#digitaledchat is a global twitter chat that covers almost everything and anything to do with modern learning, educational technology and learning spaces. Contributors are often from all over the world and new participants are always welcome to take part!
I'm Michael in Auckland and I'm back from the dead apparently. I sure missed this place. #digitalEDchat Will try to stay the whole time, but it may not happen :( See if I can remember this twitter thing
Hi there, I am a student teacher in Auckland, New Zealand. One of my assignments this semester is to get involved with some twitter chats, hope you don't mind me tagging along #digitalEDchat
Life has, unfortunately, been getting in the way of connecting (and working on my Google Project) but things are slowly looking better and one of my priorities was to get back here. Yourself? #digitalEDchat
Greg here from Christchurch. Might get around to answering a question or two if the cat can decide if she wants to be in or out tonight! #digitaledchat
A1 - I guess an advantage that you have is the variety of knowledge that you have about the growth of technology over the years, you have a better grasp of what tech items will work best for what. #digitalEDchat
A1 We're kind of a novelty and everyone wants to connect with us, it's easy to find partners. Also a very multicultural group with lots of different ideas. Less hampered by unhelpful policies etc (except Canada, they're great!) #digitalEDchat
Very true, I come from South Africa and back there I didn’t have technology in class so coming to NZ in year 4 made me aware of the constant growth of technology and absolutely love it now! #digitalEDchat
I fully agree with that. Having more experience with different technology means you're brain "expands" and you actually bring a new view to the table #digitalEDchat
A1. We are physically so far away from the rest of the world, we have to learn to connect digitally to be able to connect at all - so we get better, quicker, out of necessity. PS Spell checker changed far to fat - lucky I caught it lol #digitalEDchat
A2 - Some people may be a little slow with grasping the new technologies and may need someone else to explain the new technology to them #digitalEDchat
Yeah I think that also comes with the new generation mindsets. Nowadays people aren't so set in their own ways. "It's my way or the highway" etc #digitalEDchat
A2: i think being far away might be one, but that’s also an advantage 🤔 perhaps the f2f opportunities in he northern hemisphere- but we have some pretty great local ones too!! #digitalEDchat
Yeah, but I reckon now with so much focus on educational things via the government maybe teachers will finally be able to make the necessary changes needed for all students success :) #digitalEDchat
A2. Connectivity. Rural and remote students often have limited to none. As do families in low SES urban settings. Can't assume flipped classrooms provide access #digitalEDchat
Ummm, I have money set aside for edtech PLD in general funds and also a separate digital budget. Got the funds through slashing photocopying. #digitalEDchat
In reply to
@ibpossum, @michaelteacher, @chaz_steenkamp
That was never said. ;) Not my fault they didn't check distances. Plus, can you actually use a chromecast in China? Happy to mail it to you #digitalEDchat
In reply to
@Doctor_Harves, @stuartkellynz, @NZWaikato
A3. IMV there is a lack of imagination in Australia for rich technology implementation. Leaders tend to react to trends rather than plan to ethically implement according to context #digitalEDchat
because that is what you value, and you control the funds :) Not all teachers are in that boat or have 'leaders' who value those things :( #digitaledchat It is why I LOVE twitter
In reply to
@stuartkellynz, @michaelteacher, @chaz_steenkamp
A3 - I have no idea if this would be right, but I believe being a leader no matter what section you have to have the initiative to take charge of a group but also open to having the people in the group give input and feedback. #digitalEDchat
Was a hell of a fight. I do need to illustrate "profit" each year. You are right though. Each teacher should be funded for specific edtech funds annually. #digitalEDchat
In reply to
@ibpossum, @michaelteacher, @chaz_steenkamp
And on that note ... hello from OZ!! (Lisa in Canberra) I think we can all learn from each other :) I find the NZ/AUS network fabulous for sharing thinking #digitalEDchat
In reply to
@stuartkellynz, @chaz_steenkamp, @michaelteacher
A3 It's easier to get from non-expert to someone who is looked up to here. There is a lot of opportunity for someone willing to work. Can translate to bigger stages. Plus less bureaucracy #digitalEDchat
#digitaledchat A3 advances in technology tend to reach us a little bit after other countries (or at least that was true a few years ago) so we need to be a bit more proactive in our use of technology
A3: the sustained effort in making things better. Perhaps not geographically unique, but many leaders I work with, and encounter through tech, try, reflect, refine, retry, and reflect again. Process, not and end point #digitalEDchat
A3. I am from London- learning was prescriptive. The school that I am at now in NZ has opened my eyes to possibilities and new ideas. I am definitely more flexible and open to new ideas. Embracing #UDL#digitalEDchat
After leading in a youth group and being one of the people who usually takes charge I've had to learn the lesson that eventually I will have to let other give a little of themselves too #digitalEDchat
Now that my bid to bring our learners over this year has been stopped by the BOT, I'll be looking to bring a group then most likely. #digitaledchat. Next year might be too soon for a new school.
