30. May 2006 by MrBall.

Lorelie’s goal was to increase the P.A.T. test results in our school at both the grade three and six level. She did this by first reviewing the curriculum with us, since that is where we would be setting our goals from. We created visual displays showing the correlation from grade to grade between the similar strands of math. This exercise gave each grade level teacher a stronger idea of the knowledge and skills which were key for students to learn before they could be successful in moving up a grade level.

After Lorelie reviewed the Alberta Program of Studies we discussed set out main concepts our students needed to learn. For example everyone agreed that number sense was very important understanding for students to grasp where as (even though it’s in the curriculum) tessellations were not as important.

Once Lorelie helped us to streamlined our goals across the math strands we then began investigating assessment techniques. We moved away from the knowledge measuring multiple choice tests to a larger mixed bag of assessment techniques; Running records, Math Journals, Task based assessment and class conferencing. We were shown how genuine assessment gains greater understanding of student learning and we practiced this in our classrooms with peers watching.

Next year we plan on reviewing the goals and strategies with Lorelie. We will do this with the help of the data collected from this years P.A.T.s. I am confident that through the help of Lorelie’s process we continue to improve math scores and more importantly our students’ understanding of mathematical concepts.

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30. May 2006 by MrBall.

Dr. Margaret McVea is a great example of an I.T. leader who endeavors to build strong relationships. Dr. McVea was one of my professors at Concordia where I earned my Education Degree and where she showed me how important it is to have a connected community. In a highly competitive environment she demonstrates to preservice teachers the importance of sharing their work and experiences. Her success in passing these skills along has aided many Concordia graduates to become community builders in their own of schools. She has recently demonstrated her ability to build professional communities at the Technology Plus conference at Concordia. The conference, which she was the head of, showcased the best practices of Concordia students and their mentor teachers. She continues to strengthen her own talents by doing research in the area of I.T. integration in preservice teaching programs. As she continues to share her skills for building genuine relationships she is helping schools staffs and students to learn together.

Dr. McVea received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the U of A, in Classics and Psychology. She has completed a B.Ed after degree in social studies as well as a graduate diploma in elementary reading. Dr. McVea completed a Master’s degree in educational psychology and received her Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Policy Studies from U of A in 1998. She was a teacher with Edmonton Catholic schools for 25 years before becoming assistant dean in Concordia University Ed. Department.

To see more of her research visit this link:

http://www.education.concordia.ab.ca/research_mcvea.htm

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30. May 2006 by MrBall.

Out of high school I earned a Theatre Arts Diploma from Grant MacEwan and then an Arts Degree from Concordia. I graduated with an after-degree in Elementary Education in May 2003. At the end of my after degree I developed a Virtual Classroom Tour for the Microsoft Innovative Teachers program. I’ve been a 2Learn teacher and an Edmontonians magazine “Sizzling Twenty under 30” winner for my use in technology in the classroom. In my spare time my wife of two years and I enjoy gardening, baking, and make our own soap.

Ever since elementary school I have enjoyed using computers now that I am back teaching in elementary it is no different. As an IT leader in a small school I find that my biggest struggles is in directing staff and administration in making the best choices in the purchase of hardware and software. Often the excitement that they bring with new gadgets has more focus on what the gadget does and not on how it will aid or improve learning of students. I have to try to encourage the teachers to look for strong curriculum ties while holding onto the excitement they bring about gadgets.

I am continually trying to get the staff excited about software uses in education. My staff often feels over worked in the area of professional development. My principal is not the strongest supporter of technology. As long as the computers are working in the lab and everyone can get their emails she’s happy. In this kind of environment I feel that I am often struggling alone in the dark to acquire hardware or update and have software installed. The environment is not the best for me to shine in but I am convinced it is an environment where I can make a big difference to student learning in my classroom and in the rest of the school.

I have reached out to students I don’t teach in the school by holding a computer club during their lunch hour recess. By having two sessions during the week I am able to focus on smaller spectrums of ability. Covering different skills and subjects in upper and lower elementary allows me to reach more students more deeply.

