Another lesson learned

This post is a reflection of my humbling experience while attempting to turn in my daughter's military ID card.


My daughter made the decision to move on and out...I was cool, actually excited for her regardless of her other life choices and decisions, happy that she made the decision...but that is an entirely different blog post.


Since she is my military dependent...connected through Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) which entitles her to medical and dental care through TRICARE I told her to give up the military ID card. I went to the Soldier Service Center to turn in her ID card.


The waiting room was full as I signed in and I sat down until they called my name. It was probably my shortest wait in a military ID card facility. Others who signed in before me were called and issued numbers...my experience went like this:


Service rep:  What can we do for you today?
Me:  I am here to turn in my daughter's ID card and remove her from DEERS.
Service rep:  Did she join the military or get married?
Me:  No, she has moved out of her registered address.
Service rep:  OK, so you want to update her address.
Me: No, I want to turn in her ID card and and remove her from DEERS.
Service rep:  The current DoD (Department of Defense) ruling states that the child family member (aka dependent) are entitled to the ID card including medical care until they are 21 even if they do not live with you. They are only required to turn in their ID card if they join the military (then they receive their own card) or get married.


I can only imagine the look on my face as I wanted to complete the effective communication process by stating what I believed I heard.


Me:  So you are telling me that I have to continue paying for her medical and dental insurance and she can have access to the rights that come with the military ID card yet I can't claim her on my taxes, she can run off and get married and I wouldn't know it to turn in her ID card because I am the military retiree?
Service rep:  Yes...and she can keep the ID card until she is 23 if she can provide documentation that she is in college.


So in my learning experience I was humbled...no more or less than any other day.  For anyone else out there who may have a child with a military ID card, who is also a legal adult, who you thought may come off your DEERS, TRICARE, or any other military benefit simply because they moved out...the times have changed. 


To my daughter: Be safe, be strong, enjoy life, learn from your decisions, enjoy the transfer from college to the school of life, and from our favorite book, Love You Forever, (Munsch):  I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as your living my baby you'll be. Thank you once again for enlightening my world...I will continue to learn from you, with you as you continue on your own journey...and don't forget to make that dental appointment before that cavity gets the best of you.

TPACK, GAEE, and data dump from 2 weeks of intense assignments

Learning about Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework has been enlightening for me as I visit the many sites created and maintained by Dr. Punya Mishra & Dr. Matthew Koehler  the TPACK wiki,  TPACK 101, All things TPACK, collaborative and separate projects, publications, and shared information. 


What are the opportunities to observe, measure, inquire about TPACK in schools that have integrated Google Apps Education Edition beyond NY IS 339's Dot-to-Dot: A Global Learning Reception and Prince George's County Public Schools PGCPS has been Googlized and Oregon Department of Education announcement for statewide option for GAEE? While Mishra & Koehler continue to provide TPACK learning opportunities in higher education, what about the TPACK levels of those involved in schools that adopt Google Apps Education Edition or when students become the teachers?


Just a few links from my Internet connections and RSS feeds:
Drape's Takes When Students Become Teachers Become Students 
Sylvia Martinez Generation YES Students teach tech to Superintendents
Fred Wilson A VC in NYC Let The Students Teach
Vicki Davis Cool Cat Teacher Teach Students to Teach Themselves
Edutopia Students Teach Technology to Teachers
Project Tomorrow Students Speak Up 
Pew Internet & American Life Projects Technology User Types
PBS. Digital Nation How Google Saved a School
NY IS 339's Dot-to-Dot: A Global Learning Reception (2009)
NY IS 339's Dot-to-Dot: A Global Learning Reception (2010)


I tend to learn something from everything and everyone I encounter...good, bad, or indifferent but in the world where the arguments still continue about who is in charge, who is in control, while budgets are being cut not just in education but also in technology (and other career fields), many educational and learning sites are blocked, and many schools still lack basic technology...learning is still taking place. Can you imagine graduating high school in 2010 and never accessed the Internet to learn? Well it is still a reality.


The 2010 National Educational Technology Plan (NETP), 2004 NETP and other NETP archives are available through the net, what are the lessons learned? What lessons learned are in available in the practical application? For the educators, technology integrationists, students, self directed learners and many individuals who are returning to higher education and continue to share knowledge, a heartfelt thanks from this lifelong learner. While I cannot thank everyone in my P⁴LN*, know that whatever you post in cyberspace may impact a learner somewhere, sometime, and/or somehow.


After an intense 2 weeks of research and homework I just needed to post some of the ideas that have resurfaced as I review and assess the reasons why I am on this doctoral journey and compare, contrast, and align information while trying to maintain priorities and responsibilities of life beyond being a student. 


So is anyone researching TPACK in schools that have implemented Google Apps Education Edition?


Comments, recommendations, or checks in the reaction boxes are welcome.


P⁴-Personal, Professional, Perpetual, Persistent


Related posts:
Consolidating References (09/2009) 
Consolidating More References (11/2009)
Research Topic Ideas (10/2009) 

Are you a paragon of pedagogical prodigiousness? Or do you settle?

Do you settle for sensible solutions for our people and our times? Are you sharing knowledge to build stronger fishnets, improved plows, and better yeos?

Or do you hear the trumpet fanfare as you perpetuate your Noble (or mobile) kingdom of learning in your role as the Laudatory Lord or Leading Lady of Learning and as paragons of pedagogical prodigiousness?

