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people can't be wrong ... read the reviews of Summercore 98 from thirty-three of the actual participants below ... beginners, intermediates .. computer teachers ... skeptics and enthusiasts ...
used with permission (of course)

==> Back to www.summercore.com

==> Read the shorter version of these 33 reviews

  1. Karen Balsen-session #2: Summercore follows the rule of three: the 3 "F's" - fun, fast, and fattening! It is the best educational thing I've done in years for myself. It really pulled all the fragmented bits of computer info in my mind together and enabled me to move on in new technological directions! Support from Student Interns: Andrew, Sam, Senam, Alexandra, Alex they are probably the best advertisement for the program as well as the school. It shows what excellent teachers they've had both in content and in dealing with people. Bravo ... Karen Balsen (Malden Bridge NY: Albany Academy, Librarian/Computer Teacher)
  2. Louise Barteau-session #2: Summercore has empowered me to use computers in a classroom setting – many of the gaps in my knowledge have been filled in and, even more importantly, I feel more confident about solving problems on my own! The exposure to other teachers and the focus on computers as an educational tool were invaluable. I have gone from feeling tentative about my ability with computers to feeling confident, strong, and ready to teach ... Louise Barteau (Philadelphia PA: Chestnut Hill Academy, Art Teacher)
  3. Donna Becker-session #4: Excellent! Great way for me to kick the new school year off. I really loved working with all experience levels and seeing both of your training techniques and ideas. You guys, your student aides are so very patient, positive and encouraging. The kind of folks I like to be around. Marathon is the key word, you'll be pushed, but keep your mind open to take it all in and start again the next day ... Donna Becker (Smyrna GA: The Lovett School, Computer Coordinator)
  4. Betsy Berg-session #3: I enjoyed Summercore so much and learned so much. It far exceeded my expectations. I would describe it as among my best workshop experiences and I have attended at least one workshop for the past 11 summers. This was an A+ learning experience ... Betsy Berg (Grosse Pointe MI: St. Paul's School, Middle School Math/K-8 Computer)
  5. Luette Bourne-session #3: I never cease to be amazed at your phenomenal knowledge, excellent teaching skills, unending energy, etc. Wish I had next week to be here too. You certainly have done an amazing job with the green book. It will prove an invaluable source. Excellent idea to use students. They were most knowledgeable and of great help ... Luette Bourne (Charlestown MA: Brimmer & May, Computer 1-7)
  6. Elizabeth Burns-session #3: I came. I saw. I learned ...... a lot. The fact that I did not feel too overwhelmed most of the time is a tribute to how you have set up this entire experience. There is never enough time to learn everything. Your tactic of constantly telling us that we/you were running behind time was a great one. The cross-level of the participants added much to the value of the Summercore ... Elizabeth Burns (Grosse Pointe MI: St. Paul's School, Principal PreK-8)
  7. Susan Cappetta-session #2: Stupendous workshop. Actually the best I've ever been to, and I've been to a lot of workshops. I'm going back to my school enthused and excited about my job as Director for Academic Technology. The ideas were practical and useful. The database vocab and spelling tricks are a great way to hook more traditional teachers ... Susan Cappetta (Concord MA: The Fenn School, Director of Academic Technology)
  8. Peggy Cling-session #3: I loved It. My learning curve is straight up! All of the support from you and the students was fantastic, I felt VERY supported ... Peggy Cling (San Francisco CA: Convent of the Sacred Heart, Second Grade Teacher)
  9. Jessica Corr-Bolander-session #4: This program was everything I hoped it would be. I learned a great deal of information on both the software our school owns and the vast amount that is available to the education community. I can return to our school with methods of improving our existing knowledge and software capabilities and also make them aware of the technology out there ... Jessica Corr-Bolender (Pottersville NJ: Purnell School, Biology Teacher)
