Introductions!

[Jana Craig Hare]

Please introduce yourself, tell where you're from, and share your greatest technology "a-ha" in the classroom!

[Tracy Piepho]

I teach 5th grade in Tescott, KS and I love teaching! We are a Phase III Grant Program and technology rocks! My greatest "a-ha" was when one of my struggling students said,"Mr. Piepho, can we blog instead of write our answers." They didn't see the computers as writing, but as communication.

[Destiny Walker]

It is great when students can use technology as a way of communication. There is more to computers than using it for writing and projects. It is a way for communication.

[Dawn See]

I teach science and social studies at Winfield Intermediate School. Next year will be lucky year 13 for me. We tried out an online book this year and my greatest moment was when the kids came in the door asking, "Do we get to read in the book today?" We convinced the curriculum coordinator we needed to puchase the book and she convinced the school board. Now we have a six year license for a science book that is totally cool.

[s.purl]

A few questions about the online book...do you also have a text edition? Do you have enough computers for each child, or do they share? And, do they get access for home? I have heard a few comments about local schools looking into online or CD books. How do they rate as far as price (as compared to traditional books)? I'm just curious as to how they work.

[RachelleS]

My name is Rachelle Swearingen and I am a fourth grade teacher in Bennington, Kansas. My students are always more motivated to demonstrate what they've learned when they get to choose a project to do on their laptops.

[Lisa L. Ouderkirk]

Hi! I am Lisa Ouderkirk. I teach 4th grade at Tescott Grade School. I am a TRC classroom and love that I get to use all this cool stuff in my room. My best "aha" this year was when the students asked when they could "show off" their work to the other classes. They usually don't want anyone else to see their stuff!

[Linda Loder]

I work for Smoky Hill Education Service Center in Salina, and I have been the mentor for two TRC grants. I have several schools where I mentor technology integration teachers. The I-TEAM (Instructional Technology Empowered Academic Mentors) from some of these schools are going to participate with me on this site! I'm excited to see where this goes!
My biggest 'a-ha' moment was probably when I introduced laptops for the first time in one of the schools I've mentored. We had 47 fifth grade students, two teachers, on para, and myself in one classroom, and the kids were so attentive and excited that we kept at it for THREE hours instead of the forty-five minutes we'd originally planned to spend. It was phenomenal!

[Kay Good]

Hello all! I am a PreK-12 School Media Specialist in Tescott, Kansas. Our school and district has been involved in the TRC Grant programs and we graduated this year! YEAH! Being a librarian is a fun and exciting experience. I love seeing all the different ages and working with them. Being in a small school is awesome because you get to work closely with most of the students.
One of my greatest AH-HA tech moments was when I first started using a multimedia projector with my library classes. We were doing a seasonal unit about fall and I found web cams that were set up in various parts of the United States. The kids were amazed to check the sites and see the different progress and change that occurred weekly. Several of the cams focused on the trees and landscape, but we also viewed some prairie settings and beach areas.
I hope this group becomes an active area where we can share our successes and our failures if we so desire. We all learn by doing!

[Misty Bradley]

I teach junior high and high school math in Bennington. My students are always more motivated to learn the math facts when we use computer games and technology. They no longer see it as work but as play! I am really lucky that I got to start off my teaching career with technology and can not even imagine not having it.

[Juanita Morris]

Hello ! I am Juanita Morris and I have taught high school English for 30+ years, most of them in Bennington, Kansas. Our school initiated a program last year for each high school student to have a laptop computer. It was great. Many new learning experiences for both students and teachers. Now I am a member of our district iteam. I am always looking for new ways to use technology to improve my student's education. Technology has added a refreshed excitement to teaching for me.

[Teresa]

Hi! I am a 5th grade teacher at Minneapolis Grade School. I am really enjoying using technology in my classroom. It has not always been easy. My technology "a-ha" is when some students asked if they could go above and beyond the required assignment.

[Janette Wedel]

Hi, Jana! My name is Janette Wedel, and I teach 4th grade at Minneapolis, KS. I just began using technology in my classroom as part of the INTEL Teach to the Future program. I am entering my 3rd year in the program. My greatest A-Ha moment has been that after teaching a concept in class --- I let the kids practice the same skill on their laptops, whether it be a math skill, or an interactive English activity, etc. They don't want to stop. If I gave them the same homework assignment on pencil and paper, there would be loud moaning, wailing, and grinding of teeth. I love how technology excites my kids to learn.