by Donna Miller Fry (@fryed)
The Power of Networks for School Improvement Just because we work in groups doesn’t mean good things will happen. Not all group work is good work. What are some of the potential PERILS of learning networks and learning communities? Quality Control – Anything spreads. [We see this in our online Professional Learning Networks]. A bad […]
It won’t surprise anyone that I am a strong proponent of digital professional portfolios. I demonstrate how to create them here, and over the past year, George Couros has worked with Principal Associations in Ontario (CPCO/OPC/ADFO) to help our school leaders become connected learners, including the idea of using a blog as a portfolio. I’ve […]
It’s harder to follow than it is to lead. Leaders have passion for what they do. They have practiced sticking out their necks, taking risks, trying new things, and failing. For leaders, being the lone dancer in the crowd is their norm. Dancing to the music is the right thing to do, even if […]
I posted this short piece on the collaborative #OSSEMOOC blog this morning. Throughout June, the OSAPAC team is encouraging educators to share their thinking by taking a screenshot of something that resonated with them, and sharing it with a few comments. It’s a great way to get started, especially if you are thinking about starting […]
That “stop smoking” commercial, the one where the woman is at an almost empty high school, talking about how this is where she started smoking, and this is where she is going to quit, shakes me up. Why in the world do kids start a life-threatening habit in a place of learning? Shouldn’t we expect high […]
This past week, I have been explaining the concept of “EdCamp” to a lot of people. It’s on a Saturday, it’s free, it’s open to anyone wanting to learn, and “everyone has something to share”. The program is driven by the learning needs of the people in attendance, and the smartest person in the room […]
It’s that time of year when almost any outdoor activity during the work week requires an additional accessory – a headlamp. Last night, when I paused for my beagle to grab a drink at the water’s edge, we could see a ribbon of light on the horizon as the sun faded for the day. I […]
Recently I had a second opportunity to listen to the Director of Education for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, John Malloy, speak at a conference (#NOELonline). Below are my notes (with personal annotations) from his presentation. What are our beliefs as educators? Photomatt28 via Compfight cc We have beliefs around what classrooms should look like […]
What assumptions do we make about the life trajectories of the students in our classrooms? Over the past three days I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to share in learning with the Northern Ontario Education Leaders at their fall conference #NOELONLINE. The pre-conference address was given by the Director of the Bruce […]
How do you get more pleasure in your life? According to cognitive psychologist Paul Bloom, the answer is to study more (I don’t think even Dan Pink came up with this one as a motivator!). Seriously, to appreciate and truly derive pleasure from so many things in life, you need to understand them, says Bloom […]
