Saturday 21 April 2012

Edcamp HK - a time for learning


What an interesting day!


I honestly did not know what to expect from the first edcamp in Hong Kong but it was a good experience and I'm very glad that I participated in it and helped to make it happen.


I'd like to say a big thanks to Jen who, having had experience of edcamp inToronto, really facilitated the day and kept it moving.


I'd also like to say a massive thank you to all of those who came! There were about twenty people - and interestingly they were a complete cross-section - not only those 'in' education.


We began the day with a coffee, or a green tea, and then shared where our heart was in education.  I talked to Will who runs learning centres for under-privileged children in Hong Kong.  We had a wonderful discussion.


We then introduced ourselves - and I FINALLY got to meet Di from DC college - we've only met on twitter!


We then moved into smaller groups and talked around three questions - Where are we now?- What do we need to do? (I think) and Where are we going on the future.  


My first conversation I found quite frightening - talking about using face recognition technology to immediately add to data or inform parents of things happening with their children - it all sounded very 'big-brother' to me...  Thanks Merrin for moving it along!


The conversation then turned to cultural differences and then finally to the future.  It was also great to meet (again) Ruth.


Lunch was a salad club.


The afternoon was open for everyone to throw out a question - Mine was...Homework, Yes or No?


Again it really bought to light that there are such vast cultural differences in our amazing world, and who's to say who's right or wrong.


I enjoyed the day and would have even more I think if many more of my colleagues from the profession had been there as well.  It's an interesting format but one that is not for all I think.  


It was a great day and I'd be really interesting in holding another...shall we?

Saturday 7 April 2012

The Art of Possibility


A while ago I finished reading 'The Art of Possibility' by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander.  It is a stunning book which is very worth reading.  Today - which is exactly the middle of my Easter holiday I woke at 5.00 am...and started going through my kindle highlights from this book.  The quote above really sums up the thoughts which are expressed through the book - and also the book I am currently reading 'Making ideas Happen' by Scott Belsky - also fantastic!

As educators we work with learners of all ages - young and old.  We strive to see the 'possibility' in all people, but sometimes we forget to see the possibility in ourselves.  I think that I have done that a little recently and, having had the time to reflect over the first week of the holiday, it's time to make sure that I'm not doing that.

How about you?  What's possible for you?