So after returning back home from the Moose Jaw Learning Party, one of my valued colleagues asked about “this technology guru” that I had seen. My answer was that he (Ewan McIntosh) was not a guru, just a guy with some good stories and experiences with technology enhanced learning to share. That got me thinking about our tendency as people to ascribe some manner of elevated status or enlightened wisdom to people whom we admire but don’t know. I do admire Ewan’s articulate expression of some of the issues and practices regarding the use of technology and prior to meeting him I might have considered him an educational technology guru and microcelebrity. Having met him, though, my impression of him is that he is a decent, intelligent person with a terrific sense of humour. Do I consider him a guru? … Continue reading »

I was in Moose Jaw yesterday for the Scotland meets Saskatchewan learning party that Dean arranged. After some fabulous discussion and serious gaming led by Ewan McIntosh, I ambushed Ewan with my microphone and forced him to sit down for some good discussion over a pint (or two) with the EdTech Posse. Dean and Alec were at the table, as well as our friends Cindy Seibel and Kyle Lichtenwald. I was impressed with Ewan’s engaging way of sharing stories and down to earth ideas about the use of technology to enhance student learning. He’s also a great person to hang out at the pub with on a sunny and hot afternoon in Moose Jaw. Here’s the EdTech Posse chat with Ewan McIntosh. [display_podcast] Warning – There is a break in the audio after about half an hour. I was using … Continue reading »

It’s late. Really late. But this post wouldn’t let me sleep until it was written. I hope any incoherence, bad grammar or spelling mistakes will be forgiven on this basis. I’m in Moose Jaw to participate in the “Scotland Meets Saskatchewan” that Dean Shareski has organized. Earlier this evening, I sat down with Dean, Ewan McIntosh, Kyle Lichtenwald, John Evans and Cindy Seibel for a terrific conversation about education, technology, creativity and helium balloons. I could write about that, but I’m not going to. As I was driving here from North Battleford this afternoon, I listened to the audiobook version of Linked. It is a fascinating read (listen?) that describes the importance of networks in society, physics, biology, chemistry and other areas. It would seem there is a common mathematical model that is found in some aspects of these diverse … Continue reading »

Note to self – when going on vacation to a beautiful lake with many opportunities for stunning photographs, take extra batteries for the camera! I have managed to take a few nice sunset photos tonight, but just as I was setting up for a nice shot of some kids playing silhouetted in the sunset, the battery gave up on me. D’oh! I’m not sure if the picture was taken or not. The ironic part of this story is that I was looking at the battery charger as I was packing up for the vacation, but thought to myself “N’ah – I think the batteries are still good.” When I went to Canadian Tire to ask if I could get a replacement U-bolt for the rooftop cargo carrier on our car, I thought to myself “Maybe I should pick up some … Continue reading »

Ah the life of a teacher! Two months off every summer which we spend sipping Long Island Iced Tea while lazing about in our hammocks. It’s like an 8 week weekend. Well – not quite. It is like an 8 week weekend in some ways. I spend my days working around the house and looking after kids. I manage to slip in an afternoon nap on most days. Occasionally I get out to see a movie (so far I’ve seen WALL-E and Dark Knight) and every once in a while I get to sleep in. It’s also like a weekend because every day feels like Saturday or Sunday. The first 4 weeks feel like Saturdays. Thoughts of teaching, marking or preparing for classes are banished from my consciousness. I make needed repairs, adjustments and improvements to my home. I spend … Continue reading »

I ask everyone else in the Posse to promote new podcasts, but I always forget to do it myself. Bad me! Rick, Heather, Dean (from his hammock) and I connected on Skype for a conversation on online social connections and the importance of disconnecting (and we missed Alec‘s contributions to the conversation). It’s a good listen – EdTech Posse Podcast 4.4: Connecting and Disconnecting. Shownotes are available at the EdTech Posse shownotes wiki (or will be as soon as I or some kind soul like you writes them). You can leave comments on the Posse’s blog.