Thursday, June 27, 2013

Teachers as Entrepreneurs

What educational environments encourage entrepreneurial teachers?

This is the question prompted by Yong Zhao's talk that I attended today.
If you missed it here's a similar presentation at an AITSL event:



Yong spoke at length about the environments that might encourage students as entrepreneurs.
The focus was very much student centred and presented a "new paradigm" for education.

Over the last few years I've encountered good examples in our education system of entrepreneurial teachers operating with students and the wider community within this 'new paradigm' outlined by Yong. (Even though Yong might challenge that assertion.)

I've also noticed however that these teachers often lacked confidence in telling their story, or felt unsupported by colleagues or "the system".

What kind of environments might support teachers as entrepreneurs?
Are they similar to those outlined by Yong Zhao to encourage students as entrepreneurs?

Systemic change involves change and risk at all levels.

How do we connect and support isolated students and teachers and managers and support staff so that entrepreneurialship becomes more recognised and supported?

I've downloaded Zhao's recent publication World Class Learners as an ebook to see what he might have to say about cultivating a future 'new paradigm' that I believe is already here - it's just not widely distributed.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Social Semantics

Web 3.0 Conference  #web3conf


Day 1 notes:
  • Web 3.0 (semantic web) - not clearly defined - eg Using machine agents to mine large volumes of data to drive personalisation and engagement...

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Creating Elizabeth - for learning...

I find this interesting on many levels...



What if Elizabeth was a teacher, mentor or coach?

What if Elizabeth was a co-learner or collaborator?

How engaging will online learning be without someone like Elizabeth?

Monday, June 3, 2013

Exposing Minecraft Learning

Last Friday I visited a Minecraft Class.

It struck me how difficult it was to comprehend the extent and depth of learning that was taking place even though I was standing there.

The department of education strives to put "learners first, connected and inspired"... I was witnessing much more.

I saw learners as teachers, leading and inspiring others - globally!