Original Post:  September 09

Lately, I have felt as if I am a missionary.
Every day, I sail my ship up to the Land of Yeahbutz.

I sail into the harbor from the Sea of Possibility and dock my boat in the Cove of Content.

As I wander around the island, I meet people who live in NeverNufTime Cliffs who are always glad to see me but are anxious to get back to their planned schedule that has worked for a long long time.

I wander on and greet people in both the Hills of Why and answer the same questions and meet with the people in the Plains of Always as we discuss the good old days.

The Isle Never Change group is always cautious as I approach wondering what new idea I might offer that they will have to either ignore or find an excuse for and I continue on my way to the Valley of Good Enuf to greet people with smiling faces, who love their village, and feel that it is the perfect place to live.

I always am sad as I journey on to the Coast of Lakafunding.  They would really like to expand their village, keep current with new ideas, yet.....they do not have the resources to move forward.

As I leave, I am filled with sadness for I wish to be an influence to these people, but yet......have not made an impact.I did notice though, as I sailed away today, I saw several groups of people moving towards Hope Bay.  I look forward to meeting with them on my next visit.

Smiles,
Just my thoughts today.
Jen

Original Post:  January 09
As I am preparing for upcoming conferences, and viewing conferences that are being shared on the internet.....I am wondering how effective are presentations.
Is it better to saturate?
Meaning:
Throw out over 20 tools in 60 minutes and hope one or two stick.
Is it better to cultivate?
Meaning:
Stick with one tool but show a variety of ways it can be used with your curriculum.
As I look through the sessions I have and will be presenting, my preferences lean more towards cultivating rather than saturating.
I can see how both are necessary.......but I am still in wonderment over saturation.  If the audience becomes overwhelmed, do they tune out, and perhaps in that tune out........do they perhaps miss the best possibilities.  Or, do they perhaps see one and want to see that more!
For instance, I just sat through a session (via ustream) that over 15 ideas were shared.  (honest, if you blinked, you missed one).  At the end of the session -- 15 people came up to the speaker to have him RESHARE one of the tools he had whizzed by.  All of them were interested in that one tool.
It was good to see that the speaker did take the time to go over the tool slowly and shared it again and took time to answer the questions.  But often that opportunity is not always an option.  Often times, the next presenter is there ready to set up.
So I am wondering a few things:
1.  If 15+ people really were interested in ONE tool......is that enough to possible create a session to cultivate that in such a way that teachers can see ways to use it within their curriculum besides just being an "OHWOW!"  Even though these teachers came up to learn it again -- will it really ever be used with the classroom?  Just wondering.
2.  If no one asked about the other 14 tools, is it because they are already being used or the value or the possibilities of the tool were not shown and if so -- could they be eliminated from the conversation??

I guess I really want to see us cultivating more and sharing, helping, reinforcing, examining, evaluating, using, refining, etc tools more -- rather than just flinging 15 or more so out to hope one sticks.   And really sitting down and saying "lets get past the "ohhh factor" and get into how this will be effective within your classroom.
In no way am I saying that throwing out tons of ideas is a horrible idea and I know our desire (when presenting) is really to make the most of the time we have.
I am just wondering where we go after those ideas are thrown out there.
Hmmm - just thinking out loud.
Jen

