Travis+N

**Few Facts about myself:**

 * 1) **I teach in a small rural district in Iowa. Our town is approximately 800 people and our district has about 675 students k-12. Although it would be consider a small district based on the enrollment, we are one of the top 5 largest schools in the state based on the square mileage our district covers.**
 * 2) **My wife, Bethany, and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary back in August. We have two boys, Cooper** **5, just started kindergarten and Owen who will turn 2 in December**
 * 3) **I love anytype of sport, however, track and field is my passion. I was a miler in high school and college. I am currently the boys and girls cross-country coach at Praire Valley and the boys track coach.**


 * What I'd like to learn or get out of this course:**


 * I am looking for some way to incorporate more technology into my classroom. Our school just started a 1:1 laptop program with our 7 - 12 students, but gave us no extra time and limited, very limited professional development to prepare on how to use this great investment with our students. Even before we began the 1:1 computers this year, I've struggled with incorporating technology into my classroom. I can see how Wikispaces and blogs would help communicate and allow students to define major concepts, but I have a hard time when it comes to using the technology to actually solve and work the problems. There is still a group of students that will be going into archetecture, engineering and actuary science who, even though they will get a chance to use the latest technology, are still expected in many colleges to be able to calculate and solve problems without technological helps. I am hoping this class will help me find that balance between the two. I think this year, I've seen more the importance of using the technology more as I have never had the amount of students looking as bored in class as I have so far this fall.**


 * My favorite game(s): Frogger, Pole Position, Ms. Pac Man. NCAA Football, Cribbage, and Pepper. However, you introduce me to a great game, and I'm going to figure out how to beat you at it.**