great tech links!

My sister Melissa has compiled a great wiki with technology links that will certainly have benefit to you in your classrooms!  More links to come.

http://melissaenderle.wikispaces.com/SmartBoard

moving from facebook to google+

To try and keep up with tech I've joined the google+. Moving sometimes is a pain, but this helps makes the experience a bit easier.

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/how_migrate_your_facebook_account_and_data_google

integrating tech into the classroom

As I'm considering experimenting with creating a blog for my classroom, I will be doing some testing using my main page for testing grounds.  Working on attaching QR codes.  to the site.  Work in progress!

planets in space- abby's ceiling

A section of Abby's celing after the recoration.

(test of blogging that apparently works here)!
 Although blogs have been around for years, I have first started becoming accustomed to using them. Blogs are a great communication tool, as it takes no coding, and can rapidly be customized to fit any needs.  There are many ‘gadgets’ that can be added to a site to further enhance or compliment the information being given.  Photos, lessons, and comments can easily be added, and the commented by viewers.
Having a classroom blog could provide a platform for me to communicate calendar events, such as the art show, fundraisers, and the enrichment programs that occur throughout the year.  Having an open public dialog with the community is important, especially during the financial crisis that seems to be always looming over our schools.

I have not yet used blogs for my classroom instruction, as my students are young, and while in my classroom, they do not have internet access. I am considering putting blogs of my students work online, so parents and family can comment.  Students in upper grades could easily use blogs to critique artwork and provide feedback and positive comments to their peers.  I don’t know many students that dislike getting attention with their great work!

A better way to lead?

Lambert states that good leadership should maintain six assumptions, as listed on page 4.
        

1. Everyone has the right, responsibility, and capability to be a leader”

I feel all are created equal, and should not be denied the opportunity to lead if the leadership is desired.   Those in a continuous leadership can have a narrow perspective, and sometimes changing the role can affect the outlook on the position.  Regardless of position, one should either step up to be a leader, or step back to allow others to lead. 

2. The adult learning environment in the school district is the most critical factor in evoking acts of leadership”.

As the teacher we merely use our knowledge to help guide our younger counterparts.  We all learn from each other- teachers from teachers, students from teachers, and teachers from students. 

3. The adult learning environment, opportunities for skillful participation top the list of priorities. 

                Participation and the level of skill that accompanies this participation is essential.   Great skill that is not used is worthless.  People generally wish to contribute and help, but often do not know how, or feel their participation is not valued.  It is essential to welcome and value all input.

4.  How we define leadership frames how people will participate in it.

 The tone and atmosphere of the leadership will greatly affect how others participate.  If the leadership does not foster and encourage participation, it will not occur willingly.

5. Educators yearn to be purposeful, professional human beings, and leadership is an essential aspect of a professional life”.

 Teachers go into education as they feel their instruction has purpose.  Part of teaching, is stepping forth and being a leader, either to students or to peers.

6. Educators are purposeful, and leadership realizes purpose.

  All lessons given should have a purpose.  Leadership must recognize and establish a purpose when leading a group to be effective.  Without a purpose, participation and skill will not be utilized. 

thoughts on classical leadership

The tenets of classical leadership include the following:

1.    .  Leaders should have formal authority and overarching roles.

2.     Leaders have superior expertise and information.

3.     Leaders manage a rational system of management that takes into account structures, routine, outcomes, personnel and action.

4.      Leaders control students and staff (educational setting) or all employees.

     My initial impression of these set ideas of leadership is what one has been established as a model for many years.  On closer examination, these beliefs appear to be outdated.  While I do agree with the principle of the first and the third ideas of leadership, the second and the forth concept would not seem to be productive in today’s schools.

      The concept of leaders having authority over those in their building I completely agree with.  In any workplace there should be one who presides over others.  With the multitude of tasks and decisions to be made in the school setting, the leader needs to have the capability to exercise that ability to make the executive decision.

     The idea that leaders have superior expertise and information is a concept that looks good in theory.  However in the school setting, it is unrealistic to expect that the leader would have all the answers.  In a school, there a large number of specialized areas that a leader likely would not have had direct experience in.  A good leader would inquire from those who are specialized in areas or have direct experience in areas. 

     Proficient leaders do have to manage the enormous task of managing and being held accountable for events and personnel in their building.  The difficult task occurs when structure breaks down, and action needs to occur.

     Finally, the principal the idea that leaders ‘control’ students and employees, is one that perhaps is somewhat unrealistic.  Rather than using the idea of control, I feel a good leader should lead by example, setting guidelines and expectations.  

Me? A leader? (thoughts prior to assignment)

On starting the administration course my leadership skills, or lack thereof, truly are exposed.  This awareness to my weaknesses in this area will provide the opportunity to reflect, and improve those areas.  I am seeing a big reason for my lack of leadership is my position as the 'Art Teacher'.  In many ways I am somewhat blessed to be an autonomous entity in the school.  I am able to teach what, when, and how I like.  The mass of directives that are given outside my classroom to my colleagues as a rule don't apply to my instruction. At the same time, my opportunity to rise up and lead becomes very limited.  Often feeling like an outsider, my input is self-contained, as my knowledge to the situation at hand is just as limited.  When the opportunity arises where my input is relevant, I will step up, join a committee.  It appears more work on this is needed!   

its a start

Its the start of semester 2 of my masters.  First assignment is to put up a blog.  So here's the first test post.