Learning from Within – ICT at UISG China
A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to work with and learn from a very open minded group of PYP educators at Utahloy International School in Guangzhou, China.
We started off the day reflecting on how education has changed and why. What has changed and how we communicate and collaborate. Why we need to see and recognise this change and most importantly what we need to do about it. It reminded me a bit about @gcouros blog post on Agents of Change.
We agreed that we don’t learn the same way we did five or ten years ago. (That we don’t learn the same way in general). Things change and learners take advantage of this before teachers are even aware of it.
We had a good look at how we were using tech in the classroom. The folks at Utahloy IS were well aware of the why, which is a great step, they see the WHY and and are now entering the HOW phase. We looked at various tools, models to integrate technology.. SAMR etc.. BUT I think they had an epiphany..its not about integrating technology..or embedding technology ..its about the learning and making those connections. The learning takes front and centre stage in everything we do whether it involves tech or not. I’m confident their tech coordinator and a few other key educators that they will drive this school forward in its tech initiatives.
Furthermore, participants shared their own expertise, and I learned a lot from them. We talked a lot about the importance of being a Connected Learner. In fact we had our own hashtag set up #ictgz and despite the great China Firewall, we managed to tweet and connect with others educators around the globe, ask questions and gather resources over the 2 days. It was great to have @julielindsay Skype in to talk about global projects.
One thing I wanted to stress throughout the workshop was that we need to make our own connections. You NEED to become a connected educator. Why you ask? Are you a learner? Do you learn from others? Do you think sharing is powerful? Do you value collaboration?
I leave these great educators with 10 Ways to becoming a Global Educator by @whatedsaid My PLN- my learning community is a HUGE part of my life professional and personally. It has change my life. If you don’t believe me, read this powerful blogpost by@MauiMickey Finding MY PEOPLE: How #kinderchat Saved My Career
Thanks Utahloy.
The Learning Journey 
Thanks for the shout out, Jay! I am so glad that you are part of my PLN.
Yes the workshop came at the right time. Our school is on the cusp of some really good changes and we are inspired personally and professionally to push past the barriers of where we are and persevere with being more connected learners alongside our students.
Just looked at this and thought of a provocation. What if you set teh workshop up as individual desks, all facing front, not power cords and a pencil each…..Start the session with chalk and talk and ‘a big stick” (maybe too far) then look at the question – how do we best learn? How do you feel? What is uncomfortable? comfortable?
After that discussion – get group to redesign / re establish the learning area for their needs for learning to happen….:)
Tania
Great ideas for provocation. Ive put it on my planner for next time 🙂 Thanks!