  10. Teresa Dickey, session #2: The most impressive part of Summercore was the quality of teaching. Clearly, you are both excellent teachers, and you utilize a variety of methodologies in your approach. I really like the fact that you modeled that diversity in the way that you taught us what we needed to know. I bow to your expertise in teaching the technology, but I applaud you for your excellence as teachers. Thanks for a great experience ... Teresa Dickey (Playa del Rey CA: Marymount High School, English Teacher)
  11. Rob Houghton-session #3: This was a fabulous workshop, very fast paced and packed with lots of information. Although I am still a bit overwhelmed by all the stuff have learned in the last few days, I am sure that with practice most of what I learned will sink in and become part of my everyday computer use behavior. The true test of your workshop for me was that every night when I returned home at 10:00pm, even after a very long and intense day I found myself energized and reading the green book or jumping on line to check out something I had seen that day and wanted to explore in more depth. Thanks for all the help and patience. It was greatly appreciated ... Rob Houghton (Acton MA: Belmont Day School, Upper School Head/Grade 6 Teacher)
  12. Thomas Kates-session #4: Far more helpful, enjoyable and informative than I imagined--would do it again eagerly and recommend SC to any and all teaching colleagues!! The Sunday Night Summercore Merry-Go-Round? amazing to see what could be done and what I had no idea was possible! Support from Student Interns? truly magnificent--all interns were very friendly, helpful and very patient in their explanations. The Tuesday Night Off idea? excellent--chance to see Downtown Boston and different scene. The Thursday Software Carnival? great fun!! thrilled that I was part of a collaborative effort on my project ... Thomas Kates (Kent CT: Kent School, Upper School History Teacher)
  13. Cassie Keturakis-session #1: You two are simply terrific. I am doubly impressed - once four years ago and again this time. Thank you for the green book, for your unfailing support and for the fun! Some teachers say that learning doesn't always have to be fun and I say, and YOU say otherwise! The students were incredible. Their expertise was so valuable . Thank you for thinking of that. Your son, Sam is sooooo cute ... Cassie Keturakis (Corona Del Mar CA: Harbor Day School, First Grade Teacher)
  14. Bryan Lumpkins-session #2: This was an outstanding experience. Much more than I imagined. Someone told me it was more designed for novice computer users, but that simply just isn't the case. You guys (including the student staff) did a great job. I survived on your enthusiasm and energy ... Bryan Lumpkins (Washington DC: Barrie School, Director of Technology)
  15. Anne Lynagh-session #2: This was GREAT FUN!!! It was not nearly as exhausting as the advance press. The two of you are wonderfully complementary. Lynne, you are clear, precise, articulate, logical and delightfully funny. Steve, you are a visionary as well as a fabulous teacher. Your talk about copying is one you should always give. I partly became a math teacher because my math teacher in graduate school stopped the class one time to talk about a conference he attended and how he felt so positively about some of the issues they discussed. The Summercore Primer is FABULOUS. I have looked at and read some of every chapter. You have worked incredibly hard and cited so many addresses for us both on and off the web. Thank you ... Anne Lynagh (New York NY: Collegiate School, Fifth & Sixth Grade Math Teacher)
  16. Patrick Lynch-session #3: I found the experience fascinating. I admit to being a participant/observer where I watched _how_ things were done as equally as what was done. I think it addressed the needs of a multiple of layers of experience by offering something to everyone, but encouraging beginners and supporting experienced users. Humor and the use of students as instructors provided highlights constantly. I would recommend it to people who are uncomfortable with computing and to users who may think they have little to learn; both (and all in-between) would benefit. Especially strong was the use of time: one could never complain that a moment was wasted ... Patrick Lynch (Hawthorne CA: Marymount High, Director Educational Technology)
  17. Ann Masters-session #4: This is as you advertised: much information packed into a few days. I found it exciting as well as overwhelming at times. The option of Varsity vs JV was terrific since I have spent conferences where, although advertised as varsity, the instruction was at the JV or lower level because of the questions and people who were in the group. I feel I have been challenged to try many things. I always feel that if I get one thing from a conference I am lucky. I have gotten many things from this one... thanks ... Ann Masters (E. Williston NY: Old Westbury School, Holy Child, LS Science/Math/Computer)
