Thoughts from a First-Timer

NYSCATE Conference Day 1-

So it was my first time at the Annual NYSCATE Conference in Rochester, NY.

For my friends abroad and outside of NY, NYSCATE is the New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education ( http://www.nyscate.org/ ).

I’d wanted to participate in this conference for a few years, but unfortunately, was unable until this year.

I arrived at the Rochester Radisson on a Sunday afternoon and jumped right into breakout sessions with people in the field of Instructional Technology. I was excited, energized and open to hearing new ideas about how to better implement technology into my classroom to better serve my students. When I say “better serve my students”, what I mean is, give them the most useful and in-depth education as I can with the resources that are readily available to me.

The first session I attended was about project-based learning (which was a key phrase used in many of the sessions that I attended). The presenter was a representative from Tech4learning ( http://www.tech4learning.com/ ) . It was a brief overview of the capabilities of two different types of software (Pixie and Frames4). Both of these have some great potential to involve students in project based learning activities. However, there is one hurdle to overcome…one to one computing. (pay attention, this hurdle will present itself again…)

I then attended a session about open knowledge. The main focus was about the different types of licensing available (i.e. Creative Commons) for produced works such as lessons, activities, photos and media clips. This was quite informative. It increased my awareness of how I have been using content online and how I should be paying attention to licensing guidelines.

My next session was with Chris Lehmann. ( http://www.practicaltheory.org/serendipity/ )

ENTHRALLED. That is what pops to mind. I was enthralled. Motivated. Amazed. Energized. What this man and his team have done for children is amazing. His ideas about trusting students and giving them a fair shot at the education that they need NOW (not the type of education they needed 10, 20 or 30 years ago) are quite simply astounding and progressive. He is the founder and principal of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. ( www.scienceleadership.org/drupaled/ ).

Chris Lehmann also delivered a keynote address for the conference. He further expanded upon his visions and the systemic change that needs to take place to better educate kids to live in today’s world. While listening, I felt excited to be part of the group of education professionals listening, yet I felt sad. I was sad because,(for a purely selfish reason) my child is forced to "settle" for an education that doesn't seem to fit him, mostly because of two reasons: our habitational geography and some kind of unwillingness amongst the people teaching him to change and adapt and follow the obvious transformation that our culture seems to involved in. He's receiving an education that doesn't quite seem to utilize his strengths (actually quashes them to an extent) and exacerbates his weaknesses. It frightens me that they might destroy that wonder, creativity and passion that he's had since the first day I held him in my arms.


Day 1 was an enlightening day. A day that made me think. A day that made me wonder.
More about Day 2 tomorrow...or maybe just later, depends on my mood.

Lovely Evening Stroll

Lovely Evening Stroll
Originally uploaded by Jen Laubscher

Lighted Way

Lighted Way
Originally uploaded by Jen Laubscher

Reproduction

milkweed3
Originally uploaded by Jen Laubscher

Whilst on a short trip to Croghan, NY, I saw HUNDREDS of these milkweeds that had gone to seed. The light was hitting them in such a way that they almost glowed against the background of the gray and dreary forest road. They reminded me of something. They reminded me, (at a time when I REALLY NEEDED to be reminded) that there is always something beautiful, you just need to open up your eyes and look around for it.
It's been really hard to do that lately. So many things seem to be getting to me. The change in the weather. The difficult days at work. The hard times at home. The constant berating from someone. It all just gets so heavy. It was difficult to see the light with so much piled up.
This tiny little milkweed with its beautiful process of reprodcution, standing strong against the impending winter, absorbing as much sunlight as possible just reminded me to SEEK the sunlight.

Mother Son Connection

This morning when I woke, I remembered the dream that I had had. Sometimes this happens to me. Sometimes not. But today, I did. I remember that I was on a tour in Argentina, and got sidetracked with a very attractive friend from my past. We were so into looking around and doing things in Argentina, that we missed our train (as we were travelling with a group) and had to make arrangements on our own. The only problems were, that we didn't speak the language and it was very dark out. We didn't have flashlights, or our carry on luggage. We didn't have a grasp of the language. We had left all of our information regarding our next hotel in the unavailable carry on luggage. We only knew the city that would be our next destination. Essentially, we were feeling quite lost, and anxious.

So that was MY dream, that I had last night. The first word that I remembered when I awoke this morning was ARGENTINA. (Remember this...)

Alex, my darling offspring, has been staying at his father's house for about 1 1/2 weeks. We've talked probably 5 or six times. Usually about school, the dog and about Star Wars (of course).
This morning I called and said "Good morning Bub, how are you?" ....his reply...

"Hi Mom. Where is Argentina??" (This is where I am left speechless and dumbfounded for a few seconds). I said "What? Why?"

His reply: "Well, I had this dream last night" (I KNOW, RIGHT? STRANGE!!)
"Oh yeah Bud, about what?"
Alex: "Well I was in Argentina. I was in this small village with huts and there were kids playing all around. It was really dark. I asked someone where I was. They said I was in Argentina. All I know Mom, is that I was looking for something very important. "
"Mom? Mom? You there? Hello?....."

So this is when I told him that I too had a dream where I was in Argentina and had gotten lost. He expressed how he felt that we are telepathically connected.

So, does anyone have any thoughts on this?

How did this happen? Why Argentina?

Alex believes that now we have been given a "sign" that we should go to Argentina.

I'm quite sure I understand the intrepreted meaning of both dreams. Lots of symbolism. I'm good with symbolism. However, I am in awe, that on the same evening, we had such a connected experience.

