Learning....

In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.

- Phil Collins

AKO - teacher, learner, leader,

We have realised that we need to do a lot of work on our maths strategies.  We need to see problems and maths in a context and we need to discuss and share our strategies, our understandings and our approaches to problem solving.  Check out the action in Room 6 today!  I loved watching the learners collaborate, network, share, discuss and challenge... then teach others and work through a real range of problems.  

Sometimes a teacher learns best when she is a silent observer...

I love learning.........

I really do love learning.  Tonight I took part in the Enabling e-learning BYOD webinar: How to use mobile technologies effectively!  After a full-on school day it is pure MAGIC to connect and network and learn with other incredibly passionate educators on a similar journey.  We were treated to a glimpse of the MAGIC of the Manaiakalani Project with Dorothy Burt and the Buy your own device; then Donna Smith from St Hilda's College in Dunedin shared their BYOD Macbook journey and ipad trial in Year 7/8; rounded off with a look at the Orewa BYOD programme with Mark Quigley.
What is the MAGIC in this type of webinar? For me there are so many MAGICal components to it but I would love to hear yours:

• Choice of participation;
• Free of cost
• Relaxed and welcoming
• Relevant 
• Personal, with stories shared and journeys traveled discussed and shared
• Inspirational

I love that I can connect, in class and engage in Professional Development right when, where and how I need it.  I love that we can listen, interact, engage, chat, and learn.  I love that I can multitask while participating in a webinar.  I was able to tweet, take notes for this blog post, reply to a couple of emails, update my google calendar and stay on task with my learning.  I was discussing this with a colleague tonight and I see the future of blended learning as imminent.  Our learners interact, engage, multi task, learn, create and share.  They network, and socialise while learning.  Are we becoming more like our learners?

My key take aways from today's webinar are:

• Engage your community and keep them informed
• Learn from research
• Allow the learner their personal voice
• Engage with an authentic audience
• Expect creation
• Cater for the needs of all learners with a blended learning environment
• Be aware of issues of equity, discuss and learn from opportunities for all
• Ubiquity is essential
• Collaboration is empowering
• BYOD is simply allowing another tool to enter the arena of learning
• WWW - whereever, whenever, whatever
• Robust wireless, stable network and affordable devices are uniting to make BYOD an incredible option...

As I approach the end of the third term with a BYOD class I am in awe of the journey we are on and in awe of the potential.  What a privilege it is to be travelling this journey!

Dreams...

"Dreams are the touchstones of our character"

Henry David Thoreau

Happy Dancing....

I seem to have done an incredible amount of happy dancing this week.  It all started when we looked at some fraction assessment, then topped it off with an IKAN assessment.  Not only have we made incredible progress, we have really sharpened our focus and we are able to identify gaps, fill them and celebrate.  And celebrate we do... there was a whole lot of happy dancing - even some on the chair (to music.... very interesting choice of music though class).
We have been preparing for our second round of student led conferences and the work that goes into preparing is AMAZING.  The learners are clearly able to identify their successes and challenges and verbalise what they need to do to help themselves and what support they need.  
I looked back on my blogpost after the first round and reflected on our journey. 
In line with feedback received from the first round families were offered three options for the student led conference:

1. Fully student led
2. Student led, then time for parent/teacher discussion
3. Parent/teacher discussion only.

Interestingly I had a range of these options, all for varying reasons.  

So, tonight the second round began...

If I thought the last sessions were MAGIC, I really don't have words for tonight.  The confidence of the learner to share their learning with their family amazes and inspires me.  The learners actually know how they learn, where they learn best, when they can share their learning and when they need support.  I am totally in awe of them all.  By no means were all the conferences easy, perfect or totally straight forward - but they were all firmly focussed on the learner and the needs of the learner.  

I love student led conferences! And I love the way the learners set up the class for the conferences...

P.S. check out the 'almost complete' bottle bivy in the background....

Up in the air again…

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.

padcampchch

What an amazing experience to be in a room with 75 educators buzzing on the first day of spring 2012...

http://educampnz.wikispaces.com/PadCamp+%28Christchurch%29

Undoubtedly the MAGIC of educamp - he tangata, he tangata, he tangata...

