Affirmation, True Affirmation can be such a rush, such a high.  Such an incentive to keep up the good work you are doing.

To have someone acknowledge what you are doing, give you a pat on your shoulder and say “keep up the good work”, or mention your name as a “best practices” teacher can give anyone a lift to their step.

And it is time that we start doing that — for others.

After a long chat last night with Riptide (Fred D) we both walked away from the conversation with thoughts to start noticing the teachers/educators who might have gone unnoticed before. The teachers/educators who are doing their best to make each day an experience for their students/staff — but who are still unknown to many of us. But need to be known.

So — I invite you to start sharing. I have started a WIKI (I know, another wiki) to do just that. And though it is still a work in progress, I invite you to visit it and drop a name of someone you know who should be watched — who should be on our radar — who needs to be acknowledged and encouraged.

The link is : http://teacherstowatch.wikispaces.com/

I am still working out the kinks and do not know how to make a table work within wikispaces……so if you can help, that is always appreciated.

Just a reminder, this is NOT a location to bring attention to what YOU personally are doing……or to drop names of people that are already well-known and established…….this is a place to share names of teachers/principals/librarians/tech coords/etc who DO need to be noticed!!!

If you visited a new session or a poster at a conference, you might have a name you wish to drop. Perhaps there is a blog writer who you think should be mentioned. Or maybe you have a teacher at your own school that needs to be mentioned. Those are the names to drop!!

Thanks for being a part!!

I have been told that I “think” too much…….grins, at the time it wasn’t said to me in a complimentary way — but in actuality it is very true. I do over think quite a bit………but I also turn things over and over in my mind in such ways that I usually end with with some good outcomes. (emphasis on sometimes!)

But something has been stuck in my brain for a few weeks now….and I decided to blog it.

A few weeks ago, while watching the AFI Warren Beatty Tribute (yes, I have been a fan since “Heaven Can Wait”) and Don Cheadle was a part of the stars which gave tribute. At one point he said that Warren was one that: “He never lets the good be the enemy of the great,” And that thought has been rolling around in my brain for 2 weeks now.

If I host the same project for 10 years in a row — do I have a good thing going or I am just in a rut? Though it is good, people are happy, and creativity if flowing — have I settled for the “same old thing”? Especially because, in so many people’s opinions — it works just fine??

And if I am content, does that mean that I lose effectiveness because I become complacent? I never ever want to be labeled as complacent, thank you very much.

How many teachers have become complacent….something works, and they says “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” instead of perhaps “let’s build a better mousetrap.”

I guess what I am thinking today is “HOW’S”.

1. How do I not get stuck in a rut?
2. How can I make something even better the next time?
3. How do I stretch me to try some new things?
4. How high do I want to set my bar?
5. How do I not allow myself to be complacent with “good enough”?

Smiles, I know I “think” too much……….but that is what I “thunk” today — and just wanted to share it with you.

Hmmm — and what do you think?
jen

addendum:  As I woke up this morning, I heard a voice on the radio ask the caller “are you willing to settle for good, when you see a potential for great?”   HHHHHHmmmmmm, and the thoughts continue.  (jen)

Fifteen Years Ago……..or more.

I can’t imagine you were boring, because look at the wonderful way you are teaching now.  I can’t imagine that your passions have changed that much, just because the options have changed.

What kind of teacher were you 15 years ago?

For example:  I taught preschool for 11 years.  I used, created, promoted manipulatives all the time.  I had centers, I had chaos, we had fun.  I was not liked because my bulletin boards were always “over the top” with creativity (not a boast, I just liked bulletin boards) and parents wanted their students in my class because we had “fun”.  I didn’t fit in with the other teachers because I heard a different drummer.

When I taught 7th grade, we played games as much as possible.  We played scrabulous to learn parts of speech, battleship to teach math coordinates, we had plays, we had hands on science experiments every Friday, we moved the placement of the room often, and other teachers did not like me because I didn’t teach by the book.

And all this was before I had a computer in my room……….

So I ask you — what kind of teacher were you in 1993 or before?  Because I can’t imagine you were any different — you made opportunity of EVERY way to make learning an experience — a memorable experience — for your students.  I am sure you were judged by other teachers, and I am sure you had many meetings with administration for your use of “creativity”.

Hmmm. am I wrong?  :)  I don’t think so……….

so please share.  Then and now…………..

Thanks
Jennifer

If it isn’t what I need to get the job accomplished.

This morning, during a ustream with Darren K, @MattM and I (plus a few other people) got into a conversation regarding tools — the right tools to use –

And sometimes, GASP, it might not be a keyboard, a mouse, and anything digital.

And that is not in itself a BAD thing — or a wrong thing.

