Guest Post: Sharon Cohen, Deputy Superintendent, Surrey Schools (#SD36) shares her perspective as she explores the world of social media. This year’s BC School Superintendents’ summer conference, focusing on personalized learning, took place in mid-August. Only a year or two ago, using a PDA at such a gathering would have been considered inappropriate. This summer,…
What’s Most Important?
What is the most important message principals need to hear? As educators we are driven by the passion to make a difference in the lives of others. How might we best do that in the schoolhouse? Maximizing learning for all from carlson_e A principal’s job, like a teacher’s, is huge and complex. Where do we…
iPads: A Bolt or a Lever for Authentic Learning?
Yesterday I attended my first webinar. I probably shouldn’t admit that but it is true. There are other first experiences that I’m hoping to have before my summer is over. I consider this my summer to play with technology. I registered for this particular ASCD webinar because it was focused on using the iPad as…
Apps & Twitter for my Superintendent
“I love it already.” Those were the words of my Superintendent as we introduced him to Flipboard on his new iPad2 this morning. He continued to download more apps from our list, smiling as he tested each one. Orwell Kowalyshyn, District Helping Teacher, created a list of apps specifically for Administrators. We had used Twitter…
Learning Leads Technology: Chief Apple Educator Speaks
Last week, I was fortunate to be invited to lunch with Stephanie Hamilton, one of Apple’s chief educators, based in Cupertino, California. What I found most profound was that her message echoed much of what we are trying to do in this project with our pilot schools. What was her key point? “We must lead…
Networked, Instant-on Computer, 24/7
Guest Post: Orwell Kowalyshyn, ICT Helping Teacher with the Surrey School District. After reading this (the previous post), it reminded me of an interesting comment I read recently from teacher and blogger Fraser Speirs who stated in a tweet that students today will, for the rest of their lives, be carrying a computer in their…
Social Media: Busting Down Schoolhouse Doors
Someone laughed at me the other day. Two consultants sent by the Ministry of Education were interviewing several of us about technology, infrastructure, and personalized learning (whatever that means—although I do note they were asking us to define it). I made a statement about Social Media and a colleague jokingly mocked me for my expertise…
It’s Not All About the Technology
I wasn’t really planning to get into this technology “thing.” When I received this new job I discovered technology was part of my portfolio. I tried to give it away. Other parts of my portfolio were siphoned off to members of the Leadership Team (eg. French Languages, French Immersion), but I ended up “stuck” with…
Engaging Digital Natives
Sunday morning I woke up to a baby penguin bouncing on my head. Since it was stuffed, I didn’t suffer much damage. And at least, that’s better than last Easter weekend, when I was woken by the words, “Mom, can I play with the iPad?” The four year old had a sly smile and snuck…
Innovate with students at heart
What does it mean to be part of an innovative project? To innovate is to behave in ways that are contrary to the norm. Innovation is the creation of something new from experimentation and study. The Innovative Learning Designs Project is an opportunity for teachers to experiment with their teaching in the context of the…