So one of the reasons why I feel very lucky these days is because I actually get some chances to get outside of the US and see firsthand what others are doing. This is my third trip to the UK this year and I get more and more impressed each time I come by what they are trying to do. The ICT folks here are extremely invested in pushing these technologies forward and supporting teachers’ efforts to use them, and the message from the government is that as an educator you can be safe and be creative and innovative with your students on the Web. What a concept.
Today in Liverpool I got a chance to address a group of about 160 or so teachers and students about how learning and teaching are changing and how schools are struggling with how to respond. The basic message was that we’ve done a fairly good job of bringing the world to our schools over the last 10 years, but now it’s time to bring our schools to the world. And we can do that if we have just a bit of creativity and imagination, and if we have the will to do it.
As usual, the best part was the kids. A number of them came up after my presentation and wanted to talk about the things they’ve been creating. One talked about video had had been editing and uploading with his friends. Another talked about fan fiction. Really small kids were taking pictures and videotaping, and others were creating movies and claymation on various computers. It’s something you never see in the states, kids showing off at conferences.
But the best idea of all that I heard was that it’s the intention of the government that every child in the UK will have a digital portfolio of work by spring 2008. It’s not quite clear yet what form it will take and how it will be assessed, both big issues, but the conversation is taking place. And the teachers and students are a big part of it. Definitely something that’s not even on our radar in the states. More later on tomorrow and Friday’s events working with students…
Hi Will, was at the conference today in Liverpool. I am totally impressed with your vision and enthusiasm towards new technology within schools. We are just setting up our own VLE, which will be able to offer students the chance to create blogs, create an online portfolio, chat, access forums, create pod casts and many of the topics that you discussed today. It is early days for us, I have only been at the school 5 weeks, however your fantastic lecture today has inspired me and has also confirmed that what I am introducing will be worthwhile. Many thanks Ade
Argh! Will, I didn’t get much sleep last night :
1) I was up late reading your book…often having to pause and think, “What are we doing now?…What CAN we do?”
2) Your talk enthused me…dangerous ground for me as I then couldn’t switch my brain off from milling around ideas!
Thank you very much for your input today…I especially appreciated the ideas on our own pho-based site.
http://www.stgregoryscatholicprimaryschool.com/phpBB
(There’s my link for this blog – I have to have a link, right?)
I wish you a safe return to the US and if you are ever out this way again I’d happily give you a tour of the Beatles sites that you missed.
=8-){—{
Hello,were listening to you!wow,amazing your seven year old son has a blog we have only just got one a
we are ten.We also like the idea of fan ficton we think its a great idea .
jasmine moore,zaahid akhtar and khateaja ahmed
Hi Will (and John – are you from that great ICAN site? Will showed us “Buckle up” and I loved it – will be showing it to our primary team…)
Anyway, guess what? Fanfiction.net is blocked by our filter here on Wirral! So I can’t access it from work – which is why I’m rushing home now to check out Philip Pullman etc. Went on a Collie Dog Blog yesterday…!!! A very sad posting about 1) the death of a much loved dog and 2) the closure of the site because everyone was bickering when they should be talking about Collies! So the internet doesn’t alter basic human nature…Terry also says hello to Ade from Wirral…will be in touch to moodle and blog and podcast etc.
Thanks Will, all the best from Terry
PS – I see Ronan is visiting too! Have fun in Bratislava!! Can’t wait to see your Primary moodle site. I’ve just realised – I’m blogging! Aaargh – and I haven’t even read the book yet…
Hi Will
E-portfolios are taking in off in a few Liverpool Primary schools ..students have a termly ‘eportfolio day’ and update their folders with text, files, pics of the work they decide to include. The idea is at end of key stage 2 (11) they take it up to High School. Experiments with think.com, memory sticks, cds are going on – biggest problem is to get High school teachers to use the work -load it onto the studnet’s new space. Cross-phase, single login learning platforms may help. Watch out for big announcements at the big exhibition for ICT and Education in London – BETT 2007. At the top end of High School, one eportfolio system has access to who reads it controlled by students – they choose which teacher can see which bits (My i-plan) at Wolverhampton, developed by a firm called Nord Anglia.
Hi Will,
Your namesake, we met in Liverpool on Wed. Thanks for your presentation it inspired me to think about how I can incorporate some of these ideas into my students (trainee teachers) lectures and workshops. Wil also get in touch with the contact in Bolton asap. Thanks again
” It’s something you never see in the states, kids showing off at conferences. ”
Will – I can see that we need to give you some free time when you come to present at the MACUL conference next March in Detroit. We have had a student showcase in the Exhibitor’s area for several years now and it’s packed with K-12 students showing off many of the things you’re describing in this post.
And..if you happen to be in Michigan on November 14, I invite you to stop by the Capitol Building in Lansing to see students demonstrating some of the exciting things they’re doing with technology in their classrooms.