August 5, 1998

It's hard for me to believe that there was ever a time when computer technology wasn't an integral part of my life. Yet less than three years ago computers for me served merely as fancy typewriters. Word-processing was my only skill, and since I never took touch typing in high school (I was determined not to be a secretary), the speed of computer keyboarding was lost on me.

Nowadays I'm known as the "Internet Queen" at work, and because of my willingness to plunge headfirst into new skills (often with less than perfect results, but always with enthusiasm), I'm usually in the thick of new programs in my district that involve computer technology.

This summer has been tech heaven for me. I applied for a position as an "Immersion Trainer" and spent eight glorious days brushing up on student-centered learning and ways to incorporate multi-media student projects into my curriculum. I received instruction and practice in using some of the latest software programs for education and some of the cool gadgets that go with them. Now I'll get to put my new tricks to use.

My job is to demonstrate in my own classroom how technology fits in student-centered learning. Next summer I'll be part of a team to help train other teachers in the process, and the experiences of my own students this year will provide proof that it can be done and that it should be done.

What makes this all so perfect is that I'm also part of a huge technology grant given by the state to the Puget Sound Educational Service District. A small group of educators and personnel from history museums and historical societies will create virtual museums using some of the latest technology available to classrooms. The objective is to build bonds between schools and museums that enrich student learning and enhance museum programs.

The two programs ("Immersion Training" and "Schools and Museums Mingling") compliment each other. Obviously my museum work will serve as the demonstration of technology in my curriculum. What's exciting is that both programs put new tools into my classroom. My students are going to have five new fully loaded multi-media PCs, four digital cameras, a scanner, and a printer in their classroom to create their web pages for the Museum of History and Industry.

Three years ago none of this would have been imaginable. As much as I have always been an old dog willing to learn new tricks, I would never have believed that I would be capable of tackling such projects, yet here I am. Mind you, I'm still jumping in headfirst. But this time, I'm armed with some solid training and a support system to keep me from committing too many faux pas. This is going to be a helluva year!