 The summer months have started. It is always a transition time for all of us. A time to reflect, a time to process, a time to recharge, and a time to get ready to start another year. When you have kids, even when you aren't in the education sector, you tend to operate around your kid's schedule. In one week we will fly to San Diego for some vacation, but mainly to watch Bailey, my youngest daughter, play volleyball. It will be filled with hiking in the mornings, chilling on the beach, and well, volleyball. This month is also a month of transition. Mr. Evans, who has spent the last five years here in Omaha Public Schools transforming the district, will be retiring. Dr. Logan is transitioning here to Omaha, moving from the Philidelphia/Maryland region. This transition feels so much better than the turmoil that resulted in three candidates backing out of the Superintendent's position one year ago. Dr. Logan suggested a couple of books for Executive Council to read for our professional development. If you read my blog posts, you know I love to read, #1ChapterADay usually. Primal Leadership has been the first on the list. If I had to summarize the book, I would say it is a deep dive into the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership. It breaks emotional intelligence down into four domains: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. What I enjoyed about the book was it introduced some great examples and breaks the content down into bite-sized portions, what I call "brain food." Below are my bite sized reflections of each chapter broken down into a graphic or what I call a "quoture." Where does this fit me personally?If I had to place where my strengths fit into the leadership repertoire, in chapter four, I would select visionary and an equal mixture of democratic and affiliative. Just take a look at my Gallup Strengthsfinder:  The combinations of futuristic and strategic lend themselves to the visionary type of leadership. Throw in woo, and you begin to see the linking of an affiliative kind of leadership. I think if you mix strategic and woo you would see democratic, but if you look at my entire ten strengthsfinder strengths, relationship strength is not one of them. In closing, this was a great read. As the chapters continued, the content drove deeper into meaning and connections within yourself and how you approach and engage with others. Chapter one of this book delivers it best:
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Since we started with our planned obsolescence strategy a couple of years ago in Omaha Public Schools, we have been looking for ways to provide digital equity and access. This was outlined in our strategic plan and resonates across our learning environment now and in the future. Over the past couple of years, through budget cuts, we have tried to find alternative ways to assist in our device deployments. This past year, we came close to deploying 18,000 devices to students across our secondary schools. Through that process, we stumbled upon the Verizon Innovative Learning Initiative, through Digital Promise. This initiative provides devices and internet access through Verizon's LTE data network that targets the digital equity and access pieces by delivering access anywhere, anytime.
The VILs Initiative is unique in that it supplies professional development, planning assistance, as well as resources and funding to provide an instructional technology trainer coupled with an iPad 1:1 for students and staff. In our first planning year, I can see that it is the most intentional, comprehensive initiative I have ever been a part of with a corporate grant/partnership.
Both Norris Middle School and Marrs Magnet Middle School were selected to cohort 5 of the VILs Initiative. Through these cohorts, you have a community of veteran schools and new schools chosen from across the nation that contributes to the success rate of these implementations. Below is a photo of our implementation meeting held in Dallas with Digital Promise and the cohort schools.
Throughout this initiative, I have thought what the student experience would be. In discussion with the school leadership, we thought it would be great to experience a week through the lens of the student experience. This past week we started with a challenge to utilize the iPad as our primary device. Each day we would reflect using Flipgrid to document the journey. Below is the flipgrid with the video reflections.
Our iPad Challenge
I think I learned through that journey that as leaders to bring some empathy and understanding to the student experience, we sometimes need to experience the same environment. It is great to model and provide solutions and ideas so that staff and students feel supported. This week was challenging but an inspiring experience at the same time. I know we will have some fantastic nuggets of excellence coming from both Norris and Marrs as they learn from great practitioners and deliver devices for high technology learners.
About this time each year, I take some time to reflect; my view is around the school year since my career focuses on K-12 education. I struggled with the title of this blog including the term "pride". I remember sitting in church, listening to preachers toss it around like it was the fastest way to a hot place. I wanted to focus on the word pride since the term identifies the amount of transition happening both personally and professionally in my life. Webster’s Dictionary lists two definitions for the word pride — and two that could not be more opposing. The first is “inordinate self-esteem/ conceit.” The second? “A reasonable or justifiable self-respect.”
It turns out that pride does come in two characteristics. One can give you the impulse and courage to become the best variant of yourself. This type of authentic pride comes from hard work and is the variant we will use in this post. Next, I will share some areas I am proud of this year, starting with my kids.
Personally
If you were to ask me 22 years ago that I would be married with three children, I would say you are crazy. Today, I am happily married nearly 22 years, and this month my middle child graduates high school. Our family environment doesn't come without some hard work on everyone's part. My daughters have worked through the transition of moving to a new state and took on a tremendous amount of life change.
Last week, Aiyana completed the Lincoln Half Marathon with me even after going to prom the night before. In a couple of weeks, she will graduate from Omaha Central High School. She has worked so hard at what she wants to become. She persevered through a back injury that could have been devastating to her volleyball contributions. She worked through them and won the Varsity Female Player of the Season her junior year. After she graduates, she will continue at Metro Community College with a full scholarship. One thing I have learned with my kids, what we get right and what we get wrong does not ultimately determine who our children become. Our children’s futures aren’t wholly dependent on our ability to perfectly orchestrate their lives.
Professionally
I have now been in education for 19 years. Time flies. If I were to highlight the person that has influenced me most over the years, one person stands out.
Leadership plays a vital role in education. This year will be my 13th year working for Mark Evans. Mark brings so much to the table as far as leadership. He understands that a leader develops the talent around himself. One thing that defines Mark is his desire to "do what's best for students"; this is his brand, and if you spend even five minutes with him, you will hear this phrase. Mark is approachable and able to hold a conversation with any staff member without intimidating them. He has transformed any district he has led. By far, no one has taught me more about leadership than him. What we have done in Omaha Public Schools is a direct reflection of the leadership he has brought. You will still see his fingerprint in the district from the initiatives and leadership he has brought to Omaha Public Schools. Here are some points of pride district wide we have seen through his leadership lens. These highlight items since the 2016-17 school year and do not reflect many of our accomplishments as a district during the 2017-18 school year.
Center for Digtial Education Large District Summit:
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I love to learn, but it hasn't always been this way. I blame technology. I think there was a time when I started bringing technology "projects" home and I would tell my wife Amanda, this won't be in the kitchen area for long, promise. It was sometime during my stint in the military that curiosity started some intrinsic motivation to learn. Since then, it really hasn't stopped. Now it is more organized, back and forth through reading books, articles, and blogs. Retaining and having access to what I learn always moves back to these attributes: save, search, share. That learning lives in a OneNote Notebook called BrainFuel.
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Grocery lists. We all have them, and in OneNote, you can make them into checklists. Share them with your family, as you disperse through the store picking up items, each checking off the list, in real time. Mind blown.
Work
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At a district level, OneNote is foundational. We use it to manage Executive Council meetings, project organization within Microsoft Project Online, and staff notebooks for multi-level collaboration. That model of collaboration - Content Library "broadcast" (one to many), one to one, and Collaboration Space (many to many) works at the district level and in the classroom. That experience, mixed with the flexibility of handwritten, audio, video, typed, clipped, tagged, linked in a white space, create an environment that anyone could use.
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For me, when I am out and about, quick notes are where it is at. The ability to take a picture of a document with auto cropping was once a feature that was in OfficeLens only. As much as I want us to move to paperless meetings entirely, I know that takes time. I love the ability to mark up a captured document to provide context to content. Mix all of this with Microsoft Teams, and you have a media-rich environment with video capabilities and conversation channels with the occasional emoji thread or GIF share.
It is the ability to have my notes all in one place with linked Outlook.com accounts with my district's Office 365 account that brings significant efficiencies to my time. I live where I work and work where I live, so this brings a natural workflow to my day. Since adopting OneNote, I have been building my digital inking skills through sketchnotes. It has brought a natural learning experience that bridges the analog and digital notetaking without the hassle of moving back and forth.
A request.
If there were ever one wish I had for the OneNote Team, it would be to be able to insert a drop-down selection box to be able to build a lesson plan template within a OneNote Notebook, specifically accessible from OneNote Web.
What is disruption?
This week my post is co-authored by Eileen Heller. Eileen is an Instructional Technology Trainer here at Omaha Public Schools. She oversees our Compass Program, a unique relationship with Microsoft that builds solutions for education across the world through Omaha Public Schools. When we look at new technology solutions that engage the classroom, Eileen looks for the ways it integrates and aligns with our Best Instructional Practice Handbook. You can access her blog below.
Blog
In the education world there are really two "new years" that we encounter. The one we all celebrate on January 1st and the start of a new school year. Both are a great time to reflect on the last...
This week's blog post, Eileen and I are focusing on digital disruption. Being born in 1976, I got the opportunity in life to see the effects of technology through many mediums such as social media through the introduction of the Internet change society. For as long as there has been technology, there have been those who have breathed a sigh of relief that digital disruption wasn't going to happen to them. For me, one area that I see is how I bank. I bank at Bank of America which we have had for a very long time yet there are no Bank of America locations in Nebraska, which I do find amusing since they are named Bank of America.
Technology is most powerful when it produces efficiencies in our lives. This week my kids experienced this example. Our dishwasher broke, and it took a little over a week to get it repaired because we were dealing with warranty issues. My kids had to participate in the manual wash process. It is interesting to listen to kids who don't know what a rotary phone is, or a typewriter, commercial breaks, etc. My kids have always had access to the dishwasher and never had to manually wash dishes. I had them give an account below of that experience.
My experience with disruption...
I remember when I bought my first iPod. It was 2002, and I was joyed to have 10 Gb of music in my hand. It was crazy talk. I could rip my CDs and have access to them with customized playlists. I think it was also the first time I got used to using gestures to select items on a mobile device. Best $299 I could have spent at the time. The iTunes Store wasn't introduced until 2003 which was also a game changer. Buying songs immediately without heading to Best Buy or any other music store produced a convenience I desired. Enough about the past, what industries are on track to get disrupted by technology in the near future?
What industries are about to get disrupted?
Let's begin with this video. Love how Common presents what could be.
Just as the iPod transformed our lives with music, artificial intelligence is about to do so with information. Think about this, how many times do you hear the words "Siri," "Alexa," or "Hey Google" heard? Artificial Intelligence will transform many of our industries. Here are two articles outlining two examples of that transformation, one for lawyers, and one in our education industry. Getting legal advice is expensive. Thanks to artificial intelligence, though, that might not be the case for long. As AI becomes more and more capable of processing and understanding complex language, lawyers' jobs are becoming more efficient. And in education, as schools transition away from paper, textbooks, and projectors, there's a growing opportunity for startups to create new tools geared toward educators.
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Disruption in Education
Disruption can, by definition, be viewed as negative, conjuring ideas of interruption, disturbance, annoyance – think of the disruptive student in class ruining it for everyone, which might have been me in school. In light of the digital revolution, disruption proclaims a change that may seem particularly unwelcome to those forced to change their traditional ways of doing things. But it doesn’t emerge from anywhere. It is important to note that disruption is driven by a convergence of forces. Those forces can be the changing demands of consumers, or by competition between industries.
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So how do we prepare students for this ever-changing landscape? This is where you hear those 4Cs (collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and communication). Below are two articles that come to mind when thinking about how to prepare students for an unknown future.
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In the diagram below, my three girls are actually represented in three of these levels, and our lives were directly impacted by them as the creation of Google was happening. It's crazy to see how many disrupted solutions have occurred in just the last 20 years! Unlike us, our kids have been exposed to these very early in life and society has changed because of them. These are important to take in as an educator since our learning environments and learning styles have changed.
Digital Disruption in the Classroom- Eileen's Perspective
When I look at the synonyms of "disruption," they tend to be negative as Rob pointed out earlier. This has two possible outcomes in a classroom when technology disrupts instruction and learning. It can be ineffective or powerfully transformative. Disruption in regards to the addition of devices in the school was recently a hot debate on Twitter with the below post from @E_Sheninger that garnered 92 replies and counting. Check out the Digital Distraction debate in full.
When you look at the heart of the issue it is an example of "digital disruption". Devices in the hands of students could "hamper, impede, interfere" with learning. They can also empower students, transform learning, and allow accessibility by removing barriers that impeded learning in the past. I work with teachers in classrooms daily in my role as an instructional technology trainer. I see the effects of devices and it comes with a variety of positives and negatives.
