Wow, she did it! She was a little surprised, but very happy she made it, she really likes choir. Tony and Jake were both in Madrigals. That's pretty cool expecially since this is Mr. Binns last year before he retires. All 3 had him as choir teacher. She's a little bummed that he won't be there till she graduates high school. We are very proud of her.

2009 School year, for some it's finding the right building where your class is, for others some involvement in the services provided for students. All in all, we begin a new school year. There is excitement in the air!!!

We are a proud family this week, Tony graduated with his Masters in Teaching last week, as you can see, we have pics in the photo album. He perservered, he never gave up, although it was hard sometimes to juggle all of lifes busy tasks, he hung in there and won the prize. I know it will serve him well. Can't help but mention, his softball team won the conference this year and went to  State for the first time in school history. Congrats Tony for an incredible year for you!!!

Just got back from the 3rd Annual Teaching with Technology Symposium:

 

Some very interesting things discussed for sure. Like most of my college instruction was flawed, now the science seems to be there to back up what I frustratingly stated years ago. You can't expect students to take notes all class long and listen to the lecture, it goes against what our brain allows. There are paths, like reading and learning or verbal and visual learning, they don't mix well together. View the transripts of the experts at the symposium.

 

A big emphasis was about how our world has changed so drastically, especially the digital age and how the educators are finally realizing they have to reach the students in more interactive ways. Looking at pictures of the classroom from the 1920's, it hasn't changed much since then.

 

It looks like the online classes will acheive this transition well before the brick and mortar classes will. How ironic that the online classes may become the better quality ones when they are being debated as not as good.

 

Some will fight the change and as history shows, will slowly retire and die as the change consumes us all.

 

I choose to ride the wave of progress to as positive a change as it can bring in my lifetime. Bring on the big waves, I"M READY!!!!

 

PS, I had the best technology at the symposium among the attendees, who's the man?