~Mark
Category Archives: ProfessionalLearning
Google Classroom Goes Live at WRDSB
This has definitely been a week of anticipation. I am always excited for CATC Camp, our summer self directed, self paced learning opportunity for staff that focuses on technology enabled learning, effective use of digital tools and digital resources.
The first two days of camp have been awesome! Based on an email I received from Google on Monday of this week, I also knew that we were getting close, REALLY close on the activation of the Google Classroom feature of our GAFE (Google Apps for Educators) environment. I had been sporadically checking all week … not yet … not yet. I tried once more just before supper tonight – not yet. I was beginning to feel like this was the watched tea kettle that wouldn’t boil.
As we were setting up for our post dinner newstime, I thought why not try one last time for today. YIKES – there is was – installed and active. It felt like Christmas in August, and was SO MUCH FUN making the surprise announcement to our CATC Camp attendees. I wished I had thought to record the reaction in the room – instant energy, excitement and applause.
Well, this was a perfect opportunity to offer a quick tour and orientation for interested staff. No problem – Andrew Bieronski jumped into action and provided a nice spontaneous workshop. In the 75 minutes following the announcement, staff were tweeting, re-tweeting about the announcement, sharing and exploring. Some went ahead and set up their 14/15 classes and added the first student assignment. My initial observation was that Google Classroom was easy & intuitive to use, and that support needs would be minimal.
A reaction shared by many!
Making Discoveries
I am looking forward to implementing this tool for classroom educators in our system. Now, I wonder what the next WRDSB hosted GAFE Summit will look like?
~Mark
Learning at CATC Camp Day 2
Learning at CATC Camp (Day 1)
Important Voices
Today started with a great conversation over breakfast. I was sitting with Harry Niezen, Donna Fry and George Couros. The question on the table was who are the big names to follow in education these days?
Photo from http://goo.gl/EG8KAi
After some healthy discussion, of a few of the traditional big names the conversation drifted to a new perspective. Why do we need to focus on the “big names”? Many educators are bloggers. These educators are openly sharing ideas, reflections, visions and questions.
Why would we pay attention to one perspective? Why not read, share, comment and reflect on the viewpoints of active connected educators who are putting their thinking ‘out there’ for everyone to access?
Where do you stand? The one (or few) or the many?
Share your comments here or connect on Twitter.
~Mark
Related Resources
Just Make it Public
As things continue to evolve in education, I have been very encouraged by continued and growing dialogue around the importance of sharing professional practice(s), resources and personal reflections. I support this thinking and practice whole heartedly.
However, from my perspective, there is a BUT. Make that a giant
I am concerned that many of these conversations continue with the notion that some private structure or service should be created to house this information.
Sharing should be personalized! — put your thoughts, reflections and ideas ON YOUR OWN BLOG. Allow the global community of educators the privilege of searching, finding, reading, re-reading, sharing, curating, linking and commenting on your blog posts.
Your thinking MATTERS. Period.
Not blogging yet? Sign up for one today.
Want to change practice and blog with other educators? Watch the OSSEMOOC website for opportunities this fall.
~Mark
Connected Learners Need Connected Leaders
Todays connected learners need connected school and system leaders. Further to the presentation prepared for TEDxKitchenerED about the work that is/needs to be done in the area of personally owned, self directed learning opportunities for school/school board leaders to build awareness and capacity in this area, Donna & I are pleased to announce that the official TEDx video is now online.
~Mark
Sharing your Learning: Collaboration
This year, WRDSB teachers Alison Bullock and Andrew Bieronski ran a very successful cross curricular and cross panel collaborative project with grade 4 and grade 10 students.
Full project details may be read [here]. A “quick peek” overview of the project is included below as a point of reference.
The Collaborating
The grade 10 students will provide mentorship to the grade 4 students as they research, plan and write the scripts needed for the audio guided tour files. Students will be collaborating through the WRDSB Google Apps for Educators (GAFE) environment. The role of the grade 10 students will be related to their civics and English courses.
All students, in both grades, will share about their experiences in this collaborative learning project through their blogs. Blogging platforms may include Google, WordPress or Weebly.
As part of the professional learning with this project, Alison and Andrew met with me for a live streamed interview to share their learning and reflections on collaboration, student voice, engagement and professional practice.
~Mark
UnGoogleable Questions
Today’s post is a reblog from my original “picture and post” on OSSEMOOC.
Part of my weekly routine is to check out the Twitter #cdnedchat hashtag stream. I have learned that there is always something interesting to check out.
The words “UnGoogleable Questions” in this post seemed to jump right out at me. While Google is a great tool that provides almost instantaneous access to limitless information, it is important to pause and recognize that this is just the beginning in the context of a learning journey.
What does the notion of “UnGoogleable Questions” mean to you in terms of asking, inquiry, probing and going deeper with learning? How might this impact your professional practice?
Resource: Link to Nancy’s full blog post.
Ask great questions!
~Mark
Celebrate and Share with Twitter
June is always a busy month in education, but last night a number of WRDSB staff found time to participate in a year end Twitter Chat to celebrate successes in the 13/14 school year.
I was struck by the richness of the discussion, and the level of openness. You can share in the learning by reviewing the Storified capture of the live chat [here].
I look forward to continuing the sharing of our learnings through these chats next year.
~Mark
~ Mark's Musings ~ blog.markwcarbone.ca 