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As I read the article The Mindset of an Innovator I wondered to myself what does the mind of an innovator look like?  Initially I envisioned the workings of Einstein and Newton.  I shifted and imagined St. Mother Theresa working in Kalkota, India?

Then I thought maybe the mind of an innovator looks like many of us learners’ minds.  We who are putting our brains through an education process that looks like a taffy making machine.  That to me is innovation, the stretching and pulling on ideas and concepts until something new is made, the mind of an innovator!

George Couros shares a few things in the article that will stick with me in the years to come, maybe you will benefit as well?

“I will utilize the tools that are available to me today and I will continue to search for new and better ways to continuously grow, develop and share my thinking, while creating and connecting my learning.

I focus not only on where I can improve, but where I am already strong, and I look to develop those strengths in myself and in others.”  His words sum up all I want to do with the rest of my life, that is to share information while growing in creative ways.”

 

I was digitally introduced via a blog post to

Will Richardson a man who embraces change.  Mr. Richardson says that maybe if we unlearn 10 things in   http://weblogg-ed.com/2007/the-steep-unlearning-curve/ we can embrace new practices and find comfort in the unknown. These are his words below;

“So, with that brief introduction, here are 10 things that I think we need to unlearn:

We need to unlearn the idea that we are the sole content experts in the classroom, because we can now connect our kids to people who know far more than we do about the material we’re teaching.

We need to unlearn the premise that we know more than our kids, because in many cases, they can now be our teachers as well.

We need to unlearn the idea that learning itself is an event. In this day and age, it is a continual process.

We need to unlearn the strategy that collaborative work inside the classroom is enough and understand that cooperating with students from around the globe can teach relevant and powerful negotiation and team-building skills.

We need to unlearn the idea that every student needs to learn the same content when really what they need to learn is how to self-direct their own learning.

We need to unlearn the notion that our students don’t need to see and understand how we ourselves learn.

We need to unlearn our fear of putting ourselves and our students “out there” for we’ve proven we can do it in safe, relevant and effective ways.

We need to unlearn the practice that teaches all students at the same pace. Is it any wonder why so many of our students love to play online games where they move forward at their own pace?

We need to unlearn the idea that we can teach our students to be literate in this world by continually blocking and filtering access to the sites and experiences they need our help to navigate.

We need to unlearn the premise that real change can happen just by rethinking what happens inside the school walls and understand that education is now a community undertaking on many different levels.”

As I reflect on the digital era we live in and know that the world is our modern-day classroom I know that this past semester my innovated learning as come from religions, teachers, history and nature and yes, I have learned from children.

Innovation in learning is building ideas, starting over, unplugging, plugging in reading, doing and most importantly questioning others.

This semester I have unlearned having to fit myself into the the box of teaching in a brick and motor classroom .  I have learned to express myself with dignity and passion in the  digital era.  I have learned to use online tools to strengthen my approaches and I have learned to bring my fear along with me on my education journey rather than allow fear to rule.

I don’t think I will ever learn all there is to learning, but I have learned to pace myself and live in the moment. When I live virtually with my students in the future I will use Canva, Twitter, WordPress, and Prezi to help them grow as lifelong learners.

I was asked a question form my instructor, “Where will you go from here?” My answer is, “I will grow forward as my ideas and concepts are stretched”.

This is the final post for my self directed learning project.

This week I spent my 4+ hours learning about https://www.canva.com/ a FREE online creation tool.  I thought it was similar to prezi.com only more fun creative.  I put together 1 – Canva project, it is a lesson review for Social Studies. I hope to use this in my future classroom.  There are multiple ways to use this online tool be it a professional or student.

https://www.canva.com/design/DACT_FzXiH4/share?role=EDITOR&token=1BTnbMNt930qghbWLqWIAw&utm_content=DACT_FzXiH4&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton
The process took time and patience as with any new learning.