For those who know me...the 21st century label, title, category sticks in my craw but I adapt, implement, and overcome (AIO). I came across this book in the recommended readings for my account, 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times in Books 24x7 through AKO (What is Army Knowledge Online?). 21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times is also available with a limited preview through Google Books.

While there are many interesting points in the book, the sidebar of the novel, The Once and the Future King caught my attention in the Kingdom of Learnalot, Kingdom of Learning, Software & Hardware Guilds, Sir Ludd & the Luddites, Laudatory Lord & Leading Lady of Learning, Paragons of Pedagogical Prodigiousness and King Wallace's closing statement, “‘Tis time to return to your plans my dearest—stronger fishnets for the fishermen, improved plows for the plowmen, better yeos for the yeomen— sensible solutions for our people and our times.

Chapter 4: Digital Literacy Skills—Info-Savvy, Media-Fluent, Tech-Tuned opens with this quote, "It is no longer enough simply to read and write. Our children must learn how to spot a stereotype, isolate a social cliché, and distinguish facts from propaganda, analysis from banter, and important news from coverage". —Ernest Boyer, past president, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Read The Once and the Future on beginning on page 62 

As the story ends:
King Wallace turned to his Queen. “Alas, my Lady, you were right all along. We are not in the least ready for the great Knowledge Age or the noble Learning Society.

“‘Tis time to return to your plans my dearest—stronger fishnets for the fishermen, improved plows for the plowmen, better yeos for the yeomen— sensible solutions for our people and our times."

“Perhaps, my dear, one fine day in the far-off future, there will come a time when learning is truly king.”
“And queen,” added Her Highness.

Do you settle for sensible solutions for our people and our times? Are you sharing knowledge to build stronger fishnets, improved plows, and better yeos?

Or do you hear the trumpet fanfare as you perpetuate your Noble (or mobile) kingdom of learning in your role as the Laudatory Lord or Leading Lady of Learning and as paragons of pedagogical prodigiousness?

Comments, recommendations, and/or checks in the reaction box are always welcome.

Tech Sharing Certs for School Nurse, Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother's Day

With many people looking to give meaningful gifts without breaking budgets here are a few certificates that you can use or modify for your tech sharing event for upcoming School Nurse Appreciation Day, Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother's Day. Many children want to give but may not know what to give...so the gift of your time can be memorable especially when sharing techspertise.


These are created in Google Docs and you can create a copy and print or tailor to your needs. Be creative and give the gift of your time and share techspertise amongst each other.


No tech in the classroom or at home? Meet at the local library, introduce people to members of your PLN, show someone how to make that digital clock to quit blinking, challenge others to explore menu bar options, share tips on recycling tech, enjoy a Google video chat or Skype conversation.....fill in the blank with your idea.  Tech skills are as diverse as the tools available...why not help someone learn something new...or be willing to let someone show you what they have learned.

School Nurse Technology Sharing Gift Certificate

Teacher Appreciation Technology Sharing Gift Certificate

Mother's Day Technology Sharing Gift Certificate

Enjoy...and feel free to share how you used the certificates. Thanks to all of you (1300+) who have used these tech sharing certs with others.

Comments, recommendations, and/or checks in the Reaction boxes are welcome.

APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, Turabian, Vancouver

What do these mean to you?  APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, Turabian, Vancouver/ICJME



Depending on your role or roles, as a learner, educator, reviewer, editor, the objective of your writing, the standards will vary. Always consult the organization for the exact formatting and punctuation guidelines. While many people have personal preferences, individuals in school must meet organizational standards. Do you use one standard for work and another for school? Which format and version are you comfortable with APA (6th), MLA, Chicago (15th), Harvard (18th), Turabian (6th), Vancouver/ICJME? If you had to change formats or versions could you adapt, implement, and overcome?

Someone asked me when did I learn the difference and in reflection I had to say once I started college. But today's student has to be able to write for school, produce resumes in various formats, take notes and they do it with different tools. Some people still prefer pen and paper version and others have gone completely digital. Regardless of the tool, the writing project must meet a standard whether submitting for a grade, publishing for the web, and writing for personal and professional objectives.


So where did you learn your writing standards for school? work? How did you learn to format templates and references? How do you cite your references?


Some online libraries and reference sites provide options to export references for bibliographic management software, such as EndNote, ProCite, Reference Manager, RefWorks, EasyBib and BibTeX. While others prefer to format their own references. Do you have a favorite or a preference?

Citations are based on reference standards. Formatting rules can vary widely. The specific requirements or preferences of your reviewing publisher, classroom teacher, institution or organization should be applied. 


Because I live, work, and study in perpetual ADDIE gerbil wheel, I hit the key points used to help others decide the framework of their assignments.

Analyze your writing objectives and format requirements: APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, Turabian, Vancouver/ICJME
Design your template for your paper
Develop the content for your assignment or project

Implement - Combine the content, your research, references, and supplemental materials
Evaluate - Don't just read the paper and run a spell check, ask peers, parents, children to review and comment, conduct a print or web preview to determine how the project will look to the reading audience.


When analyzing this information be reminded of Steven Covey's Habit #5, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood."


Comments, recommendations, and reaction box checks are always welcome.