Masterful Bloggers...

BLOGGING!

Depending on what you are looking for, there are several Bloggers worth following.

I like to follow Kathy Schrock http://blog.kathyschrock.net and George Couros, http://georgecouros.ca/blog/# I also follow Matt Miller, http://ditchthattextbook.com (although it is more of an article based website, you can follow him on Twitter and receive regular emails with new resources such as :#EdTech Resource) and Global Citizen Digital Foundation, https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/21st-century-fluencies/solution-fluency Within this site are different blogs to follow.

I have posted before on my endeavour to one day become a regular, contributing blogger.  Until then, I will continue to follow and learn from various shared Bloggers.  The biggest advantage to following others is the advancement in your own learning that comes from collaborating.  I would surmise that the biggest disadvantages would be complacency, privacy and  accountability.  Once information is out there it is never coming back and you never know what people will do with that information.  You'd hate to have a bad day and type the wrong thing for millions of people to read and misinterpret because lets face it, reading of anything-books, texts, blogs etc, is an individual interpretation/mindset of information.  

That said, I will choose to see the good over the bad and in this case, the wealth of knowledge received supersedes potential pitfalls.  Until I feel I can navigate and mostly master the true art of blogging, I will continue to sit back, learn and be in awe of all the information that is available and the masterful distribution of information, ideas and resources.

Cheers!

Reflection: Module 3

As I endeavour to continue to upkeep this blog, I find that it doesn't have the purpose I would like it to.  It seems to be a means to an end because I don't have my own classroom to comment on.


That said, I look forward to the regular camaraderie that I do not ordinarily get.  The comments, suggestions and resources motivate me to continue my path towards my long terms goals.


I thrive on discourse and feedback; it helps me to improve and learn. Any and all insights are much welcomed and I look forward to the final module that puts me that much closer to the Specialist session.

Cheers!

“Necessary for some good for all...”

Throughout this module I have grown to have a better conceptualization of the necessity of assistive technology for some students.  Assistive technology leads to an autonomous form of education.  It allows for differentiated instruction but most importantly gives student’s voice and choice.  Students gain independence and are able to move forward in ways that they might not otherwise.  

I have also developed an enlightened concept of the necessity for mainstream students to have more opportunities for technology within his/her learning.  It's the proverbial carrot being dangled when iPad and Chromebooks enter the room.  This is not to discount the true necessity for special needs but to acknowledge its contrary presence in the room. That said, I’d like to see a movement that all students at some point get the luxury of assistance through technology.  

Struggles and Triumphs

The ongoing struggle for me within AQ courses is that they are geared towards contract teachers.  I find myself asking for assistance within each course: how can I modify and or accommodate this activity in order to get the most out of it?, how can I tackle this activity without reinventing the wheel?  “Choose a student in your class, make changes to your long-range plans” etc. The luxury a contract teacher has in choosing programming for a student is knowing the totality of the student’s needs.  I can “make a student up” but I don't know what makes them tick, what’s their price, what sets them off, what engages them, what encourages them etc. etc. etc. With regular discourse concerning modifications and accommodations why have the programmers not thought to take into account supply teachers that have long term goals and need the best platform to learn/get the most out of the learning.

I also like to ask questions…lots and lots of questions.  Online learning isn’t the best venue for this need but it does suit other needs.  If you have a question regarding interpretation or clarification you are at the mercy of a timely response; moving forward is a standstill until a response arrives.

Conversely, there is always amazing and useful discourse, collaboration and resources within the posts.  I love when someone offers me an alternative or additional way to support my contributions.  I also enjoy sharing all my resources that I am holding onto for future use.

Within the Professional Knowledge of the Standards of Practice, members are to strive to understand and reflect on pedagogy and learning theories that support student development. This course, among others, keep me current and responsive to the needs of all students. Continuously moving forward and applying best practices helps me to reflect, understand and improve my praxis.

My long-term goal is attaining the IICT Specialist. These assignments, and collaborative discourse will propel me to this goal.  I have and will continue to enjoy this journey with my peers.  I hope to continue to improve and continue to offer any assistance I can for the remainder of our time together…

"Reflection is part of your work"...George Couros

    Where we are going can be more important than where we have been.  Therefore, learning should be purposeful and goal directed.  We live in an increasingly more technological and global society, we must prepare ourselves not only to think about new information, but also to be engaged  in tasks that prepare us for global citizenship.  

    I modified this statement from my philosophy of education because I think that it is relevant to ourselves. We teach reflection.  We must also be mindful to our own moments and channels and ways of reflection.  

   What I have learned from blogging is that it needs to be purposeful, current and ongoing (fewer gaps in between posts).  What I would like to continue to learn is best practices to achieve this.  

    Lastly, I have always viewed blogging as a form of (digital) journaling. We can still be one with our thoughts but with the added component of sharing and receiving feedback.  This medium allows us to connect to others in places and methods that otherwise would not be possible.  That sentence almost sounded like it was from a Star Trek movie LOL

   *I endeavour to make this journey purposeful, current and ongoing...

Cheers!

P.S. I met George Couros at a workshop. He is quite inspiring and surprisingly funny :) 

My Philosophy of Education

Tracy Kane

"We can achieve more as a team than as individuals..."