Deana Deeb Edmonds
Isaac Brock school
Cluster 2010
Cluster 2010
ITLL Reflection
Well…here I go. My first crack at writing a blog entry.
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about becoming a ‘blogger’ before. It seemed like a fun and trendy thing to do as I was finishing up my Education degree. THEN… I thought about it a little more. What would I even write about?! It was also at this point that I remembered that even though every year I had a New Year’s resolution to keep a journal… I would write in it once or twice and end up tearing the pages out because I didn’t want to go back and read what I had written one day and think about how silly my thoughts were. SO it turns out I wasn’t so keen on becoming a blogger after all…you know writing that could be accessed by anyone and would be much more permanent than pages I could later on rip out of a journal.
Anyway I’m sitting here typing (and biting my nails a lot due to nervous feelings of this being read by my colleagues) and thinking that this too is something I am doing that is pushing me out of my comfort zone!
My lovely comfort zone…the comfort zone I might have been content in remaining in before attending our first session with George. Since that day in March I have 1) stopped using Instagram to creep on people ( I have now made 3 posts!) 2) joined the world of Twitter AND 3) am thinking, very seriously, about starting a classroom blog.
I had recently told someone that I was fine with ‘being maxed out with technology’. I was fine with using what I know and not bothering to learn anything new unless it was completely necessary. After reading George’s book I realized that I’m not okay with this. I don’t want to be left behind. I want to ‘keep up with technology’ and use it to be more innovative in my teaching. Don’t get me wrong…I use technology everyday and love the projects that I am able to do with my class. I’m not even sure why I felt like I was okay with closing my mindset to technology. It seems a little ridiculous now that I think about it!
Now I realize that I can blog about what I know and what I know is…teaching Grade 2! I read other people’s blogs when looking for ideas for my own classroom. Maybe it’s time to return the ‘favour’ and share things that I do in my class with others. Reading The Innovator’s Mindset has made me think about many things. I have revisited my desire to continue my own learning. It also made me think about teachers who keep their best ideas to themselves. I want to be a teacher who pays it forward and continues to learn from a network of really great people!
Danielle Shrumm
Weston School
Cluster 2010
Debriefing and Deep Breathing
Room 17 had just finished their Makerspace Lab time. We tidied up and gathered on the carpet to talk. In our planning sessions, we reflected on the students’ use of language during reflection time. We felt that they needed a broader vocabulary to describe their learning. So today, our post maker reflection time was going to be about the word debrief. We wanted the students to talk about their experiences in Makerspace so we could ask the questions that might move us all to developing the kind of vocabulary that could take their learning deeper. We thought about using the word reflection, which was more familiar to our learners, but in the spirit of increasing our vocabulary we decided to switch it up. So we began: “Today we want to “debrief” our Makerspace learning”. I paused, waiting for someone to raise their hand and ask what the word debrief meant. Instead of a question, Abdisalam quietly said, “You want us to deep breathe?”
It was one of those moments where, as a teacher, I realized that a shift had just taken place in my own learning. I realized in that moment what we were asking them to do was so much more than just talking about their learning. We were asking them to take a risk, go out on a limb, move outside their comfort zone and actually put themselves out there in front of their classmates so we could all hear about their experiences. I smiled and the lesson carried on but a seed had been planted and the connection between debriefing and deep breathing hasn’t left me.
In wondering about this connection I did a little bit of research. Did you know that deep breathing is proven to have “helped to significantly improve right hemispheric cognitive performance, especially in the area of spatial task performance?” Did you know that deep-breathing exercises have been known to “decrease anxiety and feelings of nervousness? ”
http://healthyliving.azcentral.com/deepbreathing-exercises-mental-performance-2370.html
The connections to our learning in Makerspace are continuing to deepen. Maybe from now on we will deep breathe before we debrief thanks to Abdisalam. I know that during my deep breathing exercises I will continue to be mindful that our students give us everything we need to grow as learners every day!
Renee Sanguin -Inquiry Support Teacher
École Victoria-Albert School
Cluster 2010
ITLL Reflection Blog
“When we think differently about the things we are used to seeing daily, we can create innovative learning opportunities”– George Couros
As educators, the thing that we are most used to seeing daily is the learning environments in our schools- our classrooms, libraries, computer labs, etc. We see these spaces every day, and many haven’t changed in decades, maybe even forever. They reflect what a traditional school is ‘supposed” to look like. Innovation can simply start by creating a learning environment that is reflective of the world around us- familiar, comfortable, purposeful, and natural for learning to take place. Thinking about the different learning and working styles that we have as adults, can lead us to think differently about how we expect students to learn. Not many adults would find it reasonable to only be allowed to use technology (ie. phone, ipad, laptop, etc.) while sitting on a rigid chair at a desk. We choose where we are most comfortable for the task we are trying to accomplish- reading on the couch, spread out on the floor, perched on a stool, tweeting while standing, thinking and moving about. Innovation is allowing our students these same freedoms and choices.