So much sharing and collaborating on the Google Doc for you all to check out!

So much to add to this soon....

Winging my way to #padcampchch

Here I am up in the clouds again… winging my way to the inaugural #padcampchch.  

 Just loving the illusion of the mountains and the clouds separating the land and the sky....

Just what MAGIC is in store for us today? 

Soon after the inaugural educampchch, Carol Kendall initiated  #padcampchch and I immediately booked my airfares.  Having been in Christchurch for four days last week I knew I could not afford the time for a five hour drive each way.  I also knew that I could not miss this professional learning opportunity.

I have had an iPad for over a year now and I’m running a BYOB class with a large number of students bringing iPads or iPods to class.  I am constantly in awe of the creativity and learning potential of both the learners and the tool and I am very keen to realise more potential in our use of it.  Yesterday was our class assembly and three boys in class chose to share about their use of their devices.  I loved listening to them talk about the ubiquity and ownership; the power of the device and the way they share their learning with others in little app fests.  They really are controlling the learning journey. 

I had a blended learning vision early in 2012 where the learners would be able to access learning online at anytime and face to face and collaboratively in class.  We do the face to face and in class learning well but I am still only beginning the fully blended online learning capability.   Our blog is fabulous for sharing our learning journey.  Our wiki is an amazing site where each learner is co-creating our learning journey.  Our Google sites are beginning to share the potential of a blended environment. 

I am also only baby steps along the journey of digital citizenship but every day brings an opportunity to share and discuss ownership of learning and sharing and collaboration. 

I was away from class last week and came back to find that my lovely class had not really managed their learning selves in the way they do when I am there.  It was nothing major at all, just little things like not taking responsibility for learning tasks or their individual responsibilities.  I was really disappointed and discussed it with them and staff.  My very perceptive teacher who shares my class told me to relax.  She likens my expectations of independence to senior high school.  This was a very welcome comment, as I was really beating myself up.  I was also questioning whether the learners were ‘managing themselves’ “just for me”.  Lots of great discussions and learning later and we are on a wonderful path to extending our self management. 

Looking out the window I am comparing my learner's self management to the tributaries of this river or the mash up of the patchwork quilt of fields... Certain things just have to happen to realise full potential...

Anyway – back to #padcampchch.  I am really excited about the potential of networking with amazing educators from around New Zealand.  As Jo tweeted this morning – it is MAGIC when the twitter family meet up face to face.  I am really excited about the entire focus of the day – creative use of the iPad.  This is not about the apps!  It is about using the tool to enhance learning opportunities and to empower creativity.  I often reflect on the cover of the recent interface magazine signalling the death of the desktop…. I wonder how far away we are from the death of the laptop.  The power of the iPad as a learning tool continues to amaze and inspire.

So, here I am on 1 September 2012, the first day of spring, winging my way to Christchurch on “Random Act of Kindness Day”.  A day to really ensure MAGIC happens everywhere all the time. 

I have been really unwell and my ears and nose are really blocked, my throat is aching… The wonderful air host just stopped by for a chat and MAGIC happened.  He bought me a container of carvel to sniff to clear my nose and ears and it is amazing.  They really are clearing.  So there we go… 7.35am and the first Random Act of Kindness has come my way…  

I wonder how many I can sneak in today to really make this the most special day it can really be.  We are expected into Christchurch early – so not long now til I catch-up with Jo, Tara and Pauline and we head off to Wairairi for the MAGIC of the day…

e-fellowship review

What an amazing learning journey we are on! Last Friday we took time to reflect on the journey and give advice to anyone considering applying for an e-fellowship. I cannot believe what a tight five we are.

MAGIC magnified...

Today I felt all wrapped up in the MAGIC of teaching success...
We gathered together as a full staff to moderate written language across the school.  I always thoroughly enjoy these sessions.  Is is an opportunity to really reflect on learner's progress and carefully work in new goals and next steps.  It is an opportunity to show off your learner's work and discuss your judgement of where they are at.  It is a wonderful opportunity for professional discussion and development, sharing successes and challenges. 
Today, I got a number of surprises... I was too hard on my writers... almost all of my best fit leveling was judged to be a little too harsh, and I have re-assessed them up.  
Other staff were stunned by the imagery my writers were capable off.  The way in which my writers put words together to create phrases, and phrases layered to paint a stunning image was celebrated. 
Why are my writers so successful?  I have been thinking about this a lot tonight - hence the need to blog!

