OK, so it's been a while. Like working out, or eating better, it's important not to beat myself up about missing the mark in the past, and more important to just try to get back on track now. I am not going to make any big promises or goals about how often I will write, or what I will contribute this time. I will just start again now:
So it's back to school time. The learning fair was very good, I saw many teachers willing to jump in and get messy so they can model being learners to their classes. Learning is challenging and messy and doesn't just mean success all the time. I believe we need to remember that and be willing to show our students that we may struggle with somethings too - it's OK, it's how you learn.
Helping people get set up and work in Edmodo at the Minds On Media carrousel was great. There were many different teachers thinking about different ways of using it in various subjects and grade levels. The stations all looked busy: People working with Maddie Davies and her iPads, Alanna working with people establishing a positive digital identity, others working with Adobe programs, or Voice thread, or computer animation and of course google apps for education. If you were unable to be there, the wikispace is up and running with information from each of the stations, as well as contact information if you want help with something you are trying.
I am very excited that some members of my department are going to try having their classes blog (as am I). I think aside from the technology, our collective fear is that we won't be able to sustain it - we will start out fine, then we'll miss a week or two. I hope that if we are all tackling this together, we will be able to encourage each other through the rough spots, and if we miss a couple weeks/posts here and there we just get back on, don't give it up for good.
I'm also feeling really positive about the work we've committed to in terms of new units and new assessment ideas. I hope we continue to rely on each other, be vulnerable with one another and support one another as we try new things.
Here's to a great, messy, learning filled semester.
