A simple presentation based on a few web2 tools that teachers could use alongside students in the classroom.  I like the individual class page setups determined by the students themselves. 

 Questions: Students are using Bebo, Facebook etc  and moving alot faster than we are…Do you allow them the opportunity to find web2 tools that might work and/or be adapted to what is wanted at school and introduce these? 

Next possible learning steps: add a few more web2 tools like slideshare, voicethread and ‘advertise’ collaboration – inviting other students and schools in for feedback.

Personal learning for me: Have a good look at wix – would it work for studenst and use at home-download wise?

Presentated by Lisa Cavangh, Stanley Avenue School, Te Aroha

Inquiry planning – big concept, key ideas and action

In class activities:

• defining leadership eg: Lessons from Geese ( create templates and de-construct using 3T-chart)
• Examples of global team leaders, both negative and positive
• Using Y-charts to deconstruct values

Personal learning: Definitely a model that could become student led (pending the leadership or directive in schools).

The BEST Seminar…Venue: Otonga Primary

This is the first keynote…presented by David Whitehead, University of Waikato.  Questions I have…..Does size matter???? What does the brain have to do with thinking and learning??? What are the differences between the male and female brain??? General conclusions re:gender

• structure ie: decoding; female use both left and right hemispheres
• cerebrum size – larger in female  than male
• hormonal balance
• potential – linguistic ability (female)
• order – sequence of development
• time
• rate
• strategic bias

General implications re: boys’ and literacy

• Choose books that focus on information
• use spatial/visual tools ie: storyboards, thinking tools, draft writing frames (tools in tandem)
• use drama as a pre-writing tool
• self-selction of topics
• shared writing
• include instructional reading with personal interest, multimedia, are successful, fun
• reading material that has defined purpose (WITFM)

Grey matter:

1. nutrition
2. use it or lose it
3. generics

Research  references:  Hyde & Linn, 1998; King & Guiran, 2006; Blair & Stanford, 2003; Wallentein, 2008

Personal learning for me: Revisit brain compatible learning notes and introduce a few strategies in staff meetings.