I had signed up for Twitter not long before the session with George Couros because when Cooper Nemeth went missing in East Kildonan, my home neighbourhood, my daughter on exchange in Quebec was getting updates regarding the disappearance through Twitter mush faster than anything I could glean here in Winnipeg. I had been reluctant to sign up for Twitter because I have observed significant negativity and bullying of others through these kinds of media and I didn’t want to be a part of that. However, the idea that sending a tweet out results in solutions to problems and ideas coming to you, rather than having to search and mill through a variety of sites and information to get what you need is highly appealing.

 

Since the April session, I’ve sent out a few tweets, some professional, a few personal. I haven’t received a flood of response, probably because my followers are so few, though I did cc George in my tweets. I have had conversations with other professionals about how they use Twitter in their lines of work – reading appropriate articles and developing relationships. I’m excited about the possibilities that Twitter offers, even if I haven’t reaped the benefits greatly as yet.

 

Recently, I attended a soccer tournament in Calgary and through that experience, I signed up for Instagram as well so that I could have better access to pictures taken during the weekend. My husband signed up so that he could see the pictures, and I saw that my youngest son, 11 years old, had signed up as well. I returned home from this trip feeling motivated and inspired.  On our Spring Break vacation, my young son was downloading podcasts to listen to during our long road trip and following his lead, I did the same and listened to a podcast about Melati and Isabel Wijsen and their campaign to ban plastic bags in Bali. I think it is important to realize that kids do these things every day. They are proficient and comfortable with these methods of communication. They are interested by and devoted to technology. My other son is plugged in constantly…he will go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and be watching a Youtube video on the way to the bathroom, while in the bathroom and returning to bed. I know…I can hear him! I want to keep up, not only to remain effective as a teacher, but for myself as a learner!

Lori Bodner

Clifton School

Cluster 2010

I was not sure what to expect when I volunteered for the ITLL initiative. Spending the day with George Couros was a very interesting experience. I must say that the session with George was very different from any Professional Development initiative I have ever been to. In the past we have been given a bunch of things that we have to do but not this time. This time we were given an invitation to embrace change and learning. I like the quote, “To be a master teacher you must be a master learner.” gcouros

After years of being told to stay away from “Social Media” and being filled with fear of how dangerous it is, we were invited to connect with other teachers and educators through “Social Media.” Now that is innovation!

I had started using a Twitter account a short time before our first session with George Couros but I really didn’t understand what Twitter was all about. During the professional development day, I learned more about what Twitter was. It is like a ‘professional development’ account. I have spent some time building up my professional connections. Over the past month, I have been exploring what it means to be an educator in a global setting. Now that is really cool!

As fascinating as Twitter is, I believe that innovation is much bigger that ‘Social Media.’ As an early years’ teacher I have learned to embrace change over the years. I have observed the struggles faced by adults and children both personally and professionally who are inflexible and find change difficult.  In order to lead by example, I bring change into my classroom regularly to help my students become flexible learners.

As I reflect on what I learned during the session with George Couros, I find myself once again evaluating both my classroom and my teaching. I have taken a step further into new territory. I have embraced the concept of “Learning Zones.” I made a few changes in the structure of my classroom. My students now have opportunities to choose learning zones that best meet their learning needs. It has been wonderful to see my students reflect on their own learning needs and choose a learning zone based on their own needs without me having to tell them what I think they need.

I look forward to continually changing and growing with a fabulous group of educators.

Tina Funk-Lawson

Clifton School

Cluster 2010