Sunday, November 29, 2009

Across My Desk (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
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Sunday, November 22, 2009

Across My Desk (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
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Friday, November 20, 2009

TEDxEDUcn – Accolades and Observations

The inaugural TEDxEDUcn was held last Saturday at International School Beijing (ISB). It was jointly organized by Western Academy Beijing and ISB. As an official TEDx event it followed the usual requirements of including the opening TEDx video, and playing some online TED talks interspersed with live TED talks, of which there were many! It had about 100 people in attendance.

I was enthralled with speakers such as Yang Jia, Chinese college professor, Harvard graduate, and disabled by a degenerative eye condition that left her blind in her 20’s. Her message was inspiring and including, ‘compete with yourself’ as well as ‘compete with others’. Then there was Andrew Lih who talked about ‘deliberative adhocracy’, and encouraged China to look at the benefits of using social media, not as a threat to deliver democracy.

James Landay, professor from University of Washington, on sabbatical in Beijing, shared ksketch.org as a quick and dirty animation program to use with Tablet technology. This reminded me of the old Palm handheld software the Elliott Soloway at GoKnow developed called Sketchy. I asked James if this ‘k-sketch’ was going to be made available for smaller mobile devices, and he seemed to think this was possible. It seems like in the pursuit of ‘more and new’ the wheel is re-invented often. However I like what James was doing and saying about students constructing their own answers and solutions using simple to use animation rather than having to learn the ‘over-weight’ programs such as Flash (Adobe).

I was inspired by David Kay who has the Yuenfen New Media Art Space here in Beijing. Like many other speakers, he shared his varied life story and encouraged us to follow our dreams.

The theme of the TEDx event was ‘Courage, curiosity and creativity’ and we certainly were presented with speaker after speaker who talked about creativity, piqued our curiosity and shared their personal courage in getting to where they are now. However, despite the amazing stories and inspiring life examples, I came away from the event with mixed feelings. For the entire day we were ‘talked to’ with little opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations based on the topics presented or in fact with the speakers themselves. Yes, we were given regular breaks, in fact the ‘afternoon tea’ break was in fact longer with verbal encouragement to seek out further conversations. However we are not always willing, unless directed, to move out of our comfort zone and embark on a group discussion with people we do not know.

But, there was something missing! From the start we were asked NOT to use laptops but to sit and listen (!). I was amused, a little bewildered, but complied….thinking if I get my shiny orange covered MacBook out I will be singled out for ridicule. Where was the backchannel? Where was the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations as a sub-set to the main stage? I really missed this! I also missed the opportunity to explore presenter backgrounds and web resources as they were speaking.

So, in the interests of providing constructive comments that organisers can take and deliberate on before hosting the next event here are my suggestions:
  1. It does not make a lot of sense not using laptops, therefore I suggest allowing people the choice during and between talks. At the very least the laptop helps with note taking, and if connected online (the ideal) it provides a bridge to online spaces that further connect the listener to the presenter and to the audience as a whole.
  2. Plan for and implement strategies that mandate conversations between participants who do not know each other. As a suggestion, between each talk give the audience 3-5 minutes to turn to the person(s) sitting near them to debrief and share ideas and feelings. Another strategy is to provide breakout session times where 1-2 presenters lead a group
  3. Create an online learning community around this event e.g a Ning, that allows for ongoing discussion and interaction and knowledge sharing.
In conclusion, accolades to organisers from ISB and WAB, it was a great day! However, let's start using the power of the tools we have in hand and foster more meaningful connections and learning through setting up network opportunities that will sustain until the next event.
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Thursday, November 19, 2009

WISE 09 - It's a wrap here in Qatar


Photos from the WISE event

The inaugural WISE event in Qatar is over. We have networked, talked, debated, deliberated and tried to find creative solutions to global problems......but now we are all going home to process and work out how we can make the most of what we learned, who we met and where we could go from here.

So, what were the highlights for me over the three days??

What has really stayed with me is the fact that EVERYONE you talked to at this event had an interesting story to tell, and an 'important' position in terms of education (at all different levels, countries etc). So, during breaks or while in sessions, or even traveling on the shuttle bus, talking to people about what they did, why they were in Qatar and so on was a highlight. Especially as I now have a small collection of business cards with some excellent potential contacts to email and make stronger ties with.

On day 2 the person that was most impressive was during the 'Increasing Access Through Technology' session, Dr Paul Kim from Stanford University. He has developed what he calls the POMI 2020 (Programmable Mobile Open Internet), or PocketSchool. When he started to describe how he is distributing small computer devices, like gaming tools, to poor, rurual villages and how he is developing software for the linux-based OS that is culturally and geographically relevant to help improve literacy, Tom Barrett and I agreed THIS was worth listening to AND provided a viable solution. In comparison, many of the presenters continued to relate the problems without providing solutions).

Today, Day 3, Prof Sugata Mitra, from the Education faculty at Newcastle University in the UK spoke about his ongoing 'Hole in the Wall' project. It was thrilling to hear and see images and short videos from this long-admired experiment. He is currently working on Self Organising Systems and working in schools in the UK on research. We had the opportunity to speak with him during a break and found he had a rationale, liberated approach to classroom teaching, always putting the student first. He spoke about how a 4 to 1 (student to computer) ratio was his preferred mode of working as students then collaborated on problem solving and were not totally involved in manipulating the technology.

In addition, Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, spoke about the history of Twitter and how it has become a social networking tool that has a popular in online communication distinct from email and blogging and other forms of connecting. He talked about the open and free exchange of information made possible by Twitter, and how this can lead to positive world impact. He shared that to be more informed = more engaged = more empathetic = world is a smaller place and therefore enhanced awareness of us as global citizens.

At the closing plenary session Dr Abdullah shared with us the 10 WISE Priorities that will be the focus of interaction and action between now and the next WISE in 2010. These were developed over the past 3 days based on session presentations and discussions. More details will be found on the WISE website eventually.
  1. Access to quality education
  2. A fully integrated approach
  3. Global citizenship
  4. Education embedded in local community
  5. Protecting education and educators
  6. Reconciliation
  7. WISE pioneers to monitor our progress
  8. Innovating new ways to learn
  9. Pursuing sustainable development
  10. A future built on multi-stakeholder partnerships

In addition, Qatar Foundation will be starting a discussion forum on the website, which along with a list of contacts from this event, should help us all to stay in touch and find each other.....well, it's a start at least.

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

WISE Day 1 Reflection

Waiting to start WISE opening session


Images above of Sheikha Mozah opening WISE

Mrs Irina Bokova, Director-General UNESCO

Dr Abdulla bin Al-Thani, Chairman of WISE

Day 1 at the World Innovation Summit for Education saw people literally from all over the world converge in Doha. A real meeting of the minds, a real melting pot of ideas, experience and a common motivation to discuss what is happening in education now with a view to improving it. The overriding theme is "Global education: Working together for sustainable development'. Complete accolades to the multimedia people, extremely powerful and successful audio/visual, streamlined, professional....excellent!

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missnad welcomed everyone in the opening. You can view her speech highlights on YouTube. She spoke in Arabic, which was no problem as a sophisticated headphone set wirelessly connected to translators is provided in all rooms. She spoke about opportunities and sustainable development, about innovation being a sustainable culture and how innovation should be its very nature stem from education and be a part of education and is in fact a condition for international peace.

The newly appointed Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova spoke next (her first day on the job! and also on UNESCO's 64th birthday). She spoke about education needing profound innovations, with ongoing dialogue. She urged an interdisciplinary approach and stated teachers were a top priority for UNESCO and adequate training was needed to meet the 21st century demands.

Dr Abdulla bin Al-Thani, Chairman of WISE and Vice-President of Education, Qatar Foundation also spoke about his expectation that the event will foster debate that will give rise to action. He also quoted (and I forget the source!), "Knowledge is of the past, Wisdom is of the future', with the message to make the most of our sessions together to share knowledge in order to become 'WISE'.

There is talk about Qatar Foundation wanting outcomes that are tangible and realistic, although specifics have not been detailed. Of the four sessions we all attended 2 were plenary and 2 were breakouts. The discussion at the breakouts was mature, sometimes intense, sometimes self-motivated or self-serving, but always with the objective of reaching out and connecting in order to make better more secure networks and liaisons for future development.

My final thoughts on Day 1
There is a missed opportunity here to create a vibrant learning community using current and proven technology. Internet access has not been provided for regular attendees (media have a password to access the WLAN). I have asked for access as an 'international blogger' but was told I had to pay for it, so Day 2 this is what I will probably do. However, it strikes me as odd that here we are talking about innovation in education and yet we are not modeling it in terms of gathering participants into an online educational network, encouraging online interaction and discussion and building forums and groups that can act as launching pads for the next 12 months of discussion and action leading to another WISE event. At the end of the breakout sessions people were asking, well what happens now? How do we connect with others in the room to sustain the conversation and start to act on what we proposed or suggested? Will the session chair person contact us? How will he know how to find us?
I really missed having a backchannel, being able to use Twitter and just being online during the sessions. Sitting with Tom Barrett, who has a media PW and was online, I felt like a poor cousin, and (shock, horror) so easily slipped into taking notes with pen and paper! I have not done this for years.....but felt a little odd with a laptop when 99.9% of participants did not have one!

