Social Media has enhanced my conference experiences and learning. It seems pretty clear that would be the case. Before social media I attended lots of educational conferences and even some fun conventions (Star Trek and Comic). I attended as an individual, read the program after arrival and tried my best to make the most of it. I left with a bag of notes and a few contacts; but those connections tended to fade away as snail mail and later e-mail were the only means…
I have trying in vain to write a coherent piece about some things that have me thinking. Failing that I am sharing some ramblings. In education we often find ourselves trying to wrap our heads around and carry out new mandates and policies. Just when we think we are getting things settled it is out with the old in with the new. In Massachusetts MCAS tests and frameworks are becoming PARCC and the Common Core, the old ELL trainings will…
Many schools are now using google apps for education to provide a collaborative space for students and teachers to create and share content. Some districts provide their students with blog and wiki space. I myself have created over 2,000 student identities for our Google Apps domain. Many grad students in education, as you can see from comments of previous posts, are blogging as part of their course requirements. Dave Truss asks the question, Who Owns the Learning? This has opened…
A couple of weeks back I read some great posts* about professional development and learning. They really sum up well those things providers need to remember about learners. It is about the learning and not the tools, after all. I highly recommend taking the time to read them. As technology users ourselves we often are so passionate about what we do that we often don’t understand why others do not catch our passion. We may not realize that some teachers…
My growth as a learner has skyrocketed in recent years, as I became a connected learner. I believe I have learned more about teaching, learning and technology’s role in the process from self-directed, network supported interactions then I did in many of the formal educational opportunities in which I have participated. I am sure many of you feel the same way. My children are also connected learners and participate in many opportunities outside of traditional schooling. For example my daughter…
I am attending EduCon 2.2 and just getting ready to start the final day. Yesterday I had the privilege to facilitate a conversation with Danja Mahoney and Michael Springer, and chat with some of the smartest most thoughtful educators around. Our topic was Subversive PD: Creating a culture of collaboration to bring educators into the 21st century. Our focus was looking for strategies that work, in the absence of administrative and teacher support and/or awareness, to foster professional growth. Are…
Tomorrow I head off to EduCon 2.2 this will be my third trip. The first conference was something of an experiment with about 75+ attendees. The conference grew out of a conversation and the conversation has not ended. This year there will be 500 participants, reaching full capacity. It will be a lot more crowded, I hope it brings richer deeper conversations. We shall see. This time around I will also be facilitating a session, I was privileged to be…