Nocking the Arrow

Educators, and professionals in any field for that matter, will find it increasingly difficult to keep current and informed without a well-established, organized personal learning network . What is a PLN? A personal learning network is a primarily web-based collection of personal connections and learning resources. PLNs provide 24/7/365 global opportunities to gather, review, and share information. "Personalized" learning, coupled with anytime collaboration, make PLNs centerpieces for professional development. This well-crafted video explains the process, and benefits, of building a supportive PLN. Key questions for personalized learning: What do you want to learn?   Who else is learning this? Who are the experts? How can I connect with like-minded people? How can I share my knowledge? Here are a few terrific resources for starting, or developing your personal learning network Connectivism & Life-long Learning The Educato...

My wife and I spent last Friday night listening to a motivational speaker, Eddie Slowikowski .  If you are a runner, then that name might be familiar to you - Eddie is one of the few individuals in the world that has run a sub four-minute mile. Fleet footwork aside - his primary message was that it takes belief, a positive attitude, and hard work to achieve success and overcome life's inevitable setbacks.  He also stressed that we as parents and educators need to help children assess their unique abilities and help them turn their passion into a life's ambition and adventure. Eddie's presentation was very energetic and engaging - with dancing, emotional stories, and motivating perspectives.  At one point, Eddie asked the audience to stand up when voting yes to a particular personal talent assessment: How many of you can sing?  (about 1/3 of the audience stood up - my wife included) How many of you can draw?  (once again, about 1/3 of the adults stood) H...

Most people understand and experience life as a difficult adventure peppered with challenges and setbacks that test our mettle.  As Superstorm Sandy runs aground, I ask the question... "When did common courtesy become uncommon?"   Case in point, last week, an elderly woman ahead of me at the checkout line at the local grocery store realized that she had forgotten her purse and was unable to pay for her necessities.  Judging from the items in the cart, there was an apparent urgency to her shopping trip and the checkout clerk was rather impatient and lacking in understanding.  The woman was upset to the point of tears when I stepped in to ask how much was owed for the groceries.  I asked the bagger to please help the woman get her groceries to her car as I paid the thirty-two dollars that settled the transaction.  The woman blessed me and asked for my address so that she could repay me.  I told her that it wasn't necessary and that she could just ...

After several months of planning meetings... Meetings about professional development, meetings about support documents, meetings about teacher proposals, meetings about devices, meetings about budget, meetings about tech support, meetings about infrastructure, meetings about distribution, meetings about learning goals...  you get the idea. Anyway, after several months of planning our 1:1 pilot, it was go time! Day One for AP Biology students Our 1:1 pilot would involve five high schools, thirty-four teachers, fifteen hundred students, and approximately 1600 iPad-2s, cases, cords, and styluses. Of course, it would involve countless hours of planning and preparation.  Typically a two to four year process, we put our proverbial foot to the floor and cranked out our pilot in nine months. With day one just a couple short weeks away, we finalized and mailed invitation letters to students and their parents informing them of their enrollment in at least one 1:1 pilot cou...