What is Technology?

I hear the word being used constantly. How do you use Technology in the classroom? Are you integrating Technology? I used to teach a Technology class at my old school. Heck, I'm even on the Technology committee in my building. I use the term as well. What does it mean? Isn't Technology too generic? When we use the term, are we talking about devices, digital text or social media? I think we mean all of them actually.

When we talk about integrating Technology, for the most part, I think we mean devices. Isn't a paper and pencil Technology though? At some point in history when the pencil was invented, teachers and administrators probably talked about integrating them into the classroom.

I think we need to start separating these ideas. If we want to integrate devices, then say that. If we want to incorporate social media, say that. If we want our students reading digital text, then put a device in their hands and get them reading. I just think the phrase "Integrating Technology" has become overused and generic.

I almost hate this term at this point. Is there another term or terms we can use in place of Technology.

I hope at some point we aren't talking about how to integrate it anymore and it is just a part of what we do. Ten years from now we better be doing it, and not talking about it.

*(I know that technology shouldn't be capitalized all the time, but I used it for emphasis here.)

SLO's or Value Added? Take your pick?

The district I will be teaching in next year, Dover City Schools, has been conducting meetings for Student Growth Measures and Student Learning Objectives. I attended one recently and had a few thoughts. First of all, I wondered why would I need to learn about this? I am a Value-Added teacher so I don't need to learn about the SGM's. Maybe this is just something that all first year teachers have to go through. I had been operating under the assumption that I didn't need to write SLO's because the value-added data would make up the SGM portion for OTES. As it turns out, we may have the opportunity to include a percentage of SLO data into our SGM even if we are value-added. Also, we may not have to write them now, but give the legislators a few more years and we'll see what happens.

But seriously, I actually liked a few aspects of the SLO process. A FEW not all. Here are a few of my random thoughts:

I was surprised at how east the SLO's seem to be to write. The template seems pretty straight forward. 

I am not thrilled about spending time to write these rather than spending time on curriculum.

Easy is not a word I would use to describe the Tiered Growth Target portion.

I like that I would be reading and interpreting the data rather than another agency (ODE, Batelle).

I like that I would have control over the growth targets.

All of this leads me to a question for those of you reading this. Would you rather take the gamble on OAA's and OGT's, or go throught all the work to write your own growth targets? Would you rather be a teacher that is all value-added, or a teacher that has to write SLO's? I find this interesting. Please let me know your thoughts on this one.

Remember your Inspiration

I recently returned from volunteering at a 4-H summer camp. If you are not familiar with 4-H, it is an organized youth development program that allows children in ages 9-18 take projects that are hands-on learning and geared towards real-life application. Projects range from sewing, model rockets to livestock projects that will be exhibited at the county fair. I have helped with this camp for 12 out of the last 15 years. It is a wonderful experience for all of those involved.

This year I found myself thinking about my first year there as a camp counselor. It was the summer between my Junior and Senior year of High School. I was in a cabin of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade campers. I had a blast. I was so happy to see the kids having fun and I enjoyed helping them learn new things and meet new people. I didn't realize how happy I was until after all of the campers left. I stared around the empty and silent cabin. I was beside myself. I knew in that moment that I had to do something with my life that would put me in the presence of children all of the time. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I enjoyed the relationships with the kids and I enjoyed leading others and stepping up when leadership was needed.

I wanted to share this with you because in the midst of new legislation and mandates and summer we sometimes lose our way. We forget why we became educators; for the kids! Let's not get lost in all of it. You might think I'm crazy for spending my summer doing some of the same stuff that I would do during the school year, but let me tell you it has energized me for the coming year. OTES, OAA and SLO's be damned, I will start the  year remembering my inspiration. Although in August I may have to revisit this post myself to get that extra push to really get motivated for the year.

Thank You

This post is a little different. It is very personal and is dedicated to my colleagues at Sauder Elementary. I have accepted a position at a new school district and want to let all my friends know how much they mean to me, so here goes...

Six years ago I walked into a building where a nice woman looked at me over her glasses and greeted me shortly there after, I walked into a room with a good-looking blonde lady. I told her a few jokes and talked about some educational stuff and tricked her into thinking that I would be a good fit in her building. Little did either one of them know that on my way to the interview, I was pumping myself up by telling myself that I had to get this job or I would have to give up on this dream of being a teacher. Michelle and I were both looking for jobs and wanted to start a family. I needed to get a job to support this family. Had it not been for Sauder Elementary, I would not be a teacher today. I cannot leave without telling you how important you have been to me. In my 6 years here I have never once thought that I was the best teacher here. I know this to be true because I have seen the lessons and activities in your rooms. You have pushed me to become a better teacher. I am the teacher and the person that I am today because of you. I remember in my first year, hearing people say “Welcome to the Sauder Family.” I didn’t think I was a part of the Sauder Family until February of that year when a little thing called the Variety Show happened. That is when I truly felt like a part of the Sauder Family. I am leaving the Sauder Family to spend more time with my family at home. Even though I am leaving I know that I will always be a part of the Sauder Family. I wish there were better words to describe my gratefulness to you. Unfortunately the only words I know, seem too small to express my gratitude, so here goes; THANK YOU!

