Feedback, input and perspectives are key to better understanding how one is doing. As my IT Department finished its annual surveys (IT Services, Laptop Programs and Internet habits at home and school) with faculty, staff, students and parents we again get to realize how different stakeholder groups perceive our services and programs, and more importantly what they think needs improving. This year our Middle School and 9 students shared some extremely insightful responses to our 1 to 1 laptop surveys on the issue of juggling internet addiction. The challenge they face as students to find balance between homework, social life online, time to be off line and trying to find strategies to work through these pressures. This groups responses has generated an immense amount of conversations for the faculty and administration at our school. One thing is evident in my opinion to often we do not ask the kids what they think, and often their insights and perspective bring about the most interesting conversations. In so many ways we get locked in our adult perspective, and forget that in each of our school communities there is a huge pool of important opinions about how the school and services the students have available to them works or does not. So I thought this short Tedtalk so appropriate.
Reflections from the Education Leadership Summit in Prague
Two lovely blogs from members of our community that have reflected on their experience attending the Education Leadership Summit sponsored by Apple and the International School of Prague which you might enjoy reading
- Nancy : http://learningmosaic.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/apple-talks/
- Claude L. from the American School of Paris shares her reflections from the Education Leadership Summit at the International School of Prague
Little Bytes for you
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/maps/
A sampling of the Library of Congress Geography and Map Division’s 4.5 million treasures has been digitized and is available in Map Collections: 1500 – 2003. This activity introduces historical maps from the American Memory collections. A Primary Source Analysis Tool for analysis and note taking has been provided. The teacher can use the Teachers Guide to Analyzing Maps to find guiding questions and activity ideas.
http://www.fisbookclub.com/
The Fís Book Club is a place where children create a video book review based on their independent reading. The collected video book reports form a password-protected child friendly and safe online Digital video Book Review Catalogue, which is accessible to the participating schools only
Upcoming Events!
Laptop Institute at the American School of the Hague October 29-31
Flyer and Information: eli_2010
Flatclassroom News and Updates
Beijing International School (BISS) Flat Classroom Conference, to be held in Beijing, China, February 25-27, 2011.
“Join us at the W.A.L.L. – We All Learn & Lead”
REGISTRATION OPENS June 1, 2010
Beijing – China – Co-founders of the Flat Classroom™ Project, Vicki Davis and Julie Lindsay, have joined forces with colleagues and supporters from around the world to provide another opportunity for a face-to-face, real-time event. The aim of getting together in the one place is to fully extend and foster connections and collaborations that will ultimately improve classroom practice and pedagogical approach using technology as part of a global flat classroom.
The first Flat Classroom Conference held in Doha, Qatar January 2009, changed lives and cast a vision for the future of education. The current series of Flat Classroom™ projects, including Digiteen, NetGenEd and Eracism, immerse educators, experts and students in Flat Classroom™ pedagogy. Flat Classroom™ Projects have been described as a revolutionary interdisciplinary educational approach and include global collaborations using Web 2.0 tools, with a focus on digital citizenship, cultural understanding and emerging technologies.
Flat Classroom™ Projects, Flat Classroom™ Workshops and the Flat Classroom™ Conference are continuing to expand. In an ever-changing world the impact of the Internet, in particular Web 2.0 tools, has been so significant it has changed the way students and teachers can interact and learn. There are opportunities for different learning relationships and for multi-modal outcomes using multimedia and online tools. The conference will provide opportunities for leaders in education, classroom teachers (pre-service and in-service) and administrators as well as students to learn with and from each other in a flattened model. It is envisaged the workshop / conference experience will culminate in actions that are then shared around the world and sustained by continued global projects based on community and curriculum needs.
BISS is excited about being part of this ambitious project. The success of this conference is being built upon the fact that the teachers and classrooms that participate are of global quality caliber and have high standards of excellence. We aim to bridge cultural, religious, and public and private boundaries and are always encouraging students to thrive and succeed in this environment. “Our world is global and our classrooms should be too”. Two strands: ‘Leadership Workshop’ and ‘Student Summit’ will meet separately and in combined sessions to discuss best practice and promote global collaborative leadership as part of a global flat classroom. Participants will be given the opportunity to develop leadership skills in using information technology, particularly Web 2.0 tools.
Come to China in February 2011 and be part of this dynamic change in 21st Century learning for all. Classroom teachers are invited to apply to bring students to be part of the Student Summit. This is an excellent opportunity to see more of the world and develop personal learning networks while being challenged to envisage the future of learning and society.
Essential Details: We invite you to put this on your calendar now
Flat Classroom Conference, Beijing (BISS) International School, February 25-27, 2011
Wednesday February 23: International guests arrive for Student Summit and Workshop (Leadership Seminar optional Wednesday and Thursday)
Thursday February 24: Students and accompanying teachers go on a sight-seeing trip and come to BISS in time for meeting and greeting, a preliminary summit session and a welcome dinner.
Friday February 25: Leadership Seminar and Student Summit commence (8-5 approx)
Saturday February 26: Continuation (8:30-4 approx), Conference dinner
Sunday February 27: Final sessions (8:30-12:00), Summit presentations and conference closing (1:00-2:00). Optional shopping trip to market and dinner.
Monday February 28: Guests return home (or previous night)
Find further details – http://flatclassroomconference.com/
Don’t forget to watch the Flat Classroom Conference 2009 Video Documentary on the main website
Questions? We invite you to contact us.
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Join our Flat Classroom Conference mailing list by completing this online form
YOU TO…….
Do not forget that this blog is always looking for articles, links, updates and thoughts by our ECIS IT Committee community just log onto our collaborative wiki http://moodle.ecis.org/mod/wiki/view.php?id=980 and I will make sure it is featured here on the first of every month, or close to it.
John@ISPrague