My writers:

• are highly motivated;
• love creating phrases that make me dance on my chair;
• write everyday;
• choose to write as choice activity when finished tasks;
• worked enthusiastically with buddies in an extensive paired writing block;
• have set realistic goals;
• share their written language extensively: with their peers; their families; and widely on the blog - through quadblogging, 100WC, through skyping with writing motivators, collaborating with other classes,
• really involve themselves in their writing,
• love motivation...

Looking back over the past term we have really maximised our writing opportunities, so thank yous are in order...

Thank you to:

• everyone who has read and commented on our blog;
• Jill and Gill for the training for paired writing;
• Mrs Skinner for skyping us from England to motivate us for the 100WC;
• Deputy Mitchell for imagining and involving us in quadblogging;
• Deputy Mitchell for imagining and involving us in Pass the Blog;
• Rob Smith for the MAGIC of the Literacy Shed;
• Maia Walczak for the inspiration of STRAY and more...
• Mr Webb and the Melville Intermediate students who have worked on editing our written narratives...
• The Room 6 writers for the incredible motivation and MAGIC of their words...

A day in Christchurch...

After a much needed sleep-in Pauline and I head off to Crisp for brunch! What a wonderful environment - scrumptious eggs benedict, divine coffee and free wi-fi.  Could it get any better?

Just loving the re-purposing of this door into a coffee table! 

Pauline and I had a wonderful geeking session, catching up and sharing our current successes, challenges, dreams and more... Off we head for Sumner... but we notice signs to Crafty Christchurch. 
http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2012/crafty-christchurch/christchurch-city

A little bit of MAGIC - I managed to find just the accessory I need... more on that much, much later...

A glorious sunny Christchurch day, nothing could prepare me for the reality of Redcliffs and Sumner.  Despite having seen it on 
TV repeatedly, seeing it with your own eyes is a completely different experience...

After an ice-cream and cold drink at Redcliffs we headed back through town pausing to remember the 185...

Christchurch, you are AMAZING, you are resilient and innovative. What a MAGICAL day in this beautiful city! 

The heart beat…

Lunch out at Peppers and a chance to relax, share, soak up the sun and more…

It really is amazing how we are so in tune we are with each other’s journeys… Time in the sun, by a lake, relaxing, reconnecting, and we are at a point of collaboration that is surreal. 

I have always loved the quote “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” by Aristotle and n ever have I felt this to be truer than right now… What an amazing orchestra we make, while playing our own instruments…  The level of collaboration and sharing is really adding to the journey of each individual! 

Skill swap session is an amazing time.  We meander and weave our way through a range of new skills co-constructing, mashing up and inspiring. 

Dinner out at Meshino, then back into it at Hussey Road with a wonderful eluminate session with Tara and Jo learning about their exciting research vision for 2013. 

A wonderful change to our accommodation sees us all together in one HUGE unit – better than school camp.  And so the collaboration and inspiration continues late into the night!

Day two begins with breakfast together and a chance to think through our presentations for Ulearn and ICOT!  The MAGIC really flows as we collaborate and co-construct our sessions. 

Again we celebrated with a wonderful soul session over the lunch hour!  One of the clips was such a wonderful analogy for the e-fellows…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBaHPND2QJg  Gathered together we each play our own tune, but together we harmonise and make MAGICAL music. 

A real treat in the afternoon was a toast master’s session with Michael and Rachel which saw us all participate in a table talk before individually presenting our 5 slide window to our individual Ulearn presentations.  Immediately the synergy, compassion and     came into play.  It really is incredibly emotional to present to your greatest allies and supporters.   The wealth of feedback and feedforward really had to be experienced to be believed.  I just know how much richer I am from this journey….

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the layers and layers of richness you have added to my learning journey and my life….

Happiness...

