Igniting Possibilities: My #oneword2024 – Spark

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

In a world filled with complexities and uncertainties, setting a clear intention for the year ahead can serve as a guiding light for both personal and professional growth. For me, 2024 is all about one word: “Spark.” This word encapsulates the energy, inspiration, and creativity I intend to bring into various aspects of my life, including my career in education, leadership, resource development, edtech, travel, health, and fitness.

Contextualizing “Spark” in Education and Leadership

As an educator and leader, “Spark” takes on a unique significance. It’s about kindling the flames of curiosity and enthusiasm in my students, sparking their love for learning. I plan to infuse my lessons with innovative teaching methods and dynamic leadership approaches that ignite the spark of potential in both my students and colleagues.

• Daily: Start each day with a “spark” mantra to remind myself of the impact I can make in the lives of others.
• Monthly: Host leadership workshops focused on igniting creativity and passion with colleagues.

Sparking Innovation in Resource Development and EdTech

Resource development and educational technology are areas ripe for innovation. “Spark” will be my driving force in identifying and creating valuable resources that can transform learning experiences. Embracing cutting-edge edtech tools and strategies, I aim to spark a revolution in the way education is delivered.

• Daily: Explore emerging edtech solutions and brainstorm ways to implement them in my teaching and resource development projects.
• Monthly: Collaborate with colleagues to develop a new resource or tool that can enhance learning outcomes.

Sparking Adventure in Travel

Travel is not just about visiting new places; it’s about sparking a sense of adventure and exploration. My #OneWord2024, “Spark🎆,” will encourage me to seek out unique destinations and experiences, to step out of my comfort zone, and to ignite a passion for cultural immersion.

• Daily: Research potential travel destinations and plan short weekend getaways.
• Monthly: Commit to exploring a new international destination at least once a year. (Looking forward to France 🇫🇷 and Italy 🇮🇹 in the Spring!)

Nurturing Health and Fitness with a Spark

Health and fitness require dedication and motivation, which “Spark” can provide. It’s about igniting the desire to stay active and make healthier choices, leading to a more fulfilling life.

• Daily: Set aside time for a morning workout or meditation to energize the day. (I’m already committed to 6xweek workouts and a daily gratitude mantra.)
• Monthly: Experiment with new fitness routines or activities to keep the spark alive.

The Spark of Giving Back

Lastly, “Spark” also extends to giving back to the community and making a positive impact on the world. I aim to channel my energy and resources into philanthropic endeavors, igniting hope and change where it’s needed most.

• Daily: Practice acts of kindness and generosity towards others. (I enjoy being a RAKtivist!)
• Monthly: Volunteer for a local charity or contribute to a meaningful cause.

In conclusion, my #OneWord2024, “Spark,” serves as the catalyst for transformation in my personal and professional life. By infusing my daily routines and monthly goals with the spirit of spark, I hope to not only achieve my ambitions but also inspire and uplift those around me. As I embark on this year-long journey, I am excited to see the myriad of possibilities that will unfold, all fueled by the power of a single word – “Spark.”

I have written about many #oneword’s over the years on this blog. Feel free to sift through them with the tag #oneword in the sidebar! And if you have created or shared your #oneword2024, I would enjoy reading about it. Feel free to comment below or share in person.

 

EdutrAIl – How Can Administrators Utilize AI?

Photo by Fox on Pexels.com

Administrative teams interact with staff, students, parents and community members on a daily basis. AI could support and be more efficient when working on some of the administrative duties needed to be completed throughout the school year.

Staff Meetings

• Need an engaging presentation? Give Curipod at curipod.com/ai a topic, and it will generate an interactive slide deck quickly, including: polls, word clouds, open-ended questions, and a drawing tool. A great way to get staff involved in offering their ideas on specific topics.

• Want some interesting prompts to spark small group staff discussions? Check out a few different prompts listed by various online personalities and organizations. See https://www.learnprompt.org/chat-gpt-prompts-for-teachers/,  https://writesonic.com/blog/chatgpt-prompts/ and https://classtechtips.com/2023/03/15/chatgpt-prompts-for-teachers/. 

