Tech Tuesday Training - Skype

My school has "Tech Tuesday's".  This is where teachers offer to do trainings on a variety of technology topics.  I have done one already on Animoto this year and this week I offered a session on Skype.  I got new computers in my lab at the end of last year.  One of my requirements for the computers were that the monitors have built in webcams (for Skyping and other technologies that may come up).  I also had Skype installed on all the computers so if students have Skype accounts they can contact anyone they need.

I have used Skype with my classes when I have been home with a sick child and students have Skyped with me for help on a problem or for me to give directions.  I set up a couple of colleagues to assist me with Skype (so I knew someone would be online to chat with).  Jessica Brogley a former teacher at Seymour and Sandy Heiden (Library Media Specialist for high school).  I had one teacher from the district attend that had never used Skype before, and other great friend who came for moral support (thanks CeCe).

I think the session went fine, got new an account on Skype and she called someone.  We did end up demonstrating how to have a conference call via Skype and had 6 people talking.  I also showed the people how to sign up for Skype in the classroom.  One other great tip I like about Skype is the ability to share computer monitors to see what the other person is doing on the computer.

Here is my question.  Out of the 50 teachers in the high school only 1 came (the other for moral support too).  Was the topic not relevant to them?  Do they not see the need to learn technology?  Do they not like my presentation style?  Did they already know the content?  These are all questions I have but don't have answers for.  It is easy for me to say well I won't do that again, or should I?

Sick Days

So I am reflecting back on the month of November.  I was not in school on any Friday in November.  I know that sounds bad.  Let's recap where I was.

November 4, Midwest Google Summit (PS greatest conference ever)
November 11, FBLA National Fall Leadership Conference - where I had to present
November 18, Home with a sick kid who was puking.

Now my post deals with Sick Days.  I had to take two the week of November 15.  My oldest son puked Sunday, so we stayed home on Monday, then again on Thursday night.  This was right after I got home at 9 p.m. because of parent teacher conference.

It is hard to prep and plan to be gone two days in one week.  I had to communicate with people in the building about "stuff".  I had a meeting schedule with student services on Monday to set up a online scheduling option for parents.  I know how hard it is to get them to both have a cleared calendar.  So my solution was I Skyped in.  Even thought I had a sick kid and I took the day off, I spend over 5 hours online that day with various people in the building.  I even Skyped in to my 1st and 2nd hour classes to give them directions and answer their questions.

Now on Friday I had the simialr problem.  I didn't have a meeting scheduled with anyone, but I knew students need to talk with me to answer their questions on their work.  I had to talk with my concession store manager about what to order for the upcoming Wrestling tournament.  We can't run out of hot dogs or buns.  I also had students Skype with me to answer their accounting questions.  I would say on Friday I only spent about 3 hour on Skype.  But still two days off of work and I still worked 8 hours.

My son was not feeling well but he was resting and watching TV and reading books so he didn't need a lot of attention from me.  Do all people put this dedication into what they do?  Why do people think I (meaning all teachers) don't work hard?