RSS in Education

I went a slightly different route in researching 'start pages' to replace iGoogle, which is what I use as my RSS feed reader. I started using it years back, as it had a nice look and feel and I was comfortable with how I could customize my RSS feeds. Google is getting rid of both Google Reader (on 7/1) and iGoogle (11/1), so I needed to do something anyway. I used some of my class time to evaluate a couple of different options, namely feedly (a Reader replacement) and netvibes (an iGoogle replacement). I thought feedly was ok, but didn't care for the way the feeds were formatted (tried all the choices...). I then found out about igHome, which was designed by a third party to essentially have the same look and feel as iGoogle. Voila, perfect for me. I spent a bit of time adjusting it, and I'm very happy with the results. It is very similar to iGoogle.

I felt putting together a how-to video for my teachers, and anyone in this class, would be beneficial. I also plan to post this to my Common Core and Ed Tech blog, as it would be useful for others, I believe.

I spent considerable time this week putting the video together. In hindsight, I think I could have made my job much easier, and the next time we do a video, I will either use Jing/Camtasia (which I'll have to buy but have some familiarity with from a prior 30 day trial), or some other choice that allows me to create/edit and control smaller snippets of video. The way I did it  - using a Google Preso and Screencast-O-Matic - was time intensive, and required me to get it 'right' from start to finish. I need a web or desktop based tool (on a PC...) that I can work with in a more 'piecemeal' manner - smaller chunks of video that can be pulled together after to create one complete video. I'll figure it out!

I also learned about some ways to use RSS in the classroom with students,  to help a teacher stay organized as students accomplish tasks via the web, or as a method to collect info as the student is searching for info about a topic. I will be working with one or two teachers this fall and beyond to incorporate some use for RSS, as it had not occurred to me to use it in the ways I discovered.

Elements of Educational Technology

Elements of Educational Technology

As I dug into AECT's Elements of Educational Technology paper, I was pleasantly surprised by what I got out of it. For one, it was interesting to see how interrelated the various elements described were. This does make sense, but I was impressed by the time taken to make the elements 'hang together' effectively. I don't believe I learned a significant amount of new information, but certainly looking at the "Facilitating" and "Learning" concepts in more depth reinforced some of my views. That was encouraging.

I believe that document has stood the test of time fairly well. If it were written today, some additional details about 'digital citizenship' would likely be included. There was quite a bit implied in the "Ethical Practice" section about the importance of ethical behavior by ed tech professionals (modeling for our students); it's likely that more attention would be placed on copyright, intellectual property ownership, plagiarism, etc. if it were written today.

It was interesting to see that the approach that was reinforced in the Learning and Facilitating areas was that of a student-centered learning environment. While there was no direct reference to technology reinforcing and facilitating  '21st century learning' concepts like collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity, I still got the distinct impression that those types of concepts were compatible with the elements defined by AECT. In summary, this was a well written paper that accurately described the elements of an educational technology professional.

My video intro!!!

Here's my fabulous intro video.

Hollywood, here I come. Wait, check that. NO.

Click here to see a strangely pixelated copy of my video intro. (Don't ask, you really don't want to know...)

Just so you know, I estimate a 50% likelihood there will be some issue with this post. Again, please don't ask! Keeping fingers crossed...

My intro post (finally...!)

Here's my first blog post, the intro many/most of you did already.

I'm a vice principal at a small PreK-8th grade Catholic school in San Jose, Ca. I've been the VP for 4 years. We've had some successes integrating technology into the academic curriculum to date. It's my responsibility to drive the school's ed tech program, and I'm pleased overall with our progress. Teachers are philosophically bought in and truly understand the role that tech could/should play in the academic world of our students. Some teachers have made amazing progress and are flipping their classrooms, really working towards a blended learning environment with tech tools consistently in the midst of student learning, and so on. Some, on the other hand, need a little bit of hand holding, and they are also making steady and (mostly) sure progress. Students are into it, not surprisingly, and they've made great strides as well.

We are a Google Apps for Education ("GAFE") school, and we have successfully deployed Chromebooks in most of the classes from 2nd through 8th grade, in an 'in school' 1:1 program. We were one of the early adopters of Chromebooks, and I am extremely happy with that decision. Our Pre-K, Kinder and 1st grade use Android tablets frequently. The teachers and I have been growing our knowledge of the opportunities to best utilize tablets in the younger grades.

This coming year, my role as VP will change some. I'm taking on curriculum (including assessment!) as a primary part of my job, and increasing the amount of time I can focus edtech strategies to support classroom curriculum, too. I am getting away from discipline responsibilities and several other activities that, while important, can be huge time sinks for me. Curriculum and furthering edtech integration is a MUCH better fit for me.

I also co-author the Common Core & Ed Tech blog, which was started about 4 months ago; that has been a fun learning experience. I feel like the blog is starting to get some traction, and that's been very exciting.

I'm involved in our local ed tech community in a couple different ways. Doing lots of local training of teachers this summer via the Foothill College Krause Center for Innovation, who specializes in teacher training across a wide variety of skills. I'm also the Vice President of the Silicon Valley Computer Using Educators group, and that's been enjoyable as well.

I have a 20 year old son, Chris, who is heading off to San Francisco State in the fall (I basically cannot believe he's 20). I like most sports, and I love baseball and auto racing (most kinds...).

I'm sure we'll get to know each other more as time progresses, and I'm looking forward to our time working together.