New Procedures and Ideas for Professional Development.

Sullivan Heights continues to think and learn with new ideas procedures for professional development. We'll continue to make Individual Learning Goals our goals.  Most of the school's goals last year were in regards to learning new technology or new methods of assessment using apps, Web 2.0 tools online and growing with learning networks online using Twitter.  Below is a slide show from Jane Hart (excellent blog to follow) on the impact of social media on the workplace (and relevant to the educational field of learning).

The impact of social media on workplace learning

(View more PowerPoints from Jane Hart)

It's true, our school has been crazy with learning last year.  Everyone wanted to try something new, learn something new, do something new.  We've explored numerous areas of learning with technology, but we've also examined new ways of teaching and/or assessing with our students in regards to this technology.  With all the learning last year, this coming school year our school needs to look more closer at the impact of this learning on both our teaching styles, our new manners of assessment, the learning done by the students and ask ourselves if these changes that have developed are actually helping our students.  

Change is good but it can also be stressful, the handling of the impact and  logistics of change.  Change can sometimes be uncomfortable because it forces us out of comfort zone; even when the change is good. Not everyone embraced the learning, but some recognized that they needed to change with their fellow colleagues.  The difficulty has to do with the rippling effects of change in the school. It forces teachers to create new routines, new ways of thinking or believing and new perceptions of the world around them. With any sort of change one needs to sit back and reflect on these changes:  Has it made a difference to me, to my students, and/or even to parents?  Has it improved my/student's situation in the school or even outside of school? Has it been beneficial?  

The changes in our school with Twitter was like a tiny pebble thrown lightly in a pond, the ripple effects went farther then anyone really thought it would, in our school and outside to PLNs most of my colleagues at school have made.The only way to recognize this effect was to stop for a moment, take account of events and the situation around you, reflect and document what you have learned, to actually take the time to assess the change in the students and in your environment, and note what has come about with the change.  


This is where we need to go for this next year.  We need to reflect on the effects and affects of our learning.  We need to assess our learning and the learning of our students:  is it worth the change?  We also need to realize that this change may be affecting our students as well, in ways we should look at.


With all this change happening in our school, we need to ask the questions:

• Why are we doing this?
• Why are we making this effort to change?

Because the world is changing, the students are thinking differently (their experiences in today's world have taught them to think differently), and working in today's world is a lot different as well.  Thus we need to understand what changes we as a school need to make as well, and you as a teacher need to consider.

There is a  deeper issue at work here that Sir Kenneth Robinson so eloquently underscores in his book "Out of Our Minds: Learning to Be Creative?" At the heart of most schools Sir Robinson believes is our obsessive preoccupation with academic ability and the confusion of academic ability with intelligence. To Robinson there is "much more to intelligence than academic ability and much more to education than developing it." John Bareell agrees with him in "Developing More Curious Minds".  Both point out the truth, that it is not so much the academic ability to memorize and recite what is learned as much as the importance of teaching students to be creative and to be curious about learning, to develop further the love of learning, and instilling in students a curiosity to continuously learn or want to learn.  That's what this change is about, to change and help students become more creative in exploring new information on the information highway, to collaborate and learn form each other, and to question what they learn, be it questioning the sources, question the books, the Internet, even the teacher.  This means different ways of teaching (backward planning, project based, differentiating, collaborate group work, etc), assessing differently (no marks, skill sets, rubrics, etc) and grabbing students curiosity (through the internet, web tools, blogging, critical thinkings, etc).

That's a lot to ask for.

As my mother once said to me and I have repeated numerous times to my students "There is no such thing as a stupid question, it's just stupid not to question". 

so that's what I hope our school continues to do, not just change but to question our change and see if it not only develops a curious and creative mind in our students but to show the students that the teacher as well is curious and creative.

Let the questions continue.... with the learning ;) and the assessing of our learning.

