AETA Winter Conference and ALCTO

It's always a great time for the Technology Directors to get together to learn from each other. These past few days, I had the privilege of meeting with our AETA group during our AL CTO training and Winter Conference. The AL CTO training for this week, actually tied into our Winter Conference message. Technology Directors in the Beta group had training on CTO Roles and Responsibilities, and Laws, Ethics, and Policies.

Both of these courses were great and it was definitely something we technology directors needed to talk about. The role of the Technology Officer has evolved over the years. What started out as probably a simple position, which was mainly given to a librarian or teacher with technology skills, has drastically changed. During the Winter Conference, AETA spoke of these roles and majority of the room agreed with those duties. "If it plugs into the wall, or powers on, we are responsible for", was the phrase that we agreed summed up our position. However, with the AL CTO training, we learn, that it's more than just that. Well, a lot more.

The goal of the training, was not to bash how much work we have as technology directors (well, yes it was, just a little), but it was to get an understanding of it and how we can help each other, when we are lacking in those roles. It's obvious, that the technology director position can become quite overwhelming. Those who have a technology background, struggles with understanding education; likewise, those with an educational background, has no clue about technology. That is why it has been extremely helpful that technology directors in the State of Alabama get together and work out these obstacles.

 #alcto #aeta17 #aeta

This year's Winter Conference, was also a celebration. We celebrated the technology directors who were certified in the CTO cohort. We celebrated the vendors, and thanked them on working with us on our needs and the needs of the students for our school systems. Without them, we wouldn't be able to get the devices or software we need for our students. We celebrated each other. Anything, small or large, that has happened in someone's district, we celebrated. From 1:1 initiatives, to upgrading network equipment, we celebrated. We especially celebrated our biggest accomplishment known in our AETA group; the Alabama Ahead Act or what's also known as the WIRED bill. This celebration is actually seen in the faces of students. Students who smile as they turn on their devices. Whether it's a tablet, a laptop, or chromebook, we are thankful for this Act. We are thankful to see the students when they are engaged and are learning from teachers in these classrooms. This Act, made it possible for majority of the school systems in Alabama, to upgrade existing network equipment and wireless. Also, schools were able to purchase devices for the students.

I, especially, am celebrating the committee who thought to make this possible. Speaking for my school system, in Troy, we are thankful. We have been able to advance our initiative at our school, and give the students and teachers the chromebooks they need to increase student achievement. With upgrading our network infrastructure and wireless, Troy City Schools now has the wireless capacity that we needed to move our initiative forward. So we say thank you, and we celebrate!

Visit at Valiant Cross Academy

"The world does not need supermen. It needs supernatural men; men who will learn from their youth, to let go of self, to let the power of the Holy Spirit raise them to new heights. Courageous men, righteous men, committed men, loving men who will rise up to lead, to serve, to inspire."

 These are the words that I gazed upon, as I entered the doors of this school. Valiant Cross Academy. After listening to the headmaster of this school, Anthony Brock, speak at a Leadership Conference, I just had to visit this school, and see for myself, these young "scholars" that this school claims it is nurturing. I knocked on the door, and was gracefully welcomed in by someone in the front office. "Good afternoon, and welcome to Valiant Cross Academy, and how may I help you", she said. After I told her I was looking for Mr. Brock, she simply smiled and chuckled, telling me to follow her. To my surprise, she sends me to a cafeteria-like area, and to my amazement, I saw Anthony Brock and his brother coaching football! The students, or scholars, were very attentive, as they work on their defensive stands. In the corner area, there was a group of scholars, who were doing school work. Some had out their macbooks, and were doing research and talking about minecraft. Others, were doing math and vocabulary.

Not to bother Anthony Brock, I went over to the scholars sitting down and began asking questions. What was interesting, is that all of the students sitting down were polite and respectful. Whatever question I asked, whether it was a math question, a technology question (yes I am techy), or an art or vocabulary question, they responded. I must say it was great conversation speaking with the scholars. What's amazing is the fact that I noticed there was no one watching over the students, no teacher in sight, and the scholars knew what to do. Now, I enter a lot of middle school classes in my field of work, and believe me, if an adult is not present, students normally aren't quiet and doing their work (I mean come on, did you at that age).

Finally, Mr. Brock was able to get away from his coaching, and we begin to talk. He explained to me what was happening at the given time. Some of his scholars were in their football practice, while the others, who were on the golf team, were doing their assignments. It was toward the end of the day, in which the students were getting ready to start their afternoon programs.

I got to tour the school, and I really enjoyed what I saw. There were pictures everywhere of the scholars. The classrooms were open and inviting. The classrooms were bright, and most of them had a wall dedicated to different colleges and universities.

Brock Anthony spoke of the vision for Valiant Cross Academy, and if you ever visit the school, you would see it all over. From the mannerable scholars and student learning, to the two founders leading in football practice. I even enjoyed the teachers who all were in a room, having a cross-curriculum meeting, which seemed like each teacher was learning from the other. I had the opportunity of speaking with a teacher, who is also into technology, and we spoke about our roles as head technologist in schools. In my opinion, that's what education is about. This experience has definitely motivated me to continue with my aspirations and my goals with what I am looking to do with my administrators, teachers, and students. I can't wait for the next visit!

Edcamp PHIRST

MARCH 18, 2017

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL

I am proud to be a co-host and presenter for this Edcamp that will be hosted in Montgomery in March. Edcamps are powerful educator led conferences. I enjoy listening to educators speak on what excites them about education and teaching. I also like to assist these teachers, giving them ideas that they can brainstorm with, and bring back to their schools, communities. If you haven't signed up for an Edcamp, I highly encourage you to do so. There are Edcamps that are being hosted all over the State of Alabama. I wonder how many I will attend this year?

