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John Hendron

Director of Innovation and Strategy

summer

ISTE Reflections

by John Hendron · Jun 27, 2012

I often hear folks talk of going on a “vacation” to re-charge, and I can understand taking some days off to not think about work. But I always really feel “recharged” when I am inspired.

I had the great opportunity to hear a second time Professor Yong Zhao from the University of Oregon, keynote on Tuesday at ISTE 2012. If you advanced the following YouTube video in about an hour, you too can view his presentation.

I think the experience was kind of like an outstanding TED Talk, where you’re shown something so incredible that you almost tear up the message or accomplishment approaches a profound level. Here, Zhao advocates for focusing our efforts on creativity and authentic student passion over only focusing on standards.

Our own state Standards of Learning and now the Common Core Standards in focus in many other states are not all bad. I can view the impact standards have had on education in Virginia over the past ten years. But as Zhao so comically pokes fun at former President Bush’s national goal on reading, the place for standards are in the role of a foundation. I really believe this. Literacy and numeracy are core concepts students must master to be competent citizens. Zhao and thinkers like him however do not believe that all students must know all the same content, throughout their school careers. Instead, we can make education engaging by focusing students’ learning opportunities around things that really matter to them.

I’ve never felt more dedicated towards doing the right thing for students. I also heard from Sir Kenneth Robinson, Dr. Gary Stager, Dr. Willie Smits, Marc Prensky, and actress/neurobiologist Dr. Mayim Bialik. It seemed to me a set of common themes were laid at this conference that set for me a multi-year agenda of where we can focus locally, at the state level, and nationally.

One of the key pair of themes I heard was on empathy and making global connections. Alan November joined the two concepts together in his call for developing global empathy.

I believe public education still has room for us to really engage students. There are so many buzzwords that fit into the picture of how we accomplish this, from computational thinking to product and procedural-based learning to the aforementioned global empathy.

G21 was but one means by which we can begin to improve learning opportunities in Goochland. But the inspiration I received from hearing so many speakers goes beyond the tools to which we have access.

I hope it’s evident why I call for change in my position as an instructional technologist. Please watch the video above. Dr. Zhao is far more articulate and august in his call for changing our focus than I have ever been. I believe in the potential of our students and want for them the best. Whatever we call the effort, or how it comes about is not important. What is important is that we come to share a vision of what we want and how we will arrive there. I look forward to working with you upon your return in August.

If you would like to leave a comment about what the video meant to you – or on ideas on how we start to move there – I’m opening up my comments on this post. Thanks for reading!

Filed Under: Learning for Teachers Tagged With: 2012, change, iste, iste12, summer, zhao

iWant in Waynesboro

by John Hendron · Apr 23, 2012

For more information about this event, contact Jody Lohr (5450) 946-4600, extension 29.

iWANT: July 19 and 20, 2012 at Kate Collins Middle School in Waynesboro

Visit their website online for more information about this event for learning more about mobile devices in the classroom, including iPod Touch and iPad!

  • i = iPad, iTouch
  • W = wifi and whiteboards
  • A = apps for education
  • N = networking issues with wireless denies
  • T = Tablets, smart phones, and other touch technologies

Filed Under: Learning for Teachers, Resource of Interest Tagged With: pd, summer

Summer Class Cancelation

by John Hendron · Jul 1, 2011

I am going to have to postpone our Word and Excel classes for Office 2011 this summer until into the school year. The two classes scheduled for Monday, July 11, are canceled.

On Tuesday afternoon, August 2nd, our last summer class (integration level) will be held with Krystle Batistelli and I focusing on Promethean ActivInspire. This course is not for folks new to Promethean, but folks with previous experience using the interactive white board. If you’re interested in attending, no signup is required at this point. We’ll be happy to see you on August 2nd at 1 PM at the CO training room.

Filed Under: General News Tagged With: pd, summer

Summer Classes Update

by John Hendron · May 25, 2011

“The votes are in” about which classes teachers are interested in, and we’ve made decisions about locations and instructors. Except for our Word, Excel, and iWork classes, all classes listed below count towards next year’s technology course requirement for teachers.

