Project Promise 2020 from Kim Hall on Vimeo.
Year twenty for me is definitely going to be filled with great challenges and even more satisfaction! This year freshmen students at Morristown Hamblen West and East High Schools are fortunate to be the inaugural class of Project Promise 2020. Our school system, which serves Hamblen County, Tennessee population approximately 65,000, has made a commitment to have a laptop in the hands of every high school student by 2020. This is a phenomenal opportunity for our kids that is going to challenge our teachers to really step up our approach to teaching. And I love a challenge!
This summer was spent joining in Twitter chats, reading books, reading blogs, as well as contemplating my own blogging, something I had never really attempted and which was incredibly intimidating. This experience has left me feeling much like my students must feel when embarking on a new learning adventure: simultaneously excited and scared. My technology skills are mediocre at best, and unfortunately our training has been a little disappointing. I've felt overwhelmed much of the time because I want to do so much. I want to do everything! I'm learning that I need to take baby steps and master a few basics and build on that foundation.
I've been very honest with my kids these early days. We've talked about what I've done to best prepare myself, but I have also discuss my personal fears: how I don't want to let them down, how I worry that my limited technology skills will affect our experience. I've also appealed to them for their help, emphasizing that as digital natives, their knowledge of technology will be a valuable resource for us all. I can't describe how wonderful our conversations have been for the first few days. Honest, genuine interaction that has been incredibly supportive. Everyday my kids and I have grown. And the year is just starting.
Now that we've successfully established our Schoology and Office 365 accounts, today we began exploring Quizlet and Quizizz. It was such a thrill to see kids helping others in their groups. Those that were more comfortable with the computer were helping those who were more hesitant. I enjoyed observing them, listening to them as they talked each other through the steps. We're just scratching the surface, and I have so much to learn, but I have great anticipation for where we're headed.
I know many of the educators I've connected with recently through Twitter are so much more savvy when it comes to the incredible technology resources, and that's okay. I feel incredibly blessed to have such a valuable support group that I can count on to help me as I begin this journey. I'll also enjoy sharing my experiences through my blog. I know my kids will get a kick out of seeing how our journey progresses throughout the year.
2 Comments
Lane
8/5/2016 03:15:46 pm
Ms.Hall,
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Alyssa
8/8/2016 04:00:23 pm
Reading this made me much more excited for the semester ahead. On the first day of school I was extremely nervous about your class. But just after one day your humor and positive personality calmed me down. I am so glad I have you for my English teacher.
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Kim HallEnglish Teacher in the Freshman Academy at Morristown-Hamblen West High School ArchivesCategories |