Since August is more than half way over it was way past time for me to compose another post! I finally finished graduate school and for the first time in nine years I will be starting this school year in a new district. I have moved from a rural school to a suburban school. The student body population went from 300 students (where I was) to 2000 just at the high school where I will serve now. (This doesn't even take into account the other huge high school) I went from knowing every single student to - "there is no way on earth I can know them all."
Convocation for the district was on Monday and I must say that I was impressed. I have stepped into the most energetic, positive, and affirming district I have ever seen. This is really exciting for me. I already have the restless, can't sleep well jitters that always happen right before a new year begins but this year is worse than usual because of the great unknown that lies before me and the fact that the school is almost 10, yes 10, times the size of the school I left.
The principal told the staff that membership in the F.A.T. club was not allowed at our school. (Frustrated, Angry, Teachers) I had to laugh. No problem for me because I love high school students and enjoy what I do. Sometimes it is hard to believe that I get paid for this job.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
My first training video has posted!
Today I posted my first ever training video to youtube! I had so much fun doing this. If only you could see me smiling :) You may wonder why it has taken me so long to post something, but honestly, I have not really wanted to post a video with me in it! Guess what? I'm still not "in" it. I used a tool called screencastomatic with my desktop providing the visual. My voice-over provides the instructions. Look out!
The technology was not cooperating with me at first so I had to try several different methods before I finally got it to look like I wanted it to look. Here is my training video for any of you who might be interested in constructing your own website or perhaps just a single webpage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1x8OXLXNPw
So, what was the impetus behind this project, you may ask? Graduate school. As part of my last two courses for my degree in global eLearning I learned to work with moodle, a well known LMS (learning management system). I designed a college level course (see my course in progress here: smckinney.gnomio.com) If you want to check out my course you can log in as a guest and use the password 12345. I can't wait to tackle Blackboard and Canvas, among others. Now if I can only find someone who will give me administrative privileges....
Only two and one-half weeks and I will be finished. Finished with graduate school - but not finished learning. Not ever.
The technology was not cooperating with me at first so I had to try several different methods before I finally got it to look like I wanted it to look. Here is my training video for any of you who might be interested in constructing your own website or perhaps just a single webpage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1x8OXLXNPw
So, what was the impetus behind this project, you may ask? Graduate school. As part of my last two courses for my degree in global eLearning I learned to work with moodle, a well known LMS (learning management system). I designed a college level course (see my course in progress here: smckinney.gnomio.com) If you want to check out my course you can log in as a guest and use the password 12345. I can't wait to tackle Blackboard and Canvas, among others. Now if I can only find someone who will give me administrative privileges....
Only two and one-half weeks and I will be finished. Finished with graduate school - but not finished learning. Not ever.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
One more set to go!
It has been a whirlwind year for me as I have worked full time as a high school teacher and taken online graduate courses. The master's program in which I am enrolled has compressed a 36 hour program into one year. I will finish after the next set of courses and I am beyond thrilled! That puts graduation for me at the end of June 2015...a short 2 1/2 months away.
It has been a terrific growth experience for me and I can now create my own learning programs using various types of online learning management systems. I can also work more effectively with various ages and cultures, and have learned some new leadership skills. It has been interesting and eye-opening to work in an asynchronous environment with people across the world. I have worked with individuals in Korea, Costa Rica, and many states within the USA.
I believe that this experience has been a sample of what is in store for learning in the future. Yes, there were many situations that required advance planning and patience, but as I have learned to work in the online environment I have discovered that I really enjoy using it as a place for learning. I can scarcely wait to have the twenty hours per week I used for completing this degree back so that I can put to practice what I have learned!
It has been a terrific growth experience for me and I can now create my own learning programs using various types of online learning management systems. I can also work more effectively with various ages and cultures, and have learned some new leadership skills. It has been interesting and eye-opening to work in an asynchronous environment with people across the world. I have worked with individuals in Korea, Costa Rica, and many states within the USA.
I believe that this experience has been a sample of what is in store for learning in the future. Yes, there were many situations that required advance planning and patience, but as I have learned to work in the online environment I have discovered that I really enjoy using it as a place for learning. I can scarcely wait to have the twenty hours per week I used for completing this degree back so that I can put to practice what I have learned!
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