http://cookp.edublogs.org The life, times and evolution of an educator Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:31:10 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I have noticed a lot of chatter on twitter about merit pay and other systems of teacher compensation. The school where I currently work is also looking at changing its' model for faculty compensation. What do you think? Are teachers much more than a pay scale based ... http://cookp.edublogs.org/2009/11/06/how-do-you-think-educators-should-be-compensated/ A new group has been formed at my school seeking to define the best practices in terms of fostering a professional learning amongst colleagues on campus.  Our goals are influenced by research by Judith Warren Little (1981), whose definition of collegiality encompasses four specific behaviors: (I)  Adults talk about best practice ... http://cookp.edublogs.org/2009/03/10/designing-a-great-professional-learning-community-and-fostering-collegiality/ I have come to the point of acceptance with the fact that my teaching job leaves little blogging time. But, I had a bug in my ear tonight to get some video onto youtube, and it also serves as a good opportunity to post some activities. This first video is ... http://cookp.edublogs.org/2009/01/13/finally-catching-up/ Well, I guess it had to happen sometime. I finally got around to selling my iBook. It is amazing home nostalgic I feel as I package it up and wrap it to send to its' new owner. This was the first computer that I purchased on my own. ... http://cookp.edublogs.org/2008/12/24/farewell-good-friend/ Just this past weekend, I was able to attend the Classroom 2.0 LIVE Chicago gathering in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago (just a few blocks from President-elect Obama's home!). It was a very organic gathering of ed techies and educators (and an NPR reporter as well). We discussed ... http://cookp.edublogs.org/2008/11/14/classroom-20-live-chicago-event/ Tonight I will be conducting my second annual chemistry demonstration show, "Chem-o-ween 2008" at the Culver Academies.  This is the first time the event will be streamed live via ustream.  Check back tonight at 6pm EDT for the show! Free TV Show from Ustream http://cookp.edublogs.org/2008/10/28/chem-o-ween-2008-live-video-feed/ because of cartoons like this Thank you, xkcd, for making my day. http://cookp.edublogs.org/2008/09/26/this-is-why-i-love-xkcd/ Earlier this afternoon I found out (through my PLN via Twitter) that a new web app called Edmodo had just launched.  Edmodo is aimed squarely at the education community and seeks to provide a Twitter-like experience within a structured group environment.  So far, it looks promising.  It is easy enough ... http://cookp.edublogs.org/2008/09/03/edmodo-launches/ This has been an extremely eventful summer for me.  Spending eight weeks participating in the RET program at Notre Dame proved to be challenging and stimulating.  A week-long jaunt to Boston for Alan November's wonderful Building Learning Communities dropped me head-first into the education 2.0 world.  As school is now ... http://cookp.edublogs.org/2008/08/20/reflections-on-summer-2008/ Calgoo Connect.  Having to manage work at school using a Dell laptop and being a strictly Mac household, some irritating incompatabilities arise.  I rely upon my Outlook mail/calendar at school to keep my sanity.  Although I am able to use a web-based client for outlook, it is not nearly as ... http://cookp.edublogs.org/2008/08/15/i-love/