Everythings amazing nobodys happy

Dedicated to all those at the ULearn Conference who complained about their phones!!!! and want an upgrade to a faster, better, funkier fone!

This is to keep you entertained until I have time to write my reflections of our recent inspirations from ULearn09 - coming soon.

Spell with Flickr

I'm really proud of Tayla - Fiona's niece - she has just taught me how to use Spell with Flickr. Try it out - it is a fun way to play with words. It's really easy - Tayla (7yrs) explained it all to me - and it doesn't look like a user friendly website. But you just type in your name and click 'Spell'. Then wait. The site will come up with a selection of photos from Flickr with the letters of the word. If you are not happy with one of the letters - click on that letter and it will give you another option. Keep clicking until you are happy with your choice. To share - copy and paste the code under the letters into a blog, facebook, or... other social site.

Great to hear the children of Glenbervie School are hooking a love of ICT into learning.




Tayla DID suggest I just use Bev - but that's just not me!

Best Cybersafety Practices

Further to the discussion in May on ICT in ECE blog about Cybersafety Practices for Young Children - today I found a great video to illustrate some of my points.

Best Cybersafety Practices is a video produced for TVNZ for "in betweens". Inbetweens is a series of informative videos for pre-teens and teens. The series has children, talking to children, about issues that relate to their lives - and they are great. I would have liked to embed the video here - but alas that doesn't seem possible. So go over the In Betweens on TVNZs site, watch, enjoy and be informed. Read the discussion on Cybersafety Practices for Young Children. I would love to hear our comments or particitpate in discussion with you on this topic so don't for get to return to this post and leave your comments and discussions points. Enjoy.

Kahlua enjoys online company

There is something to be said about the global community. How far can we push it? To what extent can it benefit us, and our loved ones? Will I discover a new niche market in technology?

Our new chihuahua poodle began life like many young children today - online. Well not exactly but his first pictures were posted on TradeMe. Once I had discovered them (and then visited him with my partner), I emailed the pictures to Kindergarten. The new born's photos were displayed through the digital projector onto the big screen for parents and children to discuss and enjoy. Within hours of arrival, here, at his new home, he sat with me to skype my relatives in South Africa. Since then his image, movements, and faint sounds have traveled through skype all around the world. You too, can enjoy images of his first visit to Manaia Kindergarten tomorrow on their blog - along with the story of his first bath!

Today our new poodle chihuahua, Kahlua, continued his ICT journey.We used YouTube to connect with other poodle pups from around the world. In our first movie we watched and listened to the excitement of a group of puppies settling into their new home in Canada.

Maybe it wasn't the right time? Maybe Fiona's baking in the kitchen was too distracting? Maybe other pups are not where his interests lie?

Technology and puppies - is there a future here?
Or was this just an excuse to blog about our new little boy!
I will keep you posted :-) LOL!!!!!!

A fun look at our questions and children's answers

I saw this in Suzie Vesper's blog. It is amazing how many parents at Kindergarten complain that when they ask their children "what did you do today at Kindergarten?" the children always reply "nothing". Seems like nothing changes!!



And that is one reason our parents love our Manaia Kindergarten Blog! They read about children's interests at Kindergarten. Parents then use what they glean from the blog as a starting point for conversations with their children about their children's learning.

On further reflection - what about the questions we ask our children? Do they inspire answers beyond "Dunno, nothing, sorto, good"? How can we ask better questions?

The Future of the Web - Are you keeping up?

Sir Tim Berners Lee discusses the future of the internet on BBC online.
Keep up and take part - and you will help mould the future.


3min video

Nurturing creativity

Do your best - no matter what that is - and maybe some genius will be passed through you on its way to somebody else. We are not all geniuses, but we all have a genius. As long as we show up, do our part of the job to the best of our ability, that genius has the opportunity to show up too.

An inspiring speech for all who are creative, all who want to be creative and all who didn't even know they had it in them.



Questions I asked myself when listening to this inspiring, provoking thoughtful speech.