• Require a Meme to start off a conversation or meeting? Go to Supermeme.ai‘s AI Meme Generator (free)! Any text can become a unique and memorable meme that’s sure to bring about conversation.

• Show n Tell. What AI tools are teachers using on staff? What do they like about them? Tap a few shoulders beforehand to have them informally share a quick example from their perspective.

Email/Phone Responses

• Need some creatively crafted responses on particular topics? Go to Perplexity (free) at perplexity.ai and ask it a question or request something. A brief version will pop up first and then you can dig further into the detailed response. I also like the listing of sources. Just like chatGPT, one can ask follow up questions.

Professional Learning

• Want to check out a YouTube video but it is too long? Yes, you could change the speed of the video itself but how about checking out summarize.tech at http://summarize.tech? Add the URL of any long YouTube video and it will be summarized. The summary has clickable timestamps that one can copy & paste to use anywhere.
• Have a staff book study going on and need to create questions for it? Go to QuestionWell (free) at http://questionwell.org. Just input some reading passages, a topic and any learning objectives, and the AI will write essential questions, learning objectives, and aligned multiple choice questions.

 

EdutrAIl – Experts Chime in on AI

Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels.com

When I have a moment in the car or an outdoor walk, I like to listen to podcasts from a variety of organizations and people. They make me think, learn new things, laugh and even pose a few questions.

Artificial Intelligence has hit the news and online waves profoundly and is changing how society interacts with it. I am appreciative of those speakers below who challenge us to think about AI in our daily lives. While listening or watching these episodes, what do you now wonder about the influence AI has in your own personal and professional life?

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5lS9GTIYTMNGB0F6zkqFcA?si=568d700a294d4e03

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6FLi6X8gJPUi7nsBzp8bmz?si=3a39e18dfe5c4f4b

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FvRuDH40yBjPGqsbl1yy4?si=9ca05e034a794436

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2cAGTRd4ZbwbOXGQSKRcQw?si=396fd9a43a674373

What resonates most with you in these TED Talks Daily?

 

EdutrAIl – Thoughts on AI in Education

Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

Let’s continue to have open conversations, sharing and questions about AI infiltrating our educational environments. AI has opened doors for learning and teaching that we did not even know existed.

My title using the word “edutrAIl” contains a huge amount of significance – education, which is near and dear to me and my professional station, trail which envisions a journey into the new experiences and the AI being the centre of this post.

No matter what resources, tools or experiences that either I have had access to or created myself, ethical uses and efficient means have been part of the screening and choosing of which of these should be used and why. Purpose, relevancy to the curriculum and a safe, engaging learning opportunity should be part of these screening questions. Not just because it is the newest product making waves throughout the educational environment. Let’s think about value, easy of use, privacy, terms of use and reliability.

The ethics of those “edutools” that are found within classroom walls, devices and portables need to be part of this conversation/screening. And it’s much bigger than educators ‘choosing’ to use it.

1. The UNESCO Guidelines on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence provide a framework of ethical principles that should guide the development, deployment, and use of AI technologies.
2. The guidelines highlight the potential benefits and risks of AI, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that AI systems align with human values and promote human dignity.
3. The guidelines also emphasize the need for transparency, accountability, and international cooperation to address the ethical challenges posed by AI.

Educators can follow these guidelines via incorporating cross-curricular Digital Citizenship activities not just with a lens of looking at Artificial Intelligence but all edtech tools and resources. While OpenAI systems are rapidly changing the society we live in, it is important to create conversations and delve into research and resources and question their impact on daily life, local communities, the nation and beyond. One must hold vendors, organizations and the like in high regard as to how they are developing and using AI to enable learners and educators to do things in more efficient ways, to ask even more critical questions, or to get responses and research that were out of reach beforehand.

Staying informed of AI developments in education, continued improvement of teaching practices will allow teachers to showcase the productive sides of AI while also keeping a critical eye on policies, regulatory measures and even ethical considerations. Ensuring that learners are shown how to question AI content that is presented to them or even created by them in order to understand this great digital world that is ever-changing at an unprecedented pace.

Take a few moments to peruse these posts about what some of the larger edtech companies are saying about AI in their own situations.