  1. Moodle, instructors Alex Fruth, John Hendron, and Bea Cantor. This class will meet at the CO training room, downstairs, from 9AM-12 noon on June 8, 9, and 10.
  2. Google Apps, instructors Jillian Edwards, John Hendron, and Bea Cantor. This class will meet at the CO training room from 1PM-4PM on June 9-10.
  3. iMovie 2011, instructor Bea Cantor. This class meets one day, June 13, from 9AM-4PM, with an hour break for lunch (on your own). This class will meet in the central office technology training room.
  4. GarageBand 2011, instructors Zoe Parrish and John Hendron. This class will meet from 9AM-12noon on June 14.
  5. iWork Suite: Overview, instructor John Hendron. This class will meet from 9AM-12noon at the CO training room on June 15.
  6. Digital Storytelling, with instructors William James and Bea Cantor. Meets from 9AM-3PM with an hour break for lunch (on your own) in the GHS Media Center on June 15.
  7. iOS Devices in the Classroom for Elementary, with instructors Zoe Parrish and Bea Cantor from 9AM-4PM on June 16 in the CO downstairs training room. An hour break divides the class, with lunch on your own.
  8. Word 2011 with John Hendron meets from 9AM-12PM in the CO training room on July 11.
  9. Excel 2011 with John Hendron meets from 1:30PM-4:30PM in the CO training room on July 11.
  10. Promethean Advanced Workshop with Krystle Battistelli and John Hendron meets on August 2 from 1PM-4PM in the CO training room.

The other classes did not make. There is still room in the classes listed above. Signup is available here via Google Forms.

Filed Under: General News, Resource of Interest Tagged With: classes, pd, summer

Summer Workshops

by John Hendron · May 3, 2011

This Summer – Technology Workshops

This summer I am proud to announce our offering of a variety of professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators. All courses are “integration” level if not marked “Basic.”

Moodle

9 Hours | 9AM-12PM June 8-10, 2011 | Central Office Learn the basics of creating your own online course using Moodle. Similar to Blackboard (but easier to use), Moodle can be used to augment classroom activities with online tests and quizzes and discussion forums. Or, just use Moodle to store videos, resource materials, and to collect assignments.

Each day we’ll cover different Moodle activities so by the third day, you can decide which ones will work for you and your students.

During this workshop, we’ll model collaboration with students working in small groups.

Scratch

9 Hours | 1PM-4PM June 8-10, 2011 | Central Office Come learn about a fun application that has been used to create over 1.5 million games and animations! This is ideal for grades 3-8. Students will practice a variety of 21st century skills, with a strong application of mathematics. Scratch teaches principles of computer programming in a fun, and easy to use environment. Learn about the Scratch website where students can share their work with an international audience.

During this workshop, we’ll model problem solving and critical thinking, not to mention a good dose of creativity. As time allows, we’ll introduce the PICO board accessory.

Google Apps for Students

6 Hours | 1PM-4PM June 9-10, 2011 and 9AM-12PM August 1-2, 2011 Google’s App collection includes Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Forms, and Drawing. But what else is there? Learn how to leverage Google’s suite of tools in the classroom. Turn off the printer and partake in the paperless revolution. You’ll learn how to leverage these tools for document collaboration, discussions, and more.

During this workshop we’ll model collaboration and communication using the Web’s hottest “Web 2.0” tools. The first portion of the class will cover a number of Google Goodies, and in part 2, we look at what we offer students. Leave with a variety of ideas for using Google’s apps every day. For students grades 5-12.

iLife ’11: iMovie and Student Engagement

6 Hours | 9AM-4PM June 13, 2011 During the first half, we’ll make iMovie gurus out of each of you. And in the second, we’ll explore a variety of methods for incorporating movie-making methodologies into your classes. We’ll cover what’s new with the new iMovie, but we’ll also dive into methods for student engagement. You’ll leave with the understanding that creating video is a powerful media tool and learning practice.

During this workshop we’ll model collaboration, communication, creativity, and technical literacy. While previous experience with iMovie will be helpful, you can also use this class to dive into video editing on the Mac.

iLife ’11: GarageBand for Podcasting with Students

3 Hours | 9AM-12PM June 14, 2011 We’ll start our first hour by going over the GarageBand ’11 interface and the basics of recording and editing audio.

