Be A Techie:)

This is a travelog of the summer of 2010. It was incredible and highly refreshing summer.  Many, many times I hate talking about what’s going on, so I decided to write the middle school essay “What I did on my summer vacation.” That way I can get it all out and live in the present and not talk about myself. Thanks to all those people I got to know and those people I was allowed see their passions and creativity blossom. It is one of two posts I plan of posting the night before the new school year.

Skype

• Throughout the entire summer I skyped with two of my students concerning their musical compositions. Having the time to compose and create really put these two students into HIGH gear. I really don’t think they realize how much I enjoy and NEED the time to see these wonderful compositions. They are clearly ahead of me and push my musicianship to another level. Thanks Jack and Clay!

Golden Apple

• I started out the summer with the Golden Apple Scholars at DePaul University. I had an incredible group of fourteen scholars who quickly bonded and called themselves the “Dream Team.” As our first group activity, we created t-shirts with our names using wordle, (www.wordle.net) This is a wonderful website that creates word clouds. They created a wordle for me, emailed me the file, then I ironed on a t-shirt  and wore on the last day.
• I got to observe these incredible young educators at their respective schools. Castellanos Middle School and Columbia Explorers, which are both part of Chicago Public Schools. The administration and teachers welcomed the scholars and the cooperating teachers were outstanding. The scholars have such a drive to learn, teach, and empower others. I don’t think they realize how much their inspiration overflows to me. Thanks to “Mama C”  Carolyn Cyriaque and Jim Sorensen for impacting so many future teachers and allowing me to be a part of this program.
• I presented “Google ME!” at IMSA (Illinois Math and Science Academy) with the Golden Apple Scholars. It was a hands-on presentation using Google Documents and other Google products such as maps, alerts, calendars, and much more. The excitement was in the air concerning all the possibilities. My favorite comment was “I wish I had known about this six months ago in college. It would have made my life so much easier.”  The intimate setting with these students and personal touch Linda Newman gives, has created a wonderful experience with these scholars.
• The Golden Apple “Dream Team,” performed at the final evening celebration of the scholars. We chose to dance and involve the rest of the scholars, to a great success. The two-hour program was highlighted by the “Investing in Communities,” where the scholars chose organizations to give $5000. I created a social website that allowed everyone to connect and others to use http://grou.ps/goldenapple
• Representatives from the various non-for-profits attended, along with students that will have new books, materials, or programs because of the wonderful organization that donated the seed money.
• I ended the summer with presenting at CORE, a Golden Apple four-day conference at St Xavier for Golden Apple Scholars. It is for scholars that are now working in schools of need. I presented my top ten websites such as Glogster, VoiceThread, Diigo, Delicious, Doodle, Wallwisher, Prezi, and of course the famous Google Docs. Sister Raeleen Sweeney has the conference completely online and paperless. It was a resounding success, thanks to all the work of the “working” scholars and Sister Raeleen.
• All of my presentations and Golden Apple presentations are available online. You can follow me on twitter or plurk, my nickname is “musictechie.”

ISTE

• In between reflective meetings, I traveled to Denver for ISTE (formerly NECC, International Society of Technology Educators.) Saturday, June 26, I attended the Edubloggercon. a pre-conference activity with a face to face (f2f) meeting with people who blog led by Steve Hargadon. http://www.stevehargadon.com/  If you are not aware of who he is, google his name and EVERYTHING he does, sign up! He is a model of what teachers should be doing and connected me with so many web 2.0 material, my head sometimes spins. Meeting people face to face that I have either followed on twitter or subscribed to their blog, was a amazing experience. Sunday,  June 27, I attended the “Constructivist Celebration” with Dr. Gary Stager. http://stager.org/ He is a progressive, innovative, and creative educator who presents all over the world, to be able to be in the same room and learn from him and other educators of like minds was a rush. Finally, at ISTE over 17,000 people attended, so it was quite an honor that I was invited to be on a panel discussion with six other Google Certified educators. Our topic was ‘Dissecting the 21st Century Teacher.” Here again, I know these people via twitter and met most of them for the first time twenty minutes before the presentation.

People on the panel were:
Selena Ward, Middle School technology teacher from Maryland
http://thetechtiger.blogspot.com/
Gwyneth Anne Jones, ISTE K-12 and Middle School Librarian
http://www.thedaringlibrarian.com/
Andy Losik, Elementary Technology teacher from Michigan
http://mrlosik.info/MrLosik.info/Welcome.html
Kenneth Shelton, Middle School technology teacher from Los Angeles, CA
http://techedanddev.blogspot.com/
Paula White, Middle School Technology Teacher from Maine
http://tzstchr.edublogs.org/

• These I felt we all knew each other for years, because social networking has that effect, if done professionally and productively. Ken was able to get clickers from Quizdom which enhanced our presentations and gave us immediate feedback.
• I attended many sessions and hung out at the Blogger Cafe, where most of my “tribe,” was hanging out.

