… if you read the blog of one of my partners in crime yesterday, you know that I had one of those rare moments in time when I was on the verge of laughter or tears or both…when SH said “LG, I have some homework for you” my insides just collapsed and I felt myself paste a ‘team player’ attitude on my face. In the next few seconds my insides recovered sufficiently to begin screaming “I have enough work to send me completely round the twist and off for a little rest in the insane asylum!”

Then I heard some key words drift through … technology … more laptops …. more classes with computers … and then I couldn’t help myself … I

bugger!! now he knew I was keen and he was on a winner!! te he he

So now we take a huge step and blast off into new territory. And I chose the photo for this post quite intentionally … because in this leg of our journey a key to our success will be getting the groundwork done and done very well. Even Houston doesn’t achieve lift off unless so many obscure and minor details are in place at just the right time.

What?

People (teachers, techies, management, students, parents, sponsors) need to be on board, strapped in, excited, knowledgeable, with a clear vision of their part of the journey, eager to play their part in the team … but with a shared goal in mind.

It’s not about the ICT gadgetry; that’s the console that TFT will operate in mission control. It’s about the pedagogy that comes with shifting our teachers’ and learners’ positions in both time and space. It’s about us capitalising on each component of the staging of this learning and using that to propel us into the next phase. It’s about changing how we do what we are already doing well. It’s about keeping the reason for this journey clearly in mind.

And that reason is?

Facilitating the learning of our students so that they are lifelong learners with ubiquitous skills for the 21st Century world that awaits them.

That’s our payload for this journey.

…5, 4, 3, 2, 1, (Now, who has the map?? I do … )

Darn it! I am timetabled in SS3 and in my head I read SS1…because CD said that might happen. Wonder if she forgot OR we can change it?

But hang on, doesn’t SS3 have wireless via my office? and the mini-lab as well? Maybe that’s what CD had in mind.

Now how many computers in the mini-lab? 8? 10?

With regards to SS1 … was thinking perhaps the ICT Committee could draw up a kind of order form for future installations; that way we have a procedure of a kind that generates itself.

I had in mind a wish list of ICT components, specs, est. $$, training, uses/applications and so on. This could be used by the Heads of School to plan their new rooms/installations/budget allocations and comes back to the ICT Committee.

What do you think – would that tighten things up & keep everyone in the loop as well?

For the Pangea Day competition I thought I might alleviate that imagination crisis by giving them just a couple of possibilities that explain limits, requirements and so on. This way they choose one or the other and get underway immediately. I can afford to keep their choices narrow on this one as they’ll have more freedom of choice on later tasks. Also I have registered us as hosting an event on that day – thought we might make use of the plasma screens????

…am starting to think school a bit more clearly now.. foggy thinking not twisted thinking just yet

I have a couple of Q’s

1. Does/will SS3 have a data projector?
2. On Tuesday can we book up some time for you to work with me on getting the IST classes (plural – yes JP’s as well) started on an entry for Pangea Day comp? maybe we could chat about this on the to the sloped campus?
3. Can you have a look at Jamie McKenzie – fno.org….he is in Australia in T2 and has some spare dates & I was thinking about our “run to paradise” conference….etcetc…Bill had him workshop in Mackay in 2006 & both he & Graham say JK is really worth getting in. Maybe we can approach DE in Melbourne about sponsoring?
4. http://edublogs.org/campus/ have we considerd this already?

TFT Response:

Alrighty, so 2008 is here and we’re pumped up ready to go……

1. I hope you mean SS1, SS3 is a very bland room without any ICT stuff at all (yet). SS1 doesn’t have a Projector. It was actually never considered (I probably should have thought about that). We can talk to CD and see what she thinks.
2. SS has just purchased some new Video Camera’s so this should be a breeze. Imagination will be the limit here.
3. Sounds good. DE should be the first call. Then we work out the rest of the Conference Content. I do like the “Run to Paradise” theme.
   
4. Have looked at it. There are a few options here, we can discuss this at some stage (on the way back from the “slopey site.”

I have a really good feeling about this year. It will be a year of change, a turning point. We can make it happen.

The idea cropped up again in recent conversation this time with regards my St4 Core for 2008.  I want to teach them for the 21st century BUT, as you know, there are a number of ‘must-do’s” in place that I have to dance around. (not sure if its the “tango”, the “cha cha” or a beautiful “Viennese waltz” … no, no, of cause … it HAS to be the twist!!)

I have the summary of ideas below. I have in mind that I will set this as a task for the students – Problem Based Learning style. Together we’ll redesign their Core classroom. Who knows, with any luck, we’ll have 4 designs and will be able to rearrange the deckchairs each term! So will you have a look and make some recommendations about how to approach some parts of it with them?

SIDEBAR: 10 Ways to Out think the Box

1. Discard the mental model: Remember that the classroom “box” exists not only as a physical place but as a mental one as well. Determine to get rid of an outdated idea.

2. Assign a group project: Have your students research school design to figure out an alternative way to furnish the box.

3. Develop an “activities matrix”: Decide which of the eighteen learning modalities (search for that term on our Web site to find the list) can be reasonably accommodated in the classroom spaces.  (I haven’t been able to find these & have sent them an email to ask. Failing this I can use the skills development ideas & syllabus outcomes I already have for the class)

4. Soft is good: Make sure the plan includes soft seating — beanbag chairs, cushions, a couch, and upholstered chairs are all worth considering — for a less rigid feel. 

5. Pretest the design: Using graph paper and templates for furniture, examine the various ways the room can be arranged to facilitate different modes of learning.

6. Raise funds, get used furniture, seek merchant donations: Develop and implement a plan to raise money for new furniture, or (better still) approach local corporations and other businesses for donations of their used furniture that matches what your desired plan calls for. Ask your local home-improvement store to donate paint and equipment to build display boards, shelves, windowsills, and so on.

7. Make it green: Use this project as a conscious exercise in environmental responsibility by choosing indigenous materials, connecting with outdoors and nature (if possible), and expending minimal resources.

8. Do it yourself: If students build it, they will love it, take care of it, and feel the satisfaction of passing a new environment on to future classes.

9. Down with walls: If you have a bit of renovation money, take down some walls to facilitate team teaching, create social space, and break out of corridors.  (oh yesssss!)

10. New space, new practices: Let your teaching style, and the way students learn, take advantage of what you have created.