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Presentations

Selected Keynote, Featured, & Spotlight Presentations

  • Keynote Speaker, The Power of Networks (November, 2012), North West Academic Computing Consortium (NWACC) Instructional Technology Roundtable, Portland, Oregon.
  • Keynote Speaker, Open & Connected Learning (October, 2012), 29th Annual College of Education Technology Conference, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. 
  • Keynote Speaker, The Power of Networks (October, 2012), DER Sydney Conference, Sydney, Australia.
  • Invited Speaker, Various Workshops, Near East South Asia (NESA) Leadership Institute, Dubai, UAE.
  • Keynote Speaker, Game Changers: What Math Teachers Need to Know About Social Media & Change, MCATA Conference, Jasper, AB.
  • Keynote Speaker/Facilitator, Digital Citizenship Symposium, Bishop Grandin High School, Calgary, AB.
  • Invited Speaker, Why Networks Matter & Understanding Digital Citizenship, Upload Conference (October, 2012), Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, Laval, Quebec
  • Keynote Speaker, Taking on the Challenge of 21st Century Teaching & Learning (August, 2012), North East Teachers’ Association Teachers’ Convention, Nipawin, SK.
  • Invited Traveling Scholar, Various Presentations & Workshops in 11 Australian Cities (July-August, 2012), Middle Years of School Association, Australia.
  • Keynote Speaker, Various Presentations & Workshops (July, 2012), MacICT & DEC Sydney Region, Sydney, Australia.
  • Keynote Speaker, Why Networks Matter in Teaching & Learning (July, 2012), PLE Conference, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Keynote Speaker, Leveraging Social Networks in Teaching & Learning (July, 2012), International Multidisciplinar Congress of Educational Research, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Keynote Speaker, Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone: Transitioning Toward 21st Century Learning (May, 2012), Celebration of Learning, Assiniboine Community College, Brandon, Manitoba.
  • Keynote Speaker, Power of Networks: And Why It Matters to Education (May, 2012), IT Summit (Saskatchewan Teacher’s Federation), Saskatoon, SK.
  • Keynote Speaker, Understanding Digital Citizenship (May, 2012), Risky Business Conference (Youth Shelter Services), Ames, Iowa.
  • Keynote Speaker, Open Scholarship & Connected Learning (April, 2012), 7th Plymouth e-Learning Conference (PELeCON), Plymouth, United Kingdom.
  • Keynote Speaker, Disrupting School: Learning in the 21st Century (March, 2012), Central East Alberta Teacher’s Convention, Edmonton, Alberta.
  • Keynote Speaker, Online Learning in a Networked Age (March, 2012), Heartland eLearning Conference, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmund, Oklahoma.
  • Featured Speaker, Various Workshops (February, 2012), Instructional Technology Strategies Conference, Portland, Oregon.
  • Keynote Speaker, Leadership to Engage Change and Achieve New Learning Cultures (February, 2012), Advanced Broadband Enabled Learning (ABEL) – Leadership Summit, Toronto, Ontario.
  • OSLA Spotlight Speaker, Why Social Networks Matter (February, 2012), Ontario Library Association Super Conference, Toronto, Ontario.
  • Keynote Speaker, Beyond the University: The Promise of Open/Connected Learning (January 2012), Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), Toronto, Ontario.
  • Keynote Speaker, Exploring Digital Citizenship, Digital Identity & Connected Learning (November 2011), Halton Catholic School Division Conference, Oakville, Ontario.
  • Keynote Speaker, Power of Networks: How Sharing & Openness Transform Learning (November, 2011), Teaching & Learning With Vision Conference, Gold Coast, Australia.
  • Keynote Speaker, Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone: Transitioning Towards 21st Century Learning (October, 2011), Teacher Librarians Professional Development Day, Prairie Valley/Regina Catholic/Regina Public, Regina, SK.
  • Keynote Speaker & Workshop Facilitator, Understanding Social Media for Teaching & Learning (October, 2011), Education Student’s Association Conference, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC.
  • Keynote Speaker & Workshop Facilitator, Trends in Mobile Learning (October, 2011), Northern Area Teacher’s Association Annual Conference, Prince Albert, SK.
  • Keynote Speaker & Symposium Developer/Facilitator, Understanding Digital Citizenship (September, 2011), Digital Citizenship Symposium, Bishop O’Byrne High School, Calgary, Alberta.
  • Invited Speaker & Cohort Leader, Empowering Teacher Leaders & Personal Learning Networks (September, 2011), Learning 2.011, Shanghai Community International School, Shanghai, China.
  • Keynote Speaker, Deep Learning in the Age of Distraction (August 2011), Chinook’s Edge School Division Conference, Olds, Alberta.
