In the previous post, I’ve shared the mission and core values of Visions in Education.  Our mission is to prepare each student to succeed in a rapidly changing world.  An important part of this mission is a focus on helping students become familiar with the technology tools that are available.  These tools can help students communicate, collaborate and contribute now, as a student; in their future education; and later, in the workforce.

I’ve taken the opportunity this year to learn more about educational technology, research how homeschoolers are integrating it into their curriculum, and investigate some of the web 2.0 technology tools.  I am learning so much that I’m almost overwhelmed.  (Okay, I’m already overwhelmed.)  To help, I am choosing to focus in on just a few things for next year the next several years.  I will be sharing more about these in the future.  For now, here’s a brief description of the goals I’ve set to address our school’s mission statement.

1. Blogging:  I will be using this blog to communicate and keep you informed.  Additionally, I want to provide a place on the blog for student blogging.  Students tend to write better when they have a purpose and an authentic audience.  I will provide a “publishing place” on my blog for posting student-writing projects next year.  There will also be a “student spotlight” which I’ll share more about later.
2. Social Networking:  The Visions Homeschool Network will be used to facilitate community and connections for you and other homeschooling parents.  I have it just about ready to launch so you’ll have a chance to join before summer.
3. Technology Instruction:  I’m not sure how this will take shape yet.  I hope to either create a “Tech Club” for interested students or find a way to teach mini-tech lessons periodically.  Let me know if you are interested in this or have ideas.
4. Project 2.0:  This is a self-directed learning program that I am putting together for 7th-12th graders or Parent Educators who want to learn more about Web2.0.  I hope to have it completed for the fall semester.
5. Online Portfolio Projects:  Colleges are seeking out potential student candidates through online networks.  I will be available to help your high school student create an online portfolio that they can add to throughout their high school years, and later present, as they apply for colleges and scholarships.  Let me know if you are interested.

If you have any thoughts about any of these, I would love to hear it.  Post a comment below.

Photo Attribution:  Tyler Howarth

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Our school has recently completed the WASC process.   In a few weeks, we should hear the results of our application for accreditation renewal.  In the past year, our self-study gave us an in-depth look at the strengths and areas for needed growth regarding our program.   As a result, we have a Four-Year Action Team Blueprint to address these areas needing improvement.  If you would like to view the Self-Study Report or any of the supporting documents, you will find it in VIE Community.  (Type “WASC” in the search bar.)

Mission Statement, Vision and Values

A valuable part of participating in the WASC process was familiarizing ourselves with our school mission statement and core values.  I wanted to take time to remind you of our vision and purpose.

Vision Statement

Preparing each student to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

School Mission

As an independent study/home school program, Visions in Education Charter School utilizes a standards-based education that addresses individual differences and learning styles.  We empower students to take ownership and responsibility for their present and future learning by developing their academic, interpersonal, and technological skills.

School Values

• Learning
• Relationships
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Innovation
• Respect
• Service

Remember the social network I started this Fall?  The potential for collaboration and connecting was wonderful, but I felt we needed a larger group to make it more meaningful for you.  Well, I have good news.

A new social network, like the one we had, is being launched for our entire Homeschool Academy very soon!  I am putting on the finishing touches to the network and will be doing trainings for teachers in a few weeks.  When all of the teachers have been added, (hopefully around May 20th), the network will be launched.

I’ll send you an email invitation to join.  I’m really excited to open it up to others so you’ll have a chance to collaborate with more families, as well as connect with my other Homeschool families, on this network.   It will provide another place for us to communicate, besides this blog.  I look forward to inviting you a bit before everyone else, in hopes that you can help me by giving me feedback, before everyone else jumps in.

Here’s a sneak peak:

I’ve added 30 groups, on topics ranging from homeschooling methods, organization & scheduling, to gardening and sharing recipes.  If you have any suggestions or thoughts, please leave a comment here.

Here are a few groups…

Creative Commons Photo Attribution:  Starbucks Mocha Coffee by tskdesign

Jefferson County Schools, in Tennessee, has a great collection of educational links on their website. Check on these pages on Geometry, Graphing, Fractions and Algebra. For more math links, check out the math page, which has 14 categories to choose from.

APlus Math has a variety of online flashcard games. The Math-O game is a fun way to practice addition facts. You can also create and print your own flashcards here.

MathBrain is a popular one with my students. You can choose your grade level and game piece that marks your place on the game board. The arcade-style games focus on various areas of math. Students love the fact that when you take a break, you can get a password that allows returning users to pick up where they left off.

FreeMathHelp is a wonderful resource for junior high and high school students. The lessons focus on: Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics. After the lesson, students can play games for practice, or ask questions on the message boards.

Several of my students have had great success in boosting their math skills with the videos from the Khan Academy. I’ve introduced a few different ones, but they seem to go back to these most often. If you aren’t familiar with it, take a look at the website, where you’ll find the entire video library or subscribe to the Khan Academy channel on YouTube.

Salman Khan is the man behind the Khan Academy. Sal describes the mission for his not-for-profit organization as “providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere. We have 700+ videos on YouTube covering everything from basic arithmetic and algebra to differential equations, physics, and finance.”

Yes.  I know.  It is April Fool’s Day.

And how could I forget, when my students expressed their creativity all day long, in hopes to get me this time.  Who knew that tales of missing work and spiders on my computer could bring them such joy?  People were trying to fool me all day long.  My favorite today was the link shared with me about Google’s amazing announcement:  “Research group switches on world’s first ‘artificial intelligence’ tasked-array system.”  Google refers to the artificial intelligence as CADIE, the world’s first Cognitive Autoheuristic Distributed-Intelligence Entity,” according to their blog. Check out the announcement.