Month: November 2015

November 29, 2015

Tech Talk 1 – Sharing Google Docs

Here is my challenge – colleagues have asked for more technology PD.  I am looking to provide workshops every 1-2 weeks together, but thought some regular 2-5 minute Tech Talk videos might spark interest and from feedback could guide where we go in our technology direction.

Here is my first one:  It is on creating and sharing a Google Doc.  This lets multiple users edit the same document in Real Time – people can comment or edit.  No need to email documents, just share them! Everyone is always on the same most current version!

November 24, 2015

Don’t just deliver information

George Curous tweeted a link recently http://venspired.com/be-the-learner-your-kids-need/

I like how Krissy said “When we are the ‘deliverers of all information’ we steal something special.”

We don’t give our students the opportunity to make connections and to learn!  I’m trying now in my computer class to show a few neat things but more importantly to give them time to explore.  They need to get frustrated and learn how to deal with that frustration.

When a student asks me how to do something, I say that I don’t always know the answer, but we can learn it together and I model how I would figure it out.  Often I suggest to Google “How do I…” and look for a video.  I believe that this empowers them to know they can learn without me.

If we give them a project and ask them to recreate it, where is the learning and exploration?  I loved Randy Pausch’s book “The Last Lecure:  Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”.  You should really check out his lecture on-stage at:  https://youtu.be/ji5_MqicxSo

But specifically this clip I cut from video (using clipconverter.cc) where he talks about setting the bar in an assignment.  

“I obviously didn’t know how high the bar should be, and I’d only do them a disservice by putting it anywhere.”

 

November 22, 2015

Why should I blog?

I am a teacher with a passion for integrating technology in the classroom.  Currently, I am teaching at Loyola School of Adult and Continuing Education in Kingston Ontario.

I have been teaching for many years and have had so many wonderful experiences.  I am currently completing my Principal Qualifications Course and was creating a new Professional Portfolio.

I realized that I have a few binders of resumes, reference letters, certificates etc.  They all seem so outdated.  If I am going to lead by example, I need to put my ideas and values out there to “learn openly” as George Couros calls it.  Allow others to challenge me and make me better.  Of course I may have no followers on my blog, but that is OK, I’m doing it for my own journey.

I am going to break down my blog into categories and that should help me identify my strengths and also my weaknesses so I know what I need to work on.

I feel that I have put off publishing my thoughts because I don’t like to brag about things I have done, or am doing.  However, if I am learning openly and sharing, I can have a record of who I am and how I am growing.

I think that if I write it down, I am more likely to be self-reflective and force me to follow through.

George Curous has some great resources on using Blogs as a Digital Portfolio:  Blogs as Digital Portfolios