Using Learn 360 for Social Studies

Ann-Marie Harris is this blog's Guest Blogger.  She was a reluctant "tech" learning but now, she'll try anything within reason.  Ann is not afraid of asking for help or asking for training.  When she doesn't know something she has no problem asking  for a session of learning.  She and Stevens worked with R. Hayward, our school librarian, on incorporating Learn 360 due to the damage to the old VCR movies, finding the videos they found useful, seeing new ones, and downloading what they need.  What Ann did not say in her writeup of what work and what didn't was the fact that she also asked for a document reader and learned how to use that as well.  Once, when something went wrong with the technology, she put it aside the technology, said we'll do something else, and then emailed me and asked to meet so we could discover what it was.  I didn't get the message for a while and Ann troubleshooted the problem herself, came up with the solution and voila, used the same technology again in the next block. 

One of the biggest problems with most teachers is that if technology fails the first time, they give up completely with it.  Not my Harris, when it failed, she waited patiently and then tried again.  That's the sign of a teacher determine to learn something.  But her final comment is very relevant.  Here is her review of what she looked at this year:

1.  What worked?   Using Learn 360 to show clips of Gothic Cathedrals.  Worked because it was EXACTLY what I needed.  There was a complete film but it was too long and most of it may have been above the gr.8 level.  The clips gave the students a good visual of the Cathedrals as well as information about their construction.  In searching Learn 360 for this information I also found relevant clips on medieval castles which I will use another time.  I can also use these clips for Comp Civ 12.  Another thing I have learned this year is more about organizing and storing photos that I have taken on visits to historic sites relevant to the courses I teach and how to store them on a hard drive.  Finally, I have learned more about I-tunes---how to find and organize music from various historic periods relevant to the courses and how to have the music accompany showing the photos.

2.  What hasn't worked?  The first time I used the Cathedral clips I showed them to one class and left it set up for the next class but when I tried to show the clips it didn't work.  I found out later it was because the computer had gone to sleep in the interim and I had to shut it down and start over.  How would I have known that?  Lost about 20 minutes of class time.  Very frustrating.  Also need to learn more about organizing and storing videos and clips from Learn 360 for future use.  Still haven't had time to learn more about "Discovery Education".

This was the frustration of most of the teachers on the staff.  What they loved was getting time after a Professional Development day to continue the learning.  What they disliked was not having enough time with everything else their job entailed.  My frustration exactly!

Gizmo Viewpoint from another teacher.

This post guest blogger is from the Science department, a teacher that team teaches, and likes trying some new stuff.  Mrs. N. Gill 

I wanted to incorporate more technology in the classroom and one of the ways was by using gizmos. Using Gizmos in class first semester with grade 10s worked well.  Lots of animations to visually represent what is happening with atoms to form molecules and a simulation of how mutations affect generations as they reproduce.   Some of the issues that I encountered were techinical difficulties - slow or nonfunctioning computers.

I wanted to use SMART board more in my Sc 10 class.  I was only able to do this once or twice limitations in time on working on this goal.  Again, this allowed a better visual as to what happens when plotting a velocity time graph and this is affected when you increase or decrease the velocity.  Limitations of what is available for science.

Blog owner's comment:

ALthough the school loves Smartboards, unfortunately our boards are mobile, which means setting the board every time you start it up.  This doesn't take much time, but a small tap of the board or a small shift will cause major problems.  So we looked into mounting them and we saw it would be over $1000.  When you compare this to getting a new computer for students to use which one do you choose?  You can use the board in one classroom, with 120 kids, or you can use another computer with the "Computers On Wheels" and reach all the students in school.  It's terrible how things come down to money sometimes.

Learning Summary of an innovative teacher

Davis is new teacher at our school that fully embraces technology.  He has used the iPads, the COWS (computers on wheels), the library, working hard on engaging students in his Language classes with the use of technology.  He uses the technology for assessment (oral composition online), making an oral assignment fun instead of just memorization.  You can see much of his work online on his wiki at http://mrdavisfrenchclass.wikispaces.com/ and you can see his summary and assessment of what he's learned this year at Sullivan Heights.  Even better, follow him on Twitter.

 What Worked:

Ipads: fotobabble App.

• Easy to create an account and use
• Take a picture and record voice over picture
•  Can sign in on the fotobabble website to copy and paste the link of the conversation and upload it to a wiki
•  Some issues with uploading the conversation on the app. Have to test it at the start of class and if it doesn’t work, sign out and sign back in and it should work

What didn’t Work:

Ipads: garage band

• Couldn’t save the files anywhere besides on the app
• Couldn’t transfer the conversation file to an email, wiki or itunes

Ipads: email

• Couldn’t sync any student emails to any projects
•  Only capable of storing one email address
• Overall I think the ipads and the fotobabble app is better than using a PC for recording conversations. Students are able to receive such quick feedback while playing back their conversations. They can also get the app for their iphones, ipods or itouches which gives them access to the tech on their own.

