It's All About Learning

Playing in the Admin Digital Sandbox

The district in which I work is a very innovative district. We have been focussing on developing important skills like, communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking in our students. To truly have any possibility of that happening, it is important for teachers to understand the importance of these skills and be exploring them for themselves. But, for that to happen, it is imperative for administrators to become more fluent in the skills as well.

With the leadership of one of our Directors of Instruction, Elisa Carlson (@emscarlson on Twitter), administrators have the opportunity to be involved in the Digital Sandbox: Connect, Create, and Share for Administrators. During these sessions we explore various topics (which you can see by clicking on the link). This is a time for our administrators to learn a bit and then have some “playtime” to work on their newly gained knowledge. This allows them time to work together in a supportive environment where risks are encouraged, questions are expected, and mistakes are learning opportunities.

I have been fortunate to be involved in helping to plan, present, and provide support at many of these sessions. While we have not shared much about the previous sessions, Dean Shareski’s presentation in the #etMooc entitled, Sharing As Accountability (click on the title to view the archive of his talk) really reinforced the importance of sharing. So, that’s what I will do here….Continue reading “Playing in the Admin Digital Sandbox”

My Introduction

A few weeks ago, I signed up for ETMOOC – a Massive Online Open Course focusing on Educational Technology & Media. You can see all the individuals who are responsible for offering us this learning opportunity here. This course is an opportunity to learn about the basics of Connected Learning, Digital Storytelling, Digital Literacy, The Open Movement, and Digital Citizenship.

This course reminds me a lot of when I participated in the Reform Symposium in July, 2011. It was overwhelming, powerful, enjoyable, frustrating, exciting, and career-changing. Like others have said in the past, it is just like trying to drink from a fire hose. Try to go easy on yourself. Every step forward is a step further than you were the day before.

It is so important to share while going such a course. It is essential that you see others are feeling the same overwhelmed feeling you are feeling. It is okay. Actually, it is more than okay – it’s all part of the process.

All the sessions for the ETMOOC are archived, so if you are unable to attend the live sessions listed here, then you can find the archives here.

The first “assignment” of this free MOOC is to prepare an introduction of ourselves to the rest of the community. While I wanted this video to be much shorter, I just can’t bare to continue to edit it. I see many flaws in the video, however, it is important to realize that it isn’t about the “final” project, it is about the process. Everything doesn’t have to be “perfect” to be shared with others. I am modelling that in this video. 🙂

Here is my introduction video for the #etMOOC. Thanks for watching (sorry it is so long)!

And for those who do not have 4 minutes of your life to view a video of a total stranger, I’ve made a Coles Notes version – Me – in 30 seconds! Same photos, but no narration. A special thanks to Dean Shareski for his inspiration in the making of this video (1 second shots).

I am looking forward to learning, sharing, and growing together!

Power of Sharing

I still haven’t finished my “Introduction” to ETMOOC post, but will do that soon. I just had to get this post out of my head tonight.

This afternoon, I attended Dean Shareski’s Sharing as Accountability session in the #ETMOOC (Educational Technology Massive Online Open Course) today. It was a great session because it just reaffirmed much of what I believe to be so important in our educational system.

Dean talked about the importance of sharing and learning together. He talked about the importance of sharing in any way you are comfortable. We are not at the same place (nor should we be) and we are not all going to move at the same speed (nor should we).

It is all about understanding and connecting with people – whether that means people around the world, or people across the hall. The more we share, the more we learn about one another and how we can support and learn from one another.

For instance, I have learned so many things about the staff at my school through reading their blogs – things I probably wouldn’t have had time to learn during the busy school day. I have learned about some of their passions – both professional and personal. I have learned about struggles they may be having in their life that help me to understand better. I have learned about professional challenges and successes they are having. Their blogs give me a window into their personal and professional life which I would not have had otherwise. I have been able to make my own personal connections which may not have happened. For this, I am truly grateful.

