More iPad app suggestions from a colleague

1. Readdledocs - 
2. Digits - a good calculator with a tape.
3. Newsy - video news source.
4. Roboform - a password manager application.
5. Kindle - reading books.
6. iBooks - reading books.
7. Quick Office HD - for creating and viewing office documents on the iPad.
8. Say It Mail It - for creating a very quick voice recording and then EASILY mailing it to myself as a reminder or to someone else.
9. ToDo - a task manager that syncs with ToodleDo via the web.
10. GPS Drive HD - a navigational unit for the iPad.
11. Doodle - an easy way to schedule appointments with many people.
12. Dragon Dictation - voice to text that can be pasted into emails or documents.
13. NPR - National Public Radio
14. USA Today - for the news junky.
15. Google Earth - pretty cool!
16. Howcast - videos on how to do anything.
17. AP News - for the news junky.
18. WordPress - for posting to my blog.
19. Solitaire City - for a get away!
20. GoodReader - pdf viewer.
21. iAnnotate PDF - a very good PDF application with similar features to Readdledocs.  (Plus, you can write and highlight with this application.)
22. DocsToGo - sync files from your computer to the iPad.

iPad apps for education

As a new user of the iPad, I am seeking (and finding) quite a few suggested applications. From colleagues in professional associations, and the Tweets from my PLN, I have been learning a TON.

The iPad is becoming a NEED rather than a WANT in terms of productivity, coaching teachers, staying connected, and leading.

Here's one link to a source of apps from one leader ...

http://www.eduleadership.org/wp-content/essential-ipad-guide.pdf

First Animoto Video

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Pilot Choice-Based Professional Development

Recently the faculty looked at plans for growth and professional development from a multi-modal and differentiated perspective. As research about student learning shows, students learn and grow more when they have choices and a “voice” in their learning. In my experiences, adult learners also learn and grow more when they also have choices and a voice in their learning and development. As readers of the blog know, I consider myself (and all administrators) in a position to coach, guide, and mentor the professionals in our schools! It is incumbent upon we leaders to support, nurture, guide and grow the teachers and teacher leaders in our schools. My two cents worth regarding choice based adult growth has a few options. One involves learning through technology and another involves learning through analytical study with interviews and observations and coaching

From my extensive PLN (examples shared through Twitter posting) I have been exposed to countless applications and web-based offerings that teachers can use to impact student learning directly. One example that I am beginning to work with is Edmodo. Through a “facebook” like interface, with a “moodle” like infrastructure, Edmodo is my first effort at engaged, collaborative, “high tech” learning at my school. My aim is to identify 3-5 Web 2.0 instructional tools this year to interested teachers through the voluntary/pilot Edmodo project. The first of these modules will be about using Voice Thread for educators. I will report back via the blog about successes, challenges, and “take-aways” from this experience. So far, there are several teachers who have voluntarily signed up for this pilot learning-by-choice professional development initiative. Teachers can sign up at any time and they can engage in any, all, or none of these modules throughout the school year.

Another option for growth and coaching involves a teacher going through a structured interview with me; an interview typically used for selection, but in this professional development concept, one used for development. After the interview, the teacher will be observed by me, not for evaluation, but for development purposes. Among the topics in the post-interview and post-observation conferences will relate to the themes of excellence predicted to be observed from the interview, and the themes actually observed during the observations. In addition, a growth plan may be mutually developed by looking, in-depth at the interview “results” and suggestions.

By offering options and providing choice and voice, the staff development has a greater likliehood of becoming job-embedded!

My first Prezi

Pennoyer Professional Development on Prezi

Twitter - new connections for me

Recently, my interactions with Twitter have opened up new professional connections and instructional opportunities and growth plans for the school district where I am the superintendent. Twitter is a professional learning network (PLN) for me - through the tweets of others, I am linked to the educational leadership world I am excited to be a part of. Through the lists/connected groups like #edchat, I can find resources like the blog at: http://edutechintegration.blogspot.com/p/tutorials.html - endless leaders, teachers, 'techhies', around the country and the world with whom I share professional interests. Twitter is also connecting me with local news outlets for breaking news and information. I re-tweet (share others' tweets) when I feel those who follow me might like the information. From time to time I share an original tweet with a link or information or a request for information or to promote a project at my school. The social media opportunities and networking and learning and growth I am realizing and enjoying through Twitter is/are something I want to share with you with the hope you can benefit from its power as I am.

Top 50 Educational Technology Blogs ... Link from Twitter

A link from my Twitter PLN:


top 50 education technology blogs

Power/Reach of social media

This year we started a Facebook page to promote our school district and increase communication. The year started last week ... here are the stats so far:

Facebook user stats

124 monthly active users (+50 since last week)
47 people like this (+14 since last week)
14 wall posts and comments this week (+14 since last week)
791 visits this week (+415 since last week)

Wow! Talk about "reach" ... social media is amazing and powerful ... our goal is to supplement not supplant traditional communication methods ... we'll see how it goes! So far - so good.

First few days on the job ...

