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"

Teaching: One of the most demanding and dynamic of professions

I had the privilege of attending the It's a Learners' World: Mapping a New Landscape Conference organised by Learning Network NZ on the 25th and 26th July and what a fantastic experience this was.

Keynote speakers included: Lee Crockett, Perry Rush and Joan Dalton.

What I've learned from Lee Crockett:

• Change is a difficult thing - Reality check ahead
• TTWWADI (That's The Way We've Always Done It), without giving a thought why we do it - this have serious impacts on years to come
• Things change quickly in education - we need to examine our TTWWADI
• No correlation between homework and achievement in younger ages
• It's a scary thought - our classroom structures have not change much in a hundred years
• We are providing our kids with an education for work that can be done by automation - How will we change this?
• Make students the spotlight of their learning - teach them how to learn
• In the next few year, people who need managing will no longer be employable
• Our kids will look at the iPad as archaic technology - How are we preparing them for the world that is their future?
• If we do not change the way we teach, then we prepare our kids not for their future but for our past
• When the rate of change outside an organisation is greater than the change inside the end is near
• What will you change in your classroom or school to prepare your learners for the scope and pace of change? How will you keep up?
• Eyes process visuals faster than text - 80% information comes through our eyes. We can communicate so much more with visuals - we're designed to be visual learners
• Stretch your thinking - take baby steps - choose 1 action you're going to take, starting right now!

What I've learned from Perry Rush:

• The learning Purpose in the 21st Century - enable the individual to be fulfilled to their satisfaction
• Build capability to be successful in the 21st knowledge economy
• Children can spot the teachers who are prepared to journey with them
• Be quiet and listen to kids to re-craft teaching to the next appropriate place
• We need to take our students to places they don't know they don't know about
• Knowledge is a process not a 'thing' - it happens in teams not in individuals
• You need to be able to do things with what you know - Learning and knowledge are a verb, it's what our kids DO with this knowledge
• Teach understanding of knowledge, not just knowing. Foster understanding, growing meaning about the world
• Minds are resources that can be connected to other resources in order to generate knowledge
• Remember the Revised Curriculum: http://notes.learningnetwork.ac.nz/Cache/Pictures/2125547/Perry's_Keynote.pdf
• Teaching in the 21st C http://notes.learningnetwork.ac.nz/Cache/Pictures/2125554/Perry_Rush.pdf

What I've learned from Joan Dalton:

• The language we use, have an impact on students brain
• Learning today is about making connections
• Wisdom begins with wonder
• Thinking language, thinking learner, thinking world http://notes.learningnetwork.ac.nz/Cache/Pictures/2125587/Learners'_World_keynote_2013_final.pdf
• Conflict and Controversy http://notes.learningnetwork.ac.nz/Cache/Pictures/2125991/Conflict_&_Controversy.pdf

It's not what you know, but what you do with what you know that makes a difference.


Other sessions attended and learning included:

• Learning as Inquiry - Mary-Anne Murphy http://notes.learningnetwork.ac.nz/Cache/Pictures/2124858/Learning_as_Inquiry_notes.pdf
• e-Portfolios for High Achievement - Mark Osborne
• Putting the 'e' in Assessment - Mary-Anne Murphy

Blended e Assessment from Mary-Anne Murphy

• Student Voice - Daniel Birch http://notes.learningnetwork.ac.nz/Cache/Pictures/2121669/Student_Voice_-_Daniel_Birch.pdf
• Creating Supportive Learning Environments - Lisa Squire & Sharyn Afu http://www.slideshare.net/lsquire/support-lrn-environs?utm_content=buffera4c60&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Buffer
• Personalised Learning - Kristyn Rack  http://www.slideshare.net/krisalicia/personalised-learning-fcopy

                                                        Photo by Michael Fawcett


What change will I make? What is my 'baby step'?

• I will start by moving towards creating a Modern Learning Environment and focus on personalised learning as the Key Competencies will be visible in this