Collaboration

I've long been interested in technology and how to use it to get the word out. I've experienced many frustrations. One is the feeling of not making a difference. This is one of the reasons that so many blogs get started and then left by the way side. I fear that this has happened in part with this blog. See, many blogs get started but then lack an interaction that is necessary to continue. Many blogs don't get listed in Google until they have been around a while. This is to prevent a ton of blogs showing up in Google results and then being left to die. However, it does lead to an interesting Catch 22; by not being listed, the blogs don't receive any feedback. That lack of feedback then creates a unwillingness to post.
Well, I think that I've come up with a better idea for me. I'm going to collaborate with a couple of excellent educators in a blog and a podcast that is much more focused.
The current blog can be found at http://middleschoolmusings.blogspot.com/ . This is an early run through as we sort out our schedules and prepare to put things to work. We plan on introducing the podcast next Fall. Our focus will be on Middle School.
If you're a middle school educator, I think you'll find this interesting. Right now, we working on the boring stuff - technical issues regarding sound, workflow, program structure, and lining up topics. We're sharing what we're doing and hope to spark some conversation along the way.
Check us out and let us know how you feel.

Platform Choice

Does computer platform make a difference? Like many, I use both Windows and Macintosh machines. My personal preference is the Macintosh. I can most of the same things on either platform, however, I greatly prefer the Mac.
The question though, is does this make a difference in education?
Is one platform really "better" than the other?
Do kids learn easier or more effectively on one or the other?
Does what is used in the workplace (or perceptionally what is used) make a difference? Should it?

The next post will focus on my thoughts to some of the above questions.

MP3 Player

I've been searching for an mp3 player that is useful for schools. This would be 1) cheap, 2) just an mp3 player, 3) somewhat sturdy.
See here's the problem. I can see a teacher using an mp3 player to record directions, record primary sources, and more. But that teacher would need several mp3 players to hand out. Thus, it must be easy to load material onto multiple mp3 players. (And we're not talking copyrighted stuff here).
Next, when kids use it, they don't need to be able to listen to FM radio or use a voice record function. (Working in a middle school, the ability for kids to record voice messages for each other could be, oh, let's say, a distraction.) Thus, I would like to find an mp3 player that doesn't have any "bells or whistles".

So while I've found lots of mp3 players at $20 (a reasonable price), I haven't found one that doesn't include any extras.

How would you use an mp3 player as a teacher?

Podcasting Follow up

One of the podcasts that holds a bit of interest for me is Cut to the Core. They brought forth many of the same questions that I had about Podcasting. They brought in a teacher who notes how well it works. They also bring forth some others to talk about. Yet, I wonder how it works in "the real world". Lots of things sound good. They may work for the few who are truly bought in. These same teachers tend to be excellent teachers who have a wide variety of the things to use. Is it the ability of the teacher that truly makes a difference? How much of this technology stuff will become mainstream? Do teachers have anything to fear from some of this technology?

I urge you to check out the Cut to the Core Podcast.
You can also access it via iTunes.

Vacation

After a long summer vacation, I'm back. Ready to do more regular posting. Let's start with this one:
Is podcasting a legimate educational use? Could podcasting allow for real world application of skills? Does it really lead to more editing and more writing by kids? Is the learning curve worthwhile?

One more line of thought - Could podcasting be useful for school administrators? Does the public "tune in" to podcasts? With the time constraints of administrators, is it a benefit?

Your thoughts?

Technology

I've been involved in teaching and technology for quite some time. Currently, I am interested in how technology can practically be used by a wide variety of educators. I'm not talking about the early adopters, I'm talking about the mainstream teachers. There are certainly quite a few educators out there who are using technology in wide variety of exciting ways. However, the majority of teachers haven't hopped onto the bandwagon yet. There are a couple of roadblocks: like the frustration of the technology not "just working". All too often, I've seen teachers try a certain technology only to be frustrated because it just didn't work (eg. a wireless lab). Too many people involved in technology in education don't understand technology. If you're lucky enough to have some people who understand both technology and education, consider yourself blessed (and there really are many of them out there).

One of things that I've enjoyed for a while are podcasts. Here are some of my favorites:
The MacGeekGab
The MacObservor's Weekly Roundup
This Week in Tech

Middle School in Spring

Spring is definitely in the air. Middle School is in full bloom. Our district has had a quite an energetic discussion about middle school. Which led to the simple question- Just what makes an excellent middle school? As an extension of that basic question, many, many other questions arise. How do you continue to meet the needs of students, teachers, and the community in difficult economic times? How important are standardized tests? Will every child need to go to college? How big of a role do parents play? And many, many more.

Beyond NMSA

Originally, this blog was set up to review a trip to NMSA. However, the focus will be much broader now. The NMSA conference is a terrific conference. It is very unfortunate that educators don't get to attend more conferences. This is particularly true of conferences that are of such high quality. I can't say it often enough, if you get the chance to attend NMSA, GO!

NMSA

Just back from the NMSA (National Middle School Association) Conference. Learned tons. We'll post some information about the sessions that we enjoyed (and maybe some of those that we didn't) soon. Philly was nice. NMSA is, year in and year out, one of the best conferences around. Every year they have terrific sessions. If you get the chance to see Jim Grant, Rick Wormeli, or Todd Whittaker, take it.

See you soon.