I enjoy my new job! It's the first time I have been "new" in 13 years ... being new is scary and energizing. Being new is made much easier when the people with whom you work are as welcoming as the people with whom I am working. Kindness, warmth, interest, engagement, these are all words that describe how everyone has been: principal, office staff, teachers, parents, members of the board, members of the community. I feel fortunate to be the new superintendent at my school/district. 

I have been visiting the classrooms in my one-school school district. I enjoy that the teachers and students appear unphased by my walk in's, walk through's, and visits. My aim is to get to know the school, the school's culture, the teachers, the students, the teaching, learning, - the whole picture.  I like what I am seeing, I like that the school has a clear sense of purpose, order, "with-it-ness". It is great to be back in a school setting (it's been 5 years since I was at the helm of a school).

I truly feel that I can make a difference in the education of the students at the school through leadership, management, focus, energy, and collaboration. We face financial challenges like most other school districts in Illinois (and the nation), we face challenges meeting the needs of global/digital learners, we face challenges meeting the needs of diverse learners, we face challenges of having to complete the same mountain of paperwork that "big" districts are responsible for.

My first few days on the job have been really good. It's a transition for me as much as it is a transition for "everyone else". I look forward to reporting on the transition over the next few days/weeks.

Standards

Clear guidance and clear standards help keep us all on the right page and accountable for success. In Illinois, the Illinois Professional Standards are great "guideposts" for teachers and administrators as they reflect on best practices, educational needs, and professional growth.

Illinois Professional Teaching Standards
#1 Content Knowledge
The teacher understands the central concepts, methods of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) and creates learning experiences that make the content meaningful to all students.
#2 Human Development and Learning
The teacher understands how individuals grow, develop, and learn and provides learning opportunities that support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
#3 Diversity
The teacher understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
#4 Planning for Instruction
The teacher understands instructional planning and designs instruction based upon knowledge of the discipline, students, the community, and curriculum goals.
#5 Learning Environment
The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
#6 Instructional Delivery
The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
#7 Communication
The teacher uses knowledge of effective written, verbal, nonverbal, and visual communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
#8 Assessment
The teacher understands various formal and informal assessment strategies and uses them to support the continuous development of all students.
#9 Collaborative Relationships
The teacher understands the role of the community in education and develops and maintains collaborative relationships with colleagues, parents/guardians, and the community to support student learning and well-being.
#10 Reflection and Professional Growth
The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates how choices and actions affect students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community and actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally.
#11 Professional Conduct
The teacher understands education as a profession, maintains standards of professional conduct, and provides leadership to improve student learning and well-being.

Did You Know 4.0

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills - Framework for 21st Century Learning | Diigo

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills - Framework for 21st Century Learning | Diigo

The Learning Society

Transition

The past 6 weeks have been energizing, inspiring, exciting, and professionally satisfying. On July 1, 2010, I joined a new school district, my third in 18 years; I spent 4 years in my first district, and 13 years in my second district. On July 1, 2010, I became the 4th superintendent at my school district since 1945 - the 4th superintendent in 65 years - an impressive and humbling fact. In the one school, PK-8 school district where I am honored and excited to work, I have been "in transition" since July 1st. As part of my personal philosophy of leadership, RELATIONSHIPS and relationship building are cornerstones of any successful leadership experience. To that end, my entry into the new school district has been framed by listening, learning, meeting, understanding, examining, observing, reviewing, interacting, visiting, ... one could even say ... "leading". The meetings with staff have been (and continue to be) wonderful. I am eager to begin the new school year so I can see these impressive educators "in action". Transition and change are challenging concepts for many ... I'm grateful to the wonderful people with whom I now work that my transition is going smoothly. Leadership is not easy, leadership is rewarding, leadership is not making everyone happy, leadership is staying focused and building successful relationships. I'll keep the blog updated as the year progresses - this may become "a superintendent's journal" in addition to thoughts on educational leadership!

Why Interactive White Boards are Used Ineffectively in Classrooms

Why Interactive White Boards are Used Ineffectively in Classrooms

Top 10 Online Tools for Teaching Science and Math

Top 10 Online Tools for Teaching Science and Math

A day at the library

A friend and I spent several hours at the public library today in an effort to promote our school's grant project. We met a number of wonderful people who, in between going about their business, chose to speak with us and support our efforts on behalf of children. Leadership is being "present" ... being "in the moment" and being committed to excellence!

Just ASK Publications and Professional Development - Just for the ASKing!

Just ASK Publications and Professional Development - Just for the ASKing!

From my friend and colleague:

"There are as many ways to recognize people as there are people to recognize." -Eric Harvey When we do employeee survey work, "Recognition" is often the most neglected dimension by managers. For recognition to be appreciated, it must be timely and perceived as an earnest expression from a caring colleague. Get to know your coworkers as humans beings and understand how they prefer to be acknowledged, recognized and rewarded. Then catch them "doing things right" and do the needful with enthusiasm.

Post from a colleague

A colleague mine posted this on LinkedIn and I wanted to share here ... An essential tenet of effective teaching and mentoring is having high expectations for your students. As John C. Maxwell put it "People go farther than they thought they could when someone else thinks they can."