tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57257021526637084612024-02-22T12:05:13.148-06:00Man In The Black CoatMusings about education, technology, kids, life and other asundry and mundane topics.Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-36975351609139418632009-09-04T14:00:00.008-05:002009-09-04T15:01:26.259-05:00A Solid and Correct Decision Leaving Politics Aside!<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >I am on the "Key-Communicators Email List" (that is, I have an email address) for news and notes from the <a href="http://www.sunprairie.k12.wi.us/">Sun Prairie (WI) Area School District</a> (about 6,000 kids in 11 schools -- seven elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and one alternative learning center) in which I live. The big kerfuffle over the Obama address to school kids on Sept 8 has kept me mindful to watch for communication from the district on this topic.<br /><br />Here is what I received today from our Superintendent:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">District E-mail to Key Communicators</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />To date, I have had 4 questions from Sun Prairie parents about the president's speech to schools on Tuesday, September 8. With all the media attention this may be on other's minds, here is the position of the District Administrator of the Sun Prairie Area School District.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />We were informed by the U.S. Secretary of Education on August 25 that on September 8 the U.S. President would:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens."</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />There is no school district requirement that any school or classroom participate. However, as with any major current event and with the special focus of a U.S. president encouraging kids to do well in their education, I imagine it will be widely viewed in many classes. <span style="font-weight: bold;">In fact, I have encouraged such participation.</span> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">(emphasis mine - SJC)</span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />If parents wish to know whether their children might be in class(es) that may be watching the speech (either live or an archived copy later) and/or participating in other discussion activities, you may contact your school's principal.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />If your children happen to be in a class that will be participating, and if for any reason you do not wish them to hear the U.S. president speak on the topics above, or participate in any possible follow-up activities, you have the right, per our district's policy, to request that your student not participate and be provided alternate curricular activities.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />I believe in the high level of professionalism of the Sun Prairie teaching staff and trust them to make decisions that will be in the best interests of students' learning. Teachers frequently use current events as teachable moments as long as they are relevant to the what they are teaching. The purpose of this speech: "Working hard, setting educational goals, and taking responsibility for learning" is quite relevant to the mission of Sun Prairie schools.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Finally, I encourage parents to record the president's speech and watch it together with your child, following up with a developmentally appropriate analysis of the message and a heart to heart about working hard in school, setting goals, and taking personal responsibility for learning.<br /><br />Parents can use this as an opportunity to connect with their student around your values about school and learning and how you may agree or disagree with our president's viewpoints and perspective on this topic. Modeling for our children critical thinking and civil disagreement on public issues is very important, but connecting with them around shared values is priceless.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Tim Culver</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">District Administrator</span><br /><br />This decision to me seems very level headed, based on the district's policy and encourages parents to record or watch at home with their children and discuss whether you agree or disagree with what is said. How radical-center is that!<br /><br />My kids, Colin and Cathryn are in Grade 2 and 4 respectively and I do hope that they get to watch President Obama next week. I will be checking with their teachers and principal on this. We'll also watch together and discuss as a family.<br /><br />I am not a blind follower/apologist of the district, its initiatives or how it implements policies - far from it. But this is one time I do believe the district got it right.<br /><br />Thanks Tim - Good email; good communication and good decision.<br /><br /></span>Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-83762466915709166582009-02-09T09:32:00.006-06:002009-02-09T09:54:07.739-06:00Top 10 List of 21st Century SkillsHave not blogged in, well, quite a while although I have composed many in my head since October.<br /><br />Now, here is one I found via my RSS regarding the <a href="http://www.theapple.com/topics/2689-21st-century-skills-what-the-heck-does-that-mean/posts">21st Century Skills </a>and thought this was just way tooooooo funny! These are not my ideas, but they are fun none the less.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><strong>Top 10 List of 21st Century Skills</strong><br />10) Driving in the fast lane instead of using it as a passing lane.<br /><br />9) Talking on your cell while shopping.<br /><br />8) Knowing where all the buttons are in the dark and what they do on 4 different remotes.<br /><br />7) Talking on your cell while backing out of a driveway and negotiating through turns, lights and traffic.<br /><br />6) Working with the public in a customer service related job and speaking while never opening your mouth or articulating and/or never using standard English.<br /><br />5) Walking with a friend while talking/texting to another friend on your cell phone.<br /><br />4) Listening to rap, enjoying it, rapping along with it and understanding it.<br /><br />3) Knowing where all your tatoos are and what they mean.<br /><br />2) Doing your homework/business in a noisy crowded coffee house and staying there for 4 hours after only spending $2.<br /><br />1) Avoiding cell phone camera exposure when doing bong hits on a university campus.Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-89837449005493562902008-10-27T12:05:00.006-05:002008-10-27T12:32:47.059-05:00A Few Good Tech CoordinatorsOne of the email lists I belong to has a member that occasionally forgets that working with educators is vastly different than working in the business sector. He is the network manager of a K-12 district and is still learning the nuances of working with educators and how education works (or doesn't). His email signature ends with this: "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">CCNA</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">CCDA</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">CCDP</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">CCNP</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MCSE</span> 2003, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">CNE</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">CNI</span> 5 and 6, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">LPI</span> 1, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">CCA</span>, and a few more."<br /><br />At times, "foot in mouth" disease is rampant on his part. He was at it again last week, although this was a very mild case. One reply came from a fellow tech coordinator who said:<br /><br />"Maybe you could just sugar coat things a little? I like to reflect on a quote from one of my favorite movies, <strong><em>A Few Good Tech Coordinators</em></strong>.<br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kaffee</span>:</strong> I want the truth!<br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Jessep</span>:</strong> You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has firewalls. And those firewalls have to be guarded by routers with access lists an supported by Technology Coordinators and Network Administrators. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Wetech</span>? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly Wiki. You weep for Carmen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Sandiego</span> and you curse the Technology Coordinators. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Sandiego</span> being lost somewhere in the world, while tragic, will eventually be found. And my existence, while Open Source and incompatible with Vista, saves bytes...You don't want the truth. Because during deep system scanning, in places you don't talk about at WAN and LAN parties, you want me on that firewall. You need me on that firewall.<br /><br />We use words like binary, HTML code, script...we use these words as the Internet backbone and to a life spent downloading something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very network I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a flash drive and go blog yourself. Either way, I don't give a widget what you think you're entitled to!"<br /><br />I thought this was a stitch. What do you think?<br /><br />(Thanks to Jason <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Schenzel</span>, Technology Coordinator at Newman Catholic Schools in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Wausau</span>, WI for the original post).Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-71719149281819739362008-07-01T10:53:00.016-05:002008-07-01T11:54:05.385-05:00SETDA's "Bloggers Thinking Bold Challenge"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Welcome to SETDA's "<a href="http://setda.pbwiki.com/FrontPage">Bloggers Thinking Bold Challenge</a>"</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />At our annual </span><a href="http://www.setda.org/web/guest/etforumschedule"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Emerging Technologies Forum</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> just prior to NECC, </span><a href="http://www.setda.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">SETDA</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> participants were treated to the "</span><a href="http://manintheblackcoat.blogspot.com/2008/06/setda-ed-tech-gladiator-challenge-david.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ed-Tech Gladiator Challenge</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">" featuring </span><a href="http://davidwarlick.com/wordpress/?page_id=2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">David Warlick</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and </span><a href="http://www.tcpd.org/Thornburg/Thornburg.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">David Thornburg</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Each gave a short presentation on the future of tech in schools and then challenged the participants to:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">To come up with one action step per topic that crystallizes a solid, bold, action step that will help policy makers create district, state and national legislation.</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />SETDA wants your help -- help us identify some bold action steps!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Go to the</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> "</span><a href="http://setda.pbwiki.com/FrontPage"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Bloggers Thinking Bold Challenge</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> --</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> BE BOLD!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br />Here are a couple of examples from or original SETDA Session -- <br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">STEM Education: Achievement and Innovation : </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What is America’s next Moon shot? This group will develop a strategy to ignite the innovation in America’s students and identify effective approaches and tools to support an expanded Math & Science curriculum that is rich with technology integration to ensure America’s continued strength in the global marketplace.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">RESPONSE: The Moon shot is sustaining/dealing energy, food and water shortages/issues.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Require each state to develop a strategy (local, regional or state) to implement multiple STEM academies (ie. similar to Illinois Math and Science Academy) to support a minimum 5% of total state student population.<br /></span></span></li></ul><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Establish a real-world problems registry at regional, state or national level that describe current problems and solicit classes and educators to come in and collaborate with industry to develop solutions.