For more info, please follow the website at Edcamp PHIRST. 

Leadership Conference Troy University 2017

Notes from Leadership Conference

Troy University Leadership Conference 2017, is an annual conference that Troy host every year. The conference normally starts black history month. In this conference, Troy University brings in inspiring, motivational, and talented black men and women, to speak to the students of Troy. Even though the conference is meant for students, everyone is invited to come to listen to the words of these great people. 

The conference started off with a high, when Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins delivered the welcome. Dr. Hawkins recognized the veterans in the stands, and he spoke from his experience. What stood out with Dr. Hawkins' speech was the fact that he was able to bring out memories when he was in the military. He remembered blacks being on the field with him. He remembered each other working towards a common goal. "All blood flows red" and "there is no distinction among those who serve" was the message he delivered to the attendees.

The nightcap for the Leadership conference, was the inspirational, yet, humorous speech by Rickey Smiley. You could see the desire on Smiley's face to deliver a great message to the audience, and also wanted to make us laugh. "Stay on the porch, and don't get off of it", was the message Mr. Smiley wanted to deliver. The clear message that Mr. Smiley wanted to give to us was the fact that he, like most of us, were tempted with drugs and alcohol. However, Mr. Smiley said that his family, his grandmother, his uncle and others, kept him "on the porch" and he never got off. That support he received from his uncle forced him to become the man he is today. Rickey Smiley challenged the students to get their education, but to also continue to go after their dreams, not to follow temptations, and make something out of their lives.

  Carver Choir Singing at Conference         Rickey Smiley after his speech

 

Day 2 at the Leadership Conference was just as delightful as the first day. Headmaster of Valiant Cross Academy, Brock Anthony, spoke on his drive to start a school that empowers young black men to become leaders of their own. Mr. Anthony calls his students scholars. His scholars' day includes studying other leaders, they read often, and most of these 7th graders can hold conversations with adults that you wouldn't think is possible. Mr. Anthony teaches his scholars that they aren't better than anyone. However, he also reminds them that no one is better than them. His vision in Valiant Cross Academy ensures that students "are celebrated and not tolerated at his school". I can't wait to visit the scholars of Valiant Cross Academy.

Using G-Suite with Math

(Recap: This is a session that was given to a math teacher. The question he asked me was "can you suggest a couple of good math apps that I can use, as all that I can find on Google Apps are fractions and it does not serve my needs".) The reason why I answered his question in the documentation below, because I think this is one of the obstacles teachers fall into at times. They are looking for the best app, not realizing that some of tools they have in front of them can do wonders. I believe that all teachers, whether math, reading, science, or language arts, can start the foundation to integrating technology in their classroom, by simply using Google Drive.)

Enhancing Math with G-Suite

Google and G-Suite tools can work in math subjects just as well as it can work in subjects such as Reading and English. After speaking with several Math teachers, we come to the conclusion that in order for this to work, the teacher need to ask the following questions.

What math concepts are you teaching? How are you giving match content to your students currently? What are you as a teacher trying to accomplish? What obstacles or roadblocks are you experiencing.

These questions, even though there may be many more, are the foundation on creating a math class in which technology is used effectively. Experience has shown, that math classes are based on repetition and consistency. Teachers have to consistently show and explain math equations and concepts, and students have to comprehend them, and be able to repeat them.

Using Google Apps, now known as G-Suite for Education, you can start building the type of math lesson that will be engaging, and also keep the repetition and consistency that you are looking for in your class.

Google Drive and Google Classroom

For starters, all teachers who are apart of G-Suite should have their classrooms setup using Google Drive and assignments should be delivered using Google Classroom. This is the foundation for starting any class, including a math class. Using Classroom, students should be given videos that are found online that will help with a particular math concept. These videos should be easily accessible and shared to your student accounts so they can go to them when needed. If you and your students are starting early with using Google, then homework assignments or class discussions can start off with reviewing the video and answer questions about the video, or give math problems that was explained in the video.

Google Forms to Create a Math Quiz or Test

Another popular, and teacher favorite, is to create a math quiz using Google forms. If you are new to creating a quiz or test with Forms, and your students are new, create a simple test where the answers are multiple choice or drop down. Remember, when bringing in technology into the classroom, you cannot give a student everything all at once. So a simple quiz that you created with Google Forms, would work for now.

Video, Record, and Playback

Even though there are apps in the Google Play Store that will assist in math, they will not help with you, the teacher’s style of content. The best way to deliver this, would be the way you teach it. The problem is that you have to show the student how to understand math at their pace. This is why in my opinion, the best tool for math would be to record yourself on how to teach certain math concepts and formulas for the student. Screencastify is one of the best routes to take to record your screen and also record yourself speaking as you go through math questions and explain them. But this is not about you, get the students involved as well. After you get accustomed to creating videos of your teaching math, make it a project with the students. Allow them to create presentations explaining math concepts and how they solve problems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ0r_rNL1oU

This is a good video that shows a student explaining a math problem. The student ties all of the above in the project (well at least we will say she is doing so). The assignment to doing this was probably giving to the students using Google Drive or Classroom, there probably was steps on how to do it and the teacher assisted. Then the students more than likely designed a presentation using Slides or Powerpoint to solve the problem. Then the students used Screencastify to record themselves going through the math problem and answering. To finish it, they submitted the problem to the teacher using Classroom.

The following video, shows you how to begin screencastify. If you have anymore questions, we can setup a training on how to effectively use screencastify.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGnviWm60BQ