The Kvetching Korner

Well, Im back from three days at TCEA.  Probably the most informative convention (technologically) that I have ever attended.  The Education Technology Symposium on Tuesday was awesome with lots of interesting topics ranging from rich/poor high school comparison to hands-off/hands-on distance learning labs where the teachers take more or less interest in the needs of the students.  Interestingly enough, the kids that had least teacher contact had just about the same achievement level as those who were “hand held” and spoon-fed”.  The InDesign, GoLive, DreamWeaver workshops were awesome.  Lots of good tips and tricks for Office 2007.  Vicky Abney was my “buddy” for most of the convention, we ate lunch, attended the same workshops and had a marvelous time.

 Now for the kvetching..and you thought I would post without some complaints…

1. Crowd control.. TCEA has almost outgrown the Convention center.  They cram huge crowds into small rooms.
2. Not enough handouts, or no handouts at all.
3. More sections of hands-on workshops please.

Well, that’s it.  Not much kvetching.  In fact, we heard an inspirational story of what can be done even in the face of adversity:

 Two teachers, one from Arlington, the other from East Texas were giving a seminar together on a CD series they sell called BIMM Bedazzled II.  They have put all thier lesson plans on CD and sell the whole thing for very reasonable prices to other teachers not wanting to re-invent the wheel.

 The car of one of the teachers was broken into the night before the seminar, all the cds were stolen, her digial camera, her laptop and other important items from her car while she slept.  (This begs the question, why didn’t she bring that stuff into the hotel room???) But anyway. Despite the horrible treatement she got by a local hoodlum or hoodlums, she showed up bright-eyed, bushy tailed and ready to present.. with limited handouts and other stuff of course, but she was resilience personified.  I applaud them both for their courage in the face of adversity.

Well, here I am, nearing the end of the first semester.  My hectic schedule being made even more so by the two additional committees I am working on.  All the teachers in our department are busy with rapidly approaching semester deadlines and finals.  Went to IKEA this weekend, bought a cool lamp.  It’s funny, I have all kinds of lamps but the apartment never seems well lit, weird.  Hope you’re not bored to death reading this, but I don’t have much to say right now, it’s just my first cup of java so far.  Well, have  a great day and I will be more kvetchy later on in the week, if I’m not, somethings very wrong, come check on me.

Hello and welcome to my blog, The Kvetching Korner.  Here you will read my rants, raves, diatribes, potential Austin American Statesman letters to the editor, and other numerous and sundry kvetchings.  If you want to kvetch, Im also a good listener, so kvetch away.