</span></span></li></ul></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Technology Based Assessment Trends:</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Assessment doesn’t always have to include a number 2 pencil and bubble sheets. Although there is a place for this approach, there are new assessment tools that can be alternatives to help teachers analyze “the whole student’s” progress in a timely and efficient manner in an effort to respond with appropriate interventions and/or enrichment activities tailored to each learner. Help SETDA identify some approaches that are working to increase student achievement through alternative assessments.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">RESPONSE:</span></span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Require each student to maintain a K-12 e-portfolio of their learning that MUST show evidence of accomplishing 21st century skills. ePortfolios will be scored using rubrics based on state standards that have been aligned to state or national content standards and are tied to ISTE NETS-S.</span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><br /></span></span></span></span></div>Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-23915466939883606462008-06-26T09:29:00.006-05:002008-06-26T10:02:06.666-05:00Ed-Tech Gladiator Challenge: David vs. David<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Part of my responsibilities working for an <a href="http://dpi.wi.us/">state education agency </a>(SEA) is to participate in the <a href="http://www.setda.org/">State Educational Technology Director's Association</a> (SETDA) events prior to <a href="http://center.uoregon.edu/ISTE/NECC2008/">NECC</a>. The <a href="http://www.setda.org/web/guest/etforumschedule">SETDA events </a>are usually fun, enjoyable and full of learning. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">One new session this year to our event list is the Ed-Tech Gladiator Action Plan Challenge set for 11:30 am - 1:30 pm on Sunday, June 29. From the looks of the session description, it appears <a href="http://www.setda.org/web/guest/staff">Mary Ann Wolf </a>and the <a href="http://www.setda.org/web/guest/staff">SETDA staff </a>have done a great job in not only securing two top notch speakers, but have also created a participatory event for SETDA members and its corporate partners.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;">Below is a brief overview of the session. Let me know if this is something you might enjoy or if you have any BOLD Action Plan recommendations I need to take with me to the event!</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;"></span><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330000;">Ed-Tech Gladiator Action Plan Challenge</span></strong></div><blockquote><strong><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></strong><p align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mary Ann Wolf – Opening on the Class of 2020 Action Plan & Introduction<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">David Vs. David:</span> </strong></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><a href="http://www.tcpd.org/Thornburg/Thornburg.html">David Thornburg </a>and <a href="http://davidwarlick.com/wordpress/?page_id=2">David Warlick</a> will each have 20 minutes to provide a insights on education that is both futuristic & inspiring Presentation.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color:#330000;">Gladiators Action Plan Challenge: Dare to be Bold!</span> </strong></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Two teams of 8 to 9 tables. Each table will receive ONE of the following topics to consider:</span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em>Powerful Broadband Access for All: Breaking through the Barriers </em></span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em>Empowering Teachers: A Professional and Collaborative Approach </em></span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em>STEM Education: Achievement and Innovation </em></span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em>Individual Learning for Every Child: Data Usage for Personalized Instruction </em></span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em>Accelerating Change through Systemic Reform </em></span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em>Robust, Rigorous, & Right-on-Time Learning through Online Courseware </em></span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;"><em>Systemic Reform Models (TIP, eMINTS, IMPACT, etc.) </em></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color:#330000;">The Action Plan Challenge Goal:</span></strong> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em><strong>To come up with one action step per topic that crystallizes a solid, bold, action step that will help policy makers create district, state and national legislation.</strong></em></span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Each David will push their groups by walking by tables and asking challenge questions to get the groups thinking boldly. Each table will pre-assigned with half corporate executives and SETDA members for a nice mix.</span></span></p></blockquote>Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-87498676046128850022008-06-19T21:40:00.021-05:002008-06-20T00:57:26.124-05:00NECC 2008 & ISTE: Challenges for the Here and Now<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ok - to be upfront I am in agreement with many bloggers</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, namely </span></span><a href="http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/06/19/necc-2008-podcasters-beware-new-iste-policy-on-new-media-conference-coverage/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wes Fryer</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and </span></span><a href="http://www.edsupport.cc/mguhlin/archives/2008/06/entry_7242.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Miguel Ghulin</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> that the idea of having a seemingly iron-fisted policy against pod-, vod- or any type of "casting" of session at NECC 2008 "</span></span><a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/node/44620"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">without express written consent.......