Overall Mr. Davis' innovative methods of differentiation with students, engagement of activities, and just plain putting the fun back into learning a language has the students clamouring to learn more.  Excellent work Mr. Davis.

An English Summary of Learning

My guest blogger is a teacher who is in the basement of our school (yes I know that does sound bad but she's OK, the chains don't hurt her;)  When I talked to Mandy she told me she did not have a lot of positive things to say but I said good, lets tell the truth, and be honest.  So here it is.  I'm proud of how she keeps on trying technology.

My experience with technology has not been so great. My first experience with technology included video taping students acting out their character skits. The camera battery died. Students then suggested I use my Iphone to record these skits. That part worked out well. Initially I was quite disappointed because I really wanted to video tape my students and they were looking forward to watching themselves. 

I have used the document reader several times. However, setting it up can be time consuming because I have to move the desks in order to connect my laptop (cords not long enough and not enough space on the trolly that the document reader sits on). I am hesitant to bring the Ipads downstairs to the basement for two major reasons. First reason being that it is too time consuming and a hassle bringing them down. I have to go through 2 floors with separate elevators. Secondly, the wifi connection is very weak down here. So I would hate to go through the hassle of getting the ipads down here and then the internet not working. Students in the past have brought their own laptops or have tried to use their ipods; and have constantly complained about the wifi connection. Myself I have my laptop plugged into the direct internet connection. I am also making good use of Facebook to update students on homework, assignments or announcements I may have. Students have been responding well to this idea. I am finding that students are responding well. They are using this venue as a place to ask questions--and if I am unable to answer questions, students are answering questions for each other. Students are able to use Facebook to engage in discussion and collaborate with each other on certain projects/assignments :)

From a Science Teacher Department Head.

Guest blogger:  Mr. Edwards - Science Department Head.

Positives:

• The kids seemed to really excited about working with the gizmos.  This helped increase the enjoyment of discovery learning, and/or the re-enforcement of what was already taught.  (ie the students were truly engaged).
• The level of difficulty of the different gizmos was in some cases challenging, but students were still able to work through the activities with some guidence.  Thus this tool is as effective as long as the teacher is prepared and has done the work in advance as well.
• The instant feedback of the five follow up questions both for the teacher and the students was nice to have, provided the students did it themselves and not copy what their partner had as their responses.
• The student worksheets provided had insightful questions, and followed a logical order in investigating the activity.
• The gizmos are versatile for either review, or discovery learning.

Drawbacks:

• Some students could not complete the online assessment at home if they did not finish in the time provided.
• Some students simply saw what the other students answered in correctly, and thus had an advantage, making the formal and informal assessment questionable to whether they understand it.
• We could not get the gizmos to work on our iPads, due to unavailable software, thus we were limited to the laptops, which were not always available.
• There are no gizmos written specifically for the Earth Science 11 curriculum here in BC. 
• Some gizmos are more useful than others, and are too simple.  They would ber better as a demo, than as an activity.

Suggestions to the district coordinator:

• Different versions of the questions to help minimize copying.
• Try and get the software for iPads, or make them compatible with the existing software.
• Try and get gizmos for both Science and Tech 11 and Earth Science 11, as these courses could really use an engaging means of learning. 

There will be contunued use of the gizmos for next year, provided we get accounts by the district. 

Learning from a Science/Math Teacher - Mr. Mitchell

In the last few years I have been working on simplifying my life with technology.  Being a seasoned teacher and technology user, I have used many different programs and methods that may or may not have made my life simpler, for example, 4 or 5 different mark programs:  Grade Master, Master Grade etc etc . I have learned 10 Statement Fortran, Basic, Latek and most have gone by the wayside, let alone SIS and then BCeSIS.  Many of these programs were so poor that the work and frustration levels actually go up instead of going down.

It is finding of things that just make life easier, that can be used without the rel-earning curve that I look for at this point in my career. 

