"Let’s talk leadership well-being"

"Let’s talk leadership well-being" was a great topic chosen by #ldrchatnz.

Well-being is an important topic for education, for students, for teachers and for leaders alike. Too often leaders focus on the well-being of those around them and forget about themselves...

I really valued the input from leaders around New Zealand in this discussion. Here is my Storify:



Reflection:
A leader has to make a difference and is often the one who has to lead change. In order to accomplish that they have to take care of themselves by having 'me' time and... they have to be pro-active.

A resource to look at: Wellbeing at School | NZCER

~ "A leader is someone who demonstrates what is possible." - Mark Yarnell ~

The meaning of putting students in the centre of learning... (a discussion)

What does putting students in the centre of learning mean? Why would/should we do this? How do we do this?

~ "Education should not be knowledge-based, but child-centred." - Sir Ken Robinson ~

Modern Learning Practice - edchatNZ

"What great timing" I thought, seeing this week's edchatNZ topic, as this has been discussed at last weekend's Educamp in Hawkes Bay.

Due to me facilitating a blogging session on the Saturday, I was unable to attend the session around Modern Learning Practice and I was rightly exited to learn more.

My eFellowship inquiry last year, focused on Modern Learning Pedagogy and when following the chat, it was clear that many educators are starting to focus more on this.

However, I think that [at times] too many emphasis are being placed on the 'environments' rather than the practice.  

In my opinion, UDL (Universal Design for Learning) could be incorporated into this context. I am looking forward to learning more in due course. 

My Storify:

~ "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm Z

'Mentoring and Coaching: The relationships that make a difference'

After having PD around coaching and mentoring earlier this year, I really enjoyed reading the discussion around this topic.

If you want to learn more about effective 'Mentoring and Coaching, this Storify by Rob McTaggard would be worthwhile to have a look at.

~ "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" - Winston Churchill ~

Developing independent students - edchatNZ

After missing a couple of edchatNZ sessions, I started to feel that I had the so called 'withdrawal syndrome'

This chat did not disappoint, with many professionals spending time to share ideas and their knowledge in our 'virtual staff-room'! 

Storify:

Reflection:

• Although it is important to engage students and develop life-long learners, it is my perception that we should foremost aim to develop confidence in our students. This [I think] will enable students to work independently, as they will have the confidence to try new things, not fearing to make mistakes.
• We need to encouraging students to think more for themselves and give them choices. When students have choices, they feel that they have ownership of their learning. Students will take more responsibility for their own learning when they have agency.

What if... we help students to experience a situation / challenge they never had before and enable them to utilize their individual skills to confidently solve a problem?

~ "Education is the key to success in life, and teachers make a lasting impact in the lives of their students." - Solomon Ortiz ~

Tips & Tricks - #aussieED

It has been a while since I've participated in an aussieED chat, mainly due to the difference in time zones. The chat was [again] inspiring, with many passionate educators taking part and sharing ideas.  

It was great to discuss and share with one another what one of our greatest achievements in 2014 was. Yes, even teachers need to celebrate our accomplishments. 

Time to think about something we hope to learn this year...
Stemming from my eFellow research, I plan to inquire and learn how to plan for personalised learning using SOLO Taxonomy. I am also adamant to learn more about the theory and practice of UDL (Universal Design for Learning).  I left this chat with some great resources (thanks to Simon Townley - who I've never met!) around UDL just by participating and interacting.  Twitter is the main source where teachers go to get inspiration from.  This is the place where you can interact with like minded, passionate colleagues - no matter where they are in the world!

Isn't this what PL & D should be like, I wonder.  Teachers able to drive their own learning about topics that interest them. To [ultimately] achieve a learning outcome that can be used to benefit our students.

We discussed how cloud computing can be used in our classrooms in 2015 and even what new things we might see in the classrooms of 2020...

As an educator, I personally feel that one should never stop learning and growing. It is important to let students know they matter and that they are the reason we are here.  And then, most importantly, to have a work-life balance.

What I like about edchats? 
People are always willing to share links to further readings and you learn from each other.

What am I going to try out?
I am going to incorporate what I have learned during my eFellow14 research into my practice and will definitely be looking at having a better work-life balance this year.