Original Post:  December 08
and I get in trouble when I give my PLN the authority to make me start questioning the level and effectiveness of my own staff.  (My error -- not my PLN's.)
and I do my teachers a dis-service when I hold them up the the benchmarks set by my PLN rather than work with them individually on their own benchmarks.
and I am unfair to my teachers when I return jazzed from a "techie" conference where I have rubbed shoulders with the "movers and shakers" and I return back to the "emmm, do I have to, emmm okays" at my campus and compare the two.
Besides the fact that admin is not yet on board, we have NO technology budget, and my job could be cut at any time.........my teachers/staff (though they are slow to adopt) are moving forward to using new options in their classrooms.  Not using tech, but using new options.  One teacher just (after months of fighting) just allowed a round desk to be moved into her classroom -- and that was a big deal.  She also was my most enthusiastic teacher who embraced the flipcamera as an option for assessing verbal reading skills.  She is making leaps and bounds......if I compare her to her and her journey right now.
Our High School teachers are making powerpoints and putting them up on the website for students to view.  Yes, they are bulleted powerpoints.......and maybe next semester we might remove the bullets and look at other options.....but for right now, they had added a bit more than just look at the teacher while I lecture......and if I compare them to where they have been.....to where they are now.....they are striding forward.
Our sports department has moved all their registration forms to Google Docs.  Our preschool director is thinking of making her own website.
Our pastors are putting their sermons on ustream and itunes.  And our secretaries have just mastered mail merge.
For some of my teachers -- right mouse clicking to put a new folder on their desktop has been a major accomplishment.  And on the other side of the spectrum, if all goes well, the Christmas orchestra/choir concert will be on ustream tonight.  (if all goes well.)
If I looked to my PLN to judge my teachers........I am fairly certain that what we are doing would be seen as "nothing much" and "we could be doing more."  And I know that we could be doing more -- but also LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE DOING.
My PLN is just that, it is MY PLN and from now on I will use them to be the benchmark for myself and myself only.  Unfortunately, I had made the mistake of letting them be the PLN for my staff as well.
The teachers leave on the 17th for 3 weeks of Christmas break.  During that time, I hope to rewire Jen who works to help the teachers where they are now.......instead of being critical of where I thought they should be.
As always, agree or disagree......I appreciate your thoughts.
Jen

Original Post:  September 08

If you are anything like me, you remember High School with both fond memories and something you WOULD never wish to repeat -- even if you were offered the sum of money it would take to tempt you to do what you never wanted to do!!
I was involved in choir, drama, newspaper, and ASB secretary.  I flittered around the edges of a lot of groups but never really found a home base in any of them.  Even then, 34 years ago (gasp) I marched to my own drummer.
And when I stop and look at twitter, it reminds me a lot of high school.  Especially the groups we had on our campus and perhaps the groups you saw on your campus as well.

There are the CLASS CLOWNS! Always there with a quick wit, something to make you truly LAUGH OUT LOUD.  Sometimes you have to think twice before following a link from them!  Just when things might be getting serious, usually they will show up with something totally hysterical!

There are the JOCKS. The guys/girls who know it all, play hard, laugh hard, breathe confidence and have a language that they only understood.  And they carry on these conversations right in front of you.  And even when you laugh, you are never really sure what they were talking about. But you admire them because they just seem to have it (whatever it might be).

There are the DRAMA DIVAS!! Everything revolves around one thought -- them.  Everything is HUMONGOUS and WONDERFUL and FANTASTIC!!  If they think it is important -- you should think it is important.  If they drop a link, they are truly surprised if you don't follow it -- and don't thank them later for it.  They can change characters quickly based on circumstances.  They bring excitement to the group but often they also bring exhaustion.
There are the REBELS. No matter what you tweet -- they will take the opposing side.  They twitter with an aloofness of just throwing out a comment to see if it will stir things up -- and if it does or does not, no matter to them.  We are all ignorant anyway (in their eyes) and our ideas won't conflict with theirs at all.   They add conversation to the group -- but are also a little frightening at times!

There are the HONOR STUDENTS! They keep on task.  Throw out a tweet at times when it is appropriate.  Always have the right thing to say -- at the right time.  They might get silly at times, but mostly it is all educationally based.  For some, their twits are few and far between -- but when they twit, it is worth a check out.

There are the POPULARS! When they post a twit, you enjoy reading it.  When they link to a site, you check it out.  When they mention a @ by name, you click on the name to follow the conversation.  They did nothing to earn this right except have a personality that you wish to enjoy.  You feel better just knowing they are on twitter and when they leave twitter, you feel disappointment because you might not see them as much.

There are the LONERS! You know they are on twitter but you have to look hard to find them at times.  They might drop out for hours, weeks, or days -- even months at a time without any notice and then wander back in -- just as unnoticed.  But they are observing everything and missing nothing......and often their thoughts of the overlooked will show up in a blog post or a conversation at a conference.  They don't need twitter, but they see twitter as something to keep an eye on.

There are the GEEKS! A totally different viewpoint of the world and a "it is okay you don't understand me, I understand and that is okay" attitude.  If you need help, they are there with a quick fix.  If you are stumped, they have an answer (and it usually is right!)  They might post something totally weird -- but it will make sense to them and all the other geeks!!  Don't try to figure it out -- they have moved on.

