The Mammas and the Pappas

I recently met Dr. Helen Barrett - what a lovely person!

It was funny because I almost jumped up so excited I was to meet what I call one of the "celebrities" of the field of instructional technology. I also saw David Warlick who I refrained from getting his autograph : )

As I stood awe-inspired and listening to her adventure in Barcelona, I got to thinking how great it is to have people like this forge forward. Having these "mammas and pappas" are extremely important to people like me who are pioneering the way in their own district.  They give us strength and credibility to navigate along this challenging journey.

Last summer, I heard Alan November speak. And when I went to have him sign my book, I thanked him. He asked why. This is why. We need people like him who get up in front of the crowd and tell it like it is. We can then go back knowing we are not alone.

So thank you Mammas and Pappas - the celebrities of instructional technology!

Connecting and constructing

I'm working on a summer collegial study this summer and the question is what will I learn, how will I know I learned it, and ultimately, how will I apply it?

If we are visual learners, then I'd like to "see" the result of my my learning. After all, isn't true that once I'm exposed to new ideas, my mind will make sense of it and construct new meaning? And if I discuss this with someone, their own learning will become enmeshed in mine to create a new dynamic.

So how do two educators make sense of The Third Teacher, The Element, and A Whole New Mind? I'll post the concept map when we finish with our collegial study this summer!