Moved again!
Sorry, when it comes to blog formats and am solidly ADD. I enjoy trying them out but not all hold me forever, and to have too many blogs just makes maintaining them an effort versus a joy!
Please follow me to my new blog location, effective 12-4-07, at:
POSTED BY Amy Chayefsky AT 12/29/2007 7:05 PM
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Is everything a VERB?
The IN Group (Integrate Now) is up and Moodling - to moodle, moodled, had moodled, will
have moodled, did moodle - ...... yep! Just like Google, Moodle seems to
be a verb! And in the very real sense this is true, Gina Pinch took action
by bringing Moodle to our midst (a noun there, did all you teachers
catch that?), the IN Group is
taking action by Moodling, we are creating community.
I am reading the most amazing book, actually, I
bought it last year and have been reading it off and on, jumping
around. Now I am going cover to cover as it relates heavily to the
class I am currently taking in my Masters Program (21st Century Skills
and Assessment).
The book is 'A Whole New Mind' by Daniel H.
Pink and he presents a very compelling and persuasive discussion on
global changes to the economy as 'advanced' societies have moved from Agrarian, to Industrial, to the Information Age, and currently the Conceptual Age.
Pink
does not argue that left-brainers (revered by industrial and
information age, and by extension their educational systems) will
become obsolete, but rather that balance is coming between one's left
and right hemispheres. Where left brainers suffered right-brainers - in
the age of out sourcing anything that is repetitive, linear,
mathematical and for which software can be written (read cheaply in Asia) to
do the job faster and with greater efficiency - the right brain
abilities and skills will help us to develop a more unique or
fulfilling vision, product, skill. Is this really the demise of the white-collar worker and the rise of the designer, the artisan and the storyteller?
HUH, you say? OK, go to the library or
bookstore, take a few minutes and read these pages: 51-53. Then, since you will by now be curious - if not convinced - read the next section titled 'MBAs and MFAs' where Pink suggests MFAs
are the new MBAs, then read Six Senses (or Six Essential R-Directed Aptitudes).
Then buy or check the book out and read it cover to
cover. I'd loan you mine but there are tabs and highlights and notations all over the margins! This absolutely explains 21st Century Learning, but of even greater importance, the need for
21st Century Education, including shifts in perspectives and thinking!
POSTED BY Amy Chayefsky AT 12/02/2007 11:06 PM
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Read Around Arizona - December 2007
Read Across AZ is HERE!
Promote Interactive Dialogue
Next week, several MUSD classes will connect, via ITv, with classes across Arizona.
This is the 2nd year of the Pinal County ITv Consortium's event 'Read Across Arizona'. This is an event designed to connect AZ K-12 classrooms via interactive television (ITv/videoconference).
This event is modeled after NEA/TWICE global K-12 event - Read Around the Planet - which celebrates global literacy in March - timed to the birthday of Dr. Seuss!
Maricopa Unified School District is an active participant in both events, each year!
For more information, or to make classroom-to-classroom connections with MUSD K-12 schools, contact me, Amy Chayefsky, MUSD ITv Coordinator achayefsky@musd20.org
POSTED BY Amy Chayefsky AT 11/26/2007 1:04 PM
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ETAN - EdTech Action Network
Would you like to tell your legislators how you feel they should represent YOU on current pending Federal Educational Technology legislation in Washington, DC?
ETAN can help!
Through their robust portal you can enter your zip code and read their already developed email message to legislators and in simply 1 or 2 minutes, you can have this email sent to YOUR representatives in Washington, DC. You cna also rewrite the text, customizing it to suit your style or interests.
There is currently an issue with Maricopa zip codes, I have reported this to the ETAN webmaster and they are working to resolve the new zip (85238) which is not yet reflected in their database and some new addresses not being found in the 85239 area.
If you would like to take action before the on-line component is resolved, email me or contact ETAN directly. achayefsky@musd20.org
POSTED BY Amy Chayefsky AT 10/26/2007 9:31 PM
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Bus Tour of 1:1 Computing Schools
On Friday, October 19th, Gina Pinch (Director of Technology) and I attended a bus tour of schools who have integrated 1:1 computing initiatives in Tucson, organized by AzTEA (Arizona Technology in Education Alliance). The tour included a number of Arizona K-12 administrators and related stakeholders, representing a statewide body of interest.