Recently I visited, Nick Wennstedt's, @MrWennstedt, AP History class at Bryan High School in our district. Walking into that room there is an immediate and noticeable difference between that classroom and the one I sat in twenty-five years ago in my high school. When I reflect on this, my classroom in high school did not look or feel different than what my parents explained from their generation. Students are different than when I was in high school, and I'm sure our generation was different than our parents. It isn't a "this is good, or this is bad thing" it is a reality. What students need for learning is different and what society needs coming from our students' education is different.
Nick's classroom had gone through some changes both in the physical environment with flexible seating opportunities, and the addition of laptops for each student. August 2017, Nick's students were greeted with the newly renovated learning space, but they did not have devices. November 2017, the students in Nick's students went 1:1 with the addition of devices to the AP program. I asked him to share how the transition to devices had been a "disruption" in his classroom in regards to instruction and learning both positively and negatively.
Nick's classroom had gone through some changes both in the physical environment with flexible seating opportunities, and the addition of laptops for each student. August 2017, Nick's students were greeted with the newly renovated learning space, but they did not have devices. November 2017, the students in Nick's students went 1:1 with the addition of devices to the AP program. I asked him to share how the transition to devices had been a "disruption" in his classroom in regards to instruction and learning both positively and negatively.
"My experiences this year with the influx of technology into my classroom has created disruption in a few ways. The first disruption to my teaching is from the introduction of a new, complex tools into the classroom. Pens, pencils and notebooks do not have to update or charge or connect to a network, whereas our new laptops feature all of those. Class bell work/anticipatory sets now also feature IT help with me assisting those students experiencing problems, working through trouble shooting with them.
Traditional work flow for my students has also been disrupted. Up until this school year, on-line resources such as Class Notebook have mostly been used as a backup source, “missed class? Check the class notebook for the notes, etc…”, whereas now the Class Notebook and Teams are their primary source of notes, assignments, homework and resources. For some of my students, this disruption has been a net benefit as the old way of distributing handouts and packets meant more paper to lose track of, but now everything is organized in one place. For other students, this disruption has caused an increase in forgetting about assignments or materials because they do have them as physical reminders.
The other disruption that can occur when the technology isn’t working is that it can disrupt a train of thought. My Advanced Placement students become frustrated when the technology isn’t working and it can deter them from continuing to work hard or derail their critical thinking.
Overall, the disruptions from technology are outweighed by the benefits. I am eager to see test results and overall achievement compared to last year without the technology."- Nick Wennstedt
Traditional work flow for my students has also been disrupted. Up until this school year, on-line resources such as Class Notebook have mostly been used as a backup source, “missed class? Check the class notebook for the notes, etc…”, whereas now the Class Notebook and Teams are their primary source of notes, assignments, homework and resources. For some of my students, this disruption has been a net benefit as the old way of distributing handouts and packets meant more paper to lose track of, but now everything is organized in one place. For other students, this disruption has caused an increase in forgetting about assignments or materials because they do have them as physical reminders.
The other disruption that can occur when the technology isn’t working is that it can disrupt a train of thought. My Advanced Placement students become frustrated when the technology isn’t working and it can deter them from continuing to work hard or derail their critical thinking.
Overall, the disruptions from technology are outweighed by the benefits. I am eager to see test results and overall achievement compared to last year without the technology."- Nick Wennstedt
Classrooms going 1:1 is definitely not a new concept. It has been happening for almost a decade. However, if it hasn't happened to you as an educator, you haven't felt the immediate disruption. When it does take place a teacher needs to wrestle through the organization, troubleshooting, classroom management, digital citizenship, changes in instruction, etc. It reminds me a lot of what I experienced when I was preparing for a new baby. I could get all the advice, clothes, diapers, furniture, that was needed, but nothing prepared me for the day in and day out disruption of our lives that came with it. With time, more planning, trial and error, seeking out more advice from other parents, it all became easier. This is how it needs to be looked at in a classroom. It should be expected that a digital disruption could make you feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed as it is change that bleeds into almost every area of the classroom. It takes planning, adjusting, and seeking out how others have done it and found success in the past. I guarantee to you not one teacher that had a digital disruption immediately had all positive effects with no negatives. Below is a list of strategies I have seen teachers employ that makes the transition go smoother:
- Meticulous planning for device organization and processing of devices
- Strong base of digital citizenship skills employed and embedded in lessons
- Student led tech support within the classroom or the building
- Teacher receives device first to build skills for instruction and model usage
- Allowing students to learn from students
- Asking for support from our training team with implementation
- Communicating with parents the changes and benefits on learning
- Connecting with other educators that have been through a digital disruption
Conclusion
Disruption of industries, our time, and our future are ever changing because of technology. Next week I will team with Amy Vester to highlight another technology tool that will transform our classrooms with language challenges and opportunities. We will highlight Microsoft Translator and show real classroom examples of its impact.
This was actually the second time reading it...
Have you ever watched a movie and then after you finished it, watched it again sometime later only to find out you enjoy it more? That was my feeling when I read Innovator's Mindset the second time. I have to be honest, and after reading twelve books with friends this last year, my thoughts are focused on progress in the education landscape. As technology and information become more abundant in our classrooms, it is essential to inspire students - the careers waiting for them are more different than any time in history. Even though we have technologies such as artificial intelligence and mixed realities entering our landscape, I still hold on to teachers being essential in today and tomorrow's learning environment.
Just how different is this landscape?
I got the opportunity this week to spend some time with my friend Kecia Ray to catch up on all things #edtech but also to listen to her give the keynote at the #NDLA18 Conference held in Omaha. Many of the items in this book, our conversations, and her presentation resonated together in what changes we see happening in education. This was a video Kecia showed in one of her breakout sessions:
Right now we have many twenty-first-century schools with twentieth-century learning.
I love where I work. This year marks my 19th year in education. There is a great purpose in what we do. Anyone who enters the education career field knows this. When you look at so many things in our world that are changing because of technology, why don't we change our learning environments? The Innovator's Mindset approached this problem through the use of purpose and added creativity of innovation. The classroom I grew up in, rural Missouri, was absent of technology. We had a couple of computers in the back of our business classroom, but to be honest, I didn't engage with them until I was in the military at 18. My kids have engaged with technology as they have entered school. All three of my girls engage with internet with more information than all of my childhood learning combined at their fingertips; able to access at a moments notice.
What I enjoy about this book is how George Couros tells stories. Stories are all around us. They have the power to inspire us, move us and make us feel alive. Stories are a way to reach out to people and make an emotional connection. We need to utilize our tools to tell the story. George emphasizes the use of Twitter not only for professional development but for telling our story. Eric Sheninger says in BrandED that "if you aren't telling your story, someone else is." So much of what we do is around communication and branding. Eric states, "The traditional school leadership role may originally have been one of distancing, but those days are done." What I enjoy about George's take is his approach in writing, you can tell he has passion. Passion for students, and their success; this comes out in George's stories and his branding.
Quotures I created along this journey...
I hope as you read Innovator's Mindset, you keep an open mind. Here are three quotes that set the tone for this book:
- The way we learn—and the way we teach students even the most basic skills—must reflect and capitalize on the technology, information, and people we have access to today.
- We can’t base the way we teach on how we were taught because
- a) we have powerful opportunities at our fingertips, and
- b) the way many of today’s teachers were taught wasn’t effective for all students, even when we were in school.
- a) we have powerful opportunities at our fingertips, and
- My hope is that the future teachers of the world will not recreate what this generation has done but make something far better that is relevant for that generation.
I have now read this book twice. I do plan on reading it again sometime later. It's a very easy read, and one that will change your educational world immediately.
In The Workplace And Home
I typically always start with technology when writing blog posts. Today is no different. Technology enables us to communicate and collaborate from anywhere. Technology has transformed the workplace. The scenarios requiring out-of-the-office access from any device are numerous. It is no different in education. The rapid and accelerating move towards the adoption and use of mobile technologies has provided our society with the ability to work in incredible, and previously unanticipated, ways.
I often hear of the need for work-life balance. For me, it has never happened. Coming out of high school straight into the military, I worked where I lived and lived where I worked. My family understands this process. My extended family, maybe not so much. I think work-life balance means something different to every individual. Sometimes I think it is different based on where you live, your family dynamics, perfectionism, and increasingly how you interact with technology. A lot of people develop perfectionist tendencies at a young age when demands on their time are limited to school, sports/hobbies and maybe an after-school job. It’s easier to maintain that perfectionist habit as a kid, but as you grow up, life gets more complicated. As you climb the work ladder and as your family grows, your responsibilities increase dramatically.
As you progress, this habit can become overwhelming. My wife and I got married at an early age, she was 20, and I was 19. College took a backseat for her as she worked so we could make ends meet. It wasn't until after we had our middle child Aiyana, that she went back to finish her associates degree in accounting, then her masters degree, and later become a CPA. The picture here was from Amanda's graduation day. Those were ever-changing times, which didn't make life more comfortable but we worked as a family to transition through these life-changing moments. Mobile technology and social media hadn't entered into our lives yet. No, this would come later.
Balance With Technology
It is pretty rare to see someone without a smartphone in their hands these days. Mobile technology and social media have enlarged the circle of influence each of us have in society today. But it has also created expectations of constant accessibility. The workday never seems to end. There are times when one should just shut their phone off and enjoy the moment. This weekend we were able to meet up with some friends at a restaurant with a live band while we were visiting in Wichita. To our delight, we coincidentally ran into some great friends we hadn't seen in a very long time there. It was so great to catch up, dance, and listen to great music. I didn't bring my phone out to look at any updates - I just enjoyed the moment. We need moments like this.
Be Active
Procedures and routines - you see that in our Best Instructional Practices Handbook. We use this in classroom management. But what do we do for self-management? It takes a lot to manage our busy schedules. One thing that takes a back seat in our busy schedules is being active. I admit it is tough - but getting up early in the morning and getting the sweat in is worth it. I make it a routine to get up every morning to do this. Think about it. Even when we’re busy, we make time for the crucial things in life. We eat. We go to the bathroom. We sleep. And yet one of our most vital needs - kicking our butt working out - is often the first thing to go when our calendars fill up. Exercise is an effective stress reducer. It pumps feel-good endorphins through your body.
Recently, I joined a cross fit gym with my wife Amanda and daughter Aiyana. I hadn't been to any formal workout facility since moving to Omaha. The last 3 1/2 years have been at Planet Fitness, and the routine was simple - Weights: Monday-Wednesday-Friday Cardio: Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday. We will see how this year stacks up focusing on nutrition and working with a personal trainer again.
Creating Relationships
Instead of putting pressure on ourselves to achieve a high utopia of work-life balance, we should start focusing on work-life integration: our ability to ensure that our personal and work interests are incorporated into our daily lives and routines. Individuals also have a responsibility for integrating their work and own experiences. Creating authentic relationships with co-workers can even make for better work-life integration. You can do this slowly, moving from “what do you do?” to a discussion about your hobbies and then deeper into your personal life when both parties are comfortable. When we have strong relationships with our teammates, we bring that happiness back to our own lives. #BetterConversations
The Instructional Technology Team is very much a big part of my life here in Omaha. You can see it in how we interact day to day. Dan, our Project Manager, is very much a part of this as well. The things that make us happy at home, also make us happy at work. If a warm and welcoming environment is what is important at your home, it should also `be important in the workplace. If at home, you’ve got friends, you should have an equal number of friends in the workplace. While on the surface we may view “work creep” (work infiltrating our personal lives) as negative, it can be our greatest asset if we manage it properly.
Conclusion
Throughout the last decade, I’ve noticed a shift in thinking. More people are suggesting that the ways work and life overlap might not all be bad. As technology connects us wherever we go, it is important to prioritize our relationships. It doesn't matter if these are work or personal relationships. The days of convincing ourselves that we can separate our work and personal lives are over, and I think we should embrace this change.
What A Year
It has been a year of change, around the world, where I work, in my family, and personally. I am not sure anyone was prepared for the political climate that occurred this year. Our stance as a nation has swung significantly in the last 12 months. I fell asleep the night of the presidential election in a hotel room with the TV on and woke up at 2:30 in the morning and the world had changed. It didn't stop there though. A bizarre event would occur and would be all over the news; before we could wrap our minds around it, another bizarre event would occur, then another and another, coming at us faster and faster, battering the nation with a Category 5 hurricane-like weirdness that left us hunkering down, clinging to our sanity, no longer certain what was real.