My radical suggestion based on Day 1 WISE
Don't get me wrong here, I am enthralled and honoured to be in Qatar at this event, to be representing my school in Beijing, Beijing (BISS) International School, and to be representing Flat Classroom, however wouldn't it have been interesting if as we all arrived at WISE we were given a NetBook (I do not think this is outrageous...bulk buy at a cheaper price, they have already spent millions on this event anyway), full access to the Internet via WLAN and full instructions on how to join and be active in an online educational network! Imagine the possibilities. QF could design their own, or use a Ning, or ELGG, or whatever.....but to provide this from the outset....or better still get us signed up as a condition of registration to the event!

OK, out of time, have to get in the bus and embrace Day 2 WISE. So much more to say from Day 1...will have to wait. Follow the action on Twitter, and through the hash tag #wise09, and the WISE official YouTube channel.
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Monday, November 16, 2009

Becoming WISE in Qatar - Day 1





Here I am back in Doha, Qatar after a personal invitation to attend the WISE event. (World Innovation Summit For Education). Also here, so I found out through Twitter late last night, is Alan Levine, Tom Barrett....and 100's of others!
I have a wonderful room at the fairly new Grand Hyatt Hotel, with a balcony overlooking the pool area and towards the Pearl. Photos above taken just now from my balcony.

What an amazing event! At last I will see and hear Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, the Leader of innovation and education here in Doha. I can't believe I lived here for 2 years and worked at Qatar Academy, and for a time taught her son, but did not see her in person once, however this morning she will be opening the WISE event in person!
The program is full of plenary and breakout sessions. This is one of the the think-tank events of the year globally. I am honoured to be a part of it.

In addition, my friend and colleague Vicki Davis (who was also invited to attend but could not get away from the USA), were shortlisted out of 100's of entries for a WISE award in the Pluralism section for our Flat Classroom projects and Conference. Really looking forward to meeting the finalists this week.

Follow the action on Twitter, and through the hash tag #wise09, and the WISE official YouTube channel.
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Sunday, November 08, 2009

Across My Desk (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
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Monday, November 02, 2009

Join the Flat Classroom Workshop in India, 2010

The next Flat Classroom Workshop will be held in Mumbai next February at the ASB Unplugged Conference. If you are interested in joining us, classrooms globally are invited to apply to bring students. Read the details on the Flat Classroom Conference wiki and then fill in the online Registration form. Deadline is November 15th for applications.

Why should you bother to bring students and educators to a 'Flat Classroom Workshop?'
The recent success at the Flat Classroom Workshop in Hong Kong, blogged about me here and here and by Kim Cofino here, shows how a project-based action workshop is pedagogically significant and provides a learning adventure into 21st Century working modes using emerging technologies.

Vicki Davis and I are joining forces along with our friend and colleague, Bernajean Porter, to run an amazing event in Mumbai and know this is going to be a great success, just as the original Flat Classroom Conference in Qatar was last January. However we do need cultural diversity and we do need forward looking schools to seize this opportunity to sign up and bring students to Mumbai.

Need more information? We invite you read student and teacher comments and view more multimedia reflections at 'Flat Classroom Participants Speak Up'.

Also.........

Find more videos like this on Flat Classroom Conference
Anne Mirtschin, flat classroom teacher and advisor, put together this video based on the 'three words' request from participants in Qatar's event.

Also..........
Flat Classroom live events are significant because:
- they immerse participants in addressing a global issue in a project-based format
- they use emerging technologies and Web 2.0 tools to connect, communicate and collaborate
- they not only talk about flattened learning modes but practice them e.g. including virtual participants, live video streaming sessions to the world, use of a globally available backchannel
- they encourage students and teachers to work alongside each other with a common goal
- they foster digital citizenship and digital literacy
- they promote best practice methods for coming up with ideas, pitching those ideas and turning them into viable solutions to identified problems

Are you convinced now this is THE workshop to be involved with? The place to bring students for cultural interaction and a chance to hone in on a global issue and use emerging technologies to solve it as a learning community?
OK, now read the details on the Flat Classroom Conference wiki and then fill in the online Registration form.
Deadline is November 15th for applications.

All inquiries to flatclassroomproject@gmail.com
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Sunday, November 01, 2009

Across My Desk (weekly)


Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
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It's Snowing in Beijing!




For those globally who cannot see this blog post with embedded Flickr.com pics, the pics above have been uploaded directly to blogger.

Early this morning we discovered it was snowing here in Beijing! Three hours later it is still snowing! We have been outside and done the usual snowball and snowman (sort of) fun, but now, while shoes and clothes are drying off we are watching from inside our warm house as the snow falls, the ground gets whiter and some trees lose their branches under the weight of the snow. How exciting......we have never lived in a snow city before, and after years in the Middle East and other warn countries this is a real novelty!