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony". - Mahatma Gandhi

Core e-fellow MASTER CLASS 3

Despite challenging myself to early nights this week I only managed to get off to bed about 11 last night and I was wide awake at 4.20 when Katie headed off to swimming and despite every relaxation technique I could not get back to sleep, maybe it is just toooo exciting.  So I was up and ready by 6.  My check in time was 7.35 so off we went in the -1 frost..

What a surprise I got to walk into an empty airport – and I mean empty… I finally found someone to help me and learned that my flight had been cancelled and rescheduled for 7.20am departure and it was taxiing out at that very moment…

The staff could not have been more compassionate and helpful and I was rebooked on the next flight out at 10.05. I rapidly flipped my emotions and realised that some good would come of this change… will let you know what it is as and when it happens…

I sent a txt to Michael and he phoned me with such genuine kindness and care for my well being – MAGIC number one as a result of missed flight. 

I got to have a long phone chat with Mum and Katie – MAGIC number 2.

I am enjoying a very nice latte courtesy of Velluto – MAGIC number 3.

I have a relaxed time to blog and read and chat and further anticipate the MAGIC of reconnecting with the wonderful e-fellows and Jo and Michael – MAGIC number 4.

So looking ahead to the two days together I thought I might jot down some of the truly MAGICal aspects of being an e-fellow.

Way back in November last year when I first got the e-mail advising I had been awarded an e-fellowship with Core education I was in shock.  I spent a time in and out of stages of intense excitement, unworthiness, and anticipation.  I was in awe of the new pathway opening before me as I returned to school after a year’s study leave. 

Our first meeting in March was amazing.  We are a very diverse bunch, one early childhood, one librarian, three primary teachers.  We are geographically spread from Whangarei to Mosgiel.  Our daily lives are distinct, MAGIC and unique.  We immediately gelled and conversations, sharing and inspiration flowed.  Guided and nurtured by Josephine and Michael Winter the true MAGIC of the e-fellowship wrapped us in a magical mystical specialness, celebrating our learning journeys.  Staying together can only be described as all of the MAGIC of school camp without any stress.  We chat and geek into the wee small hours and a real bond is developing.

Our second session started at a collaborative point above anything I can explain.  We share a common bond, purpose, enthusiasm, passion… Session two was very cohesive as we worked on our presentations for Ulearn and put together a submission for ICOT – International Conference of Thinking – in Wellington in January 2013. (which has since been accepted)  This is indeed MAGICal as it will maintain the fellowship through to the next year and it is an international conference – no mean feat indeed.

Session three is today and tomorrow and I just can’t wait to get there…

9.05 Still sitting in the airport when Kyle from McCoy Wixon phoned, so able to fully discuss the dimensions and placement of the smartboards for the new school. Pure MAGIC number 5 to get to chat through a couple of “essentials” as I see it… a drop down screen and projection for the learning corridor.  Great to get the chance to chat and set up a meeting to discuss this further next week.

Not so MAGIC – the thought that I will be in the air when Ulearn bookings re-open…. Hmm – hope I still get my choices… I am sure good will come out of this…

MAGIC number 6 – Kevin (AirNZ) giving me a hug to make up for me missing my flight as I finally boarded…

MAGIC number 7 – Sitting in 13A – me, sitting in 13B, Mother of a past student… what a journey chatting and catching up on life…  MAGIC number 8 – hearing the story of Lynn who is starting http://drivingmissdaisy.co.nz/buy/ 

Soooo exciting to hear the MAGIC of someone who can drive and care for those who need it most… a real chance to make some bucket list dreams come true…

MAGIC – getting here – and the learning, the inspiration, the conversation, the motivation the MAGIC is ramping right up….

More later….

MAGICal staff meeting...

Following on from the MAGIC of the collaboration last night, I was very excited for staff meeting after school.  What a wonderful session we had!  We shared the google doc and looked at a few of the options then everyone worked individually or in pairs... 
I flicked from pair to pair and delighted in the success and excitement of new and innovative ways the teachers could post on their blogs.  
After being rather hesitant about adding the sparkly text generator - I found that to be a real hit and a number of sparkles were added to the class blogs.  A couple of jigsaw puzzles were made from photos, tagxedos created, and crayola pages drawn on.
What worked with this session?