Is it possible that we have such a strong bond that we share certain energies? Or thoughts? If this were something "benign" that we often spoke about or something, this wouldn't be as shocking. But the location of Argentina; well , this is something that we have never had discussions about. It is an unknown place to both of us really. I have a basic understanding of the location. Alex only knew that it was in South America.

I've also always known that I've had a pretty special kid. He has always had such insight and interesting perspective. Now, that we have had this happen, it is so hard to deny that there is something special about him, or about our mother/son relationship.

Another Pretty Thing

Summer Photos (July -August)

A Smattering of France Photos

New Rose

Whoa

Whoa.

I'm leaving for France in one week, and one day. I'm not really sure this is real yet. I've been trying to not count down the days so that the time goes by faster. It seems to have worked, because NOW that I am actual'ly counting, I am worried about things to pack and how many tranquilizers to take on the plane.

I really wasn't this bad about planes before. I wasn't overly crazy about them, but I dealt with the whole process much better.

I have attributed my newer, more intense fear to a couple of things. (Comment all you want about these btw).

The first thing I think is that now, I am a parent. The thought of my child losing me, and inevitibly me missing out on what he becomes, scares the crud right out of me. He has saved my life in soooo many ways and knowing him has made a much better human being. So, that is reason 1.

Reason 2: 9/11. 'Nuff said.

and Reason 3: I've recently become more insightful of my own control issues. I feel like I need to control my life etc..which isn't a bad thing, except when you die, is really not in your own control (most of the time...)

So these three things are the things I've been working on. And they are why this trip (as important and freeing as travelling already is) is so important to me. It is a trip that will help me face my fears.

Oh yeah, there are more things that I will be facing while there. I know, I am scared of a lot of things.

I WILL and I repeat WILL go up Le Tour Eiffel this time. Last time, I was a 15 year old drama queen scaredy cat and really could not FATHOM the magnitude of that MISSED OPPORTUNITY! Conquer #1: Fear of Heights. Check that off.

I WILL feel confident (even though I am probably a lot larger than most French women) when I walk down the street in my cute little sundresses. Conquer #2 Fear of People Pointing and Laughing. (Sounds dumb right....but there are soooo many reasons that I am the way I am) Check that off.

The other is not really a fear, but a feat of parenthood. I WILL be a free, single woman. I will continue to love my wonderful son with all of my heart and I will still be his mom. I will be on the other side of a rather large ocean, living out PART of my dreams, but I will still be with him. I really want him to know that you CAN do anything that you want, you just have to make a plan, and try your hardest to follow, even in discouraging times. So yeah, maybe there is a fear, or at least an anxiety that feeds that. Conquer #3 Fear that my son will not follow his dreams because they get "too hard". I am hoping that this trip I am taking teaches him more about what he can do too.

Big Big Experience.

Gardening

Peaceful

What's Around the Bend?

Hiding from Spring

My Buddy Bob, the Brave Bird

Meet my breakfast buddy! I named him "Bob Marley"
He came and sat on the chair that I was resting my feet on
during breakfast this morning. I think he had a message for
me which is why I named him Bob Marley.

My Flowers

The Path Ahead of You

Working Hard

Along the Way

Tiny Imperfection

A beautiful daisy in a field of thousands.

Favorite Spot

I miss my dog

I'm sitting here. It's raining. I realize that I am missing my dog immensly right now. She would have been on my lap napping during this day of rainstorms. She was really "someone" who always was happy to see me and was willing to snuggle.

I know that is was the best thing to give her to Alex's grandma. It was best for her. Not so much for me. She wasn't getting the attention during the day that she should get and she definitely was not getting the amount of exercise that a beagle needs, and so I gave her away. And I miss her (did I already say that?). She now, however, is getting lots of exercise and has people to keep her company all day long. She has the freedom to chase birds and squirrels and has a wide open field to run and dig holes in. I had to come to terms with the fact that a dog needs more than love. Love is something very important to give them, but they need more.

And that leads me to kids.

Alot of people that I work with (not co-workers. Parents of students and clients) think that because they "love" their kid, they are giving them what they need. What they are not thinking of is that just like my beagle, children need stimulation and guidance, and boundaries, and expressed interest, and a whole list of other things to make them happy and adjusted. I wish that I could figure out a way to let them know this in a non-judgemental way; a caring way.

Here is my Ruby. Like my son, she has taught me alot about life and about myself. I love her and miss her.

Ok, so it's been a week or two. I've fallen behind. Sue me.
I'm so tired of fighting about homework. So the question arises, does homework really help my child (or any child for that matter) learn the material better? Or is it merely a way to teach responsibility. And if the latter is true, can't we as parents/teachers find a different way to teach this virtue? Quite frankly, I KNOW my child is not getting ANY academic value from his homework. It really boils down to one or two things.
1) Responsibility (as mentioned already)
2) A teacher's round about way of keeping parents (including the apathetic ones) abreast of what is going on and what children are learning about in class.

I have to say, if it #2, I'd rather have a newsletter thanks.
And if it is about #1, I'd rather teach responsibility in a different way thanks.

This realization has prompted me to re-think my classroom homework policies.

As a parent, homework makes me want to lock myself in my room with a bottle of wine and let my child figure it out, but being the caring parent that I am, I try to help and we only end up arguing about it.

UGH

Mossy Stump

Mossy Stump
Originally uploaded by Jen Laubscher

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.