• Why AI – Google
• Putting Principles into Practice – Microsoft
• What is Artificial Intelligence? – IBM
• AI/ML Education Community Forum – Apple
• AI in the Classroom – Pros and Cons – Forbes
• ChatGPT and Beyond: How to Handle AI in Schools – Common Sense Education

Follow my blog as I delve into actual tools and resources using AI for educators, administrators and in general.

What are your initial thoughts in regards to AI? What are you noticing about all the AI announcements and products and services?

 

#oneword2023 – NURTURE

Photo by Elliot Connor on Pexels.com

It’s great to have a word in mind to focus on for the new year! At the beginning of the calendar year, I like to find a new WORD that will inspire me for the rest of the year and connect to my current teacher growth plan. It can also influence or be influenced by my personal life.

Past onewords for me have been:

• 2022 – REIMAGINE
• 2021 – RECONNECT
• 2020 – BALANCE
• 2019 – MAKE
• 2017 – SPARK
• 2016 – CREATIVE

Over the past few days I have had two words bounding about in my thoughts – nourish and nurture. Could it be all the interesting winter foods that I have been surrounded with that have influenced my thinking? Unsure but I did talk it out a lot before deciding which one of these words I’d hang on the 2023 year.

NURTURE

Nurture means to care for and support the development of someone or something. As mentioned above, a #oneword can be applied to many different areas of life, such as personal relationships, career goals, and personal growth. I’m looking to nurture something (or anything??) in the new year (I know this is sooooo broad but that’s where my thoughts are at the moment). I do need to remember that progress often happens gradually, so I’ll need to be patient (sometimes hard for me to do) and keep working towards my goals. 

Here are a few tips for nurturing goals:

1. Make a plan: Break your goals down into smaller, more achievable steps. Having a clear plan can help you stay focused and motivated.
   • For work, I have several projects on the go and I try to timeline these out so that I have a plan to work with. Plus, weekly check-ins with my Director keep me focused.
   • For my health, I have 10 week phases of weight training and 2 week photo check-ups set up. This allows me to adjust in bi-monthly increments. I also like to meal plan one week at a time (makes it easier to grocery shop and keep track of macros).
2. Set deadlines: Having a timeline can help you stay on track and ensure that you make progress towards your goals.
3. Seek support: Surround yourself with people who will support and encourage you. This can include friends, family, or a mentor.
   • This is important. You can be your own cheerleader but having both in-person and online family and friends allow you to “check in” and be inspired too! 
4. Stay motivated: It’s normal for motivation to ebb and flow, but it’s important to keep pushing forward. Try to stay positive and focus on the progress you’re making, no matter how small.
   • Sometimes I need more meditation time or a motivational Spotify playlist, just depends on my mood. I also take time daily in the afternoon to add a photo and a few things I am grateful for in my Gratitude Journal app.
5. Stay flexible: It’s okay if things don’t go exactly as planned. Be open to making adjustments and trying new approaches if necessary.
   • I am lucky to work in such a collaborative work environment that when I share my projects, they become better through discussions.
6. Celebrate your successes: Don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments along the way. This can help keep you motivated and give you a sense of accomplishment.
   • Mini-celebrations are key – an extra moment outside in fresh air, a great cup of tea, a text to family members, new workout gear….whatever it is, let the celebration make you smile both inside and outside!

Share your #oneword2023!

 

STEAM up December!

Here are some fun STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) ideas for December:

1. Build a gingerbread house: This activity combines engineering and culinary skills. Students can design and build their own gingerbread houses using a kit or by making the gingerbread and icing from scratch.
   • Ready-made Gingerbread dough makes this easy, or
   • Take the templates and use paper materials. I recommend printing out the templates and cutting them out of cardboard or foam board to create sturdy templates that students can use as a guide for building their gingerbread houses. You can also encourage students to come up with their own designs and create their own templates.
   • https://www.simplejoy.com/gingerbread-house-template-printable/ 
   • https://bestgingerbreadhouses.com/gingerbread-house-templates/ 