Here is a wonderful blog post by a fellow #etMOOC participant that resonated with many, The Power of Visible Learning. This demonstrates my point and belief quite nicely.Continue reading “Power of Sharing”

Learning From My Kids

I’ve really been enjoying my time these past couple of weeks. It’s been nice to “get away from it all” and just take some much-needed time to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate. I had some lofty plans on getting caught up with work (are you *ever* really caught up?). While I did get a few things done for work, instead, I created some meaningful, long-lasting traditions and memories with those closest to me: my family. What can be more important than that?

I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon/evening with my two eldest children – each separately – one-on-one time! What a treat! They got to pick whatever they wanted to do and I got to be their “date” and chauffeur. It was my pleasure.

My daughter wanted to go to the mall Boxing Day shopping (really, it was HER idea and I didn’t even buy much). She bought a few things that she has been pining for from her favourite girly store. We also spent a lot of time in the bookstore. Not only did she buy some books for herself, but she also wanted to buy some books for her two brothers. Then, we went for dinner, went to buy her brother a birthday gift, and then did some grocery shopping. Every minute was awesome.Continue reading “Learning From My Kids”

My One Little Word ~ 2013

New Year’s Resolutions are common to make at the beginning of each new year. These goals are usually lofty, difficult to keep, and usually end up being broken. For many, these resolutions focus on health, developing a healthy lifestyle, or getting into better physical condition. Of course, these are not the only resolutions people make. Some may resolve to get a better job or be a better person, or even read more books. People start the year with their resolution at the forefront. Usually, people do quite well for the first couple of months, but then things change. People revert into their old routines, their old habits rear their ugly heads and they begin to do things the way they used to do them. Many times, people fail in their resolutions before they reach the mid-year point. Then, they get down on themselves, not realizing that the resolution they made was not really possible to begin with.

I do not make resolutions. I never really have.

This year, though, I decided that having a focus might be a good thing.

A different kind of focus – one that is much smaller, yet, at the same time, much, much bigger than a resolution. A word. One word that will help provide focus throughout the year. Sounds easy, right?Continue reading “My One Little Word ~ 2013”

Year End Blog Wordle and My Rock

Every so often, I make up a word splash (wordle) of words that are most commonly used in my blog. This was inspired by fellow vice-principal Erin Paynter from Ottawa. The words you use more often are larger than the other less-used words. It is a good way to reflect on my blog and to ensure that my focus of my blog remains what I want it to be – on students and learning.

Here is my first Wordle from July, 2011. As you can see, my focus was on “students” and “courage”. Here is my second Wordle from February 2012, with an emphasis on “students” and “twitter”. As you will see by looking at the Wordle below, my blog focus shifted somewhat in that “students” is not one of the most commonly used words anymore. My focus remains: on learning and sharing (and the time it all takes). I think the focus has changed somewhat because I have really been concentrating my efforts of the learning of everyone – not just students, but teachers, fellow administrators, and my own learning.

Continue reading “Year End Blog Wordle and My Rock”

On Learning

Earlier in the fall, I wrote a post about the importance of finding time for yourself. You can read that post here. It is so important to get away and really think, appreciate, and reflect on what is happening around you and in your life. It is important to take that time for yourself. It is through these reflective times we learn about ourselves, put things into perspective, and find ways to grow.

There are other things we each need to make us feel fulfilled happy each day. There are a number of things that I realize that I need each day to help make me feel whole and full of life. First of all, I need time with my kids each day. Some days it isn’t a lot of time. Working full-time in a career that can take much of my time, can make this challenging. For me though, as long it is a little bit of time to give my kids each a kiss, a snuggle, read them a story, and sing them their bedtime songs, I am good. Of course, I love these holiday times when I get to spend a lot more time with each of them.