• MAGIC of the collaboration of the doc;
• Choice over activity on BINGO card;
• Links on doc for instant access;
• Practice time;
• Support and encouragement on hand;
• Working individually or in pairs;
• Celebrating successes!

YAY - what a wonderful feeling...

A HUGE thanks to everyone who was part of the collaboration!  I can't wait to hear how others use this great resource and I am looking forward to creating yet another bingo card...

Pure MAGIC of Crowdsourcing...

I haven't been at all well the past few days and had a really quiet day today.  I checked my diary tonight and realised I wasn't quite ready for the staff meeting I am running tomorrow to increase ways and means of posting on class blogs.  

Following on from the MAGIC of #centralotagoeducamp I planned to create a bingo card with ideas for blogging.  I am tired and was really struggling with ideas when I decided to ask for help on Twitter... WELL - that is where the MAGIC began... and the MAGIC is still continuing...

The collaboration of the amazing educators has created an amazing resource for us all.  

From very humble beginnings this e-learning bingo for your blog is now a pretty special document!  At one stage I noted 49 collaborators!  What an amazing time.

Please feel free to use, modify, adapt and share this CROWD SOURCED, CONSTRUCTED bingo card!

Obvious to you, amazing to others...

I am still buzzing with new connections, new ideas, new possibilities from #Central Otagoeducamp yesterday. Today I saw a tweet with a link to this you tube clip and I think this is a part of the MAGIC of educamps. What is very ordinary and very mundane to us is in fact amazing and inspirational to others. The trick is sharing and being open to new ideas...

#educampcentralotago

Another MAGICAL educamp experience to blog about!
Up at 5.30am excited for an adventure and on the road before day break!  Jane, Claire and I enjoyed a very foggy drive through the majestic landscape...

The intrigue of the fog offered so many photo opportunities... all of these snapped on my iphone out the window of a travelling car!  Can you just imagine the photos Jane would have snapped... but as she was driving we gathered these shots of the MAGIC of the fog, the sunrise, the haze and the beauty of the dawn...

We were all the way to Alexandra before we found a cafe open for a coffee - The Tin Goose! Yummy muffin and latte to start the day and a spot of Christmas shopping... this recipe book for my amazing chef!

We arrived at Cromwell College and were welcomed into the buzz of educators gathering on a Saturday to learn, share, network, inspire! Karla welcomed us and the introductions and SMACKDOWN began.  The sheer range and diversity of learning tools, sites, apps, opportunities is what makes educamp gatherings soooo special.  I love the relaxed collaborative nature of the sharing facilitated by Karla. The use of Google Presestation for the SMACKDOWN allowed for collaboration, linking, note taking and sharing of possibilities.

A first round of breakouts saw discussions around movie-making, google apps/sites and ipad apps.  The sharing on the google doc allowed for the MAGIC of each session to be shared and enjoyed by all.  I was inspired by Kieran with his use of google sites and again I commit to making this work for us in our Room 6 learning journey.  I continue to be inspired by the sharing by amazing educators!  I am loving this Nayland site - I can see such potential for us as a staff to collaborate and create resources for our learners....
Time for another coffee, a chance to catch-up and network and off we went into another round of sessions.  I enjoyed an inspiring session on Movie Making with the amazing Laetitia!  I am empowered to engage my learners!  In fact I can't wait til Monday to get it up and running - I am linking it to our class wiki and blog tonight to allow the learners to get as excited about it as I am!!!

A link posted on Twitter during a break really inspired us and Claire and I are working on a Bingo board for our staff and one for our class... I think my class one will be around the making of our first news movie this week....

http://salwal.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/we-are-all-learning-ict-bingo.pdf

All too soon the educamp drew to a close... So much more to learn, share, discuss.... The learning will continue on the google doc!

Lunch in Cromwell in the sun before we began to meander our way home!  An early finish gave us plenty of time to enjoy the trip and catch up on a much needed caching fix...

The blue sky, the reflections, the beauty of our landscape...  I would love to know the story of the rock dweller on the laptop.....
We even detoured off the main road in search of a cache and met a beautiful Bambi....