In the midst of all the bizarre things that occurred this year, there were good things too. We have seen many technological advancements that will assist us as a society for years to come. Artificial Intelligence, Augmented/Virtual Reality, 3D printing, the availability of inexpensive solar cells, and even self driving vehicles made this spotlight this year. If I had to point to one person's influence of much of this, it would have to be Elon Musk. His goals for his companies Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity revolves around his vision to change the world and humanity.
A highlight of this year for me personally, our team, and the district would be telling our story. We have done an incredible job of documenting this journey. One event that I would like to highlight was our participation at ISTE this last summer. It was clear that through the amount of presentations and being a big part of Microsoft's Hack the Classroom event at ISTE, we have made progress that others see value in. I use this as a dipstick to measure our effectiveness as a team and later I highlight how I use my kids as a measurement of our student experience.
#ISTE17 - A Reflection
With ISTE behind us, it's fun to reflect on the event that it was. You knew it was going to be big when Richard Culatta shared that registrations for ISTE had reached over 21,000. ISTE...
In the next three segments, I will focus on district, family, and personal reflections over the past year. Each has their own challenges, advancements, and opportunities.
Our Growth As a District
Our $421 million dollar bond issue in November of 2014 has provided many resources that Omaha Public Schools needed. Before that, there wasn't a bond issue for over 15 years. The needs assessment that was completed before the bond showed $1.2 billion in needs. As much as this first bond issue is allowing us to build and provide, (Belle Ryan and Western Hills elementary schools slated to open in a couple of weeks, for instance) there is so much more that needs to be done. The next bond in May of 2018 will help address the space needs at our secondary schools.
2017 has been a year of transition as far as leadership. Mr. Evans decided to stay one more year after a turbulent Superintendent search process with the board. I must say it was good to spend one more year with Mr Evans, this being our 13th year working together. Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Kehrberg retired at the end of the 2016-17 season creating a vacancy that was replaced with Chief Academic Officer, Melissa Comine. We also brought on a couple of new Executive Directors of School Supports. All of these are good transitions, but transitions are challenging and require time.
From a technology standpoint, we have made efforts towards planned obsolescence of devices. In 2017, we experienced budget constraints that made us adjust the frequency by which we refresh devices. One thing the refresh process has done is show how necessary digital equity and access is for all of our students. In the future, we will make decisions differently as a district through the progression to digital equity through the strategic plan. I can't wait to see what we can accomplish with digital curriculum and open educational resources that provide unique learning experiences through technology. Personalized learning is the way to go. Our students should be picking their unique pathway in opportunities that aren't even thought of yet. For more information on our unique process for devices, click the image below for the blog post on planned obsolescence.
Anytime you are shifting focus with student learning, you need to incorporate parents and community. Digital citizenship and literacy was a major focus in Omaha Public Schools in 2017. We certified over 50 schools with Common Sense Media Certification to receive the district level certification. This was not all though. We also implemented the Mobile Learning Unit, a vehicle that provides programming to students, parents, and community through a partnership with Cox Communications. What was once a 1991 bus has now transformed into a highly engaging learning environment.
Our relationship with Microsoft has continued to progress. These strategic relationships have been beneficial for our students. We are able to give authentic feedback in what the learning experience students should receive in a high technology environment. Communication is different, as well, in today's working environment. We should reflect this shift in education as well. Our team uses Microsoft Teams everyday. This article discusses how Omaha Public Schools and Microsoft are working together to bring this collaboration shift in using Microsoft Teams.
Immersive classroom experience in Microsoft Teams rolling out to Office 365 for Education customers worldwide |
Microsoft Teams is poised to empower students, educators and staff virtually everywhere, with new features rolling out across 181 markets and in 25 different languages. The latest experiences in Microsoft Teams , the digital hub for teachers and students in Office 365 for Education, are designed to help schools achieve more together: by fostering deeply engaged classrooms, strengthening professional learning communities, and tailoring more effective school communication.
One of the fundamental areas that needed to be addressed when Mr. Evans became Superintendent was looking at our processes. The district had a tendency to on-board a system and not continuously update it. You can see that now with our PeopleSoft upgrade that started this year. The district had not completed an upgrade of that system in over 12 years. The world has changed in 12 years. Think about what wasn't here 12 years ago in technology:
- There was no iPhone or iPad
- Social Media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, etc.
- Facebook was still only available for college students
- Mobile apps and the abundance of software wasn't readily available
- The technology around website design wasn't incorporating features such as material design and evolving to your view according to the device you are utilizing
With all of these things in mind, it is important to consider what we face by constantly updating our systems. Think about it, all of our social media mediums update without training us, many times even without informing us beforehand. We use them frequently enough that our own digital literacy skills improve naturally. The same needs to be done with our "systems" we utilize in our districts. This includes pedagogy.
These "systems" are what drives cultural change. Systems create behaviors and this is important in an district because, as I say sometimes, districts do what they're organized to do. To bring about actual change within an district, Superintendents or other leaders, before they cast big vision and before they announce a change, must sit down and look at systems and ask the question, "What are the behaviors that need to change in order to move in the direction we need to move?" In my past work with the BLEgroup, Gates Foundation, and GreyED Solutions working on tech audits or strategic planning, it became evident that these are the fundamental things that drive necessary change. So, simply talking and casting vision doesn't change the direction of a district. Systems create behaviors because districts do what they're organized to do.
I am excited to see where we go in 2018 with teaching and learning in Omaha Public Schools! With the shifting of leadership, continued adoption of systems that produce efficiency and great staff in every facet of Omaha Public Schools, we are better - you can see it. Check out our transformation page for what our district has done through the use of technology.
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Omaha Public Schools Transformation Through Technology
My Family's Growth
I have always measured my effectiveness as an educational leader through my kids. It's an easy mechanism since I see them everyday. At some points in life I have had one in every level at the same time: Elementary, Middle and High School. Every night I would listen to them and gather their experiences. During the last two years, this dynamic is changing. Now Emily is a Sophmore in college, Aiyana is a senior at Omaha Central High School, and Bailey has joined her as a Freshman. From a parent perspective, the light is at the end of the tunnel. I am going to have to figure out a way to measure my effectiveness differently.
In 2017, we took a much needed vacation to Colorado. The kids had a blast, and Amanda and I did too. It was one of those moments where you begin thinking this could be the last one we do as a family with our kids graduating and moving on. Amanda and I love to hike. Colorado was just the place to engage with the whole family and climb a couple of mountains, see waterfalls, and see some old friends that moved out that way. Amanda and I also took some time and rode up to a lake with our bikes and saw some wildlife. From there I mounted my GoPro and coasted down the mountain, it was the best adrenaline rush of the trip.
My Growth
Where to start. 2017 showed me how much I love to learn. I read 12 books this year - yes 12. It wasn't just reading either. Many times it was a group effort with a lot of collaboration. Creating "quotures" - yes we made that up - and posting them to twitter after a chapter. We participated in #1ChapterADay activities, taking notes and using OneNote to document the journey. I have to give a mad shout out to Eileen Heller - she has kept up with me all along the way. You can check out her blog here. We also blogged about a couple of books. Check out this one Eileen Heller, Rebecca Chambers, and I did on Learning Transformed.
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This activity of blogging has been transformative. This will be my 53rd blog post this year. I started blogging January 2017 with the thought I would use this mechanism to reflect on my journey so far. It has increased my writing ability and served as a reminder of the importance of taking a second every so often to reflect and document - thoughts, views, processes that occur personally, in my family, and with our district.
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What's In Store For 2018?
A new Superintendent,new Board of Education Officers, and budget conversations will start in January of 2018. The Instructional Technology Team did an incredible job of applying for a Title IV grant that was awarded to us that will help drive Future Ready and a new Professional Development System in the district this spring. 2018 will again be a year of change, around the world, where I work, in my family, and personally.
Today, you always hear about our need to develop our future generations with skills in coding, STEM, and in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. As a technology leader, I emphasize this in my everyday work. This year I have had the opportunity to read 12 books with staff. The last two have challenged my thinking.
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Excellence Through Equity
Back in October, Superintendent Mark Evans brought the Excellence Through Equity book to Executive Council. It has been a book of focus for our Principal Meetings over the last couple of months. Alan M. Blankstein, Pedro Noguera, and Lorena Kelly present the power of voice and choice that guides educational leaders to drive change in the classroom. The resounding themes that echo project based learning activities, relevance, and the power of equity. I loved the parallels outlined in the book to the health industry:
From Chapter 4:
From Chapter 4:
- "Critical care units are generally staffed with the best medical problem solvers."
- "However, I have never seen a good doctor limit or deny a patient high-quality care because he or she has refused to change his or her diet or shun bad habits."
- "Unfortunately, some educators may review a student's data and make quick recommendations without carefully considering the long-term consequences for the student."
- "Too often, we apply interventions with no intent or possibility of correcting or improving the ailment."
This book provides timely insights and powerful examples that educational equity and excellence provides. It is also necessary and possible. Towards the end of the book, it highlights the necessary changes needed in the policy level to make sure education can succeed. It is timely with our current political climate. I have never felt the amount of pressure in public education as is occurring today.
From a technology standpoint, the book outlines technology being a powerful how. It particularly points out the International Standards for Technology in Education Standards.
- ISTE Standards for Students for Research and Information Fluency
- Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students (a) plan strategies to guide inquiry; (b) locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media; (c) evaluate and select information sources and digital tools; and (d) process data and report results.
Technology is a great equalizer, but it is important to understand the challenges that separate us from our private school counterparts. Every child is on an educational journey. Each of them come on the journey with different luggage. Here at Omaha Public Schools we serve children of color, immigrant children, poor children, and children whose first language is other than English. These are all things we are proud of. Nebraska Loves Public Schools has created a great video that highlights these challenges and shows the hope given to children that learning provides.
Better Conversations
This book is foundational. Everyday I push for educational technology solutions to help facilitate efficiency in time and increase ability. Too often this emphasis takes some focus away from purpose. The book Better Conversations brings that focus back to what is relevant. Many times as educators, the answers not in technology but in human behavior. It is too easy to get fixed on the shiny and we should focus on implementing technology with purpose. This gets more and more relevant as our technology advances: The more we talk about features and functions, the further we are apt to stray from what we're trying to accomplish in the first place. Jim Knight does an incredible job of bringing purpose with technology by using the very thing we hold on to everyday: our smartphones. By using video as a reflection, we paint an accurate description of our efficiencies as a teacher and communicator.
I got the opportunity to read this book with Eileen Heller, Instructional Technology Trainer for Omaha Public Schools. During the course of our readings we created what we call a quoture - an image with a quote that stood out for us personally for each chapter. As you can see below there are some great themes that come along with each chapter - but one that speaks to me is empathy.
Listening is my weakness. Every resource of my mind in conversation is anticipating what I want to say next. Not much empathy in that. Jim Knight in our session had us do an activity on listening. We were to listen to our partner without saying anything for 1 minute. It seemed like an eternity. I learned a lot from that exercise.
Jim explains this in 3 key strategies to listening:
- "The four simple strategies—
- (a) commit to listen,
- (b) make sure your partner is the speaker,
- (c) pause before you speak and ask, “will my comment open up or close down this conversation?” and
- (d) don’t interrupt—provided challenge enough.
- Stephen Covey described the importance of listening as a way of understanding another’s paradigm."
It all boils down to relationships....
Both books emphasize the need for relationships. In Excellence Through Equity incorporates our struggle with new standards and how we have focused too much on testing and results. Student voice and choice are needed to bring relevancy to the learning process. Better Conversations takes that a step further by understanding dialogue:
- "Dialogue is a back-and-forth conversation that enables mutual learning, and there is no need for me to learn when I know it all already. "
- "A dialogical conversation is something we co-construct with others so everyone in the conversation can learn and grow."
And finally because of my technology background, it is important to note that technology can happen throughout both of these processes. In both books it is used as an efficiency and as an equalizer. The technology we use today is the worst technology we will ever use in the future because it constantly changes. Don't get fixed on the shiny.
Technology is all around us today. We now live in a society where we rely on technology for much of our daily tasks. The convergence of mobile access and technology, fueled by social media and collaborative apps make our conversations different today than any time in history. Just look at the graph to the left outlining the amount of iOS apps now in the app store. The growth is exponential. How many apps do you have on your phone? You can begin to see a pattern.
