In last week’s blog post, I introduced the #HiveSummit and summarised the first four videos (featuring Michael Cohen, Carrie Baughcum, Rick Wormeli and Tara Martin). For more information, you can revisit that post by clicking here. Part 2 will focus on the five most recent videos that have been released since then.
Even though the digital conference is drawing to a close, it’s not too late to join. Click here to “catch the buzz”. After you sign up, you’ll receive links to all of the content that you have missed. However, the videos can only be accessed until August 14th 2018, so act quickly!
Below is a summary of the five videos from this week. I encourage you to watch them in their entirety and refer to the written and visual notes that accompany each one. Then join the discussions on Twitter using the hashtags.
Day 5: Matt Miller (@jmattmiller)
In this video, Matt Miller (author of Ditch That Textbook and co-author of Ditch That Homework) discusses educational technology and the transformational potential that it offers. Matt suggests having a range of tech and non-tech approaches in the ‘toolbox’ so that the best tool for the job can be selected when designing learning engagements. The learning intentions should determine the teaching approach rather than the desire to use a particular tool. The goal is always to leverage as much learning as possible. Using Google Slides as an example, Matt suggests familiarising ourselves (and our students) with technology tools that are versatile. The “Swiss Army knife” in the toolbox can be continually used in a variety of different ways and for different purposes so that we don’t have to introduce a new tool every time (I totally agree, by the way, that Google Slides fits this bill). Finally, the discussion leads to a consideration of the ‘why’. One important reason to use technology in class is its ability to connect people around the world. Students realise that other children are the same as them in most ways and will also develop an appreciation of diversity. Technology can also connect students to experts. Just ask! What’s the worst that could happen?
Day 6: Michael Matera (@mmatera)
The usual host of the videos takes centre stage and his usual role is filled by an adorable and bubbly guest (no spoilers). Michael passionately discusses gamification in the classroom. Gamification is often confused with game-based learning. Whereas game-based learning incorporates games directly into lessons (for example, using Monopoly to teach statistics), gamification is about incorporating elements of games into lessons with the aim of engaging and motivating learners. Both have value, but there’s a distinction (one that I didn’t realise previously). Michael calls it “prime pedagogy” that works for learners of all ages. Furthermore, gamification adds another layer of learning beyond the lesson content. Students learn to cooperate and problem-solve, for example. It also builds relationships and sport-like bonds between learners. Michael suggests considering three elements of a game: theme, team and task. These are explained in detail in the video. He also suggests starting small. There’s no reason to have it all mapped out before it’s implemented. I’m sold! I immediately ordered his book, Explore Like a PIRATE, to find out more.
Day 7: Sarah Thomas (@sarahdateechur)
Sarah Thomas of EduMatch discusses the “mindblowing” power of being a connected educator. This is a topic that is very close to my heart! The idea that social media can provide a career upswing is one that resonates with me. I wish every teacher realised! In the discussion, Sarah offers advice on how to get connected using different platforms and how to utilise the connections. For example, she discusses the benefits of joining online communities and Twitter chats. Also, she encourages you to join the EduMatch database and use it to connect with more educators (you can search by location, favourite hashtags or areas of interest). Following another suggestion by Michael and Sarah, I will explore Voxer as another professional platform. I don’t know anything about it at this stage but I keep hearing positive things!
Day 8: Joe Sanfelippo (@Joe_Sanfelippo)
Leading on nicely from the previous video, Joe Sanfelippo (co-author of Hacking Leadership and The Power of Branding) also urges teachers and administrators to get connected because “we are better together”.
“If social media isn’t your thing, make it your thing!”
Joe Sanfelippo
Furthermore, he encourages teachers and schools to use social media to “amplify and accelerate” their messages. We should be sharing and celebrating the wonderful things that are happening in our schools and classrooms. Joe also speaks passionately about leadership (at all levels). He goes on to outline the three sections of his leadership wheel: 1. being intentional (which he describes as having an “active mentality”), 2. building people/momentum and 3. opening doors. There’s a lot to unpack in each of these ideas, so watch the video for more information or read his highly recommended books.
Day 9: Dave Burgess (@burgessdave)
Teacher, author, publisher and pirate Dave Burgess added the icing to the cake in this final video of the conference. In it, he discusses the ideas in his book, Teach Like a PIRATE, and shares his story of how the PIRATE message started and continues to spread. The ideas have been refined through years of presenting and reflecting. He encourages all teachers to present at workshops and conferences for this reason. Dave believes that all teachers have a “secret sauce”; a unique strength or idea that they should find, develop and spread. Dave’s “secret sauce” is the ability to design experiences (not just lessons) that are “wildly engaging”. In this video, he provides a snapshot of some of the ideas in his book. Once again, he is another guest speaker to emphasise the power of connectivity. Thanks to Twitter and specific hashtags, huge communities of supportive educators have been built around many of the DBC books. Finally, Dave urges us to “make our own snow” in reference to professional development (an analogy that I love and have written about in a previous blog post).
The conference is completely free but participants are gently encouraged to show their appreciation by donating to non-profit organisation Kiva. With over ten thousand participants, even small contributions will add up to make a big difference. I’m sure you’ll agree that the conference has been worth it. Details are starting to emerge about how our donations have been used to help others. Click here for more information.
On behalf of all participants, I’d like to sincerely thank all of the guest speakers and, especially, Michael Matera for all of the time and effort that has been put into this fantastic event. We will all start this new school year with inspiration, enthusiasm and a plethora of new ideas. I’m already looking forward to #HiveSummit 2019! One more time, here’s the signup page. Get involved before it’s too late! As you consider these new ideas and taking new risks, I’ll leave you with this thought-provoking quote from the summit:
“Safe teaching, in many ways, is actually risky teaching.”
Matt Miller
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