-connecting with and learning from other amazing international educators
-forming deeper relationships with current colleagues
-developing stronger leadership skills through sharing and risk taking
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| Making Connections. Photo by Randall Bruder on Unsplash |
FYI- I am in love with the electrical circuitry element to the photo at left. One of the things I shared with others at Learning2 was how I introduced and used Squishy Circuits with Early Years students.
My retelling of the process orally made me realise the power of visuals (I wished I'd had more at the ready to share!) but also that I had been meaning to document my own learning of the process in more depth so that others can benefit.
*Check out my Tech in the Early Years Padlet containing an ongoing sampling of Tech Integration ideas for our youngest learners.
So... what is Learning2 about?
Learning 2 is About Connecting With and Learning from Other International Educators
Enjoying a high quality of life in Switzerland & low staff turn over can mean we get used to things remaining unchanged: 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Listening to how another educator/school is tackling the same challenges, but much more successfully/creatively can be mind-bending.
Throughout the conference, Learning 2 Leaders deliver short "Ted-Style Talks' on a range of inspiring topics. One such talk has Sam Sherratt describing Studio5, a fascinating project on how a school is breaking traditional moulds and empowering students to all but eliminate the challenges of timetables, subjects and even teachers! (Well, almost.) His vision is startlingly similar to what ISZL's Early Years program looks like and makes me want to share more of what we are doing. To encourage others to share what they are doing.
Learning 2 is About Forming Deeper Relationships with Colleagues
Learning is a social act: Long periods of uninterrupted time to learn and to socialise with one another is key to developing and deepening work relationships. Additional time spent together travelling, eating meals, etc. is additional time together spent discussing teaching and learning, additional time spent solving a problem, additional time spent learning to trust one another. Trust is a crucial element in learning and innovation.
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| Teamwork Takes Time. Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash |
Learning 2 is (can be) About Developing Stronger Leadership Skills through Sharing and Risk Taking
My first Learning2 was so overwhelming--so much to learn in a short time. Tweeting was still new to me, and I was learning so much at workshops that I didn't think I could take on any more than that. My Ed Tech Coach at the time, Jocelyn Sutherland pushed me further (as she always did) by encouraging me to 'lead' an unconference--a grass roots style meeting of like minds about tech in the early years--which I did and got much out of it.
Last year, excellent colleague Kim Lelek and I upped our game by giving teacher workshops, (much more carefully planned professional development).
This year, we both delivered workshops, and in addition we co-facilitated our peer group of Tech Leaders for an hour at the end of each day at the conference. Interestingly, with each additional responsibility, I only felt more energised and ended up investing more of myself in other learning sessions I attended. (The old saying, the more you put into something, the more you get out of it couldn't be more true.)
Last year, excellent colleague Kim Lelek and I upped our game by giving teacher workshops, (much more carefully planned professional development).
This year, we both delivered workshops, and in addition we co-facilitated our peer group of Tech Leaders for an hour at the end of each day at the conference. Interestingly, with each additional responsibility, I only felt more energised and ended up investing more of myself in other learning sessions I attended. (The old saying, the more you put into something, the more you get out of it couldn't be more true.)
*Check out our 2min PD Padlet --little golden nuggets shared by our Tech Leaders cohort.
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| Leaning in to the PreConference Session, New Medias and New Literacies |
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| Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash |
Learning2 has changed my practice, perspective & relationships. The larger the school cohort attending, the larger the potential impact back home. Learning2 is still looking for a host school for 2019 and 2020. Could ISZL be that school?
Luxembourg's (this year's host city) motto is 'Let's make it happen.' I am echoing that sentiment.
Hi Holly,
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing together your thoughts on Learning2. Your post really helps to capture so many of those positive elements of the experience that I've been struggling to explain to those who haven't been. I guess the power really does lie in organically building those professional relationships and on having the courage to share what we're proud of.
I think my second experience taught me that what might seem ordinary to some is often extraordinary to others. Meeting so many educators at different stages of their careers and with often different perspectives on pedagogical practice meant that there were always provocative ideas flying around that helped to stimulate reflection and reevaluation.
Your point about our context being a little complacent is also on the money. There was a lot of talk about echo chambers and vacuums in Luxembourg and, whilst I don't necessarily think L2 is any different, I certainly do think it's important to make sure that we're challenging our own back in Switzerland.
Imagine a world where our inservice experience involved L2 running parallel to the Youth Forum in a way that provided staff and students with a menu of great learning opportunities...
Thanks so much for your comment, Mr T! Provocative ideas and different perspectives are certainly highlights of the conference. They always make me question how we(I) do things at home and want to improve them.
ReplyDeleteYour point about L2 itself being an echo chamber is an interesting one, as we can easily criticise those with 'traditional' or different view points as being the ones in the bubble and are often blind to our own biases.
Yes, having such a rich menu of such learning opportunities would certainly be 'world class!'