology to complete book reports

Diane Bennett and Judy Eastman attend FETC

FETC Orlando Convention Center

Sessions Hall at FETC

I attended the Florida Education Technology Conference in Orlando for four days this week; therefore, this journal entry will  mostly cover the FETC conference even though technology integration efforts continued at our school with use of the wireless, our library, and our desktop lab as described below.

Technology Infusion Efforts
Don Climer's Physical Science students accessed a website recommended in their Glencoe textbook for his wireless lesson.  It centered around understanding "The Chemistry of Fireworks."  Students processed answers to such questions as, " What are the component parts of fireworks? What chemical compounds cause fireworks to explode? What chemical compounds are responsible for the colors of fireworks?"   They explored the history of fireworks, when they were invented, firework design, and how they are built.  This lesson captured students' attention because of its relevancy in our culture and students heightened interest in the subject.

Other technology infusion efforts included Kim Griggs and Reggy Dowlen's Spanish students completing their travels by Internet to a Spanish country.  Teachers commented students were very involved in learning discovery and enjoyed the responsibility of creating a unique product.  They will demonstrate their presentation to other students next week.

Other infusion efforts included Angela Bates students preparing foods common during the Elizabethan Age for all to enjoy while multimedia presentations were given.  

Beth Halbert's English IV students used the desktop lab to prepare multimedia book reports using PowerPoint.  They summarized their book using topics such as author, title, characters, turning point/climax, recommendations, etc.  This was the first time most of these students had used PowerPoint to complete book reports.  It was also the first time for Ms. Halbert.  Most students commented they liked this method better than the "pencil and paper" way.  Ms. Halbert said, "I believe the students produce a better quality product by using technology than the traditional method."

Teacher Coaching Progress Indicators, Attitudinal Shifts, and Celebrations of Accomplishment
Since I was away at FETC most of the week progress indicators focused on my own personal growth as the Technology Coach and how I could use that to help our teachers.  Judy Eastman, Environmental Science Teacher and Assistant Technology Coach and I found this conference very beneficial.  It is an understatement when I say the conference was overwhelming.  The interest sessions provided me with an enormous amount of information on technology-rich resources to help train teachers.  The ideas I generated from the speakers took up page after page of notes.  Putting them into action will be a challenge, but I came back from this conference energized to implement them.  I attended workshops such as PT3--A National Success Story, Leadership for Technology in Schools, Strategies and Solutions Discovered through the Technology Innovation Challenge Grants Program, a workshop on Beginning Photoshop, Technology and the Science of Learning, Handheld Computing in Teaching and Learning, Intranets as Powerful Tools for Teaching and Learning, iMovie Magic--Planning and Creating Curriculum Centered Video, the Florida Virtual High School, and Teaching Zack to Think by Developing Critical Thinking Skills (Whew!)  I heard renowned speakers such as Alan November, Don Knezek, Ted Hasselbring, and practicing K-12 teachers with powerful ideas for integrating technology into the curriculum.

One of the most amazing things for me was the exhibit floor.  As I walked in I had the strangest feeling.  First of all, it was HUGE!!  No, MASSIVE!!  I knew there was absolutely no way I could see everything and attend any interest sessions whatsoever, so I was selective.  As I was making my way down the maze of isles, I knew I had hit a milestone when I found myself searching for ideas of technology integration instead of software.  For most all of the other conferences I have ever attended, I seemed to flock to the newest and latest in software always mindful of what I could and should purchase to stay current.  This time, I searched for ideas for lesson plan implementation.  I paid particular attention to new technology literature exhibits where I could learn what good technology programs are doing.  I concentrated on finding materials that focused on engaging students in the technology.  I even caught myself asking sales personnel to show me some examples of student projects before they told me what their product could do.  Some could not do that.  That's when I realized I needed to head back to more interest sessions and network with teachers who know how to incorporate uses of technology for student achievement.  I was on a mission to bring back ideas I could put into action immediately.

This conference did not disappoint me; it was by far the best I've ever attended.  Judy Eastman and I were able to talk about our ideas for the summer and next year with much excitement.  It feels good to be energized about teaching and learning.  Besides, we took in some fine restaurants, a little shopping, and even an afternoon at Cocoa Beach complete with an Army rocket launch.  We didn't care to see the mouse.  A little R & R never hurt anyone, especially overworked Technology Coaches.