  • Keynote Speaker, Why Schools Should Be Like a Family Restaurant (July 2011), The Reform Symposium 3.0, Worldwide Online Conference.
  • Keynote Speaker, Why Social Networks Matter (July 2011), Education in a Changing Environment, Salford, Manchester, UK.
  • Keynote Speaker, Academic Collaboration & Learning in a Digital Age (July 2011), MA European Youth Studies Program, Oslo, Norway.
  • Keynote Speaker, Why Social Networks Matter (June 2011), Ed-Media 2011, Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Keynote Speaker, Why Social Networks Matter to Education (May 2011), Good Spirit School Division Spring Conference, Yorkton, SK.
  • Keynote Speaker, Understanding Social Media (May 2011), Association of Special Education Technology (ASET) Spring Conference, Niagara Falls, ON.
  • Keynote & Co-Facilitator (w/ Sheryl Nussbaum Beach), Leaping Forward in a Connected Age (April 2011), CARC Technology Conference, Red Deer, AB.
  • Keynote Speaker, Conquering the Myths of Social Media & Learning w/ George Couros (April 2011). Digital Learning Spring Conference, Vancouver, BC.
  • Keynote Speaker, Conquering the Myths of Social Media & Learning w/ George Couros (April 2011), Alberta Teacher’s Association Middle Years Council Annual Conference, Edmonton, AB.
  • Keynote Speaker, Understanding Digital Citizenship (April 2011), Alberta Teacher’s Association Middle Years Council Annual Conference, Edmonton, AB.
  • Invited Speaker, Web 2.0, Business Education, and Your Classroom (April 2011), Saskatchewan Business Teacher’s Association Spring Conference, Regina, SK.
  • Keynote Speaker, Teaching & Learning in a Networked Era (April 2011), Carleton University’s Educational Development Centre Conference, Ottawa, ON.
  • Keynote Speaker, Charlie Bit My Finger & Why It Really Really Matters w/ Dean Shareski (March 2011), Faculty of Education Technology Fair, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
  • Keynote Speaker, Open Education: Possibilities & Implications (February 2011), WESTCast 2011, Brandon University, Brandon, MB.
  • Invited Facilitator, Towards Network Literacy, This Looks Interesting, & Photos Across the Curriculum w/ Dean Shareski (February 2011), ITSC 2011, Portland, OR.
  • Keynote Speaker, Why Social Networks Matter (February 2011), BC School District #85 Annual Conference, Port Hardy, BC.
  • Symposium Facilitator, Digital Footprint & Identity (January 2011), Digital Citizenship Symposium, Calgary Girl’s School, Calgary, AB.
  • Keynote Speaker, Why Networked Learning Matters (January 2011), Reform Symposium, Global Online Conference.
  • Keynote Speaker, Becoming Networked Educators: Two Perspectives w/ George Couros (November, 2010), Alberta Technology Leaders in Education Annual Conference, Red Deer, AB.
  • Keynote Speaker, Teaching & Learning in a Networked Age (November 2010), Annual Quest Conference, York Region District School Board, Richmond Hill, Ontario.
  • Invited Speaker, Networks, Openness, and the Future of Education (November, 2010), TEDxSaskatoon, Saskatoon, SK.
  • Invited Speaker, Open Education as University Outreach (November, 2010), Canadian Association of Graduate Studies Annual Conference, Toronto, ON.
  • Keynote Speaker, Online Learning in a Networked Age (October, 2010), NWeLearn Annual Conference, Vancouver, WA.
  • Keynote Speaker, Towards Open & Connected Learning (October, 2010), STAR Catholic School Division Annual Conference, Ponoka, AB.
  • Keynote Speaker & Facilitator, Digital Citizenship w/ Dean Shareski (September 2010), Digital Citizenship Symposium, Calgary Regional Consortium, Calgary, AB.
  • Featured Speaker, Towards Open & Connected Learning, KU Village 2010 Online Education Conference, Kaplan University.
  • Invited Speaker & Cohort Leader, Led a Cohort of International Educators & Participated in the UnConference (September, 2010), Learning 2.010, Concordia American School, Shanghai, China.
  • Keynote Speaker, How Informal Networks Will Transform Education, ABEL Summer Institute (August 2010), York University, Toronto, ON.
  • Keynote Speaker, Toward Networked Literacies, GAINS Literacy Camp, Ontario Ministry of Education (August 2010), Parry Sound, ON.
  • Keynote Speaker, Personal Learning Environments: The Unkeynote w/ Graham Attwell (June 2010), Personal Learning Environments Conference, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Invited Speaker, Toward Open & Connected Learning: Transforming Pedagogy Through Social Networking & New Digital Affordances (June 2010), EdMedia, Toronto, ON.
  • Keynote Speaker, Social Media & College/University Students (June 2010), Academic Advising Saskatchewan Annual Conference, Regina, SK.
  • Invited Speaker, Open & Collaborative Learning: How Social Networks Can Transform Teaching & Learning (May 2010), Teaching in Our Digital World, Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, BC.
