Administrivia and other educational land mines.

Mike Vollmert's presentation was really good, I thought. I know some people like hands on - and I do, too - it is nice to get into the actual functions of your job and nitty gritty actions/activities. However, I have always appreciated a philosophical understanding of what you are doing on a broad level. Mike reminded us how very much education is changing - how easy it is to fall into the job, of "teach what you know" not "teach what they need." So many of us are old school - or at least I know I can be - thinking that a book is about the touch, smell and presence of its beauty on a shelf like a trophy of the educated brain. It is hard for me to think that a book is actually outdated an archaic now - that information changes so quickly a book could never provide the insight a well established website will . . . Okay, and so onto the nitty gritty. I tend to agree that a netbook is as valuable and useful as an IPad, if not as hot and sexy or prestigious to carry around. Who cares, as long as it gets the job done, and it can get in the hands of every kid. But, then again, I ditched my BMW and Volvo for a Hyundai Sonata because it got me the same places on less gas and no car payment. What do I care what people I don't know think of me driving by??? But, that is a different philosophical question, I suppose . . . Happy Teaching everyone!