Staff Development Tips - Week of 4/17/00
No, you didn't miss an issue, in case you noticed the dates. I have been
in Europe training and didn't plan far enough ahead. So rather than
backdate an issue, I decided to skip one.
**********************************
Educational Technology in Europe
**********************************
I had the privilege of working with an international group of Apple
Distinguished Educators in my recent travels. Although we met in
Stockholm, only our host was from Sweden. In addition we had a Computer
Lab Director from Moscow, a Technical Support Expert from Krakow, Poland,
a technology researcher from England, a computer-using 6th grade
geography teacher from Wales, a staff development director from Berlin,
and a teacher from Italy. Our Apple host was Belgian, but currently lives
in the UK.
One of the first things I noticed was that we all share a common problem
of helping teachers use technology more effectively. Yes, the teachers in
Berlin are often resistent. And while those teachers who have taught in
West Berlin prior to the fall of the wall are used to changing methods,
for those who had taught in East Germany for all those years of didactic
rule, change is not easy to swallow. Regardless of the country, all of us
face reluctant users.
Another commonality we shared was equipment. No matter how many new
computers they had, each of them also had the usual contingent of old
computers. And almost all of them are working in a mixed platform
environment, with both Macs and PCs. Thus, we all deal with numerous
operating systems and networking challenges.
**********************************
Traveling with Technology
**********************************
I hesitated taking a computer until a well-traveled friend of mine
mentioned that all computers are ready for international travel. Sure
'nough. On the power label of your laptop you'll find it's already
prepared for 110-240V and 50-60 Mhz. The only thing I had to buy was an
adapter for the plug, which worked in both Sweden and France.
The telephone jacks were another matter. In our hotel in Stockholm we had
an unusual four-pronged plug. After two days of thinking I was missing
something, I finally asked for help at the front desk. They had an
adapter plug for my use during my stay, free of charge.
The other secret to connectivity was having an ISP with international
connections. I signed up for AT&T Business (attglobal.net); however, I
understand that AOL and others also have international access numbers.
**********************************
Staff Development Site
**********************************
For an excellent site on staff development, visit the Knowledge Loom.
http://knowledgeloom.org/
They choose different topics for focus and the current discussion is on
staff development. There is an associated discussion. One of the
panelists is Shirley Hord. If you've heard me present on staff
development, you've heard me talk about the Concerns Based Adoption
Model. Dr. Hord is one of the original researchers and authors of that
model.
**********************************
In the Category of Better Late than Never...
**********************************
I found this announcement several weeks ago, then forgot to send it out.
While the live events are over, the site provides a lot of ongoing ideas
- even Math!!! You may want to keep it in mind for next year or archive
it for your unit on English Literature.
Actis is running one of its flagship projects - Shakespeare Online Week,
10th - 14th April as part of its new English Online service.
Especially suitable for pupils 9 to 18, the events are absolutely free
thanks to discreet sponsorship!
Have a look around, and PLEASE encourage schools to participate - it's
what the Internet was MADE for. A chance to make live contact with
experts and stars direct into Shakespeare's old classroom in Stratford
upon Avon as part of a structured learning environment.
http://www.englishonline.co.uk/shakespeare
At the url above, you will find a timetable of events, challenges and
opportunities to interview more than 25 famous people from the world of
Shakespeare. eg. actors, directors, stage managers, make-up artists,
lighting technicians, academics, a chief examiner and teachers.
A new feature of this annual Shakespeare week will be talkboards on all
the plays allowing you to chat to other teachers about ideas for teaching
Shakespeare to all age groups, performances you've been to or companies
you'd recommend.
**********************************
From the e-letterbox
**********************************
Jackie Meyer of Wisconsin writes:
Thanks for the tips. Keep them coming, please.
We came back to our district and tried a few things you mentioned in
(your seminar in) Chicago.
Prizes were a big hit of course. We all need to learn to relax with
technology and try to make it more fun for staff to ease up on some of
their frustrations.
Thanks for writing Jackie!
Do YOU have a tip or comment you would like to make? Email it to
cates@techtamers.com. I'll pass it on
to the other 200+ readers for you.
Do you know someone who could use the information in this newsletter? If
so, forward it to them. Anyone is welcome to subscribe by sending an
email to cates@techtamers.com.
**********************************
Missing an issue?
**********************************
If you're missing a past issue of Staff Development Tips, go to the
Followup page for TechTamers at http://www.techtamers.com/free_resources/educational_technology/ednews/. The
archives of the tips are there, as well as numerous other resources.
See you next week!
Jeanette S. Cates, Ph.D.
 Return to Past Newsletters
 Top of Page
Back to Free Resources
|
