Focus on the “Learner”

I saw a link for an interesting video on “accelerating learning” for students and was intrigued simply by the title.  As I was listening to the content, the conversation was a lot of “we” (as in educators) figuring out what “they” (as in students) need.  A lot of deciding for them and “fixing” their deficits, and trying to figure out why they are “weak” in a specific target area.

I couldn’t watch it.  The intent was extremely positive,

I know they are kids, and kids need adult guidance, but I just struggle with any person, at any age, flourishing in an environment of being “fixed”, especially when the students aren’t necessarily in on the conversation.

Michael Fullan, researcher and former dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, made the statement, “Learning is the driver; technology is the accelerator.”

In my book, “The Innovator’s Mindset“, I created an iteration of the phrase:

Learners are the driver; technology is the accelerator.

It is subtle shift, yet significant.

When we talk about our “smartest” kids, do we talk about our students who do the best academically?  If we focus on the “learner”, we realise is that some of our “smartest” students are not the best at school.  If you are an educator and you are reading this, you might not have done well academically but you could be an amazing teacher.  Grades are not an indicator of intelligence; they are an indicator of ability in certain areas, that someone else deems important.

Look for the strengths in your students, no matter their abilities in school.  When people, of all ages, feel valued, they are more likely to move forward.

• September 15, 2016 The Arrows Go Back and Forth #IMMOOC
• September 8, 2016 The #InnovatorsMindset MOOC Starting Soon! #IMMOOC
• June 2, 2016 Embracing Meaningful Change at All Levels
• October 24, 2016 Our Students
• March 8, 2016 Finding the Good Problems

Source: George Couros

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Focus on the “Learner”

I saw a link for an interesting video on “accelerating learning” for students and was intrigued simply by the title.  As I was listening to the content, the conversation was a lot of “we” (as in educators) figuring out what “they” (as in students) need.  A lot of deciding for them and “fixing” their deficits, and trying to figure out why they are “weak” in a specific target area.

I couldn’t watch it.  The intent was extremely positive,

I know they are kids, and kids need adult guidance, but I just struggle with any person, at any age, flourishing in an environment of being “fixed”, especially when the students aren’t necessarily in on the conversation.

Michael Fullan, researcher and former dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, made the statement, “Learning is the driver; technology is the accelerator.”

In my book, “The Innovator’s Mindset“, I created an iteration of the phrase:

Learners are the driver; technology is the accelerator.

It is subtle shift, yet significant.

When we talk about our “smartest” kids, do we talk about our students who do the best academically?  If we focus on the “learner”, we realise is that some of our “smartest” students are not the best at school.  If you are an educator and you are reading this, you might not have done well academically but you could be an amazing teacher.  Grades are not an indicator of intelligence; they are an indicator of ability in certain areas, that someone else deems important.

Look for the strengths in your students, no matter their abilities in school.  When people, of all ages, feel valued, they are more likely to move forward.

• September 15, 2016 The Arrows Go Back and Forth #IMMOOC
• September 8, 2016 The #InnovatorsMindset MOOC Starting Soon! #IMMOOC
• June 2, 2016 Embracing Meaningful Change at All Levels
• October 24, 2016 Our Students
• March 8, 2016 Finding the Good Problems

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My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

It took me ages to read this book.  I had to renew it from the library three times.  Why? 

I like Sophie Kinsella's novels; well, most of them.  The Shopaholic novels are the exception.  I read the first one years ago, and found the idea of a chick lit novel that centers around a woman who has a spending addiction not very entertaining.  Especially when she gets the guy and the happy ending.  What does that say about being responsible?!  But I have read some of her other novels, and I have enjoyed them very much.  

I did end up liking this novel, too.  I had a very hard time getting into Katie's story.  It is, after all, very much like other British chick lit plots:  country girl yearns to be a London ad agency superstar; falls for the handsome director, has a perfectly perfect sophisticated boss with a seemingly enchanted life.  But of course life hands Katie some setbacks and she has to find her real, authentic self.  I just didn't connect with Katie's character at all, and I struggled through the first half of the novel. I kept putting it down and reading something else, picking it up, half-heartedly reading a few chapters, putting it down again.  This went on for about a month.  The other day I decided to buckle down and finish it!

Katie struggles to find the perfect (in her mind) life in London, but it's not easy.  Her job doesn't pay much, so she shares an apartment and has to commute quite a ways to get to work.  She's often broke and to convince herself and others that life is grand, she posts pictures to Instagram showing all the fabulous things she does in London.  Except all those things don't really exist; Katie's pictures don't tell the whole story.  Her boss, Demeter, is someone Katie really wants to emulate and learn from; if only Katie can get Demeter alone for a few minutes she could pitch some of her ideas and Demeter would see just how talented Katie is and promote her.  Katie is very talented, and her gifts shine when, through unfortunate circumstances, she's fired and has to flee home to her father's farm in Somerset.  She's too broke to stay in London.  

