This time today...

Sitting here this morning avoiding the marking that needs to be done, thinking about the G'site I am building for next semester. Thinking about the feeling of excitement surrounding this old desk; to be learning a new novel, (how energizing that is!) how the next semester cannot start soon enough. Planning to completely reinvent the setup of the class room, both in terms of physical as well as the learning opportunities, to incorporate many of the fantastic ideas that have been shared, whether through face to face interaction or through the electronic medium.

As this collaborative project roars out of the planning stage, I find that the idea of teaching alone, in a room, just the learners and myself, very scary. Indeed, the idea that one should know all be all to all, simply is a concept that must be eradicated in this day and age.

Case in point, just now, as the G'site is under construction, a tweet comes across from @courosa, retweeting a request for assistance from @jenamhall, who happens to have the exact question that I am struggling with at this very moment...synchronicity? Or just the fact that the world is very welcome in my office and class room?




I wonder what stops other teachers from opening the doors to other learners, be they fellow educators or those with expertise, viewpoints or ideas to share? Having someone skype in to a classroom is so very easy, why is this not the norm, instead of the 'cool'? Are the answers the same as those given when asked 'why are you not blogging?'

Just wondering...

Stephen

Thanks to Jeff for a night of...

After reading Jeff Utecht's post concerning QR codes, I seem to have lost an entire evening playing around with these 'things'. And you know what? I have really enjoyed the process. Learning just for me, no reason other than that.

Seems to me that perhaps this is what others have been talking about on the Canadian PLP ning. Learning because it is enjoyable, not because of class requirements or because someone told me to.

Anyway, after a night of fun, it suddenly struck me that I could use these QR codes around the school. So tomorrow I will post the code below and see what happens...who knows, might get someone interested...

Here is the first attempt:



Any other ideas around how QR codes could be used at school?

Thanks,
Stephen

On the ride home I had a thought or two...

After a crazy, insane, awesome, fantastic week I needed to write, but seeing as I was driving...anyway, here is a podcast of a few thoughts I needed to get out.



Thanks again to Kory and John, and everyone else that caused me to think this week...

Any feedback welcome,

Stephen

PLP and the four thumbed guy...

To begin with, I am very excited to have some solid motivation to write again.

The gift of an Iphone a year and a half ago ago has resulted in a lessening of my want to construct, as I find that I consume everywhere and at all times. It is not that ideas for posts have disappeared, rather that I read more, think more, read more, think more, read more...you get the pattern.

Having posted before about my inability to type, and the frustration that comes with four thumbs and zero hand eye coordination, there is no need to repeat that rant here. However, I may have to look at doing more podcasts, if I can control what @JohnFerg calls my DJ voice...

That being said, I am thrilled, and extremely fortunate, to be part of the PLP process, and to finally meet face to face many of those stalked over the last few years. This is very exciting indeed. As well, the make-up of Team One is going to push me to bring my A-game, no slackers in this group.

This should be a very memorable fall, one for the books...