  • Invited Speaker, Open & Networked Learning (May 2010), eLearning Consultation, University of Prince Edward Island, PEI.
  • Keynote Speaker, Knock Down the Walls: Designing for Open & Networked Learning (May 2010), Canadian Network of Innovation in Education Annual Conference, Saint John, NB.
  • Invited Speaker, Open & Collaborative Learning: How Social Networks are Transforming Education (April 2010), Canadian Association of Principals Annual Conference, Regina, SK.
  • Keynote Speaker, Networked Learning & Why It Matters (April 2010), 21st Century Learning & Sharing: Engaging for Success!, Various British Columbia Higher Education Partners, Online.
  • Keynote Speaker, Harnessing the Power of Social Networks in Teaching & Learning (April 2010), Faculty Conference, Southwest Community College, Sylva, North Carolina.
  • Keynote Speaker, Open & Collaborative Learning: How Social Networks Are Transforming Education, Learning in the New Decade Conference (February 2010), School District 71, Comox, BC.
  • Keynote Speaker, Harnessing the Power of Social Networks in Teaching & Learning (November, 2009), McGraw-Hill Ryerson Teaching, Learning and Technology Conference, Oshawa, Ontario.
  • Featured Speaker, Emerging Literacies & Connected Learning (November, 2009), Leading & Learning Conference 2009: Inspiring Learners, Red Deer Alberta. (More info: http://www.carcpd.ab.ca/leading/presenters.html)
  • Featured Speaker, Introduction to Digital Story Telling (November, 2009), Leading & Learning Conference 2009: Inspiring Learners, Red Deer Alberta. (More info: http://www.carcpd.ab.ca/leading/presenters.html)
  • Featured Speaker, Introduction to Digital Citizenship (November, 2009), Leading & Learning Conference 2009: Inspiring Learners, Red Deer Alberta. (More info: http://www.carcpd.ab.ca/leading/presenters.html)
  • Keynote Speaker, Rethinking Teaching & Learning in a Networked World (November, 2009), ECOO 2009: Inspire, Connect, Teach, Educational Computing Organization of Ontario, Richmond Hill, ON. (More info: http://www.ecoo.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=32)
  • Spotlight Speaker, Understanding Social Media & Why It Matters (November, 2009), ECOO 2009: Inspire, Connect, Teach, Educational Computing Organization of Ontario, Richmond Hill, ON. (More info: http://www.ecoo.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=32)
  • Featured Speaker, Open & Networked Learning (November, 2009), Learning Technologies Conference 2009, Mooloolaba Campus of Sunshine Coast TAFE, Australia. (More info: http://www.learningtechnologies.com.au/index.cfm?action=speakers)
  • Keynote Speaker, Two Guys from Saskatchewan w/ Dean Shareski (June 2009), Texas Computer Education Association Region 7 (TCEA7), White Oak, TX. (More info: http://moodle.tcea.org/area7conference/)
  • Featured Speaker, Network Literacy & The Tools of Engagement (June 2009), Summer Teaching Institute 09, Mary Institute Country Day School (MICDS), St. Louis, MO.
  • Keynote Speaker, Harnessing the Power of Social Networks in Teaching & Learning (June, 2009), 2009 Summer Faculty Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, DE. (Recorded presentation available here: http://www.ums.udel.edu/podcast/watch?c=250, also see post-presentation press release http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2009/jun/sfikeynote062609.html)
  • Keynote Speaker, Open & Networked Teaching: A Transformative Journey (May 2009), Webheads in Action Online Convergence 2009, International Online Conference. (More info: http://wiaoc09.pbworks.com/AlecCouros)
  • Keynote Speaker, A Tweet & A Poke: How Educators Harness the Power of Social Networks (May 2009), Walls Optional Conference, Camosun College, Victoria, BC. (More info: http://webct.camosun.bc.ca/wallsoptional/2009)
  • Keynote Speaker, Knock Down the Walls: Toward a Model of Open Teaching (April 2009), Moodle Moot, Edmonton, AB. (More info at: http://moodlemoot.ca/moodle1.9/mod/resource/view.php?id=1090)
  • Keynote Panelist, Learning & Social Networks (March 2009), Distributed Learning Symposium, Alberta Distributed Education & Technology Association, Calgary, AB. (More info: http://symposium.adeta.org/keynote)
  • Invited Panelist, Improving Conferences through Increased Interaction (February 2009), Spaces of Interaction, Association for Advancement of Computing in Education, Live Online Conference. (More info: http://www.aaceconnect.org/page/schedule-1)
  • Featured Speaker, Networked Possibilities (May 2008), Summer Teaching Institute 08, Mary Institute Country Day School (MICDS), St. Louis, MO.
  • Keynote Speaker, Academic Integrity & The Culture of Sharing (Sept. 2008), Academic Integrity Week, University of Saskatchewan. Press Release.

