To meet my first goal of using colleagues’ blogs as resources for professional development, I have found relevant blogs, and subscribed to them with my RSS reader. I have also followed through by looking at them, although admittedly not very often. My idea of making a log to help me become aware of how often and in what capacity I read colleagues’ blogs has not yet been fulfilled.
My second goal will require me to have access to CAD, DesignCAD, AutoCAD, or some similar drawing software, and to bring an engineer into my learning community from whom I can gain assistance. Fortunately, I work with a couple of engineers through FIRST Robotics who use computer aided drawing programs, and when the robotics season is over (it is in full swing now, and I am putting in 12- to 16-hour days) they can perhaps be recruited to help me work out the kinks in my learning curve.
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Tim,
ReplyDeleteI have used different blogs in other classes that may be of assistance to you. One such blog is located at http://edtechpd.blogspot.com/. Although I have not used it that extensively, it does contain information about technology uses in education. On a side note: My school also has a FIRST Robotics team and I know how much time the advisors put into it. I commend you for your dedication to your students. I also know that my school’s team uses engineers as advisors as well. I intend on using your idea of asking them for help with the technologies for my GAME plan. Thanks for the idea!
I have a suggestion for you as well. I have used Geometer’s Sketchpad as a drawing tool in my classes. Although it is not as advanced as CAD, DesignCAD, or AutoCAD, it may be useful for your classroom. We also have Construction Tech prep at my school and they use a drawing program. I will check with them about what it is called and if it can be of use to you. Keep up the good work.
I think the idea of using an engineer to help you learn the CAD software is a great idea. I too have been locating blogs and putting them in my RSS reader. This part of implementing my GAME Plan is very similar to yours. Two blogs that I have found helpful are The Tech Savvy Educator and Dangerously Irrelevant. The first blog is a good resource for using technology in the classroom. The second talks about education in general and has many good ideas that fit with the UDL system. I was wondering which blogs you have come across and whether you would recommend them or not.
ReplyDeleteYour plan sounds like it is coming together. I am amazed at how far technology has entered into the real of what I would have known as "Shop" classes where we just learned how to sand wood or braise two pieces of metal together. At our school our Tech ed guys are always introducing their students to new and more impressive ways to design. One student is actually in the process of patenting a product he developed, designed and produced in class. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteTim,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Virg that today's "shop" class ain't like your daddy's shop class. When I was in school the only robot we thought about was Rosie the Robot from the Jetson's.
I think it is really cool that kids can work with robotics and actually compete with others, (Robot Wars from TV), makes me wish I was a kid again.
take care
Rob Zingg
Tim,
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of subscribing to other blogs. I have found a few music blogs that are part of my aggregator account. Relying on the experiences of others is a great way to stay current and review your own techniques.
Also, I like your idea of having an outside engineer as a source of information for you. My music colleagues and I are discussing having scheduled seminars for our students with outside musicians.
Thanks!