Students today have come to expect high-quality content—on demand, anytime, and anywhere. This mindset puts our schools in an interesting position, and it is increasingly changing. Our role as educators in digital citizenship is to provide the necessary skills and real world preparation for today’s technology driven lifestyle.
The Challenge
Our educators swim in an ocean of #EDTech opportunity. It is easy to get overwhelmed. Even when you look at our waffle (left) in Office 365 here at Omaha Public Schools, you can see a growing set of tools at your disposal. What choices do I make? Do I try them all out? If it is there, shouldn't I use it? These are all questions that can overwhelm teachers. They already have lessons to prep, assessments to give, and massive amounts of grading, all while fostering relationships with our students to bring meaning to learning.
A Personal Approach
Remember To Evolve With Technology
It is no surprise that technology changes constantly. I remember the first time I used my smartphone to pay for something at the store. There was a sense of distrust at first but now I use it whenever I can. It is a comfort that has been enabled via technology. Recently I shifted platforms, moving from iOS to Android. I have had friends ask if it was painful. Since most of my stuff resides in the cloud, it wasn't hard to transition. There was pain involved with not having the same apps across platforms and remembering my username/password for some apps. You can read about my reasoning for the change in this blog post:
The Power Is In The Pen
Digital Inking isn't new. I remember in the mid 90's messing with an Apple Newton that had a stylus and a program called Calligrapher that introduced hand writing recognition. Later when Personal...
I want to emphasize that it is important to evolve though. Too many times we put all of our assets into one bucket, only to find out that they completely shift their vision, phase out the solution, or sell to another company. All of these things have an effect on us. Even when it is a positive approach, pain is still involved because of the transition. If it is data you cherish, such as photos or videos, back them up across platforms or at home. The cloud is a great oasis, but keep in mind, where you put your valuables is just one transaction away from being difficult to access. I always backup my iCloud photos to Google Photos. It gives me a piece of mind and since I have so many, somewhere around 50,000 photos, it isn't hard for me to access from just about any type of device.
Next I want to discuss a district approach. It is this tug of war around giving choice but maintaining sustainability.
A District or Systems Approach
Define Best Practice For Your Environment
When I first came into the district 3 1/2 years ago, the district had one on premise platform for collaboration. It was called FirstClass. I called it LastClass, NoClass, and some other choice words I wouldn't publish. Moving off of that platform into a cloud first, mobile first environment was my initiative in the district. Through some decision making processes every large district makes, we decided upon shifting platforms to Office 365. You can read that process in this blog post shown below:
Extending Your Districts Collaboration Platform Into Purposeful Practice
In today's world, we operate as a society outside of the walls of our schools, our businesses, and our homes. The access to mobile devices has expanded our social and professional lives, many times blurring the lines between work and home. Technology has been front of state in the lives of students born between 1982 and 2002.
Now having been on Office 365 for over 3 years now, we have utilized much of the tools available. Microsoft is moving to this focus of Hubs; smaller units of application processes that work together to present meaningful functions for a particular area or collaboration type. One example of a Hub is Microsoft Teams. I won't talk much about its functionality because I have blogged about it here:
Next Generation Collaboration with #MicrosoftTeams
I chose to write about collaboration because of its increasing usage in our everyday space. Society is changing. My kids interact with a much larger circle of influence than I did growing up. Digital literacy and social media is an inseparable and powerful combination.
These "hubs" such as Microsoft Teams, Staff Hub, etc present a new challenge. Which "hub" do I work in? These are obviously supported by our district, but managed choice is one we haven't adopted across our supports, particularly professional development. We have however used the notion of managed choice around such projects like Planned Obsolescence. So what are we doing to support this growing App phenomenon?
So there are two ways we are approaching this:
- Becoming the "how" inside of the Best Instructional Practices Handbook in two ways. It is important to note that our district guides our educators in lesson development with the yearly release of our "Best Instructional Practices Handbook"
We will incorporate into that guide by:- Transforming the typical binder style into a OneNote Notebook with lesson templates and pacing guides
- Incorporating best practices around the tools within the handbook - both in instructional technology and 21st Century Learning Design strategies.
- A systemic App Approval Process for Apps and Hardware
We created this systemic process in January of this year vetting Apps for student data privacy, instructional strategy, and purpose. This tool has evolved to give us a lifecycle view of apps. Think about it, how many apps have you loaded on your phone and dormant? What data is it constantly gathering? It was loaded with a purpose in mind as well. Has that purpose changed? All of these questions should be asked both personally and systemically. You can't have a process of installing apps and never removing them - both personally and in a large district. Districts must put in place supports around these such as deployment methods, ongoing technical support, and professional development. The data from our App Approval Process feeds into a PowerBI dashboard as displayed below. We are well on our way to vetting 500 apps in the first year.
In the end, it is about what is best for students. Many of these apps help connect the dots for learning for our students. Students learn more deeply when they can apply classroom-gathered knowledge to real-world problems and when they take part in projects that require sustained engagement and collaboration. Technology makes that happen.
Stranger Things 2. Am I going to watch it? Absolutely. I grew up going to the arcade just like in the start of season 2. I remember rummaging through the house for loose change then riding my bike downtown to join my friends at the arcade. It seems just like yesterday; yet, today is my 41st birthday. That's right, I was born on Halloween. so as you can imagine, this time of year is my favorite. The arcade is mostly a thing of the past; kids are now entertained by Netflix, iTunes Music, YouTube. None of these things were around when I celebrated my Halloween birthday growing up. So, I've decided to discuss digital citizenship this week for my blog.
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I remember the first time I got a Nintendo. It was a different world. No longer did we spend all of the change we had on games here and there. We spent money on renting games - then playing as many times as possible before returning them. Consumption was increasing at a rapid rate. I was home more, but not engaged with family. In retrospect, I think this was a defining moment. We still went out and played basketball for hours, so physical play was a large section of our day after school and in the summer.
Being Introduced To Technology
I really didn't engage with computers until joining the military when I was 18. Growing up in a rural town and a small district, opportunities with personal computing at the time was scarce. It was also 1995, a time when the PC involved a large desktop and the price was still high.
Satya Nadella in his new book Hit Refresh outlines the three runtimes we have had in society today:
- Personal Computer
- Web
- Artificial Intelligence
So the experience I would have had even exposed would have been primarily in the beginning of the first runtime. It was later that Al Gore created the Internet for all of society (cough cough) Just a joke....
If you believe that, I have some ocean front property in Arizona I can sell you.
Since then, I have adopted technology as it has been introduced to me. I have had every iPhone up until the iPhone 7 Plus. Recently I moved over to the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 as my primary mobile device as told in this blog.
I have seen what artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented/virtual reality can do. Kids today are exposed to these technologies at an amazing rate. That presents opportunities and challenges. On one side you see kids gain experiences outside of the classroom that could have never been done before. However, you can also see how engagement in these without guiding purpose and practice can negatively impact learning. As a parent of three teenage girls, I understand this opportunity and challenge every day. Now I want to give a picture to what my kids have experienced and what they expect.
What it has been like for my kids....
As much as I would like to discuss them all together, it is really a different experience between them. The wave of social media powered by access through mobile technology has touched each of them in a slightly different time in their life. This has caused challenges in trying to present a fair access and scaffolding model to introduce and expose my kids to these tools in an appropriate way. Here is each of them sharing what platforms they use:
First here is Bailey:
As you can see she mostly uses Instagram and Facebook for social media. For conversation, she uses Instagram Direct Messages and iMessage. Next we will hear from Aiyana. Each one of my kids are different. Aiyana is no exception to different. Please excuse her eating habits during the creation of this video.
As you can imagine, things begin to get different with our oldest, Emily. She is 19, going to college, and gaining independence from us. We begin to choose the platform that she most engages in. I think this becomes a pivotal point. Social media changes frequently, and companies come and go. What happens if the platform is different between each of them? How or can we capture those moments we want most?
Something to think about. As I have read the book Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella, I have thought about what this means not only for my kids but my grandkids. This quote from the book identifies one of the challenges we face particularly when it comes to learning. It is exciting if you approach it purposefully.
I am old but not that old....Yet.
So what about my kid's kids? What opportunities and challenges will technology bring to them? One of the particularly interesting segments from the Hit Refresh book was how industry adopts new technologies at a higher rate when it involves our comfort. Look at Netflix. The ability to binge watch without leaving your couch. Look at Uber. This is one area that I think will be disrupted by technology. Self driving cars are real. They are coming, and because of our desire to be engage with technology and the comfort of not being behind the wheel means transportation with a different experience. This could effect airline travel. Think about it, what if you could just sleep and/or watch a movie while a self driving vehicle takes you to your destination? It is closer than you think. The areas I feel like will rapidly effect my grandkids will be artificial intelligence. Their access to digital companions will change how they interact with each other, meetings, day to day work in learning and in the workplace, and just about any place they have connectivity. That connectivity increases every day. These can all be seen as opportunities and challenges depending upon how you look at it. As educators it will be important for us to focus on skill development that focuses on critical thinking so that opportunities continue for generations to come.
Where do I start. I remember the first time I met Keegan, it was at a Microsoft Innovative Educator training that we were having at the Microsoft facility in Aksarben. I introduced myself and we had a great conversation about her current role at Bryan High School. Later she would apply for a position that would help shape the way our district approaches and values technology. Just in the course of the last year, she has enabled through the help of our MIE Program, to lead our efforts to complete Common Sense District Level Certification. This week, she will be speaking at TEDx Omaha. These things take talent, and below I want to highlight the talents that I see in Keegan.
Passion & Empathy
If you know Keegan, you know she has a passion for students. Just hearing some of her stories when she was an English teacher, you can tell she was engaging and provided a high level of interactivity with her students. That energy transfers into her current role of Lead Teacher for Digital Citizenship here at Omaha Public Schools. While not a new role for the district, her contribution to it has been transformative. She uses empathy in a way that challenges me and gives voice to initiatives that we have adopted. This week I have been reading the book Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella. In it he describes the role of empathy in his leadership and Keegan shows this in her everyday practice.
Confidence
Keegan believes in Omaha Public Schools. She believes in the role technology plays in student's learning. She even has confidence in my ideas, sometimes far fetched. That belief mentality allows her to take on initiatives like the Common Sense District Certification, our new Mobile Learning Unit, the construction of our App Approval Tool, and co-leading our District Technology Standards Team.
Relationships
As educators know, relationships is what makes learning happen. Strong relationships build trust and commitment. Our external relationships in the district are unique. We have a great relationship with Microsoft as well as Common Sense Media. Keegan does a great job of connecting the dots. Our App Approval Tool is a great example of connecting these dots. Here is a picture of what it looked like as we brainstormed this idea.
That has now turned into a great systemic process that vets Apps for data privacy, then through instructional strategies, and outputs to a PowerBi Dashboard for transparency.
Super #OPSProud
This week, she is speaking at TEDx Omaha. I don't know what the title is, or what exactly she will be sharing, but I know it will be impactful. Keegan, you are an incredible person and I am super proud of you. Here are some of your Common Sense folks sharing:
Thanks for what you do for students, Keegs.
The last couple of weeks have been so fun. Kids are engaged, parents are engaged. Our society has a craving for accessing the Internet for a variety of purposes and now possesses the means to connect in many ways. This is one way we have engaged the community with a high technology purpose. But it is not new. In fact this bus was purchased well before I graduated High School. A 1992 Bluebird. Purchased originally through Title I some 25 years ago, it's initial purpose was to provide reading opportunities. Now, it focuses on digital citizenship and literacy. Many of today's classrooms have amazing 21st century tools being used in 20th century learning environments. It was important for us to give this space a make over so that it isn't the same.
As the saying goes, if opportunity doesn't knock, then build a door. The digital world allows us to build and open doors like never before. 2 Years. I didn't think it would take this long, but it was worth it. Everyone that contributed did an amazing job. I can't thank enough our Schoolhouse Planning team led by Kim Thompson. They are amazing, and took our thoughts and placed it into actionable results. I originally posted about the mobile learning unit at the bottom of one of my first blog posts.
Two Examples of Digital Equity and Access in High Poverty Schools
As a part of our 5 year Strategic Plan , the district wanted to change the approach of our persistently low achieving schools. Through Mr. Evans leadership, the decision was made to look at high technology strategies to engage teachers, students, and community.
Leo A. Daly was the design firm that took our ideas, many of them about flexible and innovative learning spaces and put them onto paper. As you can see much of what they designed above became reality as seen in the 360 view below.