2. Make a paper snowflake: This simple activity combines math and art. Students can use paper and scissors to create intricate snowflake designs. This activity can also be modified to incorporate engineering principles by having students design and build their own 3D snowflakes using materials like cardboard or foam board.
   • https://www.firstpalette.com/printable/snowflake.html 

3. Create a holiday-themed coding project: Students can use coding languages like Scratch or Python to create holiday-themed projects like a virtual snowman builder or a festive light show.
   • https://scratch.mit.edu/ 

4. Conduct a winter science experiment: Students can explore the science behind winter phenomena like snowflakes, frost, and the Northern Lights. For example, they could make a snowflake observation station, investigate the properties of different types of frost, or learn about the physics behind the Northern Lights.
   • https://www.science-sparks.com/the-best-winter-science-experiments/ 

5. Make a holiday-themed math game: Students can create their own math games using holiday themes and concepts. For example, they could make a “reindeer race” game where players have to solve math problems to move their reindeer along a game board, or a “holiday gift exchange” game where players have to use math skills to determine how much money they need to buy gifts for their friends and family.
   • https://www.mathplayground.com/holiday_games.html 

I hope these ideas help spark your creativity and give you some inspiration.

 

STEAM up October!

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Pexels.com

Here are a few ideas for fun STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) activities for October:

1. Leaf chromatography: This activity is a fun way to explore the colors of leaves. Start by collecting a variety of leaves from different trees. Next, cut the leaves into small pieces and place them in a cup of water. Then, add a few drops of food coloring to the water and observe how the color spreads through the leaves. You can also try using different solvents, such as rubbing alcohol, to see how they affect the chromatography process.
   • Grades 5-8 Teacher Guide
   • Leaf Chromatography

2. Build a pumpkin catapult: This activity combines engineering with some fun Halloween flair. Start by building a simple catapult using popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and other materials. Then, use your catapult to launch small pumpkin seeds or other lightweight objects. You can also try experimenting with different catapult designs to see which one works the best.
   • Pumpkin Catapult for Early Years

3. Create a Thanksgiving-themed art project: This activity is a great way to incorporate some art into your STEAM activities. Start by brainstorming ideas for Thanksgiving-themed art projects, such as creating a turkey out of recycled materials or painting a still life of a Thanksgiving feast. You can also try using technology, such as digital art software, to create your artwork.

4. Make a simple circuit: This activity is a great introduction to the world of electrical engineering. Start by gathering some simple materials, such as a battery, a light bulb, and some wire. Then, use the wire to connect the battery to the light bulb and observe what happens. You can also try adding other components, such as switches and resistors, to your circuit to see how they affect the flow of electricity.
   • Circuit Construction by PHeT
   • Tinkercad – Circuits

I hope these ideas help spark some creativity and get you started on your STEAM activities for October! Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Futuristic Strength

Photo by Ali Pazani on Pexels.com

In the context of the StrengthsFinder assessment (from Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment), a futuristic strength refers to a natural talent or ability related to looking ahead and considering the future implications of actions and decisions. People with a futuristic strength tend to be forward-thinking and imaginative, and they are often able to see possibilities and potential in situations where others may not. They may be skilled at envisioning and planning for the future, and they may be particularly adept at identifying and pursuing opportunities for growth and development.

In general, people with a futuristic strength tend to be proactive and proactive in their approach to problem-solving, and they may be particularly effective at creating and implementing long-term plans. They may also be skilled at anticipating and preparing for potential challenges and obstacles. This strength can be particularly valuable in a variety of settings, including business, education, and personal development.

People with strong futuristic talents love to peer over the Horizon. They are fascinated by the future. They anticipate and Imagine in detail what tomorrow could or should be. They usually see the future positively. While the details of the picture will depend on other strengths and interests – a better product, a better team, a better life or a better world it will always Inspire them. This Vision energizes themselves and others. They can paint a picture of the future for their team members.

