Participating in the National Leadership Conference - Virtually

While we have a large group of Missourians attending the National Leadership Conference next week in Nashville, there are many more that aren't able to attend. Wouldn't it be great to have some way to attend virtually?

FCCLA may not quite be ready to live-stream workshops or sessions (at least not that I know of), but that doesn't mean that those of us attending can't update folks back home through the use of blogs and Twitter. Last year, I updated this blog on a nightly basis on the activities of the national conference. I plan on doing daily updates again this year. I'm also talking with some students about having them do some blog posting as well. If our Internet connections work well, we'll try to live blog some of the sessions using a tool called "Cover It Live." Those update will be posted on this page. If our Internet connections don't quite work in the meeting rooms, we'll still provide those daily updates each evening.

In addition to the blog updates, I'll also provide updates on Twitter through the @MoFCCLA account. If you already have a Twitter account, follow us and you'll receive our updates from official (and unofficial) conference events. Twitter will be a great way for you to interact with us in Nashville. If you're new to Twitter, this will be a good time for you to see how it can be used at conferences and for sharing. I'll be sending tweets live as events happen. Twitter is the fastest way I know of sending information. And since each post is only 140 characters or less, it's not too overwhelming. I'll use the hashtag #FCCLA09.

Finally, selected posts from Twitter and this blog will be added to our Missouri FCCLA Facebook fan page. If you're not yet a fan, it's easy to become one - all you need is a Facebook account. You can find us on Facebook by clicking on the banner on the right, or by going to http://www.facebook.com/MissouriFCCLA.

If you have questions you'd like us to answer about our experiences at the National Leadership Conference, please post your question as a comment on this blog. Or, send me a tweet. We look forward to interacting with you!

Missouri FCCLA Facebook Fan Page

Are you a fan of Missouri FCCLA on Facebook yet? If not, we just made it a little easier for you to find us! We have a direct URL now - http://www.facebook.com/MissouriFCCLA

Look us up and become a fan!

Learning, Leadership, and a Birthday

It's been a full year since my first blog post!

As I was trying to think of what I wanted to write for this birthday post, I wondered what I had really learned in this space over the past year. Sure, I've learned some "techy" things, such as how to start this blog, insert gadgets, and some minor HTML code. I even learned how to change the template for this blog (hope you like it!) And while I never thought I might say this - I enjoy that kind of learning. I've turned into a techno-geek wannabe.

Here are some other things I think I've learned:

• I've learned that if you build it, they don't necessarily come. At least not right away.


• I've learned to appreciate other bloggers. Those who write technical, how-to posts, and those who write posts that challenge my thinking.


• I've learned that some educators are determined to ride out the rest of their educational career without learning about "that tech stuff." But on the flip side, I've met more teachers who really want to learn. They're the ones I think of when I write many of my blog posts.


• I've learned that not many FCCLA or family and consumer sciences leaders talk about or use technology. Leadership by example? We're trying to do that with the Digital Stories for Change STAR Event and the Digital Media Camp. But more is needed.
  
• I've learned about the power of social networks and that educators of all kinds are willing to help without asking for much in return. (I knew that before, but I think I had kind of lost my faith in that until I met so many great people through my learning network on Twitter.)


• I've learned that digital citizenship and global collaboration aren't just catchy phrases. They're reality for us all. Who's ready?


• I've learned the "so what?" test. Cool, that's a new tool - so what? What does it do for my learning, student learning, teaching style, etc. Can we use that tool for critical or creative thinking? Should we? A worksheet on a computer can be just as bad as a worksheet on paper. (That goes for lots of other things as well).


• I've learned (actually just solidified my belief) that the family and consumer sciences field is needed more than ever. Are we ready for that? Are we taking the time to really look beyond our own classroom or office walls to make this happen? As my colleague Cheryl so aptly stated "are you obsolete?"
  
• I've learned that learning and leading takes time. Being overwhelmed does not lead to exemplary thinking and practice. I'm still working on my to-do lists and time management - that's a work in progress.

And the one thing that is most important to me right now -

I'm not done learning - not by a long shot.

I don't know what I don't know.

I'm excited to see what I'll learn next.