Consulting & Other Invited Presentations/Workshops

  • Disrupting School & Understanding Digital Citizenship - 2 Invited Presentations (August, 2012), Chinook Teacher’s Association Teachers’ Convention, Swift Current, SK.
  • Connected Learning – Presentation (August, 2012), Miller Comprehensive Highschool, Regina, SK.
  • Connected Learning & Leadership – Hands-On Workshops (August, 2012), MacICT & DEC Sydney Region, Sydney, Australia.
  • How Social Networks & Openness Are Transforming the Future of Teaching & Learning - Public Lecture (June, 2012), Technology and Evaluation (TIE) Research Lab, Victoria, BC.
  • Power of Networks – Presentation (June, 2012), Regina Catholic Schools Directors & Adminstrators Year-end Meeting, Regina, SK.
  • Digital Citizenship Symposium – Presentations & Workshops (May, 2012), Bishop O’Byrne School, Calgary, Alberta.
  • Disrupting School - Presentations & Workshops (April, 2012), Saskatoon Public Schools Teachnology Event, Saskatoon, SK.
  • Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone: Transitioning Toward 21st Century Learning - Presentations & Workshops (April, 2012) SD #36 Admins & Teachers, Surrey, British Columbia
  • Beyond Digital Fluency – Workshop for Administrators (January, 2012), Red Deer Catholic Schools, Red Deer, Alberta.
  • Various Presentations/Workshops (4 Days) - Ravenswood School for Girls (November, 2011), Sydney, Australia.
  • Learning to Use Social Media– Workshop (October, 2011), Community Research Unit, Regina, SK.
  • Understanding Digital Citizenship – Workshop (October, 2011), Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Forum, Regina, SK.
  • Developing Personal Learning Networks – Workshop (September 2011), Calgary Catholic School District Conference, Calgary, Alberta.
  • Connected Community Learning: The Next Decade – Virtual Panel (August 2011), ABEL Summer Institute, Toronto, ON.
  • Why Social Networks Matter - Workshop (May 2011), Northwest School Division Spring Conference, Nipawin, SK.
  • Why So Serious? Valuable Play & eLearning – Panel (May 2011), INPlay 2011, Toronto, ON.
  • Why Social Networks Matter - Workshop (May 2011), Community Based Masters Program, Meadow Lake, SK.
  • Teachers Disconnected: Understanding Facebook, Youtube, & Internet Society (2010), (e)Merging Conference, Faculty of Education – University of Regina, Regina, SK.
  • (Big Trends In) Educational Technology (2010), Talkin’ About School & Society, Melville, SK.
  • ReThinking Student Motivation (2010), TedXOntario, London, Ontario.
  • Understanding Social Networks (2009). Western Association of Summer Session Administrators Conference, Regina, SK.
  • Open Online University Courses (2009), Classroom 2.0, Web Conference.
  • Open Discussion (2009), Ontario Meetup, Web Conference.
  • Open & Networked Learning (2009), Visiting Professor Series, University of South Carolina/
  • Networked Possibilities (2009), SIAST Program Head’s Workshop, Regina, SK.
  • Social Networks in K12, (2009) Learning at Night – LAN Party for Northern Vancouver Schools, Online Presentation.
  • Social Networks in Education (2009), Graduate course – University of Iowa, Angela Maiers, Online Presentation.
  • Improving Conferences through Increased Interaction (2009), Spaces of Interaction, Association for Advancement of Computing in Education, Live Online Conference
  • Teaching for Openness (2009), From Courses to Dis/course, University of Manitoba Online Conference.
  • Deep Impact: 5 Minutes to Make a Difference (2008). Manitoba Edubloggercon, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
  • The New Interactive Classroom: Education, Technology, Globalization (2008) for Talking about School & Society (initiative by Dr. Patrick Lewis & Marc Spooner), Regina, SK.
  • Technologies of Research (2008), Learning from Practice (Dr. Stirling McDowell Foundation), Saskatoon, SK.
  • Academic Integrity and the Culture of Sharing (2008), SIAST: Faculty Certificate Program, Saskatoon, SK.
  • Digital Citizenship (2008), Cochrane Collegiate, Regina, SK.
  • Creative Commons & Copyright in Education (2008), Gwenna Moss Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK.
  • Academic Integrity in the Digital Age (2008), Teen Literacy Conference, sponsored by Regina Public School Board, Regina Catholic School Board, and Regina Public Libraries, Regina, SK.
  • Technology & Globalization (2008) – Was a guest in Dr. Anthony Hall’s course from the University of Lethbridge
  • Trends in Social Networking (2008), Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), Moose Jaw, SK.
  • Social Learning in Higher Education (2008), Teaching Development Days (U of Regina), Regina, SK.
  • Social Learning in Business Education, (2008), Saskatchewan Business Teacher’s Association Spring Conference, Regina, SK.
  • Intellectual Property & Plagiarism (2007), Teaching Development Days (U of Regina), Regina, SK.
  • Academic Integrity & Digital Plagiarism (2007), Teaching Development Days (U of Regina), Regina, SK.
  • Building Positive Relationship for Literacy (2007), Invited Panelist with Tom Chell & Gillian McCreary, Saskatchewan Libraries Conference, Saskatoon, SK.
  • Digital Video in Teaching and Learning (2007), Saskatchewan Business Teachers Association Spring Conference, Regina, SK.
  • Technology in the Classroom (2007), Teaching Development Days, Regina, SK.