Enough about the bus... Let's talk about students
Many of you may know Common Sense as a resource for digital citizenship related curriculum and resources. If this is new to you, I strongly suggest you check out the easy to use resources from Common Sense Education. We are fortunate to partner with them and have Keegan full time as our Lead Teacher for Digital Citizenship. Our model for transforming schools has an emphasis on technology. Because Common Sense Education provides digital citizenship related resources for teachers, students and parents, we wanted to make sure a focus around the proper use was implemented. This past year we were fortunate to gain District Certification. Keegan's hard work and dedication has been incredible. I couldn't be prouder of her. This next weekend she is giving a TED Talk on the importance of a digital footprint. Her role in the mobile learning unit is crucial when we discuss community engagement. Even in my role as a technology leader, I don't have a great handle on my own parenting. My three daughters challenge my thoughts on social media and require me to engage in the same methods and platforms that they communicate in. Here is her perspective on her role for the mobile learning unit.
Rebecca Chambers serves as an Instructional Technology Coach for the Omaha Public Schools by supporting the district’s Turnaround buildings in their instructional technology initiatives, emphasizing on this mobile learning unit initiative.
Rebecca has a passion for students in the North Omaha community. It shows in how she organizes their activities, providing relevancy to students no matter what age they are. These students has no basis for understanding information that isn't readily and immediately available. Rebecca understands this and scaffolds activities appropriately. These students have come to expect high-quality content—on demand, anytime, and anywhere, and through her work with the mobile learning unit this has become a reality.
This is a whole-community effort
Just as the Mobile Learning Unit blog says below: The goal: to use a whole-community approach to bring high-technology learning and digital citizenship skills to students and their families. We want more than merely high-quality access and devices for our students - we want to build the knowledge and skills necessary to address the complex community challenges in today’s digital age. Every Student. Every Day. Prepared for Success. We can't wait to share with ride with you!
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We visited Wakonda Elementary's Open House on September 14th as our first "official" event. Our goals going into the evening were two-fold: (1) To test out basic logistics, like connecting devices to...
You might call me crazy. In the past month I switched to Android after more than 8 years as an iPhone user. I have had every iPhone up to the iPhone 7 Plus. My strategy through the years involved shifting the latest device of the year from me down through the family. It worked well for quite some time. Now my kids are transitioning. My oldest is in college and is now about to shift to her own plan. I am so proud of her for taking on this responsibility. With this in mind, I wanted to learn something new. A new platform. A new experience. Why you might ask?
My Evolution In Computing
So if you have been reading my blogs, you know that I had transitioned from a Mac person for some time to an avid Surface Pro user. You can read this post below.
The Importance Of Digital Inking
Digital Inking isn't new. I remember in the mid 90's messing with an Apple Newton that had a stylus and a program called Calligrapher that introduced hand writing recognition. Later when Personal...
After reading the blog post above you might realize that my reason for moving from iOS to Android was not based upon the platform, but on the importance of digital inking. OneNote has become an application that I utilize for major project documentation, team collaboration, and my personal and professional notes. As I work through my day, my primary device isn't my Surface. It is my smartphone. Yes, when I am at a desk, participating in a meeting, or engaging in a Skype session, I am on my Surface Pro. But if you took the time spent, my smartphone has my attention to information when I am on the go.
Why Did I Pick The Samsung Note 8?
The power is in the pen. A staple of the Note line has always been a big screen and the S-Pen. The Note 8's S-Pen is waterproof, more sensitive, and has a smaller tip for easier writing. This would actually be my second Note. Last year I got to briefly experience the Note 7 before trading it in for the iPhone 7 Plus due to the risk of the battery exploding. But that didn't stop me from wanting to move forward with the Note 8 as it was released. The need for authentic input to bring context to content, especially in my current role here in Omaha Public Schools is high. The Note 8 gives this ability with access to the whole Office 365 offerings. Writing notes by hand is definitely the way to go, and OneNote is one of the best note-taking apps around. You can hand write your notes with the S Pen, and save them to the cloud. Once your notes are in the cloud, you can access them on any device that has OneNote onboard, whether it be your PC, tablet, or Note. There’s even a highlighter to mark up the most important things. OneNote includes an option to pin specific notes to your home screen, too, for when you need quick access to your notes.
The Accessories
While waiting for the next iPhone, I kept watching what Samsung would entice us with. Initially, it was the choice of a Samsung Gear 360 or a DEX station. As time progressed, I watched other deals. I think it was when AT&T, of whom we have been customers forever, came up with pre-order a Note 8, get a Gear 3 Frontier watch, and Samsung VR led me to this switch of platforms. The Gear 3 Frontier was a one time cost of $50. Then I used the Samsung Store App to register for the Samsung Gear 360. This gave me a complete experience of a wearable, virtual reality, and 360 camera. I have to say I am surprised by the Gear 3 Frontier watch. It lasts around 2 days on a charge for me and looks more like a watch than my Apple Watch does. Also the Gear 360 Camera makes pretty good 360 shots as well, check it out.
In the end, will I stay with the Note 8. Yes for this year. Only time will tell if I stay. I can say that if Apple were to make the iPhone X with the Apple pencil compatible, I might reconsider. I do miss the apps that I used to use with my iPhone. However most of the apps that are frequently used are cross platform. The biggest reason I moved was the desire to engage with my smartphone the same way I engage with my Surface Pro tablet. That has mostly been driven by OneNote.
Passwords are everywhere! I have so many combinations, many times it is tough to remember which one is used for what app. We all have smartphones today and it compounds this, especially when a new iPhone comes out every year. We have all dealt with it. Is it with a 1 at the end or did I add a 2 now? Wait. Was that the one with the capital letter?
Thankfully, there are technologies out there that can help alleviate this struggle. Single Sign On and network technologies like Identity Services Engine allows for districts to work towards providing a great learning experience for staff and students. I have 4 main reasons for the adoption of these technologies.
#1 It is more secure
Do you know how many web sites on which you have an account? I do. It's over 120. Perhaps, you don't have as many as me, but it might seem like it. That is a lot of information to remember: usernames, email addresses used to register the account, passwords and maybe even the URL for the site. If you are like most online users, you may have just a handful of passwords that you use on several sites. While this makes remembering them easy, it is bad practice. In the last year, there have been several public attacks in which passwords were disclosed by the attackers. If the password you use across several sites was disclosed, an attacker might try to use it for one of your other accounts.
Introduce Single Sign on (SSO)
While it appears like a simple measure, single sign-on may dramatically reduce the amount of typing and tapping you do on a mobile phone. Now, when Mrs. Smith wants to read her mail using a web browser, she typically navigates to a webpage like https://www.office.com. For a federated Office 365 domain, Microsoft will not ask for a username and password to log in, but instead redirect the browser to the Identity Provider for authentication.
While it appears like a simple measure, single sign-on may dramatically reduce the amount of typing and tapping you do on a mobile phone. Now, when Mrs. Smith wants to read her mail using a web browser, she typically navigates to a webpage like https://www.office.com. For a federated Office 365 domain, Microsoft will not ask for a username and password to log in, but instead redirect the browser to the Identity Provider for authentication.
Where you would probably see this happen in your day to day is when you download a new app or sign up for the first time online to something. You might see these options in the sign up. This uses the same technology. No username and password are exchanged. The information is passed via a token. I want to keep this post as non-technical as possible so I won't get into how this happens.
#2 It saves time
On average, users take 5–20 seconds to log in to an online app. It can take longer if they mistype their username or password and are prompted to reenter them. With SSO in place, manually logging in to online services is avoided. These saved seconds reduce frustration and add up to increased productivity. On the left you see our Office 365 waffle. When we first implemented Office 365 in our district, it was important for user adoption to be high. So when we deployed, we didn't deploy the Office client. The web client requirement meant that users were constantly being exposed to a majority of what we offered. This increased the user adoption of many of the other programs besides the Office 365 suite since we used Clever and Azure AD authentication techniques. Then a SSO requirement for future app adoptions allowed us to insert those tiles in the waffle and giving the user a single experience while also auto rostering their students and classes in the solutions.
For those of you interested in implementing SSO in your district, the Center for Digital Education has a great resource below.
Single Sign-On in Education: The Demand for Fast and Easy Access
As K-12 and Higher Ed institutions continue their journey from print to digital learning resources, they face a considerable efficiency obstacle - an overwhelming number of usernames and passwords. This Guidebook shows how using Single Sign-on (SSO) helps overcome login challenges and creates efficient access.
#3 It gives focus
Many districts struggle with implementing and sun-setting of software and data solutions. When a district is purposeful in connecting the dots of these solutions to provide best practice, many times when they are not seen as conjoined mostly because to the user they are disparate systems. The login, professional development, and how the app is presented make all the difference in the world to building the communications and story of support.
#4 It provides a different highway for information
Networks are evolving. We depend so much on them today. Network convergence is the efficient coexistence of telephone, video and data communication within a single network. The use of multiple communication modes on a single network offers convenience and flexibility that are not possible with separate infrastructures. The mediums are changing as well. We power devices over the wire now and wireless is becoming the end user experience standard for internet activity. Mobility is driving this.
In Omaha Public Schools, we are transitioning. Planned Obsolescence is driving more mobile devices as we adopt a mobile first strategy. As a result, our wireless needs to evolve to accommodate this.
In the diagram below, you can see that in the old wireless strategy, we presented different wireless IDs but technically were on the same network.
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This causes traffic related problems as you can see. No matter what kind of traffic traverses down the network, they have the same contention. The same path. Network security isn't a priority. It isn't aware of identities either.
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With Identity Services Engine, the network is identity aware. It is device aware. It is also medium aware - voice, video, data, etc. It also creates paths for downloadable access control lists for security. Simplified access across wired, wireless and virtual private network connections. Policies are cascaded across all types of access points and enforced by software-defined segmentation. This is what we are moving to. It allows for BYOD and 1:1 district deployed environments to act on the same networks.
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Conclusion
In the end, it is about learning. These things are back end technologies. Not seen. But implemented properly, will provide efficiencies in time, and present multiple solutions with clarity, all while being secure.
What you see day to day, social media, news, games. We are all connected. Mobile computing and the Internet is making this happen. As we progress down this technological path, it's important to look at what's next to see where we might bring purpose. Without purpose in these devices, we will find ourselves in the living room with everyone just looking at their smartphones. Does this ring a bell? Enter the world of immersive tech, augmented and virtual reality. Virtual reality isn't just a view master for your video games. It's an entirely new medium whose true purpose is slowly being realized.
Let Me Clarify. I'm Inexperienced In This Area.
Recently we were invited to the Microsoft Store in Kansas City to participate with Washburn University in some VR activities. It opened my eyes to some opportunities that I would have otherwise dismissed. I got to enter new active experiences with the VIVE, Oculus Rift, and the new Mixed Reality device from HP. Microsoft is making a hard push into the mixed reality segment with Windows 10 as the platform of choice. Many of these headsets are much cheaper than their VR counterparts. Prices are around $399.
Here were a couple of videos we took as a part of the experience
So Where Does This Fit In The Classroom?
How we currently test new programs and solutions in Omaha Public Schools is through our Compass Program Adoption. This is lead by Eileen Heller, and many of the tiles in Office 365 you see today have come from that. Microsoft Classroom, Teams, and ClassFlow are great examples of Compass projects that the district ended up adopting into the classroom.
This last year at ISTE, there was a session on VR that described this taxonomy as to how to approach it in lessons and learning experiences. Here is the link to that session. Special shoutout to Eileen for sharing this with me.
As you can see there are many ways to consume media through virtual reality and that might be the only aspect you can see. That was how I had been before I experienced it first hand. After going through climbing a wall, exploring the solar system, and even looking into the sun, content in this will be key. In this week's research after the visit I found that many classes have used VR tools to collaboratively construct architectural models, recreations of historic or natural sites and other spatial renderings. Instructors also have used VR technology to engage students in topics related to literature, history and economics by offering a deeply immersive sense of place and time, whether historic or evolving. It is our job as educators to seek an ever-expanding immersive landscape, where students engage with teachers and each other in transformative experiences through a wide spectrum of interactive resources. In this educational reality, VR has a definitive place of value.
