Deacon Nick

June 29, 2011June 29, 2011

First Thoughts on the iPad 2 for Teachers

After eight months of using the iPad, I had the chance yesterday to learn about and use the iPad 2. The local school district sponsored a workshop called iPad for Educators: Batteries Included, and a new iPad was included in the cost of the class. The title of the workshop was slightly misleading, however. I was expecting to be shown how the iPad could be used as a teaching tool, but a better title would have been iPad for Beginners, since the majority of the time was spent on giving us a basic introduction to the device and its built-in apps. Towards the end of the class, though, I did learn about some apps I hadn’t seen or tried before. The school district plans on a follow-up course in August that will be more focused on using the iPad in the classroom.

Here are a few of my takeaways from the workshop:

I like the fact that the iPad’s mute button can be programmed to lock the orientation of the device.
The new iPad can be connected to a projector and everything you see on the iPad can be shown on a screen. With the first iPad, only certain apps could be projected.
There are two great free books in the iBooks store for new owners of the iPad: iPad User Guide for iOS 4.3 by Apple, and iPad 2 Starter Guide by Macworld Editors.
TapQuiz Maps World Edition is a must-have app for social studies teachers.
Scan is a basic app for reading QR codes. QR codes are interesting, but I don’t see them being used in elementary schools until cell phones are allowed in class–which won’t happen anytime soon.
I don’t know why I never tried Dragon Dictation before, but what a great app. Speak an email or a Twitter or Facebook update, dictate notes to yourself and copy and paste the text anywhere you want.
With Air Sketch Free you can turn your iPad into a wireless whiteboard by projecting live sketches to a local computer over WiFi.
iTunes U has really grown in content since the last time I visited it. The Khan Academy is a featured institution now, and there is a growing collection of free open textbooks. I downloaded one called English Grammar in Context that is really quite good.

As I continue to use the device I’ll post more about how I think it could be used specifically in Catholic classrooms.

June 27, 2011

New Article Explores the State of Catholic Schools

Catholic School Items from China

“The Church worldwide is in the midst of a Catholic education boom,” writes Jeff Ziegler in a new article from The Catholic World Report. But, he continues, “In the midst of this Catholic education boom worldwide, the Church in the United States has suffered a dramatic decline in its education apostolate.”

Ziegler’s article offers a fascinating analysis of where Catholic education has been, where it is now, and where it’s going. A few more quotes:

Catholic school culture, in general, is thus strongest near the Ohio River, the central Mississippi River, and parts of the Gulf Coast; it is weakest in portions of Texas, California, and in Alaska.
“Despite research that indicates that Hispanic students in Catholic schools are dramatically better prepared academically for postsecondary education and productive careers than Hispanic students in other kinds of schools, only 3 percent of school-aged Hispanic children are enrolled in Catholic schools,” Marie Powell, executive director of the Secretariat of Catholic Education at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, told CWR.
…the average elementary school tuition [is] now at $3,383 and the average secondary school tuition [is] at $8,182….In contrast, the average per-pupil cost for elementary and secondary students at the nation’s public schools is $10,297.
“What is the greatest challenge facing our Catholic schools today? Providing just compensation for our staff while protecting our families,” says Daryl Hagan, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Evansville.
The abandonment of the practice of the faith by large numbers of the nation’s Catholics also poses a significant challenge to the future of Catholic schools.
…education leaders in the dioceses with the most successful Catholic school programs have repeatedly emphasized the importance of a strong Catholic identity.
“More than crucifixes displayed on the walls and students wearing plaid, a Catholic school must invite its students into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ,” added Dan Peters of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.
In Wichita, all Catholic primary and secondary schools have been tuition-free for Catholic students since 2002.

It’s definitely worth a read.

June 26, 2011

Dr. Wayne Yakes Donates $5 Million to Central Catholic High in San Antonio

With profound gratitude, Dr. Wayne Yakes speaks about how Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, Texas changed his life:

H/T to Billy Calzada

June 24, 2011June 23, 2011

Field Trip to ACE’s Summer Forum at Notre Dame!

A few days ago I mentioned I would be taking a “field trip” this summer, and today I’m thrilled to announce that it’s going to be the ACE Summer Forum on the campus of Notre Dame from July 8-10. Not only do I love visiting Notre Dame, but I can’t wait to attend what I’m sure is going to be an outstanding weekend of speakers and presentations.

One of the best things about being a Catholic blogger is connecting with friendly people and organizations that I never would have known about otherwise. High on that list for me would be Ricky Austin and the ACE Advocates at the University of Notre Dame. When they invited me to this summer’s ACE Forum, I jumped at the chance. Their generosity and support has been a great blessing not only to me but to all involved in Catholic education.

What is ACE?

The Alliance for Catholic Education is a program that “exists for one purpose: to strengthen and sustain Catholic schools.” Since 1993, ACE has worked to improve Catholic education across the nation. Only recently have I begun to know and appreciate the work of ACE and its related programs. As part of my trip to Notre Dame, I plan on learning all I can about ACE and its national movement to support Catholic education, ACE Advocates.

