Integrating Technology & Genius Hour: My Journey as a Teacher & Learner
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Twitter, Blogging and Genius Hour 

7/4/2012

14 Comments

 
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I started this blog weeks ago, and then I got busy…  I find this happens to me a lot and so my new goal for the next school year is to blog more regularly.  I have even put it as a weekly reminder on my phone.  Why? Because I think blogging (sharing with others, joining the conversation about education, reflecting on my practice, etc) is a really important part of who I am as a teacher and my professional growth.  So I pledge to do more of it over the summer and for the next school year. 

Side note: If you don’t have a professional blog yet, I highly recommend you start one.  It really is a wonderful way to reflect upon your teaching!

So, how does this tie into the blog I started earlier?  It does…I started writing about how I was lucky enough to have been invited to a professional development day called “Movers and Shakers” a little while back.  The guest speaker was George Couros and at one point during the day, he asked us a really great question:

“How do we foster innovation in our schools?”

He gave us a few minutes to chat at our table groups about this, and so I started asking everyone at my table, “Well, what is the most innovative/best thing you did in your classroom this year?”  I asked this because I believe that that is how we can foster and spread innovation of best teaching practice; share!    

This is nothing new, really.  We all know the benefit of and like to take a few minutes to chat in the hallway with our colleagues and share, but what has made my past year so amazing is that I no longer just share with people at my school, because I am on twitter.  Now, the world is my hallway!  It has made me a much better teacher!  I am trying things that I would not have even heard of before, if it weren’t for twitter. 

Which brings me to my list of the best things I did this year (inspired by George Couros' question & what this blog is really supposed to be about):

1. Genius Hour (click here to read more about that)  Passion Based Learning has changed how I look at education and is LOVED by all of my students.

2. Blogging with my students (click here to read more about that) and also starting and maintaining my own blog.

3. Joining twitter, building my PLN and meeting amazing educators who inspire me everyday.

So, chances are if you are reading this than you are probably already on twitter (I am assuming that is how you found this) but if you aren’t you have to sign up.  And then sign up 2 other teachers at your school.  Share the learning…because it really is a wonderful place for us all to encourage each other to be more innovative and share best teaching practice. 

So, that is what I leave you with—a mission—to get two new people on twitter, help them get set up and following some great educators!

#sherpapower, right George?


14 Comments
Tia link
7/4/2012 04:27:57 pm

Hi Gallit!
Great post! I loved following your learning this year. It sounded like so much fun and so much was accomplished as well (bonus). I love that now "the world is your hallway"! That is such a powerful statement and is so true once you become connected.

Looking forward to reading more of your blog posts. You have so much to share!
Tia

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Gallit Zvi link
7/8/2012 04:56:58 am

Thanks Tia,

I am so glad that we got to connect this year! I, too, love reading your posts and learning with you. It is so wonderful to connect with all the fantastic educators in our district and around the world...I am so glad that we all found each other on twitter!

Enjoy the summer,
Gallit

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K. Lirenman link
7/4/2012 04:31:18 pm

Gallit, love it! I love how you've helped get people at your school on Twitter. While I've been less than successful with my own staff (still trying to work on my Admin) I have helped many manage the waters of twitter so all is not lost. I have so many new ideas swirling through my head for next year. I will also continue to try to push innovation at my own school, but failing that I will move on to our district, province, nation, and WORLD! I have a mission and I won't be stopped. What a blast sharing this journey with you and Hugh. I don't know if you realize how very lucky you are to have Hugh by your side in conjunction with your awesome admin. Karen

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Gallit Zvi link
7/8/2012 04:59:19 am

Thanks for the comment, Karen!
I think our district is doing really well in terms of our presence on twitter! Keep at it, you are impacting a ton of people!
Like George said: pressure and support!

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Hugh link
7/4/2012 04:50:46 pm

Amazing to share the learning journey with you! We have lots still to explore and uncover. You are awesome!

I feel a #sherpapower titled blog in my future! I'm going to switch the title of an upcoming blog I am working on to ensure #sherpapower is represented!

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Gallit Zvi link
7/8/2012 05:01:11 am

You are awesome too, Hugh! Working with you is great :)

Looking forward to learning with you and our students in the "Division 3 and 4 Learning Commons" this year!

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Joy Kirr link
7/4/2012 10:31:33 pm

Gallit,
"Now the world is my hallway!" rang true with me, for sure! Yes, it is congested, but yes, we can weed it what's important to us quickly and easily, and get a glimpse at new ideas we can delve into more. Love it! I'm so glad I found such valuable educators like you, Tia, Hugh, and Karen, etc., etc., etc.! And I'm so fortunate you and Denise could give me the name Genius Hour for what I wanted to do with my independent reading.
Thanks for taking the time to write this reflective post - I feel like your three things are mine as well! Keep blogging, and we'll learn more together!
Sincerely,
Joy

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Gallit Zvi link
7/8/2012 05:04:37 am

Thanks for your comment, Joy!
I have truly enjoyed learning with you this year too! Isn't amazing that we all have shared, collaborated and learned so much together and never even met...I just think it is so wonderful!
I am so glad to have you in my "virtual hallway"

Can't wait for what next year brings!
Until then, enjoy your summer!

Gallit

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George Couros link
7/5/2012 07:07:35 am

I love the ideas that you have shared and that I can actually look at them more in depth. The idea of the "sherpa" is also awesome. The online stuff is great but people need some face-to-face time to really "get it". I had the advantage of someone in my family helping me but that is not the norm (obviously). I appreciate you pushing and challenging while also offering them examples of great work and providing support. That idea of "pressure and support" is so key to ensure that people are being successful in this practice.

Thanks for sharing!

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Gallit Zvi link
7/8/2012 05:11:55 am


"Pressure and support" is key!

I feel like that is what we have been aiming for, but I like your word choice, it makes it that much more clear!

This is exactly what we need to do; support our fellow educators and get them on twitter and the road to online sharing (and beyond)!

#sherpapower :)

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Ryan
7/5/2012 07:14:20 am

I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to connect with you guys through twitter and SD36. George has been an inspiration to all of us! I'm sure that the next school year will be an amazing journey for all of us now that we have actually met in person! :) Can't wait to see what we can come up with for next year!

PS I think that Karen needed to add a 'Muahahhahaha' after her comment about pushing innovation beyond the classroom. I think we all feel the same way. ;)

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Gallit Zvi link
7/8/2012 05:02:29 am

Likewise, Ryan! I am really looking forward to our cross-school collaborating next year :) It is going to be great!

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Denise Krebs link
7/16/2012 12:28:34 pm

Gallit,
Nice post! I can relate. My most important learnings this year have been genius hour and blogging with my students. I'm still working on that @KrebsClass twitter account. I'm looking for the best way to utilize it.

I can't wait for a new year!

Denise

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Louisa Guest link
7/21/2012 09:58:33 pm

I am SO stealing "the world is my hallway" ! Great post - Am determind to "sherp" more myself

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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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