Making Connections

It’s been a big year and as tomorrow is the last day of the 2008 school year for my system it seems a good time to reflect on what has been achieved and what opportunities are opening.

Hubby and I moved schools at the start of this year, as I’ve blogged about before, and honestly when I first arrived our new school intimidated me – it’s at least twice the student population of our last placement, it’s brand new, and it’s determined to be the best.

Surprisingly I didn’t die as I predicted when hubby and I did our first drive by scope of the place. Instead this school has been amazing for both of us professionally, we seem to have found our feet and we’ve both experienced major professional growth here. I’ve been lucky enough to have found leaders who have trusted me enough to follow my passion for eLearning and believed in my abilities to do what’s best for the students – not just something that looks good.

Without the leadership and support of these people I would never have:

• nominated for the Smart Classroom Awards (and been counted as one of the 12 winners from across the state)
• gained my ICT Pedagogical License
• established online learning spaces in all of my subject areas and in both our senior and middle schools
• began speaking and running workshops
• applied for an acting position
• began buying and reading educational textbooks – and actually enjoying them!

It’s been a big year professionally for me…and admittedly there have been moments when I wasn’t sure I was going to make it – gosh I’m glad I have though! What a wonderful ride!

And now as we wrap up for 2008 we’re beginning to look to 2009 and wondering just what may lay in store for us then…especially because for the first six months I’ll be taking on a very different role within the school, temporarily replacing someone who is stepping up to another role.

I never thought I’d end my year on this note. I’m scared, nervous, excited and rearing to have a go…really I’m ending the year standing on the edge of a cliff. Will I fly or flounder? I guess 2009 and reveal all.

Picture by: welcometomyisland @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/16923212@N08/1877501979

Two of the podcasting classes started their recording today – and I must say, I’m happy with the outcomes so far. And even before the files finish saving I’m thinking of the ways to extend these students who have loved this idea so much and ways to use podcasting in my classes more extensively next year.

First of all, I’m now going to have each pair source a short piece of music through Creative Commons and use Audacity to put together a title soundbite for their podcasts (is there some technical term for this?)

And some of my big ideas for next year:

• A weekly podcast discussion of content and topics we’re looking at in class each week. I’m thinking of this especially for my senior English and History (fingers crossed) classes. I’m hoping to use it as a discussion starter, a way to deliver the content and free up some face-to-face time for other things.
• Student podcasting assignments for feedback and review, but also to publishing.
• Development of games/flashcards for iPods to help students learn terminology.

I’m sure there’s plenty more things for me to consider doing with podcasting next year – what have I overlooked?

Today I had three pretty cool things happen, and in the interest of making a shorter blog entry (simply for variety), I figured I’d share.

1) YAY! My first ever blog comment! Thanks KGJAMES

2) My name on a conference flyer. I was asked a month or so ago if I’d speak at the Queensland Studies Authority’s conference on Senior Schooling in 2009 and got the flyer in my inbox today. It’s still all very surreal, this idea of me speaking at a conference…or me even having something worth talking about. Which is why I was poked on Twitter till I confessed the whole deal and reason for the speaking invite.

I’m speaking about the importance of teachers to integrate eLearning strategies and components into their senior courses in order to provide the best opportunities for our students…and I really do need to start working on that presentation soon.

3) I was kicked out of the house for some alone time and really enjoyed my time at a nearby cafe reading and knitting quietly in the corner…although I have a confession…I did check my email on my phone…twice…