Management Challenges
A special thanks to Kathy Crutcher, one of our Librarians, who helped with scheduling carts and checking in and out laptops while I was gone.  Also thanks to Matt Dwyer for assisting teachers and Brian Hopkins, our technician, for finalizing the ghosting of the laptops to provide more stability.  We will give that a big test next week.

Another management challenge this week was a broken elevator.  This lasted two days.  Since one cart was on the bottom floor and could not be brought upstairs until the elevator was repaired, there were some cancellations in the schedule.  

The next management challenge is now to go over all the handouts and literature I received from the convention with a fine tooth comb.  That should take some time.

March 18-22

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David Agee's English II class studies authors

Lynne Ritter's class finds information for visuals

Beth Halbert's English class writes newspaper articles

MJHS Represented at MTSU Breakfast of Champions

Judy Metcalf's class develops hypothesis on coral reefs

Mrs. Kimberline's class uses Word Art in Keyboarding

Training Group 6 Day 3

Ms. Monroe emphasizes PowerPoint in Faculty Meeting

David Agee's English II students researched selected authors to help them prepare written and oral projects covering both classical and historical authors.

Lynne Ritter's Interpersonal Communications classes researched systematic problems related to teens such as drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy, etc. to create five visual displays.  Some displays will include technology such as multimedia presentations, video, etc. burned into CD's, etc.  Students are being creative as they write songs, create props for skits, etc.  Having access to technology has given them the availability of unlimited online resources.

Beth Halbert's English classes used the desktop lab this week to create newspaper articles about various topics that reflect happenings between the 1600's and 1800's relative to literature.  After learning the columns feature in Word in her first two days of training, she immediately applied that learning to this student task.  Her students used multitasking as they researched online and constructed their newspaper articles complete with graphics and appropriate text.

Leanne Kimberlin's Keyboarding classes worked on using Word Art to enhance documents which is a prerequisite to her technology wireless project-based lesson she will implement after training. 

Judy Metcalf's Biology class used the Webquest she created in her training group to study why the coral reefs were dying.  Students used critical thinking skills to determine a hypothesis of their research and were required to present the information their group study found.

Teacher Coaching Progress Indicators, Attitudinal Shifts, and Celebrations of Accomplishment
Teachers in Training Group 6 met for day 3 and 4 of their training.  We focused on using online webquest resources as well as designing their own.  Teachers began to structure their ideas for the lesson they will implement and determine what skills they would need to learn to create the files students would use.  Time was devoted to providing each teacher with help to learn software specific tasks such as linking in PowerPoint, adding sound and pictures to files, linking supplemental files in Word, etc.  

Ms. Monroe, our principal, also made a genuine effort to attend training with teachers in group 6 but was called out for an administrative problem early.  During faculty meeting this week, she used a PowerPoint presentation she created to explain concepts discussed during a faculty advisory committee meeting.  She wanted to demonstrate using technology in the same way she expects teachers to use it.  We also had an introductory session on using PowerPoint after faculty meeting.  Teachers divided into three groups and went to labs where three of our teachers demonstrated PowerPoint skills.  

I have noticed several teachers utilizing students to assist them in their technology learning by helping them to create webquests, finding online resources to use in class, and other supportive tasks.  Teachers are eager to tell me of their new discoveries.  Two teachers submitted lesson plans to me this week that completed their files for three technology-based lessons this year.

Report cards were issued on Monday of this week.  Teachers began the new 9 week grading period.  Teachers are now very comfortable with using E-grades, our grade management software, and I have very few questions about it.   As the responsibilities of closing out a grading period are now complete, it is also evident we are nearing spring break and teachers and students are looking forward to some time off.   

Management Challenges
I was privileged on Tuesday to represent MJHS at the Breakfast of Champions sponsored by MTSU.  The goal was to honor women educators and students in math, science, and technology.  I took two students who were recommended by Mrs. Sharpe--Christina and Stephanie.  We enjoyed the meal, inspiring speakers, and the book and goodies provided.  

We are very pleased that the operating system (Windows 2000) and our Office 2000 software are compatible.  We have had no lockups since installing it.  This has helped tremendously in holding down the frustration of teachers and students.  Few management challenges exist with the laptops now.

One management task that consumed a good portion of my week was designing and printing several brochures to mail out to interested parties regarding our Technology Open House on April 23rd.  We are attempting to inform our community about the progress we have made in providing technology-rich learning experiences for students.  I worked on a public relations announcement for our newspapers, lining up student technology committee members, and scheduling a visit from our director of the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce.

