Just Around the Corner

School is just around the corner and with that comes last minute preparation for a year full of firsts. I am the Director of Academic Technology, I have redesigned my AP World History class as well as my World Civilizations II class and I am starting graduate school.

Director of Academic Technology

This is a new position at my school and with it comes a lot of opportunities and potential directions but will require a strong focus. As I see it for a school that is moving towards potentially becoming completely 1 to 1 in the next few years, my primary goal should be to make faculty and students familiar and comfortable with the tools that can best suit their needs. It is a matter of identification and simplification. At this point presenting too much would push our potential adopters away before they would even see the advantages of the technology I am introducing. Beginning a position like this will take tact and patience. You have to listen and build relationships before you go too far "off the deep end".

One of my priorities this year is to promote student voice. I am a coach, teacher, advisor and friend to many of the students on campus and one of the things I hear most often is that they aren't heard and don't know what's going on around campus. Part of my goal this year is to use technology to help resolve these problems.

AP World History

This will be my second year teaching AP World History and my focus this year will be to build the historical habits of mind that are required for the exam. My focus isn't to teach to the test but rather to provide them the skills necessary for deep examination of the content, which in turn will prepare them for the exam.

I have revamped my class so that it is much more linear in chronology but the class will work on document analysis, their writing, and debate as a way to support the chronology.

I will also be having professors from universities from near and far presenting in person and virtually to my students on topics ranging from Eastern belief systems to Eastern Europe in the 20th century.

It will be a lot of work this year in preparing the lessons and making sure the students are on track but the reward will be worth it.

World Civilizations II

This year I will be teaching one of my classes using the Understanding By Design method. My World Civilizations II class is going to be project based. The idea is that by using themes I want my students to understand how we got from 1450 to the present. The projects will be the final assessment as they work through the essential questions that I will present to the class.

I have overhauled this class in effort to bring in a deeper understanding of how our present was shaped by the past while helping my students understand the value of asking questions and investigation. One of the highlights for me will be the field trips that we will be conducting for each of the themes that the class will cover.

Graduate School

I am going back to school. I have asked myself a number of times why now. I have thought about this often especially since I am beginning so many new things at once as well as coaching my cross-country team. But as I mull over this I always come back to the same answer.

I am driven and see a M.A. program focusing on Technology and Education as a path that will provide me a better understanding of what how technology can further the educational landscape. As our world changes and schools grasp to keep up, technology will play a huge role.

While this degree will not make me a fortune teller, it will provide me with the skills to understand the trends as they occur and predict the best approach for my school.

And Their Off

And so on Monday the year begins, meetings will start and chaos will ensure. No matter if you are like me and are entering into a great deal of change or are starting the same job, simplify your life, bite only what you can chew, and take one step at a time. While my life doesn't look like I'm taking my own medicine, even with a crazy schedule if you set realistic goals and are persistent, you will succeed.