One item that I have adapted to in the last year is the Document Reader.  I was given one to attach to my projector and have moved up one level to the newer version of this device.  The ability to show demonstrations of magnetic fields right onto the screen, the effects of electricity on magnets directly onto the screen as well as just not having to stare into the overhead projector light 5 hours per day has been a boon to me.  Writing notes in multiple colors and being able to keep them as is afterwards is great.  I find that showing errors and corrections by taking a students’ test or worksheet and examining their steps and errors without having to make a transparency is a great thing.   As an academics teacher, I would be hard pressed to move away from this system. . There are functions that allow it to overlay onto the computer, that allow you to save screen captures and video. While I have not used these functions beyond ‘playing’ with them, I see these as future developments in my teaching style.

In order to simplify the giving out answer keys in my Physics 12 class, I have also used DROPBOX.  Dropbox is a cloud computing system where I can place PDF files that the students can then access from their own accounts.  This replaces the old photocopy the answer keys and either post them on a bulletin board, or to photocopy them and hand those out. I have also used this to get students to make up answer keys for the questions that I then scan and   Next year I plan on expanding its use to Physics 11 as well as Physics 12.  The new Sharepoint at the district level may make this much more available for all staff in the district.  It will be interesting to see.

These are two of the technologies that I have found in the last year that have actually made my life, or I believe, will make my life simpler as a teacher as well as improving my abilities in my classroom.  A win-win situation.  

Learning from the Home Economics Department.

Guest Blogger - S. Blackwell - a wonderful teacher who believes in working with students on their individual levels, being there always for kids, and a truly caring person.  Thank you Ms. Blackwell for participating in this learning experience.  This is her department's learning for the year.


Goals this year: 

1. to use LCD player to show powerpoints and foods dvds in class
2. to use the document reader in Junior and senior home economics classes ( Foods 8 -12, Tourism 12, Sociology and Human Behaviour 12)
3. to video tape teachers with the document reader and video recorder and reflect on their practice
4. to develop more assignments using technology.

The limitations of the two Foods Rooms for technology equipment needs to be noted.
The physical space in both rooms -can not maintain the equipment's location, let alone the crazy cords that are all over for the VCR, document reader and plugging in the computer to a power source.   -  Unfortunately the position of dem table and document reader do not align for showing a demo.  In all overhead is still easier because

• the equipment cannot be not mounted
• set up time takes too long
• Document reader recordings lack personal interactions and connections, a well as spontaneity.
• Document reader does not allow for students to help with the demonstation.
• Because of space considerations,

Some members will continue without technology in the Textiles and smaller foods room because of difficulty with equipment and set up.  We need to mount this equipment, but we have been told that it is too expensive.

Many assignments have been developed and created using technology such as glogster, prezi, websites, the internet, face book, you tube, learn 360 and discovery schools at all levels of the Home Economics Department.


Goals for next year:

1. to develop lessons  to enrich the Home Economic curriculum using applicable food and health applications on the IPAD
2. to continue to use technology in the classroom

An English Teacher's Journey of Learning.

Guest Blogger - @msfree1:  

In Sept I began my journey with adding more technology into my lessons.  I began by creating Live Binders for all my classes with links to websites and pictures that I use from time to time.  I also have used it to post student work.  My goal with this was to eventually add my lessons and Word documents so that I could share ideas with my colleagues and students, however as time went on, I never got around to fulfilling this goal.  The reason being I ventured to conquer more technology uses in my class, such as document readers, Twitter and Blogging.  I feel comfortable using the document reader with my class and will continue to do so.  Live brain storming, editing and assignment explanation are some of the ways I utilize my document reader.  In terms of Twitter, I began tweeting homework for my students, but now I find myself mostly following other educators from around the world to help broaden my knowledge about education.  My students used Twitter during a character assignment that they were really engaged with, and I will do it again.  The one goal that I started but didn’t get into as far with as I hoped was blogging.  I have only done two posts and my goal was to write a post every month, but somehow between teaching and everything else the time got away from me.  So now my new goal with writing blogs is to do one every month and maybe start blogging with my classes, especially with Writing 12, but this will happen next year.