Personally, I wander in and out of these groups at times.  Sometimes I just like to observe twitter and stand apart from it all, other times I can be the drama diva or the honor student or the class clown.
I don't mean to cast labels and this blog post has no documentation other than my observations -- so you are free to totally agree or disagree as you see fit.  I just find it interesting to watch High School repeat itself sometimes online in Twitter.
Feel free to add your ideas!
Jen

Original Post:  September 08

I remember stories growing up of my father being taught to swim by his brothers.  Basically, they took him to the middle of a lake and threw him out of the boat.  Swim or drown was the option -- he chose to swim.
Because of that, in all my recollections of my father, I do not remember him ever enjoying swimming.
On the other hand, my 2 sisters and I were taken to swimming lessons each summer and we would go swimming at the El Camino college pool often and to this day, I enjoy swimming.  Very much.
Why do I tell this story -- because I see the same thing happening in our "network" of educators using and teaching the tools of tech and I am not quite sure how to stop what seems is occuring.
Within the last few weeks I have led a few inservices and attended a conference, and see that there is a huge divide growing between the tools that are available and the basic skill level of the person we are talking to.
We are showcasing flickr and skype and wikis and blogs and this and this and this tool............& some (sometimes most) of the listeners don't even know how to type in a url, where to type in a url, where start is, how to double click (let alone right click), or even how to _________________________________________.  (you can fill in the blank.)
We talk about what not to do within powerpoint to teachers who don't even know how to open powerpoint or what powerpoint is.  We talk about editing a wiki to people who don't even know where to find the log on button.  We jump into conversations of the power of skype, and forget about the trickiness of getting your mic configured to work with skype.  We showcase how to collaborate with classrooms across thw world to teachers who don't even chat with the teacher next door.
I know that the recent conference in Shanghai did a very good job at making a bridge across the chasm. by having many unconference sessions (many for the newbie)....but I also know, after talking to one of the session leaders, that when discussing Web 2.0, he was surprised at how many people had not even heard of it or the tools available.
We continue to seem to be here on this side of the chasm, while our audience is on the other side, looking for the bridge to get across.   I also know that I assume that everyone is at my comfort level and I often miss some of the fundamentals, the basics, the beginnings.  At a recent conference, I heard a wonderful session shared (at which every step I knew exactly where the leader was) and at the very end, the question asked was "How did you get to get to that first page?"
And I think we go to fast.........and leave people in the dust.  Frustrated, feeling stupid because they don't get it, and chalking it up to "I just am not one to use tech."  And I know I am guilty of this too.
So what do we do...............how to we meet both sides of the chasm?  How do we not just throw people into the water and expect them to swim without being taught the basics? And I guess, I am wondering, what are the basics that need to be givens???
That is my quandry this week.
I would appreciate your thoughts too.
Jen

I have been told that I "think" too much.......grins, at the time it wasn't said to me in a complimentary way -- but in actuality it is very true. I do over think quite a bit.........but I also turn things over and over in my mind in such ways that I usually end with with some good outcomes. (emphasis on sometimes!) :)
But something has been stuck in my brain for a few weeks now....and I decided to blog it.
A few weeks ago, while watching the AFI Warren Beatty Tribute (yes, I have been a fan since "Heaven Can Wait") and Don Cheadle was a part of the stars which gave tribute. At one point he said that Warren was one that: "He never lets the good be the enemy of the great," And that thought has been rolling around in my brain for 2 weeks now.
If I host the same project for 10 years in a row -- do I have a good thing going or I am just in a rut? Though it is good, people are happy, and creativity if flowing -- have I settled for the "same old thing"? Especially because, in so many people's opinions -- it works just fine??
And if I am content, does that mean that I lose effectiveness because I become complacent? I never ever want to be labeled as complacent, thank you very much.
How many teachers have become complacent....something works, and they says "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" instead of perhaps "let's build a better mousetrap."
I guess what I am thinking today is "HOW'S".
1. How do I not get stuck in a rut?
2. How can I make something even better the next time?
3. How do I stretch me to try some new things?
4. How high do I want to set my bar?
5. How do I not allow myself to be complacent with "good enough"?
Smiles, I know I "think" too much..........but that is what I "thunk" today -- and just wanted to share it with you.
Hmmm -- and what do you think? :)
jen
addendum:  As I woke up this morning, I heard a voice on the radio ask the caller "are you willing to settle for good, when you see a potential for great?"   HHHHHHmmmmmm, and the thoughts continue.  (jen)

