Blue Skunk Blog - Commentshttp://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/Doug Johnson's thoughts on libraries, technology and life.en-USSquarespace Site Server v5.8.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Currie Renwick comments on Important, but not urgentCurrie RenwickTue, 24 Nov 2009 18:36:26 +0000http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2009/11/23/important-but-not-urgent.html#comments40946:348998:comment/6413324I want to echo Tom's thoughts. In working in an inner city school, I think that the educational problem that needs the most urgent attention is the illiteracy of so many of our students who live in poverty. I work daily with teen-aged children who can neither read nor write-----and I wonder daily about what will happen to them and the millions of others for whom a world of inquiry-based learning with Web 2.0 tools is beyond their grasp. As one of my colleagues often notes, "Just giving them the technology is not the answer; they HAVE to know how to read before they can take the next steps."

]]>Skip Olsen comments on Important, but not urgentSkip OlsenTue, 24 Nov 2009 17:26:16 +0000http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2009/11/23/important-but-not-urgent.html#comments40946:348998:comment/6412924I think it was Deming who said that survival isn't mandatory. I belong to a "learning community" that, once or twice a year, rents a guru--we tell the smart person that we will come to them and they generally lower the fee. Our learners then make their way to a venue and we talk with the smart person. This last weekend I spent time with Jon Saphier and Tony Wagner. I must tell you that I agree with you and your cynicism after hearing Wagner's point of view. In my view, if Americans don't get up and see the new day coming and create a learning system appropriate for the coming world and our children, we are headed for being unemployed and second rate. I do not understand or accept our dullness as a people--I don't know why so many sleep peacefully. I found myself, last week, wondering if it is possible to grow old without growing cynical. So far the answer for me is apparently, no.

Thanks for your thoughtful response to Miguel.

]]>ALine Baldwin comments on A Jolt of Java @ Your LibraryALine BaldwinTue, 24 Nov 2009 16:53:06 +0000http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2005/10/13/a-jolt-of-java-your-library.html#comments40946:348998:comment/6412755We added a coin operated coffee machine in October to the informal area of our new High School library. It has been a great success. I haven't had any problems with spills or clean up because when we designed the library we put a countertop, small sink and tile floor in the area where the coffee machine was scheduled to go. If anyone spills they can quickly grab a sponge and some paper towels and clean up the mess. The machine is self contained, offers regular coffee, cocoa, vanilla latte and my favorite - mocachino. It costs a dollar. We did have to get a much larger trashcan to sit next to the machine because the used cups overwhelmed our existing library trashcans.

]]>Tom Hoffman comments on Important, but not urgentTom HoffmanTue, 24 Nov 2009 16:24:17 +0000http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2009/11/23/important-but-not-urgent.html#comments40946:348998:comment/6412594Doug,

It would be helpful to specify that there is no urgency in schools which don't serve a majority of students in poverty. There are two completely different segregated systems in this country, one is hella urgent.

]]>Carl Anderson comments on Who owns your lesson plans?Carl AndersonTue, 24 Nov 2009 15:49:56 +0000http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2009/11/16/who-owns-your-lesson-plans.html#comments40946:348998:comment/6412435I wish the NY Times had titled this article, "Buying Lessons Online Raises Cash and Questions." instead.

@Tom, What if a teacher uses CC Share and Share-Alike material in their plans? Under that license the lesson plans cannot be copyrighted and must also be licensed CC.

]]>Nathan comments on Big projects and psychic wear and tearNathanTue, 24 Nov 2009 15:06:40 +0000http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2009/11/21/big-projects-and-psychic-wear-and-tear.html#comments40946:348998:comment/6412226I look forward to hearing how the switch to Google Apps goes.

]]>Doug Johnson comments on Big projects and psychic wear and tearDoug JohnsonTue, 24 Nov 2009 12:51:04 +0000http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2009/11/21/big-projects-and-psychic-wear-and-tear.html#comments40946:348998:comment/6411508Testing again at 6:50 AM.

Doug

]]>Squarespace comments on Big projects and psychic wear and tearSquarespaceTue, 24 Nov 2009 12:33:40 +0000http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2009/11/21/big-projects-and-psychic-wear-and-tear.html#comments40946:348998:comment/6411464This is a great article. Couldn't be more right on.

]]>Christine comments on Big projects and psychic wear and tearChristineTue, 24 Nov 2009 03:19:04 +0000http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2009/11/21/big-projects-and-psychic-wear-and-tear.html#comments40946:348998:comment/6410176Your post was timely as I find myself in a similar situation. We are implementing similar changes at our high school and though smaller, it still overwhelms me. I looked over your web sit and couldn't find additional information. Wondering if you have your plan for implementation (specifically with regard to staff development and buy in) available?

]]>GreerbLal comments on Moving from kitchen to livingroom readingGreerbLalMon, 23 Nov 2009 23:27:44 +0000http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2007/3/9/moving-from-kitchen-to-livingroom-reading.html#comments40946:348998:comment/6402061Many of guys talk about this issue but you said some true words.

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