A few years ago, I had the privilege of putting together a video on how assessment works in the real world. I interviewed local people who talked about how assessment for learning works in their world.
One of those I interviewed was Scott Schultz of the Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders along with defensive line coach and Hall of Famer Ron Estay. In the light of their recent victory, I thought I’d republish their interview. I did publish the entire video a while back but wanted to showcase this one in particular.
Not only is it entertaining (don’t forget to watch the blooper at the end) but in many ways helps bring assessment ideas out of a strictly educational sense and demonstrates its value in life. Congratulations Scott, Ron and the Riders on a great season and their contributions to our community in many ways including helping us understand the value of assessment for learning.
We are all amazed at the speed and ease at which we can create and post artifacts of learning. Whether it’s a 30 second animoto video or an Professional Learning event.
Twitter continues to be the ultimate in instantaneous posting. It’s fun and works as a message board of activity; be it blog posts, resources and live events. The speed at which this happens is astounding. Within seconds of posting a blog, I have visitors on my site. I can create a twitter wave and see dozens of folks chime in. Ustream events attract an instant audience.
Let’s gain some balance here. I’m anxiously awaiting Bud to post a much more in depth thought about this but as you’ll see, I couldn’t wait.
Gary Stager is right in discussing how there seems to be a newspaper like frenzy in being the first to post about a new product, event or response to news. He worries that it’s all about speed and bloggers are like newspaper reporters jockeying to be the first to write about the “breaking story” In this zeal to be the first, it might seem like those who are late to the party, (late can be defined in hours) are not heard or maybe don’t even bother to post since someone else beat them to it. In addition, sometimes speed means lack of depth. Good work often takes time and it often seems time is not a virtue in a web 2.0 world. We are constantly reminding our kids to slow down, we want them at least at times, to go a mile deep rather than a mile wide. But quite often we do the same thing.
I was also one of those kids who tried to hand in my work first. Just part of my personality. Not better, not worse. I like to do things fast. Just watch me eat (actually some have). I do need reminding to slow down, smell roses, chew food, digest learning. But speed doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of quality either. Good work needs to be examined without prejudice towards the time taken to create. I know many great songs were written in minutes and became classics.
But I digress. Information and learning is constant, fast and everywhere at anytime. Part of the piece about literacy is constantly bringing together old and new. Old things are good. David Jakes helped teach me this a while back. John Dewey, Seymour Papert and Marshall McLuhan are among a few who’s “old” ideas still resonate and are resurfacing as voices of wisdom and teachings that work in any world.
Even within the “new”, it often seems ideas are planted but might not be explored in depth before they are passed off as yesterday’s news. I think this is part of Bud’s concerns. They are valid. Our foundational and philosophical beliefs are the filter that we use for any idea. I admire those who are processing ideas that may appear old. I have some great posts that are in my clippings or starred section of my news reader. I refer regularly to books and videos and conversations that have previously shaped my thinking. Many, like myself have had to rethink a few things. I haven’t figured it all out but appreciate those that are working at it. Constructivism involves building and playing with ideas. Sometimes it must be constructed and reconstructed.
This is another reason why subscribing to comments is critical. Dropping in an leaving a comment and never returning robs you of great ideas that might be added days or weeks later. The collective learning and understanding that exists in a blog post is often found by reading the comments.
So while it is great to be a part of a live ustream event, the fact it was recorded, provides me the opportunity to go back and view it anytime. Do you do that? What about blog posts? Are you only reading what’s fresh and bold in your aggregator or do you save or star posts? Do you go back to posts written last month, last year? Do you dig up papers and books written years ago that still resonate? I have a number of posts saved from years back that have influenced me. I go back and reread them every once in a while. Old can be good.
So my message is to enjoy instant or new but don’t forget delayed or old. Balance is a great concept.
By chance I happened to be Winnipeg at another conference and was able to invade the MB BloggerCon. The event was casually put together and turned out to be a blast. About 60 people showed up and Andy Mckneil the president of their provincial technology group, organized and paid for the event. (The gave us full use of the bar, free wireless, snacks) Andy also did a great job filming and recording the entire event. There were 5 unpresentations. I had to stick my big nose into the mix and show off my network. Alec, Jeff and Brian were able to skype in and talk very quickly but clearly, how the network works for them.
I would have liked to connect more with the others but as a guest, I felt the need to lay low. Very cool to meet for the first time Clarence, John and Chris. Nice to see Darren again. It felt like meeting old friends…oh yeah they are.
