Educating the Dragon

So what is Twitter and what can it do for the educational context? Here are a couple of videos I found on its use.. Thanks Elizabeth, Jean and Matt.

Part 1

Part 2

So where to from here? Are there not ‘Security and Privacy’ issues that need to be discussed.

Go to Software for Learning Wiki and join the discussion.

In my journey into Software I have come across Edmodo. It is a social networking site and a bit of a S4L blah can be found here.

I’m not sure if anyone in New Zealand has had opportunity to experiment with this software. So if you know of anyone please shout out. I’m unclear as to the value of Twitter for educational purposes. Perhaps the Edmodo will shed some light upon the darkened border country that is the open, social networking, web.

Zappolina and her magical, disappearing, flying car.

If you are engaged in Early Childhood Education I can thoughly recommend Zappolina. She is the Magical, storytelling magician.All her entertainment is based on supporting the curriculum, core values like friendship, kindness, gentle hands.

Since I have begun contracting it has enabled me to look out for fun and interesting things to spend my time doing. My son and I first met Zappolina at the Tram musuem when we visited the Kapati coast. He was spellbound for 40 minutes. So I approached her to ask if she were interested in visiting the Hawkes Bay. One thing led to a flurry of emails and the next thing we knew she was heading the HB for a four day tour of the Kindies.

She Rocked!!!

On the Monday night she came round to our house for dinner. Again my son would not/ could not take his eyes off her. “Excuse me,” he said very politely after dinner was done. “Could you do some magic for me?”

So she did. I too was amazed. But don’t tell anyone, I was trying to act all cool.

At three or four boys go through a phase of wanting tro marry their mum’s. I’m told its a developmental phase and I shouldn’t be worried…

Well, I’m not. He’s skipped right over that one and is wanting marry Zappolina.

Apparently, I am now ‘Magic Dad’ because I have magical friends. In the eyes of my son my status has been raised a little. Thanks Zappolina. Come back any time.

Here are a list of the indicators that school change is upon us Students have these technologies available to them

Social networks

Search engines
Free tools for collaboration
Even the cost of computing falling and mobile technology are now in the hands of students

There is a social change in peoples perspective: unstable futures. People today have little option but brace for a future that is uncertain. The job they have now may well not exist in 5 years. The job they have in 5 years may not exist today.

Change is upon upon. We as educators have a role and a responsibility.

These past three posts come from the brain of Chris Betcher. Tomorrow we hope he’ll shine a little light into the darkness.

Change happens because someone steps up.

Are we going to be among those that step up?