This was my interview with Innovative Educator, Lisa Nielson. I met Lisa at ISTE 2012 (San Diego) and attended one of her sessions. She is a very dynamic and thought provoking educator and blogger. She will be at Erie 1 BOCES in April so I will get to see a full day workshop with her. One of the traits I admire about her is her willingness to engage in educationally relevant topics and face civil discourse with logic, courage and conviction.
0 Comments
One of my New Year's Goals is to make sure I interview an amazing Ed Tech Innovator at least once a month. To start the year off, I have interviewed friend and colleague Melanie Kitchen. Melanie does much of her work in the Niagara Falls School district. Her recent focus has been helping to implement the Flipped Classroom methodology. She is seeing great success and has some data to prove it! Here is my interview with her to find out about her projects, ideas for the future and her Speed Geek Insights! Sometimes you have to slowly let imagery sink in before it gets incredibly meaningful. This phenomenon happened to me this morning as I was driving into work. A week ago, I was treated to a wonderful Facebook post that had 10 Real High School Detention Slips That Will Make You LOL. The one that truly made me laugh was the slip that gave the detention reason: "Calling a teacher a muggle". My initial chuckle was of course due to the wonderful Harry Potter reference. (FYI: In Harry's world, there are magical people- i.e Wizards, and of course non-magical people- Muggles) While I certainly don't know the details behind the detention slip, and I'm not condoning inappropriate comments towards a teacher, I think there may be a deeper meaning to the student's reference. I think its safe to say, that with the rapid advance of technology, our students and children are immersing themselves much quicker and easier than their parents and teachers. This has been framed by Marc Prensky as the Digital Immigrant vs. Digital Native dynamic. Yet, I'm thinking the Wizard's vs. Muggles reference may be more descriptive as an illustration of our students/teachers and the ever widening gap between students use and beliefs in technology compared to teachers/ parents. Perhaps the muggle term was said in frustration over the inability of our education establishment to understand the true empowering aspects of the technology renaissance that is around them. Think back to the fictional Harry Potter as he has to live among Muggles for his summer vacation. Remember his frustration with his Uncle Vernon and cousin Dudley, who intentionally demean Harry, knowing fully that Harry has magical powers. Harry has to constantly hide his desire to use magic in order to fit into this rigid culture of the Muggle life. Don't you think that our students are feeling this same disconnect and frustration? When they get home, many have access to an amazing array of technology tools that are forbidden in school. Great literature can be entertaining, but its true value is to give us deeper meaning to our lives. I think Harry Potter has something to tell us. Are we listening? Nominating good buddy, Scott Merrick's Teacher blog. Scott is kind hearted and thoughtful and knows Edtech!. Check it out. http://scottmerrick.blogspot.com/ I also want to nominate good friend and colleague, Darlynda Miktuk for her amazing iPad SOS blog. You want great up-to date information on iPads. This is a one stop shop http://tinyurl.com/ipadsos https://sites.google.com/site/ipads1964/home NYSCATE 2013 Where to begin with NYSCATE- I was part of a 3 Person Keynote- Inspiring Innovation with Katie Regan and Andrea Tejador. (As well as with Master of Ceremonies-Mark DAnnunzio All of these educators are amazing in their own right and I was so honored to be among such exclusive company. I was also honored with the Outstanding New York State Technology Leader Award. I was sneakily nominated by friend and colleague Dr. Darlynda Miktuk. This award is certainly meaningful to me, but it honestly is the result of so many friendships and collaborations that I feel the award should look like the Stanley Cup with the names of so many people that have helped me etched into it with me. My theme of my Keynote was "Renaissance" and the reality of education's role in leading the Technology Renaissance rather than following it from a distance. I am passionate about the notion that I feel education has fallen behind in this endevour due to the heavy handed demands from many different directions. But yet, we must power on, because to fall behind is much like sending our children and students on a whitewater rafting trip on their own. One of my secret New Year's Resolutions this year was to be a better listener. My ad-hoc Youtube Series, Coffee with a Geek Interview sessions were wonderful ways for me to put my resolution to practice. I really enjoyed hearing the amazing stories from engaging educators from around the state. Please give a watch to one and all. It is Thanksgiving and I am grateful for all of my friends and colleagues in education! You inspire me!. I'm going to be at this year's NYSCATE 2013 Conference and I want to meet you! Look for this horribly geeky guy around the convention center and talk to me. I would love to hear about your projects, ideas, and some of the awesome sessions you have participated in. My second pre-conference interview is with the dynamic and engaging Katie Regan. I met Katie at last year's NYSCATE Conference along with #Ladygeek buddy Shari Sloan. I was really impressed with their positive attitude and willingness to share. I found there was a kinship right away. Michelle Okal-Frink has been on the administrative cutting edge of educational technology for years and has ushered in each new trend with great insight. She has been a true pioneer for the schools in Western New York who rely on her role in the WNYRIC organization. Michelle has also been a part of NYSCATE in a variety of capacities, most recently as NYSCATE President. Michelle has truly displayed amazing leadership and insight towards the ever changing educational landscape. This year you can find Michelle working the presiders booth! The NYSCATE Conference is an amazing 3 Day event that highlights the vast amount of edtech projects and programs that go on throughout New York State. This ISTE affiliated organization is at the forefront of bringing together innovative educators. I thought it would build some excitement to interview some of the hard working people that work behind the scenes to bring the magic of NYSCATE together. My first two guests are Brian Blaszak and David Mileham, two friends and colleagues that are part of the 1-Hour session Conference planners. Take a listen to what goes into this task and get a sneak peak at the trends that you should see at this year's conference. |
the Geek
My name is Andrew Wheelock- I am a technology integrator who's fascinated with my fellow educators and their powerful uses of tech for learning. Archives
May 2016
Categories
All
|