I was able to navigate myself within the website and found the biggest challenge in using Canva.com to be the embedding of the final project into my blog.  I used a template from one of my instructors to complete the research and piece together the information you will view.

I would use this tool in the classroom for small groups or individual work.  I think it would work well in Science, Language Arts and Social Studies.

We live in a virtual world and due to that there is value in using Canva as a creation tool for presentation and learning.

Here is what Canva.com wants to you to know about them as web creation tool

Canva embeds will change the way you deliver content online

Embeddable design is something we’ve wanted to build at Canva for a long time. The premise is simple — create a Canva design and get an embed code to copy it directly onto your site — but what it means for content creators and blog/website owners is really exciting.

Bring a new wave of interactivity to your site

Canva embeds is about serving your readers or visitors a fresh dose of interactivity. Convert your content into presentations for your readers to engage with or interesting infographics that can be forever changed in your Canva account and updated in real-time on your site. Canva embeds lets you transform any of your static designs into highly engaging and interactive masterpieces.

Attention Log

Over the last week, I have logged my online activity and for the most part I can say that I have wasted little time surfing the web mindlessly.

Yes, I have looked at shared pictures and posts on social media sites briefly each day. Yes, I have done some on-line shopping and tracking of packages.  I have communicated with my children and today I have monitored our spring storm as it moves into Central Nebraska.

I have spent countless hours reading through educational material on-line and tending to personal affairs online.

On one occasion this week the only place I had to complete my on-line work was in the front seat of my vehicle baking in the late afternoon sun.  I was upset that I had homework and that I was busy and tired and I had to sit in the parking lot reading through sites I was not remotely interested in.  It was after about 20 min. of reading that I finally did learn a lesson about being kind and respectful in my on-line activity.

Other times that I completed my attention logs were early mornings and afternoons. During those times, I was rested and had eaten. I noted that I worked with directed focus when I was home and had my needs met.

I did find that spending time on Twitter for my Digital Literature class is when I was most distracted by the noise of the internet highway.  On several occasions, I clicked on what I thought would be educational and found that I was sucked in to black hole of endless information.

One thing that I found that worked well for me was to complete my personal business online first.  I found that I was settled internally and was ready to learn after my personal tasks were completed.

One thing that did not work for me was to try to interact with my family or watch TV while being on- line. I have known for years that multitasking is not effective, but since this exercise was an attention log I thought I would revisit multitasking. Rather surfing or learning online I cannot be fulling present in relationships if I am sharing my attention with on-line activity.

One last thing that this exercise made me aware of is that when I say yes to technology I am saying no to so much more.

Do I need to unplug?  Do I use technology mindfully?  When do we need to be more mindful of our technology use?  When are we fully present in our face-2-face relationships?

All of these are questions are worthy of our attention.  By answering them myself, I now want to change my behavior both online and offline.  I want to be productive both places learning how to make that happen is my new challenge.

Yes, I need to unplug more often.  Here is how I know that walking away from technology frequently will enrich my relationships.

In a post made by a young college student,  The Power of Technology a blog post  she shares how technology often defeats her personal relationships. I see where I face the same dilemma.

I will be bold by sharing a short personal story of my experience this morning.

Just a few hours ago I was sharing coffee with a friend and her 12-year-old daughter. I left my phone in the car and missed several calls, texts and e-mails from my husband.  He was very concerned after the first few misses because he is aware I am always online (much like him)!  While having coffee my friend took several calls and both she and her daughter brought Pinterest up on their phones for conversation starters.  What happened to just sharing just a cup of coffee?

I will admit, it wasn’t only my forty-something year old friend or her middle school aged daughter or for that matter my husband. It was me, I had to end the coffee break so I could jump on Twitter and WordPress.

Finding balance between online activity and being fully present in the moment is becoming an issue worthy of open discussion in homes and schools.

I know this morning my friend and I were cut short from fully engaging with one another due to technology.   I lost out on an enriching my friendship because I am tethered to my devices.

