Justin's Insights

stevemouldey.wordpress.com As you would expect, reflecting on uLearn2015 requires you to try and absorb so much. Fabulous Keynote speakers, a plethora of workshops and presentations and of course, the wonderful connections we make and re-establish. However, the lasting impression I leave with is the reaffirming of the importance that community plays in the success and direction of our schools. This was brought home to me like a slap in the face today when I went to my school to do some prep work before tomorrow. Vandalism... This was not the first time I have seen this over the last two weeks of the holidays, but it did highlight to me the disconnect between some in our community and our school. It saddened me to think that there are people in our small community that could destroy so much of that which belongs to our students. It also highlighted for me he need to engage with the problem that I face each day and that is the disconnect that many of my students bring from the commu

Education & Technology Quotes from Tony Vincent

In 2014 my journey as an educator continued to develop. I had the responsibility of introducing a 1-1 digital class, with the biggest challenge being to convince the community and whanau of our students that it was the right decision to make.It developed to a point where I provided my students with the opportunity to take some control of their learning and allow them to redesign their learning environment. What it demonstrated, not only to me, but to the people who witnessed the learning environment, was that through student ownership the engagement levels exceeded all expectations. Everybody in the class found a valuable task that they could contribute to positively. The respect that the students had for the environment they had created was considerably higher than if it had been given to them. One student was lambasted for using a sharpened paper clip to draw on the newly made desks, because it was "their" desks. It was a successful and hugely rewarding experience for ever

This term my students have been reading "Macbeth". It is not Shakespeare's original but a contemporary adaptation aimed for primary school age readers. The group had been working in a Literacy Circle for four weeks and to conclude their reading they had to discuss and identify the main themes in the text. When they had established what they thought the themes were, they then had to locate examples in the text. Once the examples had been identified and located in the text, the students had to share their learning in a video no longer that two minutes, with no dialogue and with music that fit in with the themes as well. The students decided to use WeVideo and came up with the following video. I am extremely proud of the work that has been created. This group of students consistently take ownership of their learning, require very little motivation and thrive on being given the opportunity to be creative and produce work to a high standard.

I recently experienced the realisation that there was a solution to my “Wrecking Ball” approach to facilitating e-learning. It is an approach which I know is flawed, however, until recently I had come to accept it as being me. Something I could live with and more importantly, something others would have to live with. Having leadership aspirations, and striving to be the best person I can be, I have been looking for opportunities to take me closer towards my career goals. Such an opportunity occurred during a “Storyhui” where something I knew to be true was yanked to the front of my conscience. A leader and e-learning facilitator; something I aspire to be, reflected on his journey and shared a realisation that struck me rather bluntly. If I could show more tolerance, take things less personally and listen to what people’s needs were, I could become more effective at reducing people’s anxieties and more successful and providing solutions to people’s needs. Something I was experiencing

If you are wondering what the big deal is about modern learning, 21st century learning, digital or blended learning then this video might shed some light. We recognise that the world our students are entering is vastly different to the world our traditional education system is designed to prepare our students for. We recognise that our students require a different set of skills, a different form of literacy, in order for them to be successful and productive citizens in a world that is rapidly changing. This video helps bridge the gap in our understanding of what skills our children need and how they can apply these skills in order to make a difference in the world that they will inherit from us.

After starting my journey over the last few years I have finally dedicated a space to share my thoughts, frustrations and success's. I am passionate about modern learning practices and trying to share what I have discovered.