Saturday, August 31, 2013

Let's Go!

Scene 1: Being at school this week when class lists were posted and seeing the excited students there to find out which class they were going to be in.


Scene 2: Being at ANY store remotely involved with selling back-to-school items and seeing the line ups and crowds and the smiles on the faces of students picking out a new pencil case, package of markers, or a new back pack.


Both of these were scenes that got me thinking... our students start off the year at an all time high for excitement for coming to school.

Unfortunately, what we usually do as teachers, is try to subdue and eliminate that feeling of excitement and replace it with "proper behaviour" where students will sit in an orderly fashion and listen as we teach them what they will need to know.

What if we kept them excited?

What if when they entered our classrooms we not only harnessed their natural excitement, but got our students even more pumped up by having them involved in learning that challenged them and made them an active participant in what they were learning?

Let's try it!

Let's try using the incredible amount of interesting technology to engage our students and keep that level of excitement for school at an all time high. 

I can't wait for Tuesday to get here.

Let's go!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

$55 Tablet!!

I absolutely love the fact that the PDSB is making tablets available for the low cost of $55. One of the arguments laid out when BYOD programs are put in place is that some kids are automatically put at a disadvantage because of their socioeconomic status and that they won't be able to bring technology to school.

I submit that the tablet being offered pretty much solves that problem. Even if a family is in a financial position that they are unable to afford this tablet in one payment, I think it should be possible for schools to purchase a few to have and lend out (or "rent") to a family for the school year. Realistically, you are looking at less than 7 bucks a month for the school year to have a child with a suitable tablet for any BYOD program operating in a school. From where I sit, that is absolutely awesome!!

I also think it would be great for students to see teachers and administrators using the tablets as well. This would point out to the students that the equipment being offered is what is needed to complete the task and that you don't need to bring the "top of the line" tablet, or smartphone to school to be an active participant in any BYOD program.

I can't wait for mine to arrive!!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

TLDWPeel 2013

Teaching and Learning in a Digital World put on by the Peel District School Board was a great experience. To have such knowledgable and inspiring keynote speakers and to be able to share so much with colleagues across all subject and grade levels was an amazing opportunity.

I am calling this TLDWPeel 2013 because I really hope this is a conference that becomes an annual event.

What we were able to take away from the two days will be shared with colleagues and will make the PDSB a better place for kids to learn.