When Is Going For The Cool Factor OK?

My first thought when a teacher came to me about publishing a book to iBooks was, "that sounds cool." And it is a cool idea. It also gives students a wider audience, gets them excited about the project and could give them added motivation to do well, it also teaches them to publish, and not hand in their work.

For me though, it was cool. It was the win. The kind of project I want now because I know other teachers will notice and come to work with me.

Is it the best way to share student work? Probably not.

As you can see from this exchange with the SIS coaching team, their advice was steering me away from this project. And I agree that technology should be used just because it's there.

But still, I think there can be valid reasons for using tools just for the coolness factor - and while I probably would have steered me away from using iBooks as well, I think my reason of wanting a win to help attract teacher is a good reason to use it. You can't attract bees with vinegar -- and telling teachers that their reasons for using technology is not sound will not win over many people.

I am torn though.

If nothing else, hopefully this experience will help me to try to dig deeper when teachers want to use a certain app and I think I will think twice about when and how I steer willing teachers away from what they want to do.

A Little Positivity

So often I focus on my weaknesses and what I did wrong that I forget to reflect on the positives in my days. Today I decided, no forced myself to think of a positive in the past week.

So ...

One morning I went to help a teacher out. He wanted to know how to put pictures together on a page and print them out. I obliged and brought him through using Word, Pages, Google Docs, and Preview.

While we were test printing I asked him what this was for. He told me students need to print out their work.

I understand the thinking behind this ...  I used to teach Grade 1-2. But his students are in high school. So I asked, "Why are you doing all the work for them? Have them put the pictures together in a printable format." I explained to him that the students

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

I'm not sure what is being done about this now, but I felt good about the exchange because while not the best way to put it, I do think I brought up a great point for him.

It was a small thing, but losing track of the small wins can be counterproductive and could stop momentum. Celebrate the small wins, learn from the learning opportunities [less than successes], and move on.

Idea People

Bright Idea, by GDJ, via OpenClipArt.org, CC0 1.0

When we started this year, the Victor (Director of Learning Technology) created a Year Road Map that included an idea bucket section. I let all the thoughts that had been rattling around in my head spill out onto the page. That was six months of "heavy" ideas - ideas that did not escape me - laid out on the page.

Since starting I have struggled to implement many of these ideas. In order to carry through with them, and get some started, I have needed the support of others to help me. Without their support, nothing would have been done and the ideas would have stayed as ideas.

Idea people need support. If you are an idea person (and I don't think it's static, people shift between the two sides on a scale) seek out the people who can help make your ideas a reality. Find the space and people that help make your ideas become complete.

Getting Started on Twitter

"Just do it!" is something I heard a lot when I was starting on Twitter. But it's easier said than done.

Know Who to Follow
There are a few ways to follow people. Follow those you find or are recommended to you. Once you find some interesting people, see which hashtags they are posting to, or take a look at who they follow.


Steps to Build Networks
Building a PLN will take time and effort, but it is very much worth the time and effort. Once your PLN is built, you will have a network of people who know the information you need to know, and will be there to share ideas and resources with you.

Since I am new in my role of a tech coach, I reached out to my PLN (Most of whom happen to be tech coaches themselves and I can't tell if it was a conscience effort to engage with them. It could have been me dressing for the job I wanted. (See below)


Steps to take on Twitter
This is what I generally did when I started Twitter. I am not saying this is the best way though.

1. Lurk
Just watch and read at first.

2. Retweet and Curate
You can gain credibility by sharing content you find from others.

3. Reply
Start replying to what others say.

4. Ask / Answer Questions
The power of Twitter is in the community. Tap into it. You will get when you give.

5. Join Chats
Twitterchats are one hour to a week chats that revolve around a topic. They are a powerful way to learn and build relationships.

6. Generate your own content


Day 2 of the #ISEdChat - this would not have happened with one person working alone

The Importance of Enthusiasm

“Put Enthusiasm Into Your Work” - Dale Carnegie

I had spent almost a week preparing a presentation about my role as a learning technology coach is and how I could help support teachers. The elementary principal agreed to let me come in to talk to the team during their weekly meeting and I spent more time than I would care to admit putting together a presentation.

The morning of the presentation I was listening to a podcast about giving presentations and the advice was don't use images from Google Image Search. I don't have many pictures from my new school, so I had filled my presentation with Creative Commons images, but since I feel the same, I took the message of the podcast to heart and stripped out all my images during the school day.

At the meeting, I looked around the room at the elementary teachers and I did not see any energy. I was not feeling good about my presentation anymore either. Then I made my mistake, and one that I will try to not make again, I matched the energy of the room and spoke without slides.

Big Mistake

I fell as flat as the room's energy, and my message was not even remotely received. I had been afraid of coming off as fake or annoying, but worse, I  didn't come off as anything at all.

I did not inject my message with enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm and confidence are linked. They both come from within. Since I did not speak with the enthusiasm I have for the topic, I did not have the confidence while speaking that I could have had.

My presentation

If I had used my original presentation, and spoken with enthusiasm, I think I could have garnered some interest from the teachers. If I don't speak with enthusiasm for a topic I am passionate about, why would anyone else be excited to receive my message?

From now on, I will do my best to put enthusiasm into everything I do because who else will be enthusiastic about what I do?

This post was inspired by Episode 12 of the Carnegie Coach Podcast - Put Enthusiasm into Your Work.