As the first day comes to an end, I am excited about putting some of my learning into place. Diigo seems like a great place to organize all of my bookmarks that I never seem to get back to. Maybe now I will be able to find the articles when I need them. Hopefully, before the next session, I will have time to organize my bookmarked articles in Diigo. I am also looking forward to using this blog as a way of sharing and reflecting on what is happening with technology in my school. I have already adopted Twitter as a quick and easy way to share with others, especially parents, the interesting and innovative things that the students are doing. I have been tweeting the Grade 6 photography and the Grade 2 Design Thinking process.
I am really interested in Design Thinking, innovation and creativity right now. This is my focus for the year. I really want to get the students thinking and innovating in more open-ended tasks in which they determine the specifications for the task. I am also working on refining my coding curriculum to make it spiral throughout the grades. I am also experimenting with Keyboarding without Tears as the students need more practice in order to improve their keyboarding skills.
I am really looking forward to the next session and to figuring out the direction of my action plan for the year. I have some ideas but I am also open to new ideas as well. I am hoping to learn from the other people in Cohort 21 as everyone seems to have a variety of things that they are doing, have tried doing or are considering doing. Sometimes just having time to talk, listen and try new things, challenges you to improve your teaching and the learning for students.
Hi Cathy,
thanks for this thoughtful post. I would encourage you not to wait for your action plan thinking. Get involved with the upcoming Twitter chats and Hangouts to generate discussion, and get your wheels turning. These will be announced shortly in terms of days and times.
on that note, our next session will go deeper into Design Thinming, so look foeward to that!
Cathy, design thinking is very interesting! I’m excited to check it out myself. I agree with Garth: don’t wait until our next meeting. Reach out to other cohort folks through twitter or on their blogs if you are looking for inspiration. I’m currently working a project based learning environment task and I think it may become the focus of my action plan. Great start! Keep it up! Brent
Cathy – Thanks for the rich discussions we’ve had around potential Maker Spaces in the BH junior school, and your interest in Little Bits. I encourage you to keep this inquiry going, and am here to support you!