On a Note of this Blogger's viewpoint:

@msfree1 is being extremely modest with her accomplishments.  She has had a number of great ideas that you can see on her blog - http://englishsullivan.blogspot.com/.  She has used twitter for quick assessment - asking questions of book characters online, students asking each other on the plot, she has used a number of iPad apps, but soon discovered that if you do not have an email account on the iPad the teacher cannot assess the learning at a later date. She's had successes and failures but always, she goes back to trying the technology to engage the students.  @msfree was the first to embrace Livebinder at our school, and she has collected a number of web sites and assignments with her English Department, to have a centralized area of work.  She has also held a couple of workshops in regards to Livebinder and has the staff developing their own work.  If you don't follow her on twitter, I suggest you add her to to list, she's a fantastic teacher!!!

TECHNOLOGY and the BASES Classroom

By:  Sue Fuller - guest Blogger

‘Buzz in BASES’ BLOG was born on September 1, 2011 at a Professional Development workshop .  I was a new staff member to Sullivan Heights and had heard that it had been one of the schools which had received the Technology Grant.  We were asked to put forth a personal technology goal to the school’s IT person.  I was surrounded by a combination of colleagues whom were quite well versed with Twitter, BLOGS, Wikis and webpages and others who didn’t seem to have very many skills in the area of technology.  I would have to say that my abilities were probably right between the two groups.  I was affected, however, by the enthusiasm and encouragement that was almost palpable in the room.  This became infectious to me and I decided that my goal would be to create a class BLOG and become a Twitter member. 

         Fortunately for me, the colleague sitting next to me; Alyssa Becker was very skilled with her use of technology.  I told her about my idea of creating a class BLOG and that I wanted to call it ‘Buzz in BASES’.  Within a few short minutes, she was able to create the BLOG page and post the very first BLOG!  I would write the BLOG entries for the next few months and Alyssa would post them on the BLOG.  Then, a quick tweet would follow that alerted Twitter followers that the BLOG was up.  At the beginning of 2012, I took the plunge and ‘Buzz in BASES’ was passed along to me and I began to post!  Looking back now, I’m not sure why I was so nervous about posting and managing the BLOG as it is fairly straightforward.   I am grateful to my colleague; Alyssa who took the lead initially.  Nicole Painchaud; IT Teacher has been along for the ride and has often troubleshot when I have needed it.  

         Buzz in BASES blog has taken on a life of its own since its birth.  It has been an ideal vehicle for the BASES Teachers to communicate to parents and inform them of the activities and events in the BASES class.  I wouldn’t be able to count the number of times I have referred a parent to our blog for the purpose of conversation starters with their children.  The BLOG shows classroom themes and ongoing projects.  It often includes excerpts from students in the ‘Students Speak’ area.  Subscribers to our BLOG have even posted personal comments for our students, which has been exciting for them.  On our BLOG, we have the opportunity to display student work and include highlights in BASES from one week to the next.  There is also a ‘Teacher’s Corner’ which I found to be invaluable!  As educators, there are so many moments which move us and inspire us and I was able to capture some moments in writing.  They are on the BLOG so won’t be forgotten.  We have included our favourite recipes from our cooking and baking programs.  Having a class BLOG keeps me conscientious of finding the balance between sharing and showing the efforts of our students and maintaining the integrity of our students. 

When it came time to report writing, I had multiple pieces of information in written form to refer to, just from writing BLOG entries.  Finally, information about upcoming field trips and community outings is shared.  Most importantly, Buzz in BASES allows subscribers to catch a glimpse into the wide variety of learning and fun we have on a daily ‘basis’. 

I would strongly encourage any teacher who has thought of creating a class BLOG to take the plunge!  It is something that I look back on with pride.  The students love it and the parents appreciate it!  ‘Buzz in BASES’ will always remain at Sullivan Heights.  BASES students have taken ownership of it.  They are the ‘buzz’ in the classroom!