At any rate, it was great experience and pure fun. Paul Hamilton has remarked a few times about the fun I have with my job. Brian says learning is messy. I say it’s fun.
Today I did 9 hours of Professional Development. My 60 minute drive began by listening to a great podcast with Jon Udell interviewing Gardner Campbell. Worth a listen. The morning and afternoon I spent showing about 25 teachers how to use Joomla to manage their websites. Pretty traditional PD. Lots of step by step technical support. Necessary but pretty boring. I did get to speak to 100 teachers in Grand Rapids during one of Will’s talks. That was the highlight of my day to that point.
After that I drove an hour south to the tiny community of Bengough where Peter Bell and many of his staff invited me to talk about “things Web 2.0″. I was careful to this to their stories, figure out where they were at and go from there. Peter had bought everyone a webcam and headset (he loves Skype) and so they were quite excited with their shiny new tools. I had no intention but realized I needed to leverage those tools somewhat. So I fired up a Ustream show.
With a quick tweet I had up to 23 viewers (there may have been more but I wasn’t always checking) and some pretty impressive viewers as well. Viewers that added some key stuff. I can’t talk about Professional Learning without showing off and utilizing my network. They have become such a part of who I am professionally. It would be like not talking about my family when in social settings. We use to think it was important to reference people in blogs and workshops. Now we might as well bring them right in. For some reason I did have access to the chat (previous attempts inside my school division blocked the chat portion) and even tried skyping Will and Kristin who both contributed things via Skype chat. I wish I had thought more about including and engaging both the live, newbies and the online vets. There was some chat but I wonder if I could have leveraged it more?
In the end, we built wikis, played with flixn and continued to speak about networks, kids doing more work and teachers being clear on why in the world they would want to spend the time doing all this stuff. The decided to meet again next week, on their own to continue this process. I’ll skype in.
Anyway here’s the video and the chat. (this will definitely be my longest post ever) The chat is interesting in that you can so some simple Math to find out when comments synced with the video. At one point, someone cursed me to which Jeff Utecht replied, “Just ignore them and they usually go away”. I also learned:
The Chat
[17:02:30] : yeah, because now I’m starving. [17:02:30] : Do a poll, Dean [17:02:38] : dance for us dean! [17:02:50] : me too! [17:02:58] : my staff thinks i am insane [17:04:14] : instant pd right dean [17:06:01] : is Twitter just for your personal network? Or do updates get sent out to the whole community? [17:06:25] : if they are coded with an @ [17:06:36] : You can follow everyone on twitter [17:06:36] : the entire Twitter website, i mean [17:06:38] : what do mean by “whole community?” [17:06:40] : @everybody send to all your twits [17:06:46] : no? [17:06:55] : or you can log in and see just your network [17:06:56] : if you set to show public updates [17:07:25] : Lost sound on this end. What about you? [17:07:38] : sound fine for me [17:07:41] : I can still hear it [17:07:46] : me too [17:07:52] : my sound is fine [17:07:56] : hey cami [17:08:03] : heyo [17:08:10] : my macbook is dead [17:08:13] : no skype [17:08:19] : I sent you an e-mail about wednesday since your computer died…yeah that’s what I figured [17:08:25] : ok [17:08:30] : Lunch??? [17:08:38] : i have a meeting in 20 [17:08:40] : me!!! [17:08:43] : @will I was going to say….i am pretty sure it’s supper time. [17:08:47] : Bye everyone [17:08:48] : me too [17:08:53] : plane’s finally here [17:08:53] : pick me! I know what tabbed browsing is! [17:08:53] : I have 14 tabs open now [17:08:57] : Bye will [17:09:02] : have a safe trip [17:09:03] : bye will [17:09:03] : bye guys [17:09:11] : bye [17:09:14] : I’m not counting- waaaayy over 14 [17:09:15] : Name that window [17:09:28] : lol @shoemap. Name that window. [17:09:34] : @lnitsche that is just in one browser [17:09:38] : tabbed browsing is my lifesaver [17:10:25] : been there [17:11:00] : how did you break your macbook Paul? [17:11:07] : I’m counting 35-36 I need to get this under control [17:11:09] : tried to do pd on second life [17:11:20] : me !!! [17:11:22] : me [17:11:25] : me three! [17:11:38] : ha ha not much of a learning curve here today in the chat room [17:11:41] : my macbook won’t even bootup [17:11:46] : nope [17:11:57] : our common everyday tools [17:12:01] : justkind of fun to know that there still are so many folks that have so much to learn [17:12:10] : ugh. That is not good about your macbook. [17:12:14] : i am so mad i am missing out on the glogowski pd in second life [17:12:17] : grr [17:12:42] : Glogowski? [17:12:50] : wrong spelling [17:12:55] : he’s from toronto [17:13:10] : thx - where in SL? [17:13:23] : sorry — missed answering tabbed browsing question — i was busy browsing my tabs! [17:14:12] : konrad glogowski [17:14:29] : i have a link on my dead macbook [17:14:41] : would you like me to smash it in hopes that the link falls out? [17:14:53] : that way i could share with you [17:14:58] : I’m going to leave this eatfest and find glog [17:15:08] : bye [17:15:14] : talk about wepaint dean! [17:15:29] : Wetpaint fixes this problem right now [17:15:46] : everybody gets a color and you can see people’s contributions on the screen [17:20:10] : don’t talk with your mouth full!! [17:20:30] : he has forsaken his network members to his pd [17:21:00] : onhhh flixin is a new resource for me [17:21:08] : i have used it once [17:21:10] : flixn is new for me too. [17:21:11] : it is good stuff [17:21:18] : i like ustream alot [17:21:50] : well that’s that [17:21:57] : nice work dean! [17:22:08] : his lips are moving but his voice aint there. Share the fries man [17:22:10] : definitely can’t lipread via ustream. [17:22:17] : nope [17:22:27] : good product placement for ice tea [17:22:28] : 11 [17:22:33] : Paul, do you guys go to Agribition tomorrow? [17:22:54] : I am having a hard time keeping dates straight with the end of semester approaching [17:22:54] : yup [17:22:59] : kids excited? [17:23:00] : all day [17:23:01] : yup [17:23:04] : am i [17:23:04] : nope [17:23:05] : Ok I need to get packed for my Thanksgiving trip anyway [17:23:22] : bye [17:23:30] : lol. it’ll be fine. my one colleague is getting to go with her class on Wednesday to agribition [17:23:44] : Haha. I think dean forgot to turn his sound back on [17:23:49] : not my ideal field trip [17:24:03] : hes a mind reader [17:24:26] : There are definitely field trips that are more enjoyable that’s for sure [17:24:32] : just when I thought I was going to make my escape [17:24:50] : At least it’s just the day, right? [17:25:12] : or turn the volume off on ustream [17:25:12] : yup then bargaining meeting right after [17:25:33] : Busy you are! What meeting do you have this evening? [17:25:51] : executive for the RPSTA [17:25:59] : Ahh [17:26:08] : still no supper [17:26:24] : this macbook thing is driving me nuts [17:26:48] : I can only imagine. And here I’m sitting at my desk with two functionning laptops in front of me [17:27:00] : im on my dinosaur desktop [17:27:20] : dinosaur desktop. Oi. [17:27:52] : gotta go — kids’ bedtime [17:27:55] : oh hey. I talked to Jean and he said he will come whenever my lesson is being taught next week. [17:28:09] : So I just have to let him know the time and he will be there. [17:29:56] : i thought he was there this week [17:30:24] : nope, next week. he’s coming next week because Trista is at agribition this week and he wants to get both of us done on the same day. [17:30:37] : ok good to know [17:30:44] : K. I’m out. Dean I’d love to chat with you sometime. Would be of interest to you I’m sure.. [17:32:03] : Go bombers [17:33:12] : See you on thursday Dean. Enjoyed the show [17:34:20] : I would love to experiment with a smartboard some day [17:39:10] : Hey Kyle [17:39:26]
: Hi Cami. Where are we, what are we? [17:39:39]
: ooops what are we sitting in on [17:40:35] : we are in a supper PD session in a small town (I cannot for the life of me remember the name) haha [17:41:28] : my browser shut down halfway through the session so I don’t have the name of the place in my chat history [17:42:57]
: Bengough? [17:43:13] : sounds about right. I knew it had a G in there somewhere. lol [17:43:56] : Dean a great use of voicetheread. http://voicethread.com/#u6703.b21279.i120389 got kids to comment on student work [17:44:01] : http://voicethread.com/#u6703.b21279.i120389 [17:48:35]
