Have you ever been busy "leading" only to realize that nobody is following? That’s my reality this week. I have been working (apparently spinning my wheels) to get TTM implemented fully in the 3rd-5th classes on my campus.
A couple of weeks ago, we met at a staff meeting and I shared the benefits and nuts/bolts of TTM and teachers seemed
excited. The next week, several teachers
brought their classes to the computer lab (my office is conveniently located in
the lab, so I am able to participate). I
did a mini-lesson for their classes and taught students how to use the program. Everybody was excited….until network issues
caused the program to freeze. Then it freeze some more. Repeat. Repeat.
I’ve contacted IT umpteen times and I think we have resolved the
issues (something to do with the required flash being blocked on our servers). However, the only experience
teachers have with TTM is frustration, so they are not too eager to try
again.
I’ve done some more research and participated in a webinar to learn more about
the program. Though I am not at all
impressed with the reports they have available at this time (hideous, I tell
you!) they promise that they are working on them and will have fabulous reports
available in November/December. I’m
trusting them for the time being. And
I’m also going to be a squeaky wheel that will ensure they don’t forget their
promise.
I plan to do a little more training (and reassuring) for teachers. And the best part is, I’m going to initiate a
friendly competition on our campus – each week, a trophy will go to the student
who earns the most points (the more you engage in TTM, the more points you earn
– doesn’t matter if you are a struggling student or an honor student – your efforts
will pay off in points). We may do a
Kiss the Pig contest, too. But don’t tell my principal that yet.
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