We decided to think differently about our daily surroundings to see how we could create innovative learning opportunities. We looked at how lighting, seating, colour, sounds, furniture placement, and wall space all have an impact on learning. We have created different learning environment that offer places to think, create, relax, collaborate, listen, inquire, remember, gather, wonder, reflect, and communicate. Students are empowered to choose the best learning space for the task at hand moving about their day, in and out of different areas. Technology is integrated in different forms as a natural part of the day. The journey of creating this innovative environment will be an ongoing process of meeting learners’ needs as the world around us is ever changing.
http://www.edutopia.org/practice/flexible-classrooms-providing-learning-environment-kids-need
http://www.topdogteaching.com/
Sue and Tiffany
Sargent Park School
Cluster 2010
“Change One Thing”
“To start, change one thing, not everything.” I found this quote from George Couros at the March session to be particularly interesting. Not only because it explains the best way to incorporate innovation into our daily practices, but because it also represents a perfect summation of what I have always tried to do in my classroom.
From year to year, we often teach the same courses in the same subjects. While this is a great way to improve the lessons and activities we plan for our students year over year, it also has the potential to create a mind-numbingly boring work environment for ourselves, redoing the same thing over and over. In order to prevent the potential boredom of repetition, I have always had a rule for myself to change/rework/revamp/redo one unit per year. This has allowed me to bring fresh topics, readings, and perspectives into my classroom and into my teaching.
Interestingly, I always assumed I was doing this for myself. However, after our March session, it occurs to me that this is something I do for my students, as well. Bringing new topics, ideas, and perspectives to students each year is important. It helps us keep our teaching fresh and current, and ensures that we are meeting students where they live. This is also true of changing or adapting new technologies for use in our classrooms.
I created a Twitter account several years ago in order to follow the show runner of a favourite TV program. After a relatively short period of time, I realized that this person was not the creative genius I had assumed him to be, so I unfollowed him and did not visit my Twitter feed for several years. Going back to it and beginning to follow people who are creative geniuses in the area of education innovation has opened my eyes to the benefits of social media, and Twitter in particular, as a learning tool. It has also confirmed the importance of other technology I have started using in my classroom – Edmodo for notes, and online game developers like Sporcle and Kahoot for vocabulary development.
I also use Telegram for group chats with students who have questions outside of the regularly scheduled class time. With group chat, one student has a question and all students have access to the response. Additionally, students can work collaboratively with each other without being together, and at the same time, I can monitor their comments and jump in if there is confusion or misunderstanding. The only thing I remind students is that “I can see everything that you post.” This keeps things focused and on-topic and adds to everyone’s learning.
To start, I make sure I change one thing, not everything, and I hope that my students’ learning is richer for it. I know, for sure, that mine is.
Leigh A. Brown
Daniel Mac
Cluster 2010
Innovative Teaching
Synonyms for innovation include change, alteration, revolution, upheaval, transformation, and breakthrough.
It could be argued that the moment a teacher attempts to be innovative, the organic nature of true innovation is lost. That being said, I see this Innovative Teaching and Learning Series as an opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone as a teacher while developing new and effective ways educate students.
The Domino Skyscraper task (http://threeacts.mrmeyer.com/dominoskyscraper/) is the type of learning activity that I would like to incorporate more into my teaching, and also be able to create with my students. The learning outcomes addressed in this task can be achieved in different ways; however integrating the technology can enrich the learning while engaging students.
Shawn Reimer
General Wolfe School
Cluster 2010
Blog Post 1
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
Innovation: What does that mean exactly?
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
Reflection for ITLL Blog
Since the March ITLL session with George Couros, I’ve tried to reflect on my own practices and ask myself how I could make them more “innovative”. I teach Digital Media Production, so I feel like most of the stuff we do in the classroom is already fairly innovative (aligning projects with “real-life” industry practices). However, two extra-curricular areas that I am involved in could definitely benefit from an innovative re-think: our school newsletter and yearbook. We are still producing traditional print versions of these, and (those of us involved) complain often about how much work it is vs. how much people care about them. During our innovation session, some ideas started percolating… what about doing video versions of both? We already have all the video equipment, so no further cost is involved. And let’s face it, if we’re going to speak the language of this generation, a short, attention-grabbing video is probably going to garner much more viewership than traditional print. For the newsletter, instead of all the typical “news” items (which could just go up on our website, anyway), what if we did a celebration of student accomplishments? I think that would be much more interesting. Maybe we could focus on a different subject each month. I haven’t worked out all the details yet, but this is definitely an idea that I will explore further in the coming months.
Marcus Fowler
Cluster 2010
R.B. Russell Vocational High School