Monday, April 26, 2010

Press Release: Flat Classroom Conference 2011 in Beijing, China

Flat Classroom Conference 2011
Latest News!
Beijing (BISS) International School are pleased to be hosting t
he next 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!  Take advantage of early bird discounts before August 1.


April 25, 2010: Beijing - China -
Co-founders of the Flat Classroom™ Project, Vicki Davisand 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
Questions? We invite you to contact us.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/flatclassroom
Join our Flat Classroom Conference mailing list by completing this online form

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Across My Desk (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Opportunity! Join our Flat Classroom Workshops in June/July

What are you doing this summer (northern hemisphere)?  Are you looking for something different to challenge and improve your classroom pedagogy? Have you been thinking about joining a Flat Classroom Project but need more skills or confidence to do so?  Here is your opportunity to join workshops that will open your eyes, provide the skills and expertise for global collaboration and digital citizenship, and move you into the 21st Century using Web 2.0 and online collaborative project pedagogy that embraces global interactions.

Vicki Davis and I are excited to be working together again this coming June and July in the USA!  It is only once or twice a year that we are able to be in the same room at the same time. 

(such an exciting program organised by Elizabeth Helphant!)
 
We invite you to review these details and consider joining us with the aim learning more about 'flattening' your classroom and embracing global collaboration.  Direct questions to flatclassroomproject@gmail.com  We look forward to hearing from you as well!

ISTE Workshops:
MICDS Workshops
  • Tuesday July 13-14, 2010 in St Louis, Missouri: 7 Steps to Global Collaboration All details are on the wiki. This 2-day workshop will allow participants to be immersed in how to run a 'flat classroom project' and to engage in flat learning modes and global collaboration as a pedagogy. A hands-on approach will allow participants to explore, discuss and model 21st Century tools and the '7 steps to flatten your classroom' methods based on the award winning flat classroom projects. (See http://flatclassroomproject. org)
In addition I will be running a 1-day workshop at MICDS Summer School -
  • Monday July 12, 2010: Global Collaboration: Concept, Power and MagicWhat does it mean to ‘go global’? How can we foster global citizenship as well as digital citizenship while meeting other curriculum needs? How can we integrate emerging technologies into everyday teaching practice? How can we ‘flatten’ the classroom walls and provide enriching, cultural exchanges that promote better understanding of real-world issues?Come and join me in St Louis!

Read also Vicki's blog post about her exciting USA summer schedule.

Don't forget also to put THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY on your calendar. I look forward to welcoming you to China next year!
Flat Classroom Conference 2011
February 25-27, 2011
Beijing, China


Monday, April 19, 2010

Flat Classroom Proejct 10-1: Students Video Awards!

The Flat Classroom Project ™ 10-1 (February-April) is now finished!

Congratulations to all students and teachers, and a big thank you to all advisors, judges, and supporters of the finishing Flat Classroom Project 10-1.
All details of the winning videos on the wiki at http://flatclassroom10-1.flatclassroomproject.org/Awards
To view the recording of the Awards, click the link below:

All multimedia submitted for judging can be found on the Master Video List
We encourage you to watch, review and leave supportive comments for the students.

Thanks everyone for your support and hard work!

Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis
Flat Classroom Project ™

Awards slideshow
Here are the top videos, as awarded by our Meta-judge, Steve Madsen.

First Place
9.C.1 The Journey ,by Salvador A., WHS, USA
Title of video: The Journey


Second Place
10.D.2 Virtual Communication by Yaroslav Loginov, Sotogrande International School, Spain
Title of video: Virtual Communication


Third Place (tie)
11.F.2 Mu Ji H's Wireless Connectivity by Mu Ji Hwang, QA, Qatar
Title of video: Wireless Connectivity


AND
4.A.1 The Internet is a Shelf by Kellie E, MCAHS, USA
Title of video: The Internet is a Shelf

Meanwhile, another project is underway at Flat Classroom Project 10-2. We invite interested educators to become Expert Advisors and Judges by completing this online form.

G(irls)20 Summit: Apply now!

This opportunity sounds exciting...if only I was 30 years younger!  Come on young women around the world, get your applications in!  You could be one of the 20 women attending.

Here is the message with further details as received in an email this week:

TakingITGlobal is a partner in this exciting event, and we invite you to get involved and spread the word!

There are 3.3 billion girls and women in the world - and they should be integral to, and included in the development of innovative, sustainable and socially responsible solutions to the world's economic and social challenges.

Meeting in Toronto from June 16th - 26th, we will bring together one girl from each G20 country to discuss and promote tangible, scalable solutions toward economic prosperity.

You can participate in this important initiative:

Step 1:
Become a fan of the G(irls)20 Summit on Facebook (Girls20Summit) and follow it on Twitter (Girls20Summit)

Step 2:
Join the campaign at http://www.girlsandwomen.com/
By registering, you will receive 'your number' - a unique number representing one of the 3.3 billion girls and women in the world.

Once you have your number, find a creative way to include it in your Facebook profile. Change your photo, update your status, join the Change Room Fan Page, encourage others to make their number count.

Step 3:
Participate in the Google moderated discussion.
Join the discussion by submitting your ideas or voting on existing ones.

Step 4:
Apply to attend the G(irls)20 Summit and be a voice representing the 3.3 billion girls and women around the world.

You need to be a passionate, forward-thinking, solution-oriented girl aged between 18-20 at the time of the Summit from a G20 country. This age range represents the transition years on the continuum from Girl to Woman, underscoring an important focus on secondary education and successful transition into the labour market.

These 20 girls will provide G20 leaders with tangible recommendations about the direction they need to take to realise the MDGs. Here is your chance to change opinions, change the status quo and change lives.

All applications must be received by midnight on 30 April 2010.

You can choose to send your application by:
Faxing the application and reference forms to: + 416 531 1918
Mailing the application and reference forms to: 236 Avenue Road, Suite 300 Toronto, ON M5R 2J4 Canada
Emailing the application and reference forms to info@tbsf.ca
Completing the online application form and reference form

Apply to participate in the G(irls)20 Summit here!

Please pass this information along to anyone who would be interested in this opportunity!

In friendship,

The TakingITGlobal Team
http://www.tigweb.org/

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Across My Desk (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Horizon Report K-12 2010

I was honored to be on the Advisory Board for the just released K-12 Horizon Report 2010. The report details emerging technologies over the next 5 years. 
These are:
Time-to-adoption: One year or less
  • Cloud Computing
  • Collaborative Environment
Time-to-adoption: Two to Three years
  • Educational Gaming
  • Mobiles
Time-to-adoption: Four to Five Years
  • Augmented Reality
  • Thin Film Displays
In addition, the report starts off looking at 5 trends that are driving technology. These trends are as follows:


  • Technology is a means of empowering students, of communicating and socialising. Young people use it as their way of staying in touch and also use it to control their learning. Technology gives students a public voice and a way of reaching beyond the classroom.
  • Technology affects the way we work, collaborate, communicate and succeed. The digital divide is now a factor of education not of wealth.
  • Creativity and innovation are becoming increasingly important. Schools must design learning to give students these experiences in order for them to succeed after leaving formal education.
  • Just-in-time, online learning and independent study are becoming more important.
  • Learning environments are changing and becoming more community-driven, interdisciplinary and use technologies for communication and collaboration.

Also, in order to keep up with the current trends, educators face certain challenges:

  • Digital media literacy is important, but absent from teacher education and professional development. Digital literacy is not about the tools, skills and standards but about thinking.
  • Education is changing only slowly - it needs to shift to become more learner-centered. Assessment must change along with teaching methods, tools and materials.
  • There is little agreement as to what a new model of education might look like.
  • Many learning activities take place outside the classroom. There is a great potential for using online resources, games and social networks. These real life experiences need to be incorporated into what is happening in the classroom. Without real life experiences, students feel little connection between their lives and their schooling.
I also encourage you to read Maggie Hos-McGrane, ICT teacher at ISZL. She writes "Tech Transformations and her blog post about the Horizon Report K-12.

The challenge for us as educators is to work out how to use this invaluable information for our technology planning and for embedding skills and concepts into our curriculum. As one response I am using this K-12 2010 Horizon Report to inform a global collaboration between my Grade 9 class and the class of colleagues Phil Macoun (Canada) and Robert Thorn (Switzerland). Called "A Day in the Life...." we are encouraging students to consider how these emerging technologies have and will impact their personal lives, school/study lives and also the lives of the parents or older people at work. The project is in its early days, however we want students to envision the future and create a multimedia response in the form of a story.

Additional resources:
Horizon Report 2010 (not K-12)
  • 1-2 years: Mobile Computing and Open Content
  • 2-3 years: Simple Augmented Reality and Electronic Books
  • 4-5 years: Gesture-based Computing and Visual Data Analysis
Horizon Project Central


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Sunday, April 11, 2010

Across My Desk (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Across My Desk (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.