Tonight, I have the opportunity to speak at the Phi Delta Kappa – UBC Chapter dinner meeting on the topic of “Internet Connectivity, Personalization, and Engagement in Learning”. The format has each of the three presenters speaking for between seven and 10 minutes with questions and discussion to follow. I am on a great panel, with Steve Cardwell, Superintendent of Schools in Vancouver, and Jan Unwin, Superintendent of Schools in Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows (I didn’t realize she was blogging).
It is a very broad topic, but I am going to focus on five key ideas, considering their impact on both adult and student learning. These ideas come in large part from my experiences with StudentsLive!, and subsequent dialogue with the students since the program ended. It is a remix of several other presentations I have recently given.
My “big 5” messages:
mobile technology can change learning
good writing still matters but video is changing the game
using social media needs to be taught
networks are essential
the real world is addictive
The five themes speak to both student learning, and our learning as educators. In fact, I find all five themes are dramatically changing how I learn.
Here is my complete slide deck:
I will update this later with the main ideas from Steve and Jan.
cultureofyes.ca 
Love to hear about the highlights after the talk, especially pertaining to how technology such as cell phones and writing skills can go hand in hand. I see the great value of both, but need help to get the technology into my classroom smoothly.
Hi Ian,
I will try to add more details later to tonight’s presentation. There was a lot of discussion of the value of good writing in the digital age and how blogging and similar activities actually encourage students to read and write more than before. There were some of the table discussions that looked at barriers – familiar themes like equity, wireless, bandwidth, budgets. There were a number of tweeters at the event – you can check out the tweets at #pdk10. Hopefully a few others who were there can add some details.
Loved your presentation. You have SO much energy. This does not come through as much on your blog!
You were animated and passionate and obviously have talked about your message before.
What will be interesting is how we can turn your message, and the message we have each been talking about, and turn it into practice. This will be key.
Thanks David – we need to have more models of what this looks like. I think most people do get the the message around change. Look forward to connecting again soon!
Great Presentation tonight and I agree with David – the energy and enthusiasm is contagious!
I agree with all your points.
Having participated in many discussions regarding personalization and 21CL, the ideas, theories, and concepts are consistent. I think everyone understands the whats and whys, but the question remains – how?
This is the real world problem here and I feel everyone is looking for a one size fits all model. However, real world problems are open ended in nature and there is no one right solutions. That is the true challenge of personalization.
What I would like to see or rather hear, both would be great, are stories about successes and failures – both equally important for learning. As well, engage in a discussion with stakeholders that leads to ideas for individual schools to move forward. Not a one model plan, but different frameworks for introducing a more personalized education as it relates to our specific clients and stakeholders.
What are the essential building blocks for personalization and when are learners ready for personalization?
Great question at the end of your comment – this is a discussion we need to have. I think it is an increasing ownership over time – but when and how this starts needs work for me. There are also some grade 9’s who are absolutely ready to own their own learning and others who are not – and we have to build systems for all of them.
Chris,
I wonder if you might consider putting together the seven verbal minutes of your presentation and adding it as a soundtrack for your slides. I’d enjoying hearing you present these ideas.
Earlier today, I had a chance to listen/see a short presentation from @budtheteacher presenting a short slide show on how Infrastructure Matters – http://youtu.be/Y4qMjwdTxuE?a
Cheers… Bob
Thanks Bob. I actually wish I had recorded what I said. I read some of the feedback, and I am also curious about what all I said. Once I got in the flow I know I went off script – but if it was good I want to add it to future talks.
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