7/05     What did you learn today?

7/06     What did you learn today?

7/07     What did you learn today?

7/08     What did you learn today?

Made myself more familiar with Diigo thanks to @kyteacher attaching some great sites that fit with our Ky. Core Content Standards.  I hope to add some of my own very soon as I become more familiar with the site so that we can share with teachers either via Diigo or Delicious here in our district.

I also downloaded the new Promethean Planet App onto my iPod Touch thanks to being informed by @activedcuator.  The app will be nice when sitting and waiting for something and needing to be productive.  Very useful in being able to read up on the latest news and blogs from Promethean as well as being able to preview flip charts for future lesson planning! 

7/09     What did you learn today?

sent me some great links to his class and personal blogs to help me out with ideas for the class blog I want to start this year for my classes. ~ posted by @a_dowling

7/10     What did you learn today?

Learned a ton about merit pay today. I had gone into the day thinking that it was a great idea - who wouldn't try harder if there was a monetary incentive?  Would I?  (could I?)  By the end of the conversations and sharing of resources I was convinced that merit pay probably isn't the answer.  In someone else's words, would Obama do better if we offered to pay him more?  Or would he do what he needs to do to make it appear as if he was more effective?  Enough with the games, let's get the teachers excited about what they're doing and they will do their best.

I also learned that Twitter should not be used as a place to meet single women.  But that was just many peoples' opinions - not sure I agree :-)

In response, @rjwassink, merit pay only works if you are a classroom teacher with enough standardized test data to 'prove' that you're doing an amazing job.  I can't imagine any other way to objectively 'assess' teachers without favoritism. Even a rubric could be problematic.  As a lab teacher, I would never see a bonus in my pay :-) I don't have the luxury of giving kids standardized tests.  You are right about it becoming a big 'game' to make more money.  Hey- I've got an idea- why don't we just be more selective and professional in hiring/firing of teachers and then <gasp> pay them more?!

@ssjenk6 - Played around with Glogster and made some nice connection on Twitter as I made way through and got some questions answered on how to add text and such.  Also discovered the Classroom 2.0 Ning..Not sure where I had been and missed that one before now!!  Great site.  I also learned how to take my Diigo bookmarks and publish them to my blog!!  http://susankerrjenkins.blogspot.com

7/11     What did you learn today?

Vicki Davis' most recent post got me thinking about the way I use technology and how it may/may not affect my personal relationships (see my blog post: http://philly-teacher.blogspot.com) -- @mbteach