Reflection on March 23rd, just after the first ITLL session:
Positive energy and optimism! George Couros empowered a room full of teachers from the moment the day started, and the energy stayed high all day. I’ve been in this same Room 106 so many times in my career but this was brand new – bigger than I could have anticipated, even after reading “The Innovator’s Mindset.” I’m grateful to participate in #WinnipegSDITLL with this amazing, open-minded, and eager group of teachers. It’s also refreshing to shed my reluctance to come on-board with social media after feeling restrained and annoyed by it. I not only started tweeting, I gained followers today! There’s so much power in numbers, most of these tweeters were strangers and they’re suddenly important to me. We share values and interests – we all want to empower our students – and we can help each other find answers to questions and inspire each other with ideas. I’ll be testing this out. I am invigorated and feeling ready for whatever any naysayers might throw my way, because I know my already strong powers as a learner and a teacher are growing, and becoming stronger as I think with artistry about what I am doing. This isn’t just sustainable; it will grow and evolve as opportunities are created. I’ll be starting with Google docs and forms and will explore the potential of these with my students and with colleagues. I’m already considering possibilities for Family Studies and Guidance, and am keen to use them and offer them as tools for my inquiry learners. I wonder how students’ll expand my understanding with their experimentation, and hope their freedom and playfulness with technology will stimulate creativity.
Over the last few weeks:
It’s been both inspiring and overwhelming. I’ve connected to educators from all over the continent. I’ve surveyed students on their social media journeys and we’ve wondered how to smooth out this bumpy transition from no personal electronic devices in the classroom to learning with them. My students are young mothers with a multitude of demands on them and they struggle to stay on course. Despite best intentions, some claim it’s too easy to waste time while others easily started integrating smart phones into their learning. One of my students complained that despite building prioritizing skills for inquiry, social media distractions grow bigger along with project challenges. If an obstacle appears it’s always a relief to ignore the problem and have a completely unrelated connection and conversation on social media. If anyone has a kind solution I’d love to hear about it. I have so much to learn! I have to remind myself that it’s one step at a time – go narrow and deep. This journey has not been the smooth sailing I’ve envisioned, but I feel like I’m in good company and I anticipate great things on the horizon.
Lois Friesen
Adolescent Parent Centre (WAEC program)
Cluster 1871