Daily opportunities to learn from others is also important for me. I know that many may find this to be unusual, but I truly love to learn. I love being inspired by so many of my PLN on a daily basis. This is accomplished by reading tweets (and blog posts linked) on Twitter or posts in my Facebook feed. In addition, reading through posts in my Google Reader is also an important part of my learning and inspiration. Sometimes, I also have the opportunity to read posts on Zite or in my Flipboard and then share these inspiring posts with others. This learning and sharing energizes me. The more I learn, the more I want to learn.Continue reading “On Learning”

Identity Day 2012

Our school is hosting their first Identity Day this coming Wednesday. This day provides everyone the opportunity to share something about themselves. It can be something that is important to them or something that makes them who they are. It could be a hobby. It could be a special talent. It could be something that they really liked.

These projects are a way of getting to know one another – a real community-building project. These projects are not graded.

As soon as we decided to do Identity Day, I knew that photography would be a part of my project. Photography has always been important to me and an interest of mine. But, after my 1st son was born in 2008, it became much more than an interest. It became a passion. It became something I needed to help me through a difficult time. It became a way to occupy my mind.

As you will see in the video below, my Identity Day project, photography allows me to capture, to express myself, and to create. Photography allows me to capture the beauty that surrounds us every day. We often take for granted our environment and our surroundings. Taking photos allows me to appreciate my surroundings at a much deeper level. Photography allows me to be creative. It is a great way to express myself, to challenge myself, and to learn. Photography allows me to capture emotion. Emotion is often fleeting and difficult to really hold on to. Photography allows me to do that – to capture emotion that will break my heart or capture emotion that will make me smile and laugh out loud! Most importantly though, photography allows me to create memories. I can often get lost in old photos re-living moments in time. Re-living events – whether it be a lost tooth, a hug, a puddle jump, or a birthday party. Photos allow me to always remember.

Here is my Identity Day Project which I will be sharing with our school this week:

I can’t wait to learn about the projects of the students and staff members in our school. It will be an exciting, invigorating day that will help to build relationships among all of us. What a gift!

If you were to do an Identity Day Project, what would it be about?

What would you share with others?

Inspired by SD36

We had our second Engaging the Digital Learner session last night. The session was overflowing. You could barely make your way between the tables filled with excited educators. But, even though the room was full and overflowing, there were many others who were unable to participate because there just wasn’t enough room for all those interested (although, there was an additional session scheduled the night before for those who wanted to hear Shelley Wright speak). Since not everyone is able to attend, one of the things I have committed to doing for my staff and anyone who follows me is to share my own learning – to share what happens at these sessions.

This is the first of two blog posts about what was presented at the Engaging the Digital Learner last night and what I learned.

We started the night learning about Fraser Heights’ story (Grade 8-12). Principal, Sheila Morissette made an iMovie about what is happening at their wonderful school:Continue reading “Inspired by SD36”

Leading the Learning

Our district is trying many new things in the area of technology, but more importantly, in the areas of creativity, collaboration, communication, and connections. We have a number of different opportunities in our district including a 6-part series called Engaging the Digital Learner Dinner Series for teachers and administrators. We also have a 7-part series entitled, Digital Sandbox: Connect, Create and Share for Administrators.

As part of our Digital Sandbox series, we had our second administrator blogging session tonight, led by our district’s Deputy Superintendent, Jordan Tinney. There were approximately 60 excited, yet nervous administrators in the room. It was clear that they were there to learn and to create! Our leaders were going to demonstrate their life-long love of learning tonight! How exciting!

Initially, Jordan planned to start and end the session as a whole group, with 4 break out sessions in the middle of the evening, with each break out session focussing on a different level/area of blogging. With so many people in the room, there were many different needs – just like in our classrooms. Jordan’s plan had to be changed somewhat as the location needed to be altered. The new location would not have the possibility of separate rooms to have separate sessions.

As the problem solver he is, Jordan took this opportunity to create a series of 15 modules in iTunes U, entitled, WordPress User’s Group. The modules start with the very basic introduction to WordPress, move on to choosing a blog theme, to creating pages, to creating custom menus, to widgets and plugins to finally talking about choosing a domain (plus everything in between). Each module has a short video in which Jordan screencasted the information about the particular topic he discussed. The videos are very easy to follow and user-friendly.Continue reading “Leading the Learning”