• How can we best use these ideas to nurture children's creativity and genius?
• Do you think this is a valid approach to nurturing the best from children?
• Is it a cop out?
• Is it egotistical to think otherwise?
• If you take the genius out of you and placed the responsibility for it else where - would you try as hard? would children?

I do love Elizabeth Gilbert's concept. I love that it invites all to take part in sharing the genius, being open to creative thought, allowing yourself time to catch the poem, the tune, the thought.

PS - follow the TED link and read the comments that follow this talk - some great thoughts and debate.

(good grief - I just discovered she's my age - she seems so much wiser!!)

Why do you blog and what are you blogging about?

There are many Early Childhood Education blogs around these days. Its great!! It is wonderful to see such advocacy for Early Childhood. It would be interesting to know WHY early childhood centre's are blogging. What is your motivation to blog? What are your aims? What are your results?

Results is a strange word. But is it time to reflect on your aims and what you, your centre and your children are learning through blogging?

Linda - another of our great ECE ICT facilitators - wrote a thought provoking post in the subject.
"What are we blogging?" is well worth a read. In this post, Linda challenges us to think about what were are blogging. We often say we use blogs to celebrate children's learning. Are we celebrating product? What is happening to the process? Is process being valued through our blogs?

Do you have an example of an educational blog that celebrates process, is driven by children, or posts from parents?

Will Richardson on Blogging in Education

I really like Richardson's description of blogging. Have you ever heard a blog described as an online web journal? Is this your experience or does the term 'a journal' make you cringe too? Richardson describes it as a space for learning and that he has learned more from blogging than from his formal education years - including his studies towards his masters. If you were to describe, to endeavor to excite others about blogging - what words would you use?

Whats your definition of blogging?
Tell us about your blogging highlight?

Best Cybersafety practices for young children

At Manaia Kindergarten we are often asked about our Cybersafety ideas, practices and policies.

• I believe that the internet offers wonderful tools that enhance children's everyday learning, and tools to build community.

• I believe that children should have access to the internet and a child has a right to have a presence on the internet if their family is in agreement.

• I believe that by using the internet with children, children are able to learn some valuable lesson's about being safe on the world wide web. What a great time for children to learn such valuable lesson's when they are with trustworthy adults.

I also believe that children at home should have the same opportunities. Here are some safe practices that families can follow to teach children about the safe use of the internet.

1. Always have the computer in a family room - not in children's rooms (I would adhere to this until your children are ready to leave home)

2. Explore the use of safe internet filters on your computers. (read the comments on this post to learn more)

3. Always have an adult closely monitoring children's internet usage, while also giving children independent control of the computer. Just as you do with your children in public places - never be too far away from young children, give children more space/time on the computer as they grow older.

4. Teach your children that there are good (safe) sites and bad (unsafe) sites on the internet and what to do if they accidentally come across a site that doesn't look safe. There is an awesome example of this Cybersafety practice on Moving at the Speed of Creativity.

5. You should never put images of children on the internet without the permisson of their parents AND the permission of the child. Consider using pseudonyms or just first names of children. And teach children safe practices when our in real life public places. Keep personal contact details off the internet.

Those would be my top 5 tips. What are yours?

Readings:
NetSafety New Zealand
Cybersafety.org - safety tips for parents (including teens)

Blogged 27th July - Inbetweens Video on CyberSafety Practices

Building Self Esteem in Early Childhood Education

Term two begins and new children begin at Kindergarten. They each come with their own identity. At kindergarten they will develop their identity further. What will they learn about their identity while at your Early Childhood Center? What elements of their character will they see as valued? How will this contribute to their self esteem?

Unicef reminds us -

Successful Education - A Quote

David Hutchings is a world renown dog handler and trainer, and recently featured on TVOne's Country Calendar. He's New Zealand's own Dog Whisperer, invited to the US and Canada to run training clinics in Stockmanship and Mustering. His skills, and what he brings to New Zealand mustering is significant.

And this is what he says about his own education:

"School wasn't for me...
I just found out what I needed to know, and then I found the best people around to learn from!"

Isn't that what education is all about?

New Zealand Bloggers Badge - Copy and Share!

