Tag Archives: ossemooc

Connected Leader, Connected Learner, Leadership Perspective, OSSEMOOC, PLN, reflection

Reflections on Innovator’s Mindset Panel 4

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I enjoyed supporting the social media component of this week’s Innovator’s Mindset panel discussion.  As I listened to the panelists and monitored the Twitter stream, I jotted down phrases that resonated with me in terms of student centred thinking and important professional practice.

I framed a few questions from the discussion here:

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I thought the panelists shared some insightful professional practice elements:

Tell your story:  everyone  (students and educators)  has a story.
Reflect
Challenge Thinking as part of your regular practice
Make it Public
Model – model what you seek
We are collectively better and stronger as co-learners .

Will you take the challenge?
Will you support change and choose to model normalizing the practice of making your learning and thinking visible?

Related Resources:

Storify of panel discussion 4
Follow the Twitter stream at  #innovatorsmindet 

View the panel discussion

~Mark
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blog hop, Leadership Perspective, OSSEMOOC

Blog Hop #4 – Musing on Measuring Innovative Practice

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Image by Alan Levine CC-BY-2.0

 Now THIS  is a great question!

I have been pondering this question from different perspectives and have decided to comment on 3:  culture, the art of teaching and the learning journey. 

Culture:  I believe organizations can have a culture of innovation.  While I am not sure about the potential of measuring this in a precise way other than a sense of the ‘level to which the culture exists’, I think there are definable traits that could be observed and documented as part of a culture of innovation.  For example, a culture of innovation would be an environment where new ideas, new thinking and building on existing ideas or remixing are encouraged. The ideas would be received in a non judgemental manner. Ideally, the culture would live throughout an organization – all schools and the education centre in a K12 context.

The Art of Teaching:  What does innovation in the classroom look like?  – certainly not a one size fits all or a cookie cutter formula. Teaching is an art where educators build relationships, safe environments, and leverage a variety of tools and strategies to craft meaningful and engaging learning spaces using a variety of tools and approaches:  inquiry, problem based, real world context, technology enabled, differentiated,  global elements, passion based, creating, communicating, designing, choice … well, you get the picture. The craft is creating  the ‘right’ recipe — something special for a particular group of students. I am not convinced that the art of teaching or engagement can be measured with precise numbers, but the existence of the elements and evidence of engagement can be observed and documented. Some of my additional thinking about engagement may be read [here].

The Journey:  It strikes me that the meaningful part of learning is what happens on the journey. It is the researching, making a plan, perseverance, mastery, creating, modifying, problem solving, reflecting, iterating, conversing, remixing, analyzing etc – the ACTUAL journey that is important.  Yet, we continue to live in a world where great emphasis is put on the end game – the final result. In this context, we complete a significant (at least reasonable) amount of data collection and analysis.  Perhaps it is this area of education that needs the greatest shift, rethinking and an exceedingly large dose of innovation.

Perhaps education is one area that really does embody that old saying:  Not everything that matters can be measured, and not everything that can be measured matters.  I cast my personal vote to leverage disruption, honing the art of teaching and focusing on changing practice.

How high will you raise the ‘change bar’?  Long live  #innovation!!!

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Additional resources:

  1.  Do the numbers get in the way?
  2.  What is innovation?
  3.  OSSEMOOC

~Mark

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Leadership Perspective, OSSEMOOC, PLN, ProfessionalLearning, reflection

Innovators Mindset Panel Discussion 3

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OSSEMOOC has been running an  online book study based on the Innovator’s Mindset by George Couros.  Last week’s activity featured an online panel discussion which focused on exploring some of elements of chapters 8-12 more deeply.

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The panel discussion recording (#3):

In reviewing the twitter conversation that occurred while the panel discussion was live, I wanted to share a few perspectives that I wanted to reflect on.  Perhaps these tweets will challenge your thinking or make a new connection  that will ignite new opportunities for you too.

My Reflection Prompts: 

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Additional Resources

Check the OSSEMOOC Website for more details about the Innovator’s Mindset book club.

