I’ve just attended a fascinating conference entitled “Game-Based Learning.” You can see the agenda or the list of speakers by clicking the link and navigating to the appropriate place. And by the time you read this, the videos of the keynote sessions may well be up there, too.
Last year I went to an educational
technology conference. I didn’t take a laptop, so the only time I could get
online was when I managed to get a computer in the internet café the organisers
had set up. That suited me perfectly fine, and I was very happy with what I
managed to achieve.
One of the tasks which ed tech coordinators are landed with is cajoling other teachers to use the technology in their lessons. And not just in a one-off or a tokenistic way, either. No! You’re expect to persuade them, somehow, that this is the way of the future and that they should therefore cast aside all their old, non-techie teaching methods and step into this brave new world.
If you’re like most other teachers, you think of the “real world” as being nothing much to do with you. Companies and other non-educational organisations are fine for stumping up some cash now and then, sending a speaker along to give the students some variety and some insight, and for sending students to as part of their work experience.
I live in England. I don’t know what it’s like in your neck of the woods, but over here it’s a marathon task to be allowed out of school to attend a conference, professional development training or an exhibition.
Happy New Year! Isn’t it great to have a bit of a break? Trouble is, though, that starting work again is a bit of a shock to the system. And if you think it’s bad for you, wait till you see the kids! Wrenched from their bed at some unearthly hour (i.e., before
noon
), they cannot be guaranteed to be looking forward to the first day back with unbridled enthusiasm.
So, what you need is a pretty dynamic start to the new year that, whilst conceding that the work ethic may not be uppermost in the minds of your students, does not compromise in terms of standards. I believe in starting as one means to go on. It’s hard sometimes, but it’s even harder to try and raise the bar later on.
Here, then, are a few first lesson activities that you might like to pick and mix from. I’d be interested to know how you get on.
