Notes From Susan

Change of any kind is hard. I think it is espcially hard for educators to try new things. We tend to get in a rut. It worked when we first started teaching, it will work today. That is the thought pattern of many of my colleagues.

Look around, though. The world is changing every day. Our students need to keep pace (as much as possible) with those changes and expectations. As educators, we need to prepare them for life after school.

I say try one new thing every day! It won’t be easy. But getting just a little out of your comfort zone can be a good thing. I look back at all the new things I’ve tried over the last 5-6 years.

* uploaded pictures to a website

* created non-linear powerpoint presentations

* worked on a wiki

* IM

* email daily!

* created and participated in web activities

* Attended and moderated live web sessions

* BLOG!!!

I know that list is not exhaustive. It is just what came to me easily If I can do it, though, any teacher can! Try one new thing a day. That’s all. Ask a colleague for an idea. Better yet, ask a student. With a great attitude and some effort, we can all be agents of change within our own school and community.

I’ve used Google Docs a few times….I would like to explore more, and learn how it can best be implemented to promote collaboration between students as well as colleagues. I like the idea that a project is stored at a central place and multiple people/groups can be working on it at the same time, always having the newest version at your fingertips. No more emailing version 1, version 2…and trying to keep track of what the last change was…clutter in the inbox will be minimized! I know that doesn’t seem like a big thing, but I get a ton of email everyday, and if I can eliminate emails related to projects or papers, that would make a huge difference for me.

Google Docs is also available 24/7, as long as you have a Internet connection. We will save paper, too, because you only have to print out the final version. I’m excited and interested to continue to learn more about Google Docs….and see just what I can accomplish there.

As I blogged for the first time this week, I am truly amazed at how many blogs actually exist. I’m sure I didn’t even touch the tip of the iceberg in my search….and I found quite a few in the education realm. These are the 2 I left comments on:

Lisa’s Online Teaching Blog

Teach Online

I found in interesting that many educators/teachers/facilitators take the time to blog. I guess it’s rather therapeutic in ways. A good place to get ideas down in a forum that can be reached from anywhere, anytime. It also serves to connect people with common interests and/or questions. I’d never left comments on a blog before, so that was a new experience for me. I will probably continue to explore what is out there…I believe it can be a great way to share ideas, gather inspiration, and just be renewed as a professional.

I just got off of a national conference meeting. There were people from Idaho, Utah, Ohio, Arizona, Virginia, Washington, and Georgia at the meeting. Isn’t it amazing what we can do now? We were able to see/hear/talk about a common topic and give feedback to one another.

Collaboration isn’t what it used to be….and the ability to hide at the back of the room is shrinking. Everyone is equal in a virtual room…there is no front row! In fact, I would submit that online formats force participation from every member. Even the quiet kid gets equal “air time”. Nice.

Today I am reflecting on my experience as a teacher….and how my job has changed over the course of 17 years. First, I can’t even believe that much time has passed since college…yikes! I started as a classroom teacher in a public school. I loved my job…truly. I never in a million years thought I’d end up where I am today. I was never a big supporter of home schooling, as I thought public schools were the best choice for all students.

That has changed…drastically. I now work for a virtual school with more than 2600 students state wide. These are all K-12 students that school at home. Now, granted, it is not the best fit for all of them. However, the vast majority of these kids thrive in their “home” school environment. I still work for a public school….we provide the mechanism by which students can school at home via our public charter school online.

Amazing! Virtual schooling is becoming more and more popular, for all ages. As students grow up and learn, technology is just a given for them. They take for granted that they can email, IM, and blog with their classmates and friends. They also learn, though, that going to school online is REAL work. It takes organization, time management, preparation, and most of all….hard work to succeed in a virtual school.