Saturday 28 March 2015

Technology Implementation in Schools - Here's How!

Principal at Gatestone School 

tweeted out a wonderful reflective blog entry on 

how to develop and implement a Technology Plan in your 

school.  


Click the link below to see the whole article. 

  • Build a shared vision –  This is vital if the goal is a sustained, cross-curricular application on a routine basis. Especially when you leave the school.
  • Develop a strategic plan backed by action – Why is this change needed? How will it be implemented? What resources are needed? How will we monitor progress and evaluate on a consistent basis? What other challenges have to be overcome? 
  • Access matters – During the planning process it is imperative that there is a critical analysis of existing infrastructure. 
  • Ensure ongoing professional development – I cannot overstate the importance of this suggestion enough.  Teachers need training on how to develop pedagogically sound lessons and quality assessments aligned to higher standards.  They also need to be exposed to a variety of tools and ways that they can be seamlessly integrated to support specified learning outcomes. School leaders need professional learning opportunities that assist them to effectively observe and evaluate digital learning in classrooms.   Professional development should be ongoing and embedded throughout the school year.
  • Monitor with intent – The vision and planning process provides the focus, but consistent monitoring helps to ensure sustainable change leading to transformation.  School leaders need to consistently monitor and provide feedback on digital learning activities through observations, evaluations, walk-throughs, and collecting artifacts.  
  • Provide support – Throughout the initial implementation stages, and well after the initiative gains steam, ongoing support needs to be provided. Support comes in many ways such as empowering teachers to be innovative, giving up control, being flexible, encouraging risk-taking and providing a budget.
  • Model the way – To put it simply, don’t expect others to do what you will not. Attempt to model at a basic level the expectations that you have when it comes to digital learning. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and work along side your colleagues. 
Excellent synopsis. Check it out. 


Thursday 26 March 2015

The 6 C's for the 21st Century Teacher and Student

The "6  Cs" for the 21st Century Teacher 

Michael Fullen, Ontario's education researcher guru has set our next focus for teachers.
He has called it the 6 C's for Teaching and Learning. Here they are listed below. Check the attached short article to learn more!!


  • Character education— honesty, self-regulation and responsibility, perseverance, empathy for contributing to the safety and benefit of others, self-confidence, personal health and well-being, career and life skills.

  • Citizenship global knowledge, sensitivity to and respect for other cultures, active involvement in addressing issues of human and environmental sustainability.

  • Communication — communicate effectively orally, in writing and with a variety of digital tools; listening skills.

  • Critical thinking and problem solving — think critically to design and manage projects, solve problems, make effective decisions using a variety of digital tools and resources.

  • Collaboration — work in teams, learn from and contribute to the learning of others, social networking skills, empathy in working with diverse others.

  • Creativity and imagination — economic and social entrepreneurialism, considering and pursuing novel ideas, and leadership for action. 

Click this link to learn more: The 6 C's: From Great to Excellent

This link is also posted in my Favourites List on the home page.

Saturday 7 March 2015


Gender And Diversity

In our Methods Class, Faculty of Education, Brock University, we have been working on Diversity and Differentiation. 

If you get  chance take a look at this article on Gender and Success at School. 

Boys are behind girls academically across the grades our statistics revealed in class last week. 

Have a look at this article from the Economist- Click Here: