Trading It Forward

In 1841, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: "In the order of nature we cannot render benefits to those from whom we receive them, or only seldom. But the benefit we receive must be rendered again, line for line, deed for deed, cent for cent, to somebody."[2] Emerson eloquent words have been echoed in The Pay it Forward Movement we have seen flourish in the last 20 years. The idea of creating a community of transferred good deeds where the benefactor is always somebody new is beautifully simple and simply beautiful but in our hustle and bustle we sometimes neglect such beauty and the simple act of giving slips away into our daily grind. I am proud to say I am working for the New Frontiers School Board and they have become a proponent of the "deed for deed" concept adopting the idea to champion community development through shared education and trade. The catch phrase is: Trading it Forward.

NFSB Trading it Forward

On their NFSB's web site, the Trading it Forward idea is introduced with two simple statements. "Use your trade or skills to do something good." and, "Invite the person you helped to do the same." There is a page where people state how they were able to share their skill or trade. Another page indicates there is a contest where people vote on a person and the top three win a small monetary award. These additions to the simple idea of "deed for deed" are added to celebrate and promote communal growth by simply giving back. 

Modesty and selflessness is often a quality within the act of giving. Thanks, is provided with a handshake or a hug. Shake or hug away but recognize that deed. I understand some possible TIF candidates would either refuse to challenge another to trade it forward or put their act on a website. They might think it would negate the generous act or they might even think what they have contributed was not really worth the recognition. So recognize it! Ask them if you can nominate them. Tell them that it was worth it to you! And if they don't challenge you, you trade it forward. Challenge yourself! 

We have multiple ways we think, multiple ways we share what we think, and multiple ways we give. My mechanic brother is constantly giving me car advice, showing me intricate details of the motor, or doing some simple fix-its on my car. My artistic friend takes the time to show me shading techniques while we sketch together. My green thumbed friend shakes her head at me while helping me distinguish the difference between weeds and actual plants I want to grow in my garden. The multiplicity of thoughts and creative actions vibrate through a community in many ways creating a tapestry of amazing projects enriching so many lives. Celebrate this! Celebrate those little actions by sharing your multiplicity of thought with some action.  

“You don’t pay love back; you pay it forward.”[1] This is a quote from Lily Hardy Hammond’s, In the Garden of Delight. Ms. Hammond has been cited as coining the phrase “pay it forward.” The novel was published almost a hundred years ago but the words still resonate with a powerful message. So whether you add your picture to NFSB’s website or add the gracious act of your neighbour, embrace Ms. Hammond’s words and celebrate love. Trading it forward is about sharing love for neighbour, love for community, and even love for self by embracing your enriching contribution to the positive growth with in our world. So Trade, teach, pay it forward in your own special way and maybe urge someone else to do the same. If you want please come and share you experience with us. 

1.  Hammond, Lily Hardy (1916). In The Garden of Delight. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co. p. 209. 
2. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Compensation, 1841, Text of Emerson essays

I found Logan Laplante's words to be inspiring. He is challenging the conventions of education. The idea to expand education into real life and create learning situations to cultivate motivation, a deeper understanding and happiness is most teacher's goals. Listen to his ideas.

Technology ARGH!!!!

I am a pedagogical tech consultant for New Frontier School Board in Chateauguay, Quebec. My interested in utilizing any form of technology to enhance the learning system was the reason I was hired. I enjoy taking the time to find ways to apply apps,  blogs, and video to flip the classroom. I really enjoy learning and sharing this knowledge so it was a perfect fit.

 I am well aware of the time management of a teacher that often carries multiple roles in the school. They are often weighed down with the obvious preparation of lessons and grading but varying extra-curricular activities and the simple management of the school also contribute to the lack of time to play with technology. When they do take the time the obstacles can be a deterrent. "ARGH! " Might echo down the hallway.

I had the humbling experience of creating a powerpoint presentation with narration and music. This was a time consuming activity that lead to a singular frustrating moment. In that moment, my brain echoed some of my education colleagues' statements. ARGH!!! This Mac would would be an amazing frisbee! I went for a walk!

After a walk or maybe a dozen, I was able to ask another tech-head teacher for a fresh eyed look at the obstacles I was tapping my keyboard around. Fresh eyes...ahh! Revelations occurred! Solutions discovered! Pedagogical techniques in the work place! Hurrah! This Think Pair Share strategy helped me navigate the obstacle and the presentation's obstacle were overcome rather than me!

I love tech and I was briefly over come! But pairing up to find a solution created a successful outcome that generated a victory dance rather than the ominous "ARGH!!!" It is a great situation for me to reflect on because I am the Think Pair Share Tech-teacher for many teachers and will occasionally encounter 'this computer would make a great frisbee' colleague.

