It’s easy to see in this first picture that the cowardly lion is scared of his own shadow… we don’t know why he’s that way… maybe fear of failure, maybe negative words that he’s encountered as he tried new things, maybe just a personality that makes it more difficult for him to step out in faith… whatever the cause, Dorothy as well as the wizard recognize that he has the potential to overcome his fears! 

My greatest AH-HA moment didn’t involve any lions, it did however, involve several machine operators who, although they were definitely the most knowledgeable and had the most expertise, were afraid to share their opinions.  The best part about this whole situation was seeing the LEAN MANUFACTURING concepts work miracles.  Just as seeing the “Courage” already alive in the cowardly lion empowered him to be brave… seeking advice from the operators in the Total Productive Maintenance process empowered them to feel engaged and created an attitude of buy in.   As they spoke, they talked about, “my machine” which really lets you know that they do have ownership and a sense of pride.  Thanks to LEAN those hidden traits are exposed by granting a simple medal bearing the term “TEAM.”

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/tom-margie/3088753226/”>twm1340</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/”>cc</a>

While considering the question, I had to first of all examine technology practices prior to common core.  What were the best and worst practices? How were practices related to the NCSCOS? (OR were they might be a better question??) I think that often technology for the hype of technology gets the better of even some of the best teachers.  They feel threatened by those who use technology (in the form of new hardware and software… not the true definition of technology) and fear that their lack of experience and implementation could prove detrimental on evaluations and opportunities.  In the same way that Dorothy might choose Iron man over Tin man (for obvious reasons… even besides the fact that Tony Starke is a real person not made of tin)… many times we chose the use of technology for pure glamor.  Because there are so many tools that are actually designed to make work easier/ more efficient (the true definition of technology) … tools like classdojo, haikudeck, animoto, edmodo… just to name a few…tools that allow teachers to be more efficient and allow for sharing of information in more applicable ways… I think that technology will be more positively influenced ONLY if the technology is tailored to a need! The new essential standards and common core have used up a lot of time for teachers, as they rethink rigor and curriculum…Maybe we’ll miss Tin man for his experiences that he shared, and want to visit him because we know what to expect from him, but Ironman can surely move us forward because with proper interaction he can offer so much more than Tin man can 🙂

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdhancock/6871290760/”>JD Hancock</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>cc</a>

The key term for the connection with my time in IR would be COMMUNICATION!  I was so surprised at the level of communication necessary for manufacturing operations to run smoothly.  Not only oral communicaiton but written as well.  For example if the Tinman needs oil each day and doesn’t communicate that in writing to the scarecrow, then when the Tinman misses his oil and becomes rusted… then WHAT?  He can’t tell the scarecrow what he needs… it’s too late.  Also, the Scarecrow is greatly affected by heat and fire… what happens if that is not written down in a manner that is clear.  Someone might invite Scarecrow to a bondfire or Luau and BOY OH BOY would he be in Kansas without a hotair balloon!!! 

Effective communication is a deficiency in Middle School children! (And lots of adults too!) So I pondered, how can I use this as a key concept in my unit????? Then epiphany (hot air ballon from the sky)… I remembered part of the activity that one of the Castle of Glinda the Good ( AKA :NCCAT) presenters did… while trying as a team to create the highest tower with pipecleaners, we were forced to not communicate.  After a little more pondering and clicking of the slippers… what if each team of students was a part of a global manufacturing company trying to create a “product” (ie. lego shape, origami item, etc) and they had lost the ability to communicate by anything but “TEXT” (not to be confused with “texting”)… they each would have a set of instructions for part of the building process, but only ONE part… they would have all the materials for the completed item…they could be forced to interact using a backchannel and that would hit home the concept of why writing skills and effective communication are so important!

What a powerful lesson from the Tinman and the Scarecrow!!!

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/playingwithpsp/545093926/”>’Playingwithbrushes'</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>cc</a>

As I pondered the question, “what are the greatest challenges for leveraging technology to empower learning in your classroom and school?”… I thought first of the obvious… FUNDS!  However, that is an issue with everything surrounding education, so I took a different angle.  Some educators/ administrators/ curriculum specialists believe that utilizing technology in the classroom can engage students in authentic learning.  They believe that in turn, students will be more self motivated and learning will reach higher levels on Blooms’ Revised Taxonomy. Eventually technology use becomes the “Ruby Slippers” magically transporting education to a new dimension…

http://logintoliteracy.wordpress.com/

Others see technology as “Flying Monkeys”, there to take us away from what is really important in education; leading us down pathways that are confusing and unclear… the theatrics may be impressive, but eventually we have to find a new way to be successful.

I find myself sitting in the fence of indecision… and as I often do when faced with a quandary, I consult my own “Crystal Ball” of information… eduTopia…after doing a thorough search and reading loads of information, I decided that the best information I found was

Tech2Learn: Success Stories of Technology Integration in the Classroom

which provided an incredible amount of information as well as insight on the ” How to make it work.”                              I also happened upon a post about finding funds for technology ; listing many opportunities for teachers to write grants and/or apply for funding for classroom technology.  So, I guess “Dorothy” has decided that one of the biggest challenges in leveraging technology in education is education itself in the form of relevant professional development… after all wouldn’t it be fabulous if everyone could have the experience we had at NCCAT??

The very best part of being in the RED PALACE OF Glinda the GOOD (AKA… NCCAT) were the great connections I made!!  Not only was it incredible to be in the company of so many like-minded people, but the small group shown in the photo became even more!!!  Each one of us made a personal connection with each other on our hikes across WCU (they didn’t even abandon me when the WCU Catamounts weren’t too happy about my ASU shirt 🙂

Not only did we share ideas and situations,but we also hashed out our concerns and helped each other troubleshoot some possible pitfalls!

As Karen contemplated the land of IR and the experiences she would have, she wondered what new ideas and technologies awaited her. Most of all she wondered WHO would be there as experts along the path to add insight into the journey from being LOST in an unfamiliar world of IR (Lean Manufacturing) to finding ways to be the guide for others on this pathway.  She hoped to add an arsenal of new colleagues with expertise, experience, and shared enthusiasm.  She also wanted to gain real world knowledge and career information related to being successful in IR and LEAN Manufacturing.  This knowledge she would share with the Munchkins (kids) when she returned home (WEMS).  She would also collaborate with others like herself who were seeking to empower the next generations of adventurers on their journeys to enlightenment and empowerment.  The story continues…