#InnovatorsMindset Storify of the Innovator’s Mindset chat 3

The  #InnovatorsMindset Twitter Stream

~Mark
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engagement, Leadership Perspective, OSSEMOOC

innovators blog hop #3 – what if

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That is certainly a great list of “what if” questions to ponder (see below).  After some consideration,  I would choose “what if we promoted risk taking to our staff and students and modelled it openly as administrators”.

I landed on this selection because I believe risk taking is a necessary ingredient connected to other elements of progress including culture shift and change of practice – both key elements of educational progress in my view as nothing is gained by protecting the status quo.

Within this framework,  all of these ‘connecting notions’ come into play:  experimenting, remixing, retrying, reflecting, (rapidly) iterating, continuous improvement and continuous learning.  I think a healthy dose of open sharing is needed too.

A work and learning environment that draws on risk taking and creativity fuels engagement and satisfaction.  What are you waiting for?  Take a risk and engage!!!

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~Mark
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Related blog posts:  Paul McGuire,  Patrick Miller,  @aliringbull,  @technolandy,  Lisa Noble,  Stacey Wallwin,  Darren Lukenbill,  Tina Zita,  @KatieMTLC,  @jcasatodd,  Amit Mehrotra (@AmitMehrotra78)

Connected Learner, Leadership Perspective, OSSEMOOC, ProfessionalLearning, Technology Enabled Learning

Innovators Mindset: Starting School From Scratch

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The world in which we exist today is complex and changing rapidly. There is more knowledge, more research and arguably more opportunity than ever before. One could put an argument forward that we are on the right path, that education is gradually shifting to a better place. Yet I wonder, are we?

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As highlighted here, the possibilities are endless and yes, the really answer is indeed likely closer to a book.

This question certainly fits my personal passion for change. My mind is flooding with thoughts and ideas:  learning is messy, differentiated, innovate, accountability, technology enabled, maker spaces, coding, literacy, numeracy, learning commons, collaborate,  real world context, problem solvers, analysis, literacies that fit the world in which our students live NOW,  pre-service teacher training, shifting culture, speed of change, differentiation, linearity (or not), global context, contributing to society  … well you get the picture.

For the purposes of this Innovator’s Mindset blog hop, I thought I would highlight a few “must changes” on my personal list.  Now waving the change wand ….

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  1. Boundless & Joyful Learning – we need a simple yet differentiated free flow to learning centred around student passion(s) rather than the current model which is tied to grades and calendar years.  Stomp out content driven learning. You can read more about my ideas on engagement and personalization of learning [here]. 
  2. Learning spaces – flexible, windows, filled with natural  lighting,  flexible furniture arrangements, no rows, learning commons/maker space style, student run white boards and  interesting colour schemes.  The design should focus on what you can do by bringing people together.
  3. Teachers as learning facilitators –  innovators, risk takers, technology enabled, differentiators, and digital resources and tools, no ‘walls’,  real world context (community and global)
  4. Assessment – Within the classroom perspective, we know a lot more about the importance of conversations, observations and products, frequent feedback and documenting learning – all good, but everyone must be ‘in’.  “High stakes” testing through provincial/(state), national and international assessment strategies need to change as the current model is far too linear and based on ages and grades rather than brain development and a variety of other factors.  I believe we need to reach beyond literacy and numeracy.
  5. Professional Learning – connected, self directed, self motivated learners (not sit and get), what is your next (not best) – thanks @pmillerscdsb

IM-9        Plan Act Assess Reflect (PAAR) may indeed be more powerful as Assess Reflect Plan Act  (ARPA).   I believe we need to build a lot of capacity yet in the area of open sharing.  Hallway and staff room conversations may be fantastic, but if you can’t search, access and share them then they are ideas and learnings in isolation.  More of my thoughts on this are in my blog post  Just Make It Public.

I hope some of these ideas have poked your thinking.  I invite you to comment here or connect with me on Twitter (@markwcarbone) or via  #innovatorsmindset.

~Mark

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Note: Image from: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Wandlore

OSSEMOOC

Innovators Mindset Panel Discussion Reflections

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OSSEMOOC has been running an  online book study this month based on the Innovator’s Mindset by George Couros.  Last week’s activity featured an online panel discussion which focused on exploring some of elements of the first chapters more deeply.