ADE Camp

• My highlight professionally was my five days in Orlando with the “Apple Distinguished Educators” at Full Sail University. One hundred educators across the world are invited by Apple Computers to attend this technology conference. We placed ourselves in groups of six to eight educators and through “Challenged Basic Learning Model” created websites, movies, and presentations all revolving around our interests. I choose Professional Development. My group created a website and videos for ADE’s to use within their districts. Apple computer is launching many of our projects in iTunes University later this year, which is a clearing house of podcasts, websites, and other material for educators. When you open up iTunes, look for the tab “iTunes University.”  I have a conference call later this month concerning our piece of the project. Thanks to Karen Thompson, Anthony Armstrong, Lee Simpson, Kevin Kneisley, Gayle Berthiaume, and Travis Harder.

MENC

• I was contacted my MENC (National Music Education organization in Washington DC) to be on the Music Education Journal Board. This board decides what articles are published in the quarterly magazine. This is quite an honor since most of the participates are from higher education. I look forward to reading interesting material for the upcoming journals.

Art Institute

• I finished the summer taking a class at the Art Institute concerning “Exploring Green Architecture and Design.” It was a fascinating class where we toured the Lourie Garden at Millennium Park, visited the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and created our own vision of how to “green” our current school. Being around art teachers gives me such a sense of awe. For it is the one art form I am completely incompetent on. I can create and do music, I love to act, and I can dance. (Not well, but I can get by) But, art really puts the awe and takes my breathe away.

ICE

• I was contacted my ICE (Illinois Computing Educators) to help co-chair with Michelle Russell, the poster sessions at the annual conference in February. I am thrilled to be helping this organization, they have allowed the students of Sunset Ridge to present and giving back is just a small thing I can do.

Boating and Mr. Broos

• The one thing I did not mention is the time I spent on our pontoon boat. It is my “happy place.” My husband is an amazing boater and individual. He is my secret weapon and I rarely talk about him. But he knows that he is my rock and without him, none of this summer would be a reality. He allows me to just be me. I enjoy the water and it is a place to disconnect with technology. Of course, I still have my iPhone with me and I love taking pictures of the sunsets on “the chain.” It is the chain of lakes in northern Illinois. I let nature be the rhythm of the day.

Lunch and Dinner Dates

• I also want to thank all those “friends’ that had lunch with me and dined under the stars for reflection and love of life. I treasure the memories as well

Reading

• I also manage to read two books. One fiction (“Private,” by James Patterson) and Seth Godin “LInchpin”) I adored “Linchpin,” it is one book every administrator, parent and teacher should read. I talked about being indepensible in your job and career, not  a slug.

Exercise

• I also joined the social network site “Daily Mile,” and focused on exercise. Trying to two to three miles, five times a week. I post the exact route I take, so one of my former students in seeing the route, realized that he lives only two blocks away from me. He walks by my house when he walks with his nephews. His sister, whom I also taught, lives less than fifteen house away! We do live in a SMALL world.

In conclusion

• So, that’s what I did on my summer vacation. To those people who say teachers only work nine months a year, off at 3:00, have a simple life, think again. Creative teachers are never off, we all always learning, doing and think of new ways to teach. In my world, the summer is a time for learning, creating, reflecting, and connecting.
• So that’s about it. I have great excitement for the new year and meeting the incoming fourth graders. They are the first class completely born in the 21st century! Let the GAMES begin!

Links

http://goldenapple.pbworks.com is the main site for CORE and Golden Apple materials.

http://musictechie.pbworks.com Presentation wiki

http://grou.ps/goldenapple Investing in Communities site

www.carolbroos.com School website

Tags: ADE, Boating, CarolBroos, GA, GA Scholars, Golden Apple, Goldenapple, Google, ICE, ISTE, Presentations, Summer

My highlight of the season is the Illinois Music Education Association annual conference. Years ago, on a complete whim, the band director, Don Golden and I, decided to to the the conference, ah, like one week before. We got an hotel, two separate rooms, far from the conference, but from that point on, we were completely hooked on the conference. Although it is held in Peoria, Illinois, three hours away, I will not comment on facilities or venue, it’s the people and organization that make the conference.