Ipads and the BASES Classroom

The BASES classroom was given 2 ipads to use.  Another one of my professional technology goals was to become familiar with and be able to use an ipad.  Students quickly showed me that they were quite savvy with the ipads and were way beyond my scope.  I had no choice but to catch up and gain some ipad skills.  One of the first things that is done in the morning when students arrive to the BASES class is to take the ipads out of the cupboard and put them on the table to be ready for use.  Some of the areas which the ipads have been used for are:

• calculator feature for Math
• perusing our class BlOG; buzzinbases.blogspot.com
• you tube, Fruit/Veggie Ninja, other games during Brain Breaks
• Science experiments; searching for information
• Current Affairs/News Stories;  searching for and reading news
• reading stories during Silent Reading Times
• having stories read to student (for nonverbal/non reading students)
• research purposes-for various class projects
• internet surfing-information gathering
• field trip planning
• virtual field trips

The ipads have been invaluable tools in the BASES class.  It has shown a commonality among our special needs students and their peers.  It has levelled the playing field for them by demonstrating that BASES students are equally as talented with technology and its use.

The Learning Journey of a Social Studies Teacher.

From Guest Blogger Mrs. Stevens - a Social Studies teacher at our school.  She shared her story of her learning journey this year in her goals making and learning for her students.  In my books, she's a star.  This is her story:

I’m a work in progress.  My goal was to learn 360 back in September 2011. I did have some training in the library with Roger Hayward, but unfortunately I did not put it to use right away, so I did not retain it.  However, now I have learned and incorporated Prezi with my Social Studies grade 9 classes in both semesters, and I intend to use the same program in Social Studies 8 next week.  I feel more comfortable with Prezi.  I repeated my learning, and now I’m retaining it. I’m not as scared.  I am a little more confident.

I have also requested and was given some time from the computer facilitator in semester 2 to learn new computer skills with one to one training.  I learned about Outlook, how to organize my emails, how to enter new contacts, and how to access my calendars.  I’ve improved my computer abilities by changing and updating my files so I can read them on my laptop.

I feel more comfortable with technology in my classroom; students are using PowerPoint and other technology, and I don’t stop them, I let it in.  They know I’m not strong in technology, but they’re willing to teach me, and I’m willing to learn.

Future goals – The old video resources in the library are decreasing. Some quality videos have come to the end of their lifespan, and the only way to get them back is by using 360.  So I need to do more one-on-one training with our librarian.  I will have to learn this program because fewer of my video resources are available.  I am also looking at getting a document reader for my classroom next year, and I want to learn how to incorporate that in my lessons.  I want to look into more peer assessment and rubric assessment with my students.  I used it with my prezi assignment, and it kept the students engaged.  Also, I hope to train on the iPads. 

Ms. Harding said I didn’t even know how to turn on the laptop when I started, but now I’m no longer worried about asking for help.  I’m trying to keep up with the times.  Nicole has been an invaluable teacher, patient beyond belief.

From Nicole's point of view:  The inspiration from a teacher who not only recognizes that they need to develop into a 21^st Century teacher, but who goes out of her way to arrange to grow by asking me for help, by taking the time to learn new things, to overcome a fear of technology, to let in that fear and ask for help, not only from me but from colleagues and from students, that’s a teacher that truly cares about her profession, her students and doing the best she can.  That’s what individual Pro D is all about.

The Learning Journey of a Language Teacher.

Ups and Downs of Technology Usage in Schools.

Two years ago a young enthusiastic teacher wanted to learn some web 2.0 tools online and asked me if I knew a few.  I sent her to a site I has worked on for a couple of years and off she went exploring. Last year she started to explore on her own and started to share new tools she found, I started to share back, and we began networking.  Last year Jacqueline started to explore and blog her learning for the grant graciously given to us by Surrey School District to explore different means of learning for us and our students.  Today you can read Jacqueline's summary of her learning for the grant at http://snfteacher.blogspot.ca/ .  You can also read her ideas of what she used in the classroom, what worked, what didn't and why for each.  Those Spanish and French teachers, start following her on twitter - @senoritaac ...  She's worth it!!!  You go Jacqueline!!!  You'll put me out of a job yet!!

This is yours.....

This is your employee at the school district who thinks people may not be interested in her blog of learning (I'm so proud of you!!!) but the journey is important to record to see your growth and I have at that!  You are amazing!

This is  your staff member doing research on different strategies to better herself as a teacher and learning the most important lesson of all, technology is just a tool, it's us the teacher, that makes the different.  

This is your teacher teaching your child using all the tools that he can learn to build better communication between himself,  the students, and the parents. Your ideas in this area have changed our school tremendous.  Thanks to you for the changes in our school web site.  It's almost done!  check out the "news" section (blog) we will use for instant updates.

