Mr. Wear's blog

Culture

2010-09-24T12:57:00.000-07:00

~ Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures. ~ Cesar Chavez

It is always fascinating to me, as I start the year with a new group of students, how some students are very aware of their family culture and traditions and some are not. Not to say this is a bad thing, but it is wonderful when we are aware of these things, compare them, see the similarities and celebrate the differences. Life would be very bland without the diversity of many cultures and traditions. We don't need to adopt every tradition, but as Cesar Chavez stated, we also don't need to disrespect other cultural traditions to preserve "ours." In the long run, we might see that there is a whole lot that ties us together than what separates us.

Student Expectations

2009-06-03T14:15:00.000-07:00

I am grappling with understanding what kind of expectations have been required of students in the past to participate in year-end activities. Questions come to mind that I really don't have answers for.

•Are students rewarded just because they have been at school?
•Do our expectations only start a month before the end of the school OR should our expectations start at the beginning of the third trimester?
•Do our expectations only need to limited to the third trimester or could some type of year-long system be established?
•Are only behaviors the litmus or are academics factored in?
•What message do our school's current policy send to the students?
•What have our students learned as a life-lesson from our expectations?
•Isn't being promoted to the next grade level a reward itself when a student has not preformed academically or behaviorally? Why are they additionally rewarded? Does that happen anywhere else in life? Would this be analogous to showing up to work, not doing anything, getting paid and receiving a bonus?
•Are especially critical infractions, no matter what part of the year, considered?
•Should we not set the bar just a little higher than where it is now?

I am cognizant that rules are sometimes a case-by-case situation and would have to interpreted for some students individually. I also realize that is too late in the school to change anything, but perhaps this issue could be more closely examined for next year.

I am looking for clarity. If I am off base, please tell me. I am not made of china and can be told so if I truly am off base... it won't offend me.

Ultimately, I am concerned what we are teaching students.

Where is Wear???

2009-05-11T12:45:00.000-07:00

Zzzzzzzzz.......
I've been asleep, but I will return soon!

The Social Web?

2009-02-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

Richard Kassissieh, Director of Technology at Catlin Gabel School truly is a wealth of knowledge. The information he shared on the uses and applications of social web sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) has broad implications. There are so many wonderful academic gems that can evolve from social networking through the web. The one profound statement that Richard shared is that training on proper usage must happen in order to really see the most gain from the potential of social networking.

The Balance...

2009-02-19T20:09:00.001-08:00

Finding the balance in today's word is an ever challenging endeavor. It is an even bigger challenge if in a leadership position leading an organization. I don't envy Steve Langford, CIO Beaverton Schools, situation in the coming months with the budget crisis. Ideally he views the technology challenges in Beaverton in a triad of three intersecting concepts: Holistic Technology, Equity, Economic Reality.

Finding that balance between those three in a normal economy would be difficult; in today's environment practically impossible. Pressed to focus on one area because of the economic downturn, the CIO would most likely concentrate on Holistic Technology. (Holistic Technology would be insuring that educators maximise the potential of existing technology in the district.) Probably the most practical approach.

My concern is with aging hardware in the district. If funding does not support the replacement of equipment, then as technological attrition snowballs, Holistic Technology will be meaningless.

All the king's horses and all the king's men

2009-02-18T11:23:00.000-08:00

Couldn't put Humpty together again. Fortunately, the good doctors were able to put my ankle back together. Scroll down to check out the pictures, but viewer discretion is advised!!!

Wrought Over Web Design

2009-02-15T14:07:00.000-08:00

Just like the blacksmiths of olden days, designing an effective web page is, from what I am finding out, a craft. So many elements of form and function go into the creation of this tool... and I do mean tool. Big and cumbersome, the tool (website) will have no usefulness for the user. Scant and bleak, users will have no interest in the tool (website) and what it can do. The tool must be practical as-well-as aesthetically pleasing. To that end is the difficulty.

In the pursuit of crafting this creation I have set forth. Building -- Forging -- Shaping a site I do toil. Will it be a functional tool or an electronic abomination? Time will tell. The launch of this website is soon to come...

How useful is technology?