</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">" seems a b</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">it </span></span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/draconian"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Draconian</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I believe ISTE has been hasty in</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> this decision and the whole thing reminds me of the first chapter of the book </span></span><a href="http://www.starfishandspider.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The Starfish and the Spider</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. In short, the new ISTE policy will do more harm than good and turn people away from what is a pretty good conference.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If someone from ISTE could tell me why ISTE feels the need to do this that would be great. To this point, I have not heard nor seen anything from ISTE on this situation. I suspect it is one of three things:</span></span></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They believe any type of podcasting or streaming will affect attendance and thus reduce revenue. - and/or-</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ISTE has made a deal with a vendor to be the "official" caster or streamer of the event and thus wants control over the content. -and/or-</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ISTE is afraid of not enough bandwidth availability.</span></span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Personally, I think it's 1 and or 2. By reading the blogs or following on </span></span><a href="http://twitter.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Twitter</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> many of the featured and well-known conference speakers, it is true that many of the speakers either podcast or stream s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">essions from conferences and make those sessions available to non-attendees. Yet, and I do not have </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical_evidence"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">empirical evidence</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> on this, my intuition tells me that conference non-attendees are non-attendees because of many factors, none of which are "I can always listen to the conference on podcast or via stream."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So it seem like number 2 it is. As I said, I believe this has been done hastily and will cause more damage in the long run to ISTE's reputation. It also bring up a very valid pint about who's owns the content of the presentation at a conference. (And that will be a topic for another day.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay49jk0mpfIJDNi7guue1OSVXXZ78ciVqOJXCrkvbhPOTEDQYYsvHECPGiZIDk6Kwi_sQtFJKqCijB2yA7mbkwgAw1LxOGWBb1KKv9itnh3dIUeFayyF5_q4USFuDoGKjOcWd1iM8oelY/s320/StagerTwitter-20080619-222640.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213806080377471378" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Subsequent to this topic being posted on Twitter on June 19</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> I responded to several posts from </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.stager.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Gary Stager</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> in which he took what I thought were some over-the-top potshots at ISTE, NECC and Pearson.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So, in the spirit of debate, I asked Dr. Stager a couple of questions in light of his comments about NECC, ISTE and Pearson. Now, to the best of my knowledge, I have never met nor spoken to Dr. Stager in person. I have responded to several Twitter posts of his, but that is all. I took a bit of offense at his comments as they seemed biting and and too off-handed. I also realize that he is entitled to his opinion on these things, but since he put them out for public consumption, I felt the desire to ask a few questions.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I asked him if the </span></span><a href="http://www.constructivistconsortium.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Constructivist Consortium,</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for which he is the Eecutive Director, would allow participants to podcast or stream the proceedings of its next conference - </span></span><a href="http://www.constructingmodernknowledge.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Constructing Mo</span></span></a><a href="http://www.constructingmodernknowledge.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">dern Knowledge</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. After a couple of Tweets back and forth, he said yes, there was no prohibition against this at the Constructing Modern Knowledge Conference.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibnMjtPqEb9LCXyxbMg4WCxqrzswDSucYPS6YrZLUI-Lx10pLQVnVUUuTOLXVFvkTlMcOXqTHW2Jj8g0KJVm1XIdMtDF7zdg0EEsar8MbVNKeIo6G9UZPNMQHyimqvLG1yQdnUJB9jeMl/s320/Twitter+_+sjciske.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213812400270598370" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My second question dealt with his comments regarding Pearson, ISTE Alignment and corporate sponsors. Specifically I asked if "the big shakedowns ISTE gets" also apply to the 6 companies that are "founding members" of his Constructivist Consortium? Thus the debate ensued and I was sort of lectured on dues paying, his lefleat of NECC in 1992 and his columns railing against the ISTE standards, ISTE alignment costs and other topics. Soon </span></span><a href="http://blog.genyes.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sylvia Martinez</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> jumped in. Her organization, </span></span><a href="http://www.genyes.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Gen YES</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, is a founding member of the Constructivist Consortium. More Tweets and more Tweets.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi60WY9WdcaqRF-lDsXueh20HKES1I_7GQuW09jwLav9hyQldAuXkwLi0xjGKtpA0QL5NKwY7hZuspVElEgDHboyQQ3yZpdQDOhHj2PhA8vw7bRbEU6HAeMDc3tK7ad7u_C2tc6W8_JO_M-/s320/Twitter+_+sjciske-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213815385514398178" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My point to Dr. Stager (and Ms. Martinez), was that some of the things he was bashing ISTE about are </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">similar in appearance</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> to activities he is involved in. Corporate sponsorship is the main one. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Why is he taking ISTE to task for "selling out" and having corporate sponsors and corporate speakers when it appears his organization does the same? The Constructivist Consortium event on June 28 will give participants </span></span><a href="http://www.constructivistconsortium.org/events/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">free software, </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">coupons</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for future purchases and other things</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. The Constructing Modern Knowledge Workshop features </span></span><a href="http://www.constructingmodernknowledge.com/Faculty.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">faculty who are prominent employees</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of some of the Constructivist Consortium "Founding Members." At NECC, corporate sponsors and speakers are readily identified and if attendees blindly want to </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kool-Aid#%2022Drinking_the_Kool-Aid.22"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">drink the vendor kool-aid</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, so be it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Both Sylvia and Gary repeatedly told me it was different because ISTE is dues paying and Constructivist Consortium is not and that ISTE has sold out its members to the favor of sponsors. I responded how is this different from what the Constructivist Consortium was doing? Is giving free software to participants or having vendor presenters different because on organization charges dues and the other does not? Are vendors not trying to position their products and services in a positive light in both instances? Why is Pearson, who is soliciting assistance from </span></span><a href="http://www.edubloggercon.com/Pearson+Video+Project"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">educators on a project</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, deserving such sarcasm when ideas, projects and materials created at the the Constructing Modern Knowledge will also find their way back to the corporate sponsors? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dues or not, it appears both organizations are doing the same thing.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The intent of my questions we not to be a personal attack on Dr. Stager or the Constructivist Consortium. They were to solicit answers to what appeared to be some comments that I felt went too far and appearances that seemed too cozy. I am sure that in agreeing to disagree, as I left it with Sylvia, life will go on. I have no doubt that Dr. Stager and Ms. Martinez do great work on behalf of educators and educational technology. I harbor no ill will toward either of them or their organizations. I just believe the criticism, even if justified, was not done in the spirit and manner of a what I was taught an educator should do.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">As a dues paying ISTE member</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, I believe this podcasting fiasco will light a fire under the members to ask for more accountability from the ISTE board and its leaders. The policy is wrong and close-minded.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ISTE members also need to voice their opinion on the </span></span><a href="http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/NETSSealofAlignment/NETS_Seal_of_Alignment.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ISTE Seal of Alignment</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> process where ISTE charges vendors a fee to review the vendor products to see if they align to various ISTE NETS. Until today, I did not know that ISTE charged to do this and I definitely will be writing to let ISTE know of my displeasure and the bad aftertaste this has left in my and many other's mouths. To me, ISTE should make the process inclusive and not exclusive. On the face, it looks like a blatant money grab by ISTE and for that, I am deeply disappointed in it as an organization.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am no ISTE apologist. While I support their efforts on behalf of educational technology, I also believe they need some self-examination. To an extent, I agree with Dr. Stager who Tweeted me that ISTE has lost its direction over the years. While corporate sponsorship is a necessary component of every organization, we must not, as members, let the organization forget who it serves. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ISTE members and sponsors must live in a complementary relationship, not a balanced one. If corporate sponsors become so important in terms of support that their interests are put ahead of the dues paying members, then we as members need to speak out, speak up and elect board members who will serve our needs and interests first and re-focus the mission of ISTE.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div></div>Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-84379888399029885402008-05-12T22:37:00.010-05:002008-05-12T23:10:07.912-05:00Your Ideas for EdWeek's "Technology Counts" 2009<div><br /></div>As an employee of the <a href="http://dpi.wi.gov/">Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction</a> and specifically its <a href="http://dpi.wi.gov/imt">Instructional Media & Technology (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IMT</span>)</a> team my job related duties can be varied to say the least.<div><br /></div><div>One duty that I enjoy is serving on various committees for the <a href="http://www.setda.org/">State Educational Technology Directors Association (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SETDA</span>),</a> a national organization for ed tech proponents working at the state level. I currently sit as the vice-chair of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">SETDA</span> Data Committee. Our committee has two main purposes: to collect data to produce the annual<a href="http://www.setda.org/web/guest/nationaltrendsreport"> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SETDA</span> National Trends Report</a> and to work collaboratively with the <a href="http://www.ed.gov/">US Dept of Education</a> and other groups that collect ed tech data by providing guidance and advice from the field. