Looking back @ the class presentations...

I really appreciated the passion that came from Bill & Anne.

Bill's commitment to experiential learning & classes without walls, and his Internet based explorations seem to be working well with the students he works with. Given: These students were not successful in the "traditional" classroom. But even the successful students would benefit greatly if hand-on learning happened more in our schools. He has seen and helped create self-driected learning in action and that came across in his presentation. The PPT stands alone in content (although it would not have the zest of Bill's personal presentation), yet I did not know whether to read or listen. As always with PPT, how much does the presenter say and how much do you include on the viewing screen. Maybe just the key points on the screen?

Anne's concern for women and girls not entering the STEM fields while they are very capable was presented very completely and well. She really eminates care and concern about this. At the middle level, I see the girls holding back in these areas and I also see that they use technology for different outcomes. Anne added to my "reasons why" it is so important to encourage girls to enter these fields. Our school has been part of the IBM EXCITE camp for girls for five years. Ten 7th grade girls are involved in a mentorship program whith a woman engineer. After meeting at the fun 5 day summer camp, they continue the rest of the school year with weekly communications and projects online with their mentors. They usually have a shadow day with their mentor at IBM and get together a couple times in the year at our school (a pizza lunch, a chocolate party with games, etc.) . I really think this program has a big impact on these girls. One of my boy students asked, "How come there are all those programs just for girls? Not fair!"

I was very impressed with how Dan just went right to it. Imported the lab to the gym, got the kids blogging and really dove right in. Sounded like there were some good results.

I enjoyed having a 9th grader in our class. Thanks Aimee. She actually had a very complete and an engaged list of comments for me on my presentation. I value & appreciated what she had to say.

Theresa & her colleague created a nice Spanish project that integrated technology and brought students' language skills further along.

I liked listening to all the presentations and gained some new perspectives and ideas. For me, that face-to-face contact in learning is important. That combined with our online communications is a good blend.