In the remainder of the workshop, you’ll work on a production team and create an instructional podcast. We’ll experience the 21st century skills of research, communications, small-group collaboration, creativity, and teaching others.

Inquire to Inspire: The Next Chapter

6 Hours | 9AM-4PM June 14, 2011 For our professional development day in February, 2011, we explored the theme of “Inquire to Inspire.” In this day-long workshop, we’ll further explore the use of inquiry-based learning across the curriculum using a variety of online resources and instructional strategies. We’ll also explore the role of inquiry in the larger framework of twenty-first century learning. Part of this workshop will also include classroom management with technologies and how to structure a 30- or 90-minute period to maximize student learning.

iLife ’11: iPhoto for Student Photographers

3 Hours | 1PM-4PM June 14, 2011 First we’ll explore the basics of iPhoto and point out some of the new features in Apple’s photo editing and cataloging application.

Next, we’ll cover advanced photo editing using Acorn 3.0.

And we’ll finish with several student project scenarios that make use of digital photos. We’ll experience the management of time and resources, media literacy, communication, and real-world applications in this workshop.

iWork Suite: Overview | Basic

3 Hours 9AM-12PM June 15, 2011 We’ll devote about an hour each in this “Basic Level” class to the iWork applications that can be used in and outside of the classroom: Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.

This class is intended for folks new to iWork, or folks who want to cover what’s new with the ’09 versions of the software. This is open to teachers, administrators, and all other staff issued computers.

iWork Suite: Suite in the Classroom

3 Hours 1PM-4PM June 15, 2011 In the afternoon (integration level) session, we’ll tie each of the 3 tools to pedagogy, with ideas for student projects that use a variety of tools in conjunction with Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. Leave with the confidence of what you can do with your students using these productivity tools.

We’ll model technology literacy, research, and teaching others in this workshop. The morning session is not required for this workshop.

Digital Storytelling

5 Hours | 9AM-3PM June 15, 2011 In this workshop, we’ll explore all the digital tools we can use to tell digital stories. We’ll cover models for storytelling, and provide examples of using storytelling in a variety of subject areas.

This workshop will begin with basic instruction, and our afternoon session will invite participants to work in collaborative teams to apply the pedagogy of storytelling with core content. 21st century skills covered will include communication, problem solving, creativity, and teaching others.

iOS Devices in the Classroom

6 Hours | 9AM-4PM June 16, 2011 In this workshop, we’ll explore the (new) world of iPods and iPads. Based on research learned from our iPod “iLearn” pilot program in elementary grades this school year, we’ll look at educational apps, managing iOS devices, and ideas for using these personal devices in the classroom.

We’ll explore cloud computing and QR codes while we learn ourselves with this new hand-held technology.

This course is primarily intended for elementary teachers and any secondary teachers who might have access to iPod Touch devices or iPads in SY 2011-12.

Office 2011: Word | Basic

3 Hours | 9AM-12PM July 11, 2011 This class will cover the basics of Microsoft Word Word Processor. We’ll cover new features, as well as practical how-tos on performing routine operations, including page numbering, using formatting rules, utilizing desktop publishing templates, and more.

Office 2011: Excel | Basic

3 Hours | 1:30PM-3:30 PM July 11, 2011 This class will cover the basics of the spreadsheet, using Microsoft Excel, 2011 edition for Macintosh. We’ll cover new features such as sparkline graphs, in addition to basics for lists, calculations, and using a pivot table.

Inspiration 9

3 Hours 9AM-12PM July 18, 2011 Inspiration is software for visually organizing and planning. This secondary-only application will be of benefit to English teachers for planning writing, but also for anyone else in the division who is looking for a tool that can help students organize information. Use Inspiration to create word maps, to plan a science lab, or tell the story behind a major battle.

We’ll also cover how Inspiration comes alive using an interactive white board like Promethean.

Kidspiration 3

3 Hours 9AM-12PM July 18, 2011 Kidspiration is software for visually organizing and planning. This elementary-only application will be of benefit to language arts teachers for planning writing, but also for anyone else looking for a “hands on” tool that can help students organize information. Use Kidspiration to teach math, or to create word webs, to sequence events, or tell a story using Kidspiration’s inventory of graphic symbols.