Other Conference Presentations

  • Learning in Public w/Dean Shareski (2012), Educon 2.4, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Cool Tool Duel w/ Dean Shareski & Hall Davidson (2011), IT Summit, Saskatoon, SK.
  • The Ethical Obligation to Teach & Share Globally w/Dean Shareski (2011), Educon 2.3, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Diversifying Your Rolodex – Panel (2011), Educon 2.3, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Understanding and Using Social Networks to Transform Learning Environments – Workshop (2011), Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
  • Knock Down the Walls: Toward a Model of Open Pedagogy (2011), Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
  • (Re)Imagining Social Media & Technology Teacher Education (2010), Educon 2.2, Science Leadership Academy, Philadelphia, PA., Educon 2.2, Science Leadership Academy, Philadelphia, PA.
  • The Lazy Professors w/ Dean Shareski (2009), Teaching & Learning with Technology (TLT 2009), Regina, SK.
  • Networked Learners: Understanding How Openness Will Transform Learning (2009), IT Summit, Saskatoon, SK.
  • Open Teaching (2009), Educon 2.1, Science Leadership Academy, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Academic Integrity in the Digital Age (2009), (e)Merging Conference, Faculty of Education – University of Regina, Regina, SK.
  • Digital Internship 2.0: Fostering Innovation in Teacher Education, (2008), Canadian Network of Innovation in Education Conference, Banff, AB.
  • Open, Connected, Social: Implications for Education, (2008), Canadian Network of Innovation in Education Conference, Banff, AB.
  • Digital Internship: Preparing Preservice Teachers, (2008), Teaching and Learning with Technology, Saskatoon, SK.
  • Posse Round Up 2.0 for Teachers and Learners, (2008), Teaching and Learning with Technology, Saskatoon, SK.
  • Open, Connected, Social: Reflections of an Open Graduate Course Experience, (2008), K12 Online Conference 2008. My full presentation is available here.
  • Open, Connected & Social in Learning Design, (2008), Teaching and Learning with Technology, Saskatoon, SK.
  • Media Awareness, (2008), (e)Merging Conference (U of Regina – Sponsor), Regina, SK.
  • Open Thinking: Adopting Free & Open Software & Services For Learning (2007), Synergize & Energize Conference, Calgary, AB.
  • Bullying in the Digital Age, (2007), (e)Merging Conference (U of Regina – Sponsor), Regina, SK.
  • Social Media & Web 2.0 in Teaching & Learning (2007), TLT Summit, Saskatoon, SK.

