Well, to quote Lori Holst: "There was progress".
Collectively, the group worked together to figure out iMovie and the details of using Lori's Hovercam, in making movies. We also discussed at length the possible options for placing our movies in Teachertube, the cloud, a district hard drive, or a external hard-drive that might be a valuable resource for the department(math since 3 of us are math teachers).
Personally, I have only experimented a little with iMovie, and have not begun recording lessons or examples.
I feel a little overwhelmed, honestly. Teaching has its own set of unique responsibilities like keeping up with the gradebook(otherwise the students are always asking what is what!), grading of homework, quizes, and tests, new teacher responsibilities like preparing goals and directives for my mentor, my observer, and that doesn't even count the planning of each new days lesson! The PLC project has taken a back seat to all of these other things; sadly, since it seems that it would make a worthwhile experience and tool. By the looks of it, Zak, Parbs, and Holst are all using videos effectively and creating differentiated classrooms in the midst of the regular chaos that is high school teaching. I wonder when I'll get caught up, and what life will look like when I do...
Using all that I am blessed with, I am moving forward in each class learning each day as I teach.
The students and teachers around me are turning out to be supremely valuable resources for my experience and thankfully ehlp each day seem fresh and exciting despite the troubles that are a lack of time, and a constant fatigue.
Anyhoo, Until we meet again my blog & diary dujour
The challenges of a first year teacher!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget...one step at a time. You can't sprint this marathon called teaching!
Stay focused on what you CAN do instead of all the things you NEED and WANT to do!
...and don't forget to celebrate your successes...no matter how small!
Success builds on success!