CORE's 10 Trends for 2010

Thanks to ewan.mcintosh's  bookmarks for alerting me to this slideshow from CORE by Derek Wenmoth.

CORE's ten trends for 2010

View more presentations from Derek Wenmoth.

I am excited that Derek will be doing the Keynote at the Eastnet Cluster Expo next term.  We have been trying to make the shift from children solely consuming content to creating their own content school-wide this year.  The children have been learning to create content using voicethread, kid pix and photostory.  Children are also contributing and communicating through blogs and the Digikidz have collaborated with children at Pt England and Elm Park schools to ask and answer questions to help them in their role supporting their peers and teachers with eLearning.  Last week the Digikidz coordinated their first animations using kid pix.  They came up with their concept, planned the sequence and executed it with varying levels of success.  Half the group completed their animations whereas the other half ran out of time.  In reflection the children were able to appreciate that they had chosen more difficult subject matter which took longer to create/adapt on each slide.

I really like the quote from slide 5 in the CORE presentation describing the changing role of learners where once they were solely content consumers and now they are in an "architecture of participation".  In my current role as an 'eCoach' released from the classroom to support teachers in the Junior school with eLearning I particularly identify with slide 6 about competing philosophies where teachers are not regarded as a problem to be fixed but as supported professionals. 

The concept of ubiquitous computing - learning anywhere, anytime from any device fits well with the new technologies being trialled in schools: apple iPads and iPod touches or even iPhones with all the apps and more to come no doubt.  Belinda Johnston's mLearning workshop at the Cluster Expo will be one to watch, I'm sure.  Perhaps this is the affordable way forward for schools struggling to afford one-to-one laptops and everything else that goes with them.  I am currently trying to reorganise PCs and laptops with the Year 0/1 team so that children and teachers have access to a group of computers every day rather than three classes sharing but we have difficulties to overcome with furniture and connecting into the network without disrupting the physical flow of the classrooms.  This wouldn't be an issue with iPads or iPod touches.  I thought the children and I had it all in my room last year in terms of digital resources with 5 computers, an IWB and data projector, teacher laptop, digital camera, headphones, tablet, easi-speak microphone.  But now the potential of the iPod touch and iPads once readers become available in this format!  You'll never run out of books for a group or worry about books going missing or getting damaged again.  One-to-one iPods sounds like it could be possible for schools and monies could be invested in these rather than atlases, dictionaries etc.

My first solo presenting experience!

Wow! I just presented a 45 minute workshop yesterday at the Eastnet Cluster EXPO 2009! It was my first experience doing something like that and despite initially being a wee bit nervous I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I shared some hints and tips for integrating ICTs into classroom programmes with Year 0/1 level children and it went well. Luckily I presented during the first block of workshops which got it over and done with and I could enjoy the rest of the EXPO and concentrate on learning some new things. I would definately aim to do something similar the next time I present but then again perhaps I will take it more in my stride and not need to go first?! Who knows!

For anyone thinking about doing something like this I highly recommend it. It was a lot of work preparing the presentation and making handouts to support people but I was really grateful so many people attended my workshop and I received some positive feedback which was very kind. I have made contact with like minded people in other schools which I am very excited about and hopefully spread the word about the benefits of blogging with some children at this level.

My next challenge is to present at a conference like learning@schools or TUANZ. It was also a real privilege to meet Rachel Boyd and Susie Vesper and also catch up with Amanda and Belinda from Elm Park. I also want to ackowledge the efforts of my colleagues at Shelly Park who also presented as I think, in the words of another colleague, we did our school proud with all our efforts. Well done girlies!

Term 2 Unconferences

We have held 2 successful unconference sessions (week 3 and week 7) this Term which have really benefitted staff and had a positive effect on ICT integration throughout the school. We thought about holding e-cafes before and after school throughout the Term but decided instead on 2 blocks after school from 3-5pm with workshops which people signed up for. The expectation was to attend at least 2 of the sessions each time as this is providing staff with support to achieve their individual ICT Goal which forms part of their performance management.

The first unconference covered KnowledgeNET - setting up class pages, Inquiry - sharing what each of the different Pods (Year 0-2, Year 3-4 and Year 5-6) had done in Term 1 when we had a big focus on inquiry throughout the school on different topics. The last session was on Photostory which staff who attended Learning@schools had learned about. This is a fantastic, easy to use slideshow program which is free to download and can be worked on off-line which benefits those of us who have internet difficulties!

The second unconference covered blogging - ideas for putting things on to your blog and how to integrate using blogging in to reading and writing time and smartboard tools with a particular focus on using SMART notebook with projectors as we only have 1 smartboard per year level at the moment.

I have now presented at the Cluster share last Term, held a blogging session during the Term 1 holidays and shared at two in-school unconferences. I am holding a session on KnowledgeNET class pages for the junior team in the Term 2 holidays and also presenting at the Cluster Expo and KP and I will be holding a blogging wine and nibbles evening early in Term 3 to further support staff. I am lucky to have some extra release time to prepare for all this.

I am wondering where to next for myself as I am always keen to help others and learn new things to extend my skills and knowledge which is essential if you are in a lead role, however, I am finding it a struggle to maintain the high standards I expect from myself with regard to my classroom teaching and at the same time build my integration of ICT skills further while at the same time supporting my team and other staff members and still make time for further professional development myself! I hope I can have more opportunities to attend professional development during release time so I can fully focus my attention on this vital area. We have gained good momentum with staff motivation and application of new ideas and this has been largely due to the release that has been available. I think release to prepare allows quality support for others.