Fall 2016

In case you haven't heard, after seven years as a consultant I've gone back to teaching. Even though I was formerly a high school teacher, I was fortunate to be offered a position teaching grade six at the school where my daughters attend.

Teaching in an elementary school has been a bit of an adjustment, but certainly an opportunity for growth. As a consultant I probably spent more time in elementary classrooms than secondary, but of course this is somewhat different. And it is a great experience.

As well, this has had a positive impact on my family as well. Not that I was neglecting my children before, but I do feel like I'm more involved in their lives and their schooling. And since my wife is also an elementary teacher, we can relate and commiserate much better.

So far, this has been great.

Week of May 9 - 14, 2016

Monday:

• ensure everything is set up for digital administration of PATs
• help Clearview with automated exam user provisioning
• GAfE training session for Facilities staff
• job interview

Tuesday:

• help out with PAT administration
• gather feedback regarding Google Docs and PATs

Wednesday:

• LT bullet round meeting
• quadcopter flight training for LLR staff
• teaching Drone Videography course in the evening

Thursday:

• possibly at JTC in Calgary
• participating in panel discussion if attending

Friday:

• professional learning day
• GAfE user account transition session at SAL
• drone videography for SAL staff video
• makerspace options session at JMW
• robotics session at FHS

Saturday:

• presenting at Young Scientists Conference: "Data Collection Using Digital Devices"

Week of May 2 - 6, 2016

There's Elk-nition planning and a couple of things like that, but half of my week will be taken up by the IDEAS Conference in Calgary. I'll post reflections on that later.

Week of April 25 - 30, 2016

• Organizing and preparing for upcoming esports tournaments
• Rocket League and Halo 5 on Friday
• League of Legends championship on Saturday
• Drone example videos
• Staff and student flight training at ADW
• Helping out with "Tech Camp Day"
• ElkFest Thursday night

Week of April 18 - 22, 2016

• PBL assistance at CLB
• LTPF committee meeting Tuesday night
• Learning Technologies Spring Planning Wednesday morning
• Teacher support related to classroom Hangouts, Read and Write for Google
• other things as they come up :)

Week of April 11 - 15, 2016

One of my priorities for this week is getting the Programming, Robotics, and Maker Education Junior High Scope and Sequence document mostly finished so teachers on Friday can see what it entails and make contributions. And, of course, I need to finalize some exciting activities for those teachers to participate in on Friday afternoon.

Other notable activities include the Elk-nition planning meeting, participating in an "Introduction to CTF for Administrators" session, and finalizing some plans for the upcoming esports tournaments.

Also on my list are things like helping construct a project-based Science 14 and/or 24 course, helping with the development of Computing Science modules, helping find a good alternative to Remark software, and making sure we get secure exam administration with Google Drive set up.

And I have a backburner project that I'd like some kids to help with. I'm imagining a hardware and app solution for old iPhones to shoot 360 video, similar to this or this. We can design a 3D-printed holder for the phone, and an app that can accept remote control for starting and stopping the video recording. Somewhat non-trivial, but it should be attainable.

Week of April 4 - 8, 2016

Monday and Tuesday I'm at the Invent to Learn - Effective Project-Based Learning with Modern Technology session hosted by the ETCATA and featuring the authors of Invent to Learn, Sylvia LibowMartinez and Gary Stager.

Wednesday is mostly catching up on things, and the Learning Technologies meeting.

Thursday I'm introducing a photography class at Bev Facey to aerial photography using drones, bring both of our Phantoms for them to fly.

Friday I'm hoping to laser cut parts for a MeArm, and then more flying at BFH.