Teaching Learning Leading K-12

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Providing ideas and resources for K-12 teachers and school-based administrators.

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Many Thanks to:

Dr. Jimmy Stokes, a lifelong leader in education, is the voice in the intro. The current music - Microcosm - was created by Dr. Lodge McCammon. Check out all of the cool things that Lodge does at lodgemccammon.com. The music Yeah, Yeah featured on the earlier episodes was created and provided by Ben Sheffield. Check out more of his music at www.reverbnation.com/dramasceneband

Episode 61: Preparing For Backup

July 9, 2015

If you work with computers and computer files on a regular basis, the most important thing you can do is backup your files. The odds are that at some point you will experience a hard drive crash or a virus/malware infection that could possibly destroy all of your files.

This tip is unique in that, we are not going to talk about how to backup your files, instead we will be discussing how to prepare for a successful backup. These tips will make your backup thorough, complete, and trouble free.

David's 5 Tips for Preparing for a Successful Backup

1. Before you start a backup, you need to clean up your file folders.

2. Make a backup of all of your Browser Bookmarks.

3. make sure all of your files are located in a specific location.

4. Determine the size of your files.

5. Determine your backup medium.

Important stuff:

If you don't know how to backup files, find a youtube video, instructional web page, ask a friend or pay someone to set up and show you how. It's that important!
Even if you work in an environment that does backups, make your own! Remember, it is your data, you are responsible for it, and you will be the one crying if everything is lost!
Test your backups. A backup isn't any good if you can't use it.
Periodically review your backup policies. You might need/want to tweak them. Update your bookmark backups, etc. You might have old files that can be archived on CD/DVD and deleted from the hard drive.

Great advice to take to heart!

So what are you waiting for?

Time to prepare for that backup!

Length: 16:00

Episode 52: Avoiding Junkware with David Rogers

April 23, 2015

Today on Quick Tech Tip David and I talk about… How to Avoid Junkware…

Does junkware drive you nuts?!

It does me!

You know what I’m talking about …as David says, “…the 3^rd party software offers…click and suddenly you have any number of unwanted stuff on your computer.”

David notes, “You go to install legitimate software and then…the installation by default adds something unwanted!”

I think we have all had issues with this headache…especially me…

Listen as David gives you his …

5 Steps to Avoiding Junkware

1. Download from a reliable source

2. Beware of fake download buttons

3. Be alert during the software installation

4. De-select any options to install additional software

5. When in doubt don’t do it!

Enjoy!

And just say no to clicking on those download buttons!

Length: 12:20

Episode 49: Quick Tech Tip… VideoLan Media Player

March 17, 2015

On today's show, David and I talk about VLC or VideoLan.

VLC is a free-open source cross platform multimedia player that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols.

As an Open Source player it is available to users with no financial obligation... although, the producers would like you to donate to them so that they can continue to develop VLC and work on new projects.

VLC (VideoLan) has many features. Check out this list below. (By the way, Teaching Learning Leading K12 does not have a financial obligation to or an affiliation with VideoLan.) It is an amazing opensource tool that will liberate you from other players that have built in issues.

Check it out...we use it on all of our equipment and are truly amazed at the power of this tool.

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Enjoy!

Length: 13:36

Episode 43: Learning in the Fast Lane with Suzy Pepper Rollins

January 15, 2015

Suzy is a math and literacy consultant.

She is mostly known by math teachers for her awesome course called Math in the Fast Lane.

She also was my first guest to be interviewed so check out Episode 2: Math in the Fast Lane with Suzy Pepper Rollins.

Suzy is now a published author and wow did she do it right!

Her book, Learning in the Fast Lane: 8 Ways to Put All Students on the Road to Academic Success is an ASCD hit!

Her 8 ways are …

1. Acceleration: Jump Starting Students Who Are Behind

2. Standards Walls: Transforming Standards into Clear Learning Goals

3. Success Starters: Sparking Student Success Right Away

4. Formative Assessment and Feedback: Checking Student Understanding Minute by Minute

5. Vocabulary Development: Implementing a Strategic Plan

6. Student Work Sessions: Giving Students Greater Responsibility With Valuable Work

7. Student Motivation: Creating Engaging Tasks and a Positive Learning Environment

8. Scaffolding: Providing What’s Missing Just in Time

Her last chapter … 9 is titled Why Are Some Students Still Failing, and What Can We Do About It?

We talk about her path to being a published author and then get into some of the specific details of the book.

Her book is right on the money for being a treasure chest of tools that can be put to use immediately in a classroom. It doesn't require a lengthy book study, on-line course or 1000's of dollars. She cuts through the education jargon and makes it easy to understand what the research says that we should be doing!

There is so much to learn from Suzy and her book!

One caution… If you read this book you will be excited about seeing the change in your students’ success!

You can contact Suzy at

suzypepp@yahoo.com

(404)399-6760

Enjoy!

Additional Links:

Chapter 1: Acceleration

A blog summation of What the Writer Learned Listening to a Webinar with Suzy about Learning in the Fast Lane

Length 53:05

Episode 42: First Year Teaching with Mrs. Melanie Knight

January 8, 2015

Mrs. Melanie Knight is a first year middle school teacher at Wheeler County Middle School, in Alamo, Georgia. She is a graduate of Brewton Parker College’s education program and teaching is in her family tree. She is the daughter of teachers; her father was also a superintendent of Wheeler County Schools as well as her grandfather.

As of the interview, Mrs. Knight is in the middle of her first year of teaching. She uses many instructional strategies, small groups, individual practice, integrated technology, word walls, and other techniques to help the kids get the content. When I asked her where she learned to use these she credited other staff in her school as important mentors.

I had the great fortune of watching her teach. Not only does she have good command of many strong instructional strategies but she also emphasizes a need to develop the students’ understanding of content and academic vocabulary. She uses TIPS (Terms Information Pictures and Sentences)…this is an adaption of something she learned from Learning in the Fast Lane by Suzy Pepper Rollins and what she has been taught by other staff members to develop the students’ understanding of vocabulary.

Mrs. Knight emphasizes the need to create engagement. It is quite noticeable as the kids are up and working and part of the class. They are not passive, but active.

She also has developed an excellent rapport with the kids. She commented, “I’m strict but friendly.” When you walk in her class you are automatically aware that it is a bright and cheerful place to be. She noted, “I use bright colors to help me create a welcoming classroom.”

When I asked her what has been most helpful for her during her first year in teaching she responded, “Help and support from the school staff and family members.” She continued, “It is helpful to have someone to talk to…to talk things out.”

She is a big fan of Pinterest and finds that the social media tool is a great help for getting ideas and support for working with the kids.

I asked her what advice she would give to someone who is getting ready to find their first teaching position and she replied, “Be open to new ideas…Be open to learning…learn from everyone around you.”

Mrs. Knight’s energy and focus on the kids is wonderful!

Enjoy!

Length 29:28