I just love learning and sharing, especially when it comes to Social Media. Most of you may know, but I am also a Media Specialist in a small rural elementary school. I teach kids how to use technology, the best job in the world! School started last week and so far I have helped two teachers set up WP blogs, see the Fifth Grade one here, and have kids in third thru sixth grades set up with gmail accounts (using our own domain). The kids are using Google Docs, sharing assignments with their teachers, setting up pen pals and collaborating with each other to create blog posts. It’s awesome!
Do you remember writing assignments when you were in school? Agonizing over writing 2 pages in longhand and the only person who read it was the teacher with her red pen? And the only feedback you got was a grade? Things have changed so much, todays students are learning to write for purpose, to collaborate, to share what they read and learn with their peers all over the world! The kids are working harder on their writing, and eager to check to see who commented and respond.
Sound familiar?!
Well, you can imagine I am pretty excited to share my latest published work with the kids. I have been fortunate to have written for The Paint Contractor in the past and am now writing a series of articles on how to use Social Media-Step by Step. Between that and creating this blog, I have been exposed to so much great information, and best of all, made some great online friends across the nation. So to my students, I say enjoy the journey! Dr. Suess may have said it best!
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.
And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.
Read more…….
So, where will you go?
Chris! I love this! I might be crazy, but it brought tears to my eyes. Lol! I feel like we are so lucky to be bringing the future to these kids! And you help me so much….without your expertise and enthusiasm, I would be swamped and probably discouraged. These kids are so lucky to have us…hee hee!
Thanks Michelle, it was great to share with your class this morning, they are such a smart group!I can’t wait to see what the year brings!
Can I borrow some of that enthusiasm?
Nice post Chris.
Hi Chris,
This was really fun to see! I can totally imagine the positive impact this is having on the kids’ learning, and what a blast for you. Wow–imagine having a real audience and community in which to share discoveries! It’s just awesome. I hope they will be doing stuff like this at my son’s school–he starts 1st grade on Tuesday. Thanks for sending me the link over in Painttalk.
Thanks for stopping by Holly! Many schools are struggling with implementing technology in meaningful ways. We start kindergartners out with a keyboard and spelling their names and build on that every year. By third grade they are proficient keyboarders and can create documents and simple presentations. It is pretty amazing watching them become so adept!
Our school seems to do some stuff with computers, but I’m not sure they have as dedicated and enthusiastic media teacher as you!
Thanks Holly, but the saying, “it takes a village…” is very true, I am fortunate to be in a great school with great support from parents and the district.