Technically Yours Teamann — Page 71 — my version of transparent, collaborative leadership…with a Teamann twist

#ISTE13 Reflections

June 28, 2013 by Amber Leave a Comment

I’m so impressed with those who have already been able to get their thoughts down in some form or another about this week’s ISTE conference. I still haven’t even gotten my voice back, 🙂 I blame @MrHooker and his rousing session at EdTech karaoke that required squeals.

ISTE marked my third conference in three weeks. To say I was tired before we even got started is an understatement. To say my brain was full was laughable. In fact, I had multiple notes that are eventually going to be blogs on the other two that were more along the lines of “the way I wish things were” and then along came ISTE.

This wasn’t my first ISTE conference. I went in 2008, also in San Antonio, right after I was hired as a tech facilitator for our district. I can’t even remember ONE single session that I attended or an idea that I brought back. Now, understandably, that was 5 years and a three year old ago, but still. You would think there was something noteworthy about it…but nope.

This time? I think on the ride home Matt Gomez and I had a couple hours of silence where we were both still trying to process what had just happened. From the chatter filled ride down, to the reconnecting of people that I call now call besties, to the meeting of people I respect and admire professionally…there are SO many moments that won’t be forgotten.The sessions I attended all seemed to have a reoccurring theme, as did the tweets that I saw flying across.

Technology should enhance learning, not control it. The learning comes 1st & the technology 2nd. (ala George Couros)

From technology directors, to teachers, to principals, to program/app creators, to key note speakers…everyone I came across saw and recognized that if we start with people, relationships and learning, any type of technology is going to elevate the opportunities within your classroom. The PLN that we are connected to GET that. I can’t wait to unpack it all more!

I have so much more to say…and I’ll get to it all, especially more about the WHY I am sharing, soon.

But I have a lot of story time to catch up on, 🙂

missed mom,

Amber

PD planning

June 22, 2013 by Amber Leave a Comment

Had the privilege of meeting Brian Pete and Robin Fogarty at ASCD in FL a few years ago. Their session on training was probably one of the best I’d ever been too! If you haven’t ever heard of them, they have two books that I highly recommend. From Staffroom to Classroom, I & II. They give you a number of ways to conduct training with your staff that the teachers can then turn around and use in the classroom. It serves a dual purpose…giving the adults the opportunity to get up and moving, which increases their retention, and also provides strategies that they can use in their classroom with minimal fuss and effort. A win win!

I used a couple in the #ignite13 this week and thought giving my top three would serve as a great reminder for me to continue to utilize these great books as we start thinking about in-service for next year.

My favorite is the PMI. The PMI can be used to open a conversation about a topic or review mid session what you are talking about. It allows your teachers (or students!) to see a big picture, which with practice, can def develop those higher level thinking skills! You simply have the participants find a partner and give a P, a plus, an M, a minus, and an I, something interesting, about what you are discussing. As a whole group you can make a table, or you can call on volunteers to share.

I also like the three musketeers strategy for finding groups. Having your audience stand up and get moving is a great way to keep them awake and on their toes, 🙂 Everyone simply stands up with their hand in the air
s they find two other people to match up with. It’s a quick and easy way to create a collaborative group that you can use over and over. People also like to share in small groups, safer in small numbers!

Give one! Get one! is a great strategy to use if you have prepared statements. It allows for meaningful interaction amongst your crowd on a train of though that you select. This can be a great icebreaker. Simply provide your crew with a list of statements or prepared questions and have them find someone in the room to share with. They give one, giving their answer or thoughts and get one, hear someone elses’ perspective.

Short, sweet, and easy, 🙂 I like it!

Again, check out “From Staffroom to Classroom” parts I & II...you won’t be disappointed!

Professional developmentally,

Amber

Texas Tripapolooza…

June 21, 2013 by Amber Leave a Comment

My word. It’s the first day of summer and I haven’t paused to take a breath.

#TEPSA13 was great. Fast paced and full of sharing. Wish there were more admin’s on Twitter so they could have shared about their sessions. When you’re missing that techno component now, I feel like I miss out so much of what the conference has to offer. There’s a only a couple sessions per day, so it was hard to pick and choose where to go. Did get to dinner with some great peeps…and go t to meet @DrJolly for the first time. Have Relevant content, lack of tech.

#ignite13 was great. (there’s a pattern here, go with it.) I didn’t realize that it was a techno focused conference so that was a pleasant surprise! There were several district peeps there that I hope enjoyed the sessions…I saw sites like Dovewhisper and Blabberize being shared. Was bummed that the Aurasma session was scheduled at the same time as mine so I wasn’t able to go to it, but I’ve already warned @TechNinjaTodd that we’re having a sit down to discuss next week. Met several tweeps in person, including the great @Shareski, whom I hope to have more time with at #iste13 next week. Wish the content was stronger, but great tech involved…

The last of my triple threat trips is next week. (pant, pant, pant) I leave for ISTE on Saturday. What’s in store for me there? LOTS of my PLN who’ll I’ll either see again from ASCD or get to meet for the first time, 🙂 Super excited about my roomies, which will prolly make the trip worth it for me! (Joan, Ashlie, Erin, & Angela) Hoping this conference will be the perfect cornucopia of tech, content, and fellowship. I have a post coming up on that, on the great tech divide.

This has literally been the year of the conference for me and I can’t wait for 1013-2014 to put into action all that I’ve seen…but I’m not going to lie. I am ALSO ready for several weeks off … 🙂

haven’t packed yet,

Amber