It's hard to quantify and I skirt the issue by paying for myself. As a life experience, it is worth it (plus the few extra days in amazing cities is kinda nice too) #digitalEDchat
In reply to
@robeanne, @stuartkellynz, @ibpossum, @chaz_steenkamp
A4 - Having other teachers bringing their own new insight to things that could work better. Having input makes this work together better me thinks #digitalEDchat
A4 Forging connections over the distance. Making an effort to network online, maintaining a global network as well as in person. Twitter makes it easy #digitalEDchat
A4: it’s important to have the freedom of trial. And support when things don’t go quite right. Forums like this are also important to discuss ideas outside/ alongside school environment. #digitaledchat
A4: Support from leadership. Support from infrastructure. Knowing that if something is going to fail, it will be my fault for not being prepared, not because the tech/infrastructure fails. #digitalEDchat
I think the value I bring is easily seen by most who are looking and have an open mind. Hard to quantify exactly where I get that from though #digitaledchat Lots of new ideas infused into our school
In reply to
@robeanne, @stuartkellynz, @ibpossum, @chaz_steenkamp
A4 For me, we need to forget about summative assessment for our junior HS students. Let edtech and learning exist without unnecessary pressure.#digitalEDchat
A4. Continuous Professional Learning. Teachers need to take charge of their own as well as provided by schools... Teachers need some choice about their learning too (like our younger learners) #digitalEDchat
I think its the mindset in developing a attitude and connecting with like minded educators. Branches fall off, put the tree, it survives and grows. #DigitaledChat
And that's the crux of it. Was having a conversation with another educator today about how most people go back to the same old at the first sign failure #missingthepointoffailure#digitalEDchat
Great point. Ironically many teacher choose not to engage beyond their school and thus become less informed and effective within. Welcome BTW.#digitalEDchat
thanx. just happened to be hear and thought I would chip in. I actually work in a different type of education now - used to do business training, now do English tutoring K - 12. also doing my PhD. so #digitalEdchat is even more relevant to my new work
There are loads that don't....sigh. I always try and write up PLD on my blog to 1) cement the learning & 2) share with anyone who maybe couldn't go #digitalEDchat
In reply to
@robeanne, @stuartkellynz, @michaelteacher, @chaz_steenkamp
But don't we want things to fail? So then we can make them better? I never expect things to go well the first time. I'm hard on myself but through that I come out stronger and my learners benefit #digitaledchat
I agree, but if it's not built into the school PLD programme it can be tricky finding time. Like our appraisal / strategic goals have sadly nothing to do with tech this year. #digitaledchat
A4 We need to focus on good pedagogy, but know enough about technology to choose tools fit to our pedagogical purpose https://t.co/lVgN10Oatt#digitalEDchat
During holiday time if I can (eg the Google Summits in NZ) or take LWOP if needed. Some schools have paid for relievers for some PD, but I've stopped expecting anything. If you really want something you make it happen #digitalEDchat
In reply to
@ibpossum, @robeanne, @stuartkellynz, @chaz_steenkamp
I want my student loan and mortgage paid off first :) And I buy books and read blogs etc... plenty of free PLD but I am 'jealous' of face to face #digitaledchat.