You can copy the code below and paste this badge onto your blog. Be a Proud Kiwi!

There are two options for you below.


<a href="http://ictece.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-zealand-bloggers-badge-get-yours.html"><img width="155" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3472401665_8757b1fa43_m.jpg" height="180" /></a>



<br /><a href="http://ictece.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-zealand-bloggers-badge-get-yours.html"><img width="125" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3491925298_60005b17ac_m.jpg" height="140" alt="NZ Blogger badge" /><br /></a>


Step 1. Select and Copy Code you want

Step 2. Paste into an HTML widget in your side bar

Step 3. Leave a comment to say you have a badge and a link to your blog will be displayed here:

NZ Bloggers

• Naketa - ICT Early Childhood Facilitator
• Ethical Martini - This is a blog about media ethics and journalism / journalists.
• Breakaway Retreat - a luxury beach front Retreat in McLeod Bay, Whangarei Heads, NZ
• Silverspikes Photography
• Auckland Daily Photography - Awesome photographs by Lachezar from Auckland and throughout NZ
• Nelson Daily Photo - Really creative photography by Ben - capturing Nelson
• A Walk Through Auckland - brilliant concept, great photos
• Hamilton Views - another great NZ photographic blog
• Tauranga Daily Photos - there looks like a photographic challenge on between all the idyllic cities of New Zealand. Another fantastic site with a photo a day from Tauranga
• Whangarei Daily Photos - a fellow blogger from my adopted home town, capturing the spirit of Whangarei. Fantastic!!
• New Views of New Zealand - New (ish) to New Zealand as a result of a mixture of technology and love, this self acclaimed 'mad woman' shares her views of New Zealand.
• DutchCorner - postcards from New Zealand. Stories, photos, wonderful poems... and I have to direct you to a little bit of NZ humour!
• Cafe Pacific - Pacific media uncensored
• Otautahi Outrospective - Bringing to you the daily life of christchurch nz
• My UK/Kiwi Life in Photos
• Maungataroto Daily Photo - a Dinkum kiwi town
• Four Paws and Whiskers
• Christchurch Daily Photo
• Three Spoons - the culture of food in Aotearoa New Zealand
• New Zealand Links - life downunder in NZ
• Wellington Road - An American Expat, "pontificating about, you know, stuff" and life in NZ
• Just Plane Crazy - Adrenaline Action in New Zealand


This New Zealand Bloggers Badge was created by Beverly Kaye.

What makes a great teacher? II

I really enjoy dialogue that comes from sharing one’s ideas online. This post is a continuation of the dialogue started in - What makes a great teacher? (13 April 2009)

Further on that subject, there have been some interesting responses that have taken me once again on journeys of discovery.


Partnership

The first, from Ann, who commented on the ICT ECE PL Café. Ann submitted this quote

“When we as teachers recognize that we are partners with our students in life's long and complex journey,…
- when we begin to treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve for simply being…
- then we are on the road to becoming worthy teachers.
It is just that simple - and just that difficult.”

I love the description of ‘life’s long and complex journey’. It reveals the depth of the journey our children/students are undertaking, as well as the exciting prospects education and life have to offer.

To be partners with our children/students and treat them with dignity and respect ‘ is just that simple - and just that difficult’. I believe this captures the earnestness of educators as well as the shear buzz for educators.


Creativity and Professional Judgment

The next day, Elaine's comment led me to Bruce Hammond’s blog and his discussion on Creative Thinking. His blog post takes a look at Elwyn Richardson’s pioneering thoughts. In Hammond's post he reflects on teachers being creative educators, and the universality of creativity. We need to be creative in education whatever tools we have at our disposal… (pencil, printing press, technology) Bruce Hammond goes on to say…

“Forget the research and current conformist 'best practice',
go back and see what teachers like Elwyn did….
By all means be 'informed' by research but not 'led';
we need to use professional judgement
you ought to know your classroom best…
We need to be more concerned about creating our own ever changing 'best practices'.”

In conclusion
As great teachers we need to be creative in our own ‘best practice’ in partnership with the holistic individuals we find ourselves linked with for some small part of their (and our) long and complex journey of learning.