We toured Brichta Elementary in the Tucson Union School District and Empire High School in the Vail District.
This was an amazing opportunity to see 1:1 in action! Interestingly, like most things related to technology in the classroom, it is not the technology that is the transformative feature. What calls out is that the Superintendent's, Principal's and Teacher's had (have) a cohesive vision and focus. That focus is less to 'put technology into the hands of their students as it is to 'put 21st Century Tools into the hands of their students, preparing them for the real-world global workplace'.
They continue to reflect on their actions and the results. There were some other things that really made a strong impression upon me:
- School and Class size - The day of mega-campuses is waning! Vail has opted to design a smaller High School that supports the vision, focus, purpose of that campus. While the population was originally leaning toward students-at-risk and Special Needs students, these students have excelled in this very collaborative environment and the school now attracts parents and students who appreciate this sort of learner-centered environment. Vail boasts 2 other High Schools, so they are in a position to service different types of learners with a high degree of equity. They believe it is their mission as educators, to design the programs and buildings according to the needs of the students
- Teachers - Some teachers here clearly are master teachers and the others are well on the path to becoming so, they have migrated to these environments, or been successful in these environments because of their teaching abilities. Excellent technology merely helps them to reflect that to a higher degree, upon their students. They are highly engaged in learning and in the mission of their school's. It is acknowledged, by administration and teachers alike, that not all students or teachers excel in this environment, but that is true of any population. When the Principal at Brichta was asked if they 'screen' for technology skills during teacher recruitment, she said no, the questions and prompts in the interview will tell the story (example: how do you...) Interviewers are purposefully 'looking for' some technology supported response and often enough - an electronic portfolio.
- Physical Buildings - While Brichta is an older elementary school building in the heart of a residential area, smaller class sizes and highly motivated instructors are clearly supporting their focus. At Empire (only 4 years old) vast green areas and windows, open floor plans are welcoming and research now shows that windows and green areas improve student engagement and scores. Wisely, Empire has ramada's with Solar Panels, to help offset the electric bill. In Arizona, it makes sense that any new construction should incorporate solar where they can. Window areas are designed to not be south and west (hot) facing. There is significant deep shade in the student pathways between classes.
- Textbooks and Lockers - Empire does not possess any textbooks, nor do they purchase on-line texts (CD, on-line programs...), they rely on creativity, ingenuity, real-world text (library and internet and other relevant resources). They estimate that the district has saved $500 per student (offset between laptop purchases and textbook adoptions).
- The Dog Ate My Homework - At both schools teachers and administrators agreed that on-line delivery of appropriate content (most content, except art & drama) eliminated the excuses - I didn't know what the work was (It's posted on-line), the dog ate my homework (the dog did not eat your laptop). In fact, I heard an amazing comment from the Principal at Empire HS - Laptop failure is no excuse for not getting work done on time - students are expected to backup to flash drives and be aware of alternate electronic resources (home, library..). Students submit most work electronically through a program that scans for plagiarism.
In the shift to 1:1 computing, the real change happens in student-centered learning and student-responsibility. In the end, isn't that what we all want for our children and our students!
POSTED BY Amy Chayefsky AT 10/22/2007 12:59 PM
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MUSD establishes its SECOND ITv Connection - and - TLA's are back!
Through our active involvement with the Pinal County ITv Consortium, we have been awarded a 'portable' ITv unit. portable is a bit of a misnomer, it's a 52" plasma TV on a cart with a VSX5000 Codec. The word 'portable' refers to the fact that it is not hard mounted as in the HS ITv Distance Learning classroom.
Gina Pinch (Director of Technology) and John Hornketh (District Senior Technician) worked to secure the high speed access necessary to send and receive ITv audio/video transmissions.
Today John and I tested the new configuration are are delighted to announce that we connected to Jack Wallbrecht (CTE Director) at the HS ITv Classroom and to Chris Hanson and Central Arizona College in Coolidge, AZ. Chris manages the ITv/Distance Learning Bridge at CAC, overseeing a vast variety of ITv hosts across Pinal County and beyond. Thanks to Adrian Ingles (Consortium Tech Consultant) for his assistance today as well.
