So we’re in full swing at school this week, and the laptops are everywhere. It’s really cool to have these tools in the students’ hands. We’ve had a few glitches, but from what I’ve seen, things are running pretty smoothly. We still need to add a couple more wireless access points to some areas of the building and an antenna to the roof so that the modular classrooms have access too.

What I find interesting is that when the kids walk in the classroom, the first thing they do is whip out their laptops. Yeah, we will use them a lot, no doubt. But it’s a TOOL. Not everything depends on that one tool. If only they were that ambitious about opening a book….an English teacher can dream, can’t she?

Stay tuned as we continue our adventures in 21st century learning.

Another summer rapidly disappeared, and it’s time to get back in the classroom. Lately almost everyone I see who knows I’m a teacher asks the classic question, “Are you ready for school to start?” Well, yes and no. I’ve worked a lot over the summer to prepare materials in Moodle for my classes, but I have tons more to do. I’m ready–sort of. Of course, I can’t just stay in prep mode all the time.So, ready or not, here we come.

I’m really  excited (and a little bit nervous) about the huge technology initiative our district is implementing. It’s sooooo cool. High school students will each get a laptop. Teachers will have tablet PC’s, and all elementary and middle school classrooms have Promethean interactive boards. How cool is that?!

We’ve spent the summer training and preparing for the new year. I know there will be a huge learning curve for all involved, but what an awesome opportunity. We’re preparing our students to thrive in this century using the tools of this century. For the most part, I think a lot of schools do a great job or preparing kids to do quite well for the 1980’s. You have to admit, the 80’s did have some good points, but I really don’t want my children educated that way. I’m so glad I work where I do. I’m glad our school board and administration have a vision and the courage to follow it–to take risks and make this step. I think other districts may wish they were doing something like this, but I don’t see it happening just yet. BTW, before anyone (like anyone reads this blog anyway……) gets any wild ideas about our district having a lot of money and resources, let me clarify where we stand. Last I heard, our district is the third-lowest funded school district in Colorado, and Colorado is pretty low on education funding too. By no means do we have tremendous amounts of money to spend. This technology initiative has taken a lot of creativity and determination on the parts of many people in our district. It would have been very easy for us to join so many others in simply wishing we could do something like this—get technology tools in our students’ hands, train our staff, and so forth. We coiuld have become discouraged and left the idea sitting there on the table in the board room. But that didn’t happen. And we’re all the better for it.

So, everyone, ready or not, time to saddle up. Be confident and try some new things with your classes. Have some fun and trust yourself. Be willing to make some mistakes and learn from them. The question isn’t “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” It is “What’s the best thing that can happen?”