Original Post:  July '08

Original Post:  May 08
I have been tagged -- and what a topic.  Thanks GeekyMomma for the invite.
"This I Believe" meme. Started by Barry Bachenheimer, the meme is patterned after National Public Radio's "This I Believe" and is an opportunity to share one's philosophy of education.
I BELIEVE......that no student should ever be denied learning regardless of age, sex, religion, ethnicity, etc.
I BELIEVE.......that a teacher should enjoy being in the classroom, love working with students, try to achieve a daily best, never stop learning.....and if not, the teacher should stop leave the classroom.
I BELIEVE......that a classroom should not be labeled as an achievement based on test scores.
I BELIEVE.......that students should have a voice but students should also have respect for the teacher.
I BELIEVE......that the classroom environment is NOT contained between 4 walls.  And should not be contained there.
I BELIEVE......that learning should be FUN, memorable, and life-changing.
I BELIEVE......that no student should ever feel that they are a failure, that the teacher does not like me, or that their opinion is not worth being heard.
I BELIEVE......in crayons, paint, manipulatives, clay, science projects, hands on activities, magnets, plants, pets, costumes, books, beanbag chairs, toys, windows, etc etc etc
I BELIEVE......that a classroom should never be boring -- both in content and in atmosphere.
I BELIEVE......that it is okay to hug a student, to place a hand on the shoulder, to let them know that they are special, and to pray for your students.
I BELIEVE......in communication with parents, staff, administration, etc.
I BELIEVE......that there is good content in books -- but content in a variety of other options as well.
I BELIEVE......that being a teacher is one of the highest callings anyone can choose and there is NO SALARY that could ever compensate for the time, expertise, and effort involved in choosing this profession.

Origina/08l Post - 05

OR anywhere for that matter......

I have a couple of friends presenting at ISTE (for the first time) and we were chatting about dos and don'ts....and I decided to share our thoughts with you (with permission)

1. Don't talk about YOU too much. Your attendees don't need to hear about your children, your spouse, your "cat" (okay, guilty on this one) or anything else that distracts from the main purpose of the session.
2. Have your website/wiki/link to handouts whatever ALREADY on the screen when they come in. And make sure your business card (yes, take business cards) has the address as well.
3 Do not speak condescending, roll your eyes, or laugh at ANY question -- EVER. It is not your job to judge your audiences comfortableness or use of tech.
4. If you are in a LAB setting, and you assume that your audience is NOT listening to you -- do not correct them, some people are multi-taskers, some are ADD, and some just aren't interested. LOL, did we ever have 100% participation when we taught?? Just ignore them and continue on. LOL, the person who might be fiddling with the mouse - just might be live blogging what you are saying! :)
5. Greet people as they walk in. You should NEVER be so busy that you can't say HI. If you aren't ready by then, you are not ready. Last minute fiddling is not as important as last minute greeting.
6. If you know your stuff, you don't need to stress. I don't even look at my WIKI the day of my session. I am comfy with what I am presenting and if I tweak, I usually start stressing.
7. Thank your audience for their time with you. They could have chosen ANY session -- and they chose you!
8. They should not walk away from the session thinking "WOW, that was a great presenter" -- they should walk away thinking "OH, I can't wait to do that tomorrow." Let them think of you as a contact in case of need and not the guru that is so good with the software that they could never even come close to what you do.
9. The preschool rule -- Overplan your session by 25%. You will talk faster than you think, you might need to change a bit mid session, and its always good to have MORE to say than NOT ENOUGH.
10. Have door prizes!! Sure it takes 5 minutes of valuable time.....but it makes it fun, it allows a bit of interaction with your audience, and it makes you look good! :)
11. Do not Talk the entire time. Let the audience shine with ideas too.
12. After the session is over -- go enjoy someone else and don't dwell on yours. I don't read my evaluations until the next day -- sometimes never. You can judge an audience pretty well by how they respond during and at the end of the session. The little pieces of paper are helpful for ideas -- but I don't let them mold the rest of my day.
13. Have business cards WITH your email on them!! (smiles, important enough to say twice!)
14. Have fun!! No matter what. Smile, be glad they are there, and just enjoy your time.
Please feel free to add to this list
Jen

Original Post 05/08
In the last few days, I have been asked about what I did when I presented a poster session at ISTE..... and this is what I wished I had known and I am passing on to you..