John finalizing configuration settings and connections!
What does this mean for MUSD? We can now expand our offerings of ITv sites from the HS ITv (Distance Learning) Lab to include the MES Library site. This will reduce some event bottlenecking that occurs during large scale events like Read Around the Planet, and provides teachers an option to bussing to the HS. We selected MES as this year's recipient due to incredible teacher support of ITv. These teachers will now have easier access and (we hope) broadened opportunities to use this incredible technolgoy with their students and for professional development.
John connects to Maricopa HS ITv Room
It is my expectation that MUSD will continue its robust partnership and
involvement with the Pinal County ITv Consortium, managed by Director Jill Dingman. It is my hope that, over
the next few years, the district, recognizing the value of this
educational tool, will look toward supporting the development of ITv at
each of our schools sites.
We reach Chris Hanson, at CAC Distance Learning Bridge
Our first events at both the HS and MES will happen in November. When teachers return from Fall Break after this coming week, I will begin promoting and registering teachers to participate in Read Across Arizona, a K-12 classroom-to-classroom event that connects Arizona classrooms via ITv, in celebration of literacy!
Tech Literacy Assessments (TLA) are back! The State Department of Education has again awarded MUSD several hundred assessment licenses. NCLB (No Child Left Behind) mandates that all 8th graders will be proficient at technology (based on AZ State and NETS Technology Standards). We originally became connected to TLA through our partnership with the Pinal County ITv Consortium.
From ADE Website: School Effectiveness Division
Student Technology Assessment
Arizona has partnered with Learning.com to assess the technology literacy skills of 25,000
students. This project will target districts receiving Title IID competitive grants and formula
grant funding over $30,000 in 2005-2006. Click here to learn more about the implementation of the
2006 TechLiteracy Assessment PreTest Instructions. Read details in press release.
Assessments will begin shortly after return from Fall Break and will continue into early November. This year we expect to assess about 277 fifth graders and 200 eighth graders. Fifth graders are assessed as a benchmark, the district is best able to determine where students are deficient and develop plans to improve those measures from 6th through the eighth grade.
This is MUSD's 3rd year participating in this state assessment process and each year Gina Pinch presents the resulting data to the Leadership Team.
Each year I have acted as both District Coordinator and Proctor for Mrs. Pinch (assessments are conducted and monitored in a manner similar to AIMS). This year I will be training MS lab instructors, several 5th grade teachers and an elementary lab aide to act as proctors in my stead. This time of year I am involved with TLA, Read Across Arizona, my regular scope of work and preparing for a series of upcoming Conferences (watch for conference updates) - so I am delighted that the impacted staff (and their Principal's) are being so gracious in lending their support in the way of time and availability for training.
If you would like to learn more about ITv at MUSD and Pinal County or about TLA, feel free to contact me:
Amy Chayefsky, Technology Integration, achayefsky@musd20.org
POSTED BY Amy Chayefsky AT 10/05/2007 5:03 PM
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NOON DAY Collaborative Project at Maricopa Wells
Gina Pinch, Director of Technology and I trained as Savvy Cyber/CIESE Mentor teachers for MUSD in the year 2000. Over the years we continue to bring a variety of fully-developed on-line projects to MUSD K-12 Teachers.
Recently, I sent out an announcement of the Noon Day Project.
"The
Goal of the Noon Day Project is to have students measure
the
circumference of the earth using a method that was first used by
Eratosthenes over 2000 years ago. Students at various sites
around the world will measure shadows
cast by a meter stick and compare
their results. From this data students will be able to calculate the
circumference of the earth." CIESE
Congratulations to Mrs. Jennifer Gomez and her 5th hour, 8th Grade, Pre-Algebra Class who joined this FREE on-line collaborative project. When I caught up with the class on Wednesday, September 26th, they had already been working with several days worth of sun movement measurements.
(Link to pictures at bottom of blog)
When I met up with them outside their classroom, at the start of 5th hour, students were already aligning and stabilizing meter sticks that would be used as one of their tools. Underneath the sticks, they had first set down butcher paper. The stick cast the sun's shadow on the paper and the small teams were directed by the teacher to take new measurements every 2 minutes for 10 minutes. This was the data collection phase.