I don’t think I am willing to unplug permanently or for even a week but I am willing to walk away from technology for several blocks of hours each day.  My relationships are worth it!

Hi everyone,

You might remember that I decided on the following;

I will spend 4 hours each week for the next 7 weeks in pursuit of discovering more on Passion Based Learning.

• I would like to have a Sailing 101 Lesson
• I would like to experience life inside of a Muslim Mosque
• Learn how to build a rock retaining wall (landscape)
• Study 1-2 separate stories that are in the bible
• Visit 2 museum’s any that are in my location
• Spend 4 hours learning about horse racing
• Leave 2 weeks open to learn about a new discovery I have made while on this journey.

These are not in order and I would like to also leave room for adjustments due to weather or health.

Mosques

This week I was able to interview an Elder of Lexington’s Islamic Religion, visit their Mosque and briefly connect with a woman of Muslim faith.

I would like to say in advance that my entire experience was pleasant, free of fear and led to no conversation of either party, only education on my part.

Why was this learning experience so important to me?

I work in public schools that serve the educational needs of many Muslim families.  Many of the students are new to America and learning English in ELL classrooms and some are first generation in our community.   If I am true to valuing diversity I am obligated to learn as much as I can about all of my students.  By exposing myself to the Muslim culture I am better able deliver content in way that is meaningful to each child.

Did I learn? Absolutely!  As a future teacher yourself, I hope you find something in this project that you can use in your future.

First the lady…

http://bit.ly/2psWLX7

While standing in line at the store to check out the Saturday before Easter 2017 a lady said, “Hi, it’s nice to see you” to my husband and I.  She went on to tell us how hot she was wearing her Hijab (head covering).  I took that as an opportunity to dive into this pre-planned learning project!!!!

I asked the friendly lady why she and other women wear a Hijab?  She said, “it’s hotter in hell, so I can wear this while I am on earth, it’s a sign of respect”.   I was floored, I have always thought they looked hot too!   After I recovered a few seconds later, I quickly dove in again, “I was wondering can a person who does not share your religious view enter your place of worship?”   “Yes” she replied, I was floored again.  I had wondered and hoped but did know, and didn’t expect this to be so simple. She told me I could visit anytime as long as I entered through the female side of the building, no problem.

The stranger…

Last Tuesday, after Easter I entered the Mosque on the male side!!!  First offense and a tall older male quickly and gently told me of my violation and just as quick and gentle told me that I was in violation again by wearing my shoes beyond the entry.

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Ok, so in a matter of a minute I learned two things that my students already know!

The took me politely to the female side in our own practice prayed.  When I asked if I could look through a Quran (there was pile of them), very gently the stranger told me only if I was a Muslim could I study one of the books in the sanctuary.

I was led through the undeveloped building, it was cool, dim and clean.  Much like other places of worship.

From what I got out of the experience is Muslim are quick to forgive, there are many unwritten rules and all are welcome.

The Elder…

Now comes the difficult part, accessing a Holy Man.  I have met this man and his family several times.  His many children are students in the schools where I work.  However, having a direct one on one conversation with him for who knows how many different reasons was not going to happen.  So, I formulated a list of questions I thought were provoking and via a liaison,  we were able to communicate in writing.  Please read Naji Abdi responses below.

Okay, so my daughters and I are passionate about standing with  Stand with Standing Rock the movement for social justice on and around Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, North Dakota.

The Water Water is Life movement raises aware of the ecological damage that is caused by Pipeline Oil Leaks.

So, we were physically present in Standing Rock as ‘Agents of Change’ to help shape public opinion.   BUT, is it socially responsible to be a a part of  Digital Activism ? And what is digital Activism?

Digital Activism is pushing out information on events and ideas that often go unreported in mainstream media.  Activist make use of internet tools to portray messages and statements through tweets, Facebook posts, blogs, and by other means online.