In reply to
@michaelteacher, @robeanne, @stuartkellynz, @chaz_steenkamp
I would like to see more emphasis on it as a field in itself. it tends to be something that gets tacked on to other subjects or projects, as if it's just a given #digitalEDchat
This has changed for me since my wee man started school last year - he always went to daycare in the hols to keep routine. Not any more.... #digitaledchat
In reply to
@stuartkellynz, @robeanne, @michaelteacher, @chaz_steenkamp
A5 - To always be on the lookout for new advances in technology and always be on the hunt to talk to new people about what they are finding. Updating knowledge I think is key. #digitalEDchat
A4 also, young people should be given more autonomy. edtech is an area where the 'balance of power' between T's and S's can be shifted in a very fruitful way. Kids are native tech speakers, whereas to many of us it's more like a second language #digitalEDchat
Yeah, it is hard to balance families and relationships and be a leader, I think. Family should always come first though. Probably not healthy to not have those parts of your life. #digitalEDchat
In reply to
@ibpossum, @stuartkellynz, @robeanne, @chaz_steenkamp
Yes indeed! That resilience we teach to students, we need to show that ( perhaps not to those who trial it) as leaders who provide support. Let people trial, reflect, retrial #digitaledchat
Talking about infrastructure failure. If Ts are not confident in Tech use, they will be unlikely to get back on the horse if it doesn’t work. Why would they? I’m happy to fail! #digitalEDchat
Hahaha. That happens a lot. You keep pushing for change and do your best. Your job is the kids and their present and future. Often when leadership sees what can happen their minds change #digitalEDchat
In reply to
@IrishkiwiMike, @robeanne, @stuartkellynz, @ibpossum, @chaz_steenkamp
A5 I think one very important focus is the 'ED' in edtech....need to focus on ways in which technology empowers and engages with education. Only educators can really do that. Edtech should be more than just about introducing technology ad-hoc into school #digitalEDchat
Isn't that what we tell kids? I don't mean massive failures, but little ones. Surely trying a new idea and it not working is not the end of the world. Would not want to work in a place like that! #digitalEDchat
I dont know, would parents celebrate something if it was a failure, I mean I would personally, some of greatest failures have been big learning curves #DigitalEdChat
A5: juggling their own level of learning and keeping up with student knowledge too. Ensuring that the tech is meaningful and relevant- that it’s not just “because” #digitalEDchat
Then we need to educate parents. If they are expecting children not to fail at least on some level then I'd say they shouldn't be parents. Those kids are going to have some serious problems later in life if they can't make mistakes. #digitalEDchat
A5: juggling their own level of learning and keeping up with student knowledge too. Ensuring that the tech is meaningful and relevant- that it’s not just “because” #digitalEDchat
I declined a job because of a BOT chair not understanding this concept. Was a very wise decision after what happened later at that school. #digitalEDchat
A5- I'd like for down under to think carefully about how Edtech is- or isn't- enhancing the lives of students, not just learning.
Is it just another add on to keep up with the perceived 'future focused education'?
#digitalEDchat
Good Evening (again)… returning from a late online meeting. Chris Dillon, from Cambridge, NZ. Digital Technology teacher in high school… recently contacted to University of Auckland as Curriculum Specialist for STEM Online #digitalEDchat
It’s a very fine balance, but embracing what you don’t know yet, but will know, or may never know, is also quite important in leading anything, but particularly tech #digitalEDchat
A6 - They know what seems to be working and what doesn't. Willing to try new things, but also knows how to keep the balance between new and what already works #digitalEDchat
A6 Sorry, I'll be serious. Despite my longing for people who grew up in the same cultural environment I did, there is a different outlook down here. Not so fast paced, not so competitive, not so hung up on trivial things and testing #digitalEDchat
Q1. Isolation breeds resilience, and a need to explore and adapt new tools. The support of a not overly restrictive curriculum allows for, and supports ‘digital’ teachers to be early adopters, both of good praxis and pedagogy #digitalEDchat
Yeah, but that's not the same type of competition that's over there. At least not in edtech. You want the best, but it doesn't mean anyone else loses out. #digitalEDchat
A1 well put. For any kiwi/aussie that's gone to edtech overseas, we are resilent and as good as anyone, just need to believe in ourselves and what we're doing. #digitalEDchat
it's really interesting to get the perspective of someone who came from elsewhere. Because I've mainly worked in education in Australia, I had no idea how to answer Q6 #digitalEDchat
A6 Sorry, I'll be serious. Despite my longing for people who grew up in the same cultural environment I did, there is a different outlook down here. Not so fast paced, not so competitive, not so hung up on trivial things and testing #digitalEDchat
Teachers who want to be edtech leaders down under have to realise it's an ongoing fight against tradition and complacency. It is not easy! #digitalEDchat
It's actually not all that much different from Canada. I'm speaking mostly from my contacts in the US. There are massive cultural differences between NA and ANZ, I miss my home, but there are definite positives to how easy it is to thrive here. #digitalEDchat
I actually think tho, Australia may be different from NZ in this. With NAPLAN etc it seems like we've been getting pretty hung up about testing...a trend which I abhor TBH #digitalEDchat
A6 Sorry, I'll be serious. Despite my longing for people who grew up in the same cultural environment I did, there is a different outlook down here. Not so fast paced, not so competitive, not so hung up on trivial things and testing #digitalEDchat
For sure. Our structures allow for more innovation than NA/UK, but attitudes are stuck in the 50s (not sure which century though). But there are more and more of us these days, I think. #digitalEDchat
So nice to catch up again #digitalEDchat Thanks for the chat and catch you again in 2 weeks. Have a wonderful week everyone & keep being awesome @stuartkellynz
I think you're right. There is a distinct split now, between those who believe and lead as a result and those who continue to act/play dumb.#digitalEDchat