Every year has it's challenges. This year is no different. This summer we have deployed devices to secondary schools, implemented a new communications system with automated workflows to address busing operations, began a year long process of upgrading our HR and Finance systems and updating buildings infrastructure with our phase one Bond Projects. These are great examples of ongoing change with technology occurring in Omaha Public Schools. As with any large district, there are always concerns around technology adoption:
- Most districts can't respond effectively to the rapid rate of change in technology
- Digital Literacy skills are not a part of ongoing professional development growth in staff
- Culture is changing because of technology and policy change doesn't keep up
Culture is a big ticket here. There is a saying “Culture Eats Strategy for Lunch”. Culture is everything and to compete for talent, especially for teacher retention, districts need to have a clear sense of purpose and a set of shared values. Purpose and shared values not only needs to be communicated but also demonstrated by the behaviors of district leadership. One good example of this is how Superintendent Evans engages in social media and changed how the district approaches it.
Create An Innovation Ring
In an effort to create a vehicle for digital transformation, there were many identified strategies our district decided to tackle in the Strategic Plan. Here you can access the full Strategic Plan, but here were key areas that were focused around technology:
- 1.1.2 - Increase the amount of real-world connections, project-based learning opportunities, and higher order thinking activities both inside and outside of the classroom.
- 2.2.1 - Provide content that is meaningful, engaging, and relevant to all students:
- Include opportunities for creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.
- Develop opportunities for authentic, project-based, and service learning.
- Provide multiple options for student learning (such as face-to-face instruction, blended learning, distance learning, virtual learning, and experiential learning).
- 2.2.6 - Utilize technology to deliver and enhance curricular experiences:
- Ensure equitable access to technology resources for staff and students (see Principle 4, Objective 1).
- Provide professional development on the effective use of technology for district staff (see Principle 3, Objective 4).
- Determine program/technology support to be used for credit recovery.
- Provide appropriate staff with ongoing training and modeling in using individual devices for student accommodations.
- 3.2.1 - Provide varied opportunities for professional development:
- Embed professional development during the school day.
- Utilize alternative scheduling scenarios to increase opportunities for professional development.
- Continue to provide high-quality professional development opportunities through Curriculum Days, the OPS Teaching and Learning Institute, and other district and state level training opportunities.
- Continue to expand professional learning opportunities in partnership with post-secondary and college (credit and non-credit) continuing education programs.
- Involve teachers in multi-year professional development opportunities and/or extension activities. • Involve teachers and staff in the planning and facilitating of professional development opportunities.
- 3.4.2 - Develop, deliver, and assess the effectiveness of targeted technology professional development for administrators, teacher leaders, and teachers:
- Employ a three-pronged approach to professional learning:
- Use of technology and equipment.
- Use of technology and equipment in an educational setting.
- Specific application of the technology and resources within the district curriculum.
- Provide professional learning appropriate to the level of technological expertise of the participant.
- Provide professional learning for coaches who support teachers with teaching and learning strategies to ensure the efficient integration of technology into the classroom.
- Provide resources to support the implementation of new and existing technology or new application of technology in the classroom. • Provide just-in-time learning opportunities to assist staff having difficulties with various aspects of software or hardware use.
- Offer professional learning via multiple formats and learning styles.
- Provide resources needed to research and deliver quality curriculum-specific technology options proven to accelerate student understanding and learning. •
- Provide principals with professional learning on the culture, resources, and support required in a school to integrate technology into the teaching and learning environment.
- Employ a three-pronged approach to professional learning:
- 3.4.3 - Develop, deliver, and assess the effectiveness of targeted professional development for technology staff members:
- Provide training that could include contracts with vendors of new and existing technology equipment and software.
- Provide professional development for IT staff in the area of project management and its implementation at the district level.
- Provide continuous learning opportunities with various aspects of software or hardware use to encourage, grow, and retain a highly functional technology staff.
- 4.1.2 - Develop a priority-based technology process:
- Ensure equitable access to current technology and cost-effective classroom tools to support 21st century literacy, virtual learning, and personalized instruction:
- Devise and implement a technology acquisition and refreshment program that provides current teaching tools.
- Maximize vendor affiliation partnerships to acquire approved devices at reduced costs.
- Implement a school-technology-environment scorecard that prioritizes equipment needs within the learning environment and assists with decision-making.
- Ensure the technology infrastructure supports an efficient and equitable distribution of digital resources.
- Ensure availability of and streamlined access to relevant data systems for all district staff.
- Ensure equitable access to current technology and cost-effective classroom tools to support 21st century literacy, virtual learning, and personalized instruction:
- 4.1.3 - Provide a technology infrastructure that enables the district to achieve its educational outcomes and operational efficiency:
- Upgrade and expand the district’s network capabilities to meet educational and operational requirements.
- Expand broadband access to address equitable online assessment, classroom learning, and technology integration.
- Ensure all schools are wirelessly enabled to support instructional needs.
- Converge network-based services to Cloud and Internet protocol where functionally and economically practical.
- Provide centralized technology-support personnel and operation protocols that support and encourage collaborative teaching, learning, and business activities equitably across all buildings.
- Use existing programs/hardware when available that satisfy the necessary business requirements instead of purchasing new technology.
- Create a structured pilot program for non-standard hardware/software.
- 4.3.4 - Conduct periodic assessments of customer satisfaction of technology hardware, access, and support, and modify support, systems, and programs as indicated.
- 7.1.4 - Launch an effort to publicize positive district and school events.
It can be a bit overwhelming when you see the extent of how these strategies can be in focus when you are in a large district. Systems create behaviors and this is important in a district because, as I say sometimes, district's do what they're organized to do. Imagine a Superintendent, or other District Leader, stands up, presents a vision, does a PowerPoint presentation or says, "We're going in a new direction!" Everybody sits there, nods their head, claps and then returns to their classrooms, schools, and offices. Back in the classroom, they do exactly what they were doing before they came to the meeting. When they come to work the next day, they do exactly what they normally do on that day based on what they have traditionally been taught. So, simply talking and casting vision doesn't change the direction of a district. Systems create behaviors because districts do what they're organized to do. To bring about actual change within a district, before launching a big vision or announcing the change, district leaders must sit down, look at the systems and ask the question, "What are the behaviors that need to change in order to move in the direction we need to move?" Then, the harder question is, "What systems are in place that are reinforcing the behaviors we need to change?" "What new systems could we put in place that will redirect the behaviors?" As wonderful as people are, as motivated and as committed as they are, people are creatures of habit. When we go to work and we get in a specific environment, that environment, sort of directs us into a certain task or a certain way of prioritizing what we do during the day. Can you see how this might happen in a classroom? So, how are we addressing these systems when it comes to technology in Omaha Public Schools? Below is an updated infographic that outlines our current systems that address many of those needs listed in the Strategic Plan and are meant to bring forth a long term culture shift.
In this post, I am going to focus on some key areas of the infographic:
- Planned Obsolescence - If you don't have the ability to bring digital equity and access first and foremost, it will be a stumbling block. If you talk with my staff, they will say this is the most important initiative in my leadership here at Omaha Public Schools. I highlight our Planned Obsolescence efforts in this blog post.
- #OPSMIE - Our Innovation Academy has been a great mechanism for change in Omaha Public Schools. The Microsoft Innovative Educator Program (MIE) began in fall of 2014, following the adoption of the Microsoft Office 365 system. It's initial purpose was to provide professional development for OPS staff as they transitioned from the previous email system, First Class, to the Office 365 system, creating a train-the-trainer model. It quickly evolved into a program that provided teachers with much needed professional development in instructional technology. This professional development has helped to enhance a deeper pedagogy of integrating technology into the classroom as the district embraces more instructional technology opportunities.
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#OPSITL - The Instructional Technology Leadership Cohort is a joint partnership program between technology and library services that focuses on teacher leadership in the area of technology. This cohort focuses on the following target educators: school librarians, Microsoft Innovative Educators, along with any K-12 classroom educators. This program was primarily created out of the need to evolve the role of the librarian, however it has evolved over the last couple of years. Those completing the cohort should be able to:
- Facilitate and train administrators and teacher colleagues in best instructional practices in a blended learning environment
- Integrate technology, digital tools and pedagogy into curriculum areas for instructional improvement and growth
- Collaborate and co-teach effectively to ensure that the Nebraska Multiple Literacies standards are being incorporated into the curriculum using current technologies
- Model and deliver digital citizenship skills and safe online behaviors
- Tech Standards Committee - This group is made up of parents, technology integration specialists, administrators and other curriculum experts. The student voice in this group comes from our Students of Voice group. These are juniors and seniors from each of the high schools in our district that meets once a month. One of the processes that I would like to highlight that the tech standards committee is in charge of is our App Approval Tool. Since the summer of 2016, Omaha Public Schools has been working with Microsoft and Common Sense Education to develop a resource which can help school districts determine what their life-cycle of adoption is. In January of 2017, Omaha Public Schools released the App Standards Management Tool (also known as the App Approval Tool) for district use. You can read more about that process here.
Disrupting Technologies
The challenge in developing this innovation ring is anticipating the change. With the introduction of wearables, Internet of things, artificial intelligence and augmented/virtual reality, how is one to keep up? Society is shifting because of the introduction of these and I think it is our duty as life long learners to make sure we stay relevant to our students. What are we looking at in Omaha Public Schools?
Augmented and Virtual Reality
In the area of learning experiences, augmented and virtual reality bring about increased engagement. Wrap that around the popularity for gameification, and you get a recipe for purposeful learning. This means content needs to be curated to fit the environment as well as remain loyal to our learning standards and goals.
Our @eileenheller & @OPSCleaver showing the power of #AugmentedReality through the use of @HoloLens #neta17 #OPSProud @OPStechtrainers pic.twitter.com/Jr64PTN65i
— Rob Dickson (@showmerob) April 21, 2017
We are fortunate to have a great relationship with Microsoft. Through that partnership, we have been able to see the power of HoloLens as it pertains to student engagement. The above video is a great example of presenting to NETA participants what that experience looks like. These HoloLens units will be on our Mobile Learning Unit as seen below.
These and many other avenues for engaging young learners in technology are great, but it is important to note that we should make it purposeful. That is why the team, most of whom you see here, are instructional technology but play the role of mini project managers. It was important for me to do so to keep empathy involved in the user adoption process. They are my eyes and ears in the classroom, keep me well grounded and make sure purpose is instituted. We wouldn't be making the strides we are in Omaha Public Schools without their commitment and success in the initiatives outlined above and in our strategic plan. Do we have everything together? No, but I think we have a good foot forward to address technology as it evolves.
I chose to write about collaboration because of its increasing usage in our everyday space. Society is changing. My kids interact with a much larger circle of influence than I did growing up. Digital literacy and social media is an inseparable and powerful combination. Done correctly, this combination enhances the quality and efficiency of teaching, researching, learning, communicating, collaborating and creating. Technology is driving this impact on teaching and learning. For the intersection of social media and digital literacy to have the most impact, educators can't assume that students will embrace the idea because it's cool, digital and involves their mobile devices. Sure for the first moments, and I have seen it with each of my 3 girls, it engages them because its new. But the focus on the "shiny" doesn't last long with my girls, especially the youngest one, Bailey. They are an instant group in society. It is important for us to connect the dots. Schools adopt technology to build twenty-first-century skills such as critical thinking, global awareness, communication skills, information, digital literacy, productivity and creativity. Collaboration is the key mechanism by which all of these merge.
Types of Collaboration
Ever since Microsoft introduced OneNote Class Notebook and our work in helping Microsoft develop Professional Learning Communities in Modern Groups (see video below), I have thought of how we might look at management of collaboration differently.
As with OneNote Class Notebooks, OneNote Staff Notebooks is an app for Office365 that lets a principal or other school/district leader quickly set up a personal work space for every teacher, a content library for shared information and a collaboration space for everyone to collaborate—all within a single interface. With a Staff Notebook, administration and staff can save time, become more organized and collaborate more effectively. One of my favorite examples of this is how Pam Cohn, Executive Director for Secondary Schools, uses this to manage communication and collaboration with her several principals across the district.
