'Twas the week before Christmas, when all through New Meadowlands
Not a Giant's face nervous, not even red Tom Coughlin's;
The 4th-quarter clock ticked before Giants' fans' stares,
In hopes the division title soon would be theirs;
The broadcasters were nestled all snug in their booth,
While whispers of 4 p.m. games danced through bluetooth;
Down 31-10, yes, I reached for my cap,
And made plans to retire for a long winter's nap,
When out on the field there arose such a clatter,
A deep pass to Celek, the fact of the matter.
Away to the endzone he flew like a flash,
Right past Justin Tuck in his 61-yard dash.
Signs of life on the sidelines barely started to show
It was still quite a long shot, after all, as you know.
When what appeared to surprised special teams players' stupor
But an onsides kick pulled in by one Riley Cooper!
Then out came a quarterback, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Mike Vick.
Less rapid than Eagles the Giants they came,
And Vick scrambled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"No, Webster! no, Cofield! No. Here's somethin' for ya!
No, Phillips! no, Bullock! no, Umenyiora!"
With their lackluster prevent, backed up to the wall
Vick dashed this way! dashed that way! dashed away all!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So in to the end-zone the quarterback flew,
With a 35-yard scrable, and a 4-yard sneak too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard from the stands
The overwhelming silence of shell-shocked Giants fans.
And while shaking my head, without turning around,
Down to the 36 yard line, Eli came with a bound.
He was dressed all in blue, from his head to his foot,
And this drive seemed to make all our chances caput.
After 2nd and 6, the D forced a third down
Then a procedure penalty knocked the Giants back out of town.
Tom Coughlin -- how he panicked! his dimples how ruddy!
His nose looked like roses, or a cherry that's cruddy!
His droll little mouth was drawn open with woe,
And the hue of his cheeks was as red as Bordeaux;
And in Eli's frustration, we clearly could see,
He threw up hands, which encircled his head like a wreath.
Andy Reid held his playbook o'er his little round belly,
That shook, when he schemed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right cunning old coach,
And I laughed when I saw they had time left to poach.
A clearing of his throat and a play call to Vick,
Soon gave me to know they'd move down the field quick;
Vick spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
33 yard run, then 22, as he turned with a jerk,
And holding the football, cocked back by his nose
And giving a pump fake, down to Maclin he throws;
So we're going to overtime, but no, wait -- what's this?
Did Matt Dodge punt to Jackson, who just made everyone miss?
As time expired, the comeback complete, Eagles win, out of sight!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Scott's Profile Pic
Scott Swindells
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Mid-year Review
Hey there! It's Tuesdays with Swindy coming to you on a What up Wednesday this week with a reposting of an excellent article by Diane Ravitch, "The Real Lessons of PISA." She looks at the success of education in China and Finland through a lense that is much more clearly focused than our own country's seems to be with regard to viewing these results (see "Waiting for Superman," increased emphasis on testing and data, etc.).
The excerpt that drove a key point home for me, which I'll be heavily retweeting and spreading to my PLN, is the way Finland approaches student learning:
"Its education system is modeled on American progressive ideas. It is student-centered. It has a broad (and non-directive) national curriculum. Its teachers are drawn from the top 10 percent of university graduates. They are highly educated and well prepared. Students never take a high-stakes test; their teachers make their own tests. The only test they take that counts is the one required to enter university."
Another passage that strikes a chord with me is the approach Shanghai takes to it's troubled schools. Instead of punishment, it is one of collaboration:
"Interestingly, the authorities in Shanghai boast not about their testing routines, but about their consistent and effective support for struggling teachers and schools. When a school is in trouble in Shanghai, authorities say they pair it with a high-performing school."
Please read Diane Ravitch's article; it is exactly what I'd like to share this week.
Now on to some business of reflection...
It is the mid-year point for we three Academic Integration Coaches. Since we exist in a data-driven system, we were asked to compile the data of what we've done to improve tech integration in our district this year. We spent a day in reflection and data compilation, and below is our mid-year report. Now, we've got to get back to work! See you next week!
The Professional Development
Instructed 539 teachers in 35 after-school flex sessions from August through November (that total climbs to 615 teachers in 39 sessions if July is included), with 25 remaining flex sessions still scheduled for this year. Breakdown by session and date is below.
We average 15.8 people that actually attend each tech- integration flex session (compare that to the district average).
Received strong feedback on these sessions on mlp.com, with the average rating from teachers who evaluated our overall sessions being between 4 and 5 out of 5. Check it out -- our sessions rank very high.