Today while learning about digital activism in a structured mannerism that was lead the professor of our Digital Literacy Class, I am finding that Digital Activism is promoted by leading educators like;

             As a real-live, bona-fide, full-time practicing classroom teacher, I call this doable for any teacher — and I challenge you to start your own cause-driven classroom blogging project today.

#kidscare

Like many accomplished educators, Bill Ferriter wears a ton of professional hats. He’s a Solution Tree author and presenter, an accomplished blogger and a senior fellow in the Teacher Leaders Network. He checks all of those titles at the door each morning, though, when he walks into his sixth-grade classroom. Ferriter tweets @plugusin.

I also, learned that when digital activism is approached with intention activist functions. result can be rewarding and double-edged

Let’s think again about classroom use of Digital Activism.

I allowed myself to be creative after reading of the success’ of teacher – Bill Ferriter’s accomplishments  I asked myself;

• What are causes worthy of leading children’s Digital Activism?
• Maybe something related to science advancement in animal health care?
• Maybe a social change in their home state or home town?
• Maybe building awareness of children’s literacy on foreign countries?

Ideas are endless, right?  What are some of your ideas?

The Digital Citizenship Survival Kit

It has been another week of learning in our #diglitclass that is focused on practicing and developing Digital Literacy both professionally and the minds our future students.  I thought I would start by sharing a few of my top favorite learning sites from this week.

This article, craigbadura.com-digital-citizenship-survival-kit left me thinking that teaching, digital literacy to children does not have be to lengthy to be impactful. He offers one idea that I plan to use this June while working with 2^nd graders. All the items that are contained in the kit are items young children are familiar with helping then to connect the ideas within Digital Citizenship.   Take a look maybe you can use it as well.

http://bit.ly/2nSGPgA This a place to start and I repeat start, to learn more about cyber bulling.  Here you can find links to cyber bulling in schools.  In addition, you are linked to information on victims & resources.  One aspect of cyber bulling that often is overlook is social exclusion that can lead to the damaging of a child’s self-esteem.  Most of us are familiar with hazing and rumor spreading but may be unaware that social media platforms are a place for these types of harmful behaviors to fester. On Digzen.org anyone can locate information related to these topics.

Dealing with Digital Cruelty

By STEPHANIE ROSENBLOOMAUG. 23, 2014  

nytimes.com-review/dealing-with-digital-cruelty writes about “Cyber Trolls” in her article.  She discusses cruel comments that are left by some users who are void of digital intelligence when responding to posts of common people or celebrities.  She suggests that authors  grow thick skin and maybe even take heed of the comments that are left by trolls.  She says that many comments are intended to injure, however, authors have the ability to keep themselves from fixating on the negative remarks.  She suggests that it may be beneficial to ponder a troll response and then to move your thoughts on to the positive.

This is only the tip of the iceberg in regard to Digital Citizenship but I found these few sites helpful and I hope you do as well.  As always please add comments. Or better, share links to sites to help build awareness.

 

What did Google have to say about me yesterday when I googled myself?

I’ll be the first to admit, I had anxiety over this exercise.  The digital highway is a big place and I wasn’t sure where I would be led to.  Thankfully, I discovered that Google didn’t know that I had accidentally lit my dumpster on fire one winter night.  Google also did not know what size shoes I wear but Google knew just about everything else.

Google told me every book I have read from my Goodreads account.  Reading is a past time of mine that I have had for the majority of my life so that list is pretty long.

I was able to easily find previous addresses of mine.  I found that unsettling since I am not sure why anyone would want to know that information and if so why?  I am meeting some incredibly interesting people while on my journey through life but I am not sure I need to know their previous address or vice versa?

I found images of my brothers and children but did not find a picture of myself?  I also found a site that shared my annual income! Yup right there for all the world to see!  According to the site my annual income is 183K per year!  Guess that tells you right there that you can’t believe everything on the internet😊

I also found out there is a woman who is 92 that lives in New York state.  Now that is a little interesting to me.  I spent about 30 seconds wondering if she could be a relative?