Need Your Help – unKeynote/Keynode

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Graham Attwell and I have been paired together as co-keynotes at the PLE Conference in Barcelona, Spain, July 8-9. The organizers have asked us to do something different than a typical keynote, so we previously asked for feedback on the format. Here are some of the ideas that emerged from that process.

Today, Graham and I met, went through all of the responses, and decided to go with format outlined below. However, to make this work, we would really love your responses. Please help!

How (We Think) the Session is Going to Work:

We have put together a a list of questions (see below) and are inviting your responses. We will put together a joint presentation based on your slides.

We will present the ‘keynote’ together but will be encouraging participants – both face to face and remotely – to contribute to the keynote as it develops.

Where We Need Help:

  1. We’d like you to respond to one or more of these ‘key questions’ found below. We suggest responding through the creation of a (PowerPoint) slide, or creating a very short video (less than 1 minute?). Or, if you can think of another way of representing your ideas, please be creative.
  2. We’d like you to provide questions for us. What did we miss? What are some of the important questions for consideration when exploring PLEs/PLNs in teaching & learning.
  3. Please send your responses to graham10@mac.com (and cc: couros@gmail.com) by July 6/10.]

Key Questions:

  1. With all of the available Web 2.0 tools, is there a need for “educational technology”?
  2. What are the implications of PLEs/PLNs on traditional modes/structures of education?
  3. What are the key attributes of a healthy PLE/PLN?
  4. What pedagogies are inspired by PLEs (e.g., networked learning, connected learning)? Give examples of where PLEs/PLNs have transformed practice.
  5. What are the implications of PLEs/PLNs beyond bringing educational technology into the classroom, and specifically toward workplace/professional learning?
  6. If PLEs/PLNs are becoming the norm, what does it mean for teachers/trainers (or the extension: what does it mean for training teachers & trainers)?
  7. As our networks continue to grow, what strategies should we have in managing our contacts, our connections, and our attention? Or, extension, how scalable are PLEs/PLNs?
  8. Can we start thinking beyond PLEs/PLNs as models? Are we simply at a transitional stage? What will be the next, new model for learning in society? (e.g., where are we headed?)

We’d love to get as many responses as possible to make this work well. It doesn’t have to be much, or anything comprehensive. Just pick up on one of the pieces and let us know what you think on the matter. Again, we need these by July 6/10.

Thanks!!!

Student Work – Fall 2009

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I truly enjoyed teaching both my graduate and undergraduate courses this past semester. There were a number of really hard-working students who produced some very meaningful work, and overall, I can say that I am increasingly excited by the quality of students I am encountering both in schools (my graduate students) and soon to be teachers (my preservice groups).

I thought I would quickly share a few of my favorite student reflections and projects over the past semester. These represent various forms of digital expression, and will help provide inspiration to my students in future semesters.

I hope these are useful and/or entertaining to you.

Oh, and seeing that it is New Year’s Eve, Happy New Year to all of you, and all the best in 2010! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit this space, and for connecting with me in other meaningful ways. I am truly a lucky person to be tied to such a caring and passionate network of individuals.

7 Things Meme

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OK, so I’ve been tagged by both Rodd Lucier and Angela Maiers in the “7 Things You Did Not Know About Me” meme, so I guess I’ll give this a try. OK, where do I start?

1) I have walked away from three major car accidents in my life (not the driver in any of these).

    a) The first was a roll-over at about age 16. Luckily, none of us were hurt.

    b) The second, at age 23, was a roll-over on the daily, 1 hour commute on the way to teach in small town Saskatchewan. The driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and broke his back, but I believe he is fully recovered today. I felt especially lucky at the time because I remember sitting in the back, before the crash, trying to retrieve the seatbeat. At one point, I just gave up, and figured I would go to sleep without. A few minutes later, the passenger beside me tapped me on the shoulder, and had taken the time to pull out the seatbelt for me. I acknowledge this act of kindness as having saved my life, or at least, from severe injury.

    c) The third was the most serious, and happened in Greece in 2005. I was in a taxi with another occupant when we hit a large truck that was backing up. The taxi driver was killed instantly, and the occupant in the back lost part of his leg. I walked away. The crash was difficult for me on a number of different levels. The taxi driver had taken taken my fare after several other drivers tried to overcharge. I remember him speaking about how such drivers gave Greek taxi drivers a bad name, and that they were crooks. I remember him speaking fondly about his family. He was a good man. And then, that was it.

