Making the video

I learned that my prin and I have similar ideas about the ideal future school. I also found myself not wanting to use any images of current schools, as I think they will look vastly different, and adapt to the learning to be done in them.


I also learned that the laptop is not the most fantastic tool for creating video. - inadequate graphics card.


Storyboarding was a challenge, because we had so many ideas about the future school, but wanted to also give the feel that it's ok to give it a go, see where new thinking takes you, imagine a place you would really like to be (ie in a plane, going to a tropical island, diving in) and that is the ideal school. Not sure if we are subconsciously wanting to go on holiday, but we wanted to show that you can be serious about education and less serious about how you get there.


The mistakes we made - well it will depend on the reception the video gets. We have made a slightly tongue in cheek video, because teaching can be heaps of fun - even more so if we are trying something new and then finding out the answers at the exact same moment as the children.  It's like reading Roald Dahl for the first time with your kids!  They see REAL EXCITEMENT AND REAL, UNPREPARED REACTIONS.

I like Greg Couros' article. Am on Twitter and subscribe to a number of email newsletters - Edutopia, MiddleWeb, Modern Learners, We Are Teachers, ThinkUKnow, Understood.org, AALF, P21, Flipcon and probably more.


I don't use feeds much, but that's because I haven't learned how to use them properly - something for my list of jobs.


Blogging online is not generally something I do - I keep a journal and I have regular conversations with like minded people.

Watched Greg Whitby
DNA of teachers - I came to teaching from a background in health administration and office work, following the 1990s recession that we "had to have". I learned that it was necessary to change so I was able to gain employment. I am not sure if this means that I have a hybrid DNA, as I have long felt that I teach differently to other teachers.  Children have the right to learn how to do things themselves, and sometimes part of teaching is letting them do that, rather than getting caught up in what they must do within the curriculum or what they must do to show that the teacher has done their job.


I would say that the most confronting thing for leaders is that all the professional reading doesn't give them a road map, scaffold or framework to follow. I sat at a PD for application writing last week and was curious to hear people ask for copies of a good CV and key selection criteria, because they wanted something to follow. Even down to the application for leadership positions, leaders must trust themselves and be visionaries, taking steps forward without a framework to follow.

So how's this for new learning - my washing machine wouldn't fill, so I looked up the model in Google and found a Youtube video demonstrating how to test the cold water valve, then how to replace it. I ordered the valve from BigWarehouse Spares and it came during the week - $36! It's now Friday night and I put the new valve in! Bingo! But deeper learning was to occur..........the new valve had no washer/seal thingy! So water abundant in laundry....then I accessed my prior knowledge about electricity and water, and blew dry the mechanism before putting the old washer/seal thingy on the new valve. Bingo again! Washing machine threshing around, and me thanking the digital repository of knowledge.


Making the use of technology real - you bet
Doing normal everyday things - yes
Saving myself money - absolutely
Upscaling to become my own washing machine mechanic - we'll see if the handiwork lasts, not prepared to make a career switch until 4 loads are done.

Right, so I think I have got one big thing for the week completed! My research proposal for the other Bastow course is done, just waiting on the ok from the course moderator. That leaves me time to create hilarity for the Bastow Film Festival. I hope you are all ready for a laugh.....

week 2 reflection

- Application of new knowledge in real contexts
- Key future skills
- 6 Cs
- Demonstrate your learning
- collaborate
- Effective teaching still requires clear learning goals
- Leaders must be skilled at dynamic change processes
- Changes to fundamental teaching models are essential
- Pedagogy of the application of technology in the teaching and learning process
- FIG 7 on page 31 is a good example of something to show teachers - those who are cautious about taking risks need to be given some concrete real examples of classroom work that they can relate to before they can start to create and innovate.

First, teachers no longer have to deliver broad swathes of content knowledge personally.p33 A Rich Seam - this is played out by the success students experience using LMS like Mathletics, Literacy Planet and Studyladder, and paced apps on iPads. Students can work at their own pace, catch up or extend themselves and identify their own learning needs. BIG TICK - this one is coming out at this week's parent teacher interviews!!!!

- e-portfolios to track student work
- don't just measure content knowledge
- don't just focus on mastery, focus on the learning that occurs in the process
- make work public to receive feedback
Leaders of change ....directional vision, letting go and reining in ..........
Student driven model to drive change............
Role of leaders is changing as well as that of teachers, and I am pleased to have an explanation as to why I seem to be enjoying aspects of teaching less than when I started (the world is changing!!)
Teachers work together to redesign lessons to create deep learning
Co-learning
Leaders who want to make a difference now have the opportunity to have a huge impact. p 62

Week 1 reading reflection

I'm writing this as I read the article -  slightly behind.


Not all teachers that I work with are "ready" - some do not have smart phones and some will NOT use quasi social networking sites like Edmodo for teaching.


Teachers also become bogged down with beliefs like: "What if the internet crashes?" I can never remember/find my passwords, I have lost my passwords, the computers keep crashing, my computer has gone nuts, .I can't get the internet to work, I can't find that email you sent me, I never got that email you sent me, my IWB won't work so I stick posters on it with blu tack.......all obstacles put up because they don't believe it is their job to know how to troubleshoot. It leads me to wonder if teachers of the past used to stand there with a blunt pencil and say.....this sharpening is taking time away from learning.


However! I am thinking that I can use this report to showcase that more and more teachers are valuing the use of digital tools in learning and teaching


The change in parent interaction with schools via technology is rapid.


Some parents are yet to grasp the value of technology within learning, despite a 10 year campaign in our community to change mindsets. It is clear to me that as teachers and leaders we need to communicate more effectively with students and parents about the value of technology and gaming in learning.


Another point that came up was the low effect size (0.37 within John Hattie's work) of computer aided instruction - my only thought is that teachers need to change how they teach to improve the impact of technology within learning. To achieve this teachers also need support and professional development in the identification of high quality digital content and instructional approaches.


Urban parent's support for mobile learning is greater than rural, but teacher concerns about use are the same.


The need for teacher accountability on the use of technology within instruction naturally increases - p15


Effectiveness of the technology being used is too dependent on individual teacher skills. p 16


All tiers of the education community must value innovation




I think I want to be a Librarian Media Specialist...........

Am on Twitter @AngeHoller


You'll also find me on Linked In as I try to expand my professional network


I've got a few other things on the go:


http://missholleransgrade.global2.vic.edu.au/2014/01/26/miss-h-in-2014/




http://learningprofession.global2.vic.edu.au/






Older ones include
http://clickonwellbeing.ning.com/video/using-circles-angela-holleran


And there will be old stuff on Wikispaces since 2008 when we started using them at Stanhope PS.


Yet to do the reading for Week 1 - thank goodness for public holidays!