Looking Back at 10 years of EdCamps Oh how the time flies, EdCamp Madison is turning 10 this year! It will be held Saturday, February 3rd at Sun Prairie West High School. Which can be found at 2850 Ironwood Drive in Sun Prairie Wisconsin from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm. Get more information and register here: https://sites.google.com/sunprairieschools.org/edcampmadwi/home I will always remember sitting in my first EdCamp opening session at the very first EdCamp Madison and having no clue what I was in for. So, I’d like to take this space to go over some of the basic rules of EdCamp. No One Will Pitch It for You EdCamps are unconferences. By this I mean that they have a blank slate of sessions for the day. There may be a few predetermined sessions, but ultimately the session topics are determined by attendees during the pitch & plan session that opens the day. If an idea gets pitched there will be a session on it. If a topic doesn’t get pitched, there won’t be a session on it. So, it i
Recharge Ed occurred Saturday morning at Kettle Moraine Middle School. It was an UnConference focused on personalized learning. After a long week, it was a wonderful experience. So what was recharging about getting up at 6:00 A.M. on a Saturday to go to school?
Traffic on a Saturday at 7:00 a.m. is actually quite light. Feels pretty good to own the interstate even when I-94 only has one lane open.
Pulling into Kettle Moraine Middle School to see a parking lot full of cars.
Seeing a fellow science teacher from Brookfield Central High School walking in the door right ahead of me.
Freshly brewed coffee when you walk in the door.
Staff from Kettle Moraine School District taking their time on a weekend to host an event.
It's really something to look at a schedule and see so many wonderful options available. (Links will take you to session notes. So, click away)
Being in rooms where teaching are sharing the many ways (so many ways) they are finding to improve instruction and not letting the negativity of limitations be the focus of the discussion. These are seen as challenges that can be faced. They are not something that leads to defeat and disillusionment.
Being in rooms where participants are using technology to share what they are learning rather than as an escape.
In the end, there are some great ideas I'll take away from Recharge Ed to my classroom. The biggest one will be trying to find simple ways to bring coding into my classroom using Scratch . I hope to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of physics by creating simple simulations.
But the real benefit was being around like minded teachers excited to discuss their craft. They are vulnerable in their willingness to share the successes and challenges they face. These educators function with a growth mindset in that these challenges are not insurmountable. It is only a challenge until the find a solution that works in their classroom. By admitting that they need help to a group of peers, they will find that help. The solutions may not be in the room, but the discussion will start the journey to a solution.
This is what recharges us. Sharing the knowledge that teaching is not easy. . Knowing we are not foolish for being optimistic. Knowing we are safe to take a risk. Knowing that failure comes before any worthwhile success. Knowing that the challenge is worth it. Knowing that when we fail we will not be alone.
Now, doesn't that sound like the kind of classroom you want to teach in?
Traffic on a Saturday at 7:00 a.m. is actually quite light. Feels pretty good to own the interstate even when I-94 only has one lane open.
Pulling into Kettle Moraine Middle School to see a parking lot full of cars.
Seeing a fellow science teacher from Brookfield Central High School walking in the door right ahead of me.
Freshly brewed coffee when you walk in the door.
Staff from Kettle Moraine School District taking their time on a weekend to host an event.
It's really something to look at a schedule and see so many wonderful options available. (Links will take you to session notes. So, click away)
Being in rooms where teaching are sharing the many ways (so many ways) they are finding to improve instruction and not letting the negativity of limitations be the focus of the discussion. These are seen as challenges that can be faced. They are not something that leads to defeat and disillusionment.
Being in rooms where participants are using technology to share what they are learning rather than as an escape.
In the end, there are some great ideas I'll take away from Recharge Ed to my classroom. The biggest one will be trying to find simple ways to bring coding into my classroom using Scratch . I hope to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of physics by creating simple simulations.
But the real benefit was being around like minded teachers excited to discuss their craft. They are vulnerable in their willingness to share the successes and challenges they face. These educators function with a growth mindset in that these challenges are not insurmountable. It is only a challenge until the find a solution that works in their classroom. By admitting that they need help to a group of peers, they will find that help. The solutions may not be in the room, but the discussion will start the journey to a solution.
This is what recharges us. Sharing the knowledge that teaching is not easy. . Knowing we are not foolish for being optimistic. Knowing we are safe to take a risk. Knowing that failure comes before any worthwhile success. Knowing that the challenge is worth it. Knowing that when we fail we will not be alone.
Now, doesn't that sound like the kind of classroom you want to teach in?
Very insightful and accurate view of our day at #rechargeed. Thanks for your input and expertise on Saturday. As you stated, we are NOT foolish for being optimistic and it's because of educators such as yourself. Together we make a difference in a learner's life!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Mike. A valuable day exchanging ideas to improve teaching and learning with optimistic and committed peers
ReplyDelete