Used a Help Request form so that anyone in the district can easily contact us.
Spent considerable time each week to stay current on trends in education and technology through blogs, PLNs, list-serves, webinars, and conversations.
Conducted on-site help during lunch periods with faculty at all elementary schools except York Ave and Bridle Path.
Have worked in every building in the district except the Alternative School, so far.
Maintained a list of upcoming and prior flex sessions on our website.
Published all agendas, notes, and links for CFF-approved flex sessions on the NP Tech Tools Wiki
Published regular blog entries:
http://swindiculous.blogspot.com/
http://mrcstat.blogspot.com/
http://wmckfarm.blogspot.com/
Podcasted weekly Tech Tip of the Week
Followed up via email with every person we’ve worked with this year.
Tech Integration Flex Sessions this year and number of participants
(Date, Session Title, Number of Attendees):
12/6 – Empowered – 13, 12/2 – Everything – 12,11/29 – Twitter – 15,11/17 – Wiki – 18,11/13 – Schoolwires – 13,11/10 - PowerPoint – 10,11/9 – Excel – 14 ,11/1 – Wiki Online – 24,11/1 – DE Streaming Online – 5,10/26 – Video – 15,10/19 – Schoolwires – 9,10/13 – Google – 14,10/13 – Word & Outlook – 13,10/7 – PowerPoint – 14,10/5 – Schoolwires – 12,10/1 – DE Streaming online – 2,9/30 – Everything – 15,9/29 – Moodle – 9,9/28 – Excel – 14,9/27 – PLN – 19,9/21 – Social Bookmarking – 15,9/15 – Schoolwires – 17,9/1 – DE Streaming Online – 15,8/26 – Word & Outlook – 22,8/26 – Excel – 20,8/26 – Word & Outlook – 26,8/23 – Blogging – 19,8/19 – Word & Outlook – 14,8/18 – Word & Outlook – 15,8/18 – Word & Outlook – 20,8/16 – Paperless – 21,8/16 – Web Quest – 20,8/12 – Word & Outlook – 16,8/11 – Word & Outlook – 20,8/4 – Word & Outlook – 19,7/28 – Word & Outlook – 16,7/21 – Word & Outlook – 21,7/14 – Word & Outlook – 21,7/7 – Word & Outlook – 18
The Work Log
Our work log spreadsheet (not included in this blog post) separates the data we collected from our meeting requests. We had approximately 168 meetings in three months. This does not account for some repeat visits to provide support at the last moment. The topics covered each month are as follows:
blogging/ collaborative writing
digital media (videotaping, podcasting, digital cameras)
google apps
promethean/ Smart board
schoolwires/moodle
web 2.0 tools
wikispaces
other: Microsoft 07 and other school based software including Gradebook, ELMO and SRS systems
Open school meetings/training
Of the 168 meetings conducted 70 were at the elementary schools, 14 were at the middle schools, 4 were at the ESC and 79 were held at the high school.
The Success Stories
For all of the training and meeting requests, we also wanted to highlight how it is actually being implemented with classrooms.
1. We receive so many requests for help with Wikispaces, that every teacher wants one almost instead of a Schoolwires webpage. The great thing about this is that students and teachers alike can be the ones generating content for their class Wiki.
a. A wiki used in a 5th grade class to replace a less-than-stellar unit in the textbook to learn collaboratively about Explorers (Explorers Wiki). Being in this classroom when the students are working on this project is an amazing experience.
b. A wiki used by 7th Grade Reading Teachers at Pennbrook (Pennbrook Fever). There are 500+ students discussing literature online.
2. Numerous teachers are using Google Docs to have students submit assignments, cutting down on the usage of paper in the district. We still do have a long way to go, but we’ve gotten a great start as a result of our “Going Paperless” session.
3. The NP Tech Tools Wiki is a listing of resources gathered by the AIC’s through involvement in online professional learning and development. We continue to update these resources for any teacher to access.
4. More teachers are willing to take on a student-centered approach to their classroom. In continued meetings with one high school teacher, her instruction is focused on what her students can be doing to actively learn. She is using Edmodo and Google Docs to facilitate this approach to her classroom.
5. Five Teachers at Inglewood Elementary have class blogs set up on http://www.kidblog.org/. Their students are excited about blogging their assignments, but they are also communicating with other students by way of comments on their posts. They are excited about writing and publishing for their classmates to see.