My 5 Year Old; The Teacher

A few weeks ago my wife and I took our three sons to get their immunizations. The good news is that they are all done until before they go to kindergarten. While we were waiting, my five year-old spotted a flier encouraging people to eat locally grown fruits and vegetables. I of course starting quizzing him on the different foods and asked him to identify each of them for me. He did a really good job and was able to identify all of them. Then something happened...

he said, "Dad, what meal could you make out these foods?" Initially, I didn't really know what to say to that question. I don't think I have ever asked him a question like that before, so I wondered where he got it. Then I realized that I needed to answer his question. I am not even sure what I answered, i think it was something like an omelet. I then asked him what he would make and her replied, a salad with all of the foods in it. I wasn't as surprised by his answer as I was at the question. I thought that he was teaching himself better than maybe I could. I used think I was kinda good at it.

I know that these are the questions that I should be challenging my students with everyday. I don't need to ask the simple identifying questions with my 5th graders, and thanks to Barrett, I now realize that I should ask those same questions of my sons. I need to challenge kids to create, not regurgitate.

My sons are amazing and they continue to surprise me everyday. I hope to be able to show this post to Barrett in a few years to show him how deep his love of learning was at this age. I also hope that never goes away.

The Connection Question

This post was inspired by a tweet that I saw as a quote from the recent NASSP conference. There also seems to be this idea or myth (call it what you want). That the connection we make through technology is not a meaningful or worthwhile one. It is also a thought that has been clanging around in my head for awhile now. Is Social Media making us more or less connected?

There is no doubt that personally, I have connected with a lot of inspiring people through my social media journey. Have I truly connected? Does that connection mean something to me? To answer these questions, I will give two examples of social media connections and the relationships that are built as a result.

1. #ohedchat - If you don't already know about what is going on with this great educational endeavor, I will direct you here and here. Obviously, we have made some great digital connections through this technology of the twitter chat. However, that was simply not enough for some folks. During one chat the idea of a tweetup was mentioned for those involved in the chat. I thought it would be a great way for folks to connect socially and meet up. That wasn't enough for some of the #ohedchat folks, they have concocted a socially and educationally engaging day for members to connect and continue to learn.

2. TCC Class of 2000 Reunion - My graduating high school class has not had any reunions. I won't get into the many reasons that have kept us from connecting up to now, but the fact is we haven't yet. One of our classmates started a Facebook page and added all of his friends that he graduated with to the group. We are about two years away from a possible 15 year reunion, but we have started a good conversation so far. I have been friends with some of my past classmates for a few years now, but we are now focusing on meeting face-to-face again.

I use these two examples to illustrate a point. I believe that technology and social media give us meaningful connections. No one, even technology and social media experts, could argue that face-to-face communication is inferior to other forms. But if technology is our tool that we use to make those new connections, then isn't that meaningful? Shouldn't we be leveraging technology to make those meaningful connections? What do you think?

Remember that Awesome Worksheet?

Nope. That was my answer to a student that recently asked me why we never do worksheets. The conversation went a little like this:

Student: Mr. Evans, why do we never do worksheets?
Me: What do you mean 'do worksheets'?
Student; You know like do a worksheet, we all do it and stuff.
Me: Oh, you mean when I hand out a worksheet and talk about something, then everyone 'does it' then we go over the answers?
Student: Yeah like that.
Me: Well have you ever said this to one of your friends; Dude do you remember that Awesome Worksheet that we did last year?
Class: Laughs

I went on to explain a little bit why we don't do that. That because it is not that fun for them and that it does not really help them learn anything. I think they definitely got the idea that I don't particularly like using our time in class for things like that. Anyone can find worksheets at the teacher store and throw them at the kids, but is that teaching? Not to me. I'm a teacher not a resource regurgitator.

I do feel guilty sometimes standing at the copier as I run off some of those "sheets" for homework. Because it's not like I don't ever use a worksheet for something like homework or extra practice. I just don't believe that you can consider it a lesson.

I am so glad that this student pointed this out to me. He obviously has noticed that his past teachers have employed the worksheet method (if you can call it a method). He also noticed that I don't do that, for that I am very grateful. This tells me that students notice more about our teaching methods than we may think. Hopefully they appreciate my approach and will learn more in the end.