What I want to see is options for students — to succeed using the tool that works the BEST and most efficient for them……..to have it available and let them make the choice……

I don’t know what kind of high school you went to…….but I was lucky enough to grow up at a High School that offered Video Editing (in the late 1970’s that was pretty cool) yet I also was the editor of the newspaper and we used typewriters, glue, paste, rulers, etc etc.   But you know what, I never ever thought of the tool I was using as much as the project I was creating.

When I created my “Carpenters Music Medley”  — yes, I admit it — I don’t think I really got that excited about using the cameras, the switches…….I was much more excited about what I was creating and couldn’t wait to share it with others. And it is 30 years later — and I still remember exactly how I created that montage and can review it in my mind.  True, I was a geek — but luckily the tools were there for me to geek with.

But there were certain classrooms I needed to use a pencil with.   And though I think I would have been a much more brilliant math student (tongue in cheek on brilliant) if we had had smartboards — for that learning, a pencil with a BIG eraser would have been my preferred tool of choice.

I guess what I am trying to say is — and what I had a good discussion about today — is the fact that a “certain” tool should NOT be the primary focus in learning and I would really really like to see schools offer students options on what tool works for them.

Anyway — that is where my thoughts are dwelling today!!
Trying not to think TECH anymore — but thinking options for kids to succeed.

Your ideas?  Comments?  And More?
Thanks

Jen

Today, I am heading out to drive A LOT of miles to see 2 friends.  One has been out here for a few days and we are going to try to manage some “HI” time before she heads back home to GA.  The other friend lives in San Fernando Valley and we are going to meet up to talk about a “perhaps” EduConWest” idea.  (just getting the wheels moving!)

Kathy is a dear friend — we met online, then we met F2F, and now we are better than “just friends”.  She is making a move to 3rd grade this year (from kindergarten) and there will be a lot to talk about.  We are polar opposites sometimes, but we share a passion for kids, creativity, and computer use.  The time will fly but we will fill EVERY MOMENT.

Barbara is a new friend — we meet at conferences, we say “LET’S TALK” and then we never seem to be able to.  So today, that will change!!  We both work at private faith-based schools (which in itself is something to chat about) and we both have a hope to see reproduce or emulate a West Coast type of EduCon that Chris Lehmann started in Philadelphia.  We have no idea how long/short the conversation will be — or yet even where it will be……but it will be a good chat.

But we could do all this chatting (both with Kathy and Barbara) on skype, gmail, or google docs.  Why the importance to be in the same location, sitting across from each other??

Because it is the added connection — the one more piece of the conversation that makes it even more rich — because you can not only hear the conversation but you can see the conversation.   There will be parts of each conversation that will NEVER be spoken yet both of us will hear what was said.  A frown, an eyebrow raised, arms crossed, gasps, smiles, nods of approval, hands clapping with glee, etc etc etc.  You KNOW what I mean!!!

And though I am not knocking the availability of chatting with someone via skype, email, gtalk, cell-phone, ustream, oovoo, etc………there is just something VERY VERY nice about sitting in the same place at the same time.

Isn’t there?
Jen

There have been a few posts lately, written by men who’s thoughts I enjoy sifting through (Will, Christian), who are talking about how some of the “tools” we use are creating a laziness within us…….

and though I agree to a small extent, I cannot agree completely…….lazy would not be my word of choice.

What I am seeing is a SATURATION happening.  An overdose of information, conversation, “being on ALL THE TIME”, and bam bam bam with content.  24/7/365.

That does not mean you have to chose that availability — there is an on/off switch on every computer…..but the option is THERE and I am seeing how it had an influence on me and is having an influence on people I know and people I think I know/knew.

I can only go by what I know — which is my life — but 2 years ago I was not connected at all to others as I am now.  There were chat rooms, there was emails, and even instant message.  People did blog and I am sure, they even called each other on the phone at times.  But for the most part…..we tended to struggle on our own, getting our own ideas, occasionally looking for help…….and then one or two times attending a conference and for 3 days just soaked up ideas and possibilities and the new “tools” available.  And we would take that information — and use it throughout the year — and then meet up again a year later to be rejuvenated, refreshed, and re-ideaed.

Now, it seems like that option is EVERYDAY, EVERY MOMENT……and there comes a point that you (I know I) cannot take any more.  My cup overflows — and that is not always a good thing…..

And though I agree that the “tools” might be making us lazy…….my belief of what the tools are doing the most is “over-stimulating” us and at times, over-whelming us—-If we let them control us.

I enjoy our network….I had missed the network……

There are some people that I wished I could see EVERY DAY just to say “HI”.  There are some people, that when they comment (blog/twit/skype) I look forward to what they say.  There are some people that put a lift to my step and just make me smile knowing they are alive and well on planet earth.  And then there are the people who push so much content out that I really cannot believe there is THAT MUCH good stuff out there and THAT MUCH that just has to be shared.  And I have to push the plate away and say “I am full”.