The panel discussion recording:

In reviewing the twitter conversation that occurred while the panel discussion was live, I wanted to share a few perspectives that I wanted to reflect on.  Perhaps these tweets will push your thinking, identify a challenge you are willing to try or make a new connection  that will ignite new opportunities for you too.

My Reflection Prompts: 

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Additional Resources

Check the OSSEMOOC Website for more details about the Innovator’s Mindset book club.

#InnovatorsMindset Storify (Chat #1)

The  #InnovatorsMindset Twitter Stream

~Mark
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OSSEMOOC, reflection

Innovation: Think Outside of the Triangle

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This blog post is in response to the Innovator’s Mindset Blog Hop activity tonight inviting people to post about a personal definition of innovation as a kickoff to the book study.

As I pondered what I might write about tonight, I decided to consider two different angles that come into play in my view.

On the personal front, I believe innovation is connected to curiosity, creativeness and play.  You react to new ideas, readings, questions, prompts, devices etc.  Giving yourself permission to play, explore, take risks and let the mind wander in a boundless way is key. Through the act of play,  new ideas are built and remixed.  Sometimes, there is that unannounced AHA moment – something ‘concrete’ to try perhaps on your own or in your classroom.  Be purposeful about this – the more you engage in play and creativity,  innovative ideas will become more plentiful.

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Personal innovation is one thing, but I believe it really comes alive when you can exist in a culture of innovation — a culture where: people wonder, conversation is encouraged,  new ideas are received without judgement,  open sharing is a norm and one suggestion or question leads to a new interpretation.

Nurture yourself by surrounding yourself with those who will contribute to your innovative energy — in all aspects of your F2F and online endeavours, take risks and think outside of the triangle!

~Mark
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Image via Flickr creative commons license

Check out what other Ontario bloggers are saying about innovation:

 Amit Mehrotra,  Stacey Wallwin,  Jennifer Casa-Todd, 

Paul McGuire,  Tina Zita,  Donna Miller Fry,  Patrick Miller, 

Michelle Parrish,  Jason Richea,  Jancey Clark,  @PeelASP,  

Julie Balen

Check out more at OSSEMOOC!

reflection

Considering One Word

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As 2015 year winds down and we can see 2016 just on the horizon, the time of year is often a time of reflection. Perhaps you will have a particular focus in 2016. Can you characterize your focus with a single word?

I am taking time to consider my word. Will you?

~Mark

K12 Online Conference, OSAPAC, OSSEMOOC, ProfessionalLearning, reblogged

OSSEMOOC: What is your Next?

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Reblog:

In response to this post on the theme of What is your Next?, OSSEMOOC is thrilled to have the “answer” video posted live as part of the  K12 Online Conference.  Check out the conference details [here].

Enjoy OSSEMOOC‘s  collaborative video :

~Mark

OSSEMOOC, Presentation Resource, reflection

Exploring Moocs at CyberSummit15

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Last week I had the opportunity to attend and present at the  Cyber Summit 2105  conference.  I was thrilled to be partnered with Jonathan Schaeffer, a Distinguished University Professor of Computing Science and currently the Dean of the Faculty of Science, at the University of Alberta for the presentation topic:  Are MOOCs Past Their Peaks?

I began the session by sharing the 2 year journey of  OSSEMOOC,  a learning community supported by OSAPAC which I co-lead with Donna Miller Fry. (@fryed)

Jonathan shared his perspective and insights on the MOOC movement, noting that  while it is only a few years old, it has already had a tremendous impact on teaching and learning. Although some of the original hype surrounding MOOCs has not been realized, the reality is that they are here for good and are influencing institutional thinking.

In reflection, although the perspectives we each  presented represented significantly different contexts,  some very interesting commonalities emerged.  In summary:

  • teaching is all about meeting the students needs (not limited to the teacher’s needs or comfort zone)
  • MOOCs do, and will continue to play a role in moving learning forward
  • MOOC’s are playing a disruptive role along with other technologies
  • Educators own the responsibility to keep exploring new possibilities (including with technology) to achieve the best possible learning experiences for students.
  • There is an important need for “mini moocs” that needs to be recognized and acted on
  • Building a quality brand matters

My slides for the OSSEMOOC portion of the presentation:

Many thanks to those who attended our session.

~Mark