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">On May 13, I will be part of a group of state leaders that will discuss the data collection and publication of </span><a href="http://www.edweek.org/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">EdWeek</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">'s </span><a href="http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2008/03/27/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Technology Counts</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> and how the current indicators and survey may or may not reach the fairest or most accurate results.</span><br /><br />Although <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">SETDA</span> approached Ed Week, the people there have been very responsive and willing to talk about how to improve the current efforts. They did mention that the research division, led by Chris Swanson, is very short-staffed, so recommendations should be tangible and reasonable – but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">SETDA</span> believes that is possible, especially if <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">SETDA</span> offers to review the questions.<br /><br />In talking with Ed Week and a few <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">SETDA</span> members, we see several particular areas of focus for our call, including:<br /><ul><li>Indicators used to determine access <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(please see link at </span><a href="http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2008/03/27/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/03/27/30sources.h27.html</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> for details on how computed).</span><br /></li><li>Survey questions used to determine use, capacity, and other discussions.<br /></li><li>Theme for next Technology Counts <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(i.e., STEM, funding, virtual learning)</span><br /></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">What I am asking you is for YOUR ideas, concerns, questions, comments and what not. What do you like or dislike about Tech Counts? How can we as an ed tech community make it better?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">My meeting is at 1:30 PM ET so be quick and succinct!</span></div><div><br /></div>Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-61777122255252215082008-05-01T22:32:00.007-05:002008-05-01T23:18:41.734-05:00I am here for the learning revolution<div><br /></div><a href="http://www.scottmcleod.net/bio">Scott <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mcleod</span></a> and <a href="http://www.speedofcreativity.org/">Wesley Fryer</a> are sponsoring a contest that, by the time you read this, will have met its May 1 deadline. <div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJcAIGxLL_xuvO2DjEwuys0JDJAld_5bqaw9WSnlX6hLglwwPJp7Vl-9Whq9-u5zoClXtf95_ngZIZaQGdXf-k0rJ3Cp_d3mh6J4iQY-2sUnDBziC2Lobrz99_enUfuI4-fwWlssv98bd/s200/Here.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195627547697205762" /></div><div>The <a href="http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2008/04/contest-im-here.html">contest is to design a button</a> with the phrase <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/04/14/here-for-the-learning-revolution/">I am here for the learning revolution</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> on it in some way, shape or form that Scott and Wes will distribute at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NECC</span> during<a href="http://www.edubloggercon.com/NECC+2008"> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">EduBloggerCon</span> 2008 and Classroom 2.0 LIVE</a> . I had been thinking about this for a week or so and had not come up with any really good ideas, primarily because my work laptop is devoid of any font or graphic that is out of the ordinary. I struggled with this over and over and had resigned to not entering anything.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I was searching through the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Flickr</span></a> images to get some ideas - a photo of a shift key or an enter key were my original ideas with the above phrase superimposed on it. But I did not find anything that caught my fancy. So, I did what any normal person would do, I "<a href="http://www.google.com/">Googled</a>" revolution. I went to its <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Wikipedia</span> entry</a> then went to the list of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_revolutions_and_rebellions">Revolutions and Rebellions</a> and there I saw the name <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar">Julius Caesar</a> and it hit me - the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon">Rubicon River.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I could use the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_of_no_return">Crossing the Rubicon</a>" as my analogy to I am here for the learning revolution. Crossing the Rubicon means to commit to the point of no return - and stems from Caesar's crossing the Rubicon River with his Roman Army to "invade" ancient Rome in January 49 BC. Roman Generals were forbidden by law to cross the Rubicon with their army and when Caesar crossed, he made conflict or revolution inevitable.</div><div><br /></div><div>I thought this was an apt analogy for the contest in that it suggests we, as educators, make that commitment to the learning revolution needed to ensure our students thrive in the 21st century!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, here it is -- My entry emailed before the end of the day on May 1, 2008. What do you think?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-4541708302416058942008-04-23T13:00:00.003-05:002008-05-01T23:20:50.474-05:005 Essential Twitter Truths<div><br /></div>Having been part of the <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">Twitter</a> community now for nearly 6 months and posting over 1300 tweets, I guess the nOOb status is off. Now, it's my turn to blog about what I have learned in this short time immersed in one of the many Web 2.0 tools. I try to keep in mind these five simple things as I use Twitter and as I invite others to join.