6. Two of Walton Farm's 6th Grade teachers have started an after-school club to allow kids to create a news program for the school. They are writing scripts, performing, filming, and then editing their video. The club meets one day per week, but one teacher has students coming in 3 other days to work on their videos.
7. Pennbrook's tech aide recently praised our team for getting a reading classroom up and running with Wikispaces and a set of classroom laptops.
In terms of vision, these are the kinds of classrooms, activities, and environments we want to create. Kids are being creative, they are being engaged, they are excited about learning. This change in attitude(for both student and teacher) is easily observed from classroom to classroom. The innovation has been facilitated by the AIC’s through careful planning and implementation alongside of teachers in the use of classroom technology.
Jason Christiansen, Scott Swindells, Wendy McKenzie
The Academic Integration Coaches
The excerpt that drove a key point home for me, which I'll be heavily retweeting and spreading to my PLN, is the way Finland approaches student learning:
"Its education system is modeled on American progressive ideas. It is student-centered. It has a broad (and non-directive) national curriculum. Its teachers are drawn from the top 10 percent of university graduates. They are highly educated and well prepared. Students never take a high-stakes test; their teachers make their own tests. The only test they take that counts is the one required to enter university."
Another passage that strikes a chord with me is the approach Shanghai takes to it's troubled schools. Instead of punishment, it is one of collaboration:
"Interestingly, the authorities in Shanghai boast not about their testing routines, but about their consistent and effective support for struggling teachers and schools. When a school is in trouble in Shanghai, authorities say they pair it with a high-performing school."
Please read Diane Ravitch's article; it is exactly what I'd like to share this week.
Now on to some business of reflection...
It is the mid-year point for we three Academic Integration Coaches. Since we exist in a data-driven system, we were asked to compile the data of what we've done to improve tech integration in our district this year. We spent a day in reflection and data compilation, and below is our mid-year report. Now, we've got to get back to work! See you next week!
The Professional Development
Instructed 539 teachers in 35 after-school flex sessions from August through November (that total climbs to 615 teachers in 39 sessions if July is included), with 25 remaining flex sessions still scheduled for this year. Breakdown by session and date is below.
We average 15.8 people that actually attend each tech- integration flex session (compare that to the district average).
Received strong feedback on these sessions on mlp.com, with the average rating from teachers who evaluated our overall sessions being between 4 and 5 out of 5. Check it out -- our sessions rank very high.
Used a Help Request form so that anyone in the district can easily contact us.
Spent considerable time each week to stay current on trends in education and technology through blogs, PLNs, list-serves, webinars, and conversations.
Conducted on-site help during lunch periods with faculty at all elementary schools except York Ave and Bridle Path.
Have worked in every building in the district except the Alternative School, so far.
Maintained a list of upcoming and prior flex sessions on our website.
Published all agendas, notes, and links for CFF-approved flex sessions on the NP Tech Tools Wiki
Published regular blog entries:
http://swindiculous.blogspot.com/
http://mrcstat.blogspot.com/
http://wmckfarm.blogspot.com/
Podcasted weekly Tech Tip of the Week
Followed up via email with every person we’ve worked with this year.
Tech Integration Flex Sessions this year and number of participants
(Date, Session Title, Number of Attendees):
12/6 – Empowered – 13, 12/2 – Everything – 12,11/29 – Twitter – 15,11/17 – Wiki – 18,11/13 – Schoolwires – 13,11/10 - PowerPoint – 10,11/9 – Excel – 14 ,11/1 – Wiki Online – 24,11/1 – DE Streaming Online – 5,10/26 – Video – 15,10/19 – Schoolwires – 9,10/13 – Google – 14,10/13 – Word & Outlook – 13,10/7 – PowerPoint – 14,10/5 – Schoolwires – 12,10/1 – DE Streaming online – 2,9/30 – Everything – 15,9/29 – Moodle – 9,9/28 – Excel – 14,9/27 – PLN – 19,9/21 – Social Bookmarking – 15,9/15 – Schoolwires – 17,9/1 – DE Streaming Online – 15,8/26 – Word & Outlook – 22,8/26 – Excel – 20,8/26 – Word & Outlook – 26,8/23 – Blogging – 19,8/19 – Word & Outlook – 14,8/18 – Word & Outlook – 15,8/18 – Word & Outlook – 20,8/16 – Paperless – 21,8/16 – Web Quest – 20,8/12 – Word & Outlook – 16,8/11 – Word & Outlook – 20,8/4 – Word & Outlook – 19,7/28 – Word & Outlook – 16,7/21 – Word & Outlook – 21,7/14 – Word & Outlook – 21,7/7 – Word & Outlook – 18
The Work Log
Our work log spreadsheet (not included in this blog post) separates the data we collected from our meeting requests. We had approximately 168 meetings in three months. This does not account for some repeat visits to provide support at the last moment. The topics covered each month are as follows:
blogging/ collaborative writing
digital media (videotaping, podcasting, digital cameras)
google apps
promethean/ Smart board
schoolwires/moodle
web 2.0 tools
wikispaces
other: Microsoft 07 and other school based software including Gradebook, ELMO and SRS systems
Open school meetings/training
Of the 168 meetings conducted 70 were at the elementary schools, 14 were at the middle schools, 4 were at the ESC and 79 were held at the high school.
