Summary of Learning: Kipp’s Masterpiece Theatre Presents: Cato’s Journey
Okay, “masterpiece” is an epic exaggeration, but I thoroughly enjoyed creating this ebook using Bookcreator.com (highly recommend using it with students, too). Cato’s fantastical learning journey – with an easily identifiable (but unnamed) philosophical guide – mirrors my key learnings from this semester. Thank you, Dr. Katia and classmates, for the discussions, blogs, research, and…
Immersive Technology: The Sword of Damocles and Pandora’s Box Combined
Between Cicero’s sword of Damocles and Hesiod’s Pandora’s box/jar, mythology centered on hidden danger and untethered evil figures prominently in this week’s topic. “Hope is the only good god remaining among mankind; the others have left and gone . . . Trust, a mighty god has gone, Restraint has gone from men, and the Graces, my…
Leaping Over Coding Gatekeepers and Other Hurdles
In Retrospect In a decade, my coding identity has run the gamut from disinterested secondary English teacher to invested facilitator. Cue flashback (because Xennials love saying “back in my day”)… Picture it: Wilkie, SK (middle of agricultural nowhere); the year is 2012. “Coding” is about to enter my lexicon. I teach Grade 8/9 English with…
A Villain’s Tale: The Monetization of Assistive Technology and Other Barriers
On a Professional Level In my third year as a teacher, I transferred from teaching A.P. Grade 12 English to teaching SUCCESS, an elementary inclusivity program for students with special needs. One of my students had Stage 5: profound hearing loss. With no prior experience addressing this need, I asked my new administrator what accommodations…
Pear Deck: Test-Driven by a Fangirl
Will reiterating my love for Pear Deck sound like a broken record? I had nearly forgotten this love when Tuesday’s class reignited the spark. Kudos to Group 5! In my previous life as an Online Learning Consultant, I completed the Pear Deck Institute training to guide divisional implementation in the classroom and online. It was…
The Bluebird of Doom’s Social Dilemma
The year is 1999 and I am a digitally naïve 16-year-old about to experience my first web-based dopamine hit. My friend has dial-up on his family’s computer, we’re having a sleepover, and he introduces me to the uncensored, anonymous world of Java chat rooms. Anything goes. Anything can be said. Everything is said. Who’s to…
O Online Learning, Parting Was NOT Sweet Sorrow
This week’s topic – tools for distance and online learning – strikes a personal cord. Memories of my last 2.5 years as an online learning consultant cause an odd mixture of melancholy, anxiety, aversion, and pride to roll through my chest. Anyone in education over the last 3 years might feel a similar twinge. Love…
“My Mind is Like My Internet Browser…” Productivity and Presentation
If you’ve ever come across the well-known internet adage – “My mind is like my web browser: 19 tabs are open, 3 of them are frozen, and I have no idea where the music is coming from.” (Anonymous) – I’m confident the author was describing me. Regardless, it seemed an apt quotation for our debate…
Several Fallacies and the Sesame Street Scapegoat
“We now know that ‘Sesame Street’ encourages children to love school only if school is like ‘Sesame Street.’ Which is to say, we now know that “Sesame Street” undermines what the traditional idea of schooling represents.” American author, educator, and cultural critic, Neil Postman leaves a wealth of ideas and questions to unpack in his…
Pivot, Pivot, Pivot: My Evolving Philosophy of Knowledge and Learning
PIVOT! PIVOT! PIVOT! A video timeline seemed in order for this week’s blog on my philosophy of knowledge and learning. You can view the entire timeline at Canva here. Here is an excellent Chrome extension I’ve been using lately for those needing subtitles. For those strapped on time, I have included a summary of the…