On a learning curve.

On a learning curve.

So 'The Mind Lab' course has start and I'm on the road to learning . 

Like climbing Mt Hector in the Tararua Ranges. I have made it to week three of this semester and the curve of learning has been steep to say the least. 

Listening and sharing to other members of community is very interesting as there are only half a dozen in primary school and the rest are secondary school teachers.

The big difference between secondary and primary school is that, one teaches a topic or two and the others teach all topics, that aside, the conversion is always interesting. 

My first week's video attempt was to say the least, simple, but that's why I'm here - to learn.

Week's two effort was better and  a collaboration of minds, ideas and hurry up you got four minutes left. It's amazing how fast you can do thing when the pressure is on you. 

About the collaboration side of the course - its great,  I am working with a colleague I have known and worked closely with for over fifteen years, so most of our idiosyncrasies are recognised, forgiven and then laughed at. This helps a lot when you both have help each other - a win win friendship.

After a long day and the help of my friend's son we put the Self Regulation  video clip together.

Then full of inspiration I raced home to greet my wife with, "Watch this - we finished. I need to make another video." she just looked puzzled.

This is something I put together to answer the question, " What would you put into a reverse time capsule. 2017 - 1997" 

My first thoughts were 'Back to the Future' and to focus on my main clientele ( primary school children) and to keep my entry light and humourous.

Here is our second collaborative production entitled " Real World Problem Solving",  which was done during our second weeks course,  a lot of learning in a very short time.  I think it's better than my first attempt. 

This is week ones Movie - the rolling ball is a symbol of how we see teaching and an every changing and moving learning situation for students and teachers.
I think our theory is correct but the execution needs a little more work. It was our first attempt and we had only meet a few minutes before the lecture said, " Right get into groups of two with someone you haven't meet or worked with before."

Great I thought - here we go and so much for collaborative learning but isn't this what we expect students to do?

I must says I'm learning lots of new words too. 

More blogging later ....Ma te wa.

Thinking outside a square 

Lots of ideas are whizzing around in my head and after the first meeting of Applied Digital and Collaborative Learning studies. Rethinking what you've been teaching for a number of years, does take a bit to get your head around. I believe there is a big push to get our children, teenagers and young people to look at different ways of doing things. 

So here are a few of my initial ideas ...

Is communication , the exchange of ideas or language, an important tool for all of us ?

Yes and it's evolving with each generation and technology is speeding this up. Take the telephone as an example - from a dial up , to a Nokia brick and on to the lastest Samsung or an Apple phone. I think my phone is more advanced than the computer system which put man into outer space and  a fraction of the size too. Cost wise I wouldn't even like to think of it. 

 

Is the model of learning, for teachers and students, past it's use by date?

I think no but there is need for changes, changes so all students regardless of age can contribute and learning. I don't think it's old fashion that all people need to have something to contribute to our society- we as educators just have to find the place, along with the learner, where they can be most effective. We all have something to give and for a healthy society we all need to receive. 

So follow my journey of learning and contributing in a digital context - and think outside the square.

What ever you do, do it with all your heart...

Col 3:23