: thanks Dean. Talk to you later Cami [17:48:43] : yep. have a good one Kyle [17:50:42] : I am [17:50:48] : listening [17:50:49] : More food [17:50:52] : got a good tip [17:50:58] : flixin [18:01:18] : Dean you look so tired [18:01:48] : wake up dean [18:01:56] : have some ice tea [18:01:58] : Boo [18:02:32] : good morning jeff [18:02:33] : who is in the live audience? [18:02:49] : Good Morning [18:02:55] : Greetings [18:02:56] : i can’t hear anything [18:03:04] : and I can’t log in. dangit [18:03:04] : How is a Shanghai morning looking? [18:03:08] : Thanks csouthard for the twit! [18:03:14] : You’re welcome [18:03:19] : cold…starting on Friday. 43F right now [18:03:42] : My parents come to visit in Dec. taking them to Bangkok…can’t wait for the warm! [18:03:52] : I don’t think he’s watching our chat - b/c he’s taping off of his laptop & presenting off his laptop [18:04:11] : Snow/Slush in NY late tonight into tomorrow [18:04:18] : Canadian Praries are the defn of cold. Not Pacific winds keeping it warm [18:04:39] : it’s chilly in SK tonight. [18:04:51] : SK? [18:05:21] : Saskatchewan [18:05:35] : We’re so global. [18:05:47] : haha @csouthard it’s true [18:05:50] : reboot. I have no sound anywhere. fudge. [18:05:55] : I’m in IL - rainy but about 50 [18:06:04] : I know I have no place to complain…but still would rather be in Bangkok where it’s 80F [18:06:20] : I agree Jutecht [18:06:32] : on my wish list to go there - you are lucky [18:06:50] : Who is Shareski presenting to? [18:07:08] : Not sure who - but its a wiki presentation [18:07:10] : I asked too, but didn’t find out [18:07:28] : I came in late - I missed the intro [18:07:57] : it’s a PD session in Bengough Saskatchewan [18:08:12] : talking about all things web 2.0 [18:08:39] : What is your favorite web 2.0 tool? [18:08:39] : California was sunny and about 80 degrees today [18:08:51] : OC to be exact [18:09:01] : nice [18:09:23] : I’m off to AZ on Wed - heard it will be in the 70’s-80-s during the day [18:09:46] : my favorite web 2.0 tool is twitter [18:10:07] : I’m not sure I can pick just one favorite web 2.0 tool [18:10:18] : I like to use wikis to tie a lot together without HTML (with the kids) [18:10:18] : voicethread [18:10:21] : It’s gonna be cold tonite in the OC …about 65 degrees [18:10:41] : If web 2.0 is about linking content [18:10:41] : thanks for inviting us in - night [18:10:43] : I like voicethread too [18:10:48] : I still think a blog does it best [18:10:50] : or morning to you jeff [18:11:00] : Our students love blogs [18:11:02] : personal, connected, conversations [18:11:07] : How much is twitter? [18:11:12] : twitter is free [18:11:18] : Blog does do it best but voicethread adds a voice and picture that kids can easily use [18:11:20] : Good morning fsinfo [18:11:24] : Is it easy to set up? [18:11:34] : super easy to set up. and such a great tool. [18:11:40] : www.twitter.com [18:11:42] : We embeded podcasts into our blogs [18:11:44] : thanks [18:11:53] : no problem @yep [18:11:57] : 20238 agree with voicethread just had an IB art teacher use it..great tool [18:12:22] : @jutect I saw that voicethread stuff that the IB teacher did. Amazing stuff! [18:12:29] : http://voicethread.com/#u6703 easy use in class use [18:12:48] : I subscribe to your blog jutecht - Saw it this morning [18:12:49] : [18:12:49] : Yeah blogs allow so much embed audio, video, links, images [18:12:52] : I’ve just started blogs with sixth grade math. Will intro blogs with 1001 Flat Tales in Jan to seventh and eighth [18:13:00] : Thanks csouthard [18:13:07] : hey everybody. finally remembered my pword for this page [18:13:15] : You might have some fifth graders commenting - if that is okay [18:13:22] : That’s perfect [18:13:36] : http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=88116 <—- Our blog site [18:13:42] : You can see all the blogs at my school here [18:13:45] : www.saschinaonline.org [18:13:51] : teachers and students 4-12 grade [18:14:20] : I’m a co-teacher, so I say “we” and “our” a lot [18:14:29] : http://www.classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=101050 <— ours [18:14:35] : are these 5th grade blogs? [18:14:57] : who the is this nerd [18:15:04] : yo u ugly [18:15:14] : go read a book [18:15:15] : wow [18:15:15] : loser [18:15:26] : books are so outdated [18:15:27] : o ur cool [18:15:29] : go read a kindle [18:15:35] : We have a fifth grader in the room? [18:15:35] : what is this retard doing [18:15:38] : lol @sroustan [18:15:39] : showing off for the cam [18:16:20] : I’m always amazed at the people who come into these rooms and try so hard to be cool but just annoy everybody [18:16:49] : @csouthard I sent your link to my 5th grade teachers [18:16:56] : eh. i just think it makes it more fun. [18:17:02] : Super [18:17:15] : to annoy those who are annoying, that is. at least, in my geeky mind. [18:17:22] : just joining - what’s dean presenting about? [18:17:37] : Just ignore them and they usually go away. [18:17:41] : Hi Karen - Web 2.0 [18:17:47] : @karen wikis at the moment [18:17:52] : thanks! [18:18:14] : @jutecht - loved the voice thread and youtube videos you posted in your blog! [18:18:42] : Thanks…teachers here are really strating to get into it [18:18:43] : he looks puzzled [18:18:53] : very [18:18:53] : Great conversations too! Which is what we need [18:18:59] : haha it’s not the first time he’s had that puzzled look on his face [18:19:17] : Drink some water Dean…you sure earned it [18:19:21] : love his expressions! [18:19:41] : oh he’s reading twitter [18:19:47] : Does anyone know is the chat archived? [18:20:02] : i think so @jutecht [18:20:04] : @jutecht, it was also great that your students wanted to do the best job since they knew they were going viral [18:20:04] : I need that twitter [18:20:25] : yeah you do, @yep. it is my favorite tech tool [18:20:33] : @Karen the power of the Internet..they get it! [18:20:38] : @yep, agree with sroustan it’s a great thing to have. [18:21:02] : control v it! [18:21:07] : not sure it’s my absolute favorite tech tool, but it’s definitely up there on my list. [18:21:18] : These last three hours in Dean’s presentation have been quite interesting. [18:21:26] : I can’t see where the chat is archived in ustream [18:21:31] : @lizdavis - looked for you at MassCUE last thursday, were you still there? [18:21:35] : You’ve been here for 3 hours? [18:21:37] : Is he getting paid for this [18:21:37] : How long has he been presenting? [18:21:47] : @liz didn’t you say you were going out for ice cream? [18:21:59] : He’s getting paid? Then I don’t feel bad [18:22:15] : @karen I presented on Wednesday sorry I missed you [18:22:16] : @csouthard yep, been here since the very get go of the presentation which was about three hours ago. I love being a university student with a free evening to learn from the magnificent dean shareski [18:22:27] : Ice cream is delicious! [18:22:40] : anyone going to Philly for the edubloggercon with chris lehmann? [18:22:43] : Dedication points to you cmalbeuf [18:22:51] : I’m at work and now not getting anything done [18:22:53] : @karen i want to [18:23:02] : cmalbeuf - what are you studying? [18:23:02] : @Karen - I’d like to [18:23:08] : @karen Yes!!!! Can’y wait! [18:23:10] : but no money to travel +poor teacher = no go [18:23:12] : thanks Jeff! lol. I’m a preservice teacher so I love these things. I’m the only person in my program who is nerdy enough to do things like this [18:23:32] : @cmalbeuf we need nerdy teachers! [18:23:32] : maybe i should get these google ads embedded on my blog [18:23:39] : @cmalbeuf - That’s super! More power 2 u [18:23:48] : @Karen I’m a third year teacher in the french education program at the u of Regina in Saskatchewan [18:23:50] : @cmalbeuf i always was, too [18:23:51] : I wish my last student teacher had that stamina [18:23:57] : third year student haha. [18:23:58] : shared Jott with two of my daughters friends yesterday - they only know facebook and loved Jott (they are 23, relate everything to Facebook) [18:24:03] : I couldn’t even get her to google fifth grade curriclum [18:24:03] : lol @csouthard me too [18:24:09] : typing with one hand ice cream in the other [18:24:13] : When did the @ become so popular is that twitters doing? [18:24:24] : I love the @ thing [18:24:26] : @jutecht i think so. habit now, i guess [18:24:27] : yes! [18:24:30] : LOL [18:24:30] : me too [18:24:36] : haha I think so jutect. Like @sroustan said, it’s habit. [18:24:42] : Did you see the link someone sent about twitter on CSI [18:24:50] : no [18:24:50] : @csouthard I love technology. I love being dedicated to my pd. [18:24:51] : so twitter is a good habit [18:24:53] : no [18:25:01] : I almost sent an e-mail to a parent with the @ [18:25:04] : @yep yes i think so [18:25:07] : LOL [18:25:08] : lol [18:25:09] : You have to be careful where you use it [18:25:10] : @cs LOL! [18:25:15] : @jutecht