We’ll also cover how Kidspiration comes alive using an interactive white board like Promethean, or how it can be used as a station.

Promethean Workshop Integration

3 Hours 1PM-4PM August 1, 2011 We’re changing our Promethean materials to reflect the newest versions of ActivInspire, dual pens, and Activotes. In Promethean Basic, we’ll cover content previously covered in Levels 1-2. This will be a fast ride from the beginning, but we’ll stop along the way for questions and expert tips.

Promethean Workshop Advanced

3 Hours 1PM-4PM August 2, 2011 In our second session, we’ll cover creating your own interactive flipchart documents, sharing with the Planet, and utilizing Activotes. This covers materials from our flipchart development sessions, and levels 3-4.

During the school year, we plan to offer classes specifically geared towards certain subject areas (language arts, social studies, mathematics, etc.).

Sign-up here!

Filed Under: Learning for Teachers Tagged With: pd, summer

Training is fun?

by John Hendron · Jun 28, 2010

This past week, several Goochland educators took a week off from their summer break to fire-up their computers for some intensive learning inspired, in part, from music DJs and characters in Alice in Wonderland.

bea-alice

Sponsored by the Digispired II and the CVC grants administered by the Institute for Teaching Through Technology and Innovative Practices of Longwood University, teachers spent a full week learning two free applications designed to teach the basics of computer programming to students, supporting STEM-education across the curriculum.

Scratch – the programming environment from the Massachusetts Institute for Technology – lets kids author multimedia movies and games using drag-and-drop programming blocks. Through the Scratch website, students can share their creations with other students. To date, over 1.7 million projects are available for download, and the site encourages “remixing” of projects by other Scratch-ers, worldwide.

Alice – the programming environment created by Dr. Randy Pausch (who recently passed to pancreatic cancer, and who late in life gained fame with his Last Lecture and Last Lecture book) at Carnegie Mellon University – challenges students to create in three dimensional space. The program, now used at colleges and universities, is often used as the first tier in a computing science program. Like Scratch, Alice can be used to create multimedia movies, games, and interactive experiences.

My appreciation goes out to the following Goochland teachers who took part in this event. Deb Cross, GHS, Leona Barnes, GMS, Jamie-Ellen Spessard, RES, Matt Wilson, GHS, Kim Bachmann, GHS, Rhonda Kass, GMS, Nancy Lewis, GHS, and Liz Kuhns, GHS.

Our aim was to have fun – but we hopefully inspired these teachers to take bold steps this year by introducing the basics of programming to their students. My thanks go out to Dr. Manorama Talaiver from Longwood who enabled us to offer this training in Goochland along with students from Longwood and Powhatan county. Please ask our teachers about their experience this summer and how we can inspire more teachers to use these tools to encourage constructionist learning practices in grades 3-12.

Filed Under: General News Tagged With: alice, constructionism, scratch, summer

Summer Tech Update

by John Hendron · May 27, 2010

Have you signed up for any Technology classes for this summer? Take a look at our new, expanded schedule.

Click the picture below to watch our video. Thanks to Mrs. Cantor who learned how to use Apple’s FinalCut Studio Motion application today in making this video.

QT Video

  • Basics 1: Files, Searching, Backups, Preferences and More
  • Basics 2: E-mail, Web, and Chat
  • Basics 3: Productivity: iWork – Pages, Numbers, and Keynote
  • iMovie Projects for High School Students
  • Google Goodies
  • iMovie for Grades 1-3
  • It’s Raining Bits! Digital Buckets and Student Success (tagging, research, digital citizenship)
  • G21 Planning
  • Promethean Master Class

We’ve divided our three-day basics class into three separate classes. Take all three, and get integration credit.

http://www.glnd.k12.va.us/~bcantor/Buzzing.m4v

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Learning for Teachers Tagged With: classes, summer, training

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This is a blog by a Goochland County Public Schools Employee. © 2021 Goochland County Public Schools · PO Box 169 &middot Goochland, VA 23063 · (804) 556-5623

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