Subtle Conversations

This is a conference session by a security software vendor to add fear in the hearts and minds of our education systems. Check out the blurb they submitted. http://nyscate.wikispaces.com/2009+1-Hour+Sessions It’s been all the buzz among the educational bloggers. Check out a few of those leaders and their responses to such a horrible statement.

Sylvia Martinez - Generation YES Blog
Scot McLoud’s Blog - Mind Dump
Posted responses on conference site

I did a guest blogger spot for Wes Fryer’s blog Moving at the Speed of Creativity. Check out my post and don’t forget to post a comment. I love feedback.

1:1 Teaching & Learning Session, OK SDE Leadership Conference

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Drew finally agreed to get his High School Musical shag hairdo cut at SportsClips.  The boy loves the MVP…check out the process and the new phohawk.

I have been thinking a lot about creativity and collaboration and how powerful those two elements can be when combined together.  I remember several months back when my kids, working alone, decided to recreate a very familiar story.  I totally recognize that it isn’t going to win an Academy Award but it goes to the heart of being creative and collaborating.  It wasn’t a long drawn out project but it was great to see them working on a common project.  They thought they were playing together…I recognize they were working on a common mission.   They planned the project, staged pictures, wrote scripts and assembled the product.  I think if we can encourage our kids to continue to be creative and work collaboratively, our kids will be so much more prepared for their future and the workforce.   

Check out their voicethread…Can you guess the story inspiration?

Thanks for all the positive comments that everyone has provided Drew on his v-cast book reviews.  He spends lot of time thinking and planning his online communication and I can’t help but think of all the great skills he is aquiring. 

Today’s review covers one of his favorite series, Goosebumps by R L Stein.  The book he is reviewing is “Welcome to Dead House.”  A must read if you want to get really creeped out.   Andrew also takes the opportunity to let everyone know that I might not look like the smartest person in the world but I’m a fantastic mom.  Just my little guys quick witted way of saying I ROCK.  Where does that kid get his sense of humor?  *wink*

I found this fascinating quote today:

But the ‘firewall’ supposed to keep them ’safe’ does not work. They go home to read and watch it, or use their phones? Are we then to install mobile phone ‘jammers’? We have not created a ‘firewall’, but a brick wall - we are Blocking Learning. We might be ‘covering’ it over with policy, rendering it with policical ‘motherhood’ messages, but behind the rhetoric is a solid wall, that believes ‘the internet’ is somthing that can be controlled and monitored, and that a few people (Senetor Conroy, the czar of communication in Australia -  #nocleanfeed) should dictate our social connections, contracts and learning.Dskmag, Mar 2009

You should read the whole article.

ttp://deangroom.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/blocked-learning/

Well I first need to give a big thanks to my buddy Wes Fryer.  Thanks Wes!  I appreciate the shout out you gave my little man Drew on his first published video podcast.  Drew has 14 comments on his post and let me tell you, he is one proud little man.  I’m thrill and honored by the folks that stopped in to review and leave very positive comments.  Drew was so motivated that he suggested we get another book review posted as soon as possible.  He didn’t want to disappoint his public. 

Tonights review covers the book The Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.   Drew review’s all the first three books in the Wimpy kid series.  He also gives his thoughts on the Do It Yourself Wimpy Kid Book as only Drew can. 

It’s often random but very practical and TOTAL hilarious.  I tell Drew all the time he is the funniest person I know.  I’m one proud mom. 

Drew’s disclaimer- Drew would like me to post that he would never want to offend anyone in his v-cast presentations or come off as tacky.  (I think he is pretty smart to think he might need a disclaimer on his post.)