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.

It is not enough these days to go around with our blinkers on and just exist.  We sometimes seem so caught up in our own lives that, taking time out to cultivate compassion could be considered a tedious ‘chore’. 

The latest current event as screened on telly involves a drug raid, one policeman dead and three people seriously injured.  I believe the ‘accused’ is considered dangerous and will ‘kill anyone’ in sight.  Sad really since he won’t even let the public take away the body of the dead policeman.  I really feel for one of the family members’ of the accused who apologised in public for the whole affair.  I believe the event has gone on for 27 hours now… It involves so many people who have also had to move out of the surrounding homes. 

Personal Learning for Me: I can only cultivate compassion for the families directly involved and send them thoughts of love, harmony and peace to come.  I wonder what sort of ripple effect this would have if every New Zealander did the same – synergy in its best form!