Learning to use Garage Band

WOW! Today was a huge success for the principals and other administrators who attended. Dr. Tim Tyson presented the happenings at his school, Mabry Middle in Marietta, GA. Then he took everyone to multiple AH AH moments with hands on learning. Everyone had a brand new fresh out of the box MacBook to learn to use Garage Band to produce a podcast. It was great hearing many PC users say, "This is so easy." One of my colleagues, Pat Sutton, who uses a PC only said, I can't believe I'm thinking I want a Mac especially if I can run Windows XP with Boot Camp. I could do everything with one machine."

By the end of the day we had shown 30 principals and assistant principals how easy producing a podcast can be and how digital tools can motivate students to learn what we as educators need to teach them. Corey Harris, principal at Longview Middle from Memphis City Schools, and Tyson both shared real stories of things happening in their respective schools that have changed what happens at school. At the end of the day, two Nano iPods were drawn for as door prizes. Rhoda Stigall, principal at Gardenview Elementary, and Ken Strong, supervisor for safety in MCS, each won with screams and shouts of excitement. I'll soon have a podcast posted of the day. It's great to show others how technology tools can impact teaching and learning. The Commercial Appeal and the Memphis Flyer, local papers, sent reporters over during the day. Stories will follow in each.