ULearn12 reflections

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ULearn12 is over but the happy memories still linger, and for many of the CORE whānau this year’s ULearn held in Auckland was one of the best yet. With over 1500 delegates in attendance and over 60 members of CORE’s team on hand to present, organise, listen and learn, CORE staff were there to experience ULearn in all its glory.

CORE’s Director of Development Nick Billowes spoke to Digital Media Producer Jedd Bartlett, and reflected on the week that was.

Nick talks about Ulearn12 from CORE Education Digital Media on Vimeo.

CORE staff also shared some thoughts on their ULearn12 experience:

"One of the principals [I spoke to] (who has never attended an IT/e-learning conference before) said she wanted all of her staff to attend the next [ULearn]."
– Anne Sturgess

"In one of the personal conversations I had with Kevin Honeycutt, he commented on how excited he was to receive another invitation from CORE to be part of this, so soon after Learning @ School. Why? Because Kiwi teachers and educators have got the goods. 'They so get it', is what he said."
– Deanne Thomas

"…the social media element has really taken off and certainly drew me in from the office in Rotorua, the Twitter feeds and open collaborative gdocs were a great way to keep me engaged in the conference from afar…"
– Daphne Papuni

"[I] had MANY teachers, principals and educators tell me how much they enjoyed and were inspired by their learning at ULearn"
– Tamara Bell

"It was my first ULearn and I had high hopes! I was not disappointed, it surpassed even my expectations. I came, I saw, I listened, I learnt, I tweeted, I even presented! It was a mind blowing 3 days…"
– Catriona Pene

And a few comments from our Facebook and Twitter followers…

"Thanks CORE Ed for a fabulous ULearn 2012!"
– Hazel Swift

"Brilliant day yesterday, far exceeded my expectations! Well done. Hope for another fantastic day today."
– Brad Bridges (during the conference)

"This #ulearn12 has had amazing keynote presenters – every single one inspiring @CoreEducation"
– Melanie Wiersma

"Thanks #ULearn12 again a high quality, motivating conference has been delivered. Can't wait till next time!"
– Carolyn Aberhart

"Oops I love you too much #ULearn12 missed my flight home…."
– Anne Kenneally

Emma Potter

Emma Potter is the Marketing and Communications Officer at CORE Education. She started with CORE following her university education, where much of her study was focused on news and the news media.

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Why you should be at ICOT 2013

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ICOT 2013 New Zealand

Without a doubt conferences of the stature of the "International Conference on Thinking" (ICOT) are rare in New Zealand.

The last was last held in Auckland in 2001. CORE Education has won the right to host this prestigious and very popular conference again in 2013, this time in Wellington. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for teachers and educational leaders to participate in an exceptionally high quality, professionally rich, learning experience.

Far from being seen as a one-off, stand-alone event, ICOT 2013 can be thought of as part of an ongoing cycle of development within a school's professional learning programme. With its spectacular world-renowned keynote and feature speakers, including Edward de Bono, Dr Kerry Spackman, Professor Guy Claxton, Dr Kirpal Singh, Dr John Edwards, ICOT 2013 will help to build a national professional learning community among the education sector focused on the pedagogy of learning and the value of thinking. This opportunity is critical for developing and extending the vision and capability of school leaders, and in challenging our teachers to think 'outside the box' when it comes to differentiated learning.

ICOT 2013 will provide a powerful platform for teachers to reconsider and refresh their views on how learning occurs, and how to shape the world of the learner as a thinker and developer of knowledge and understanding. In so many ways exposure to the best in the world in this arena will provide elements which allow delegates to participate in:

  • a forum to network and exchange ideas, best practices, expertise and unlock creativity
  • a chance to hear world-renowned keynote and invited presenters, who will challenge their thinking and inspire action
  • opportunities to engage in presenting and other discussion opportunities available throughout this immersive experience
  • access to workshops that showcase new ideas, tools, and the resources from international as well as national presenters
  • a forum for reflection on progress and the setting of new goals for schools and thier staff
  • exposure to a wide range of materials and resources around thinking and learning via the educationally-focused trade exhibition
  • a conference full of immersive opportunities.

Find out more about:

ICOT 2013

The keynotes and speakers

The programme

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The Network for Learning

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Network for Learning

The Government is establishing an online network for schools that is expected to offer affordable, safe, reliable, and ultra-fast internet access as well as a range of education content and services. As the Network for Learning develops, content and services such as high definition video conferencing, learning management systems, and e-portfolios, as well as administrative and learning resources, are expected to be added.

CORE has been a partner in producing a series of videos that outlines how the Network for Learning might be designed and implemented, and these videos are now online at EDtalks. As well as an explanation of the proposed Network for Learning, the videos feature a number of New Zealand educators explaining how ultra fast broadband (UFB) has impacted on their schools. The four videos are a good source of information about how the planned high-speed Network for Learning will support teaching and learning in the future, and cover infrastructure, services, and teaching and learning.

The Network for Learning will also provide significant benefits to teachers as a source of their own professional development. This may be through the development of their own Personal Learning Networks, or through participation in online courses and events designed to promote professional learning in certain areas. At the teaching and learning level we will need to think about how learners can access their learning from places other than the school they happen to be attending.

The Network for Learning videos are available on EDtalks:

 

How informed are you and your school management team about the Network for Learning?
What further information would assit you in your planning?
What online educational content would you consider to be essential for the students and staff at your school?

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Ten Trends 2012: Social Learning

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What opportunities lie in the vast array of social media platforms and technologies out there? Also, how can we as professionals evaluate the educational opportunities for those whom we serve (our students and our organisations)?

In the video above I discuss the following social learning elements:

For students

 

 

For educators

 

 

How are you using the above examples of 'social learning' in your classrooms?

 

Information about CORE's Ten Trends

 

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John Cage’s 10 rules for students and teachers

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johncage10rules
Some inspiring thoughts: Composer, music theorist, writer, teacher, and artist John Cage's "Rules" (Source)*

* UPDATE: While these Rules have often been attributed to John Cage (who valued them highly), it is now recognised that the author is Sis Corita Kent. Thanks for  those who tweeted this correction.

If you find this version difficult to read, we've transcribed the essence of it here:

10 rules for students and teachers
by Sis Corita Kent
Rule 1: Find a place you trust, and then, try trusting it for a while
Rule 2: (General Duties as a Student)
Pull everything out of your teacher.
Pull everything out of your fellow students.
Rule 3: (General Duties as a Teacher)
Pull everything out of your students.
Rule 4:  Consider everything an experiment.
Rule 5: Be Self-Disciplined. This means finding someone wise or smart and choosing to follow them. To be disciplined is to follow in a good way. To be self-disciplined is to follow in a better way.
Rule 6:  Follow the leader. Nothing is a mistake. There is no win and no fail. There is only make.
Rule 7: The only rule is work. If you work it will lead to something. It is the people who do all the work all the time who eventually catch onto things. You can fool the fans—but not the players.
Rule 8:  Do not try to create and analyze at the same time. They are different processes.
Rule 9: Be happy whenever you can manage it. Enjoy yourself. It is lighter than you think.
Rule 10:  We are breaking all the rules, even our own rules and how do we do that? By leaving plenty of room for “x” qualities.

Helpful Hints:

Always Be Around.
Come or go to everything.
Always go to classes.
Read everything you can get your hands on.
Look at movies carefully and often.
SAVE EVERYTHING. It may come in handy later.

How do your 'rules' help children to grow their key competencies?

Share your comments below.

 

 

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