Snow in Beijing - Our street
Looking down our street at Capital Paradise

Snow in Beijing - Violet
Violet and the fire fighting equipment!

Snow in Beijing - Julie
Julie in front of the side gate at Capital Paradise

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Reflection on Flat Classroom Workshop HK: Part 2

(This is the second part of a 2-part blog series on the Flat Classroom Workshop held in Hong Kong, September 2009)

The Flat Classroom Workshop was held as a strand of the 21st Century Learning Conference in Hong Kong, September 2009.
This blog post attempts to discuss the SIGNIFICANCE of what we did in HK and attempts to reflect on where we got to from here.
Part 1 of the series described what we did at the workshop and shares multimedia.

Flat Classroom co-founders Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis ran a very successful Flat Classroom Conference in Qatar in January 2009. A short video documentary shares the philosophy and practice of this event.


Recently Julie was joined by Kim Cofino to run the Flat Classroom Workshop in Hong Kong at the 21st Century Learning Conference. At this event students and teachers were put into teams (separately) and worked on a challenge-based project to solve identified issues to do with the digital divide. All information concerning the program, presentations and team interactions, including multimedia of outcomes and reflections can be found on the Flat Classroom Workshop Hong Kong wiki. A culmination to the 2.5 days was a student-led 30 min. presentation to the entire conference cohort of teachers and leaders.

Flat Classroom live events are significant because:
- they immerse participants in addressing a global issue in a project-based format
- they use emerging technologies and Web 2.0 tools to connect, communicate and collaborate
- they not only talk about flattened learning modes but practice them e.g. including virtual participants, live streaming of sessions to the world, use of a globally available backchannel
- they encourage students and teachers to work alongside each other with a common goal
- they foster digital citizenship and digital literacy
- they promote best practice methods for coming up with ideas, pitching those ideas and turning them into viable solutions to identified problems

The workshop in Hong Kong was especially significant because:
- for the first time we allocated educators into their own teams and they followed the same program as the students. We had 7 student teams and 3 adult teams. The expectation was the same for all. Due to mixed commitments some educators were not able to stay for the entire time, and teams had people coming and going which tended to disrupt the flow of the work. Interestingly when it came to the first plenary session where the teams 'pitched' their solutions to volunteers from the main conference strand, it was one of the educator teams who started to panic saying they were not ready! Our response: well, if this was a student team in YOUR classroom, would you make them do it? Hmm......the continuation of the story is the team got themselves together, pitched their idea, found their second wind and in fact was the most successful (in terms of the final international vote) educator team!
- On the last day we witnessed an interesting interaction between the adults and students. This day we divided the participants into two groups: Those who had been voted internationally as the most likely to have their solution implemented, and the remainder who were charged with putting together the final 30-min. presentation to the entire conference. So, the latter consisted of adults and students and started their day brainstorming what the final event would look like and what material they needed to record and edit to pull this off. As a combined group the dynamics quickly changed to the educators dominating the conversation, the students not having the power to take charge, and potential decisions being made based on adult ideas. The enthusiasm of the adults was great! However, their ability to let go and allow and 'equal' chance for the students to find their own voice and leadership within a mixed group was not evident. Kim and I were quick to realise what was going on and managed to diffuse a potentially destructive working environment quickly by separating the educators out to focus on something different - finding a way to include the virtual team members in the presentation. Kim speaks about this also on here excellent post-workshop blog reflection.
- The virtual team members and advisors were well organised and made a tremendous difference to the workshop itself by 'being there' for the teams and in a lot of cases contributing to the development of ideas and solutions, including contributing multimedia for the final presentation. This virtual participation adds a whole other dimension to the workshop and 'flattens' the learning experience further

Further resources from the 21st Century Learning Conference have been posted, including a conference report, thanks to the 21CHK committee.

So, where do we go from here?
We know that the Flat Classroom Workshop has pedagogical significance and is an excellent model for action-based projects supported by the use of emerging technologies. We know this offers educators and students a chance to be immersed in a learning environment that promotes leadership, collaboration, and higher order thinking leading to significant outcomes. We know it is a chance for enhanced cultural understanding and to make new friends globally. We also know it works very well as a face-to-face event supported also by virtual team members and participants. We will continue to implement flat classroom workshops and refine and develop them for specific needs and places.

The next Flat Classroom Workshop will be held in Mumbai next February at the ASB Unplugged Conference. If you are interested in joining us, classrooms globally are invited to apply to bring students. Read the details on the Flat Classroom Conference wiki and then fill in the online Registration form. Deadline in November 15th for applications.

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