I was inspired after watching Sugata Mitra on TED. "If children have interest then education happens." Powerful.The capacity for children to learn and educate has been laid bare. I think that I need to help motivate students to utilize that capacity. No, I won't define that word for you.""No, I will not spell that for you.""No, … Continue reading Child-Driven Education? →

OK, FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS TO ACCESS THE QUESTIONS FOR THE SCAVENGER HUNT:1. Login to the network using your username and four letter password (only one group members has to do this!);2. Click the ‘Public’ folder on your desktop OR go to “My Computer” and click on ‘Public P’;3. Find and open the folder titled “LIBRARY ORIENTATION”;4. … Continue reading LIBRARY SCAVENGER HUNT DIRECTIONS →

Reading blogs if little else inspires me. It forces me to go deep and really think about my professional practice and my interactions with students and staff. Leanne Jones, in her blog Shelf-Consumed, offers ten insights on what every new librarian should keep in mind. Here's my list based on Leanne's wisdom:#2 Kids above all … Continue reading What I Wish I Knew →

I've been inspired to create a one-stop training video arena for Google Docs for teacher and colleagues.

Being pushed by Google and Apple to get more academic-minded and begin supporting education at the grassroots levels in North America, Microsoft in collaboration with ISTE (International Society Technology in Education) put together a thirty-seven page "Critical Thinking in the Classroom" teacher's guide and program. The document is loaded with lesson plans include prerequisites, rationale, … Continue reading Microsoft Gets into the ‘Critical Thinking’ Game →

A terrific interview with 'Going Bovine' and 'Great and Terrible Beauty' author, Libba Bray.And of course, the booktrailer for 'Going Bovine' from last year!

OK. One of the smallest provinces, with one of the smallest students populations, and an even smaller education budget has begun their rethink. Can BC be not too far behind? Let's hope not...

The other day, in my hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario, the faculty and staff at Brock University were warned by the head of the drama department, Dr. David Fancy, about the possible risks involved in working in an environment bathed in wifi electromagnetic signals.http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2010/08/31/con-wi-fi-warning.htmlMy initial cynical reaction? Is this another inconclusive cell-phone-causes-brain-cancer-fear-mongering or is there … Continue reading Wifi Electromagnetic Signals Dangerous? →

Former university professor, Crawford Killian, offers a terrific article this week in The Tyee; fair warning to all incoming freshmen. Check out 'Plagiarism for Beginners'.Killian notes that "When the big term papers come due late in the semester, some of you will submit examples of either dumb plagiarism or crooked plagiarism. This is not because … Continue reading Plagiarism for Beginners →

Using htrp://animoto.com I created this booktrailer for EDES501 Summer 2010.http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1280379427&f=6jp45hQTcnNGpdw94GqZUg&d=152&m=a&r=w&i=m&options=