Aug

28

Cranking it up…

August 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment

While most other jurisdictions, especially in our neighbors to the south, have been back at school for a couple of weeks now, this week marks the first week for most teachers in New Brunswick as we prepare for the return of students next week.

As part of that process, teachers have time to work in their classrooms preparing, but also have opportunities for professional development at both the school and district level. Tomorrow, our district will be hosting our 700 plus teachers in our traditional PD day.

What is not so traditional, however, is the message. Primarily due to the impact of the two Literacy and Learning in the 21st Century Conference’s in March and August – and David Warlick’s message in particular – there has been a tremendous shift in the focus of this day. For the first time ever, the district opening week PD day will be focused specifically on technology and it’s role in providing new opportunities to shift our ideas of what it means to be a learner in the 21st century.

The keynote should be particularly powerful. Deneen Frazier Bowen is an accomplished actress and educator with a powerful message – “The Natives are Restless” – of how our students are feeling left out of their own future and how traditional views of education don’t serve our youth. Her creative and unique way of delivering the message only adds to the impact.

Afterwards, a number of learning leaders with a bent for technology from our district will lead to a variety of breakout workshops, sharing their knowledge and experiences with the vast majority who are only beginning to recognize the challenges / opportunities and build their own visions.

And lest I lead you to believe that our district is unique, Thursday our neighboring district will be hosting their day, with none other than Alan November, one of the world’s foremost brains on educational technology, keynoting their day.

Shift happens…

Technorati Tags: frazier bowen, alan november, whipple

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