In more ways
that one I am up in the air again. I am
flying home from a MAGICal weekend in Christchurch, so I am literally up in the
air. I am bursting with new
possibilities and imaginings and innovations so I am also metaphorically up in
the air. I am up above the earth, above
the fog, way above the clouds, cutting through the turbulence. I am looking down at the fluffy clouds
knowing the soft landing possible for ideas that don’t ‘fly’, and looking up,
seeing the infinity of opportunity. I am looking out to the east as the sun is
breaking through knowing the light possible with opportunities and looking west
at the mountains on the horizon knowing the importance of acknowledging
intrepid terrain and majesty of opportunity.
As I fly I
recall the AMAZING ignite talk by Stephanie (traintheteacher), recalling her
expression FAIL = first attempt in learning… What a wonderful concept to keep
at the front of our minds as we teach and learn, unlearn, re-learn and grow
through the experience.
Saturday was
an amazing experience, New Zealand’s first padcamp in Christchurch. Using my metaphor of flying, I liken the
journey of mobile learning devices into the education arena as a long haul
flight… We are carrying a HUGE number of passengers, we are delivering to an
immense client base in our schools, we are cutting through new territory, we are
realising ubiquity! All of these
concepts are remarkable, admirable, innovative and somewhat MAGICAL given that
I remember carrying the battery pack for the first cell phone we used in the
field with the Customs Department many years ago. My challenge is this; are we
seeing a comparable change in pedagogy to match the MAGIC of the learning
tool? Are we realising the potential of
mobile learning devices? How are we
ensuring they are not digital worksheets or app based fillers? Is their professional development available
to facilitate the change in pedagogy required? Are we ready? Are we coping? Are creating and innovating with these mobile
devices?
#padcampchch
was all about creative use of the iPad.
It focussed on acknowledging and realising the potential of the device
to enable learners to be creative musicians, storytellers, movie-makers and
more… It was run by the people for the people and the MAGIC of the day, you
guessed it, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!
The passion and potential of the device was shared in and around the
room as we journeyed to create a quilt of learning opportunities shared in the
SMACKDOWN and in the shared notes.
Greater than either of these though, was the opportunity for networking,
connecting and collaborating with passionate educators. Conversations and connections lead to
co-operation, collaboration and creativity.
The growing surge of passion for the use of the mobile device was
overwhelming.
As I am now
approaching my decent out of the clouds, I know that my head will remain up
here with the passion and potential of the device. Conversations and play – yes PLAY on the
devices has allowed me to return to earth with an even greater passion for the
power and creativity of the device. I
cannot wait to share my new learning with my amazing class who I just know will
take this learning up to the greatest heights possible.