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/sjciske"><strong><span style="color:#660000;">@sjciske</span></strong></a><span style="color:#660000;"><strong>'s 5 Essential Twitter Truths</strong><br /></span><br /><strong>1. Not every tweet I produce is profound and not every @reply I send will be acknowledged.</strong> I consider myself a fairly decent writer (journalism undergrad, professional newspaper experience) and somewhat funny (intentional or not). Yet, it took me a while to have people warm up to my way of communicating in 140 characters of less. Some people have the gift of gab - it doesn't work in the Twitterverse. I follow only 120 or so people - other follow many more than me - and it can be overwhelming figuring out what to respond to and at times, what to post. Relax - it takes time to get to know people online, which brings me to the next essential truth.<br /><br /><strong>2. If you don't fill out your profile with name, URL, place, etc.....chances are people will not follow you.</strong> Spit (spam on Twitter) happens and I personally choose not to follow people who do not fill out their profiles. Providing a URL allows a person to see what your about, what you do and your likes or dislikes. If someone following 3,000 others wants to follow me, fine, but for the most part, unless the profile is filled in - nada on my part. I have a hard enough time keeping up with my 120 on a regular basis. You can control who you follow and who follows you. You can keep it simple or go huge, but for many, the profile part is essential. In fact, I have personally gone to every one of the URLs listed for people I follow - sort of a Twitter background check.<br /><br /><strong>3. Finding a friend or colleague on Twitter and following people they follow is a great way to wedge yourself into the community or personal learning network (PLN) you desire.</strong> Whether its EdTech, quilting, LOLkittens, roller coasters, food or politics -- look at friends and colleagues for advice or for introductions. It's never too late to join and become active in the discussion!<br /><br /><strong>4. Twitter is a great way to learn about (_<em>you fill in the blank_</em>).</strong> Most of my followers/following are involved in some type of educational technology, yet I have learned so much about other topics: traveling, parenting, cooking, cultures, favorite teams and others. Some people like to be in the center of learning and others hang on the edge. It is easy to tell in the Twitterverse who is who. Everyone can contribute if they desires. People announce blog posts, conferences, tweetups and links to uStreaming content. It is there for your consumption. Or not.<br /><br /><strong>5. If you blog, Twitter will energize you to blog more and blog better.</strong> I used to think that blog posts needed to be long, thoughtful and on heavy or weighty topics. Boy, was I off base. I now now that blogging is multi-faceted and multi-dimensional. In reading other blogs, I feel better able to write my own, contribute to the community on a more regular basis. And this post, I believe, will be the start of that!Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-15313900891543574752008-04-06T23:00:00.001-05:002008-05-01T23:21:47.960-05:00In Praise of Visionaries<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div><br /></div>Today starts the 2008 </span><a href="http://www.wemta.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> annual conference and in honor of WEMTA's 60th anniversary, I thought I'd dust off a draft of a blog I have been working on for a while, finish it up and get my blogging efforts into gear. Here goes - an ode to some people with a vision for the future.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">With school libraries facing ever increasing cutbacks in staffing and funding I thought it would be nice to mention some visionary people who have put into law a secure funding source for school libraries.</span><div><p></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The visionaries I am writing about today had nothing to do the technology, the web, web 2.0, Student 2.0 or anything else we see today, unless you happen to venture in to a school library in Wisconsin.<br /></span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">FEEs, FINEs, and FOREFITUREs</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">or Why Wisconsin likes Speeders!<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br />Wisconsin is unique in many ways - and I am not talking about </span><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/04/04/favre.denial/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Brett Favre</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (retired or not), the Packers, cheese, bratwurst or beer. The visionaries I am talking about were the founders of </span><a href="http://wi.gov/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">this great state </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">(motto: </span><a href="http://www.wisconsin.gov/state/core/wisconsin_state_symbols.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">FORWARD</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">) who developed a plan to provide funds for school libraries and inserted it into the state's constitution in 1848.<br /><br />The </span><a href="http://dpi.wi.gov/imt/csf_expl.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Common School Fund Library Aid </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">(CSF) is an annual entitlement program to all Wisconsin public school districts that distributes the net earnings from the Common School Fund, one of the state trust funds set up by the Wisconsin Constitution.<br /><br />As directed by the constitution, the beneficiaries of the CSF are the public school libraries of the state. Each year in April, the </span><a href="http://bcpl.state.wi.us/asx/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Board of Commissioners of Public Lands</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (BCPL) informs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) of the total interest that has accumulated in the Common School Income Fund.