La Grande JAM

(Image courtesy of Pixabay - no attribution required) Change is a long term and complex process.  It is not an event. The current context in British Columbia's education system is one overflowing with change.  As of 2016, BC's K-9 new curriculum was officially implemented.  2019 should see the full implementation of the Graduation program.  Assessment frameworks are changing and new reporting standards are being posted as I write.  In 2015, the Ministry replaced BCeSIS with the MyEdBC student database and as many will recall, the transition did not go smoothly.  In my school district, we have implemented a new tech platform called "Scholantis" as of 2016 which replaced a system that had been in place for over a decade and was familiar and effective for staff; the new system is less so.   All this change is, in my opinion, impacting ongoing teacher professional development.  When multiple initiatives are being implemented at once, teacher...

(Image courtesy of Pinterest "Top 10 teacher quotes") HOW DO I LEARN NOW??? This question is easy for me to answer.  Since the beginning of my career, I have experienced many different learning journeys to keep my skills current.  For example, I did formal learning through graduate work at SFU and currently am enrolled in this TL diploma program at UBC.  I have always participated in school based pro-d activities and local PLN on topics of personal interest (especially if there was a promise of a free book).  I have attended major conferences in both Canada and the US and subscribe to many professional associations such as BCSSTA, BCTAML, BCTELA, CUEBC, ACPI, BCLCA, NCSST, etc.  I have done Ministry work first in the field of Social Studies as a 20th Century History 12 curriculum consultant, then as a Trial Writer of Provincial Exams as well as a marker for over 10 years.  Marking exams was amazing prod and a great opportunity to network with other ...

Learning is messy... Last week, I identified some areas of interest for my independent study for LIBE477.  I had way too many ideas and needed more time to focus my topic.  After much reflection on what would be the most relevant, practical and engaging topic/issue, I have decided to focus my research on the following question: "How can I engage students in powerful learning  that is also fun and interesting?" This overarching question then led to the following secondary questions: How can I effectively engage students with inquiry based learning (IBL) through the Genius Hour project in Social Studies? What technologies would facilitate this kind of learning? What is useful? How can IBL/Genius Hour help connect learners with other learners & experts? How can I deepen student learning through questioning?  How manageable is IBL in today's context? With these questions guiding me, I am better able to organize my thoughts and research, so here we ...

The importance of balance... As I find myself trying to come up with a focused inquiry for LIBE477, where technology will play a central role, I am also conflicted.  The reason:  I am worried about the impact technology is having on society and more importantly, on kids.  How do we strike a balance? Years ago, when I taught the Renaissance in SS9, I would tell the kids about the Bonfire of the Vanities.  Short history lesson... Jerome Savoranole was a Dominican priest who spent his life fighting corruption in the Catholic Church.  In Florence in 1490, he denounced the luxurious life led by certain Florentines.  In response to his criticism, people built these huge bonfires and burned wigs, clothes, art work and books, etc.  I would ask students what they would throw in the bonfire today, keeping in mind it had to be something that was negatively impacting society.  At the time, call waiting was a new function on home phones, and I always...