~ "Surround yourself with people who make you a better person" - Anonymous ~

EOTC and the Classroom - #primedchatnz with William Pike

After a couple of technical issues, the #primedchatnz Google Hangout went Live where the organiser James Hopkins as well as Kate from Learning Network NZ discussed EOTC with William Pike.

Reid and I worked behind the scenes as moderators, with me putting up questions on Twitter and Reid answering other tweeters, while we both engaged successfully with people who made time to join us and tweeted some of William's views on EOTC and the classroom.

The participation of other educators on Twitter was once again incredible. A warm thank you to everyone who has contributed to the discussion. I have learned so much and feel privileged to have been part [once again] of #primedchatnz.





Here is my Storify of the discussion that was happening on Twitter:

~ "Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education." - Davi Polis ~

#primedchatnz - Future Focused Learning with Tony Ryan

This was this year's second #primedchatnz and my first where I've been asked to moderate for #primedchatnz with James and Kate during the Live Google Hangout with Tony Ryan.

I was also responsible for pledging this event to Connected Educator Month.

I knew I would have to multi-task, as this was also one of the days [in the week leading up to uLearn14] where our #eFellows14 came together for our last sessions with what John and Louise had planned for us!

While the other eFellows were busy in a session, I was busy tweeting questions on twitter, while listening to the live conversation with Tony.  What an inspiring, thought provoking and inspiring session to have been part of.

Thankfully, I was able to [also] record the eFellow session and discussion for listening to afterwards.  I really can't imagine my life without technology!

My Storify of the discussion on Twitter:

And then... after working online together, the amazing moment when meeting #primedchatnz organizer James face to face...

as well as Kate from Learning Network NZ!

~ " Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away" - Anonymous"

Innovation in Schools - a live conversation with Grant Lichtman

During the last week of Term 3, #edchatNZ hosted a live conversation with Grant Lichtman on Innovation in Schools.

Danielle stated: "How might you think differently about innovation in schools if you had the chance to visit, interview and observe sixty-four schools? Grant Lichtman did just that. He interviewed 600 teachers, administrators, students and parents and talked to them about innovation." 

It was an hour well spent, listening to his stories and another great professional learning event! 

My Storify:

~ "Innovation is change that unlocks new value" - Jamie Notter ~

Teacher Agency & my Quest for Further Learning

This week's #edchatNZ topic was Teacher agency - What is it? Why do we need it? And how do we build it?
My Storify shows the great discussions happening around these questions and the wonderful ideas shared by all the awesome educators taking part.

However, as always in my quest for further learning, I was lead to this captivating post by Jackie Gerstein, Ed.D: Teacher Agency: Educators moving from a Fixed to a Growth Mindset.

~ "Your life as a teacher begins the day you realize that you are always a learner." - Robert Johan Meehan ~

A guest post about KidsedchatNZ for #EdchatNZ

I am privileged to be writing a blog post for #EdchatNZ on a topic I find very close to my heart ... KidsedchatNZ!

I have always considered myself lucky to have the opportunity to be involved in KidsedchatNZ with my class, as I have experienced the positive benefits of being involved first hand with my students.  The following is just one example, where this 5 year old student of mine received positive feedback from a teacher on the writing he shared during a chat.

It is lovely to see how students have confidence and feel good about themselves, which in the end leads to them being actively engaged in their learning. That is what KidsedchatNZ offer to students!

In recent months, KidsedchatNZ got a lot of recognition by winning the Interface Magazine Award for 'The Best Teaching with ICT' and from mentions during the uLearn13 conference.


What is KidsedchatNZ?