From the moment we arrive, I feel I am with “my people.” IMEA completely takes over the town and every hotel, for this is not just a professional development conference it is ALL STATE. What that means is in the fall, the various districts from across the state hold a contest, those students are considered “all district,” then they compete for “all-state.” in choir, band, jazz, and orchestra. If a student is selected, then they come to Peoria and tryout again for the various performing groups, either regular ALL STATE or HONORS ALL STATE. They rehearse over three days and a concert either on Friday night or Saturday afternoon is presented to family and friends. So, you have students, along with educators all at one conference. In addition, various performing groups from elementary through college also perform over the three days. Everyone is carrying music and/or instrument. Students are giddy with their new found friendships and basic black dress or suit is a common thread. I try to attend a mixture of inspiration speakers, new technologies, and a concert or two.

Greg Wojcik, Taken from GB website

It started out fabulously, one of my close friends, Greg Wojcik, the Glenbrook South Band Director, received “The Mary Hoffman” award, basically “Illinois Music Teacher of the Year,” at the opening ceremony.  He gave a gracious speech and I am honored to know him. In attendance was many of his students, former students, administrators, and fellow music educators. He has molded Glenbrook South’s band department as an inclusive, talented, and caring depeartment, Always willing to share and share alike. Years ago, he was the Band Director at Sunset Ridge School. He truly cares about his students and is a wonderful role model for every educator.

Taken from Glenbrook School’s website

“Excellence truly describes Mr. Wojcik’s 31 years of teaching at Glenbrook South High School where he teachers Titan Band, Marching Band, Zazz Band, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Winds and Band Exploration.  Mr. Wojcik has been responsible for making our band one of the finest instrumental groups in the nation.  His bands have marched in every major bowl parade and have won numerous band competitions including the St. Rita High School Mustang Stampede this year.  He also teaches our students to give of themselves and to make our community an even better place.  His drum line and band play at local retirement homes, in the July 4th Glenview Parade, the Holiday Parade, at Rotary fundraisers, Booster Club events and so much more.  Simply put, Greg Wojcik teaches instrumentation, marching band and how to share ones’ talents to make our community and world a better place.”

(more…)

Tags: All-state, Brenda Muench, Carol Broos, Debby Kayno, Greg Wojcik, Illinois All-state, IMEA, Kyle Freesen, Lori McCaskey

I recently presented “Teaching with Technology,” and “Let’s Communicate.” at at Teacher’s conference. It always comes down to the filter on the school, what is blocked and how frustrated teachers are with the lack of support of new technologies. If you have ever experienced the discussion you will realize teachers immediately tell you all the things that CANNOT do with their students.

I see this as a ban on educational resources. Some administrators and teachers are working hard ALLOW students to use all proper technologies. Luckily, many schools are adopting google docs or have a password for teachers to by-pass the filter in order to get to what they need to teach. Yes, what they NEED to teach.

I believe it is going to take at least five to ten years to radically change administrators minds because they don’t teach in this environment. Having a filter creates a false security for the administration to ensure that students are not involved with the two P’s – porn and predators. I believe the ownership of the filters should be the teacher within the classroom. When teachers find cool resources, they have to spend the time to make sure they and the students are not blocked. Think of all time that is spent on this and not on actual teaching.

But, we as digital web-based teachers must take some control ourselves. Here is what has to be done in our classroom to ensure a safe and productive work environment with computers.

• First, no more rows! Computers around the edge of the room in order for YOU and the STUDENTS to view EVERYONE’S computer. You must have the screens facing you NOT the student. I know this is a radical idea. But, I have this in my classroom and amazing things have occurred. Students look at everyone else’s computer plus, it is easy for them to ask questions with other students. Also, I can easily get the the student’s computer to help. Finally, it is a safety issue, no more are there cords on the floor, they are plugged directly into the wall.

• Second, empower students to help. Students are a great resource. They know how to navigate around websites and we have really done a good job in teaching internet safety.

As we move more and more into videos, blogs, websites, and all web 2.0 technologies, this is going to be a social issue. Schools that have a “high” filter will be behind and the more “liberal” environment of empowering of teachers will have their students far ahead in both knowledge and 21st century skills.

When I got the call from Vinne Vrotny about the possibility of presenting with his wife, Carol, I jumped at the chance. I love to collaborative and learn from others. She is another music teacher that embraces music technology, plus she recently had a lab put into her classroom. My passion is to enhance music education past the performing arts and into the creative arts, by having students create music, compose music, and use music in all multi-media projects. Carol and I share the same dream. The K12 Online Conference is a perfect fit through its innovative and far-reaching aspect of moving education forward. Many people think just because it is online that is only for advanced techies, it is not! It has something for the very basic techie to the advanced techhead. It bridges the gab to those who want to learn and see what is out there to those us who use technology in all aspects of our teaching.