I did see that! It was funny seeing twitter on csi [18:25:22] : @jutecht what about CSI and twitter? [18:25:27] : Really?! [18:25:44] : Twitter on tv? [18:25:46] : Here’s the YT of twitter on CSI [18:25:49] : http://youtube.com/watch?v=YT5yCnEr8kQ [18:25:51] : where is Dean? [18:26:00] : i was telling some of my colleagues about ustream today, and they think i am SUCH a dork now [18:26:07] : Nice green shirt Dean [18:26:12] : they don’t know what they are missing! [18:26:22] : Dean is in bengough saskatchewan [18:26:22] : yep [18:26:29] : This is called a low angle shot in TV/Video language [18:26:30] : I think we need to discuss ustream protocol [18:26:31] : I’m trying to get our 5th grade teachers to use it [18:26:35] : about where you can stand [18:26:38] : great connection tonight, sometimes ustream fades in and out [18:26:42] : lol [18:26:54] : wow - that’s a great shirt. and flying hands [18:26:54] : We had to do it with skype and our students [18:26:57] : thanks @cmalbeuf [18:27:07] : yep [18:27:14] : OK…I have to get some work done [18:27:22] : if he was a woman, and pregnant, this would be a great baby shot [18:27:24] : have a parent preso tomorrow on Internet Safety…ug [18:27:28] : bye @jutecht [18:27:33] : aok - check you later jutecht [18:27:36] : have fun with that1 [18:27:36] : bye @jutecht have a great day! [18:27:40] : Later everyone thanks for the conversation! [18:27:41] : have fun with that @jutecht. [18:27:42] : bye [18:27:50] : [18:27:54] : Going to watch Heros [18:28:14] : Heroes [18:28:16] : Should I ustream my students Thanksgiving feast tomorrow? We are BBQing Turkey and having all the authentic foods they really had at 1st Thanksgiving per student’s research. [18:28:20] : never got into that show @liz [18:28:44] : Journey Man is even better [18:28:44] : Ok I’m a TV person too [18:28:44] : @Brian - that would be super! [18:28:46] : @Brian - ask your students what they think [18:28:47] : @briancrosby absolutely! how cool! [18:29:08] : @Brian you will make us all hungry [18:29:09] : You just have to watch out for punks who show up in the chat [18:29:12] : it would be cool that their parents can watch it and they can watch it later [18:29:14] : @brian do you get ustream at school? all streaming media is blocked for us [18:29:18] : How do you BBQ a turkey? [18:29:40] : special way? [18:29:41] : We’ve had a few drop in earlier. Unless, can you make a ustream private? [18:29:56] : who is byndpdcstng in twitter? [18:29:59] : @sroustan - so far my school district doesn’t block sssssshhhhhhh! [18:30:09]
: We won’t tell [18:30:18] : @karen that’s me [18:30:37] : Welcome @sroustan [18:30:38] : thanks - tried to make the connection @croustan - your twit got mehere [18:30:51] : @lizbdavis - took my Weber grill to school today so it is ready for tomorrow. Have done this before. [18:30:54] : @brian i won’t tell. will richardson was in district today, and we’re hoping that maybe - just maybe - the district will figure out it isn’t all scary [18:31:15] : Behold - the power of Twitter [18:31:17] : do you know how hard it is to type your twitter name with no vowels? i have to really think about it when I type it [18:31:22] : @Brian - I would definitely take video [18:31:24] : lol sorry [18:31:30] : Wouldn’t it be funny if they blocked U-Stream, but still let you BBQ a turkey. Which is more dangerous? [18:31:30] : there was a character limit [18:31:46] : lol in my district - that could be a toss-up [18:31:56] : My kids will blog about experience too. [18:31:58] : @liz - great question [18:32:32] : Have to get fire dept. to give OK - they always do. [18:32:57]
: Happy to know there is some “moderation” [18:33:03] : Hi Dean [18:33:33] : @liz - i don’t think he has the ustream chat [18:33:53] : Too bad - I guess it would be distracting [18:33:59] : @Karen he does have the chat, he didn’t think he did in the beginning, but he does [18:34:04] : Hi Dean - haven’t heard back from teachers you had me contact about blogging! [18:34:15] : h…haven’t been checking the chat [18:34:33] : ok, i heard him say he didn’t have but that was hours ago [18:34:37] : wish I could save it….If I click embed chat owuld that work? [18:34:40] : Welcome - it’s been busy in here [18:34:46] : I think I win a prize Dean….Definitely have been the only person here since the getgo. talk about dedication [18:34:49] : haha [18:34:49] : @Karen have you been here for hours?
