Tag Archives: PLN

The Intersection

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cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by gcouros

There is nothing that will ever replace a great teacher.  Nothing.  A master teacher understands how to connect with students and tap into their passions and create a love of learning.

However, when a great teacher can effectively use technology to help a student explore, connect, and create, this is what will take them, their students, and our schools to the next level.  The intersection where the deep understanding of learning meets the understanding of how to leverage technology to give our students opportunities to explore and become both collaborative yet independent in their learning, is where transformation in schools can really occur.

To do this though, we must immerse ourselves in this process.  I was reminded of this when I was perusing through Will Richardson’s presentation to the College of Alberta School Superintendents, and was reminded of the journey of Shelly Wright.  Shelly openly shared her transformation in her blog over the last year, and I know many, myself included, loved watching the process:

I realize that over the past 10 months I’ve become a completely different person than who I was a year ago…A year ago, I wasn’t on Twitter.  Now my PLN is invaluable.  If every other form of PD was taken away from me, I would continue to grow and learn because of the people and resources at my finger tips on Twitter.A year ago, I didn’t really blog. Now it’s part of who I am. It’s how I actively try to make sense of the world.  And it has connected me to people who challenge my thinking and help me to be a better teacher.

The year has started for many educators, and about to start for others.  Throwing ourselves into this type of collaborative, yet self-directed learning can be a transformative process for not only professional selves, but in my own development and for many I have encountered, there is renewed passion for the profession and learning at a very deep, personal level.

How many will hit that intersection this year?

What if we were all family?

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Shaq and Kobe sticking together

Yesterday was a tough day for me personally.  I would like to say that I am better today but I know that I have a lot of healing to do.  All of the pain that I suffer through the loss of my amazing dog Kobe, will be worth it for the 11 amazing years he gave me!

What I have really appreciated was all the kind words and “check-ins” from people all over the world who want to make sure that me and my household are okay.  They have treated me much more than a colleague, and I have been genuinely touched by the caring I have felt over the past 2 days.  This WallWisher really touched my heart and made me proud of how my dog impacted and touched the lives of so many.  If I could give Kobe one last gift, it was that I share how much he affected me so he could affect so many others.  He IS the best dog ever and I am glad that so many people know that (tied with all of yours of course).

I was not surprised, but amazed at how educators from all over the world reached out and showed their care for me.  I was not treated like a principal, educator, or avatar, but as the person I am.

I have talked before about how I believe that my school should be like family, and I have seen the positive impact it has had on our own school culture.  I have seen that this “family” belief has been extending into a global community, and felt it when I read Will Richardson’s post speaking about my brother’s tour of his daughter’s classroom.  We all care and want things to be better.  Will asked for ways that we can help teachers improve their practice and I truly believe that you will get people to move further with an arm around their shoulder, than a finger in their face. I know that my brother will work with his daughter’s teacher and help her improve her practice, the same way he has impacted so many others.

I have learned to reflect on everything that I do and tie into my own practice.  From this last couple of days, I am more determined to reach out and care more about not only the kids in my school (who really helped today), but also my own colleagues in my building and virtually.  Let’s continue to care and learn from the parents of these children since they bring so much value to our schools. I know that if we show our care and concern for one another we can make change.  Let’s continue to put our arm around each other, in the good times and the bad, and make schools better as a global family.  We can do so much more working together, than we can alone.

Thanks Kobe for teaching me another lesson on how to be a better person and educator.  I am going to do my best to love others the way you loved me.

My life A.T. (After Twitter)

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I am blown away by all the opportunities that seem to be opening up for our school and my own personal learning since I have started opening up and learn using Twitter.  I have had opportunities to connect and learn from other educators from around the world, start a collaborative blog with school administrators (which has been absolutely amazing), and have constant invites for our students to join other students in the classroom.  I am blown away by how much I have connected with others.

Talking with one of my teachers today, I tried to explain why Twitter has been so beneficial to my learning.  I told her that it was not about the tool, but it was simply am easy medium to connect with other people.  I also told her that it is hard to understand the actual benefits of Twitter until you are fully immersed into using it.  The beginning stage was a little slow but I decided to add what I could, and just gain information from other tweets.  As I have developed my own PLN, I have shared more information and have made some solid relationships with others that will not only be rewarding professionally, but personally as well.

Here is where I need your help as it is hard to fully explain the benefit on my own.  If you were trying to get another educator to see the benefits of using Twitter, what would you highlight?  What has been the impact on your learning and growth as an educator?  I can only imagine someone who has been using it for several years since I have only been using it for about 6 months.

If you were to “sell” Twitter to my staff, what would you tell them?  I would really love your help.