Incidentally, I took a photo of the driver before the accident and for some reason, it did not pick up the proper EXIF date data. Whenever I open up iPhoto, he’s the first photo that comes up. All of the other photos I took during my trip formatted correctly.

2) My middle name is Valintino. No one else in my family has a middle name (not a Greek tradition), but since I was born on February 14, the doctor that it would be “cute” to give me that name.

3) I never wanted to teach. I went into the B.Ed program for lack of better options. Even when I was done, I didn’t want to teach. Then, I got my first job at St. Michael’s College, a First Nations residential school near Duck Lake, Saskatchewan. It was the biggest challenge of my life. I was threatened with violence, had my car vandalized, and felt that it would be impossible to relate the least bit to my students. And this was just in my first three months of teaching. But, right before Christmas break, in my first year, several of my students came to see me. They wanted me to know that I was making a difference. I won’t get into the details, but it was what I needed at the time. And, more importantly, I think it was what they needed as well. Needless to say, I fell madly in love with teaching that year, and I have never looked back.

4) Similarly to Angela Barbara, I am deathly afraid of heights. However, I can do amusement park rides, gondolas, and that sort of thing. But, I fear heights when I am not secured to or inside something, where I have the ability to fall. I cannot get on my own roof.

5) One of best jobs I have ever had was as a ride operator at Kinsmen Park Rides in Saskatoon. I spent four summers operating a mini-train (I considered myself an engineer), a ferris wheel, and a merry-go-round. The pay was good, the hours were great, and it was stress-free. Hmmmm …wondering if they are still hiring?

6) I was once a very skilled percussionist and pianist. I quit both. I remember my music teacher crying because I quit. I’ve always regretted it.

7) Although I am not what you would consider a religious person, I have had two distinct spiritual experiences that I cannot explain.

    a) First, the night before my grandfather Aleco died, I recall him speaking to me in a dream, telling me goodbye, and that I should take care of my mother (his daughter). I had never dreamt about him before that time, or after. I remember the dream, and then my mother waking me up, telling me that she had just learned that he had passed away.

    b) After a very late night in Saskatoon during my undergraduate days, my friend and I collected ourselves and headed back to Humboldt, where we were working that summer. It was about an hour long drive, and we were very tired. I was driving, but fell asleep probably about 15 minutes into the trip. I remember that moment vividly. As I fell asleep, I felt a firm hand grab my shoulder and my first name being called. I woke up instantly, just in time to veer back into my lane, and away from the half-ton truck coming in our direction. My friend was still passed out in the passenger seat and no one else was in the car.

That got a bit deeper than I expected. :-)

Alright, I duly tag the following people:

About

Open Thinking and Digital Pedagogy is the personal and professional blogging space of Dr. Alec Couros, a professor of educational technology and media at the Faculty of Education, University of Regina. I created this space in early 2004 as I pondered the educational uses of blogging and podcasting. This space is a growing collection of personal reflections and resources related to teaching and learning, democratic media, critical media literacy, digital citizenship, openness, and social justice.

Welcome to this space, and I hope that you find my posts useful. I can be reached through a number of social tools (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, About.me, etc.), or via email at couros [at] gmail [dot] com.

 

EdTech Posse Podcast 4.4 – Connecting and Disconnecting

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This conversation is a mid summer musing by Heather, Rick, Dean and Rob on the great Scrabulous implosion, twitter, connecting and disconnecting. Shownotes are available at http://edtechposse.wikispaces.com/4.4

I had to miss this conversation as I was disconnected myself. Thanks to Rob for getting this up so quickly.

EdTech Posse Podcast 4.4 - Connecting and Disconnecting Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

5 Year Old Boy Denied School Due To Long Hair

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A five-year old Native American boy has recently been denied admission to Kindergarten due to his long hair (full story). The boy’s hair is kept long and braided in accordance to his family’s spiritual beliefs. The Needville School District does not allow boys with long hair to attend their schools.

Adriel’s parents want to enroll him at Needville Elementary School. Betenbaugh sent an e-mail to the principal, asking about kindergarten and explaining Adriel’s long hair. The principal replied that the district doesn’t allow long hair on boys.

