The sifting

Another day has lead to more opportunities to find out more about using technology to engage students, and at the same time forces me to realize that it often comes at the expense of something else.

One student and a friend were ecstatic to be able to use the Computer Lab at lunchtime today. Instead of games outside, they build grandiose mansions using Google SketchUp. The conversations were creative, drawing on other knowledge and outside sources, and incorporated pop culture references and developing jokes. 'Release the cats!' was heard a number of times, and followed through until the end of the day. Motivation, entertainment, conversation and product rolled into one.

Due to an online interactive seminar via TechTalk Tuesdays, I also put in an apology for the Staff meeting to learn more about open source tools for collaboration and sharing. It was highly useful, and has given me even more to add to the 'must look at that' list (long, very long list).

My thoughts for the day, while not revelations, are that interest is key, and striking while he Kronos hot needs follow-up to cement the learning in strong foundations. What I have struggled to find out and problem solve in Excel last week is in danger of being forgotten because of what I am trying to do today on another platform. Strike according to a plan, but keep the plan flexible for spontaneous outbreaks of awesome.

A fresh start!

To begin the ball rolling, I wanted to gauge how the class feels about the uses we have made of technology in learning. Mainly I am after their opinions on what we have done this year. A fair amount of time has been devoted to skilling up, and then using these skills to present learning. I am curious about whether they see value in this, and whether their focus is on the ICT tool or the content that it conveyed or that they created.

In stepping up my own learning, I have experimented with a Google Docs Form and embdedded it into our class Ultranet space. The blog on the main page gives a closing date of this Friday, so I will wait patiently (drumming fingers...) for the responses to come flooding in.

In the beginning...

My passion in teaching is ICT. This seems fairly obvious, even to the casual observer. In fact, as soon as I get to school I'm unloading my laptop, and my netbook, and syncing my iPad while seeing if I have any new texts or emails on my iPhone. It either falls into geek or OCD.

The joy I get from discovering new tools to use, new skills to try is in using them with my students. Working with these kids to set up new apps or spaces on the Ultranet enables them to try it themselves next time, and teach someone else when it has become second nature to them. The joy of working with the 'digital natives', although I'm still not sure how I feel about that term.

While I believe that it fits and is apt for who it describes, it can also work just as well as a term for exclusion - an excuse for not practicing skills or attempting something that may be a close neighbour of someone's comfort zone.

So, what's this all about? I want to keep track of what I'm trying for a record of my personal learning - it took me only a few minutes to rack up a full page of weblinks from a day or so of Twitter activity, and it would take me the full day to read them all and check out what people are suggesting. This is where I aim to keep what I've found, make note of my progress, and keep finding out what other people can teach me - so I can continue to lead my students and colleagues.

Feel free to tag along as I follow that mouse where the Web 2.0 can lead!