This week in class

All the power supplies in one place

I posted earlier about gutting out the old computers. This week we sorted and organized all the parts. Students created a slideshow presentation about each of the parts including a definition and picture of each of the major components of the case. Next week we will complete a thorough cleaning of the cases and also an air dusting of all fans and motherboards.

I had some students stay after class this week to reassemble the computers and create a step-by step list of how to of the process. We created a countdown video of the moment of truth. I will share later.

When re-assembly is complete we will load Edbuntu Linux and deliver the computers to classrooms in the school.

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Screencasting

I had my students practice making screencast tutorials this week. I will post examples some time soon. Until then I would like to reflect on an observation that I made.

I'll start by noting that over the past several weeks I have been teaching my students some of the principles of instruction. Well basically just Gagne's 9 Events. I then paraded in a few teachers for them to practice their new instructional knowledge. My students were intimidated or uncomfortable teaching their teachers. Until...

Last week I asked them to create screencast tutorials to train their teachers on Google Apps and they flourished. They spoke to the computer with no concern, got attention, informed listeners of the outcomes, delivered the content, and gave a practice exercise.

I will keep observing and reflecting as I continue developing my training plans. Thanks for reading.

Gutting out old computers

This week in my GenYes course students started to take apart some old computers. For all practical purposes these machines should probably be going to the boneyard. But with a little TLC and some compressed air these old Pentiums are perfect for learning basic computer hardware and also the ideal Linux client. 

This week we completely disassembled the computers and sorted out each component. Next week we will reassemble them and install Linux. The following week we will network them and play Starcraft. Afterwards we will install theses machines in classrooms so they can be used for Edbuntu.  

3 Reasons Why You Need Student Technology Leadership

At the 2014 ITEM Conference I participated in a round table discussion about why we need student technology support in the school. Below is an outline of what I discussed.

This school year I have started a new phase of my career working as the media and technology coordinator at a local school. I've been fortunate to be able to continue in a teaching role. The course I facilitate is called GenYES (Generation Youth and Educators Succeeding).

GenYES is a student centered technology professional development/integration/support curriculum and learning platform that empowers students to share their technology skills with the adults in their school. The program has been around since the mid 90s and has been transforming schools around the world ever since.

Here are my initial observations and 3 Reasons why you should look into GenYes at your school

Future Tech Coordinator

1. Students become leaders. 
Students have taken on their role as Student Technology Leaders quickly and have been empowered to make changes in their school. My students have persuaded teachers to adopt new technologies like Prezi and have taught younger students how to use it. They speak about their technology knowledge and skills to younger classes. They prepare and deliver professional development in technology for the staff.

2. Real time tech support where and when you need it.
Before my time as a tech coordinator I've often been victim to this type of thinking, "well I know this SMART Board isn't working quite right but I will just deal without it because I don't want to bother the tech people." When students are in the classroom and they are a legitimate part of the tech team, teachers feel more comfortable making technology requests. Everybody wins.

3. Leverage expertise in your building
If you are reading this blog you are either a media specialist, a tech coordinator, my mom, or someone I went to High School with; all of which will understand my motivation for this program. The children in your school know enough about technology to either a)cause a lot of frustration or b) make a lot of progress. If we don't give our technology focused students something productive to do in the school or we actively prevent them from doing productive things related to technology they will rebel. While students definitely are not the sole experts in technology in your building they certainly understand more than we let them share. With the right guidance they can make a difference.

ITEM 2014 Reflection

An image collage from my 2nd MEMO conference in 2009

I've been attending MEMO/ITEM since 2008. Every year I leave refreshed, inspired and motivated to make changes to my practice right away on Monday. This year did not disappoint.

The ITEM conference is unique. It has historically been thought of as the school librarians conference. As times have changed and the role of the school library media specialist has adapted to the 21st century information landscape so to has our professional conference. In addition to focusing on the heart and passion of our field,books, we also spend time learning about Makerspaces, coding, and mobile applications. 

What hasn't changed since I started attending MEMO/ITEM is the Saturday author luncheon. After a jam packed day of keynotes, breakouts, and literary social hour and more sessions on Saturday. We all sit down for lunch to have an author speak to us about his or her craft. I have not been to an author lunch that hasn't brought me to tears and this year was no exception.

Jonathan Friesen brought the house down. I couldn't give his talk justice in a short summary, but what I can say is that Jonathan reminded us that our moments with students are incredibly powerful. We can reach our students hearts by simply showing and telling them that we believe in them.


I've embedded a recap of my tweets from the conference below:

Hello (again) World

Just a quick post to say the The Blacklist is back online for its soft reopening. You can look forward to several new things on this blog in the days to come. First I expect the name and address to change. Second I will do a quick recap in my most recent conference ITEM 2014. Lastly I will post about what I've been up to since I last posted in 2011. Talk at you soon.