Apple Distinguished Educators Global Institute, Cork 2012 Reflections
Reflections at Fota Island
Here is a recording of my blog post. If you want to literally hear my voice during this post please do so.
What’s the big picture? As educators we need to ask ourselves this question. I’ve spent a week in Ireland with 213 educators from around the world. I’ve already been asked to share my key learnings. Honestly I’m not sure how to begin to share what I’ve taken in this week. Friendships, tech tips, the evolution of tech, new instructional ideas, new apps, new projects and of course, lots of photography guidance. But, what is the big idea I’m really taking away from this institute?
Praise Ma (@praisesifa) is a fellow Distinguished Educator and she was one of many who did presentations. I must mention that the caliber of presentations was superior to anything I’ve ever experienced. I learned a great deal from each presenter, however Praise’s session struck a cord with me.
I won’t give you the exact details of her presentations but her overarching question was worded in a way that challenged me.
Many teachers, administrators, publishers, consulting firms and others in the field of education use technology to do cool things. They use technology to create incredible presentations, sharpen their photography, communicate with others, network and instruct others. I’ve used technology to help teach students to read, to record their voices, to create digital media and artwork.
I believe in leveling the playing field for my students and I find ways to use technology to do so. The ADE accessibility team reinforced this, thankfully. Groups were encouraged and supported to create digital content that is closed captioned, available in many languages, options for increased font size and generally accessible to all. This is certainly a key message that will remain with me as I work to develop future content to share with others.
But the big idea for me…
Praise Ma was able to point out that technology can change the lives of our students, but she did more. She showed photos and videos of how technology and support changed the lives of some of the children in Rwanda. I was teary after her presentation. I also was very humbled. It made me think that perhaps I’m on a journey of doing great things but I haven’t really got there yet. I began reflecting and thinking that maybe some of us are looking at our technology integration at just the surface level. We are thinking of our immediate surroundings.
I teach in a small town and I believe I work very hard to create an even playing field for my students with special needs and those who are living in difficulty situations. It’s one of the reasons that throughout my career, I always return to teach in my town. It’s where my passion lies. However, Praise Ma asked, “Are we really using technology to it’s full potential?” She asked if we were reaching out and helping children around the world?
I have been working with my colleagues in our school to teach using a social justice idea. I’ve worked with teachers and students to understand that they are just one in the world and together we can make a difference. Praise Ma’s session made me think that perhaps I’m only using these great devices at the surface level and it’s time to step up my game. But what does that mean?
I’m not sure what my next steps are as a result of this new shift in thinking. I have strong beliefs that we need to help those in need within our own countries too. I know we have many remote communities within Canada that could benefit from educators reaching out to them. Hmm…where could this led?
I invite all of you to reflect on how you use technology. How will you leverage it? I would love to hear your thoughts.
If there are resources you think could help me explore this big idea further please comment.
The challenge is on!
Ang.
Here is the link to Lovey’s blog post. Have a look at this Apple Distinguished Video. It was showed each morning and it united us in our vision. http://schreib-lounge-blog.ch/2012/07/21/apple-global-institute-cork-2012-takeaways/
I’ve received many tweets of resources. I’m starting a list here. If you have any other resources or assistance to offer please comment below.
Offer of assistance by @acampbell99 Andrew Campbell who offered to connect me with some 6 Nations contacts of his. He also discussed his work with Canadian Author Eric Walters @EricRWalters The link one of the blogs regarding the project Creation of Hope http://www.walkinghome2012.com/index.html
The Global Education Conference http://www.globaleducationconference.com/
Skype in the Classroom http://education.skype.com/
http://www.globalschoolnet.org/index.cfm
http://www.iearn.org/country/iearn-canada
http://worldsavvy.org/
July 21st, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Global Awareness is one of the few areas or board does a somewhat less than adequate job at promoting. Skyping with someone in another country does little to bring about social change. I know we could do so much more in our technology infused classrooms to create a shift in thinking and create a genuine culture of global support. Count me in as a small cog determined to help my students make a difference.
July 22nd, 2012 at 8:24 am
Really liked how you made an audio reflection…good content. You are already applying our Big Idea and telling you story!
July 22nd, 2012 at 8:26 am
A tremendous experience overall, to be sure.
The first step in an outreach like that is awareness; hearing Praise and others speak firsthand was inspirational, but now we must strive to do the same for our peers at home, or this dies on the table.
Looking to see some more of those photos you mentioned!
Paul Yip @darthmacgoogle
July 22nd, 2012 at 8:30 am
Thanks Paul, it’s the action piece that needs to come next. That’s where I need help.
Hopefully over time something will surface.
Angie
July 22nd, 2012 at 8:32 am
Thanks Mark,
Our group discussions about the way voice can help communicate a message was ringing in my ears. I also thought about the incredible accents and voices I heard this week. I can connect more to the sound of a voice than just the written word. Perhaps it’s time to shift my blog to include some audio reflections instead of struggling over typing it out correctly. I’m thinking that a blog is a personal reflection and it might be worthwhile to make it less formal. Hmm…
Angie
July 22nd, 2012 at 9:08 am
I found these Editor choice picks from MIT Open Couseware on improving other cultures through mobile technologies http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/editors-picks/
Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab Executive Training: Evaluating Social Programs
J-PAL’s goal is to reduce poverty by ensuring that policy is based on scientific evidence. In this five-day program on evaluation methods, you’ll learn to understand randomized evaluation, including pragmatic step-by-step training for conducting your own evaluation, and ways to manage threats to the validity of your evaluation.
Instructors: Prof. Esther Duflo, Prof. Abhijit Banerjee and Dr. Rachel Glennerster
Features: Video lectures, lecture notes, assignments
Best for: Leaders of social programs who want to learn methods of evaluation
NextLab I: Designing Mobile Technologies for the Next Billion Users
This hands-on year-long design course challenges students to research, develop and deploy mobile technologies that will address real-world needs in the developing world.
Instructors: Mr. Jhonatan Rotberg, Dr. Luis Sarmenta, Dr. Gari Clifford, and Dr. Rich Fletcher
Features: Project videos, student-led discussions
Best for: Visionaries who would like to change the world using mobile and internet technologies
July 26th, 2012 at 7:55 am
Angie, I’ve read this post of yours multiple times now, and every time I read it, I start thinking just a little bit more. I’m fortunate enough to have access to quite a bit of technology in my classroom, and my students are all fortunate enough to have access to technology at home as well.
Social Justice has been a real focal point for my school over the years, but I’ll admit that I really haven’t thought of using technology to reach out to other communities from around the world. How could this be done? How could we make their world better with the use of our technology?How could we make a difference? These questions have been spinning in my head since I first read your post, but I’m still struggling with finding answers. I’d love to hear more about what you plan on doing though, and see if there’s anything that my school could do as well.
Maybe Boards could even start working together to make a real impact … a real change. Thanks for getting me thinking deeper!
Aviva
July 26th, 2012 at 9:11 am
The purpose of this blog is get others thinking about our moral purpose. There are no easy answers, just questions that may lead us on a new route.
I’ve been adding resources to this blog in hopes that one link might lead someone in a new direction.
I need some time to reflect as well as time together with staff from my board. I like the idea of other boards joining together. I’m not sure where this will lead. I do know that real learning is mucky and this is still cloudy and unclear.
I’m thinking about connecting with a community in our own country. I think our students would benefit from working with another community within Canada.
Still thinking things through,
Angie