So what to do??

You can step away from the options — I did, Christian looks like he is going too, and others have in the past and re-evaluate.  You can create a pro-con list or a time-spent list — and see how much time the constant communication is in your daily life.  You can trim up your RSS, your following list, and refuse to join ANY OTHER NEW TOOL for a while.  (that is my biggest #1 right now — no new nothing!!) And you can concentrate on smaller bits of things that work then the bigger chunks of maybes.  And you can walk away at times.  (remember — fresh air, sunshine, conversations without typing, nature, malls, movies, sports, exercise, long walks, playing games, reading a book??????)

But most of all, you put yourself in the driver seat of the road of information you are driving down.  Right now, I am driving slowly down a very empty country road and just enjoying the quiet.   Choosing for myself what sites (sic) to see and deciding who I am allowing along for the ride.  Smiles, 2 months ago I had found myself on the 8 lane FAST MOVING interstate with an overpacked bus of chaos!   So, right now, the slower pace seems to be working .

But for me, at least, laziness was not what was happening…….overthetop content and always being “on on on” had been my situation.

Hmmmmm — your thoughts?  Agree, disagree……….
Please share!!!

Jen

Today I had a meeting with elementary admin — and at the end of a frustrating (you don’t understand Jen, you are not in the classroom, the teachers don’t have the equipment, the teachers are scared, etc etc) conversation — I heard myself say the words “all I can see is that if things don’t change, we will be having this same conversation next year with nothing different”.

And though we put some plans together…..it still is a “if you can do it Jen, great but if you can’t it won’t get done” kind of plan — and that both bothers me and scares me.   I am excited that they want me to give bi-weekly opportunities for the teachers to come and learn ideas.  I am excited that they want me to do some inservices (and skype some friends in to present too), and that they plan on the teachers being part of online projects.  I am glad that they see that the teachers DO need more computers and DO need the training.  But I am scared……because a large amount of the vision and the responsibility lies on me………

And I guess, to be totally honest, I am feeling my age too.  In 2 years, I will be 50…….and will I still be (in 2 years) saying “being patient as we take those baby steps”??  Because, honestly, the older I get, the less patience I have for things taking time.

And I don’t know how to help the “aha” to turn on.  I don’t know how to help teachers who don’t want help.  I don’t have enough “light” in me to be the full vision for tech at our school…..and I am not sure that I am supposed to be.

And deep down, I know I am past tired of hearing “Teachers Using Technology”.  We don’t hear “teachers using chalk”, “teachers who use overheads”, “teachers using white boards or dry erase markers”.   In fact, I am going to totally change this statement on my website this weekend:

Jennifer Wagner, creator of JenuineTech.com, has been succesfully encouraging teachers since 1999 to use technology seamlessly in their PreK-6 classrooms. Using the tools of the Internet (Web 2.0), Jennifer will help you understand how technology will help you make the most of your time in a variety of ways.

Because I am even making a division with technology and the teachers I work with online!

So right now, I feel a burden — and I am looking for ideas of how to distribute it better or even how to lighten it.  I enjoy very much where I work.  The people are kind, considerate, honest, and have integrity and are very very good teachers, admin, and people.  I just am wondering how to help them realize all the opportunities they have available at their fingertips.

Any ideas!?!  Sorry for the rant…
It has been an interesting day.

Jen

This has been a humbling but educational week as I am learning a great many skills, rather quickly, in order to improve both myself and to aid teachers with their tech needs as well.  (our teachers come back in 3 weeks, which is totally mystifying me a bit!)

One teacher wanted me to create her a daily schedule, and I told her I would help her but not do it……(the frown that I saw was a bit scary) and then she decided to go for it.  I suggested Publisher, she suggested Word…..I hesitated and then said “let’s go for it” and we learned together.  I have to admit, I have shortchanged Word on this possibility.  I would have gone to excel or publisher before a table in word, but it turned out great.  And we learned together.  There is another teacher who was going to meet with me on Thursday, but the first teacher said “Oh, I think I can show her how!!”  MUSIC TO MY EARS……and always remembering one teacher at a time.

Then, I decided to tweak my blog……again.  I just have not found THE LOOK I want yet…..but I am getting close.  So I found a template and am learning to TWEAK AND TWEAK AND TWEAK it……and becoming a bit more bold than I would.  And as I tweak the template, I am learning more and more about coding and what things mean……and though I have NO IDEA yet how I could ever share this.  I know that there will be a day sometime somewhere that this knowledge I have acquired just might be what someone needs to know.  (Smiles, and if nothing else, I am making a template work for my needs and preferences!)