There’s been lots of discussion about whether one blogs for themselves or for others. I’m too lazy to find the hyperlinks but I know Miguel has argued he blogs for himself while others, is it you Dan? that argues you blog for an audience. For me it’s somewhere in the middle but certainly clicking Publish means anyone can read it.
I too often make the assumption that most of my audience is like me. Involved in education, interested in technology and change and all that stuff and live in North America. Probably for the most part that’s true. But when realize your Uncle Bill, a retired veterinarian, Jim, a radio disc jockey and Willem an technologist from the Netherlands, read your work, occasionally comment you begin to think more deeply about what you write. To ignore it would be presumptuous.
When I go to give a workshop, I usually begin with finding out as much as I can about the audience. What do they hope to gain from our time, what is their current level of understanding and so forth. Most good teachers work with where folks are at. I realize that with as my audience grows it becomes difficult to consider all perspectives but at the same time I think perhaps our readability ought to invite a broader, more diverse audience.
Now, also I realize it’s much easier for us to comment on a weblog in English than the other way around. So what about globalization? Should the whole world start posting in English so it’easier for everyone to comment? I’ve tried the translators from MS and Google on my weblog but after translation I could’nt understand my own posts anymore.
While I don’t think we can accommodate every reader who may speak another language, either literally or professionally, I’m thankful for readers like Willem, Uncle Bill and Jim who make me think more deeply about what I write that conversations can expand beyond the typical and more homogeneous members of my network.
I’ve written about commpost rating a couple of times. It’s my own made up term to calculate the ratio of posts to comments. Not comments on your blog but comments you make on others. You need some type of tracking software, in my case it’s CoComment which by the way has been working better as of late espescially in terms of my RSS feeds. How else do you track conversations you’re interested in? Don’t tell me you just leave a comment and then never return? Anyway….
So I started in January with this:
99/140 =0.71 Meaning I wrote more than I commented
August
155/107=1.45Getting better trying to reach my goal of 2 to 1.
Today
94/48=1.96
So as of August I’ve been commenting almost 2 times to every posts I make. Admittedly I’m boasting but in my discussions with teachers about sustainability and building networks, this practice is critical. You will never create a global audience but sitting on your hands and waiting for the world to drop in on your work. I can’t think of a short cut around this. If you want a friend, you have to be a friend. If you want a network, you have to be part of the network and commenting and contributing to other’s work is the best way.
I’m not sure how or what Stephen Downes uses to track his comments if he does at all, but I continually see his name in many conversations outside his own blog. He understands networks. I have an amazing network but it’s not by luck or chance. I’ve had to work at it. If I expect to get a response and support from my network, I’ve got to do the same for my network.
If you’re still wondering how to build a network, there aren’t many shortcuts. Start commenting….seriously. What is your commpost rating?
Bud the Teacher was our guest last month since he was the winner of our previous contest. Fortunate to have such an astute winner, Bud, although in Nashville, sat down with us for a great chat about a bunch of stuff.
Rob put together our podcast so have a listen and there will be a chance for you to win a coveted EdTech Posse mug.
The term “Shifted Learning” is one I”ve been using for some time. I didn’t coin the term as a far as I know (I think it’s something Will said but a quick google of the term showed 3 sources coming from me) but it does address for me a change in what we think learning might look like.
Many argue that really nothing has changed, that educational gurus from Socrates to Dewey to Papert have been talking about learning in constructivist ways for years. I’m no educational historian or theorist so I would attempt to disect the nuances of these educational giants and their specific beliefs about learning. While I certainly credit these visionaries for their role in today’s quest for relevant, engaging and authentic learning there is clearly an element that exists today or at least is more prominent today than perhaps ever before. I think it’s silliness. Before I expand have a look at this:
I first saw this video in the summer at BLC during Ewan Mcintosh’ presentation on your Public Body. Ewan called it “wonderfully silly”. That term stuck with me. I’ve added this video and several others to various presentations I’ve done to illustrate one aspect of shifted learning. Silliness can be defined as a lack of seriousness, wisdom and even good sense. To many, this type of endeavour looks that way. Here’s another example:
Again, what Ewan so masterfully pointed out was the reaction of the mother. She doesn’t get. Watch it again to see what I mean. When I showed this to a group of administrators they had much the same response as the mother. A combination of “who cares?” and “I don’t get it”. What they don’t get is the depth of learning that is demonstrated. Without never having grabbed a cup and trying this it’s difficult to see the mastery. Same with the guitar video above. The time taken to learn this is astonishing. Ewan’s point was to consider how much of this learning involved a teacher. I”m want to focus on something else and that is the apparent silliness and where it perhaps began and what other “silly” and non-educational activities we are currently trying to squelch in our schools.