But, she doesn't tell her Dad she lost her job, and instead tells him and her step-mother that she's on a break from her very demanding job.  She uses her talents to help her father start a glamping business on the farm, and it's a huge success.  Homemade cooking, yurts, campfires; everything sophisticated city folk want in outdoor entertainment.  Katie still yearns to get back to the city, but is having no luck finding a job. She loves the farm, but it's just not where she wants to be in life. 

And then, Demeter and her family show up at Ansters Farm for a glamping week.  Katie has a chance to get some revenge on Demeter for firing her.  But will it be enough?  

There's a whole lot more to the plot, but I won't give more away.  There's Alex, Katie's love interest, and Demeter's seemingly bizarre habit of losing emails and miscommunication that is creating tension with prospective clients.  There's Katie's relationship with her father; he doesn't understand why she wants to live in London when she could be in Somerset.  What exactly will make Katie happy?  
This novel is all about finding your happiness, and the pressure of social media to portray a perfect life with no worries.  But we all know everyone has plenty of stormy days along with the sunny, blissful days.  Katie's assumptions about others not only create misunderstandings, but make her feel her life isn't sparkly enough, when it is just fine.  

So yes, this was a fun read.  I just wasn't in the right frame of mind to dive in and read it all at once. Most certainly it would make an entertaining vacation read; I think if I'd read it in the summer I would have enjoyed it more sitting on my front porch with a cool drink. 

Rating:  3/6 for a novel about a young woman's desire to have a life that is picture perfect.  Katie is a smart young lady who's just trying to figure it all out.  Lesson:  don't believe everything you see on social media.  No one's life is perfect.  

Available in hardcover, ebook, and audio. 

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Eleven West by Nadeau Developments in Kisilano

Introducing Eleven West to the gorgeous Kitsilano neighborhood. This high end development will consist of 1,2 and 3 bedroom home and 5 two storey townhouses.

Be apart of this amazing neighborhood and enjoy all the lovely bars,cafes restaurants and shops or take a walk to stunning Kits beach and Granville Island which is located 5 minutes away

 

Floor Plans for Eleven West

Floor plans have yet to be finalized but we can expect a wide range of unit options.

Pricing for Eleven West

Please register and join our VIP list for early access and be the first to receive information on plans and pricing.

The post Eleven West by Nadeau Developments in Kisilano appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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Joyce at Joyce Collingwood by Westbank

Westbank introduces their new development called Joyce which will be located at 5050 Joyce Street right across from Joyce skytrain station. This stunning development consists of 256 units over 30 floors and ranges in size from 463 sqft – 950 sqft.

Floor Plans for Joyce

Floor plans have yet to be finalized but we can expect a wide range of unit options.

Pricing for Joyce

Please register and join our VIP list for early access and be the first to receive information on plans and pricing.

 

The post Joyce at Joyce Collingwood by Westbank appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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Amish Ham & Pea Salad

Amish Ham & Pea Salad is a delicious side dish that comes together in minutes. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover holiday ham.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Glad®. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make My Baking Addiction possible.

So Easter has come and gone. We’re still finding little plastic eggs around the house which were clearly hidden a little too well by the Easter Bunny.

And we’ve also spending the better half of our mornings trying to explain to a 3-year-old that Starburst candies are not an acceptable breakfast. To which she’s been responding with, “How about a chocolate carrot or gum ball?”

(more…)

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People Are Always Your Best Resource

You can have a shiny new vision and mission statement, school or district goals, and a myriad of things that say what your district does.  But none of this happens without people.  If you do not value the people that you serve, and more importantly, if they do not feel valued, all of those things were a waste of money, time, and resources.

People are your school.

People are the system.

People make things happen.

Not programs. Not initiatives. Not mission statements.

I have seen amazing schools with terrible mission statements, but I have seen incredibly forward-thinking mission statements that don’t make a difference.  Valuing our people doesn’t mean we don’t push them; it actually means that we do.  We help them become the best version of themselves, but we start with their strengths, not their weaknesses.

To do work that matters, people need to know that they are the best resource your organisation will have, and they have to be utilised according to this belief.  If you do not bring out the best in them, nothing you write on any document will matter.  Those visions and mission statements can become important, but only people can bring them to life.

No mission or vision statement will ever make your school better in isolation. People do that. Focus on people.

Simple idea, yet often overlooked.

• March 4, 2016 The Confident Leader
• August 30, 2015 Staying the Same is Ultimately Falling Behind
• June 28, 2013 The Prophets In Your Land
• November 4, 2016 4 Ways We Hold Others Back
• March 16, 2013 Questions and Ownership

Source: George Couros

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