The Swivel Chair

How do you do that?

Since the start of the year we have been working extremely hard at developing forms of communication from staff to our community. With the heavy load at the beginning of the school year, classroom teachers have a lot to contend with….then we introduce ways of getting connected to parents, other team members, schools to collaborate with etc. Staff have whole heartedly embraced technology and beginning to develop their own space. Some are old hands leading the way others actively seeking ideas to improve. It is amazing to see all of us learning from each other and staff genuinely interested and asking…”how do you do that?” A lot of energy….and I think technology wise that this catch cry is a really good thing to have.

Which in turn is making our job a lot easier and a lot more fun!

From after school sessions to one on one time we are moving at an extremely high pace and one I know has to continue. Now comes the balance of keeping the learning alive and consolidating what we have already learnt…and this is just the staff.

What about the kids???? They are flying…….. with the introduction of google apps and gmail plus their own blog /portfolio the learning is intense, focused and enjoyable. That’s 5th grade…..4th grade is right into Google Earth getting ready to present their landforms project in GE and saving it as a kmz file.

This 6th grade ning is an excellent next step and hopefully we will have some takers in elementary interested in pursuing one of these. Hearing about the excellent use of nings in person from Kim Cofino at the learning 2.008 conference makes me extremely keen to find some staff who will work with me in creating these.

All of Elementary’s blogs are attached to our Principal’s blog which I encourage you to view. Along with a husband and wife team, Jacob and Sarah Toa, trying to find new ways of communicating and presenting information!!! I can hear the evening conversation……”how did you do that?…I want one”

So over the coming weeks the camtasia screen casts have to start to allow staff an easy way to have their “how do you do that?” questions answered. First one this week will have to be Picasa’s beautiful features.

Tags: Cofino, espudong, jacob Toa, Sarah Toa
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (2)

2 Responses to “How do you do that?”

1. Alia Says:
   October 3rd, 2008 at 12:04 pm

   Heyyo Mr. Power!!

   Come to my blog!! blogs.saschina.org/angela01pd2013

   Why aren’t you our humanities teacher any more!!?? D: I miss having a carefree humanities teacher. ;D Don’t you miss us?? Come comment on my blog. (:

   ~Ze Amazing Alia

2. Kim Cofino Says:
   October 11th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

   I’m so glad my presentation was helpful for you! I do think that Ning has so much potential in an educational environment. I love the way it can be as simple or as complex as you want. I would love to hear more about how you’re using Ning with your sixth grade.

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