I hope you'll join in the learning here by not only reading posts, but by commenting on them, too. Sure, it's a risk to put your thoughts out there for the world to see. But your comments will help make this a better blog.

During the past year, there were over 2600 visitors to this blog from 28 countries. That is really amazing to me. And with that, happy birthday to the Missouri FCCLA Blog!

If It's Not Any Fun, You're Doing it Wrong

Today's guest blogger is Tracey Newman, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher and FEFE Master Teacher. Tracey is sending this post from the 9th Annual Family Economics and Financial Education (FEFE) Conference.

Having been a teacher for many years now, I know two things:

1) Students seem to learn more (and have better attitudes) when school is fun

and

2) sometimes the most important concepts we teach are not always fun.

By the phrase "most important concepts" I could really be talking about anything in the realm of family and consumer sciences--parenting skills, interpersonal skills, career preparation, the list could go on for a while. The big topic that I'm referring to, though, is financial education. Sure, students understand that money is going to be a really important topic for the rest of their lives, but getting them thoroughly educated about topics such as insurance and spending plans can be a bit more of a challenge.

I've been at the 9th annual Family Economics and Financial Education (FEFE) conference this week, where teachers from all disciplines and all across the country (even one from South Korea) have been hearing from experts about our country's economic system and new credit regulation. This group is on the cutting edge of financial education. Some of my students would think that sounds boring. They would be wrong. The reason they are so wrong is evident to anyone who has ever attended a FEFE training and seen the curriculum in action.

Back when the project started, they decided it would be more appealing (and beneficial) to students if it were offered in an activity-based format. From there it snowballed, adding learning activities such as "Fly Swatter Facts" and modifying an ordinary "Twister" game into engaging, ready-to-teach, free activities for educators. The motto this week has evolved into "If its not any fun, you're doing it wrong." That might be the single best way to describe FEFE's materials---effective and fun. There's even a "spoons" game that the participants (and my students back home) can't seem to get enough of. When was the last time somebody complained that time was up for an insurance lesson? Check out these activities and many more at FEFE's website.

Missouri family and consumer sciences teachers learn more about identity theft prevention during FEFE's CSI night.

Participants "spoon up" some insurance knowledge during the spoons learning activity.

Streamlining STAR Events at the State Level

At the state office, we have a love/hate relationship with STAR Events. (Okay, maybe that's little too strong....)

We love them because through participation in a STAR Event, students can learn, grow, and lead. But sometimes we hate (or really dislike) them because of the time and effort it takes to make it all 'work.' We love the way we see students jump up and down when they've earned their gold medal, and we really dislike the large amount of paperwork and stress involved with the implementation of the state level events. But, you can't have one without the other - or can you?

Over the summer, our staff is thinking about ways to relieve the stress of running STAR Events. One aspect we're discussing is the level of recognition we provide to chapters and members through certificates. Do members really want certificates? Do chapters? Do they each need to be personalized or can they be generic? As we asked each other these questions we decided to also ask our counterparts in other state FCCLA associations. Here's what we found regarding recognition of STAR Events participants at the state level. 34 state associations responded to our survey.

• 78% provide certificates
• 46% provide a certificate with name of participant (not one for the chapter)
• 42% provide a certificate with name of participant and medal designation
• 94% provide STAR Events medals
• 31% provide 1st place trophies

Some states no longer provide certificates due to time and money issues. Some only give medals to their gold winners. Some get pins. Some provide trophies only if the chapters order them (at the cost of the chapter). Some only give medals to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place participants - the rest get certificates only. I think it's safe to say no two states do exactly the same thing when it comes to STAR Events recognition.

As the State Executive Council meets this summer, the type of recognition that is given to state STAR Events participants will be discussed. If you or your chapter members have any preferences or suggestions, please share them with us at the state office or with your region's state executive council member.

Behind the scenes, we're already revising headquarters room procedures so that the entering of data and the production of reports are more streamlined. We are also thinking about ways to streamline the STAR Events Recognition Session. Should we continue to have every participant come across the stage? If we still have state winner trophies, should we only announce those but have the trophies placed in the chapter packets so we don't have confusion on stage?

As always, your comments (and great ideas) are appreciated.