The Success Stories
For all of the training and meeting requests, we also wanted to highlight how it is actually being implemented with classrooms.
1. We receive so many requests for help with Wikispaces, that every teacher wants one almost instead of a Schoolwires webpage. The great thing about this is that students and teachers alike can be the ones generating content for their class Wiki.
a. A wiki used in a 5th grade class to replace a less-than-stellar unit in the textbook to learn collaboratively about Explorers (Explorers Wiki). Being in this classroom when the students are working on this project is an amazing experience.
b. A wiki used by 7th Grade Reading Teachers at Pennbrook (Pennbrook Fever). There are 500+ students discussing literature online.
2. Numerous teachers are using Google Docs to have students submit assignments, cutting down on the usage of paper in the district. We still do have a long way to go, but we’ve gotten a great start as a result of our “Going Paperless” session.
3. The NP Tech Tools Wiki is a listing of resources gathered by the AIC’s through involvement in online professional learning and development. We continue to update these resources for any teacher to access.
4. More teachers are willing to take on a student-centered approach to their classroom. In continued meetings with one high school teacher, her instruction is focused on what her students can be doing to actively learn. She is using Edmodo and Google Docs to facilitate this approach to her classroom.
5. Five Teachers at Inglewood Elementary have class blogs set up on http://www.kidblog.org/. Their students are excited about blogging their assignments, but they are also communicating with other students by way of comments on their posts. They are excited about writing and publishing for their classmates to see.
6. Two of Walton Farm's 6th Grade teachers have started an after-school club to allow kids to create a news program for the school. They are writing scripts, performing, filming, and then editing their video. The club meets one day per week, but one teacher has students coming in 3 other days to work on their videos.
7. Pennbrook's tech aide recently praised our team for getting a reading classroom up and running with Wikispaces and a set of classroom laptops.
In terms of vision, these are the kinds of classrooms, activities, and environments we want to create. Kids are being creative, they are being engaged, they are excited about learning. This change in attitude(for both student and teacher) is easily observed from classroom to classroom. The innovation has been facilitated by the AIC’s through careful planning and implementation alongside of teachers in the use of classroom technology.
Jason Christiansen, Scott Swindells, Wendy McKenzie
The Academic Integration Coaches
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Doing Things the RIght Way
I just wrote an entry describing my very positive experiences today with two 6th grade teachers and their group of more than 30 students at the first planning meeting of their news team. The entry praised the teachers leading the group for doing things the right way, describing the way they organized their students into teams and gave instructions for planning their news segments, which will air for the school every week. Each group of five or six students will have a turn to air their episode to the school. Since there are six groups, each group will have about six weeks between airing their episodes, so things are set up to provide students ample time to plan, record, and edit. The focus is on the content and the process. Absent from the meeting was the focus on the equipment. I really like this! The teachers are doing a great job of avoiding the temptation to jump right in to the technology. Instead, the teachers will have students plan, research, set up interviews, write copy, and script their episodes before picking up the camera and working with the classroom iMacs.
It was a good entry, going into some detail about the processes the teachers used and the enthusiasm of their students... but unfortunately I got an error message when I clicked "Publish Post," and lost everything.
I had to write something, because it is Tuesday, but I just couldn't bring myself to go into as much detail at this late hour. The group will be meeting again next Tuesday, and I look forward to working with them again and writing to all of you fine people on Tuesdays... with Swindy.
It was a good entry, going into some detail about the processes the teachers used and the enthusiasm of their students... but unfortunately I got an error message when I clicked "Publish Post," and lost everything.
I had to write something, because it is Tuesday, but I just couldn't bring myself to go into as much detail at this late hour. The group will be meeting again next Tuesday, and I look forward to working with them again and writing to all of you fine people on Tuesdays... with Swindy.
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