On June 9, the family met with Curtis Rhodes, the Needville superintendent. Rhodes asked what religion upheld that Adriel could not cut his hair. The family explained there wasn’t a church or doctrine they followed, but they believe that Adriel’s hair is sacred.

Arocha said that his belief is to cut his hair after life-changing events, such as mourning the death of someone he loves.

Rhodes told the family Adriel’s hair would have to go.

I tweeted this story when I saw it a few days ago, and received this reply from Tim Lauer with the School Division’s website and motto “Reaching New Heights of Excellence.”

Here are notable quotations from the site:

We expect our students to exemplify that excellence through self-discipline, character, respect for ones self, and respect for others.

To the full extent of their individual abilities, students will be provided the opportunity to develop the ability to think logically, independently, and creatively and to communicate effectively.

All students will acquire a knowledge of citizenship and economic responsibilities and an appreciation of our common American heritage.

Enough said.

Update: Well maybe not enough. Bill Fitzgerald suggests that the following information may be useful. I will email the link to this blog post to the Superintendent. I also encourage you to pass along your thoughts on the issue.

Needville Independent School District
16227 Highway 36 South
Post Office Box 412
Needville, Texas 77461
Phone: (979)-793-4308
Fax: (979) 793-3823
Superintendent: Curtis Rhodes
Assistant Superintendent: Beth Briscoe

No, THIS Guy Is Edupunk

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My friend and colleague Marc (who really needs a blog) alerted me to this story regarding a recent legal ruling in the matter of the University of Ottawa and the Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa (UPUO). The case arose when the U of O charged that Professor Denis Rancourt “had misrepresented his course in a detailed web posting, in such a way as to have described a dramatically different course not compatible with the official course description.” The 65-page ruling the case supported Dr. Rancourt’s actions as within the purview of academic freedom.

But here is the stuff I really like! See these pieces of the ruling that help to describe how Dr. Rancourt led this controversial course.

The ruling establishes that pedagogical innovation and implementation are fully protected under the academic freedom enjoyed by a professor, including the choice of grading system – considered an integral part of the pedagogical method.

In the specific case, the protected pedagogical innovations included:

(a) A large fraction of the class time used to present societal and political material – in a physics course intended to deliver fundamental physics concepts as the only required physics course in an environmental studies program – as a way to motivate student learning and to position the science in the broad societal context. This was achieved using invited scientist and non-scientist speakers that included activists, politicians, community workers, etc. The ruling clarifies that no “exception [was] taken to the use of activism and social and political issues as catalysts to learning.”

(b) Parallel student workgroups with evolving themes and freely changing student memberships and town-hall-style whole-class discussions instead of traditional lectures delivered by the professor.

(c) An open invitation to all community members to freely and fully participate in the class, without necessarily officially registering and paying tuition, as a way to bring in the community to enrich class discussions and strengthen relevance and community connections. This brought in a variety of perspectives and expertises that would otherwise not have been available.

(d) Large latitude in individual student decision making regarding: order in which to learn things (e.g., workgroup membership and topic), depth of treatment, method of study, method of reporting progress, degree of cooperative work, etc. (Sharing was not considered cheating.)

(e) A satisfactory/non-satisfactory (S/NS) grading system rather than the traditional letter grade system (used in all other science courses given that term).

I have been very lucky that my Faculty and University has been supportive of my work in pursuing several similar approaches in my teaching. I am pleased to see the results of this case so positive for Dr. Rancourt as it has the potential to help other professors take risks toward passionate and creative forms of teaching and learning.

Learn more about this story here.

Edtech Posse Podcast 4.3

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The latest Edtech Posse podcast has been released. The conversation provides thoughts on the recent TLT conference and edupunk. Dean Shareski, Rob Wall, and Rick Schwier were present. Heather and I were unable to make it.

More information and shownotes can be found at edtechposse.ca.

Edtech Posse Podcast 4.3 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Drug Deal? – Google Maps Streetview

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This is almost too crazy to be real, but the link to Google Maps is authentic. NotCot.org points to this very focused view in Google streetview in Chicago.

The zoom/street view on Google Maps is crazy, here’s another great find – in Chicago of a car break in . Yes, this is real.

Google Streetview theft

Now I can’t tell exactly what this individual is doing. NotCot reports a car theft, but I do not see verification of that anywhere else. For all I can tell, it could be two people trading baseball cards.

Google Maps, amazing, but still more than a bit scary. See also “Top 15 Google Street View Sightings“.