Aug

6

CONTACTing on the East Coast…

August 6, 2008 | | 1 Comment

My wife and I enjoyed a leisurely drive yesterday, turning what would normally be a five hour drive into a ten hour tour as we drove along Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore on my way to the CONTACT conference at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.

Taking in a winery tour at the Jost Vineyards and fish n’ chips at the world famous Murphy’s in historic Pictou, we truly enjoyed our day.

Last night was opening keynote for CONTACT – an education conference hosted by the teacher’s federations of the four Atlantic Provinces (Newfoundland, Prince Edwards Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick).  As always, the conversations are the best part, but last night’s keynote was simply amazing!  Charles MacDonald was hilarious, poignant and challenging, brining with him a message highlighting the increasingly important role of educators to the lives of our young people.

“I’m gonna talk, and you’re gonna listen.  If you happen to finish ahead of me just raise your hand.”

Charlie drew on his background as an educator of over 35 years to spin a powerful narrative on the value of relationship.  The basis for connecting in all relationships – including with your students – is forming a relationship.  Kids form an impression in minutes.  It’s different than in the past where teachers had respect by virtue of their position, now educators have to work hard to earn everything from kids – including respect.

Definition of expert: x = unknow quantity in Math; “spurt” = drip under pressure

Add to the 3 R’s one more…presentation skills.  Life is a bunch of presentations.  When you get up in the morning you begin presenting yourself; to your wife, kids, colleagues, etc.  We need to give young people these skills.

We have eliminated a whole bunch of caring adults from the lives of kids (storekeepers, community, neighbors, etc.)  Teachers are what is left in many cases – so this makes our role increasingly challenging.

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This was one of the most dynamic presentations I have seen in quite some time.  Just one man, sharing stories w/o props or pictures in the grand tradition of learning through stories.  Quite a moving experience.

Day 2 starts now!

tags: technology, education, whipple, learning, contact2008


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1 Comment so far

  1.    Jeannine on August 6, 2008 10:10 am

    Charlie is truly a great communicator and I’m looking forward to hearing him again soon (I believe he’s heading this way to motivate us at the DEC Orientation in mid August).

    We do need to help kids learn about “how to present”, and we have to go so much further than what technology allows us to do. We all need to explore how to tell great stories in order to connect and contribute to learning.

    Good luck on your presentation, I look forward to reading your posts from CONTACT.

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