Friday, July 27, 2007

End of Week 1

Well, I’m finishing up my first week here at Cabrini Connections; it has been very interesting to say the least. There is a wealth of information on our website to read through. I plan to encourage everyone I meet to take the time to go online and check it out.
Earlier in the week my boss Dan and I went to an Alderman meeting in Ward 7 and met with Alderwoman Sandi Jackson to discuss our program and our overarching goals of providing information to the public on how to broaden avenues of mentoring and tutoring throughout the city. I was surprised and happy to find the alderwoman so interested in what my boss had to say that she asked him to speak on the panel impromptu.
My boss ever the stalwart champion for his cause took the opportunity and ran with it. His goal of reaching, teaching and learning from as many non-profits, parents, teachers, mentors and kids as he can in this city has now become mine.
We have systems and applications in place that seem to try and cover all possibilities in regard to providing user information; SVATS, White Boards, Program Locators, Strategy Maps, and all sorts of other information resources. I’ve met all the staff; Ana, Nicole and Toni and some of the volunteers; Rebecca (video club) and Shannyn and Jen (writing club) and even some students. I believe I’m off to a good start.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

My first few days

Hello all, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Keith Smith, recently hired at Cabrini Connection as the eLearning and Technology Coordinator. I've been a technology generalist for some years now and ever an advocate for bridging the digital divide and making technology access and availability a primary resource in the education of our youth. During the interview process my new boss Dan asked me to prepare a flash presentation outlining my first 30 days at CC, including ways I will help achieve our Technology and eLearning goals. That can be seen here. www.worldroad.com/cc In following my plan I am currently learning all that I can about Cabrini Connection and the Tutor/Mentor Connection and will be soon sharing my knowledge here on my blog and in other forums across the net.



It is my goal to support the advancement of knowledge of technology from fundamental skills to advance application understanding and usage. Our center is a place where users attend workshops, schedule tutoring and make use of the vast array of tutorials, applications and other software to promote their learning in preparation for success in the Information Age.

I look forward to advancing ideas and opportunities not only for the youth who come to our center but also youth, mentors, tutors and peer groups who can take advantage of our successes and learn from our missteps to provide a better future all who need just a hand up in order to be succeessful in the career path of their chosing.



I want our youth to believe in themselves, believe in us and believe in their future.