open education :: multi-access and online learning :: social media and digital citizenship :: inquiry :: personalized learning :: assessment for learning
For today’s #throwbackthursday post, I’m going to go back a few years…
In 2012, I was chair of our Faculty of Education Retreat Committee. We decided to infuse more technology to support this event as usually big easels with poster-sized paper and coloured markers were an integral part of these events. Often, there were coloured dot stickers used as well. I thought about what happened to these large posters after each event? How were they used? What was written on such posters were also chosen by whomever facilitated the discussion as well. The use of technology can flatten these events and given everyone a “coloured marker” per se. The following photo captures a moment from the event:
We created a Google doc agenda with links to various docs for sessions, with prompts for actions and opportunities for planning. A Google form was used to collect anonymous evaluation responses and I was relieved to report the results were very positive! In part, I think everyone felt they had a voice and felt like they could contribute in an active way.
I just learned that I will be on the committee for the next Faculty Retreat and look forward to exploring innovative designs for collaboration and community-building in the shaping of our future!
So this is pretty awesome… young learners teaching adult teachers. It started last spring after I had MinecraftEDU installed in our MacLaurin D211 computer lab up at the University of Victoria. My then 8yo loves Minecraft and builds the most amazing worlds and has taken me into the most wonderful servers to explore and build together. As a teacher educator, I stood witness many times to amazing critical thinking and collaborative teamwork among the children in this immersive world. I decided it would be a great experience to let them teach preservice teachers about this space. I brought in my daughter and Dominic Smith brought his son – both of whom were in elementary school and were avid Minecraft players. I storified a few tweets from the class last March:
The young mentors were so pumped up about the experience and having their passion and experience being recognized. One thing I would have changed is that there were only two young learners to a class of approximately 30 adults, so when someone got stuck, didn’t know how to break a block, etc., they were run off their feet. I also want to expand this so more young learners can share in this positive experience. This year, I have 34 in the class and I will be bringing in a maximum of 15 young mentors. I have my list, but I would love it if you could reconfirm your attendance by emailing edci336 at uvic dot ca – if you haven’t contacted me yet and are interested, you can still email me but please put “wait list” in the subject line. I might put together some other events.
For those confirmed as young mentors (or their parent/guardian), here is the schedule and the scoop:
Location: MacLaurin Building Education Computing Lab Room D211, University of Victoria
Date: Tuesday, November 17
Time: 12:30-2:30 structured and 2:30-3:20 exploration and sharing time.
Should any learners have after-school activities to go to, they are welcome to head out as needed.
Proposed plan:
12:30-12:45
Introduction to Minecraft and to the guests
12:45-1:45
EDCI 336 students to explore Minecraft supported by the young mentors (basic functions, creative, survival, etc. followed by exploration of a MinecraftEDU world)
1:45-2:30
Swapping places – young mentors take a turn to enter the world and show their stuff or to co-play with a EDCI 336 student
2:30-3:20
Exploration and sharing time
Note: the TIE lab adjacent in room A210 will be open for students who wish to bring their own laptops to show and share their own personal Minecraft worlds in a 1-1 or small group manner. Wifi access will be provided as well.
Parents, guardians, and teachers bringing the mentors: There is the TIE lab next door for you to wait or play minecraft yourself if you bring your own laptop. Also, there is a cafeteria on the main floor of MacLaurin should you wish to wait or grab a bite or a drink. Should you plan to leave, be sure to connect with me personally to do a sign in/out process.
Minecraft pic by Valerie Irvine is licensed under CC BY 2.0
In this post, I thought I would share some of the history of the TIE Research Lab. Like anything else that is highly appreciated, it’s usually hard-earned. The featured photo above is something I get strength from as it shows how far the journey has been for me in my career. It was one of the “before” shots of the space. I sought funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund, and many university, government, and corporate partners to reach a $780,000 project size. I was soon joined by my co-director, Dr. Hadwin, and we turned that space into the TIE lab:
