This session of the Virtual Coffee Shop podcast features a conversation with Anita Brooks Kirkland, Jane Mitchinson and Jen Taylor exploring the idea of education co-existing with covid-19. There are many implications to consider with K-12 education in September 2020, virtual libraries, use of technology, collaboration, equity and change of practice to name a few.
Pour a cup of your favourite coffee bean brew and enjoy the conversation with Anita, Jen and Jane.
~Mark
This Virtual Coffee Shop podcast is a follow up to to this podcast with Shannon Clark recorded one year ago after meeting Shannon in April 2019.
In this episode I am joined by Shannon’s daughter Mackenzie who shares a classroom perspective on using the Balanced Cafe app and the http://www.4theluvoffood.com website with her grade 8 students. New features in the app are also highlighted.
It is really nice to see a project and goal come together. Grab a cup of your favourite brew, or perhaps an iced coffee at this time of year and enjoy the podcast with Shannon and Mackenzie.
Classroom Resource Links:
– Grade 3
– Grade 5
– Grade 8
~Mark
Happy May!
Today’s episode of the Virtual Coffee Shop podcast features an interview with Sue Kwiecien, the inspirational lead of Cube for Teachers ( https://cubeforteachers.com/ ). In our conversation we explore the history, philosophy and upcoming new features for the site and ever growing international user community.
You know the drill … grab a cup of your favourite brew and enjoy the conversation.
~Mark
This episode of the Virtual Coffee Shop podcast welcomes guests Anita Brooks Kirkland and David Loertscher. Our podcast conversation explores the Virtual Library, collaboration and some design ideas.
Grab a cup of your favourite brew and settle in to a comfy chair and enjoy the conversation!
~Mark
The COVID-19 situation is certainly a unique scenario for us all to experience. I hope you are healthy and safe where ever you are.
I have been impressed with the amount of positive sharing of suitable activities for families and children. I also have noticed the generosity of many companies who have offered free or reduced price access to their products. Of particular interest to me is in the music arena, where Moog, Korg, Roland, Arturia and many others have provided an interesting selection of apps as an example.
As I have been learning the apps and enjoying the wide range of capabilities and sounds, I decided to create some 1.5 to 2 minute musical soundscapes that could serve as prompts for drawing or painting a picture, telling a story,video, creating movement/dance, or perhaps using it in a new creative musical context.
There are 3 samples currently available for listening/download and I will continue to add 1 or 2 more samples each week. [Click here] to access the files.
If you would like to share your creation with me, please leave a comment with a link to your creation.
Happy creating!!!
~Mark
This post features a podcast with Anita Brooks Kirkland, a wonderful friend, colleague and fellow clarinetist. This podcast is the first in a planned series focusing on Canadian School Libraries.
Pour a cup of your favourite brew and enjoy our overview conversation to kick off this topic.
Resources: Canadian School Libraries
~Mark
This podcast features an interview with Ontario principal Derek Rhodenizer where we explore an on the ground action plan for personalizing teacher professional learning.
Grab a cup of your favourite brew (the virtual coffee shop) and soak in the information and perspectives from Derek’s experience.
Take time to reflect on Derek’s journey and planned path forward. You may wish to follow Derek on Twitter .
~Mark
For the past 2 and a half years I have been fortunate to work with the staff and students at Mamawmatawa Holistic Education Centre at Constance Lake First Nation (2 Musko Rd, Ontario P0L 1B0) in a variety of capacities.
Last year I was honoured to team up with Melissa Lavoie with the Walk With Us project and bring together many interesting learning elements together. It was an amazing experience all around and will always be a very special memory for me.
Have a listen to the podcast to learn about Walk with Us and our process, then check out the the student work and elder interviews by clicking the Walk With Us graphic below.
Podcast with Melissa Lavoie
Resources:
CBC news story on Walk With Us
Follow Melissa on Twitter: @MelizzaLavoie
~Mark
This episode of the Virtual Coffee Shop podcast features an interview with Shannon Clark and Stephen Hurley. I hope you enjoy this conversation outlining my happenstance meeting with Shannon, her research and plan to impact health and well being in Canada – adults and students!
With 12 years experience as a physiotherapist working with diabetics, Shannon Clark, owner of ‘4 the Luv of Food’, has developed a tool called the Balance Factor to teach North Americans the nutrient value of food and how to properly balance meals and snacks.
The Balance Factor teaches consumers how to stabilize blood sugar resulting in less insulin use, less body fat and a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Make a cup of your favourite blend of coffee, settle into a comfy chair and enjoy learning about this initiative.
Podcast:
Resources:
Follow Shannon on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter
Shannon’s Web Site: 4theluvoffood.ca
~Mark
I have participated in #OneWordONT in the past. Although I missed last year, it is time to jump back in!
My 2019 #OneWordONT word is: Rebalance.
In many ways, 2018 was a great year with lots of positives. In reflection though, I felt that the various elements of the year required long periods of intensive focus on particular project. These intense periods detracted from other activities in education, music, exercise, family and friends time.
While I look forward to the various goals, project and activities for 2019, I know a better way forward is to be more intentional about achieving success, improvement(s), forward direction through a balanced approach.
Here’s to an awesome, more balance 2019!
~Mark