When you look at collaboration in both the Class and Staff Notebook platform, you can broadcast information (one to many), you can fully collaborate (many to many), and you can work 1:1. OneNote Staff and Class Notebook offer these through an easy interface to distribute and manage content. This brings to my mind the idea if you manage content based upon how you collaborate, you might argue there is no need for the traditional file and folder structure day to day that you would see in a traditional file share. I think this is an excellent way of:
- Managing content by tagging specific content
- Searching based upon importance and categories
- Setting tasks and to do tags
- Summarize the tags to a OneNote Page
The other reason to manage content via OneNote instead of traditional file storage is the vast amount of content types that OneNote can reference or store. For example, OneNote integrates search features and indexing into a free form graphics and audio repository. I use it to search images (e.g., screen captures (BTW Snip for Windows 10 is amazing), embedded PDFs, pictures) for embedded text/content. If you have seen my notes I take in a session or meeting, you know I use digital inking pretty regularly. OneNote searches digital inking as text, yes, even my handwriting. It can replay audio concurrently with notes taken during the recording. The single most important feature for me personally is the free form work space and loose structure. Below are some very basic examples of free form notes I take as reflection from books.
Rob... You said this was about Microsoft Teams? Where does it fit in?
Think about email for a second. It is basically a digital representation of the formal letter. It contains an address, subject, body and signature. Now what do you use email for? What's going to happen to digital communication over the next five years? Will we still be weeding out unimportant messages and fishing through enormous email chains trying to find one pesky link to a business plan? Will we still battle to get to inbox zero (shout out to Keegan)? Email has mostly worn out its welcome.
That's where Microsoft Teams comes in. Think of authentic conversation. Look at the toolbar down below. It identifies the amount of different artifacts used today in our digital conversations.
Mix this conversation with real time collaboration, and dash a bit of provisioned identities via a school data sync, and you have a recipe for classroom learning in and out of the classroom walls.
It is really important to point out that digital literacy is a skill that is learned. It isn't something our new generations coming up already know. As we look at digital equity and access, continuous emphasis on digital citizenship and literacy are important. That is why I love Microsoft Teams to scaffold features and permissions as kids progress through their learning. From a tenant level, you can set specific permissions that inherit down to the end user. That is usual. But with Teams, the teacher has the ability to set his/her own permissions for the class for several features. This allows a greater personalized level of experience as the teacher assesses each classroom to their digital literacy abilities.
Teams also brings application rich integrations. Obviously OneNote is integrated since I discussed it from the beginning of this post. But moreover, there are many applications that can be integrated and connected to engage in this informal conversation model. For me, Teams is the next step. Will you make it your next step in classroom and team collaboration?
We all tell stories. Some are far fetched. Stories bring different feelings, at times sadness and other times laughter; these are the things that create memories. Stories bring clarity when they engage our feelings. My Grandpa Bradley and Uncle Randy tell me amazing stories about my family every holiday. Some far fetched, adding laughter and other feelings that stick in my mind even today. Some of those stories I have heard before, but I make it a point not to disclose that I have heard them many times. Rehearing a story brings more clarity. Why are these stories so important? They contain relevance. It is a part of me and the history of those before me in my family and community.
After reading the Brain Rules book, I reflected on what things I personally retain as a memory. It made me wonder, what things did I retain from school? I remember a career class where I got the opportunity to fly a plane because I was interested in being a pilot. I also remember as a Freshman in high school being shoved up onto a wall by a senior when I accidentally shoulder checked him in the hallway. Both are very clear memories, engaged different feelings, and share a bit of relevancy. But why do I not remember lectures? I do have some recollection of moments but they aren't too clear. I have to be honest though; I wasn't that engaged in the classroom, with the exception of taking art classes.
In the book, rule 6 is "We don’t pay attention to boring things." As indicated by this rule in terms of learning, there are implications if we don't engage students:
- Studies in neuroscience have indicated that students traditionally forget most of the information they were taught while in school.
- These studies indicate that simply shoving factual information into our students' brains is a long-term waste of time and resources.
- Very rarely do students have the opportunity to follow their passions, explore their interests, and engage in personal and authentic learning opportunities
Bringing relevance into the classroom is an effective way to increase engagement and making learning meaningful. How do you do this systemically across a school or district though? Next I want to address leadership both in schools and at the district level.
If you know Mark Evans, you know what Markisms are. I can name most of them. "What am I, chopped liver?" "I could be better but I would have to be you." I have been privileged to work with Mark for 13 years. There is not an example for me in leadership that exudes the meaning of clarity more than he does. He enjoys telling stories and they stick in your mind over time as you hear them. Mark is consistent and authentic. I participated in podcasts he did over the years; this was his retirement video from his previous district in Andover, KS.
Mark does an incredible job of taking complexities of running a district and driving it to a single purpose. It is "what's best for students". If you are around him, you hear it. For those of us in leadership, somewhere back in there, somewhere in the midst of all the complexity, is a compelling reason as to why we're doing what we're doing. To cut through the clutter and complexity that haunts every single district, is the answer to the question, "Why?" What harnesses the hearts of the people who are leaning in and who have committed to your leadership and district? Why are you doing what are you doing? It's what is best for students.
In your school or district, the answer to that question is the same for everybody. If you are a good leader, everybody who answers to you should be able to answer that question quickly, and if you're a great leader they will all answer it the same way. This is exactly how I have mimicked many of the qualities that Mr. Evans shows in his daily leadership style.
What are we doing? Everybody knows. Why are we doing it? Everybody knows. But when it comes to this third question of "Where do I fit in?" -- this is where things get interesting. I had to ask myself this question when I came into my role in Omaha Public Schools. Fortunately, I was able to be a part of a technology audit that gave me a blueprint to figure out where I fit in the district with my role.
I want to encourage you to do something that is very, very time consuming but it may be one of the most helpful exercises you ever work through as a leader, especially as it relates to understanding your critical role in light of what you doing and why you are doing it. I challenge you to create for you, and to create for your people, a one-sentence job description. What does this mean?
As you think about the people in your department, school or district, even if they don't answer to you, create one-sentence job descriptions that instantly lets everyone know exactly why each person is there, doing what they do. Here's why it's important: because it is simple. In the midst of the complexity, crisis and deadlines, your team needs to understand what you think their critical roles are, as well as what your personal critical role is. If you do not clarify this for people who look up to you, they will generally do whatever comes next and what they feel you think is most important in the moment. Once you have developed your one-sentence job descriptions, start telling your story.
What are we doing? Everybody knows. Why are we doing it? Everybody knows. But when it comes to this third question of "Where do I fit in?" -- this is where things get interesting. I had to ask myself this question when I came into my role in Omaha Public Schools. Fortunately, I was able to be a part of a technology audit that gave me a blueprint to figure out where I fit in the district with my role.
I want to encourage you to do something that is very, very time consuming but it may be one of the most helpful exercises you ever work through as a leader, especially as it relates to understanding your critical role in light of what you doing and why you are doing it. I challenge you to create for you, and to create for your people, a one-sentence job description. What does this mean?
As you think about the people in your department, school or district, even if they don't answer to you, create one-sentence job descriptions that instantly lets everyone know exactly why each person is there, doing what they do. Here's why it's important: because it is simple. In the midst of the complexity, crisis and deadlines, your team needs to understand what you think their critical roles are, as well as what your personal critical role is. If you do not clarify this for people who look up to you, they will generally do whatever comes next and what they feel you think is most important in the moment. Once you have developed your one-sentence job descriptions, start telling your story.
There are leaders who believe in thinking big and have the charisma to inspire the district along with them, to get to district goals. There are others who have big goals but their communication is not effective; people are not brought into the idea of "Where are we going?" These people haven't mastered telling their story. That's typically when you run into a problem in any district, when leadership says "This is where we want to go" but it doesn't necessarily get transmitted down to the people within the district. I have seen this first hand in many of the tech audits I have participated in throughout the country. People are not sure as to which direction their district is going, or why that direction was chosen over another one. That clarity is absolutely important.
Really good leaders make sure their message is communicated, that they are in the trenches with the rest of the district, telling the story. This motivates people. Mark does a great job of visiting every building each year. He is one of the most approachable people you will ever meet. He motivates. A motivated team can achieve anything they want. We set our own limitations, we set our own objectives. A clear message from leadership that we are in this together, we will arrive together, we will win together, we will fail together is a powerful message that every district would love to hear. Bringing others along with you, and shoulder-to-shoulder viewing of that vision versus nose-to-nose trying to convince people, makes a magical, literally magical environment to achieve goals. Through that magic, you can see the highest student achievement in district history, pass the largest bond issue in Nebraska history, and see the first virtual school in Nebraska history. All things that come through clarity in your message and vision.
Really good leaders make sure their message is communicated, that they are in the trenches with the rest of the district, telling the story. This motivates people. Mark does a great job of visiting every building each year. He is one of the most approachable people you will ever meet. He motivates. A motivated team can achieve anything they want. We set our own limitations, we set our own objectives. A clear message from leadership that we are in this together, we will arrive together, we will win together, we will fail together is a powerful message that every district would love to hear. Bringing others along with you, and shoulder-to-shoulder viewing of that vision versus nose-to-nose trying to convince people, makes a magical, literally magical environment to achieve goals. Through that magic, you can see the highest student achievement in district history, pass the largest bond issue in Nebraska history, and see the first virtual school in Nebraska history. All things that come through clarity in your message and vision.
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The Last Three Years
It's my fault. I know. I'm not sure the whole family was ready to move. They took the gamble. For that, I will always be grateful to them. The transition wasn't easy. I went over a month and a half without them while the house was selling in Kansas. Leaving after having built our family there for 20 years, you lose so much in relationships. Our extended families live in Missouri, so now any free time would mean making decisions of seeing old friends or extended family. But this blog is titled, "Why I Love Omaha", it wasn't without some pain and sacrifice. Here was our house in Andover, located a couple of blocks from the girls' schools and my work.
Now....On To Omaha
#LoveOmaha Part 1 - Always Something To Do
Omaha is amazing. It has so many things that attract loads of people from outside of Nebraska as well as brings entertainment to its citizens. From the Henry Doorly Zoo, to the College World Series, NCAA Basketball Tournament, and many many others. The talent of events that is brought to this mid-western city is incredible.
#LoveOmaha Part 2 - Great Neighborhood & Relationships
My girls love volleyball. They will play out in the road in our neighborhood for hours. The kids across the street and down the road totally look up to them. It's a part of what makes a great neighborhood, well, great. Sitting outside with the neighbors, sometimes by the fire, or yearly when we plan to shoot fireworks off; these are all ways we all interact.
#LoveOmaha Part 3 - The Community Gives Back & Supports Public Education
I briefly outlined my thoughts on this, and really didn't do it justice. From the Sherwood Foundation, Lozier Foundation, Heritage Foundation and our very own Omaha Schools Foundation, there are so many great stories from these organizations giving back to the community. One that wasn't highlighted in the video is the 75 North Project. Check out this video that outlines this incredible revitalization effort.
75 North isn't the only community engagement project happening in Omaha. Another great example of engaging the community is through innovative spaces. The Dospace is a great high technology experience. I say experience because it isn't just about access, they also provide classes that can empower the youngest learner or introduce technologies to the older citizens in the community as well.
#OPSProud
I am proud of our district and its accomplishments over the past couple of years. We have incredible leadership that creates vision that staff, students, and the community can engage in. In my area of expertise, our team from instructional trainers down to our building techs have helped infuse purpose and proper implementation of technology. The district is willing to go in areas it hasn't been exposed to. In a couple of weeks, we will introduce a mobile learning unit that will teach the North Omaha area students and parents digital literacy and citizenship. This mobile learning unit is not what you would expect. It's a flexible space, collaborative in every wall you turn to, and access to high technology that will bring digital access to many of our impoverished areas. Starting the first virtual school in Nebraska history is another example of paving the way. All good things. It's about what's best for the students.
#NELovesPS
Another organization I want to identify is Nebraska Loves Public Schools. You might have seen the t-shirt when I spoke at Microsoft's Hack the Classroom event this summer, they are a great billboard for public education. I have done blog posts about how important it is we in education tell our story, NELovesPS does this in an inspiring way with video. Check out their site:
Nebraska Loves Public Schools
The place to see what's happening in our public schools. We invite you to explore the films, be inspired by the stories, share what you see and discover how you can show your support. Check back as we roll out new video documentaries that showcase the great stories we're discovering all over our state.
So many great things to be proud of in Omaha. It hasn't been easy, but I know that my family is grateful for what Omaha brings to us. So thank you Omaha, thank you to my friends both at work and around me, and thank you to those who provide our students opportunities that otherwise they wouldn't ever experience.
