When I graduated from University, I remember making a vow that I would always teach in independent or private schools. I kept that vow until a few years ago when I was selected by the Visiting International Faculty to participate in their cultural exchange program here in the USA. It has always been an honor to participate as an ambassador for my country in a program where only about 7% of applicants are chosen. It has also resulted in professional and personal growth that I had never imagined possible. That said, I am sitting at a recruitment fair in Atlanta having had several interviews with some of the finest private schools in the United States. To say the least, it has reminded how wonderful these institutions of educational progress have always been, and always will continue to be in our rapidly changing world. I am not saying that public schools are not able to be exemplary institutions of learning, but I am pointing out that alternative schools appear to evolve more adequately when it comes to meeting the demands of the dynamic society we see around us every day.
Check out my first attempt - it is alive with all kinds of interesting widgets that include podcasts, videos, links, photos, math questions, mind maps and other fantastic goodies. You've got to try it! Watch this space for exciting news about what the students have created over the next few weeks.
designed this great document about the instructional strategies:
Here's a video about using technology in conjunction with the book and the strategies.
SURFING THE TECHNOLOGICAL TSUNAMI by Steve Williams 12-12-2007
Like it or not, technology is bursting through the doors of every classroom. Some teachers are flooded with wired tools while others are eagerly awaiting the arrival of modern magical devices.
Whether you're drowning, sinking or swimming, it's time to start surfing the wave of technology that is coming. The future is going to be very different for us teachers. We will be expected to use technology in ways that require adaptability, creativity and innovation.
I first presented this digital collage of technological awakenings at the Visiting International Faculty Conference in Atlanta on January 25th, 2008. It had a greater impact than I had expected. Many of the teachers that attended told me afterwards that they had no idea that this was such a significant issue. I made the assumption that most of them knew what a blog was, or a wiki, a podcast or RSS feed. Some of them were not familiar with interactive whiteboards, or were desperate to learn about using one. This blog is a response to that event and an attempt to share what I find in order to help educators think about how they can get started or keep up to date with what we will be facing in the classroom of the future.
I look forward to many responses, comments and ideas being shared on this blog and I am excited about reaching the minds of millions of teachers who can feel the ground shaking with the coming of a great change in the way we learn and teach on this planet.
I will be presenting an upgraded version of the presentation at the Forsyth County Digital Schoolhouse event on March 1st, 2008. Watch future posts for some more information and a copy of the presentation for you to download.
You can also download my award-winning Promethean flipchart on the Promethean website here. You'll need to register, but don't worry, it's free! if you don't have ActivStudio software, download the viewer here.