2009-02-05T20:19:00.000-08:00

Technology is as useful as any other tool. Its effectiveness will only be useful as those who are using it. There have been innovations that have fallen by the wayside only for the lack of understanding its true capabilities. Even the simplest of technologies have gone unused due to poor user interface. But, that can not be the fate of such a powerful tool as the technology. Its potential, specifically the internet, for leveling the academic playing field, as an unending resource of information, and a way to collaboratively learn (even with individuals not even remotely close) can and should be one of the greatest advancements of humankind. The only key is its use.

The emergerance of useful technology in schools

2009-01-29T20:15:00.000-08:00

Technology has come along way in the past ten years. There have been wonderful additions to classroom instruction and most have been effective. Unfortunately, until several problems are solved, technology will remain the fun novelty in the classroom.

The first issue with emerging technology is access for all students, in all districts, at all levels. The gap between the "haves" and the "have nots" continues to grow in districts, states and even schools.

The next issue in the way of effective emergence is durability. Time and time again, the limited hardware that is allocated to a building is in some type of disrepair. Most hardware is not designed to endure the rigors of constant student usage. The is in no way a commentary on the "built-in obsolesces" of these machines, but more a statement on student's rough treatment.

Finally, tech support and teacher knowledge of technology must also be in place. Even with equal access and machines that endure the rigors of daily school children use will mean very little if those whose are the guardians are not knowledgeable in the capabilities of the technology.

Sugata Mitra: Can kids teach themselves?

2009-01-25T19:57:00.000-08:00

The clash of equity, access, curriculum standards, graduation requirements, state report cards and so on can all impede students' learning. Necessity is the mother of invention and so it goes, kids can teach themselves. Kids. Adults. Animals. All are driven by curiosity and the innate need to learn. What is at odds with this natural phenomenon is the mandated requirements imposed by society. Obviously, as a society, we can not just let whatever external benchmarks go out the window. At some point the marriage of natural learning and societal expectations will need to come to terms thus accentuating every individuals learning.

Please refer to this insightful dissuasion given by Sugata Mitra.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/sugata_mitra_shows_how_kids_teach_themselves.html

Grounded!

2009-01-24T18:26:00.000-08:00

For the time being, I will not be able to devote as much time as I wanted to my blog due to my severe ankle break.

It seems that my mind still moves as if I were twenty, but my body moves as a man three times that age. In my basketball league last Wednesday, I got the ball out on the wing. Instinctively, I faked my defender left and went right. That was when it all went very bad. My left caught my defender's foot (back in the day... not a problem.) As my body shifted and my foot caught, my left knee collapsed sideways. In a slow motion highlight reel in my eyes, I watched my knee turning inward then in the same motion my foot turned completely sideways to my leg with a sickening crack and pop. I hit the ground and saw my leg and foot in some cartoonish shape I had never seen before. After writhing on the floor for a good ten minutes and discussions on if an ambulance should be called or if someone should drive me to the hospital, I drove myself to the hospital at 9:30pm.

Hours later at about 5:00am, I got home with just the beginnings of a long recuperating process that will most likely end in surgery.

If that was not enough, I turned around and was at school by 8:00am. Pressing commitments dictated that I be at school the next day, however by 3:40pm I had used any and all reserves that I had. Regrettably, I just didn't have enough left to make it to my EDAD 536 class.

There are many other details to the story. Those will need to come at a later time. I've included pictures, but they do not truly show the freakish reality.

Stay tuned.

Getting ready for take off

2009-01-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

It's almost time to spread my electronic wings and launch my blog to the parents of my school.

Small additions and tweaks to the blog are in the works. Items such as; a homework page that lists not only my, but my teammates daily/weekly homework; upcoming events; a picture of the week (day?); and other related resources that will facilitate communication and nurture the success of the students. Plus, some non-educational, amusing "stuff" might be found at my blog.

Clear a path, the big bird should be taking off within a week!

To Tech or Not to Tech?

2009-01-15T19:32:00.000-08:00

...hmmmm. That is the question. It is so painfully apparently that I will need to come up to speed with my tech skills. This will be advantageous for professional reasons as-well-as to document day-to-day experiences.

Funny, many students have these skills already... skills that are far more advanced than mine. I don't however, feel intimidated by this. Several students knew that I had a MySpace page and I shuttered at the prospect that they had that easy of access to my life. (btw- I quickly set my site to private!)

I enjoy the time figuring out new tech skills. Sometimes though I spend too much time on the computer instead of doing other work (sounds like some of my students.) In the long run, I have now the perfect marriage of playing on the computer and my course work in EDAD 536.