Tech, tock, tech, tock...

As we start planning for the new year, technology talk always comes up.  "How do you plan to integrate technology?"  Let's remember our purpose...  We want students to learn!

In Digital Leadership, Chapter 9's title is "Increasing Student Engagement and Enhancing Learning."  I'll sum this up for you.  Students already know how to use the technology.  In fact, they usually can drive faster than the teachers.  Our responsibility is to help them understand how to use the technology on a bigger scale while learning the content.  Technology supports engagement.

We need to remind teachers of the low- or no-cost tools.  Without leaving the classroom, students can reach out globally.  We can go on virtual field trips all over the world.  Then we can Skype with another class in another country for discussion.  Next, we can Tweet or create blogs to share with each other globally. Using identifying hashtags will help us share information with each other for note-taking, or for posting and finding answers.

Remember, we are teaching students to think globally, not only with the content they are learning, but the manner in which they are learning.  It is our responsibility to equip students to be prepared for the job market.  Employers are looking for a certain set of skills.  If we already know what these are, why not teach them NOW instead of waiting for college to teach them.

Let's remind our teachers what successes using the devices will bring.  Help them realize the "traditional" teaching methods aren't as effective.  Help them create "learner-led" environments.

"Technology is a tool, not a learning outcome." Figure 9.4

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Winding it up!

Is anyone else counting down the days??  I don't typically count down days to vacations, and I'm not sure why...maybe because time would go by slower.  But for some reason, this year, I'm ready for summer!  Aren't you?

As we wind up the year,  we have a lot going on at IMMS.  Award ceremonies, final exams, 8th grade field day...!  Before I go on, I want to express my GREAT appreciation for the custodians.  They work so hard making IMMS sparkle.  We love them.

Our teachers are working hard putting together awards for all the deserving children.  Teachers are also busy teaching the final exam details, turning books, entering grades... and I bet they are also counting down the days!

In the AP office, we schedule detentions, lunch detentions, and ISS.  As the year nears ending, we focus on processing and closing out all reports.  That means we will begin thinking about concluding detentions and ISS.  Friday should be the last day for these.

Thursday, we celebrated the grade level with the fewest tardies this week.  6th grade won this six-weeks' competition.  They earned a snack and music at lunch.  Fun!

Today and tomorrow we have our student awards ceremonies.  6th grade is Monday at 3:00.  7th grade is Tuesday at 3:00.  8th grade is Tuesday at 6:00.

Remind your student(s) that the last day of school is Thursday (like they don't know that!), and they will not need to bring anything to school on the last day.  Girls may bring purses, but backpacks, yearbooks, etc., are unnecessary.

We are all excited for the year to end, begin our summer breaks, and then begin planning for next school year.

Please keep yourself and your family safe, cool, and hydrated as summer approaches.  Thank you for being supportive of us at IMMS.  Have a great summer!

~Ms. Little