10th Annual Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards

The Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards were just announced in the February issue of eSchool News. These awards are sponsored by K12 Inc., Promethean, the Pearson Foundation, and JDL Horizon's Eduvision. Chosen by the editors of eSchool News, with help from last year's winners, these exemplary leaders transform teaching and learning through the use of technology.

According to eSchool News, some of the criteria for selection include:

1) Models the effective use of technology in the day-to-day execution of the superintendency.

2) Demonstrates exceptional vision in leading the development and implementation of a districtwide technology plan.

3) Provides exceptional leadership in supporting the integration of technology into the curriculum.

Imagine my delight to find out that one of this year's recipients is Dr. Amy Sichel, Superintendent of the Abington School District in Pennsylvania. Dr. Sichel is a childhood friend of mine who I have known since Kindergarten. Besides this award, she was recently named the 2010 Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year!

As a teacher and instructional technology specialist, I applaud the winners of the 10th Annual Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards.

Kiva Loans Change Lives

I have been donating to Kiva for about a year now. It is so gratifying to know that I am helping people better their lives and the lives of those around them!

What is KIVA? Kiva's mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty. Kiva empowers individuals to lend to an entrepreneur across the globe. By combining microfinance with the internet, Kiva is creating a global community of people connected through lending.

Kiva promotes:
Dignity: Kiva encourages partnership relationships as opposed to benefactor relationships. Partnership relationships are characterized by mutual dignity and respect.

Accountability: Loans encourage more accountability than donations where repayment is not expected.

Transparency: The Kiva website is an open platform where communication can flow freely around the world.

As of November 2009, Kiva has facilitated over $100 million in loans.

Today I donated to a Village Food Bank in Cambodia. Previously, I helped Suzzy Osayuki open a grocery store in Nigeria. A little bit goes a long way!!

Artsonia

My school is a member of Artsonia, the largest online student art museum. Artsonia showcases artwork from thousands of schools around the world. Artsonia’s goals are to help develop students’ pride and self-esteem, increase their multicultural understanding through art and involve parents and relatives in student education and accomplishments.

Besides showcasing our students’ artwork on the Internet for the world to see, Artsonia also offers parents high quality gift items imprinted with their child’s own artwork. Each school receives 15% of the total order revenue. Therefore, not only are these products excellent gifts for friends and family, but every order directly supports the educational program here at my school. Some of the gifts include t-shirts, jewelry boxes, key chains, and greeting cards.

Artsonia is a safe, secure site where teachers can create an account and upload images to an art gallery. I categorize my galleries by grade level and class period. Last year, my school received a check for $50 from all the gifts that parents ordered!!

Google SketchUp

I've been using Google SketchUp for the past two years in my 8th grade classroom. SketchUp is a free 3D software program that allows you to build models of most anything. It is very easy to use and the Tutorials are excellent. In fact, most of my students use the video and self-paced tutorials to teach themselves how to create the models. There is a Google 3D Warehouse where you can place your own models or upload someone else's. There are numerous ways to use SketchUp in the classroom to integrate different areas of the curriculum. Mathematically, students can use geometry as well as basic measurements when they are building structures. For history, students might create an ancient city. The Industrial Arts teacher at my school has her students create model cars using SketchUp before beginning the actual building process. One of my students built a model of a computer, and another student built an entire neighborhood! This is also a great way to involve visual learners. CLICK on the images to enlarge them!