Seeing the Light

[Wendy Farkas]

Okay, a plan seems to be emerging, thanks to all of you. I think, Julie, that you hit a note with me in suggesting that I create a presentation that will make the school look good. We received an "A" rating last year for our quality review, but it was a low A. My principal really wants to raise that into more solid territory, and this desire may be an inroad into getting what I need. What I'll have to do is develop a plan that will feed into one or more of the ratings categories of the quality review and focus my energy into convincing her that what I want to do can contribute to a higher rating.

One of the things I'm thinking about that I already mentioned is using Hypertextopia in a collaboratively in the collecting phase of process writing, then inviting the kids to use the fragments they've collected in their memory chain to stretch their ideas into larger fragments. Another thing I've already begun is using my Ning to make a community social networking page where parents and students can go to check homework, post questions and or create discussions. Using the Ning and dividing it into groups for each of my classes will allow me to connect lots of other things in one place - like Hypertextopia, Voice Thread and Tumblr. It will also be a place where parents can check on homework assignments and find my email address if they need to contact me privately.

Another thing I'd like to propose to my principal is the idea we discussed last week about having the students record their stories onto Voice Thread rather than having to sit down and write. Sometimes being able to speak what they want to say will help them see their thoughts and allow them to develop their ideas more thoroughly. Additionally, hearing their own words played back to them is a good way to brainstorm what they want to say. For example, when I re-played my Voice Thread story, I realized that it didn't sound the way I wanted it to, and I revised it accordingly. Finally, although students generally do not have well developed speaking voices, Voice Thread can help them hear what they sound like and that may result in developing a self awareness of their spoken voice.

Thank you all for empowering me today! I feel better knowing that I have a plan in place. Whether or not my AP will support me in taking this to my principal is separate question that I will try to tackle today, but at least I do not feel the same helpless frustration I've been feeling for so long. I appreciate your efforts and support.

[Wendy Farkas]

I'll go you one better. She gets a$25,000 bonus for getting an A, the teachers and staff who got her there get nothing!

[Felicia]

Imagine receiving an A rating and still feeling that you can do better! Is it really necessary to give out A's and B's to realize that we can do more, go further, get better? I hate the notion that we are only motivated by external rewards and punishments but that doesn't lessen any of your good ideas for using technology. And, if it makes the principal buy into your plan, that so be it.
Good luck!