She ate from my hand and really seemed to be pleading with me to free her from her enclosure! A coffee stop in Lawrence and the light glinting off the blades of the wind farm turbines drew us up the hill for a closer inspection and a cache with a travel bug!  The sheer magnitude of these austere giants has to be seen to be believed.  And as if by MAGIC the still statues whirred into life before our eyes...

And as the sun set we headed for home.  A mere 12 hours away from home... What a truly MAGICAL day.  - #centralotagoeducamp 

Batteries recharged, brain buzzing with new possibilities, new connections, new friends, New Zealand appreciated a little more for her beauty and contrast.....

A MAGICAL journey with two very special friends!

Looking at the world through the lens of a camera...

The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera!

Dorothea Lange

The MAGIC of educampakl

The eve of  #educampakl  And so begins another MAGICal journey.  I am onboard NZ674 bound for Auckland.   As a self confessed educamp groupie, I viewed the educampakl wiki and my yearning began.  I eagerly watched grabaseat but last week it became apparent that wasn’t going to happen.   Kind words from my exceptionally supportive family saw me book flights late last week, after a very kind offer of host from Helen King – fellow e-fellow!

Although bursting with excitement I decided to keep my journey the length of NZ quiet. 

So, let me share a little of the MAGIC of the past two days…

Last night, the worst kept secret of Mosgiel was confirmed.  St Mary’s School, Mosgiel is moving over the road.  Reasons for this are: future proofing the school, greater land area and an opportunity to locate the school within the Parish grounds.  True utopia would see a rebuild, but we are going for a move and a re-fit.  However, last night’s plans show an innovative reconfigure which will see five classrooms opening onto a learning pod, a shared, collaborative learning space.  All these classrooms will have glass sliding doors opening onto the pod.  The cosmetic refit will also see our school well placed for the education of future generations. 

A complete rewire will see fibre/conduit placing us ready for the UFB roll out!  Many decisions are yet to be finalised but the potential is there for input from the school community into the final colours, cosmetics, and surrounds. 

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/217871/why-st-marys-school-will-cross-road

Reasons I believe this will work:

·         The refit will see us with collaborative learning spaces;

·         We will gain significantly with ground space;

·         A complete face lift will really brighten, lighten and modernise all classes.

·         Community involvement will strengthen our home/school partnership;

·         A new start…

·         Future proofed – room to expand….

·         Appeal – already we have kept a year 6 student who was looking to leave – staying to be a foundation pupil of school on new site..

·         Opportunity to leave our mark – and opportunity to make our mark – time capsules will be essential at both ends…

·         Change – change is GOOD!

Back to the adventure at hand - #educampakl

Why am I so uber excited ?  What is the appeal?  For me, it is definitively the people – he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!  Gathering with like minded people charges me, amps me, inspires and motivates me.  This journey is a bridge for me – it is the connection from my inaugural educamp, #educamptaitokerau in 2011 to the future.  There has been a lot of water under the educamp bridge – from Tai Tokerau, to the inaugural dunners, to the second dunners, to the inaugural educamp chch to #eudcampakl…

For me, tomorrow will be all about the connections, the networking, the discovering, the sharing…  As I anticipate reconnecting with tweets I visited on Twitter tour 2011 I am hyped and empowered and charged for learning.  To return to Stonefields is utopian.  As I relive the MAGIC of my visit there in 2011, I feel the power and connection to the transition our school is about to undergo.  Although we will not have the open learning hubs, we will have the collaborative space which, I believe, will be very beneficial for the teaching practice of all. 

Here on this flight I anticipate the reconnection with Helen King, Fiona Grant, Barbs, Michael, Amanda. Paula, Tina, Anna, Chris, Sarah, Jane, Stephanie,

And meeting f2f for the first time, those from my PLN.

For me – it is all in the Holstee Manifesto…

·         Start doing the things you love;

·         Ask the next person you meet what their passion is and share your inspiring dream with them;

·         Travel often;

·         Some opportunities only come once – seize them;

·         Open your mind, heart and arms to new things;

·         We are united in our differences;

·         Go out and start creating;

·         Life is short – live your dream!

