Adventures in Education

      A few days ago, I was asked if I had any plans for what to do with my computer lab.  I clarified if the person wanted to know about down the road.  When they confirmed I was on the right track, I asked if they wanted my "pie in the sky" plans.  They gave me the green light for that.  Then, I think I shocked them because I have already been toying with this in my mind for almost a year.         Currently, we have 2 computer labs on campus.  The first lab is for PK - third grade students.  The students use this lab under the supervision of their teacher.  Our second lab is for fourth - eighth grade.  I am responsible for the lessons that the students complete.  I am the only teacher in the room with them at the scheduled class time.      So what have I been tossing around in my brain?  My first suggestion is that the fixed tables full of desktop computers be removed.  I pointed out that the room truly does not allow space for students to collaborate.  My dream would be

     I admitted before that sometimes I tend to take too long to think about things.  Well Mr. Couros, I spent a lot of time thinking about what you said in your session, "Leading Innovative Change"at ISTE13.  I already agreed with you about the smartest person in the room being the room.  Focusing on relationships wasn't something you had to convince me to do.  I experience too much "mind your own business learning" around me so I was still with you.  We are on the same page with learning being the focus over technology.    I was with you through that presentation.  Then, you pushed me out of my comfort zone.  You asked us to raise our hands if we thought we could teach you something.  I must admit I did not raise my hand.  You managed to hit on one of my insecurities.  I have no problem teaching those around me because they are not very tech savvy.  When I come to large conventions though, I don't feel like I am able to teach others because I see so many

     I have been reflecting a lot on how much has gone on for me professionally in the last year.  I am amazed at what a single year can bring.     The biggest change for me was to embrace and use Twitter.  I had set up an account in August 2009, but I rarely used it.  I had not found the way it fit into my professional life.  I was an occasional lurker who gathered some links and ideas.  Last year, the permission and funding was given for me to attend my first ISTE.  This led me to jump into Twitter and start connecting.        A Twitter chat truly changed me as an educator.  I began to have a conversation with a moderator of a chat who works at the American International School in Hong Kong.  He and I started with a simple exchange of tweets.  He is now a cornerstone of my PLN.  Together, we began to look at how we could form connections between our schools.  This grew into an international book club that included a principal and her teachers from Ohio.  Utilizing Google Hangouts,

     So let's be honest here.  I stink at blogging.  I have made multiple attempts to get started and never seemed to get going.  This is an area I need to improve, but too often it feels like one more thing to get done.  I also tend to think too long about things before I am ready to put them down.          I am sitting here tonight truly humbled and amazed.  In February, I was at a Google in Education Summit #giesummit.  Paula Naugle (@plnaugle) brought up that Louisiana was one of ten states that did not have a state ed chat.  She asked Nate Kellogg (@nkellogg) and me (@mrsmhebert) if we would be willing to start up a chat.      Less than two months later, here we are with a successful first #LAedchat under our belt.  It was a little nerve wracking before we started wondering if we would have enough people for a thriving conversation.  Turns out, the time and feed went speeding by.  New connections were made between educators from Louisiana, all around the U.S. and even