Geek Pioneer of the PTO
Last night at the PTO meeting I brought up the subject of internet security as it relates to our kids and how we need to start thinking about and formulating a plan now to have a kind of Parent Night, a real sexy tantalizing and exciting Parent Night that parents will actually come to. We will present useful and informative insight to the virtual world our kids are becoming a part of. We would invite an expert or two as guest speakers. When I mentioned that the new library had a room lined with computers for the kids to use to get online and how these computers are almost always occupied by boys and girls alike playing online games like runescape and chatting away in chatrooms, the parents in the room buzzed with a mixture of intrigue and of disbelief. Yes, it's true, I said, and if you have a computer at home, and a child, and a phone line... it is only a matter of time.
As I proposed this upcoming Parent Night idea I went on a little tangent and asked who in the room knew what a blog was. In a room of about 30 parents and a few teachers, I swear I heard crickets chirping. I waited for someone's hand to rise, even half way, in that maybe they had heard the word, at least. One of the parents seemed to knit her eyebrows as if I had just said something x-rated at the PTO meeting...
Nevertheless I went on to explain that the word blog was added to the English language dictionary last year and that in 2004 the number of new blogs created had skyrocketed. Not that anyone should be ashamed of not knowing about this new thing. The point I was making was that this is the wave of the future. This is how people will be communicating, getting their message out, their art, their ideas... and how they will be heard. This is how it IS now, and our kids are going to be tapping into this source, this tool, the older and more independent they become. And what a wonderful way to encourage writing and self-expression, to boot?
While on the subject, I went on to say that a blog would be a wonderful way for the PTO to communicate. The officers could have access to post entries and anyone could comment. When I mentioned the power it could have when looking for volunteers to help solicit donations for the school fundraisers the parents audibly agreed and nodded their heads! Oh! How exciting!
I feel good about getting this ball rolling, and while I may be kidding myself, I feel like I am the Geek Pioneer for my school's PTO. Haha!
Speaking of geekiness, have you heard about the new affordable mini mac? Neato. See, now anyone can afford a Mac. If you already have a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse, well why not replace that gorilla sized CPU with a pretty little jewel like the Mini Mac? I love my new Daisy Mac Powerbook. (You know you name your mac, right?) When I use a PC all day at work, and there are things I love about Windows too.... or maybe I am just used to the programs like Excel and Word...
As I proposed this upcoming Parent Night idea I went on a little tangent and asked who in the room knew what a blog was. In a room of about 30 parents and a few teachers, I swear I heard crickets chirping. I waited for someone's hand to rise, even half way, in that maybe they had heard the word, at least. One of the parents seemed to knit her eyebrows as if I had just said something x-rated at the PTO meeting...
Nevertheless I went on to explain that the word blog was added to the English language dictionary last year and that in 2004 the number of new blogs created had skyrocketed. Not that anyone should be ashamed of not knowing about this new thing. The point I was making was that this is the wave of the future. This is how people will be communicating, getting their message out, their art, their ideas... and how they will be heard. This is how it IS now, and our kids are going to be tapping into this source, this tool, the older and more independent they become. And what a wonderful way to encourage writing and self-expression, to boot?
While on the subject, I went on to say that a blog would be a wonderful way for the PTO to communicate. The officers could have access to post entries and anyone could comment. When I mentioned the power it could have when looking for volunteers to help solicit donations for the school fundraisers the parents audibly agreed and nodded their heads! Oh! How exciting!
I feel good about getting this ball rolling, and while I may be kidding myself, I feel like I am the Geek Pioneer for my school's PTO. Haha!
Speaking of geekiness, have you heard about the new affordable mini mac? Neato. See, now anyone can afford a Mac. If you already have a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse, well why not replace that gorilla sized CPU with a pretty little jewel like the Mini Mac? I love my new Daisy Mac Powerbook. (You know you name your mac, right?) When I use a PC all day at work, and there are things I love about Windows too.... or maybe I am just used to the programs like Excel and Word...
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