Sharpening the Saw

This week has been a really different one....I got to be a learner, as well as a teacher. After teaching my WMU seminar on Wednesday, I left for the national ASCD conference in Washington, DC. The theme for this week has been "21st Century Learning", and I've really had my thinking challenged, especially about the new ways that technology can be used so well to enhance learning.

Heidi Hayes Jacobs challenged us this morning by asking, "What year are you preparing your learners for?" and then presented some dynamic ideas about web2.0 experiences that kids should be having in classrooms. It was so interesting and so stimulating to be exposed to such a forward thinker! I'm interested in tying her ideas into the courage concept: that educators of the future will need courage and integrity to re-vision our systems so that they meet the needs of today's students. Lots to think about!

Tomorrow we'll hear Mike Schmoker---another one of my favorite presenters, and he too will be talking about what the future holds. I'm feeling lucky to have had the opportunity to "sharpen the saw" this week, and take part in some learning that will enrich my work. Oh---and the crab cakes on the banks of the Potomac weren't bad, either!

Wherever We Go, Whatever We Do....

I'm in lovely Appleton, Wisconsin this weekend, working with my study group! Al, Dale and I have spent the day together, working on our Courageous Leaders Through History project. We feel good about how we're working together, and the project is shaping up well.

This morning I toured Al's middle school and saw some wonderful technology in action---Students were leading learning using Smart Boards, were giving presentations on Afghanistan and debating the US military presence there ( I think if our gov't were smart they'd listen to these kids!) and were integrating technology into their school life in a really vibrant way.

I'm learning that part of our journey is the managing of how we're working as a group and managing to support each other in our progress. Amy had to work today, and we're hoping she can join us tomorrow for our time together. On Sunday, I'll drive home---and I'm really looking forward to that after being gone for nine days!