Comments on: Rita’s story http://human.edublogs.org/2008/09/12/ritas-story/ For fellow teachers... Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:31:10 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Jen http://human.edublogs.org/2008/09/12/ritas-story/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Jen Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:22:47 +0000 http://human.edublogs.org/?p=27#comment-64 Great post - it's so fantastic to hear great stories like this. Great post – it’s so fantastic to hear great stories like this.

]]> By: John Mills http://human.edublogs.org/2008/09/12/ritas-story/comment-page-1/#comment-57 John Mills Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:18:07 +0000 http://human.edublogs.org/?p=27#comment-57 Hi Rita Glad to hear of your progress in the IT world. I remember back in '05 when you, Rosie and registered online for a course on monitoring some aspects of the curriculum - and we all gave up in despair of ever following the program. Hope things are going well for you at Belmont. JM Hi Rita

Glad to hear of your progress in the IT world. I remember back in ‘05 when you, Rosie and registered online for a course on monitoring some aspects of the curriculum – and we all gave up in despair of ever following the program.

Hope things are going well for you at Belmont.

JM

]]> By: Tony Searl http://human.edublogs.org/2008/09/12/ritas-story/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Tony Searl Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:07:36 +0000 http://human.edublogs.org/?p=27#comment-53 Many in our place are also listening and experimenting with ICT at their own level. I am thrilled teachers are taking this view, just like Rita. As technology becomes more 'accessible' teachers are asking the right questions, remaining optimistic despite the frustrating luddite days we all have and our Just in Time Learning Team offer support to all who seek assistance. We are busy so thats good. Great teachers will always be great teachers as they place the student learning first. The days it goes pear shaped can cause set backs back, but plans B and C are hopefully on standby. The human connections are real. We have a 'Rita' at our school doing exactly the same. As an experienced teacher,well past the point most of us retire, she is still an inspiration.(and her students always score the BEST HSC marks) Many in our place are also listening and experimenting with ICT at their own level. I am thrilled teachers are taking this view, just like Rita. As technology becomes more ‘accessible’ teachers are asking the right questions, remaining optimistic despite the frustrating luddite days we all have and our Just in Time Learning Team offer support to all who seek assistance. We are busy so thats good.

Great teachers will always be great teachers as they place the student learning first. The days it goes pear shaped can cause set backs back, but plans B and C are hopefully on standby.

The human connections are real. We have a ‘Rita’ at our school doing exactly the same. As an experienced teacher,well past the point most of us retire, she is still an inspiration.(and her students always score the BEST HSC marks)

]]> By: John Larkin http://human.edublogs.org/2008/09/12/ritas-story/comment-page-1/#comment-51 John Larkin Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:24:03 +0000 http://human.edublogs.org/?p=27#comment-51 Yes, a willingness to continue learning and to have a go at new ideas regardless. And, not taking it all too seriously. Teachers willing to learn. That's the stuff. Lauren, you are quite right... I personally was in my 30s when I discovered HyperCard and the rest is history. First the pedagogy, a little experience and then start experimenting with strategies and tactics that may be outside your experience and comfort zone. Those new strategies may be sprinkled with a little technology. Do not stress about it. Some days it works. Some days it does not. A colleague and I had planned a morning IT activity for a group of 60 visiting Year 6 students today. There was a problem with the network log-ins. In a moment we decided, well, that does not matter. They were divided up into groups, given paints, butcher's paper, brushes and some drop sheets and we were all in the school hall painting up a storm. The IT extravaganza can happen another day. Yes, a willingness to continue learning and to have a go at new ideas regardless. And, not taking it all too seriously. Teachers willing to learn. That’s the stuff.

Lauren, you are quite right… I personally was in my 30s when I discovered HyperCard and the rest is history. First the pedagogy, a little experience and then start experimenting with strategies and tactics that may be outside your experience and comfort zone. Those new strategies may be sprinkled with a little technology.

Do not stress about it. Some days it works. Some days it does not. A colleague and I had planned a morning IT activity for a group of 60 visiting Year 6 students today. There was a problem with the network log-ins. In a moment we decided, well, that does not matter. They were divided up into groups, given paints, butcher’s paper, brushes and some drop sheets and we were all in the school hall painting up a storm. The IT extravaganza can happen another day.

]]> By: kristydickson http://human.edublogs.org/2008/09/12/ritas-story/comment-page-1/#comment-49 kristydickson Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:47:48 +0000 http://human.edublogs.org/?p=27#comment-49 I agree totally, Lauren. What I love about my school is that, despite their lack of extensive technical knowledge, teachers are embracing the use of ICT in their classes. My belief is that because they are excellent teachers they can see the obvious benefits to their kids and so they keep trying. Teachers here would never be tool based integrators. But, like Lauren, I could quite easily have become one myself, if it weren't for my colleagues and what they have taught me. I think together, we make a good team. I agree totally, Lauren. What I love about my school is that, despite their lack of extensive technical knowledge, teachers are embracing the use of ICT in their classes. My belief is that because they are excellent teachers they can see the obvious benefits to their kids and so they keep trying. Teachers here would never be tool based integrators. But, like Lauren, I could quite easily have become one myself, if it weren’t for my colleagues and what they have taught me. I think together, we make a good team.

]]> By: Lauren O'Grady http://human.edublogs.org/2008/09/12/ritas-story/comment-page-1/#comment-48 Lauren O'Grady Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:38:27 +0000 http://human.edublogs.org/?p=27#comment-48 Thanks Tomaz and Rita for sharing this story. One of the biggest challenges I have had is that from a technical perspective I cannot relate. I am your typical techno toy rich Gen Y or so I thought. When I began coaching in the Middle Years I found that it was not us Gen Y's changing the educational landscape but experienced good teachers who were looking for new ways to work with their students. Teachers who have a pedgagogical background and experience use technology in my view more purposefully than us tool crazed people on many occasions. I have had the opposite problem in my teaching where I have gone about things the wrong way and found a tool and linked it to the learning, through mentors like Rita in my school I found that it was imperative to start with student learning and from there. If it wasn't for me learning of my collegues I dont think I would have the passion for student centred learning I have today, I would just be another tool based integrator. Rita impresses me because she persists when the time gets tough and keeps on learning eventhough the temporary files and the struggles sometimes with technology are relentless (I have been known to throw the occasional mouse) Rita congratulations on focussing on the human aspect of teaching and learning instead of always reaching for the ever present google or latest tool. The ability to work together with complementing skills sounds like an amazing team and only for the greater benefit of students. Thanks Tomaz and Rita for sharing this story. One of the biggest challenges I have had is that from a technical perspective I cannot relate. I am your typical techno toy rich Gen Y or so I thought. When I began coaching in the Middle Years I found that it was not us Gen Y’s changing the educational landscape but experienced good teachers who were looking for new ways to work with their students. Teachers who have a pedgagogical background and experience use technology in my view more purposefully than us tool crazed people on many occasions. I have had the opposite problem in my teaching where I have gone about things the wrong way and found a tool and linked it to the learning, through mentors like Rita in my school I found that it was imperative to start with student learning and from there. If it wasn’t for me learning of my collegues I dont think I would have the passion for student centred learning I have today, I would just be another tool based integrator.

Rita impresses me because she persists when the time gets tough and keeps on learning eventhough the temporary files and the struggles sometimes with technology are relentless (I have been known to throw the occasional mouse)

Rita congratulations on focussing on the human aspect of teaching and learning instead of always reaching for the ever present google or latest tool. The ability to work together with complementing skills sounds like an amazing team and only for the greater benefit of students.

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