  18. Sarah McFarland-session #3: I thought the program was terrific. I feel like returning every year for the next five years to catch up with everyone else ... Sarah McFarland (Williamstown MA: Miss Hall's School, Upper School Teacher)
  19. Pattie Moriarty, session #1: I am very glad I came and feel as though I am taking away much valuable information. There is still so much that I do not know but I have the tools to at least know where to go next. I had never searched the Web before and now am comfortable locating some excellent web sites, am more familiar with some useful software, have improved some of my basic skills and will continue to practice, practice, practice ... Pattie Moriarty (Wellesley MA: Belmont Day School, Grade Three Teacher)
  20. Pam Orchard, session #1: I was prepared to be wowed, and I was. Since I knew Lynne from the excellent workshops she ran at Belmont DS, I had a sense of the tone and expectations of the group. Steve and Lynne do a great tag-team act and seem to keep a nice balance between pushing us and letting us find a comfortable place to be. It left me wanting more, and what else can you ask ... Pam Orchard (Milton MA: Belmont Day School, Grade Four Teacher)
  21. Joan Osowa-session #2: This was one of the best professional development opportunities that I have participated in . Steve and Lynne, you have a winning formula. We learned so much! The time went by incredibly quickly. I feel like I've been here 2 days instead of 5! Will recommend this to all my faculty. Support from Student Interns? This was one of the best features of SC. Using these talented students is a win - win - win situation .... for them, for you and for us .. Joan Osawa (East Greenwich, RI: Rocky Hill School, Head of Lower School)
  22. Marc Rando-session #3: I found this to be incredibly valuable. I solidified many of my skills while learning many new ones. I also was able to see some software(and hardware) that I was basically unaware of or had heard of but never seen ... Marc Rando (Bridgewater MA: Thayer Academy, Foreign Language Department Head)
  23. Nancy Reynolds-session #4: The best workshop I've attended on computers and everything else--all 10's. Support from Student Interns? I love them all--what great young people. The Summercore Primer? Yes, I have "breezed" through it and have read some parts. I know that it will be right next to my computer at school and at home. Thanks for a great guide. Snacks? Everything was scrumptious. The Sunday Night Summercore Merry-Go-Round? This was a great introduction to what we would be looking forward to, and the students were super demonstrators. The "curriculum group splits" for occasional projects?This was a wonderful idea because it made for a comfortable feeling to be with others who also needed to learn in a JV situation ... Nancy Reynolds (Dover MA: Tenacre Country Day School, Reading Resource Teacher)
  24. Tooey Rogers, session #2: This was excellent! You both (and the "kids" too) have so much fun, and yet you take it extremely seriously. Setting up the marathon is on target, sort of like Berlitz computer. The Summercore Primer: Wow, Holy Cow, Bozhe Moy, Mon Dieu, Gracious what a piece of work. I take my toupe off to both of you for this piece of excellence. It reminds me of the old Macintosh Bible, but this is much more than that. Good Job. Support from Student Interns is one of the nicest touches of the whole program (a program, I might add that is laced, suffused, no intoxicated with nice touches) ... Tooey Rogers (Concord MA: Belmont Day School, Third & Fourth Grade Math/Science)
  25. Maryanne Shemo-session #4: I came to this week feeling resistant because of my lack of knowledge and because I never think of myself as a computer-user. My attitude, abilities and appreciation have improved thanks to the design and expertise I encountered here. I'm leaving the class feeling more confident, savvy, and committed to continue to develop my skills and my integration of the technology in my personal and professional life. I was often awed by the breadth of your knowledge, incredible creative powers of imagination and logic, and your sense of humor. Thank you for really respecting time, for honoring our differences and for such patient encouragement. Your students are very lucky to work with you. A hundred thousand thanks ... Maryanne Shemo (Newton MA: Newton Country Day School, MS Head/Religion)
