Human Infrastructure

Dr. Mark Edwards shared these powerful words during my visit to Mooresville Graded School District in North Carolina. This district has received a lot of attention for their digital conversion, and after the visit I understood why. Nothing about this district appeared to be "showy." Instead of one or two specific rooms to observe, we were led to different wings of the buildings and told to explore any of the rooms. This immediately sent a message of confidence in each educator and the type of learning that was occurring throughout the school. Students were collaborating, comfortable in their learning environment, and engaged in multiple activities.


I immediately felt at home in the high school classrooms, and coming from 13 years of teaching at the elementary level this isn't always the case. The atmosphere had a familiar hum with pairs and groups discussing ideas while others were working independently.  The use of "centers" in secondary classrooms was inspiring.  There were very few rooms that had rows of desks. Instead, there were tables, groups of learners, and students moving around freely.

The middle school media center, known as the CAVE, perfectly captured the culture of learning that exists in this district. It wasn't what was in the space, but what was happening in the space. One student had just finished writing lyrics to show what she had learned. Her enthusiasm was contagious as she handed her earphones to her friend so she could listen.  Another group of students were presenting and several were conducting research. There were multiple classrooms of students working simultaneously in the space, instead of a group assigned there for "library."

The leaders were transparent as they discussed their journey. They acknowledged that mistakes were made and hoped we could learn from them. Their focus is clearly on the learners first, and then how technology can amplify this learning.  Another key component was the collaboration among teachers. If collaboration is valued then you find the time. The educators at Mooresville find ways to be creative with time and space, and understand that the best learning is from one another.

As we move forward and redefine the culture of learning, it is imperative we focus on the human infrastructure. Do we value collaboration enough that we create time for it? Are we supporting and challenging each other to grow and take risks? Is sharing the norm, and not a special event? Do we recognize the strengths of those around us and utilize their knowledge?

We need the to have our technology infrastructure in place. However, if we don't focus on the relationships with each other, that will become our largest roadblock.

Who are you cheering for?

PETE&C 2016 was filled with cheering. 

Educators were cheering for keynote speakers, presenters, and also for one another. People were sharing ideas and were genuinely interested in what they could learn from the people in the room. 
George Corous led an activity that had everyone cheering for each other in a matter of minutes. 

All of this made me think how great it
would it be to have this type of energy and cheering going on in our schools.

We want ALL students to be successful and experience the best possible learning environment, but in order for this to happen we need to view our colleagues as part of our team. We need to cheer when the teacher next door is successful and we need to offer support when it is needed. We want our students to seek out resources, but are we? Are we using each other to ensure our students have the best possible experience?  

 Our students are too important and our time with them is too valuable to let our egos get in the way. We need to continue to cheer for our students, but we also need to cheer for each other. 

Digital Learning Day

Digital Learning Day is on February 17th. 

Educators and students around the world will be celebrating how instruction can be enhanced through the use of technology. On Digital Learning Day and every other day, it is important to remember that the learning comes first. We must first understand what it is that we want our students to be able to do. Then we can think about ways to add creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking to our learning. What will you try on the 17th? It can be a day to try something for the first time. A day to share out the incredible things going on in your classroom. A day to make connections with new people. 

If we want our students to take risks and think outside the box, we must be willing to do this ourselves. 

Please share what is going on in your classroom using the hashtags #DLDay and #Bermbuzz. 

Here are some ideas to get you thinking:

• Pair up with another class and show them a new tool you have been using
• Sign up for Twitter
• Create a podcast or movie 
• Spark curiosity using Wonderopolis or Curiousity.com
• Start a grade-wide Kahoot game
• Share a project you have been working on
• Use Glogster to create a multimedia poster
• Connect with one new person on Twitter
• Start a class blog
• Skype with another class or a field expert or play Mystery Skype
• Create a Padlet wall to share learning and collaborate with other students
• Explore the world playing GeoGuesser

Teaching & Learning Conference

#bssdtlc
January 18, 2016

 

We were encouraged to keep an open mind as we discussed the future of teaching and learning at Bermudian's Teaching and Learning Conference. While changing the name from an in-service day to a teaching and learning conference may not seem like a big deal, it reminds us that we must view ourselves as learners. Our world and our learners are constantly changing and we must change along with them. One of the best ways we can learn is through collaboration, and it was great to get a chance to do that on Monday.

Check out some pictures from the day!

Our afternoon sessions provided an overview of PBL and the 4Cs. Below you will find additional information and videos.

  

Additional Resources
                     

 PBL             4Cs

Links to Professional Resources

Bam! Radio Network

Edutopia

Edweb

Twitter

Cheat Sheet

Hashtags

Chat Calendar

My One Word

Ignite

All of us have a spark. Something that drives us. An energy that makes us who we are. As educators, we are passionate about learning, but over time the fire may die down.

This past summer, I attended my first ISTE conference and I was intrigued by the ISTE ignite sessions. Five minute presentations where inspirational educators share their craft with you. These sessions do just that…they ignite your passion, inspire you, and make you want more.

 I also had the pleasure of listening to George Couros speak during the conference.  I have never left a session as motivated as I did that day. I remember getting a text from a friend who was also attending the conference, but at a different session.

My response when she asked how his session was going...

AMAZING! He has me laughing. He has me crying. 

He ignited my passion for innovation by sharing his story. I highly encourage you to listen to him if you have the opportunity.

My one word for 2016 is IGNITE. 

All of us are capable of igniting passion in others, but usually we are unaware of the impact. The man in this video was inspired by a teacher who helped him discover his passion and years later went back to thank him. 

Who has inspired you? 

Have you thanked them? 

Who will you inspire today?

Tweet

Change...

Change is an opportunity to do something amazing.

 #Innovators Mindset

I totally agree with the above statement, however, currently I feel the need to add to it.

Change is also hard, uncomfortable, and downright scary at times. As I begin this new journey as Innovation Specialist, I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous. When we don't know exactly what lies ahead, we worry, we overthink, and we can become resistant to new ideas and ways of doing things. People can also interpret the need for change to mean that the way they were doing something was wrong or not good enough. This isn't always the case.

Take Blockbuster for instance. Ten years ago the aisles were packed with eager patrons scanning the aisles for the perfect movie.

And now...

Blockbuster was great... until a better way of accessing movies came along. When is the last time you wished you had to get in the car to rent a movie? Do you find yourself missing the ridiculous late fees? Longing to see the empty spot on the shelf that housed the movie you had been waiting to see? I doubt any of these statements are true.

So while change is scary, it is also exciting. We may not know exactly what lies ahead, but we do know that we can provide our students with more. Knowing that, we must begin to move outside our comfort zone.

Change is a process. It won't happen overnight and it won't come without mistakes. Sometimes the hardest part about change is acknowledging that it is necessary. Is there something, even something small, that you would like to change or try in the new year? I would love to hear from you!