My Facebook account popped up but I did not see my Twitter account?

I spent a few years volunteering with the Red Cross and I was a little let down that I did not find anything related to the Red Cross.

So, according to Google the majority of time I am logging my reads and sharing my thoughts within https://www.goodreads.com/.

It would recommend that we all need to check your digital footprints from time to time, who knows what you may need to explain.

I know parents of my future students will be interested in their child’s teacher,  I am sure will warrant some Google searches.  Along with that I understand future employers are required to ensure safety of children and therefore, will need to Google search my name.  I am not concerned with what can be found on the internet rather I am concerned with the security of the information.

Hi everyone,

You might remember that I decided on the following;

I will spend 4 hours each week for the next 7 weeks in pursuit of discovering more on Passion Based Learning.

• I would like to have a Sailing 101 Lesson
• I would like to experience life inside of a Muslim Mosque
• Learn how to build a rock retaining wall (landscape)
• Study 1-2 separate stories that are in the bible
• Visit 2 museum’s any that are in my location
• Spend 4 hours learning about horse racing
• Leave 2 weeks open to learn about a new discovery I have made while on this journey.

These are not in order and I would like to also leave room for adjustments due to weather or health.

This week I was able to visit 3 Nebraska museums and 1 historical marker along the Lincoln Highway (aka; Hwy 30) through Dawson County Nebraska.  I hope you enjoy the recap of my Independent Learning Project for this week.

1^st Stop

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The Dawson County Historical Society  https://dchsmuseum.com/

This museum located in Lexington, Ne. near the city swimming pool and several schools.

The museum was featuring an exhibit on Public Power Districts’ history in the USA.  Of course, Dawson Public Power District located south of Lexington was highlighted.  The museum staff did an excellent job giving the public a full overview of hydroelectricity then and now.

In addition to that exhibit a celebration in honor of the 150^th anniversary of Nebraska’s statehood.

2^nd Stop

Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles, Lexington, Nebraska http://heartlandmuseum.com/index.php

This museum is filled with armored utility vehicles, heavy tanks, armored personnel carriers, helicopters, airplanes, guns, missals other heavy armored transport vehicles.

This museum was much different than I anticipated.  It of course is filled with history but not the history of battles or wars that I envisioned.

3^rd Stop

The Pony Express Station, Gothenburg Nebraska http://www.ponyexpressstation.org/ This I very small wooden shack that is filled the history and short life of the Pony Express.

According to  nps.gov

More than 1,800 miles in 10 days! From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California the Pony Express could deliver a letter faster than ever before.

In operation for only 18 months between April 1860 and October 1861, the Pony Express nevertheless has become synonymous with the Old West. In the era before electronic communication, the Pony Express was the thread that tied East to West.

As a result of the 1849 Gold Rush, the 1847 Mormon exodus to Utah and the thousands who moved west on the Oregon Trail starting in the 1840s, the need for a fast mail service beyond the Rocky Mountains became obvious. This need was partially filled by outfits such as the Butterfield Overland Mail Service starting in 1857 and private carriers in following years.

4^th Stop

Sweedish Cross Cemetery http://heartlandmuseum.com/index.php

This Historical Marker is located north of Gothenburg, Ne alongside a dirt road.  It is a small well maintained commemoration of the tragedy that struck the Berg family in 1885.  The family was immigrants from Sweden who established themselves in the community of Gothenburg, NE.  According to Emma Peterson, “ As each child died their grandfather, Benjamin Palm, designed a unique cross for each child to mark their grave. He was Gothenburg’s first blacksmith. It is said that he ordered special steel from Sweden to make these unique crosses. The designs included fancy stars, hearts, and crosses. Each marker includes the child’s name, and date of birth and death.”

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I found something to admire in each place I visited, I learned something at each place and I would definitely take my future students on a field trip to each place.  So far this experience has been my favorite.