Readings supporting this post:

Leading and Learning – Bruce Hammond

Ann’s quote is from Awake Magazine. This is an interesting source for educational theory, however if we are to be creative and holistic in our approach to education and use our professional judgment then we open up a world of resource and reference material worth considering.

Ann’s quote went on to refer to a statement by William Ayers
"We must find a better way, a way that builds on the strengths, experiences, skills and abilities... I am reminded of the plea of a Native American parent whose five-year-old son had been labeled a 'slow learner': 'Wind-Wolf' knows the names and migration patterns of more than forty birds. He knows there are thirteen tail feathers on a perfectly balanced eagle. What he needs is a teacher who knows his full measure.”

You might be interested to research William Ayers – another interesting character, on YouTube.

What makes a GREAT teacher?

My reading this weekend included a BlogCatalog discussion facilitated by Tim Wicks - Senior Teacher in a Special School for High School students. The discussion is entitled "what makes great teacher?"

The word "knowledge" or "be smart" makes an appearance in the discussion a few times and I liked Tim's response..

"You say my list has no mention of knowledge. I will add it to the list, .... I am very focused on relationships, and for me knowledge comes in way down the list. Why? So many teachers are brimming with knowledge, yet do not connect with their students."

I would add that sometimes knowledge gets in the way of learning for many teachers. I believe strongly that NZ Early childhood curriculum reflects an emphasis on 'relationships' in education - it is the teacher's job to reflect that in practice. I know that the new New Zealand School Curriculum recently add this in their Key Competencies.

The team at Manaia is currently considering, reflecting, discussing and establishing our new team philosophy, so I was interested to read international ideas about ‘what makes a great teacher’.

I read through Tim Wick's Time to Shine Blog and “15 Critical Traits of the Remarkable Teacher” and wondered what my list might look like and how our final Kindergarten philosophy will read. Tim’s list includes - Be crazy about children, Be fun, honest, Be a learner, Go beyond the boundaries of your classroom, Be a good listener, work with children's strengths, promote self management... Others in the discussion added passion, dedication, adaptability... I liked the suggestion of being a good facilitator.

I would like to make my list more succinct.. here's my list of top five...

1. Be an effective facilitator
2. Be a passionate learner
3. Work with children's strengths
4. Be adaptable
5. Have great expectations of all
6. Show respect
7. Be caring

Ahhhh - its hard to stay on just the top 5.. and already I have shuffled, deleted, added, rearranged...

Quick thinking - off the top of your head - what are the Top 5 teacher characteristics that you value?


Thanks Elaine for your comments - I have reflected further on this topic in:
What makes a great teacher? II

Reflecting on Wisdom

I began 2009 with a TED presentation that started a personal reflection on Wisdom. For some members of my family, 2009 has been a cross roads - a crucial time to move forward with integrity, dignity and a monumental amount of wisdom. It has been a time of confusion and has seemed like the days have been dragging through the mud.

Today I found this quote from the publisher of Guy Claxton's book "Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind - How intelligence increases when you think less" - and I just love it and it seems to fit. I also love that this is something we can bring to our classrooms...

"We assume that the quick-thinking " hare brain" will beat out the slower Intuition of the " tortoise mind." However, now research in cognitive science is changing this understanding of the human mind. It suggests that patience and confusion--rather than rigor and certainty--are the essential precursors of wisdom."

How often do we ask a question of a group of children. Instantly hands go up (sometimes before you have even asked the question) and we respond by randomly calling the name of a child. How much time have we given the group to think? The chosen child 'Uhmm's', bends their head, picks at their toes while the whole group wait. Then we pass them over, maybe even saying "if you don't know don't put your hand up", and choose the person who is high on their knees, pushing their arm into the sky, bursting with the desire to share what they KNOW....

...But what words of wisdom have we missed from the child, temporarily grappling with their bubble of confusion, trying to tap into their limited vocabulary, to express some profound revelation?


If anyone has read Claxton's book on "Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind", I would love to hear some authentic reviews.