Education Elevation
Archive for February 2012
The Walkthrough – 21st Century Style
A couple years back, some colleagues and I decided that we wanted to push our upper tier by showcasing the possibilities of technology and instant instructional feedback. This was when we truly started dabbling with Google Forms along with mobile devices. At that time, we were still moving slow to go fast but nonetheless we were making forward progress. With iPhones in the hands of all administrators, we felt it was our time to jump.
With this movement, we knew we’d have some resistors but also felt with some guidance and hand-holding, along with real-time Q&A and application, we could help with this shift in the walkthrough process.
We did create an issuu publication and had the pleasure of presenting a session at the 41st Annual CASE Conference in Breckenridge, CO. It wasn’t until recently, when this publication came to the surface again, via twitter, that I felt compelled to share here, in my “work in progress” blog. Again, although we understand that we are not pioneers of Google Forms/Docs when it comes to the classroom walkthrough, we felt driven to create an instructional guide for those that have not been exposed as well as those who might be looking for an alternative digital platform. Please share and enjoy!
Hugs and High-Fives
SR photo/J. Bart Rayniak – The Spokesman-Review
There is a certain routine that occurs in most peoples’ day-to-day lives – a Bill Murray “Ground Hog Day” effect, if you will. We wake up, check our phone, get dressed, check our phone, eat breakfast, fast-track to work, check our phone, watch the clock, punch-out, fast-track home, dinner, down-time and off to bed…..Am I close? A day-to-day that runs fairly smooth, with little worry, confusion or heartache.
BUT, for some of our kiddos at the elementary level, the “Ground Hog Day” effect can take on different molds. Waking up might be by big brother who needs to get the household up in order to get himself off to high school because mom works swings and was out of the house before the sun came up. Getting dressed may consist of yesterday’s clothes lying on a floor, wondering where that other sock went. Breakfast could vary from Doritos and donuts to soda and cookies. AND the trek to school may consist of limited options – including brother’s beat-up ’89 Honda Civic, with phone books for booster-seats and only a short commute or the real mile walk, up the steep hill in the snow before the school bell rings.
BUT, once they enter through the school’s doors, a theme music overtakes the blurred morning prep and offers an over-arching feeling of comfort, caring and learning. This is the moment that we as education turn-styles create the best part of their days. Routine that allows for fluid movement in a variety of directions. An environment that revolves around them and the forward progress we shape. It allows for the relationships we build and develop over a span of grades. It gives the hugs and high-fives that bring smiles to their faces and a sense of love and belonging to their hearts.
Have you hugged or high-fived one of your students today?