I also worked on getting ready for a visit from Edgar Holroyd-Doveton from the United Kingdom next week.  I scheduled teachers to meet with him, supplied documentation of questions he wants them to answer, and set up a staff development session he will conduct.  

I also received a call from Stephen Marvin, our University of Memphis evaluator, indicating he would begin his visits in the next couple of weeks.  We discussed the visit details and I began to inform teachers about the scheduled days.

March 25-27

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Mrs. Kimberlin's Keyboarding class serves as travel assistants

Diane Jenkins introduces research paper online resources

Mrs. Elliott's Vocal Chorus class gets ready for spring concert

Stephen Marvin observes Mrs. Elliott's class

Edgar Holroyd-Doveton talks to students about education in the United Kingdom

Mr. Holroyd-Doveton meets with various teachers

Teachers attend a staff development workshop on Collaborative Learning

Lee Ann Kimberlan's keyboarding class served as assistant travel agents responsible for researching and responding to a customer request.  Students accessed several files Mrs. Kimberlin created for their instructions, assignment, letter sample, rubric, etc.  As Internet research was completed, students created a Word file that included a table to summarize their information with clipart, font styles, colors, etc.  This was created as their response to a customer's inquiry.  They also created a letter using a letterhead design of their own.  The focus of this lesson was to demonstrate the importance of content and format.

Dianne Jenkins used the projector and one laptop this week to introduce research paper files and show students where they could find the information she posts on her web page.

Sandy Elliott's Vocal Music I class used a webquest she and one of her students created called "Tribute to Heroes PowerPoint Webquest."  Students were assigned to groups and a tribute song.  They searched for Internet sites, used a scanner, or a photo CD to create presentations for a slide show appropriate for their song.  They will be shown during their spring concert while they are singing.  The second day of her lesson was observed by Stephen Marvin as one of the "targeted visits" for this semester.  During this time, students worked on the timing of their slides, the appropriateness of the content, and its effectiveness as they sang their theme song.  As I listened intently, I got goosebumps as the song and slides were emotional in light of our nation's tragedy and how it has changed all our lives.  Mrs. Elliott's students were definitely engaged in this learning process.

Judy Eastman's Nutrition Science class spent time this week researching what type of food vegetarians eat, specifically vegans.  They then used the information to develop meals that provide the nine essential amino acids to produce protein which would be appropriate for these individuals.

Teacher Coaching Progress Indicators, Attitudinal Shifts, and Celebrations of Accomplishment
It was a week we had all been looking forward to as Spring Break was finally here.  Eagerness to get away from the stresses of school was apparent.  However, many teachers assisted me in the important tasks such as getting ready for inservice on Tuesday, assisting and scheduling observations for two school visitors, and working on lessons to be implemented next week.

Kim Griggs, Grace deMejewski, Lori Sheets, Samantha Davenport, Judy Eastman, Larry Williams, Betty Hall, and Ms. Monroe met with Edgar Holroyd-Doveton visiting our school from Great Britain.  His goal was to inquire about our training program and how it has improved teaching and learning.  I scheduled him during planning periods, lunch, and breaks to talk privately with several teachers.  He had sent a list of questions via e-mail for work on his doctorate in the UK.  It was inspiring to hear him speak in Lori Sheets class as students led the discussion with questions comparing education in the UK with that in America.  He also interviewed me as Technology Coach with questions regarding how our program was perceived in the beginning and how it is perceived now.

Mr. Holroyd-Doveton also conducted a "Collaborative Learning" workshop using Blackboard.com.  Nine teachers attended and learned how this site can be used to utilized shared discussions which can be saved and printed during its various stages of progress.  Teachers also learned how to post assignments, use file attachments, create calendar reminders, use e-mail, post announcements, etc.  This site can be used to set up classes where students have access beyond the classroom.

Celebrations of accomplishment this week include scheduling our targeted visits for the near future and completing one this week.  Another celebration was helping a teacher new to PowerPoint design a lesson linking review information to multiple choice questions, inserting graphics, working in slide view, etc.  Her lesson is well on the way and she is proud of her learning accomplishments.

Management Challenges
Getting ready for an inservice we will have on Tuesday which includes two technology hours along with scheduling our visitors in this two-day week was a challenge.  Our Best Practice teachers and others will be sharing their lessons next week as well as helping teachers to learn strategies they have used to create technology-based lessons.  It is comforting to know we all are becoming coaches to help each other.