The ACE Summer Forum

The focus of this year’s summer forum is “Expanding Access to K-12 Catholic Schools.” ACE is offering three different tracks to choose from, and they each sound so good I’m going to have a hard time choosing which one to attend:

Privately funded scholarship programs and initiatives
Strategies for advocating for parental choice public policy in your state
Increasing access to Catholic schools for Latino children and families

The Field Trip

I also plan on sharing my trip with you from beginning to end. Because of the support of Catholic School Chronicle readers, I have been able to acquire the digital tools I need to take you along on this journey. Thank you to everyone who has purchased items from Amazon.com after clicking through from here, or otherwise patronized our sponsors. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

You’ve got several options for keeping up with me as I travel out to Notre Dame:

Twitter: I’ll be tweeting regularly all through the conference at both of my Twitter accounts. Follow @CatholicSch for formal news and @nsenger for more personal, quirky updates.
Facebook: The Catholic School Chronicle Facebook Page will be a hub for pictures, audio and video. Be sure to click on over and press the “Like” button to get all the updates.
Audioboo: With the iPhone Audioboo app, I will record and share short bits of audio as I travel. These will be posted to Facebook and Twitter, but you can also subscribe in iTunes by visiting my Audioboo page and clicking on the iTunes button.

Of course, when I get back I’ll also write a blog post or two to summarize my experience and explain more about ACE.

A Chance to Meet

Are you going to be there? I’d love to meet up with any readers and fellow Catholic educators who are going to be at the summer forum. Let me know if you’re going, and we can try and meet up.

There’s nothing quite like a gathering of Catholic educators, and there’s nothing quite like the campus of Notre Dame. I can’t wait.

June 22, 2011June 21, 2011

CSC Summer Preview

After a long hiatus that involved graduating 42 eighth graders, writing a Religion curriculum report, taking care of four kids for a week while my wife was in D.C., and battling food poisoning (don’t ask!), I’m finally able to devote some time to the Chronicle. I’m anxious to get going again, so let’s preview what’s coming this summer and and talk about some new ways I hope to connect with you.

Audioboo

First, you may have noticed a new icon in the sidebar that looks like a microphone. This is the shortcut to my profile on Audioboo, a service that allows me to record audio and post it easily almost anywhere on the web. I’ve been observing how BarbinNebraska uses it and I think it will suit my purpose just fine. My intention is to create more original multimedia for Catholic School Chronicle, and I think Audioboo is the simplest way to start. The sound files are limited to five minutes, which will hopefully keep me from rambling. Here’s my first test using the service:

iPad Class

Next, I’m excited to announce that I’m going to be attending a one-day workshop called iPad for Educators: Batteries Included. The great thing about the class is that the registration fee also covers the cost of an iPad 2, so I’ll be able to come away from the workshop with a powerful tool to use in my classroom next year. I hope to share many of the tips, tricks and apps I learn about with you all, and of course I’ll try to apply them specifically to Catholic education.

Field Trip!

Finally, I’m going to be taking a field trip this summer to a special conference for Catholic educators. This will a great opportunity to network with fellow Catholic teachers and try my hand at reporting a live event. I’ll explain more about the what, where and when in a future post, but here’s a hint: First Down Moses.

May 3, 2011May 2, 2011

6 Fun and Inspirational Videos for Teacher Appreciation Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is upon us, and just in time, as Spring fever has begun to bloom (in both students and teachers!). To celebrate with you I’ve selected the following videos to inspire and entertain; some will make you laugh, some will make you cry–just like teaching. Pass them along as you see fit.

Mr. Holland’s Last Day at School – Make sure you have a tissue handy

A Song for Teachers: You Have Made a Difference

Thank a Teacher

Goofy: Teachers Are People Too

I Love My Teacher

The Teacher Retirement Song – Lyrics reproduced below the video

Tears and fears and feeling small
The torture starts up every fall:
The awful things that I’ve been called
In classrooms every day.

The fire alarm could wake the dead
Water fountains spewing lead
While ceiling tiles fall on my head
I’ve thought of school that way

I’ve looked at school from both sides now
I think this year I’ll take a bow
From head to toe I’m stiff and sore
I really can’t take school anymore

The hungry sixth-grade mind inquires
By seventh, they’re accomplished liars
By eighth, they just might slash your tires
I’ve looked at kids that way

Some will start fights in the halls
Others hide in bathroom stalls
But won’t leave your room when nature calls
They’re all special in their way

I’ve looked at kids from both sides now
From short and tall
And I must avow
At least at my age, I can’t recall
The majority of them at all

Long vacations, decent pay,
A seven-hour working day,
Inservice naps and fog delays;
Some see this job that way

So now my colleagues think I’m strange.
They can’t believe I need a change.
But if you ask me, they’re all deranged
For coming back each day.

I’ve looked at work from both sides now
From rich and poor and still somehow
I’ve no illusions left at all.
I really won’t miss work at all.