I also had to admit this week that I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DO SOMETHING…….sometimes that can be a very hard admission to make.   I still don’t know how to do what they need me to do……and though I could run to my network for help…..I am going to try to figure this out a bit more before I get quick help.   It is not an immediate need…..and as I am searching, I am learning!!

So — share what you have learned recently??
I would love to know and to learn from you as well.

Jen

Too many times, I think I know more than I really know — and then I find out how ignorant I really am!! Smiles, anyone else either nodding in agreement or understanding?

That happened again yesterday afternoon. My friend, Sharon Peters, is on a trip right now in S. Africa and because of some very sad circumstances, she had a hard time sleeping last night……so when she saw I was on, we started a chat (2:30 am her time) . Played catchup on what is going on, asked questions about her trip to the game reserve, talked a bit about technology, and then “bang” she said something that just did not compute.

She said Penguins.

I stopped her short and said “WHAT.” And she went on to explain about them being out and about yesterday and how they saw penguins. Just wandering around Penguins. And it floored me. And we googled CapeTown and I received a short lesson about geography (my worst subject) and where she really was.

We both talked about how where she was and what she is seeing is so different than what she had thought she would see. Right now she is in a huge city, over 1,000,000 people, and there has not been the extreme poverty (we both expected), nor the absence of good teaching opportunities for students, and many other false assumptions we both (more I) had made of what environment she would be in.

That was because we (mostly I) was working with only knowledge that I had acquired and because it was limited……I was limited and assuming and “wrong.”

So — as always — how does this come back to tech??

Everyday I deal with teachers (at work and online) who have done the same……the limit their resources to their limit of knowledge and in less someone who knows more, has experienced it first hand, who can be a help enlightens them…….they will think that they know what they need to know and won’t learn anything new.

But when they do — first there might be the “what?” and “huh” and then when all the pieces come together, it becomes an “AHA” moment!!

Thanks to Konrad Glogowski (who is on this trip with Sharon and the rest of the team) for the picture of the penguins and Victor. (smiles, if you want to know more about Victor, you will need to talk with KG!)

Smiles — I am still floored by penguins. If I twirled about a robin, I bet I would have cartwheeled when I saw the penguin!!!

Enjoy your day!
Jen

Smiles, and Durff gave me a day at the most. 

If you follow my blog, you will know that June 2, 2008 was an interesting day in my life and I took a break, a sabbatical, a walk away, a re-evaluation, a step back, etc from Twitter.  It had exhausted me, it had angered me, it had controlled me — AND IT WAS A PIECE OF SOFTWARE!!!  Basically — ridiculous!!

And I went cold-turkey.  One moment I was @jlwagner and the next moment I was poof.  No warning to friends, no chance to be talked back into it, no goodbye — just GONE.

To take some time to really look at what it was doing to me (what I was letting it do), how I had misused it, and used it, and whether it was important enough to eventually step back in.

To step back in slowly…………

to be honest, I have been back for 2 weeks — just lurking, watching, critiquing what I saw, catching up with friends, evaluating…..but not yet ready to jump back in.  You see, I know I have an addiction kind of personality and I tend to jump in fearlessly into things and then flounder as I try to get a foothold…….so I remained cautious.

And I evaluated WHAT I had to say to — and was it worth being twittered.  Or was it just fluff and I was bored??  And was it important enough to ME to take time out your your day to have you read it too?

And 2 days ago, I heard about the Flat Stanley project URL possibly being shut down for the project use — and I knew that THAT I had to twit.  The survival of online projects and the support for those who host them is very important to me….and I just needed to share.

So I twittered, and the earth did not move, the walls did not shake, hell did not freeze over, and life went on….not even a blip on the radar…… 

But Jen is back…….but a wiser Jen, a much more cautious Jen, and perhaps not so much a twit-aholic Jen.

But Jen is back…….

And what I learned.

#1 — Regardless of how twitter should be used, I will never ever use Twitter primarily as an education tool.  It is my contact with friends!  I like to know whether they get home safe, if they arrive safe, when they have happiness in their lives, when they need prayer.  I like to know links to their thoughts and where they are presenting next.  I enjoy their silly flickr photos, the links to LOL-Cats, whether their blogs are working, and what they had for dinner.  I enjoy reading that the CUBS are doing great  — HEY HEY WHAT DO YOU SAY!!!  :)  And I like seeing pictures of my friends pop up in my messages.  Regardless of anything else, it means you are alive, and probably doing well….and that makes me happy.
For me — Twitter is my family.

#2 — I will be more careful of what I type into twitter and what I take from twitter.  I will try not to read between the lines and analyze every little sentence.  I will take what I read with a grain of salt and let things roll off my back more.

#3 — I will bring my smile back to twitter and share it with more.  Going to be a bit more open with friends and followers and not be so “small numbered”.

So — if it matters — JenWagner is back………
and if you wish……..go ahead an be my twitter friend.  That would be grand.