I’m not moving mountains but as long as I am reaching out to students and making some turbulence towards curriculum based technology use I am proud of my leadership,

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30. May 2006 by MrBall.

Leola Hildebrandt (my principal)

Leola is a leader who I admire for her moral purpose. Fullan’s introduces his chapter on moral purpose by saying “You don’t have to be Mother Theresa to have moral purpose.” I believe Leola possess many of the qualities a person like Mother Theresa would need in order to lead and inspire people to do their best. Leola sets high goals for herself and her staff. She does this because she knows the difference we as teachers can make in every childs life. She infuses the teachings Christianity in every decision and goal. From the simplest of choices to the largest of school shifts she always aware of how her ideas, values, and commitments affect both the teachers and students.

I once heard a principal share advice on how to be the best principal possible. She said that all you have to do is take care of the teachers and they will take care of the kids. This is what Leola does for her staff. She helps us to set smart goals for learning and wise goals for caring for students’ whole child.

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30. May 2006 by MrBall.

Mark Wagner is a tech leader who I admire for his openness to communicate his vision for the application of new technologies in the classroom. Mark has used his understanding of technology and teaching pedagogy to train teachers in the Orange County Department of Education. He has in serviced teachers on many topics no the least of which include: Blogging, the Read/Write web, Podcasting and the use of video games as learning tools (and much more I’m sure). Mark shares many of his thoughts with the world on his website at: http://edtechlife.com/. In many of his posts he quotes the theories of Piaget, Bruner and Dewey. He takes the old texts (not that old is bad) and always seems to find connections to present day learning, technology, and teaching. I always appreciate his insightful posts on different technologies and education not to mention his posts about life in general.

Mr. Wagner is a working on his PhD in Educational Technology at Walden University. Much of his research is based around the use of massive multiplayer online role playing games as learning environments (MMORPG). He focuses on three goals for his research in games education; Context embedded, inquiry driven and Socially Negotiated. Mark Wagner is making the move into post-secondary teaching. I am excited for Mark and those who will be his students. It is great to see that his talents will be used to equip pre-service teachers through them students.

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25. May 2006 by MrBall.

I signed my continuous contract with Edmonton Catholic schools last night. It’s probably more exciting than I realize right now but I’m too busy to have time to think about it. I’ll appreciate it this summer I’m sure.

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9. May 2006 by MrBall.

I received my copy of “DON’T BOTHER ME, MOM — I’M LEARNING” : How Computer and Video Games Are Preparing Your Kids For Twenty-first Century Success — and How You Can Help!

I have a presentation I have to prepare for my Leadership in I.T. course so the book has to wait.

In the mean time I’m going to post one of my assignments to the web. We were asked to write about someone who we felt was a Tech Leader. I chose to write about Dr. Margaret McVea at Concordia University College of Alberta. Here is what I had to say (write).

Community Builder

Dr. Margaret McVea is a great example of an I.T. leader who endeavors to build strong relationships. Dr. McVea was one of my professors at Concordia where I earned my Education Degree and where she showed me how important it is to have a connected community. In a highly competitive environment she demonstrates to preservice teachers the importance of sharing their work and experiences. Her success in passing these skills along has aided many Concordia graduates to become community builders in their own of schools. She has recently demonstrated her ability to build professional communities at the Technology Plus conference at Concordia. The conference, which she was the head of, showcased the best practices of Concordia students and their mentor teachers. She continues to strengthen her own talents by doing research in the area of I.T. integration in preservice teaching programs. As she continues to share her skills for building genuine relationships she is helping schools staffs and students to learn together.

To see more of her research visit this link:

http://www.education.concordia.ab.ca/research_mcvea.htm

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3. May 2006 by MrBall.

I had meeting with Danny Maas from TILT T.V. and he introduced me to www.jotlive.com. I’m going to try and use it with my grade threes as an interactive storytelling tool. This is the old school classic using the post it notes and piecing together the story from small chunks of ideas. I’ve been poking around the interweb instead of doing my course work. I still need to read one paper Tech Standards for Admin. It looks yawn-errific but I’m sure there are lots of great things that I’ll learn (or at least I’ll get a good nights sleep).

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