These are my colleagues.  These are some of the people I consider my friends.  They are just a few of the supporters and the demanders of learning in Sullivan Heights.  These are the people that I am proud of: their passion for learning, their drive to be better, their foresight to look towards the future of education for their students.  These are the people that drive the passion in our school, the passion of learning for their students and for themselves.  They enflame my passion as well to be a better teacher and a better facilitator of technology in our school

These are but a few examples of the results of our Pro D today.  But this link explains all the people in our school who are working hard on personal goals of improvements. We were to start with one goal, but it seems many of us have expanded to two or three or four or five goals now right @klaw6?   I'm proud to be part of Sullivan Heights Secondary School. 

I have never said "This is my school" because to me,  it is not the building that I want to claim.  These are my students, and these are my colleagues.  This is my network.  That is what I am proud to claim.  See this link to see our list of research blogs.

Thank you for reading my rant.

Sharing in the Educational Playground.

It's funny how when someone says something in passing it makes you think and wonder "What were you thinking when you said that?!!"

I told some friends about Sullivan Heights Paper, a summary of the blogs of the research that we're doing for the Tech Grant we received in September. They in turn were surprised at how much we don't mind sharing what we've done so far, the lessons, the rubrics, and exemplars.  I explained that it wasn't so much the grant that got the staff at our school started, it was the idea of sharing with people what we were doing, explaining to others what has worked for us, and what has failed.  This sharing of the adventure of our travels to reach the goals we set in September enhances the enjoyment of this trip.  The "Passion of learning" is what drives us.

Life is too short.  We need to enjoy a few moments in time and think about what we have and how we're fortunate to have what we have.  We were one of the first schools to get the College Wifi (thank you to all that helped support our school in that decision), and we received financial support in implementing some changes in our instruction and assessment methods to change our school environment.  Some examples of what we implemented so far is the welcoming of student technology (cell phones, outside computers, etc) into the classroom instead of banning it, embraced the opportunity these tools give our students in learning as 21st Century learners.  We're hoping to help students to understand how to properly use social networking tools/sites with awareness.  We want students to explore web 2.0 tools to self-assess their learning and enhance their critically thinking skills.  But with this exploration comes the  responsibility and need for comprehension (both teachers and students) in the area of copyright, plagiarism and intellectual property.  We are rich in having the opportunity and ability to delve into various areas of inquiry that each of us are passionate about, growing in our knowledge and skills. 

So I ask the question back to my friend "Why not share?" Twitter has given me numerous occasions to learn from colleagues all over the world.  I have seen opening and closing speakers of a number of conferences that I did not have the opportunity to go to.  These people share with me, why not give back to them?  Why reinvent the wheel?  Two heads are better then one, someone can make what I share better, and then give back to me their opinion.  What better opportunity can you think of?!

Most of us entered the field of education because of the love of seeing a student's eyes glow when they finally understand what we have been trying to teach them.  The rush of pleasure a teacher feels when they say "Oh, I get it!".  That rush is not diminished when it's an adult who says this.  It's flattering when someone retweets you, why not feel the same when someone edits your idea to suit their class.  As in a retweet, mentioning the name of the person is the polite thing, and as professionals I hope we do the same with the rubrics, documents, or anything of a colleague that we wish to use. 

So why not enjoy the sharing.  To people who follow my site, please, feel free to use anything here or at my other sites (excellent Web 2.0 tools at this link).  Just say thanks  and email to say how it worked or how I can improve it.  

This morning I looked at the sunrise here in Vancouver (yes this picture), on a beautiful sunny crisp morning, and I thought to myself, I'm fortunate to be in a job that I enjoy, continuously challenging myself to be better in my field, having the means and opportunity to explore my interest and passion.  Why not share my good luck with others?  I hope this blog and my colleagues blogs help you in some way, shape or form.  Enjoy your day or week.  Enjoy your passion.

Continuation of Self-Directed Pro D

This past month of everything going on in our school we also had a professional development day of self-directed learning.  In September the staff set some goals of learning, that they wished to accomplish over the school year.  These goals were to be attainable, and something of passion to the teacher (see entry "Making your Own Professional Development Day"), with many teachers spending much time, considering what they would like to do.  Some changed their initial goals, saying it was too much or the goal was not what they thought they wanted to do.  But like any inquiry you can change it, or it can fail, as long as you keep on trying.  