Today I see an article in the New York Times about cellphones. The article basically goes to lament at how cellphones are examples of disruptive learning that really is taking away from quality learning.
The poor schoolmarm or master, required to provide a certain amount of value for your child’s entertainment dollar, now must compete with texting, instant-messaging, Facebook, eBay, YouTube, Addictinggames.com and other poxes on pedagogy.
“There are certain lines you shouldn’t cross,” the professor said. “If you start tolerating this stuff, it becomes the norm. The more you give, the more they take.
“The baby boomers seem to see technology as information and communication,” said Prof. Michael Bugeja, director of the journalism school at Iowa State University and the author of “Interpersonal Divide: The Search for Community in a Technological Age.” “Their offspring and the emerging generation seem to see the same devices as entertainment and socializing.”
Perhaps attendance records should include a new category: present but otherwise engaged.
“The idea that subject matter is boring is truly relative. Boring as opposed to what? Buying shoes on eBay? The fact is, we’re not here to entertain. We’re here to stimulate the life of the mind.”
“Education requires contemplation,” he continued. “It requires critical thinking. What we may be doing now is training a generation of air-traffic controllers rather than scholars.”
While I don’t want to argue specific points which may be valid, it does appear that the idea of shifted learning has alluded many of the teachers in this article. I recently wrote an post about Facebook and Social Learning. Admittedly I don’t know exactly how Facebook fits into the daily learning of a classroom but then again, how could video games, speed stacks or creating silly videos? Shifted Learning to me means considering that learning doesn’t look the same as the classrooms we all grew up in. That may seem like a “duh” statement but I don’t think it can be overstated.
A concerned competent educator might ask, “What should I do to make learning relevant without making it dopey or trivial?” This video offers no such guidance.
The excitement and praise afforded “A Vision of Students Today” is a clear example of what Dr. Seymour Papert called, “verbal inflation.” Apparently we should all be astonished that college students used Google Docs and then conflate such a trivial mechanical act with educational innovation.
Without trying to put words in Gary’s mouth, it would appear that he considers some element of silliness or certainly triviality in this effort. So maybe kids spent a few class periods holding up signs in an effort to create this video. Maybe it wasn’t totally educationally rigorous. But it makes a point well. The teaching methods of Dr. Wesch may or may not be conventional but both the content of the video itself as well as the making of it places into question what learning should like like. I realize that wasn’t Gary’s main criticism with the video but to me this is a partial point to be considered.
I think it’s changing and good teachers are understanding that the tools that students are using can lead to learning. Allowing students some latitude in how they learn, guiding students to learning using their preferred communication and entertainment devices will take effort but ultimately can bring about some really powerful artifacts of learning. I think that’s really our job; to try and figure out how learning can be social and yes at times even silly. Yet silliness is the first reaction and sometimes can can lead to wonderful learning. Not always but I’m not seeing much of an effort from many to find the potential of silly.
If you get twitter, you get exactly what I”m talking about. To many a waste of time, silly and useless. Try telling that to dedicated users. Try telling them to shut off twitter during a workshop or meeting. It is silly and at the same time provides examples of powerful, connected social learning. It has proven to be an invaluable tool and yet, I can certainly attest to its silliness as could my followers. This truly exemplifies shifted learning for me. How many considered and still consider blogs silly? My colleagues who watch me work at times have difficulty understanding all of the windows I have open. It appears disorganized and perhaps silly but I would argue any day of the week that I’m learning at an accelerated rate.
The discussion in the article definitely views learning in such a confining way that there would be no room for serendipitous learning or really much interactivity at all. If you’re really there to “stimulate the life of the mind”, consider how silliness or fun might be included. And not necessarily our definition of fun but consider theirs. This again, is not to abdicate our role in terms of guide or wise counsel but it’s too easy to dismiss the content of youtube or facebook as being trivial. Let’s have a second look, let’s ask kids and challenge them to find meaning in their silliness. We might be surprised at what we find.
I too often make the assumption that most of my audience is like me. Involved in education, interested in technology and change and all that stuff and live in North America. Probably for the most part that’s true. But when realize your Uncle Bill, a retired veterinarian, Jim, a radio disc jockey and 
If you get 
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