My Intel Inspiring Story - Intel Teach Saves the Day

I just entered in the Intel Inspiring Educators Contest - My entry goes something like this....

Susan Gauthier
Louisiana
Video Setting: A professional development opportunity for librarians

Intel Teach has changed my approach to redelivering professional development. I incorporate the tools, strategies and curriculum of Teach into all of my state initiatives. My video story is just one example of a seamless integration of an Intel tool bringing together technology, content and classroom management into a successful union. But the bottom line for me, as a trainer, is that my educators were engaged, they were invested in their work and they had fun while they learned. What more could I ask?

The teachers are not the only ones to benefit from the Intel content but we cannot forget the students. The Intel Teach professional development program and website models technology which will help students acquire the skills they need to survive in a complex, technological and information literate world.

I could use Showing Evidence to prove why I have an inspiring story or debate this with anyone using Seeing Reason but I am hoping my entry will rank high in the Visual Ranking Tool!

Video Entry

Note: No stick people were harmed in the making of the video

Thinking about Blogs

I am enrolled in a class that is requesting that I reflect on blogging as an assignment. I read through the sample blogs and I prefer the blogs that stick to a professional nature than a personal one. I felt like some of the personal posts were soapboxes for the writer. I would like to read facts and then leave the comments area open for personal opinion instead of the post. This would allow for readers to create their own opinion without bias from the author.

I have abandoned this blog for a bit but the course has given me a new vision for my space. I would like to get back to posting about educational technology. I think that I could share tips and tools with my facilitators in my blog instead of sending out emails with links. A blog is a true commitment and I think that is where my struggle begins.

Thanks for voting!

I LOVE my technology friends! Way to go by voting for my niece at http://centerstagephotography.blogspot.com/2010/01/favorite-image-of-2009-contest-kansas.html She is number 8. If you have not gotten a chance then what are you waiting for...vote!

Hope to see you in Lake Charles at TNT!

It is that time again this year when the Region 5 TLTC works with the annual conference Teaching and Technology (TNT). It is the 11th year for this conference and they are expecting 700 attendees on October 3, 2009. The conference is open to region 5 folks but hopefully there will be some Tweeters there to document all the great things going on that day. You will find me at the booth with the Intel Banner working the table by handing out flyers and bookmarks. I will be doing a session at 1:35 PM entitled License to Thrill: Tools to Capture your Students' Interest. If you are there then please stop by the session or the booth to say hi. I am looking forward to a great day and some good shopping and eating the night before the event.

Port Allen, LA meets Asia!

I was so excited to participate in a webinar for Asian Intel Senior Trainers. I wasn’t quite sure if Asia was ready for a Port Allen girl but I think it was a perfect match. We were asked to spotlight a couple of web 2.0 tools. I presented my materials using Prezi and I spotlighted Glogster EDU glogs that were created by Louisiana students. A big shout goes to Jan McGee of Ouachita Parish for sending me some glogs that were created on the Revolutionary War. My niece created a glog on her summer reading – Three Cups of Tea which was awesome. She said Glogster was a cool web 2.0 tool and she wished that her teachers would use these types of sites instead of the boring web 2.0. I am not sure what exactly what is Boring web 2.0 but I take any compliment that I can get. Prezi was also a big hit so check it out if you want to go outside of the box with your presentations – this ain’t yo mamma’s PowerPoint. The experience was so incredibly cool that it made it sit back and think of the great opportunities that have passed my way all because I am an Intel trainer. I also have to think about all the people that I have encountered. I have met so many state educators that I would never have known except maybe by name. I feel a part of an educational whole instead of just a girl (or should I say glamorous lady) who works behind the desk in the DOE building. I look forward to working with all of you this school year and I can’t wait to get one of the enormous cookies at our MT celebration at LACUE. We will have our luncheon at LACUE and details will follow in upcoming months.

Glogster

I am having such a great time with Glogter

Discovering Discovery Education

I just conducted my first training with Discovery Education Streaming. Wow! This tool come a long way since the days of United Streaming. I had a few fellow educators from the Department of Education join me for lunch and a training. I was limited in time but what a productive hour! I was able to show the basics of the site and discuss exporting clips and pictures. A great time was had by all. I think I see future lunch trainings with Discovery....