It is cold!

I don't know about anyone else but where I live it is COLD tonight. We went to dinner and it was around 20 degrees with a wind chill of way less then that. While at dinner I had a heart warming experience. A parent of a former student was there. I do not have this student this semester but he is a senior this year. The parent is stressing because her son is trying to decide where to go to college and it may not be in the state of West Virginia.

Our classes and student experiences have made it possible for students to think beyond local. More and mor students are now think globally. This student is considering a school in Pittsburgh and in New York. He is determine which schools have the best programs for what he would like to major. He doesn't feel that he has state lines or boundaries. He just has school choices in which some are closer than another.

The parent was having a hard time thinking that her son would go all the way to New York to go to school. In the age of technology New York is a text message, phone call, web page, or a flight away. I think almost all of those things are in my back yard.

In the end I suggested to the parent that she let her son decide. He is a gifted student who needs to go where is best suited for his skills. This student will be successful if in goes to any school in West Virginia or any where else.

This brought a moment as teachers we hear so little of but the parent said, "You are right!" Wow on a cold night that warmed by heart. I was right!

Just rambling

I love reading student blogs. They tend to be very honest and it is interesting to see their "side" of things. I have listed some links to a few that I found interesting while roaming through my mentoree schools.
Greenbrier East
Greenbrier East
West Liberty
West Liberty

In class today it was discussed that someone used something that they didn't create. They "borrowed" it. The teachers final opinion was that, "If you did not create it, you may NOT use it." Some students said that they traced items and made them their own. I told them that was fine.

There are free sites that provide graphics that can be used. However, creating graphics is a challenge that the students can solve if they work together. It is also important to remember using copyrighted material is illegal.

Happy Gaming

Nashville

I at the ACTE National Convention at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Sitting on the balcony of the room we have, I am enjoying the sites and sounds. It is giving me time to reflect on the school year so far as I actually have a moment to sit down and prop up my feet.

There are many things I would like to do differently but I am pleased with my students progress. Even as I gain more experience with Globaloria/Flash/Wiki/Blogs new challenges arise. My class is participating in the civics track and creating games for the competition. This is a new challenge for me and my students.

Many teachers in the school system stay away from challenges. Globaloria teachers are not in that group. Challenges come frequently and provide unexpected learning experiences. There are some days when I feel like I don't teach and other days when I don't think I know what to teach.

Recently I have serious thought about switching careers. However, when I see a student project on the wiki and realize that it is there because I am there. I am to the point in my life I am not sure what I want to do next but as long as I am teaching I want to be the teacher challenged.

Training

I am helping with a training session. Did some homework last night to review what I have to present. This has been good for me because reviewing reminds me how far I have come. It also reminds me that I have lots more to learn. I enjoy learning and seeing/hearing what other teachers are doing. Yeah me.

Fort Hood

The tradegy at Fort Hood has been in my thoughts today. We lived there for 2 years and my daughter and neice were born in the hospital at Fort Hood. I taught at the school on base for a year. I feel for those families and have them in my thoughts and prayers.

Still Learning From My Students

Photo Cube
One of my students created a web page and included this cube. We all thought it was cool and he told us how he created it. I love learning from my students.

Photo Cube

If you click on a side of the cube it will display that photo. Click again and it goes back to spinning. Simple things really make me happy.

Making changes

Ok tomorrow is 9 weeks tests for us and some major changes are taking place. My class is starting all over. The students convinced me that they did not want to include civics into their game. They want to make all new games and pick different teams and start all over. They convinced me that the earlier teams and assignments were practice but now could do a better job if they started again. Many of students need to become salesmen because they convinced me. We are going back to square one--new groups, game ideas, prototypes, etc. As strange as it may sound there is lots of excitement in the room. They are brainstorming new ideas. Now I just have to help them pull this off.