“Choose Your Own Adventure” Comes to Youtube

Nov 152008
 

I fondly remember the “Choose Your Own Adventure” series of books from my childhood. While I remember loving the concept, I would literally stick my fingers between the pages as to simultaneously navigate multiple paths made by previous decisions. Years later, I tried to figure out why I could not let go of any particular path. I realized that it was not that I was afraid of failing because of a poor decision, it was that I might miss something of value, something meaningful, along the way. This has been something I have thought about for a very long time as choice, and living with choices that have been made, is an essential part of the human experience. For a better understanding of this concept, I highly recommend Barry Schwartz’s TED Talk “Paradox of Choice” (or the book by the same name.

Choose Your Own Adventures - Cave of Time

Anywho … these thoughts came to me when I discovered “Time Machine” today. This video is the first of a series by Chad, Matt, and Rob that brings the “Choose Your Own Adventures” concept to video format, and does so by making good use of Youtube’s annotation feature. This concept could inspire some very neat uses of digital storytelling with video. I know it will be only a matter of time before we see teachers and students bring this concept to life in the classroom.

So if you want to try it out, start here:

It is a very good thing I have multiple screens, I no longer have to use my fingers. :-)

Dalton Sherman, Must Watch for Teachers

Aug 262008
 

This is inspirational. For everyone that needs a reminder (or a kick in some cases) why they became teachers, let Dalton Sherman inspire you.

Kevin Jarrett has more information on this video at his blog.

Bronx Student Discuss Obama, Politics, Race and Their Future

Apr 052008
 

Regardless of your political views, I think that most caring, thoughtful humans should find something wonderful in the conversations by young, Bronx high school students.

This is a wonderful example of a teacher taking on the topic of race in his classroom. The students seem engaged and speak intelligently and thoughtfully on issues of race and politics.

Now, since this appears on the Obama08 Youtube channel, I am wondering about the behind-the-scenes editing, production, and whether or not this production was directly funded. In any case, the production is well done, and leaves the viewer with hope for the future.

Darren Kuropatwa – Day In The Life

Jan 252008
 

My students, colleagues, and I are extremely lucky to have had Darren Kuropatwa as our guest this past Tuesday. Darren presented “A Day in the Life of a Teacher Teaching with Technology“. It was a wonderful presentation that seems to have really inspired the session participants.

Here’s a bit of what they are saying:

What a great experience in class tonight. Darren Kuropatwa is a math teacher who embraces technology in his classroom and shared with us his typical day (from start to finish!). He painted a wonderful picture and shared his class blogs, his insights, and his passion. Thank you Darren. (Cindy)

The presentation this week with Darren Kuropatwa was very inspiring. As the feeling of this new technology that we are learning is at times overwhelming, this presentation was a breath of fresh air. It was nice to see how this technology can be worked into the classroom. (Leah)

I have only one word to say . . . Thanks! I had the privilege of listening to a presentation from Darren Kuropatwa, who in my opinion, is an expert in the field of Educational Technology. . . this is very obvious!! He is someone that, in a perfect world, all educators would strive to be like. Darren (for those of you who don’t know) is a teacher who teaches a variety of grade 9-12 Mathematics classes integrating the use of technology to amplify student learning. In the eyes of a self-proclaimed ‘rookie blogger / techie’ , he is someone that I learned an awful lot from last night. (Travis)

We were very fortunate to have Darren Kuropatwa present to our EC&I 831 class last night: “A Day in the Life of a teacher teaching with technology“. I think I sat through most of the presentation with my jaw on my keyboard! He is absolutely AMAZING! (Connie)

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Darren Kuropatwa, an educator from Winnipeg. After witnessing how Darren incorporates technology into his classes I am giving him the label of ed tech guru. What he is doing within his classroom is exciting, cutting edge, engaging, etc, and that is through the eyes of an administrator. (Dean)

I agree. Darren is an amazing, innovative, and inspiring teacher. But don’t take my word for it.

See the session summary, view Darren’s slides, or view the Elluminate session recording.

Thanks again Darren!

Educon 2.0 – January 25-27/08, Philadelphia

Oct 082007
 

Educon 2.0 looks like a must-attend event, I really like the axioms/guiding principles of the event.

The Axioms / Guiding Principles of EduCon 2.0:
1) Our schools must be inquiry-driven, thoughtful and empowering for all members.
2) Our schools must be about co-creating — together with our students — the 21st Century Citizen
3) Technology must serve pedagogy, not the other way around.
4) Technology must enable students to research, create, communicate and collaborate
5) Learning can — and must — be networked.

Learn more and register at: http://educon20.wikispaces.com

I Think I Made A Difference … At Least A Little Bit

Oct 062007
 

My undergraduate students are starting to blog. In the first month, I suggested that they just blog about anything on their mind, their weekend, their family, anything … just to get into the flow of it, and learn the tool itself. Starting this month (October), we will focus on the edublogger community so many of you may see new fans out there. I’m sending them to your blogs.

Today I noticed a nice post from my student, Lacey. An excerpt:

Well it’s been a month of classes already. It is really hard to believe that the semester is going so fast. I am really enjoying the ECMP 355 class. It might have been last class but I completely agree with what Alec had said to the point that if we as teachers use computers everyday in our life that we will be more comfortable, and more likely to use technology in our classroom. I have found that in this month with all of the tools and programs that we have used I am starting to feel more at ease with them each day and even found myself exploring them on my own at home.

Now that I have grown slightly in my computer literacy I am starting to focus on my future classroom and am constantly building ideas that can help me become a better teacher. I now look at websites or programs in a way that I ask myself, “how could I use this in my classroom?” or “I wonder what i would like my students to work with?”. I can’t wait to start using and building my technological classroom.

One of the big things I have been pushing in my class is clearly described in this post. I believe that once teachers become familiar with the tools in their everyday life that they can then start thinking about using these tools as educational tools. I think I’ve got a winner here, and I hope the transformation is lasting for this student as she goes through the program and eventually finds her own classroom.

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