Riding the eFellow wave

Posted on by

I've always been keen to try out new things, things that will improve my thinking and approach to my teaching. I don't mind being pushed outside my comfort zone, but when I became an eFellow I was tossed into a tumultuous wave that first struck me with fear, but then excited me. It was a voyage of discovery like no other. Now that I'm near the end of this fantastic journey (which is really like a beginning), I thought I'd share some of these things with others. I'd love others to reap the benefits I have gained through the eFellow experience.

Riding the eFellow wave (Photo credit: Derek Fryer)
Catching the wave

A 2011 eFellow and digital mentor, Sonya van Schaijik, encouraged me to apply to be a CORE Education eFellow, and I am very grateful for that spark which lit a fire in my professional development and practice. From the moment I received the Inspector Gadget style self destructing top secret email, “I need to speak to you urgently, don’t tell anyone…”, from John Fenaughty on the drive back from a fishing trip to the Ruakituri, I was in disbelief (mainly because I had been off the grid for a few  days, and was a bit confused about the reality of the situation). There have been 80 eFellows to date, and I feel extremely privileged to be part of an alumni that includes many influential and prolific members of New Zealand education.

read more
Posted in

Vince Ham and the MAGIC of the eFellowship

Posted on by

Reflecting on the e-fellowship journey I want to share the impact this experience has had on me and share the thoughts of e-fellows throughout the years.

On June the 19th a mighty Totara fell. Vince was the inspiration and the moral compass behind the e-fellowship journey.

As stories are shared, memories relived and moments reflected on, I realise the power and MAGIC of Vince’s role in the e-fellowship. Vince’s dream has been instrumental in ensuring MAGIC happens, for CORE, for educators, and most importantly, for our learners.

Receiving an e-fellowship was and continues to be MAGIC in my learning journey. To realise that you have received a fellowship recognising innovative e-learning practice is hard to explain. To meet with your fellow recipients even harder!  Suddenly you are collaborating with educators who also operate outside the boundaries and are hungry for any opportunity to leverage success for our learners. To spend a year learning, growing, collaborating, challenging, and transforming is an incredible privilege, indeed.

Photo of Anne with eFellows 2012

Throughout the year I reflected on the journey which you can read about here. 

The e-fellowship allows time to develop yourself and continue to challenge to transform outcomes for our learners. It allows time to dream, collaborate, and co-construct transformative learning opportunities. It allows time to reflect on your practise and push the boundaries. It celebrates where you have been on your e-learning journey and scaffolds you to your transformative potential.

The e-fellowship is for anyone. It is an opportunity to grow your e-capacity and empower you. It is an opportunity to network and share, to aspire and inspire. It is your chance to hook yourself to a rainbow, follow your dreams and create MAGIC!

I have gathered together some thoughts of others who have travelled this path…

As the driving force behind the successful introduction of the e-fellowship scheme, Vince had the long-term vision as to how young New Zealanders and their teachers would change the way they learned, using ever-new technology.  He was blessed, as well, with a gentle common touch which meant you instantly warmed to him. I know we would not have such wonderful lifetime memories had it not been for this dear man’s effort. Rest easy, Vince.
Rod Dowling, 2005 e-fellow.

Vince indeed had that ability to make you feel you could achieve anything. Vince was always changing the concept to make it better and more attainable for teachers.  I thank you Vince for helping me and others to go for it and contribute something more to the teaching profession. A truly gifted, kind hearted man. I treasure the time with you and being fortunate to have you share your wisdom.
Robyn Hurliman 2009 e-fellow.

I just loved 2004 and the way Vince guided us with our research. It was inspirational to be treated as a thinking professional even when I was just sort of lost in exploring ideas. I particularly remember after one conference discussing how we were a real part of changing New Zealand education – feeling 10-foot tall and bulletproof!  Thanks for everything, Vince. I’ve enjoyed our friendship over the years, and will continue to treasure the memories.
Maurice Alford, 2k4 e-Fellow

Vince was my lecturer at Christchurch College of Education for Advanced Qualifications in the late 1980’s. Then in 2002, I met up with him again at Ulearn and we swapped stories. After that I was delighted to find out that he was one of the mentors for the e-fellows. My memories are of a super intelligent gentleman who really pushed my thinking.
Sonya Van Schaijik 2010 e-fellow

Vince was my inspiration. He was true to his vision to promote teacher agency and empowerment to enhance teaching and learning for young New Zealanders. The e-fellowship ‘walked the talk.’ The initiative supported teachers to engage in practitioner research, to enrich their school contexts and make a difference. Vince was a visionary, believing in the professionalism of teachers in an age when so often experts and expertise are located elsewhere in the system. Vince was instrumental to my academic journey and there is not a day that goes by that I do not thank him.
Jennifer Charteris 2005 e-fellow

By “taking a punt” on a non-teacher being an efellow, Vince was once again pushing the boundaries and challenging thinking around what does it mean to be an educator. The times I spent with him at CORE were reflective and empowering, he gave freely his ideas and thoughts with total humility and support for the personal growth journey the efellowship had me on. My year as an e-fellow has changed the direction of my career in ways I could only dream of, without the opportunity I would not be doing what I am now. ‘Grateful’ doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel.
Paula Eskett , 2012 e-fellow.

The mentoring of e-fellows over the years continues to transform educators as they realise their potential…

“The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating.” John Schaar

What an incredible privilege it is to be an e-fellow. Thank you Vince for a dream that is a reality for educators in New Zealand. What a delight to see Vince's memory living on in the newly established Vince Ham Scholarship!

 

More information:

read more
Posted in

CORE Education eFellow Review 2012

Posted on by

The 2012 CORE Education eFellows gathered in Christchurch for their final Masterclass session of the year before they will present individually and together at ULearn 12 in Auckland. Throughout the course of the year the eFellows have gathered, connected, shared and inspired one another, forming unique bonds that will benefit them all in the years to come.

On their final day in Christchurch, the eFellows were asked to reflect on their year, and share one thing they will each take away from their experience. They all agreed that it had been a worthwhile experience but different for each of them nonetheless, coming from a different parts of the country, different schools, and different sectors in their own words (see above video).

Applications for the 2013 eFellowship close at 5pm on Friday 31st August—apply today!

 

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.

read more
Posted in