Integrating Technology & Genius Hour: My Journey as a Teacher & Learner
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Integrating Technology: But it is About so Much More Than That!

2/17/2013

11 Comments

 
So, should I change the name of my blog?

About two years ago when I started this blog, I meant for it to be a journal of some sort about the things I was learning to do in my graduate diploma course, ITDA, at SFU.  I was determined to figure out how to integrate tech in meaningful ways and wanted to document my journey.  Hence the title, "Integrating Technology: My Journey".  Well once I started the program and started analyzing my practise to see where tech needed to/could be integrated, I actually began an amazing journey which didn't only involve integrating tech, but rather I started truly reflecting on my practise and looking at WHY I was teaching the way that I was.  And I was examining everything!!  It wasn't just about integrating tech anymore...it became much, much more.  

I started thinking about student centred and project based learning.  I completely changed my math, science and social studies program in order to make them more hands on.  

I fell in love with Genius Hour and Passion Based Learning and now offer my students an hour each week in which they can learn about anything they want.

I partnered up with Hugh McDonald and we took down a wall in our school (one of those sliding ones, no hammers needed) so that we could team teach all the time!

We got rid of individual desks and were lucky enough to have our school get round tables for us so that our students could collaborate on everything.

With the support of our principal, we brought in alternate learning spaces and set up a couch area and bean bag area, giving students choice about where they wanted to learn.

We cut our boring spelling program and now teach it as needed.

I gave complete control of my the bulliten boards to my students. They own their learning and their learning space now. 

And we haven't even got to the technology integration yet!!!  Which has been fabulous (students are able to create amazing projects using iPads, we blog, we have ePortfolios, twitter, and so much more...the tech has been fantastic!  But certainly not everything.

I started this journey thinking that all I needed was to learn about some great apps...but it turns out my journey has been much, much more than that. And I am so thankful and I look forward to where the journey will take me next...so it is about my journey...but more than just tech.

So, should I change the name of my blog?  Hmm...

11 Comments
Joy Kirr link
2/17/2013 10:38:40 am

My vote:
YES!
I've done many of the same things this year (no desk, bulletin boards to kids, changed much of my thinking...), and did change the name of my blog. (Just by one word, but still!) I made it more my own, and not "Our" Genius Hour. My students will have another venue to post - Mine was mine and mine alone. Why not change with the times? You've already changed your tilt to the blog; you should probably have the name reflect that change. Commemorate it with a blog post!

But... that's just one opinion. I find it always works to go with your gut! What does your gut say?? And either way, your faithful readers will keep reading it, no matter the name! It's the person behind the title that we enjoy learning from! ;-)

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Gallit Zvi link
2/24/2013 01:41:54 pm

Thanks for commenting, Joy....that is a wonderful idea! I will commemorate with a blog post, if I decide to change it...I am leaning toward changing it, but I keep hesitating. I'm not sure why...don't know why I am attached to this title? Maybe because this is where I genuinely started...
...I truly thought adding tech to my practice was going to be the ulitmate transformation!!! And it did lead me in the right direction...but I quickly (QUICKLY) realized that it truly is so much more than that!

Maybe I will just add a byline (@teacherdiana1's suggestion)

Thanks for thinking this through with me, Joy! You are so great!

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Lora link
2/17/2013 11:09:47 am

Wow! Your students are doing fabulous things with technology. I am too, discovering it is so much more than integrating tech. Coming to that understanding though has been a process that I don't think it is possible to skip. I've spent much time concentrating on the tech, but am now getting past that and see it more as a choice or tool in daily work. I love it!
Thanks for putting it in words!

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Gallit Zvi link
2/24/2013 01:42:45 pm

Looks like we are having a similar journey, Lora!

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George Couros link
2/19/2013 11:03:46 am

Funny thing...I never noticed the name of your blog and I thought you always focused on learning. Might tell you something ;)

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Gallit Zvi link
2/24/2013 01:47:48 pm

Thanks George! Your comment truly warmed my heart...I think deep inside I have always known it was about the children and the learning, but I just may not have realized it.

Thank goodness I started examining tech a few years ago, because it really made me examine everything.

See you in May!

Reply
Beverley Bunker link
2/21/2013 08:11:36 am

Yes! I think there are probably a million more appropriate names that would better reflect the amazing learning you share :) As Joy said, go with your gut!

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Gallit Zvi link
2/24/2013 01:50:19 pm

My gut actually says change it all...change hosts, change names...but I love the journey I have been on...even if I was confused at first (and thought all I needed to do was add teach and voila, everything would be perfect!)...and so I don't want to just let that go. You know?

Reply
Denise Krebs link
2/23/2013 11:02:15 am

So, after a week, what are you thinking, Gallit? Have you brainstormed some names that express more about what you do here?

I like Joy's idea of commemorating the change with a blog post. Or maybe a survey. Give us all your ideas and let us vote on the one we like best. How would that be?

Whatever it's called, I like what goes on here!

Denise

Reply
Ed link
2/23/2013 02:22:58 pm

It took me a while to realise I never write about tech any more. I have a tag for tech, but like you, it's always about the learning. So.. are you going to change the name of the blog?

Reply
Gallit Zvi link
2/24/2013 01:52:15 pm

Edna,

I think I am leaning toward just altering it a bit...
Will blog about it soon!

Thanks for commenting!

Reply



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    My name is Gallit Zvi and I am an Elementary School Teacher and Vice Principal in Surrey, BC. I am also a blogger and co-author of The Genius Hour Guidebook.
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