When It All Works

This week I turned my students loose on Smart Notebook with a very general set of instructions -- see what you can put together in the way of a presentation that relates to one of your academic subjects. They had "explored" the application the day before, which consisted largely of coloring with the various pens and playing with the interactive content. Frankly, I expected there'd be a bit more of that before they actually tried to produce anything.

About 15 minutes into the work time, I took a stroll around the room to see what my young charges had wrought and nearly burst with pride at what I saw! Kevin and Jenny had imported maps of the Caribbean Islands and were busily labeling cities and writing about bits of the islands' history. Carolyn was constructing a biography of Bob Marley as a poet. Kendra and Tammy were building virtual solar systems. Anne was compiling a corporate biography of Apple Computer. Myra and Thomas were tackling different aspects of ancient Egyptian culture with Myra exploring monuments in the Valley of the Kings while Thomas preferred the secrets of mummification. Belinda was studying ancient Greek architecture, and Kerry was importing a picture of an early traffic light to illustrate her biography of the inventor, Garret Morgan. Diana was deep in the Pacific ocean examining life around fumeroles, Angela was creating a flow chart for solving one-step equations, and David was pondering the roots of the American revolution.

The place was quiet, with only muted mouse clicks, equally delicate key tapping, and the soft strains of Bach in the background to indicate human occupation. A blindfolded visitor would never have guessed at a busy, productive middle school classroom.

This amazing outcome is what every teacher lives for -- that moment when it all works, and you know, at the end of the day, that every single child learned something meaningful.

Stealing My Paycheck

Last year, shortly after I started this blog, I was devastated by the suicide of one of my students. I started to write here so many times after that, but could never find adequate words, so I simply didn't write. I have moved forward from the most difficult year of my teaching career into what is, to date, the most exciting and challenging year.

Late last school year, I had the opportunity to apply for the position of computer applications teacher for 7th and 8th grade. I agonized over the decision to apply. Having spent 13 years teaching math and science to 6th graders, I was comfortable and confident in my academic role and a bit intimidated by the idea of managing so much technology for so many students. Ultimately, I took the plunge and was selected for the position.

I spent most of my summer at school, sorting out hardware, software, cabling, and seating, as well as moving into an actual office off the main lab. This was a different world from my old elementary classroom! As the first day of school approached, my nerves went into high gear and I worried -- about the curriculum, about the equipment, about the large number of students I'd be teaching, about nearly everything that was even remotely related to my new job!

I've been in the lab teaching 7th and 8th grade students for 6 weeks now, and each day I feel more and more like I'm stealing my paycheck! I love running a technology lab, love the student response to using technology, love wowing students with fabulous websites, software, and tutorials, love creating teaching materials with Camtasia, Snagit, Smart Notebook and PowerPoint, love managing the students' PCs with a lab management program and love being a part of the interaction of students and technology!

I believe I'm ready to write again! I can wish nothing better than that you are lucky enough to do something you love, and get paid for it into the bargain.