• KidsedchatNZ is a twitter chat between New Zealand classes and students, every Thursday @ 2:00 - 3:00pm. 
• KidsedchatNZ has been created by Pascal Dresse during Term 3 2012 after participating in an #edchatNZ. It started of as a fortnightly chat, but as it gained momentum it became a regular weekly chat.
• KidsedchatNZ is run by the Super 7: @PalmyTeacher, @PascalDresse, ReidHns1, @Juliet_Revell, @MNatusch, @simone15, @1MvdS
• All organisation is done via Twitter and Google Apps. 
• Some of the topics covered so far have been:  Literacy, Maths, Technology, Digital Citizenship, Teachers, Education outside the classroom, Rules, Courage, ANZAC Day (Trans-Tasman Chat), Culture, Learning, Homework, Modern Learning Environments and Inquiry Learning.
• Anywhere between 10 and 30 classes participate in KidsedchatNZ each week, with up to a 1,000 tweets being recorded.
• After each KidsedchatNZ session a 'Tweet of the Week' is announced for the best tweet during the session.
• KidsedchatNZ also has a mascot called 'Follow' who visits classes that participate.  You can book 'Follow' here:  http://kidsedchatnz.blogspot.co.nz/p/mascot.html

Why participating?

• KidsedchatNZ gives students an authentic audience to share and reflect on their learning.
• Students connect with other classes and students throughout New Zealand, sharing ideas and thoughts.
• Reading, writing and thinking skills develop.
• KidsedchatNZ is an authentic place to learn about Digital Citizenship

How to get involved?

• Create a class twitter account.
• Send @PalmyTeacher a tweet and he will add you to the KidsedchatNZ Twitter List.
• Subscribe to the KidsedchatNZ Twitter list and follow it on the day.
• Join in the chat. You will find topics on the KidsedchatNZ Blog
• If you need any more help to get started with KidsedchatNZ, we have created a number of 'How To' videos.  They can be found here: http://kidsedchatnz.blogspot.co.nz/p/how-to-join-kidsedchatnz.html

Get involved. Your students will thank you for it. We hope to see your class there soon!

~ A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there. - Anonymous ~

Adjusting the pace and approach - connect to learners' interests & experiences

Ever since attending the It's a Learners' World: Mapping a New Landscape Conference in 2013, I have been interested in how I could adjust the pace and approach to connect to my learners' interests and experiences by using personalised learning.

As I felt that this was a concept worth looking into, I followed #azedchat (Arizona Educator Chat) on Student choice and Personalised learning with great excitement to see what other educators think and do. Visiting Stonefields School and Hobsonville Point Secondary School during our first #eFellow14 master class was of great significance. I also received fantastic help and insight from Sarah, the principal at Stonefields School.

Needless to say, that I am hooked now and when Annemarie asked me by the end of our EduIgnite Rotorua session if I am going to participate in our own New Zealand #edchatnz tonight - with the topic Personalised Learning - I was all for it. I did not hesitate to learn more and to share what I have learned so far.

Great ideas and learning are always evident in this chat and I have learned a lot from following/being involved in #edchatnz every fortnight.

~ "Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them." - Orison Swett Marden ~

A different approach to learning

I enjoy introducing my learners to new & different learning opportunities in which they can also have fun.

Last year, my class was involved in the global classroom project called 'The Travelling Rhino's'
Learners were so engaged that I've extended this with having a class production called 'Save the Earth' with much success.

I love this different approach to learning, something that Project Based Learning (I found out) exactly is.

As an ongoing learner and always on the lookout for personal learning opportunities, I read this tweet with great excitement:

With so much learned, this was a twitter chat worthwhile to be involved in.

        ~ "Learning is the only thing the mind never exhausts, never fears and never regrets." 
                                                                                                           - Leonardo da Vinci ~

Culture - Delving beyond the tip of the iceberg via #GlobalClassroom

Last night I participated in my first Global Classroom chat session, as I think culture plays a major role in the vision and values of New Zealand's unique identity.

My involvement in this chat session helped to clear some ideas about culture as well as reaffirmed my view on the importance of beliefs and values of a group of people.  I am convinced that if we treat others with dignity regarding different cultures, positive relationships will be build on trust.  Positive communication is the key.

Thanks to Sonya, who informed me about this chat, I had the privilege of learning more about this valuable topic from all the participants.

~ "No culture can live, if it attempts to be exclusive" - Mahatma Ghandi ~

Digital Leadership via #satchatwc

This morning I'd stumbled upon this Twitter chat, just as it came to a close.  After reading through the timeline, I've decided it would be worthwhile to capture some of the ideas shared. Great for my 'rewindable' learning and everybody else, interested in this topic.

Personalised Learning via #azedchat

Student choice and Personalised Learning....  Here's some ideas worthwhile to refer back to.