I have always been a reader. My father was a reader and I seemed to gleen the desire from him. I have always liked to improve on anything I do, as well. I truly enjoy reading "professional" books, not to say that this is all I read.
Some of the more recent books that I would recommend and why: George Couros- The Innovator's Mindset- Link I'd followed George Couros for awhile on Twitter. Last year, I had the opportunity to hear him speak at the CETCA conference in Edmonton. One of the things that shines through Mr. Corous is that he is truly passionate about education. I thought I'd give his book a try. Now, his book is not earth shattering in that it won't give you a bunch of new strategies to try. What it will do is cause you to reflect. As a i read, I thought about many things that he mentione,d that I knew to be true, but had gotten away from. Courous emphazises " relationships, relationships, relationships, and many of his recommendations and examples are grounded in this. he does present many interesting examples of exciting things that teachers are doing, but they are grounded in ideas such as relationships first. What I most liked about this book is the fact that it is uplifting and an easy read. It is not too technical and you can put it down and pick up right where you left off without missing a beat. Grit- Angela Duckworth- Link If you haven't seen Duckworth's Ted Talk, go and watch that right away. (Link) Duckworth is a former teacher now turned neuroscientist and MacArthur Fellow. With this said, her writing is not too "heavy" and the laymen can understand it. The book talks about her work on "grit", that intangible that some people have which I sometimes as someone having "no quit" in them. Duckworth gives us examples of people who have had innate grit and how there perservereance has led to their success. She gives case students such as military school graduates and other elite organizations, and how she finds that the "grit" is what seperates those that are successful and those that are not. While some people are born with inherent grit, others need to build it. The latter part of Duckworth's book talks to us about how people can learn "grit." As teachers and parents, this is usefult o us as we want all of our kids to be successful. The first blog in some time.
The topic is a bit reflective, and I think that this is a process that I have to revisit more often. I am attending a Google Summit PD today. My second such session. I am reminded of all that I have learned since I attendended my first. I see teachers here, having the "a-ha" momen that I had the first time I attended. I have come along way since then and what I have learned since that first "summit" has helped me to learn so much more. In turn, it has helped me to teach my students and open up a new world to them via GAFE, but just technology in general. As teachers, so often we hear that we have to be comited to life long learning. I have always believed this, but there are times that I live this and time that I do not. There are times where I am always actively engaged in learning, and times when I may be in a bit of a draught. This morning I am reminded of how much I enjoy learning, and I need to be mindful of this so that I don't stagnate. Below is a link that I have learned so much from. If you are just starting to becme involved in GAFE and are excited about it, youc an spend a lot of time on this one! http://www.shakeuplearning.com/ Please follow the link to a Google Slides presentation. Please feel free to add your own apps to the list, along with your name and twitter handle.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11REraoS29w8W66AahFAc8DXFzy1i_VWJbL3UOXoDK2c/edit?usp=sharing The How's and Why's of going "full STEAM" ahead in your classroom
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AuthorI am teacher and an administrator. I am currently of two rural schools in Central Alberta. I am in my 11th year teaching and my 7th year as an administrator. |