In the move toward a 'personalized learning' environment in British Columbia few things could be more relevant and pertinent than the act of inquiry (or inquiry-based learning). And while many of my teacher-librarian colleagues are leaders in their elementary schools, those of us who work in a very rigid, performance test-driven environment here is where the real challenge … Continue reading BCTLA Points of Inquiry Poster: A Missing Element? →

Joyce Kasman Valenza is perhaps the most influential teacher-librarian in North America. A teacher-librarian for over 35 years, few have the experience, knowledge, and creativity that Valenza brings to her library, school, and the students that she engages with on a daily basis.Here is her recent TED Talk in Philadelphia on the vital imperative of … Continue reading See Sally Research: Joyce Valenza TED Talk →

The Vancouver School Board's School Library Resource Centre Consultative Committee along with UBC and SFU Libraries recently devised a list of the most important research skills needed for BC graduates.Top Ten Research Skillshttp://www.scribd.com/embeds/64304407/content?start_page=1&view_mode=list&access_key=key-7zz2b7rafw7qv7amst8(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })(); Still … Continue reading Top Research Skills Needed for Post-Secondary →

World-renowned linguist and foremost expert on the English language, Dr. David Crystal, challenges the myths that communication technologies are destroying languages. With results from recent sociology studies on technology use, studious work with old English texts, and thoughts from his own keen observation, Crystal attempts to show that texting has its merits to the development … Continue reading Queen Victoria c u later: The Realities (and myths) of Texting →

In our louder and louder world, says sound expert Julian Treasure, "We are losing our listening." In this short, fascinating talk, Treasure shares five ways to re-tune your ears for conscious listening -- to other people and the world around you.http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swfDeveloping your "conscious listening"...beautiful.What Treasure says seems to resonate whole-heartedly with teachers who believe that … Continue reading Losing Our Ability to Listen (Consciously) →

Here's one of four different posters created for our 2011 Drop Everything and Read campaign by Al Smith. Many thanks to Al for his efforts and passion to "getting it right". Bookmarks on the way, too!Get yours at the BCTLA website to download and make copies for your school and/or school district.Next up? Official DEAR … Continue reading DEAR 2011 Kicks Off With New Poster →

As the opening keynote speaker at ISTE 2011 conference in Philadelphia, PA, University of Washington's Dr. John Medina seeks to provide an answer on "what a good teacher might look like".In a passionate and convincing presentation, Medina explains how our brains are wired similarly and not so similarly, and how these affect learning and teaching. … Continue reading The Brain Rule: We’re not all wired the same… →

Well, it seems as though our senior administration with the blessing of the board of trustees has recognized the importance of professional development from the personal perspective, for the need for educators to explore, learn, and collaborate on ideas and foci of their own volition. Top-down mandated professional development was never successful in School District. … Continue reading Professional Learning Project: A Beginning →

Here's what happens on the Internet EVERY 60 SECONDS everyday. Absolutely mind-blowing!Inforgraphic by Shanghai Web Designers

Here's a terrific infographic courtesy of technology blogger Greg Swanson and his colleagues and students.As part of secondary school faculty, this sort of information is really effective me lens through which to view our incoming Grade 9 students and their use of technology and of course a baseline of their level of digital literacy.For more information about creating, … Continue reading Middle School Boys & Technology Use →