The thought is your action research inquiry question (your goal) will in some way, shape or form, change the manner in which student learning happens, be it positive or maybe negative.  But in the changing world today, we too as teachers need to change our teaching practises.  This can be through technology, or through assessment or through changing your teaching philosophy.  Mostly, this is through enhancing your passion for teaching.  Thus the need to own your own professional development.

The day went smoothly and with excitement and people demanding more time to work on their goals.  See below for an itinerary of the day:  

Pro D Day – 26^st Growing with your Goal

Date:               September 26^th, 2011

Time:             8:30 – 9:00 am. – In Library

Activity -       Breakfast – getting to know more about your colleagues

Morning Session:

Time:             9:00 – 9:15 am. – In Library

Activity -       15 minute Movie   Growth in this World

The movie is there to get you thinking about the changing world and the changes to our students.

Time:             9:15 – 9:45 am. – In your department’s chosen classroom

Activity -       Department Discussion about individual goals, and where your department is going as a group.  At least one person (or more)per department needs to share their goal in the afternoon session.  Lets be proud of what we want to learn ;)

Time:             9:45 – 11:30 – in respective classrooms.  NOTE:  Lab B110 is open for your convenience if need be.

Activity:         Working on your Goal

Remember if you need help, the people listed below are experts in our school. You go to them with your questions.  Please ask questions of them in the morning but give them their time in the afternoon to concentrate on their goals.

Anyone can change their goals at any time, but what we ask is that you share with the Pro D committee any goals so that we may aide you in your journey to learning.  Some people have not handed in their goals.  Could you please do so for planning purposes.

Ryan Neufeld:  Twitter, Wikis

Robert Dewinetz:  Fakebook, Timer online, and more.

Roger Haywood – Learning 360, Discover Ed, and CBC News Online

Jewell Thai – Glogster

Jacqueline Alvarado Cruz –  ToonDoo, Glogster

Jennifer Spain – Voice Thread, iTunes, Twitter Assignment, Storybird and Glogster

Sarah Garr - Webnode

Bryan Bucci – Webnode

Alyssa Becker – Blogging

Warren Edwards  Gizmos

Time:             11:30 – 12:00 – in the Library

Activity:         Sharing what you are doing.  At this point, could at least one person in a department share what he/she is working on or what they have learned.

Lunch:           From 12:00 – 1:00 – on your own.

                       

Time:             1:00 – 1:30 – in Library

Activity:         Another movie – this time about our students. To help you with your goal setting and changes in you’re professional learning.  Also, hopefully this video will help you to learn more about our students.

Time:             1:30 – 2:30 – in respective classrooms.

Activity:         Working on your Goals (You can work in groups with common interests or individually)

Time:             2:30 – 3:00 – in Library

Activity:         Discussion of plans to move forward (announcements)  - Jennifer Spain

Comments from Staff:

Many staff members stated they needed more time.  That it would be best to have no after lunch meeting, to just get back to work and then come back at the end to sum up.  I agree.    In the end we gave a list of web sites that may be of interested to people reading this blog but were of interest to staff.

Sites of Interest:

·      History Conflict - http://www.conflicthistory.com/  See Mustafa Gocmen

·      Portfolio and E-portfolio worksheets, self-assessments, etc – by Minister of Education of BC, Alberta, and Val Lees, Teachers in Surrey School District - http://painchaudopinion.webnode.com/portfolio-info/

·      Graphic Organizers - http://painchaudopinion.webnode.com/barrie-bennett/

·      Analysis of Web 2.0 tools of use in the Surrey School District.  Some instruction sheets and Rubrics - http://painchaud2.webnode.com/

·      Authentic Instruction - http://www.learner.org/workshops/socialstudies/pdf/session6/6.AuthenticInstruction.pdf  or http://pdonline.ascd.org/pd_online/diffinstr/el199304_newmann.html

·      Constructivism http://members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/constructivism.html

·      Inquiry based learning - http://members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/inquiry.html

·      Current Trends in Education - http://www.teach-nology.com/currenttrends/