1. Consider your backdrop area like a bulletin board and make it pretty and inviting. I think the dimensions were like 5 feet by 4 feet. Bring lots of pictures to decorate it.  (you can contact them for specific dimensions)
2. Have something to give to people so that they remember you. If you can, make it memorable. And make sure your email and website is on it!!
3. Be prepared to say the same thing over 200+ times!! (with a smile)
4. Have your computer available to showcase what you are presenting and have something for people to sign up if you want to keep in contact with them. (I also put my ideas into a powerpoint loop so people could watch as I spoke.)
5. Bring small speakers (meaning sound) and bring small speakers (meaning students if possible)!
6. Think through all the questions people might have about what you are presenting. To the most mundane -- because someone will ask it.
7. Showcase the students and not you!!!
8. Get there early enough to set up and then be able to take the time to walk around the other poster sessions to see what others have done and are doing. Learn from their ideas!  And then attend another poster session when you are not presenting JUST to encourage someone else.
9. Stay until the last moment -- even if the crowds are thinning out.
10. Bring water!!!

I wish you the best. Presenting a poster session is such a great experience -- you get the most one on one time with participants - and people really REALLY want to know what you are doing!!!

Original Post:  2/23/08
Who Is Listening To You??
In the last few days, I have been totally redoing my website as I move to a new location and I spent quite a bit of time working on my "Sessions" page. And in the last few weeks, I have spoken at 3 in-services at my school as well. Though I don't present as much as some, I do feel that I have a nice little portfolio growing of sessions/in-services and am looking forward to some coming up in the next few weeks and months.
But when I stop and think about it, the people I am speaking to has turned into a daily occurrence -- via twitter, my blogs, and emails -- and I am realizing that I had forgotten their importance.
Yesterday, I had made a comment on twitter about my admin was listening to me, and a friend twittered back "When JLWagner speaks, every listens" -- which is not entirely true......but in actuality there are a lot more people listening to me than I probably really give credit to.
And what kind of Jen am I letting them see? And what kind of Jen do I want them to see?
It is important to me that #1 I wish to be an Authentic. When you meet me F2F, I want you to feel that you already know me from our email, twitter, or blog conversations. I don't wish there to be any -- wow, she was much nicer on her blog or twitter. I want what you see to be what you get.
#2 -- I want to be Tech-Smart. I have worked hard to make quality online projects for the PreK - 6th grade teacher. For 10 years I have learned, listened, read, listened, researched, listened, etc etc etc to make each project even better than the one before. I am not as smart as some, but when I know what I am talking about -- I DO KNOW what I am talking about....and I wish to be respected for that.
#3 -- I want to be an Encouragement and Cheerleader for all teachers using Tech and feeling un-noticed. I want to "HIP HIP HURRAH" for you and celebrate your successes and offer you support in your disappointments. Those baby steps will get you to the final destination -- I promise.
But what I am realizing is the majority of my audience are people that I might never meet -- and the only Jen they will ever see will be Virtual Jen -- and I have a responsibility to them. To keep them in the back of my mind at all times, because I can forget that they are there.
Smiles, I might have only 59 people I follow in twitter.....but I have 300 that follow me........and what I might say to ONE will probably be read by many more. And I need to remember that.
I only have 38 subscribers to my blog..........but I believe that I have more readers than that..........and I need to remember that.
WOW2 has about 40 people who enter the chat room each week..........but we have many many more who listen...and I need to remember that.
My current project has 415 teachers enrolled so far, which could be 12,000+ students and 1,000 parents plus admin and more............and I need to remember that.
My upcoming sessions could have 600 attendees but my resources, handouts, and powerpoints.....are available on line to whoever.........and I need to remember that.
I never want the professional Jen to overwhelm the personable Jen.......but I do wish to be respected in my field.......and perhaps by stopping to remember WHO is listening and not just Who I "think" I am talking to, I hope to continue on the road to that goal.
Just My Thoughts Today.
Jen