Final Countdown Begins

Only 14 days of summer left for me. In two weeks I have Waldorf College Library training in the AM. On AUG 17 I start my work at the schools I go to. Thus my life gets busy and more scheduled!

I have really enjoyed the past weekend learning about new technology tools for education via an e-conference called Reform Symposium 2010. IT WAS AWESOME! There were free sessions on many topics from presenters from around the world! You can read more about it on my technology blog at www.techwalks.blogspot.com or go to www.reformsymposium.com. "It's not about the tools, it's about the skills." I was awed at the passion expressed by the presenters [who presented for free, BTW] and their dedication to education. I have some book titles I plan to order for the Professional shelf at the schools.
Here are a few stats about the conference: 712 registered users, 3 days of conference, 35 presentations/keynotes/panels, 59 different countries represented, 4874 total visits to the website, 4239 tweets, 366 visits from mobile devices, and 313 attendees at the opening keynote address. AND IT WAS FREE AND COULD BE USED FOR PD! They are already talking about planning the next one!
I talked to Terry Freedman in England, Alex G. Francisco in Portugal, Silvia Tolisano in the USA, and Judith Way in Australia! Shelly Terrell and the Ellumanate company were behind the e-conference idea. As educational architects we can no longer NOT know and use the tools of Web 2.0 to facilitate learning.

It will take me a while to debrief and try the tools that were suggested. I look forward to the rscon's archives to peruse what I missed. I'm looking into WallWisher, Skype, and Shelfari to start with.

My motto this school year is YOU ARE A GENIUS AND THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR CONTRIBUTION. I'm making posters and putting that statement in all my library media centers.

OK, OK, off the education soapbox [for now! :)]
Yesterday I checked the house in Rockwell for water damage from the rains we have received lately. The basement was dry. Steve has done a lot of work over there! THANK YOU, BUDDY. I LOVE YA, MAN! He comes the end of August to finish up. Anyone want to buy some property in Rockwell, IA?

I started reading book 2 of the Guardians of Time Trilogy - The Dark - by Marianne Curley. I had to put it aside for awhile to attend the e-con. I should get it done and on to book 3 before the end of the week.

My little container garden is doing well. I have 1 little tomato growing! I have 2 tomato plants, 3 pepper plants, and lots of flowers. I did have another tomato plant that I put in one of those up-side-down bags, but it died. Anyone want one of those bags?!? HA-HA The pic was taken today.

Tomorrow I meet with the library aides from WH to train to use the new automation system, Destiny. I'm really excited about it!

As I should get going, I'll close for now.
Theresa

Techno Girl!

Well, not really 'Techno Girl' because I don't know/use every tech tool, but I'm working on it! I spent yesterday updating blogs, created a Flickr account, reading email, etc.
I especially like www.edu.glogster.com and www.Animoto.com. With Glogster, you can create online posters with movable parts. I have 2 examples of Glogster on my FB profile page. With Animoto you can create 30 second videos from your photos. Both of the basic packages are free with paid upgrades available.
I have so many tech tools that I have had to compile a list to include my username and password. I know, bad choice! But how else will I remember?!?
Lynne has suggested a stack of books for me to read. I finished her "my most favorite book of all time" Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black. I need to acquire the sequel, Ironside. Holly Black is the co author of The Spiderwick Chronicles. It was a good read, especially if you like fantasy. This story has faeries instead of vampires and werewolves. The explicit language and adult situations make it a young adult book for ages 12 and up. Book Summary: Sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. Kaye discovers she is really a pixie faerie, switched at birth with a human child. She is asked to help save the Seelie world of the faeries, but is hampered by her love of the evil Unseelie World's First Knight -- a struggle that could very well mean her death. A fun, magikal read!
I am starting on the 'Guardians of Time Trilogy' by Marianne Curley. [The Named, The Dark, and The Key]. I'll let you know how these go. Book Summary: Ethan, one of the Named, fights the Order of Chaos and its destruction in the present by traveling through time.
There is much info on the net about fairies, faeries, fey, etc. Start with Wikipedia. You will find some variation of the wee folk in many cultures and countries. I even found ways to attract them to my home and garden - which I might try! First I have to get me a little birdhouse and decorate it to please my guest!
Just as Dorothy met a good witch, and a bad witch, there good and bad faeries. I won't weigh down this post with fairy info - if you're interested - find a good faerie book or surf the net or email me and we can discuss it!
Check out my journey down the Technology Trail in my blog: www.techwalks.blogspot.com. Share some of your tech finds with me!
HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY, CHRIS R.! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!
Until next time...
Theresa

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all you Dads!

Once again it is time to honor all those dads out there. Happy Father's Day to my dad, Stan Sherrill and to my husband, Steve Reiter.
Yesterday I spent the whole day sleeping and watching TV. Trying to catch up on lost sleep and brain use during computer boot camp I guess! I did look into my Twitter account and Face Book site. Added a few more tweets to follow and read over more recent news.
If I haven't said it enough, I'll say it again! I am so glad I was able to attend the Scott McLeod/AEA 267 'Shift Control' sessions during this past school year. I have learned so much and made some good contacts with the participants. Now to go back and put their ideas, suggestions, and tech tools to work in my school districts! I've been making a list of the teachers I want to target [ask] for collaboration. I want to introduce and use some of the tech tools I learned about with my classes.
Finally we will find out what out contracts are this coming week. B-K School has put off issuing contracts until all 3 of their new administrators were hired. Well, that's done! Let's find out what kind of job I have for 2010-2011! There are a few others wondering the same thing about their jobs, too!
Steve comes to Iowa for a 10-day visit starting next Saturday, 26-JUN. YEAH! He will be here until 5-JUL. YEAH! He says it's been very hot in KS. In Iowa all we get is rain or snow. This next week he heads to western KS to clean out a storage shed or something.
I have a interview with Waldorf College for the position of Library Assistant on Wednesday. This will be interesting!
Well, my friends, I've got to go.
Until next time...
Theresa