<br /><br />The principal of the CSF grows by about $25 million each year through revenues from:</span></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Civil and criminal </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">fees</span></strong></li><li><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Fines</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> and </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">forfeitures</span></strong></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Wisconsin's Unclaimed Property Program</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Timber sales on Trust Lands<br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><em></em></span></li></ul><p><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">(NOTE: Thus in Wisconsin, speeding really does pay - it pays right into the fund that assists school libraries!)</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><br />The BCPL, whose current Executive Director is Tia Nelson, daughter of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Earth Day</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> founder and former US Senator </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaylord_Nelson"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Gaylord Nelson</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, is in charge of the managing the board whose mission is to "Manage Trust Lands and Trust Funds for the Benefit of Public Education in Wisconsin." Through the use of timber sales, investments and interest, the BCPL funds the CSF. I should note that the BCPL has the power to loan money to school districts, cities, counties and other governmental agencies usually with interest rates less than commercial lenders - so some school districts will borrow for building programs at a lesser interest rate and the interest they repay on the loan goes into the CSF! A win-win if I ever saw it!<br /><br />This principal is invested in loans to local governments and school districts and in state and local bonds. The remaining funds are deposited in the State Investment Fund. The annual earnings of the CSF are distributed on a per pupil basis each spring with more than $375 million distributed over the last 25 years.<br /><br />The </span><a href="http://dpi.wi.gov/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (WDPI) calculates each school district's allocation, basing the amount on the number of children ages 4 through 20 living in the district. The allocation is sent to school districts by May 1. Districts must spend the total Library Aid allocation for appropriate library materials by June 30 of that same year.<br /><br />In the school year 2006-07 the CSF provided $29.2 million worth of library materials to public schools in Wisconsin - not toooooooo shabby! Of course, there are </span><a href="http://dpi.wi.gov/imt/csf_purc.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">rules and restrictions on what can be purchased </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">with the CSF but for the most part, the CSF is a driving force in keeping our Wisconsin school libraries well stocked.<br /><br />What is disappointing is that with the continuation of "</span><a href="http://dpi.wi.gov/sfs/revlim.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Revenue Limits</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">" placed on school districts in Wisconsin, more and more districts are using the CSF as the ONLY source for library books and materials.<br /><br />All this started with the visionaries in 1848 thinking that a great way to provide the needed books and materials for school libraries should not fall just on the back of the school district residents. I really believe the genesis for this idea came from the fact that in 1848, book cost was high and that stocking a school library needed a boost or head start. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Who would have thought this idea would pump over $29 million a year in school libraries 150 years later. </span></p><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">CSF is distributed to every school district - no application is needed. A truly wonderful program!<br /><br />Any other state have such a program? Anyone envious of this program? Your thoughts?</span></p><p></p></div></div>Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-58755146714310021362007-11-08T13:01:00.001-06:002008-05-01T23:21:33.588-05:0010 Steps Towards Becoming Learner 2.0<div><br /></div>I have created a blog as part of an online class - really a series of online steps - to become Learner 2.0 literate.<br /><br /><strong>Welcome to 10 Steps Towards Becoming Learner 2.0</strong><br /><br />This new online program is sponsored by <a href="http://www.cesa3.k12.wi.us/">CESA #3's</a> ITSS (Instructional Technology Support Services) program. <a href="http://cesa3admin.typepad.com/10steps/">10 Steps Towards Becoming Learner 2.0</a> is a discovery learning program designed to encourage educators to explore new "web 2.0" learning technologies.<br /><br />This online program is designed to fit into 20 minutes each week, focusing on online tools changing the way people access information and communicate, cooperate, collaborate, and learn online.<br /><br />What are the 10 steps? <a href="http://cesa3admin.typepad.com/10steps/the-10-steps.html">See them here!</a> ... See our <a href="http://cesa3admin.typepad.com/10steps/frequently-asked-question.html">Frequently Asked Questions</a> page for additional information.<br /><br />Have questions? Click the "Comments" link below and let 'em fly!<br /><br />The 10 steps are:<br /><br />Step 1: Introduction and Google<br />Step 2: Blogging<br />Step 3: Images<br />Step 4: RSS & Newsreaders<br />Step 5: Tagging & Social Bookmarking<br />Step 6: Wikis<br />Step 7: Online Applications & Tools<br />Step 8: Podcasts<br />Step 9: Online Video Play<br />Step 10: Instant MessagingStuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725702152663708461.post-50239279485143564762007-11-08T12:02:00.002-06:002008-05-01T23:21:15.400-05:00First Blog and First Post<div><br /></div>The title of this blog comes from a favorite poem of mine by Robert Bly entitled <em><a href="http://www.haverford.edu/psych/ddavis/p109g/bly.snowbanks.html">Snowbanks North of the House</a>.</em> To me, the poem really gets at the heart of why so many people struggle with the mind's desire to continue learning throughout our lifetime and, as Bly aptly puts it:<br /><br /><blockquote><p>The toe of the shoe pivots in the dust ...<br /><br />And the man in the black coat turns,<br /><br />and goes backdown the hill.<br /><br />No one knows why he came, or why he<br /><br />turned away, and did not climb the hill. </p></blockquote><p></p>That's all for now - Time to get on to Task Three in becoming a Learner 2.0 (more on this later).Stuart Ciske, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/08226913080314872402noreply@blogger.com0