Here is the procedure I followed:

1. Joined Haiku deck's free app.
2. Played with the app!
3. Found pictures that reflected the ideas I was stating and created a picture deck.
4. Added text
5. Download to Powerpoint!
6. Opened Garageband. Narrated the text!
7. Composed the music using the instrument samples provided (yes I did...I know crazy)
8. downloaded it to powerpoint...NO NO NO NO! ilife??? I have to check it out with ilife! But I thought garageband was a part of ilife. Check! Check again! Look up. Look up again! try again!  Nope! Hypothesis! Sciencific Method! Nope!  What are they talking about? NONONONNO! ARGH! Frisbee thoughts!!! WALK!
9. Kelly and I converse! Hypothesis to down load to itunes! No way! It works! Victory dance!
10. Add audio media to the powerpoint. 
11. play with duration of slides to match the audio!
12. Save in varying formats!
13. What format to email it in? Attempt 1 unsuccessful! two unsuccessful. Three unsuccessful! Kelly is included. She discovers Macro enabled show! Hurrah success! Think pair share is successful once again! Attempt six worked like a charm!
14. Email the powerpoint...or so I thought...forgot to attach the file....oops!
15. resend email! Success!

Now to figure out a way to embed the presentation on the blog! 

Paperless Classrooms!

Video game model for learning

Salman Khan: Reinventing the Classroom with Video

ITM 16: Learning a Go Go

Kelly's Bio


My name is Kelly Ryan and I am a new pedagogical consultant for Adult education. I have been working for NFSB since 1995 and have 16 years of teaching experience in the youth sector as an English generalist, and later as a resource specialist and technology instructor. For the last two years I have been working at the school board, in complementary services, as a consultant supporting students with special needs in both elementary and high school.

I am fortunate enough to also work part-time for Champlain College continuing education department as an evening instructor and as a content specialist for R.A.C. early childhood education, which has allowed me to gain experience working with and teaching adults in a variety of settings.

My role as pedagogical consultant will be:

• ·      To share information and directives from the MELS with centre directors and staff.
• ·      To assist in the G.R.A.D.E. reading assessment of new students as outlined in the school board’s M.E.S.A..
• ·      To support teachers and instructors in both the FG and FP programs in a collaborative manner.         

Support could mean but is not restricted to:

• ·      Sharing new resources and best practices during team meetings.
• ·      Help developing classroom lessons using a differentiated approach.
• ·      Searching for materials or resources to complement a unit of study.
• ·      Working with resource teachers, technicians and attendants in different capacities.
• ·      Facilitating or organizing workshops.

Please feel free to make suggestions as to how we can support each other in creating an enriching experience for our students, while ensuring success for all. 

Looking forward to working collegially with the NFSB adult education team!

Bill Legge's letter to N.F.S.B.

Hello New Frontier,

I thought I would begin by including a little bio about myself.

Pre-teacher

·            Winnipeg Child & Family Service

Worked in many roles: counselor, tutor, and support worker

Training in Crisis Intervention, and CPR. The position also provided the opportunity to tutor individuals in academics and teach them life management skills.

·               Winnipeg Children’s Hospital.

Allowed the freedom to augment an already creative Child Life program with playful activities and entertaining antics. (depending on whom you spoke to) Hosted a close circuit TV show using weekly themes and bad magic tricks! Our objective was to sneak in learning with some fun, modifying activities for a varying group of all ages and abilities.

                 

·               Books for Families Coordinator                                                      

Created and implemented a literacy program designed to help families. Developed a network of contacts with book publishers, writers, performers and professional educators to promote literacy to a target community. Purchased books for community literacy drive and coordinated informative event to promote literacy in community. 

·      Toad Hall Toys Sales Consultant/ manager                                                                                 

Acted as a consultant with a progressive company specializing in an eclectic educational grouping of academic, nostalgic and international children’s books, games, and toys.

Concentrated on the management and maintenance of broad selection of children’s books. 

 Pre-teaching me was focused on an eclectic assortment of employment and volunteer experiences. In every pursuit, I would find myself in a mentor roll directing or teaching others to reach one goal or other

Inevitably, I found myself a graduate from the University of Manitoba’s Facility of Education.

Teacher-me

• In my vast experience in the teaching profession, I have been privileged to assist individuals with a diversity of educational goals. As a life learner myself, I encourage individuals to achieve their potential and have been cited as an empathetic and motivating educator by clients, students, parents and colleagues. Blah blah blah… resume stuff!!!
• Like you I have taught many different ages
• Like you I have taught students with varying skills
• Like you I get frustrated when somebody picks apart my teaching style
• Like you I want the best for my students and I am willing to do what ever it takes to reach that goal

What do I do???

That is the big question?

• I am not the technician. My focus is to infuse technology with pedagogy where needed. My official title is Education and Technology Consultant.
• Technology with pedagogy …where needed? We will work together to find where it’s needed.  Together, is an important facet. Together, we can find ways for technology to accelerate, engage, and bridge learning gaps for our students.
• We are all partners in the fundamental goals of teaching:  inspiring students, mentoring intellects, assisting students to find their voices, and facilitating higher levels of thought.

Teacher-me is focused on an eclectic assortment of tools to engage the multiple ways we think. In this pursuit, I find myself in a collaborative mentorship directing or teaching others to reach one goal or other.

I look forward to working together.

Sincerely,

Bill Legge