http://explorations.bloxi.jp On Learning and Teaching Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:54:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8-beta1-11380 en hourly 1 © carlaarena@gmail.com () carlaarena@gmail.com() On Learning and Teaching carlaarena@gmail.com No no http://explorations.bloxi.jp/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://explorations.bloxi.jp 144 144 http://explorations.bloxi.jp/a/fear-20/ http://explorations.bloxi.jp/a/fear-20/#comments Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:04:59 +0000 carlaarena http://explorations.bloxi.jp/a/fear-20/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wfv7smXyc...[/youtube]
Through Barbara Ganley’s blog I got to this video that reflects upon our educational system as a whole with just some little oasis of true innovative, 21st century teaching and learning.
In fact, since yesterday I’ve been thinking of the best way to reply to Lilian’s Human Factor post about her Egyptian context of teachers not feeling the need or not willing to incorporate technology into the classroom, which is pretty similar to different corners of the world. Much has been said that it’s not about technology (which I read an interesting post of the need for it to be “invisible”). It’s about opening the doors and putting down the classroom walls. It’s about letting blind minds see light, with different tones of colors and cultures, adding different voices and perspectives. It’s reflecting on your own views and learning there are other opinions around. Not your teacher’s opinions or your classmates’ only, but totally different pictures of the world. These are the reasons for connecting. On the educators’ side, being connected to others lets us explore, develop, discover, play with our own teaching practices and become better souls and open-minded educators who are not in the classroom to control, but to facilitate change within one’s world, help eyes to spark, facilitate meaningful conversations.
That’s why I do my little part for the other educators trying to take the plunge into this brave new online world. I truly believe in the power of networking, connecting, exchanging, blogging.
There are simply no excuses to keep our students bored in a meaningless educational context. Fear can always be overcome with persistence, dedication and willingness to try.
Barbara Ganley, Barbara Sawhill, Leslie Madsen-Brooks, Martha Burtis, & Laura Blankenship's collection of videos on the Fear2.0 topic

How do you overcome the initial fear of starting?
Laura Blankneship’s list gives us some interesting insights.]]> http://explorations.bloxi.jp/a/fear-20/feed/ 4