C4T #1 Comment 1

David Truss Comment #1    

 In my next assignment, I will be summarizing an educator's blog.  I am privileged to have been assigned to David Truss, a vice principal with Coquitlam Open Learning and the new Inquiry Hub out of Canada whose philosophy on learning is truly inspirational.  Basically,  Inquiry Hub is a school that eliminates school blocks and provides an avenue to explore one's own questions through technological learning stressing inquiry, voice, audience, community, leadership, play, and networks.  David Truss's blog,  Pair-A-Dimes for Your Thoughts: A Reflection of Education, Technology, and Learning, is a compilation of techniques and thoughts of how to improve teaching, the education system and responsibilities, and maximize opportunities to all children.  After reading about Dave, I read his philosophy.  I highly recommend taking the time to read this as Dave understands the responsibility  and commitment that comes with being an educator.

In Dave's post on January 25, 2013, he discusses the details of his presentation to fellow educators on 7 techniques to transform a classroom.  In his first link, A 3 Minute Conversation Starter, Dave provides several links in hopes for though provoking conversations.

 I chose the link Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids.  Adora is a published child author, and she addresses the importance of keeping expectations high.  "When expectations are low, we will sink to them."  Adora also goes over the importance of reciprocated learning between adults and children without a fear of losing control.  "You must lend an ear today, because we are the leaders of tomorrow."  This link was powerful and lent a different perspective.

Next, I explored his link 7 Ways to Transform Your Classroom which highlights the seven principles of Inquiry Hub: (words by David Truss)

• Inquiry:Give learners a choice. Students seek and explore their own questions.
• Voice: Give learners a voice.  Provide students with meaningful opportunities to share
• Audience: Give learners and audience.  Student work is shared with more than just teacher and peers.  
• Community: Give learners a community to collaborate with.  Collaboration with peers ad teachers within global and local communities.  
• Leadership: Give learners opportunities to lead.  Students as lead learners in our school and in our world.  
• Play: Give learners opportunities to play.  School is a learning sandbox.  
• Networks: Give learning digitally connected spaces to learn.  Connected learning in both physical and digital spaces.   

David has three key points

1.  Use technology as a tool.  Use it effectively.  Dave quotes Chris Kennedy in his TEDx talk:  "Technology doesn't make teaching easier, but rather that is makes teaching different."

2.  Be learners too through collaborative learning and go global!

3.  Pick and try one of the seven way to transform your classroom.

As you can see, David Truss has a powerful perspective on adapting to a changing technological world.  Dave helps us find ways to reach potential through embracing technology as a tool.  

I left Dave a comment explaining who I was and how I felt about his post. I mentioned Adora Svitak and the power of his philosophy.  Then I asked for a few tips for a prospective educator.

Comment #2 
David added a post about his first true story of connectedness.  He explains why he decided to imbed this video.  In his video, David described how social networking sites like Twitter has helped him.  He had a question from a student that he did not know the answer.  He tried to look it up, however he still could not come to the right conclusion.  Through Twitter, David found that he could find his answer from halfway around the world.  How cool! I have not had much experience with Twitter yet, however his post gave me some hope.  I commented on this post, and let him know that I feel better about getting into Twitter.  Twitter is a powerful tool to connect, explore, and learn.