This conference has an amazing list of presenters that spans the globe. We were quite humbled by being accepted into this company of amazing educators. When I talked to Carol (on the phone) we both were so gitty, but realized the real work is ahead of us. We want other educators to see the magic that comes and is experienced within our music classrooms using the new model of music education of creating and composing.

K12 Online Conference Link

One of the first days in the lab, I set the ground rules as to showing and sharing. Students are ALLOWED to go from computer to computer, interact, and discuss at anytime. Since my computers are around the room, with the screens FACING each other, EVERYONE can see what is going on, on EVERYONE’S  computer. There are NO rows. So, if the students sees something on a screen that they are interested in, they can immediately go to that person and ask THE question “How did you do that?” There is constant feedback as to any file, composition, or movie before any full presentation to the class. Students can FAIL and recreate any project given the immediate feedback and responses. With this constant reworking of files, students become extremely innovative and stretch their creative juices.

Students are so conditioned to stay in their seats, that in the beginning the ask permission to get up. They quickly realize that I have empowered them to direct the class as to when to work, listen, comment. Amazingly, their own work becomes increasingly more important. They want to work harder, make more innovative projects and see the class as a breeding ground of incredible projects. Many times they COME to class with a file they have created at home. Recently, I had a seventh grader create an amazing movie. I immediately posted it and now the comments are pouring in. He saw one of the videos in class and decided to try one himself.

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison

It can get loud and busy, with all the walking around and of course you have to monitor it, but as the class develops, the behavior problems are less and less to the point of a total work zone.

Tags: Carol Broos, CarolBroos, innovate, MIDIlab, Technology, Thoughts

I am just de-compressing from a wonderful ICE (Illinois Computing Educators) conference. I had the honor of presenting with my students, two sessions. iPods and iTouches in the Classroom and Lazertron.net

I took thirteen students grades fourth through seventh grade to present and “wow” the audience. They were amazing and they loved being with “their” people. I told them to bring their favorite “tech toys” such as iPod, iTouch, and Phone, so in-between sessions they could “tech” away the time. These students are the brightness and the innovative students at Sunset Ridge School in Northfield. The stretch each other to discuss and discover new technologies and new programs.

The Car Ride

We arrived at school at 7:45 and realized that the bus we ordered did not arrive. We got into three cars and using our Garmin set off for St. Charles. Arriving thirty minutes before our session, we were in full stress mode. The first session was “iPods and iTouches” in the classroom. The room was overflowing. The students seamlessly talked about how we use iPods (bought by a Best Buy award) for each student to use at school personally buy classroom use and the use of iTouches. Using our new Elmo, they demonstrated how they personally use the iTouch. The final presentation was flying Jets in Google Earth. The two fourth graders landed safely using the flight simulator in Frankfurt, Germany.

Vendors….Way Cool!

Boys at a vendor booth, testing equipment

We immediately went to the vendors. FREE STUFF. They all got bags and went looking for those wonderful GDW mouses. The students got to “play” with the new technologies and see what future classrooms will have in terms of technology. They all got bags to carry their “stuff.” I loved how the group of 12 boys and a girl took to the adult-centered techology conference and asked interesting questions. That is exactly what I am currently working on with my students, they should be ssking in-depth questions that offer more questions! I am currently reading the “The Global Achievement Gap” by Tony Wagner. It offers an interesting problem in todays world employers want people who “ask” the right questions.

Lunch, On!

We ate lunch in the PLN area. The Personal Learning Network, which is a community of “techies’ that learn virtually online. I know many of these ppl f2f. But, come like Lee Korbert, (teachakidd) in Palm Beach, Florida, I only know online or skyping. Currently the fifth grade students are completing a Lincoln Project with David Fisher’s fifth grade class in Palm Beach and she is the person who helps set this up.

Henry “played” with my computer using quartz composer and the Promethean Board. It is like watching Picasso play with crayons. He amazes me every time he plays and creates. I even set up a separate account on my personal computer in order to download and get programs for him to use at school.

Sitting and Teching Before Our Session

The boys playing before their presentation

Before our Lazertron session, we had fifteen minutes to “kill,” so we went to the presenters’ room to relax and tech away. Many of the pictures are from that experience. They all love sharing and asking questions. The parents were impressed on how well the group all got along. These are students that normally do not see each other all day, since they are across four grade levels.

