Timing is Everything #EdCampBOS

Timing is everything in life. #EdCampBOS was last weekend.  Two days after the last week of classes and just before the week of finals and commencement.  Not the best timing for me professionally.  I had every reason to take a pass, but I’m so glad I didn’t.  Going to #EdCampBOS last weekend was exactly what I needed at the end of a long semester and academic year.

It was my first EdCamp experience and it was so rewarding.  Teacher educators committed to being agents of change, passionate about social media and 21st century learning and dedicated to being lifelong learners were willing, able and ready to share and learn together.  It was a day of reflection, renewal, growth and hope – the perfect way to end a semester.

I was thrilled to be part of the collaborative Skype session with #EdCampDet with Michael Kaechele @mikekaechele.  Stimulating conversation and fabulous ideas on cross-classroom collaboration were shared.  The highlight for me was when “The Epic Romeo and Juliet” Nicholas Provenzano @thenerdyteacher was part of our session.

A special “Woo Hoo” shout out to Greg Kulowiec @gregkulowiec for sharing his QR Codes session.  My mind was spinning with the endless possibilities.  We appreciate the challenge to figure out how to incorporate them into #EdCampCT on August 18th!

I’m so looking forward to being part of the very first #EdCampCT – what a perfect way to start my academic year!  Hope you’ll start your school year with us too!

 

Around the Rotary: The Roundabout of Learning

As this academic year is coming to an end, I find myself deep in reflection. I launched the new course, Technology for Learners and was asked to teach Educational Psychology for the first time this year.  Teaching both courses has made me practice what I preach: get comfortable with the uncomfortable. All year, I’ve marveled at how my learning curve is constantly stuck in the curve position.  This morning, I woke up and realized that my learning has been more like a roundabout or a rotary.  What a fabulous analogy!  Thanks to Wikipedia for the image and accurate description.  It really captures my learning experiences this year!

I learned how to drive in Massachusetts and have always been proud of how I handle a roundabout.  In fact, I think its safe to say that I’m an expert, capable of fielding any and all questions on how to approach, yield, merge, navigate, maintain your right-of-way and exit a rotary.  I’ve even taught out-of-towners how to do it the Boston way, so this confirms my expert status, right?

The best part of learning is that it is not a destination; its a journey.  Learning is  like driving around a rotary.  Sometimes you enter this way, sometimes you enter another way.  Sometimes you miss your exit and have to drive around again.  Once you are in the rotary, you need to learn how to navigate and own your learning.  The best part of a roundabout is that it is constant; cars are coming and going all the time, just like the learning process.

It has been a transformative year of learning for me.  I immersed myself into the world of social media, developed an amazing PLN and launched The Dyslexic Professor.   I’m so glad that my learning curve is just like a rotary because its in constant motion and I’m modeling what it means to be a lifelong learner.  I can’t think of anything better than this!