Along with this and several other days of data the students are developing mathematical and statistical ways to analyze and interpret their data - to make it meaningful. The collaborative portion of this project derives from the publishing and evaluation of many class findings. The students in Mrs. Gomez's class were viewing data submitted by students in other countries, far flung geographic locations, who are conducting the same project NOW!
Students will now work to calculate the circumference of the Earth, prepared with a good understanding of
mathematics, the measurements of their simple tools and methods, and factoring in data
published from a worldwide host of contributors ! They viewed data and pictures from Australia, Philippines, France and more! Here's a glimpse of some of the data being developed by participating students: View Data Here
Please join me in congratulating this class for their innovative use of technology as a stepping stone to a broader world view and deeper understanding of the curricular content they are already studying!
If you would like to know more about CIESE Projects or are interested in joining a project with your class, and are not sure where to begin, contact me: achayefsky@musd20.org District Technology Integration Specialist
POSTED BY Amy Chayefsky AT 9/28/2007 5:32 PM
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While figuring this site out...
I need to figure out the source code location and proper syntax to add URL references to the task pane - if anyone has the answer, please comment - until then - here are links to my wordpress and blogspot (blogger) blogs.
We are nothing if we do not remember from whence we came! :- )
Listed in order of their appearance:
1. MUSD ITv & Integration I http://maricopa-itv.blogspot.com/
2. MUSD IN Group http://integratenowclub.blogspot.com/
3. AzTEA Eastside Chapter http://eastside-aztea.blogspot.com/
4. MUSD ITv & Integration II http://achayefsky.wordpress.com/
I manage a few other blogs but these are the work related ones!
Happy Blogging!!!
POSTED BY Amy Chayefsky AT 9/21/2007 12:40 AM
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Always looking for the NEW and IMPROVED
Tonight I taught a web class that included MS Publisher, on-line web site generators and my personal FAV 'Blogs'! I had changed at one point in time, from Blogger.com to WordPress.com
But tonight, during instruction, I found WordPress was a bit cumbersome for folks new to blogging to navigate and the impeccable training event I had planned was a bit hindered by different users having different results during the setup phase.
So naturally I googled around for a while to see what other bloggers are using and came up with weblog. So this is my test run to see if the setup and layout are a bit more 'clean' and intuitive than the other generator.
Actually I really like Word Press, but have been working in a few different blog generators now and enjoy figuring out how they work. For our busy teachers, I wanted to bring them something a bit more intuitive and user friendly, that they could use immediately with little to no anxiety!
I reviewed and examined some on-line web generators and they are 'cute' with some fun little icons for primary and elementary, but I find that blogs are absolutely the way to go for the rapidly changing content and for Middle and High School web and communication needs!
OK, a publishing I will go - let's see if this holds my favor - if so I will share this with today's class participants and plan to introduce it at the Santa Cruz web development class, next week!
And for Ms I., I am uploading a picture just to see how it work! OK - I had to resize my original picture using MS Picture Manager (to small web). This is a picture from Black Mountain Road look east toward the Palo Verde Mountains, the site on which my solar-powered, straw bale home once stood!
Update - shortly after this class at Pima Butte, I held another at Santa Cruz. I merely mentioned a variety of blogs and focused on weblog.com. Several staff produced webpages in Publisher and on-line creators and were published within 24 hours. One entire grade team came together and are planning a community (grade level) webpage and on it will embed individual blogs for each team teachers. What an innovative idea. It was a very successful and motivating class!
POSTED BY Amy Chayefsky AT 9/20/2007 11:43 PM
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MY PROFILE
Name: Amy Chayefsky
Location:
www.musd20.org/Amy/Amy.htm
RECENT POSTS
Moved again!
Is everything a VERB?
Read Around Arizona - December 2007
ETAN - EdTech Action Network
Bus Tour of 1:1 Computing Schools
MUSD establishes its SECOND ITv Connection - and - TLA's are back!
NOON DAY Collaborative Project at Maricopa Wells
While figuring this site out...
Always looking for the NEW and IMPROVED
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