Free At Last…
Over the past few days I have had the pleasure of being invited in on a couple of “Skype cast” conferences with the hosts being that of Linda (Lily) and Jolene (Jo Jo): both conferences went well ladies – I thank you for the invites.
With Linda: the discussion focussed around that of “Blended Learning” and the challenges facing the “Millennial Generation” (spoiled brats of our creation though they may be) in re: to having ICT embedded within curriculum, schools and universities across Canada. The major obstructions/obstacles at present would be that of teacher reluctance (fear), career stage and mo’ money, mo’ money, mo’ money…
It was my opinion that this fledgling move towards a balanced blended ICT approach to curriculum deliverance (delivering us from the Dark Ages Mr. Dewey) will/would take, not a few years but that of several teacher generations in fact. We 1st need to have, and this is simply a migratory fact of life, our middle to late career teachers pass through the “Hallowed Halls of Enlightenment” on their way out the door (willingly or not) to retirement and golf courses else where: southward bound, forming the latest version of the Canadian “Snow Goose” flock (an endangered bird it is not): beware the Speedo. Why so? How many of the aforementioned, willingly or mandated: want, would, should or could re-invest time and money already spent on the re-education of thine own self at this stage in life? Factor in RRSP’s, children off to college, children getting married, grand children and the grand cottage out at the lake/loch (Grand Beach) and we begin to see why the “Life Long Learner” begins to stagnate, not for all, but for all too many, in and around mid to and late life: It’s time to grandfather a few of the clauses… Santa.
Teacher fear and or reluctance will and can be addressed through a greater push by our universities to make ICT and Blended Learning the new Operating System (OS) to which all universities must adhere to in order to have our newly matriculated educators ready for the stressors being placed upon them, as we speak, by this the Millennial Generation…
Money: like that of chewing bubble gum, throwing snowballs, swearing and the wearing of hats, will always be an issue especially within the confines of the Public School System.
With Jolene: She had her conference registered at the ready, but for whatever the reason, it was only I whom was able to reach her over the neighborhood sky? What we did discuss (in addition to fragile technology) was that of our “Professional Learning Group” here in Mystery Lake and the reworking of our mandate: the development and retention of an administrator pool. Why so? To combat the turn over ratio: be it due to retirement, leaving the community (going south) or that of leaving the field and or profession altogether, we do need this group, and it does need our support. Why so? In order to further the cause as to a well thought, well developed, vision plan in re: to the Northern Experience; a plan which will stand on it’s own whomever be in charge: similar to that of the Northern Lights and the Rainbow’s Rim. Failure to do so may result in wee bit of Northern Exposure and frostbite unawares – sorry, couldn’t help myself.
In between time I managed to hook up with some lonely old gentlemen (I hope) cruising around looking for someone to talk to via Skype. He hailed from Windsor, Ontario, and he wasn’t a Bomber, nor a Bill fan, so we quickly parted ways.
Lastly, iffen you want a listen: friends, Romans and countrymen go to http://duhmader.mypodcast.com and lend me thine ear? A big thanx to one Thomas O’Kelly who is responsible for busting me loose and setting me free: “God A’Mighty, I’m Free at Last, I’m Free at Last…”
