What Happens Next Year?

I have been working on a couple new documents that make sense for the development of pedagogy and the future of education. You can find the links to them at the k12online conference: http://k12online.wm.edu/AuthenticLearning.pdf http://k12online.wm.edu/101Resources.pdf

This new possibility (which is now kind of old) is a total reversal of some of the things that I have consistently talked about and advocated for. This only comes about because of a great contact I have made with the principal of our online school (eDCSD). The possibility is this: Starting from a place of amazing technology and bringing in education rather than starting from a traditional school and trying to shove technology into it. What do you think about it

Sometimes we get so caught up in creating the system and the environment for learning that we forget about the most important element of that environment: creation. The singular act of creation is not something to be glazed over; it is the backbone of all that we do, and sometimes we need people to remind us of this.

I am now convinced that the only way to create widespread change within our schools is to articulate a singular vision for the future of education. I don't know if I am the person to articulate that vision yet, but I am working toward it.

This podcast is all about how I am starting my year. I would love to know how you are starting your year and how we can collaborate (share) any of the resources and systems that we have set up. Send me an e-mail at benwilkoff@gmail.com

This is the first podcast in over a month because I needed to upgrade for more storage space. It is not an enhanced podcast, but I'm sure it will be illuminating nonetheless. I was trying to figure out which content management system to use for The Academy of Discovery. I am still not sure if I picked the best one, but I am pretty confident that we are doing some great things. Check it out at http://academyofdiscovery.com.

I don't know when it happened, but I have started using the word "we" in my podcast and blog when I would normally use the word "I." I believe that it is due to my increased awareness and involvement of the community that I have surrounded myself with. I also think that many more of "us" should start using "we" when "we" write and speak. It makes me feel like I am a part of something, that "we" are going in a particular direction. I want "us" to be aware of how amazing "our" community can become, so long as we don't fall into some of the pitfalls that I describe in the podcast. Let me know what you think of this idea at benwilkoff@gmail.com.The image for this podcast is by http://flickr.com/photos/factoids/. I think it is amazing. 00:00:00: Intro to I vs. We Podcast Blog 00:02:00: Shoutout to Geeked! Geeked! Podcast 00:02:59: The Difference between I and We Image Attribution 00:04:51: I have a community! Edubloggerworld, my community? 00:07:28: The Coallition of We Support Blogging 00:08:12: Chris Lehmann's Addition Humility 00:08:47: The Moment of Switch-Over 00:10:54: The 1:1 We connection Ripe Environment: Connection 00:14:02: Conclusion to I vs. We My Blog

Well, this is the official podcast about my interview with Littleton Public Schools. Although I was passionate and had a great experience in the interview, I was not offered the job. That made my decision to leave the classroom much easier. I still think that this podcast is relevant to anyone else who is thinking about leaving the classroom. I also outline the idea that passion and vision are the two elements that will allow you to progress professionally and personally. I think that I will continue to explore these ideas in the classroom next year, and I am extatic that I will have one more year to impliment all of the ideas from this podcast into my practice. Show Notes: 00:00:00: Intro To Interview at LPS The Most Change for The Most Students 00:01:51: The Ripe Environment The First Blog Post 00:03:09: Why do I want to work here? My Google Document 00:06:38: The Post-Interview Reflection My Blog

This podcast is pretty heavy: I was in Osawatomie, KS for the 4th of July. It flooded earlier in the week, and my sister-in-law lost her car and her apartment due to this natural disaster. This event really got me thinking about how we can use the technology that our schools provide (especially in 1:1 programs) in order to create social networks for a community. I hope that we can start putting together ideas like Steve Hargadon's Public Web Stations (link below) in non-crisis times. If you have any ideas about how to do this, please shoot me an e-mail at benwilkoff@gmail.com I am also interested in knowing if you would rather I don't include links and pictures with my podcast, but rather simply upload the mp3 file. If you have an opinion either way, please post a comment on this podcast. Show Notes: 00:00:00: Intro to Osawatomie Flooding Pictures 00:02:12: Supporting the people of Osawatomie News Article and Support Links 00:03:02: The 1:1 Social Network The Osawatomie 1:1 Initiative 00:06:24: The New School Community Center 00:07:51: Steve Hargadon's Public Web Stations Public Web Stations 00:09:53: Bridging Social Networks and Analog Communities 00:12:15: How do we use tech in our schools to benefit the community? My Blog

It is with some hesitation that I post this podcast. I am a teacher, and I will always be a teacher. However, I have been given the opportunity to do more. I have been recruited (although not formally given the position) for a Technology Integration Position in a nearby school district. This podcast is all about coming to terms with the idea of leaving the classroom so that I might create change and achieve School 2.0 in a larger way. At this point, I am very much interested in following my passion for finding solutions, and if this job provides solutions for more teachers and more students and also for my family, I don't know that I can do anything other than pursue it. I am, however, still looking for others who have either made this transition or who have rejected it in favor of the classroom. Please e-mail me at benwilkoff@gmail.com if you have any questions or ideas. Show Notes: 00:00:00: Intro to the Great Transition The Podcast Blog 00:00:58: Karl Fisch put me up to it. The Fischbowl 00:01:59: Why is the first wave leaving the classroom? Slow Motion Distributed Car Wreck 00:05:28: The Long Haul Teachers Cool Cat Teacher 00:07:15: What Should School 2.0 Leadership Look Like? Leadership Development for Educational Technology Leaders 00:09:27: What happens to the classroom I leave behind? My classroom Website 00:10:51: Other Factors My Daughter's blog 00:11:55: The most change for the most kids My Blog