Futuristic in action

• Inspired by the future and what could be – I look at educational trends, learning strategies, edtech trends which all inform the thinking and work that I do. I share with colleagues and add these ideas to current and future projects.
• Inspire and Energize others with their visions of the future – I question “What if…?” or “Wouldn’t it be great if …?”, ask for clarification and support colleagues.
• Can see in detail what the future might hold (predictions) – With timelining of trends, I can plan steps towards those future opportunities.
• Creative, imaginative and perceptive – I rely on my artistic intuition, imagination, ideas and experiences to actively listen on current projects while looking towards the future.
• Always look for options, for what could be (anticipate) – I believe in multiple possibilities to achieve goals, pathways of learning and achieving are so varied. It is great to have these collegial conversations or even read various white papers on ongoing and completed projects.
• Demotivated by contentment with status quo – For me this would be stagnation and I like moving forward even if it needs to be at a slower, more controlled pace.

Futuristic hindrances

• Focused on tomorrow – About 2 years ago I started a Gratitude Journal to help me focus on the beauty, wonder and opportunities of the day. It only takes 1-2 minutes and I really like reviewing my thoughts and daily photos every once in a while. Or if you do not have a Gratitude journal do this at the end of the day, ask yourself “What makes today a great day for you?” and reflect on the events.
• Not fully present with people – Thanks to my Cognitive Coaching experiences and my other 4 themes of Arranger, Learner, Includer and Responsibility, I am able to actively be present during conversations. Asking myself how I can encourage others is another important way to keep present with team members.

Do you have futuristic tendencies or work with someone who is futuristic?

 

My 5 Strengths

Photo by Noelle Otto on Pexels.com

StrengthsFinder is a self-assessment tool developed by Gallup, Inc. that helps individuals discover and understand their unique strengths. It is based on the premise that individuals perform their best when they use their natural talents, or strengths, in their daily lives and work.

By completing the StrengthsFinder assessment and learning about your top five strengths, you can gain a better understanding of your natural talents and how to use them to your advantage. You can use your strengths to identify the tasks and activities that are most likely to bring you satisfaction and success, and you can also use your strengths to help you navigate challenges and setbacks.

Additionally, understanding your strengths can help you to communicate more effectively with others and to build stronger relationships with your colleagues, friends, and family. It can also help you to identify areas for personal growth and development, and to set goals that are aligned with your strengths.

Overall, StrengthsFinder can be a valuable tool for helping you to better understand yourself, identify your unique talents and strengths, and use them to achieve your goals and live a more fulfilling life.

I recently took the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment. The 150+ questions go by quickly as you respond with your initial thoughts (and you only have 20 seconds per question anyways). It was a fun, interesting and insightful exercise that took about 45 minutes to complete. From this action, I received a couple of reports – Signature Theme Report and Strengths Insight Guide. I am also grateful for the weekly Strengthsfinder meetings at my workplace that showcase one strength and the colleagues who are in tune with it.

By focusing on my top five signature themes separately and in combination, I am able to identify my talents, build them into strengths, and enjoy personal and career successes.

My top 5 dominant themes are (in order):

• Futuristic
• Arranger
• Learner
• Includer
• Responsibility

Over this year, I shall share more in regards to not only my strengths but those of the other themes.

Have you taken this survey or similar ones? What have you learned about yourself?

 

VISUAL ARTS: Cool Cardboard Creations Challenge

Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

Art is all around us, can we create an artistic cardboard creation that is unique and memorable?

What can you create artistically with cardboard?

In this challenge, the student will take everyday materials, especially cardboard and create an animal, object  or person.

Take before, during and after photos. Think about where this artistic creation could be displayed? In a museum? park? home?

How can you create a final project that best showcases your artistic abilities using your preferred art medium*?

This Challenge has been designed using Alberta’s Career and Technology Foundations template and was originally made for grades 7-9 virtual learning students. Yet…you can use this with grades 5-9 easily in the classroom environment.

The introductory video below is what would you would show to students (or have them view it themselves) first.

In order to run your own Challenge, check out these resources that I created:

Cool Cardboard Creations Challenge Teacher – highlighted areas are important pieces of information to share with students via an LMS such as Google Classroom.

Cool Cardboard Creations rubric

Cool Cardboard Creations slide deck Overview

Darrell Wakelam’s Art Jump Start series of cardboard projects

Finally, feel free to share your experiences on the comments below or via Twitter. Enjoy all the unique cardboard designs!