Lazertron.net

We used the school computer as well as my personal computer to present. We needed “boot” camp on the school computer to show the windows games that frostsabergames was presenting. A bit of stress what that the windows side was not reading the projector. We got it to work, but one could not see the screen on the computer and the powerpoint would not run. No fear. We presented each slide separately and looked at the screen to point the mouse. The lazertron students used my laptop and all was well.

And We’re Off…Well, Almost

The bus did come and get us at 1:30. Three parents were picking up students; three students were staying with me, and five on the bus. We rode the bus over to my car in another parking lot. But the problem was the pickup. You see the bus had enough room to get to the entrance, but not enough to get out of the parking lot. There were so many cars parked around this way and that, it took us thirty minutes to drive around and back up, drive and backup. It was a group effort with the students and parents just to get out of the main parking lot.

Gaming, Awards, and Rain

Carol Broos and Brenda Muench, Larry Stiglebauer Technology Award

I had three students that were staying through to help with the awards ceremony, plus I wanted them to see one presentation about gaming in the classroom. These students are quite tech savvy. The enjoyed the presentation and later they even downloaded the game that was presented. We set off for the Larry Stiglebauer awards, where Sunset Ridge fifth graders won for the Composer Collaborative with Gilman Elementary School. Mrs. Muench is their music teacher and a wonderful music techie, so I got to spend some time with her and her other teachers from Gilman. We quickly ate dinner and set off for home. The rain was so bad on the way home that we delighted in seeing all the “rivers” and “ponds.” In true junior high boys, we had to make a McDonald’s stop for just a “snack.” I finally dropped the boys off around 8:45 and headed home, arriving around 9:30.

In Conclusion

I had left for work at 6:15 in the morning and finally got home at 9:30,  it was worth it. The students had an incredible time and so did it. We are discussing what we should present next year, some of the topics include: building your own website and Google Earth. But, in the world of technology there might be something out there that isn’t invented yet and we would present that. Off to bed – pod29 is at 7:00am and I have to leave home at 6:15am…techie kids never sleep, that includes me!

Tags: Carol Broos, CarolBroos, ICE, Illiinois Computing Educators. BrendaMuench, Larry Stigelbauer award, lazertron.net

Upon my reflection of IMEA (Illinois Music Educators Association) I am always charged, energized, and completely exhausted. I feel that music education is at the brink of complete change and now is the time to be the change. Ironically, that one the title of one of the songs presented at the Jazz Concert Friday night, “”Be the Change.” There were so many good presentations and concerts, plus with the sound of music echoing throughout all convention sites, I felt like I was “with my people.” Since I am in a small school, the only music comes from the band room upstairs and my room, I love hearing music coming from every room reminds me of my collegiate days.

Brenda Muench, John Heath, and Carol Broos

It started out like a bang; Brenda Muench was presented the “Mary Hoffman” award for excellence, basically IMEA – “Music Teacher of the Year.” Brenda and I are collaborating together with the Composer Collaborative, she has taught me so much. Last year I met John Heath, IMEA-President-Elect, he is amazing and his jest for life is so engaging.

On Friday, I presented “Be A Techie is an Hour.” It was extremely fast-paced and I know that people came away with their heads spinning. I had a least four people that are now following me on twitter/plurk or Facebook. So, some shift is happening.

We had a small roundtable concerning the state of music and it’s future at IMEA. There is a school district those blocks ANYTHING with the word “music.” Imagine the outrage if schools blocked “science” or “reading.” It would be the top of the news. Even in the more restrictive societies, music is not blocked. Being blocked at schools is the one of the major problems facing education today. That was one of the saddest moments at the convention.

Carol after eating the chocolate cake

Brenda and Carol ready to dig into chocolate cake

We always go to a wonderful fish restaurant.Brenda and I shared a delicious piece of chocolate cake, by seeing these pictures you can see I really enjoyed the moment. My favorite concert is the Friday night Jazz concert, which this year had special meaning. Two of my old advisees were performing; one made the All-State Honors Vocal Jazz Ensemble, the other the All-State Honors Jazz Ensemble, first chair trumpet. They both had solos and performed beautifully. I loved talking to them after the concert. They are both highly talented students in junior high, and surprise, took piano lessons at a young age.

Saturday, my presentation was at 8:00, “Music 2.0: Create. Share, Post, and Comment.” This is my favorite presentation because I show student files that have been posted, along with comments. The teachers wanted to know about “Hooked on Classics.” So, I posted the names of the songs on my musictechie.pbwiki.com site.

I always come away from IMEA happy I went and I am charged for the rest of the year. It was a magnificent conference.

Tags: brendamuench, CarolBroos, Conference, IMEA