  26. Ann Smith-session #4: A wonderful learning experience for me. Though there were many people far more advanced than I, I felt it was always okay to ask the simplest of questions. Keep up your good work. You make computers open a whole new world to those of us born in the year of ... Ann Smith (Arlington MA: Belmont Day School, Third-Sixth Grade Reading Teacher)
  27. Maureen Stingel, session #1: I know that I learned a great deal. I've always felt intimidated by computers, and I was hoping at first they would just be a phase. Then I was hoping I could ignore them. Finally I realized that it was time to "bite the bullet." The phrase I found most helpful was to think of the computer as a violin, not a blender. I've always treated computers as blenders, and then wondered why I wasn't getting anywhere. I assumed I was just a technadolt. Now I realize that I really can join the world of computers -with a lot of work ... Maureen Stingel (West Hartford CT: Renbrook School, Grade Four Teacher)
  28. Meggen Stockstill-session #2: I loved the conference and felt it was a week very well spent. Steve and Lynne, you were both so talented and personable, and your individual personalities and teaching styles gave Summercore variety that you can't get with one instructor. The students also were all great, helpful, and quite impressive. I wish I could come every summer -- I know we have only scratched the surface, and I am excited to try things back at my school ... Meggen Stockstill (Corona Del Mar CA: Harbor Day School, Middle School Math)
  29. Lauren Sullivan-session #2: No better way to get hands on training than to come to Summercore. I am more aware of all the possiblilties out there and feel surprisingly confident about what I could do on my own. I have learned this much information in such a short period in a long time (Exam week-10th grade Biology!) The Summercore Primer: Thanks for putting together such a tremendous resource- I know it will become my techno bible ... Lauren Sullivan (New York NY: Collegiate School, Middle School English Teacher)
  30. Deborah Tuck-session #4: Great professional shot in the arm--learned so much more than I thought I ever would-the best hands-on conference that I've been to in a long time. Deborah Tuck (Middleboro MA: Newton Country Day School, Librarian)
  31. Melanie Ullman, session #1: While I still feel overwhelmed by all that I don't know, I feel that my knowledge has increased dramatically. I now have many more options to try when I get stuck. I wish that I could have another week to expand my skills in HyperStudio and desktop publishing; and to examine more educational software. Guaranteed sainthood for Lynne and Steve-- your patience is truly remarkable ... Melanie Ullman (Worcester MA: Solomon Schechter, Librarian)
  32. Bob Vaughan-session #2: This is an OUTSTANDING workshop that I will encourage other members of my faculty to attend regardless of their level of ability. I will never forget the sound of your voices, Steve and Lynne, asking WHO NEEDS HELP ... Bob Vaughan (Marion MA: Tabor Academy, Director of Technology)
  33. Elaine White, session #1: While I might not recommend this course to the very pregnant or to the infirm, I can honestly say this course is the best professional development course which I have attended in 13 years of teaching. I intend to recommend the course and the consultants to my school. I could not have envisioned the outcome, but I am certainly pleased by the amount of support, variety and encouragement I received from all those connected with Summercore. Perhaps most importantly I did not feel out of my element here. I could be myself, I could think about what is important to me in the classroom, and I did not feel threatened by technowizards or computer gurus. I learned at my own pace and was encouraged to do so. I also like the fact that interaction with and teaching of students is not replaced by computers nor was it ever suggested by anyone that it should be. While I found some of the activities frustrating because I was not learning as easily as I might have liked, I think that your approach to the course is wonderful. I applaud the way that you break up time, design activities and encourage group learning. You model the classroom that I strive to create. I also think that you are remarkably patient with a diverse group of students, who first and foremost pride themselves on being teachers, and teachers, as we know, are not always good listeners or team players ... Elaine White (Byfield MA: Governor Dummer Academy, Chair English Department)