So, here I am again, poised on the brink of the MAGIC of educamp!  What it will be that will really light my fire I cannot say!  But I know my fire will be lit, my battery will be recharged, and my passion will be shared.  Perhaps that is the key, my passion to learn, to share, to inspire…. Yes the MAGIC of educamps for me, are the opportunity to really live your passion….

I arrived in Auckland to be greeted by Queen Helen and Princess Marika and the MAGIC continued… What a wonderful welcome and a great night spent chilling with a very cool family….

Up early, uber excited for an adventure we set off to deliver Princess Marika for her play date then visited Pt England school.  It was truly AMAZING to visit Helen’s class and fel the inspiration, passion and learning in the room.  It is always so special to really feel the heartbeat of a classroom.  One day I must return to meet these learners…

Then out for breakfast with Helen and Helen –amazing eggs Benedict!

Over we go to Stonefields… déjà vu – the memories of my visit flooding back, the MAGIC of the conversations with Sarah, Chris and Kirstin, the MAGIC of the learning hubs, the MAGIC of the visible learning journey….

Walking in with Helen, we are greeted with the passion and depth of feeling that is made possible by the online connecting and the face-to-face meetings.  To reconnect with Helen, Fiona, Stephanie, Caroline, Sarah, Barbs, Allanah, Michael, Anna, Kirstin, Sonya , Rachel, Amanda, Paula, Jane, Shaun, is amazing.  To meet face to face for the first time is also magical, Kimberley, Becky,

The energy and passion in the room is palpable!  Fiona’s welcome to the fifth #educampakl is amazing! Stealing Stephanie’s chocolate fish for the furtherest travelled not so amazing! J  The welcome and passion of the Stonefield’s story shared by Sarah is inspiring.  What an incredible venue for an educamp.  TheSMACKDOWN inspires, ignites and illuminates the learning in the room.  The collaboration, sharing, networking inspiring again.  I find myself sifting and sorting and encapsulating what I can use now with my learners and what I can store for later. 

My first discussion group is an in-depth look at the ease of use and capacity of evernote with Barbs.  I am inspired to encourage all learners to download this and we will trial this for the development of our e-portfolios for term 3.  The ease of capturing written word, anecdotal test, photos , spoken word and video make it an extremely powerful planning, storing and reflection tool.  The time to share and discuss the potential and capabilities are all part of the MAGIC of the educamp experience.  The right people are here having the right conversations, sharing and inspiring. 

A lunch journey with Barbs, Allanah and Susan allows time for chat, laughter and fun!  Returning to rejoin discussions on Aurasma, Google apps and continue networking.  I am recharged, inspired, motivated anew. 

#educampchch 4 weeks ago, now #educampakl today.  Heading towards 3 weekends of MAGIC…  #educampcentralotago, e-fellow master class, #padcamp!  Life is truly good.  Yes I am living our vision – Confident, reflective, risktaking, life long learner!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Helen King for welcoming me into her family.  Thanks you to all of those organising, hosting and attending #educampakl, thank you to educamp Queen Fiona Grant for making the dreams of so many come true – to cause learning to happen, to motivate, inspire and SHARE!  You are a legend.

The day rounded off with a wonderfully mellow catchup, reflection and chill at the flying Moa.  Yet more MAGIC in store when Helen treated my to a visit to Sylvia Park where I immediately found and fell in love with a gorgeous leather handbag – purchase, giftwrapped ready for my husband to give me for my birthday.  He has an amazing way of picking exactly the perfect gift!  Teehee….

Then out for dinner to Nuffield Street!  A truly MAGICAL time…

Home for sleep and up at 5.15am.  I flew in after sunset on Friday, fly out before sunrise today.  Was I really here for only 35 hours?  YES!  Life is short – choose the moments that take your breath away!

And now, on the flight home more MAGIC ensues… A gorgeous air hostess comes and gets me and moves me to a window seat in a row of my own so I can spread out and blog! Home on the eve of my birthday, poised on the brink of another MAGICAL adventure…

Beginning our descent into Dunedin – arriving to a predicted 3degrees…  Katie is meeting me and we will travel to Wobbly Goat for a welcome home coffee…

Thank you!   AMAZING what can happen in 35 hours.....