At work, I sit at a desk for most of the day. Meetings, meetings, and more meetings. There is an importance to how we function day to day. As humankind, we haven't always been this way. The latest book I am reading is called Brain Rules. It does a marvelous job in simplifying the best ways to get the most out of our brains. The book is split into twelve sections seen below in this sketch note I made in OneNote:
- Survival: How our brain is a product of our evolution, and some traits it has adopted as a result
- Exercise: How exercise improves our cognitive abilities and staves off dementia
- Sleep: What the brain does during sleep, how people are biologically predisposed to various sleep patterns, and how to use naps to improve performance
- Stress: The various biochemicals involved with stress and how to have less stressful relationships and life
- Wiring: How neurons interact, develop, and function
- Attention: How multitasking works (or doesn't work), the relationship between emotion and attention, and the need for relaxation to enhance focus
- Memory: How memory formation works and the optimal way to remember things
- Sensory Integration: How all of the senses work together to provide a cohesive experience, and how multiple senses can be utilized to improve learning
- Vision: How vision trumps all of the other senses and can be used to create more effective presentations
- Music: How music can cause improvements in cognition, be therapeutic, and how music training can improve cognition
- Gender: Differences between the genders in physiology, socialization, emotional reactions, and memory.
- Exploration: How the brain is constantly exploring and looking for novel things
I stated it does a marvelous job in simplifying how we can best get the most of our brains, but not through tips. It is through principles, and these principles, allow you to apply these strategies flexibly to your situations. For example, I love all kinds of music. I listen to music throughout the day. But I am not a musician. John Medina outlines what capabilities musicians have that help them identify emotions below:
My Perspective
Attention
The first section that resounds to me is attention. I hadn’t made the connection to multi-tasking, and the ability to only pay attention to one thing at a time. Makes me plan differently knowing that. Add to this the layer of multi-charged events within a 10 minute timeframe, a dash of emotion, and you have a great recipe for something to remember.
Stress
This section intrigues me. I love stress – the challenge of it. I feel like I am at the height of what stress can do for me to perform. There are times when I might spill over, but for the most part, I can deal with it. Some of it I think comes from a joy of problem solving.
- "If the stress is not too severe, your brain performs better when it is stressed than when it is not stressed."
- "The perfect storm of occupational stress appears to be a combination of two factors: (1) a great deal is expected of you, and (2) you have no control over whether you will perform well.
Much of my stress comes from getting things done. By the way, getting things done is not really about getting things done. It’s about appropriate engagement. Many times I say to myself in moments of stress “I need more time.” Well guess what Einstein and Steve Jobs didn’t have more time. It’s not about time. It’s about space. Psychic bandwidth. Room to think. Room to get it simple. How much time does it take to have a good idea, make a good decision? ZERO.
If you have room in your mind, you can take three minutes for a powerful conversation. But if you don’t have the bandwidth in your mind, you can spend two hours playing games on your smart phone or engaging in social media. And if you don’t have the bandwidth, you take time fixing stuff. And that drains your creativity and you become stressed out.
Exercise
The third section that grabbed my attention was exercise. I love to exercise. I confess - I am addicted to it. John Medina states that physical activity is cognitive candy. The impact of exercise is system wide. For me personally, it is about procedures and routines. I get up at the same time and I work out - focusing on different routines every day.
This particular section makes me wonder how do we incorporate more activity for our students during the day? Is it looking at learning spaces differently like in #LT8Keys? Is it incorporating more transitions into the instructional hour? I am not sure. I just know for students to have the best chance at learning, they need to move more.
This particular section makes me wonder how do we incorporate more activity for our students during the day? Is it looking at learning spaces differently like in #LT8Keys? Is it incorporating more transitions into the instructional hour? I am not sure. I just know for students to have the best chance at learning, they need to move more.
Brief Reflection
I really enjoyed this book. There are several items I plan on incorporating daily to get the most out of my ability to remember, control stress, and perform at my best ability. Here are some of the image creations that Eileen Heller and I created during this read:
I have been fortunate this year to have colleagues challenge me to expand my knowledge in reading. I have a habit of reading articles, news, and probably could be addicted to information processing. As a society, I think we are all getting that way. Through technology and the Internet, we are inundated with information at every moment and every gesture of the hand on our smartphones. These last couple of years though, have been different for me personally.
Our first book was called LAUNCH. Design Thinking has been taking the world by storm by introducing a strategy for problem solving. LAUNCH brings this strategy straight to the classroom. For educators who value classrooms in which student choice and ownership of learning are non-negotiables, LAUNCH serves as a mentor resource for implementing these methods through design thinking and student-friendly motivational practices. I am a personal fan of the resources, personal stories, and doodles. So during the process of reading this book, I decided to doodle in OneNote about this book.
As a group, initially we chose to read a couple of books that focused in an area where we saw a need in our work here in Omaha Public Schools. The second book was Uncommon Learning by Eric Sheninger. This is a great book that outlines effective teaching and learning ideas to design the next generation of classrooms and schools. This was very timely since we had just passed the largest bond issue in Nebraska history at $421 million to renovate and build new schools. We worked through the book with a challenge at a chapter a day and put notes into an email (to facilitate conversation) that later transferred into a OneNote Notebook.
After that book activity, our momentum continued and we jumped right into another. Before long, it became the regular practice to start a book, invoke the challenge of a chapter a day, and tweet about it. Now, we have completed 8 books since last December and compiled our notes in a OneNote Notebook.
So far...
Here are the books we have tackled in their order:
Recently, Rebecca Chambers, Eileen Heller, and I co-wrote a blog post on the book Learning Transformed. It was an incredible, highly collaborative activity that brought many questions and conversations about how we could approach different educational opportunities. You can see that post here.
- LAUNCH
- Uncommon Learning
- Drive
- Hacking PBL
- Digital Leadership
- BrandED
- Learning Transformed
- Brain Rules
Recently, Rebecca Chambers, Eileen Heller, and I co-wrote a blog post on the book Learning Transformed. It was an incredible, highly collaborative activity that brought many questions and conversations about how we could approach different educational opportunities. You can see that post here.
Review: Transformation Through The Lens of #LT8Keys
Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow's Schools, Today provides a great blueprint to meet the challenges schools face in this ever changing society that has been transformed through the...
I have also doodled many of these books listed above as I have went along:
Currently, Eileen Heller and I are in the middle of the book Brain Rules. It does a great job of explaining how we process information and how many factors determine how we learn and grow as individuals. I appreciate it for identifying positives and some negative outcomes that we and our students deal with. As educators, it is important to look at mindfulness; learning to become aware of your environment without judging and learn to enjoy the moment, among other practices. As parents, there are certain factors that contribute to you and your kids success including: exercise, sleep, stress, wiring, attention, memory, sensory integration, vision, music, gender, and exploration—relates to this performance envelope. For me personally, the Stress chapter was one that spoke to me. I love challenges and John Medina explains what the perfect storm looks like:
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"The perfect storm of occupational stress appears to be a combination of two factors:
- a great deal is expected of you, and
- you have no control over whether you will perform well."
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Omaha Public Schools Transformation Through Technology
The Inspiration
It has been 5 years since we have taken a vacation as a family. We have been to the beach, to Missouri to see relatives, and to the lake many times. We just have never been to the mountains together as a family. Amanda, Aiyana, and I are pretty active people in our family unit. There aren't many days we miss workouts in a year. Colorado made many opportunities for us to explore and get some exercise in the process. Two days prior to the start of this blog journey you are about to read, Amanda, Aiyana, and I had just done a 6+ mile hike to see a waterfall in Ouzel Falls. It was cool, it rained, a very different experience than climbing Deer Mountain. The day we decided to tackle Deer Mountain, it was going to be hot and muggy.
That morning, Bailey decided to go with us. Initially I felt as though this was going to be a piece of cake for her. She surprised me a couple of months ago tackling a half marathon without having run even 5 miles total at a time before attempting it. Never even trained. Completed it. Crazy. I had no worries for her other than maybe a bit of breathing problems with the altitude.
Starting out she and Aiyana took off, Bailey dropping her iPhone without even noticing. I put it in my pocket and let them progress ahead. They got a ways ahead of Amanda and I, and I have to be honest, I didn't think it was going to be as long as it was. By midway, we were all panting a bit, but Bailey was struggling (see right).
Starting out she and Aiyana took off, Bailey dropping her iPhone without even noticing. I put it in my pocket and let them progress ahead. They got a ways ahead of Amanda and I, and I have to be honest, I didn't think it was going to be as long as it was. By midway, we were all panting a bit, but Bailey was struggling (see right).
Closer...
Breaks were a necessity in this climb. There were times I thought Bailey might give up. But we encouraged her along the way. By the way, she still didn't have a clue she had dropped her iPhone at this point. One of the benefits of this climb was that it leveled out a bit at the end before a hard short climb in the end. Below is a video of that approach.
It was at this point that I thought, "this would be a great blog post!" Her progression up the mountain and the imposing struggle she went through gave me the thought of having her climb a similar "mountain" but in the process of a digital detox.
The Digital Detox Challenge
Today, we have endless cable channels, unlimited varieties of entertainment options, and countless ways to communicate with each other, all of which has led to this constant tsunami of information. I can remember when I was young that my choice to communicate was a home phone or driving to the person's house. Today the internet has changed how we communicate; we always stay connected. Technology is not bad. It is how we use it that can be problematic and questionable. Technology makes things exponential, and the pace of digital information in this mobile device age is fast and furious. For all of us today, the new "up-time" is really downtime. The climb up Deer Mountain gave me the idea to present Bailey with a challenge to do a digital detox and journal her progression through the day. She didn't know when we did the intro video on Sunday, I decided to tell her Monday that this was happening Wednesday. Below is a great article that identifies what happens to us when we do a digital detox.
What Really Happens To Your Brain And Body During A Digital Detox
We feel guilty that we're constantly plugged in. We sense that our smartphones are making us less focused, that constantly checking our email and Twitter is making us less productive, and more disconnected from our real lives. But what do we really know about how our devices are affecting us?
As you can imagine, Bailey's summer day starts pretty late. My instructions for her was to journal her experience on paper every hour and do two reflection videos, recorded by Aiyana. There would be no access to Internet, TV, or devices for the entire day. Here was her experience:
As you can tell by the written notes below, things went well initially, but as the day progressed, she felt emotionally challenged and disconnected. Looking over these, it made me think of my own daily journey. I seem to always have a fractured attention span, constantly looking at the next digital notification. For me this is exacerbated by my Apple Watch. I think it keeps me from looking at my iPhone, but in reality it gives the outward perception that I am preoccupied and uninterested in face to face interactions, meetings, etc.
Bailey completed her digital detox in one day. In hindsight, the thoughts that went through my head were more about what does this constant digital interaction mean to sleep? Our smart phones, tablets, and multiple screens have invaded our bedroom space and am sure negatively impact our quantity and quality of sleep. I think we have a deep fear of missing out, and interacting constantly produces a feeling of connectedness and power. This exercise was good for Bailey, and good for me. Here was her final reflection video:
In Conclusion
For Bailey, I am sure we will do this again. As we rely more and more on technology, we forfeit some opportunities to memorize "how" to do things. YouTube teaches us just about everything on the fly. Technology is not bad; it is how we use it at times that becomes questionable. I will give you one example of something that I personally continue to do but with technology. Note taking. I used to write in Moleskine journals pretty religiously. It helped me memorize and organize my thoughts. Then I moved to electronic notes. I typed them out and it didn't allow me to retain nearly what I did when I wrote them down. But with the introduction of digital inking, I get the best of both worlds. I guess what I am trying to say is, be purposeful with technology. We should make sure we practice self control and enable technology to work for us and not us working for it.
Common Sense Media is an amazing free resource for parents out there who are struggling to keep up with this ever changing social and technology mixed environment. We are fortunate in Omaha Public Schools to have our very own Lead Teacher for Digital Citizenship in partnership with Common Sense Media, Keegan Korf.
Technology Addiction
Are today's kids addicted to their screens? Here are some tips to identify problematic media use and how to make the most of technology without losing control.
First: About the challenge
Eileen Heller and Rebecca Chambers work with me at Omaha Public Schools. Their contribution to this post has been invaluable. Our challenge was to tackle one chapter a day and I can say we successfully met this head on. If you would like to connect with Eileen or Rebecca, click on their image below:
Review: Transformation Through The Lens of #LT8Keys
Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow's Schools, Today provides a great blueprint to meet the challenges schools face in this ever changing society that has been transformed through the u
Author
These posts are personal. They are not reflective of the Omaha Public Schools District.
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