Florida: It's Not All About the Sunshine Anymore

The Sunshine State, most commonly known for warm days, cool nights, soft winds, and an abundance of oceanfront condos, has entered an era where the sunshine is eclipsed by a dark cloud of financial desperation. Not unlike many other states, Florida faces a huge deficit; a deficit that threatens to collapse the financial security of the state. With the election of a Republican governor intent on preventing the state from sure bankruptcy by reducing spending and finding ways to close the financial gap between revenue and expenditures the political landscape is charged with anxiety by those who may very well be the targets of revenue generating initiatives. Public sector employees, fire, police, and particularly teachers have become the focus of editorials demanding that they pay more (or in some cases pay something more than zero) for their health care and retirement plans. Not unlike Michigan, and other states facing financial disaster, Florida has seized the opportunity to confront longstanding contracts that provided teachers with very favorable health care and retirement benefits. The clarion call is for reform that demands greater participation by public sector employees in both areas. The rationale is that private sector employees contribute far more significantly than their public sector peers. Valid argument or not, the paper is rife with Letters to the Editor excoriating teacher in particular for tenure that protects the less able teachers from being terminated with difficult and time-consuming processes. Unfortunately, the issue of financial benefits has become entwined with other working conditions associated with collective bargaining. How this will ultimately unravel the discussion is very much in doubt. In any case, those of us in the profession will need to steel ourselves for a continuing assault and be ready to present cogent and convincing arguments for continuation of the status quo.

As for me, I will spend some time returning to the original Florida mantra: Sunshine, Sunshine, Sunshine and let the controversy continue as I contemplate what book to read, how much sunblock to wear, and when adult beverage time begins. It must be 5:00 somewhere. More later.

Sr. Moody

Is It Deliberate or Deliberate?

After our discussion in class night, I thought about the impending Deliberative Sessions taking place around our state. It occurred to me that there is a distinction between Deliberate (discussing key issues honestly and civilly) and Deliberate in the sense of deliberate action to derail or prevent something from happening. While the Deliberative Session has been designed as an opportunity for open dialogue about the size and scope of school budgets, it is sometimes used as a deliberate and obtuse attempt to derail the budget. It's not that this has anything to do with ED678, but something that I thought of on the way home from class and after having received an email relative to a deliberative session held last night in a neighboring community. The unfortunate part of all of this is that when attendance is low, the likelyhood of an informed citizenry is greatly diminished. Therefore, what happens after the session is as equally or even more important than the meeting itself. The sancity and anonyminity of the voting booth lets ill-informed citizens determine the future of the school system without benefit of deliberation. In this instance the negative connotation of deliberate can be used to confuse the electorate; consequently the school system may be diminished by those intent on using their influence to bring folks to the polling place without benefit of thoughtful discussion and dialogue.

No one asked......just my thought for today!

Dr. Moody

SchoolTube - Learning to Change, Changing to Learn

SchoolTube - Learning to Change, Changing to Learn

SNOW and Technology....Huh!!

On way over to Rivier this morning it occurred to me that technology plays a huge role in how the weather and related school decisions have changed over time. When I first started as a principal, it was my responsibility to make "phone-tree" calls to my teachers. From there I progressed to Assistant Superintendent, where my responsibilities shifted to making telephone calls, not only to staff, but to TV and radio stations passing along our decisions to the public. Oftentimes, the TV lines and radio stations were simply too busy to take the volume of calls and the window of opportunity to notify folks diminished with each busy signal. TV and radio stations then evolved into push-button options, whereby, with a special code could be entered automatically triggering a notice on the radio or TV. From there we have evolved into a technology based system that allows access to all parents via emergency notification systems that can access multiple phone (including cell) numbers notifiying parents, teacher, school board members, and administrators of a closing, delay, emergency, dismissal, lockdown, etc. These technologies, while not universally accepted by parents, who dislike being called early in the AM about a school closing, are slowing becoming THE way to communicate with our various constituencies. Yes, we have evolved from the personal conversation "Hey, John, no school today, go back to bed!" to a voice activated automated message. Clearly, the new technology has provided a more instant access with less stress, and wear and tear on administrators.

In this instance, I would welcome the technology...unfortunately, I was still working with the "This is John calling!" system.

Dr. Moody

Catching up Is Hard to Do....but....keeping up is even more challenging!!!!

It seems that catching up to technology is a challenge for everyone, even the most tech savvy amoungst us. While catching up may be important, it is also challenging to keep up the changing face of technology. A good example is my purchasing an iPad early on and just using it as a communications tool. What I found out is that the iPad is more than just and email, contact, and calendar tool, it is far more than that. Keeping up with the quickly evolving APPS is a challenge. Which ones are productive and what ones are not? Which ones are just for fun and entertainment? Today I am going to purchase The Daily which is a totally electronic newspaper just released yesterday. This tool will be one that I can use personally and one that can enhance my work in education by providing me access to real-time information about not only current events, but technology innovations, sports, world events, etc. I am excited about getting this APP but am mindful that it will present its own challenges. How much of my limited time will I devote to this technology? How will it change the way I veiw world news and other events?

Keeping up only means that we are aware of and understand how technology can influence our personal and professional lives. In our course we will expose you to multiple forms of technology, the challenge for you will be to decide how much your will use that technology in our lives. Don't worrry about catching up.....we'll help you. Don't be afraid to say SLOW DOWN, I need to catch up.

Dr. M

Where are we headed?

As we begin our course in 21st Century Technology in Educational Organizations, we must ask ourselves several questions. Where have we been provides us with perspective on what technololgy means to us as a profession? What technology is emerging that may have significant impact on teaching and learning? and Where are we headed with technology? In our first class one of the students pondered the possible intrusion of technology on the personal relationship that is critical to effective teaching. How do we balance the need to ensure that our students retain their oral and written skills, while simultaneously incorporating technology into the curriculum? Because many of us entered the profession long before technology became a more prevasive presence in classroooms, we do not always understand how to appropriately use technology as a tool to enhance student performance. We also need to be mindful that the skill set that students bring to class through the use of technology at home and in the community creates a need for all of us to become aware of what is there, what is on the horizon, and how to use and understand technology in a way that maintains the unique teacher-student relationship, while at the same time providing students to apply those skills they have in a meaningful way int he classroom.

Dr. Moody