This post was inspired by @YuniSantosa, who blogged about her aim of starting Genius Hour with her students but still hasn’t found the time. As she states, sometimes we need to ‘give ourselves a kick up the butt’. You can read her post here.
This got me thinking about my own aims that have not yet been transformed into actions. I blogged about some other aims at the end of the last academic term. I’m pleased to say that I’m well on my way to achieving them (if I haven’t already). There are other aims however that remain on my ‘someday’ list. I’ll do these when I have time. They’re not as urgent. I’ll do these when the need arises. These are things that I’ll do ‘someday’. It’s time to kick myself up the butt and get on with them because, as we all know, there is no perfect time. We’re always busy!
“There are seven days in the week and ‘someday’ isn’t one of them.”
Yuni is an active member of #pypbookstudy and her post was published on the day of the last Twitter chat. This prompted all of us to use the next two weeks (before the next chat) to at least make a start on these goals.
“We’ve got to continually push ourselves, grow, innovate, and find ways to be different! The kids deserve it!”
Todd Nesloney and Adam Welcome, Kids Deserve It
As always, I find it useful to list these things on my blog. It keeps me accountable! These are my aims and the steps that I’ll take before the next Twitter chat. As you read my ‘someday’ goals, consider your own, and the steps that you’ll take to achieve them.
- Create a mini makerspace in class
“A makerspace is a collaborative work space inside a school, library or separate public/private facility for making, learning, exploring and sharing… These spaces are helping to prepare those who need the critical 21st century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). They provide hands on learning, help with critical thinking skills and even boost self-confidence.”
I really like the creative and entrepreneurial potential of makerspaces. I also think that our own makerspace in class will support, enhance and even inspire my students’ passion projects. In the next few weeks, I will research how to authentically integrate my makerspace into learning and consider how to make time for it. I also need to research and purchase recommended resources for our makerspace. These will range from non-tech items such as cardboard and Lego to high-tech software/hardware for coding, robotics, etc. I’ll keep you posted!
- Become an Apple Distinguished Educator
Of course, there will be longer-term aims on your list; aims that are unachievable at this stage. For me, this is one of them. I am not yet familiar enough with Apple products. I feel that it’s the wrong time to apply for ADE. However, I should be taking the necessary steps to prepare myself for the next cohort. As a first step, I will complete the easier (and free) Apple Teacher Program. This professional learning program will help me to become more skilled with Apple products and, more importantly, learn how to use them to enhance teaching and learning.
- Become familiar with iMovie and how it can be used for learning
This has been on my list for months, even years! I have seen so many people (including teachers and students) use iMovie creatively, yet I still haven’t used it myself. It connects nicely to the ADE target above. I assume that iMovie is part of the Apple Teacher training program. If it isn’t, I will familiarise myself with it in my own time. I have been waiting for a time when I need to use iMovie. Instead, I will prepare myself first and then create these opportunities as opposed to waiting for them.
- Use Nearpod in class with students
I have seen Dickie (our ICT Coordinator) use Nearpod in some ICT classes and I am interested in adopting it myself (when appropriate). Nearpod allows you to create engaging and interactive digital lessons and easily collect formative assessment data. You can browse Nearpod lessons or create your own. The lessons can be shared with your students via a unique lesson code. The lesson can be live or student-paced. This week, I will prepare at least one Nearpod lesson for the following week. Again, I’ll keep you updated! At first glance, it seems that Nearpod could be a useful tool for flipped learning.
- Explore the features of Seesaw Plus
I will make a start on this immediately. After publishing this post, the next item on my to-do list is to start using Seesaw Plus (free for me as a Seesaw Ambassador). I have used Seesaw before, but it’s time to ‘level up’. This paid version of Seesaw offers many more functions and capabilities. I’ll blog about these after I have familiarised myself with them and used them with my students. Whether you’re new to Seesaw or a user of the free version, follow this link or scan the QR code for a one month free trial of Seesaw Plus. No commitment required.
The problem with ‘someday’ lists is that, with the best of intentions, the items are often forgotten about and never happen. This has undoubtedly happened to me. When I remember more ‘someday’ tasks, I vow to just get on with them!
I have written many times about lifelong learning, the importance of teachers being in their stretch zone and how mistakes should be celebrated. Of course, things won’t always go as planned, but this is just proof of learning, growing and risk-taking. Consider this quote from one of my ‘guilty pleasure’ movies:
“What would you do today if you knew you would not fail? Now go do it!”
New Year’s Eve, 2011
I’d appreciate any help that you can give me regarding my goals. Do you need to give yourself a kick up the butt? Feel free to list your own goals in the comments section. Just like I aim to help Yuni, I hope that I can help you too. Your ‘someday’ list should never be empty, but it should be continually updating. Don’t keep the same unachieved goal… go do it!
