Start a learning adventure: UK Innovative Education Forum, Manchester- 30th November 2010

This time last year I started on a journey that has been challenging, rewarding and fun. It all started by submitting a Virtual Classroom Tour about a small project that we’d conducted in the department. Good friends Ollie Bray and Dan Roberts convinced me that it was a good idea. And it was! I was lucky enough to take part in both the last UK and European Innovative Education Forums, at both I was exposed to a wide range of innovative practice. But the best bit is that it was other teachers doing the sharing. Compliment this with some great looking workshops and keynote speakers, and I consider Microsoft’s Partners in Learning network to be valuable CPD. The best resource that the network has is Stuart and Kristen. Their down to earth attitude and enthusiasm creates a very human side to the Microsoft machine.

I’ve also met some wonderful people, including the other UK European representative last year (I even got lost in Berlin with Jan Webb).

So, I would fully recommend going along to the Manchester event (it’s free!). Even better, submit a Virtual Classroom Tour. Don’t think that your idea isn't innovative enough – the focus is on the learning, and simple ideas are often the most effective. I’ve embedded my tour below and I’m happy to offer advice to others:

Pirates and Social Networking

View more presentations from David Rogers.

I have included details of the event below:

The 7th Microsoft Innovative Education Forum is a one-day conference, free of charge to all teachers and educators who wish to attend and will look to address the theme of ‘Connecting Learners, Connecting Teachers.’

This forum aims to connect Teachers with Teachers, Educators with Educators. Allowing you to share expertise and learn from each other. Giving insights into how you can connect your students with technology and connect them with their learning.

This year the Forum is being held at the Hilton Deansgate Hotel in Manchester on the 30^th Nov.

We have a packed agenda with Keynote speakers at the event will be the world renowned Prof. Sugata Mitra famous for his ‘Hole in the wall’ project and Michael Furdyk CEO of the young person’s online community , Taking IT Global.

In addition, Delegates will be able to choose from a range of practical workshops covering areas such as using free software and Web 2.0 technology, games based learning and managing innovation in schools.

Workshop 1- TakingITGlobal - Mandeep Atwal, TIGed UK

Workshop 2- Outdoor learning & technology - David Rogers, The Geography Collective

Workshop 3- From the cloud to the classroom, making innovation stick! - Guy Shearer, Head Teacher, Lodge Park Technology College

Workshop 4- Creative use of technology in the classroom - Dan Roberts, saltash.net community school

Workshop 5- Office 2010 in the Classroom – Stuart Ball – Microsoft Partners in Learning

Workshop 6- Kodu Games based learning - Nicki Maddam, Hartsdown Technology College, Margate

Find out more details about each workshop here>>

What’s on your mind?

For the first time we are holding an Innovative Teacher Meet, 29 Nov. at 7:30pm

Join us for drinks, canapés and a series of TeachMeet style pitches from leading teachers at Hilton’s vibrant Cloud 23 bar, providing 360-degree views of Manchester.

Share with like-minded teachers in a series of 3-minute open pitches.

Also, find out who are Microsoft’s 2010 Award-Winning Innovative Educators. The awards will be presented at this event, to Teachers who have submitted projects that illustrate the innovative use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Not only will they receive award recognition, but have the chance to be invited to The European Education Forum being held in Moscow next year. These project will be on display at the event.

Don’t miss out, register today http://uk.partnersinlearningnetwork.com

High Impact, Low effort

This month is the start of the #29daysofwriting challenge. I enjoyed this last year and will be using my Staffrm account to post. I'll also be reporting here, both to give a little more detail and to keep a log of what I have written. The challenge developed a great sense of community last year, which is why I'm choosing to write on Staffrm. What I would say to those who are new to writing or don't want to run out of ideas is: Write for yourself. Clarify an idea, write something out loud. The process of distilling thoughts into writing is immensely beneficial to your practice. If other read, comment and respond, that's a bonus. Ignore the muppets who know nothing of your context, style or students. Mix it up - I like to read about real stuff from real classrooms and schools and also about other stuff. If we always write about school, how does that work for workload? If you've nothing nice to say, don't say it. So, the following has been

What makes a learning experience profound? Personal reflections and possible implications for classroom practice.

I have recently begun a Leadership Pathways journey. As part of the first core day, we were asked to reflect on a profound learning experience. This got me thinking about how many profound learning experiences I have both been involved in, and how many I have been able to give to others. Our group came up with a huge long list, but these are my five. Emotional Connected Demanding Reflective Collaborative As always, these are personal thoughts and quite mixed up. I put them here so that I can look back on them (plus they’d get lost inside my world-cup-free brain) 1. Emotional I can’t think of a time where deep learning hasn’t engaged my emotions. From being awe inspired to that tingle feeling when a student gets a light bulb moment. From this-is-the-happiest-day-ever, to I-think-I’m-about-to die. How often do we engage the emotions of those we teach? Here, I would argue that having a safe learning environment is not always conducive to profound

The danger of Teaching and Twitter conversations: poorly formed bipolar arguments.

Sometimes in life, there really are only two options. Get the wrong one and you can look like a muppet. Take this useful sign for the toilets in Morocco. I successfully navigated it, choosing the right option. The result? No egg on my face. As a mountain leader, there are many right or wrong decisions that I’ve faced, as there are all over life. It’s not a good idea to let inexperienced young people walk themselves down Snowdon. They may die or be seriously injured. If someone is showing the signs and symptoms of hyperthermia, you need to treat it fast in a specified way. There is no real arguing with this sign: Other options are less obvious. Take this sign recently spotted near to where I live: Now, I wouldn’t consider sleeping in a bin. However, faced with a sub-zero night, I could see the appeal. The danger? Being tipped into one of those huge lorries with a compactor. (by the way, I only really considered all of this thanks to questions from my four year old boy).

David Rogers

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