Reflections on Reflection!

6-9-2015 6-47-24 PM Sabrina Tyrer is new to the world of blogging and this is her second post as she explores the  value in making her thinking visible through this format.  I’ve had the opportunity to meet  Sabrina, only a few times in person, but I feel that through her presence on social media, she values  the role of the educator and deeply understands the power of documenting and sharing not only  her learning, but the learning of her students and her colleagues.  As she ventures into the role  of an Instructional Coach for the upcoming school year, I hope that she continues to add her  blog, with posts about the transition into the role, the role itself and the impact that system leadership can have at a school level.

 

Link to Sabrina’s latest post ~ End of the Year Reflections

http://sabrinatyrer.edublogs.org/2015/06/08/end-of-the-year-reflections/

 

My Comment:

Sabrina, you definitely have so much to be reflecting on which in and of itself speaks volumes to the learning opportunities that you afforded your students. When you think about it, how much reflection is going to occur as a result of a word search or a fill in the blank activity sheet. Not only do you value reflection for yourself, but you’ve built in opportunities for your students to also reflect on their learning ~ such a powerful strategy and tool for gathering assessment information.  That assessment not only informs you about student comprehension and next steps, it also informs you about your next steps as an educator.  What I enjoyed reading most, was the vast number of experiences which extended beyond the four walls of your classroom, as a result of using various technology applications.  Thanks so much for including the links. I hope that others take the opportunity to explore them and how they may impact learning in their classrooms for the upcoming school year.  I have yet to read, Pure Genius, so I’ll be interested in your take-away from that book.  Thanks so much for sharing your reflections with others!

Does Bolding counter the Blah, Blahs?

6-9-2015 8-24-19 AM One of my favourite authors and bloggers is Seth Godin. It is a rare occasion when I don’t start  my day by reading his blog and then continue to make connections throughout the remainder of  my day to my morning “nudge”.  I admire his brevity and the way in which his topics (although  not specifically written for education) have many applications to educational leadership. I’ve  also enjoyed his books, Linchpin and Poke the Box and used examples from them in my  everyday work.  If you aren’t a follower of Seth’s, you may want to add him to your list!

Seth Godin’s Post ~ Blah, Blah, Blah

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2015/06/blah-blah-blah.html

My Comments:

No writer wants to be known as boring or banal, nor do we want our words to go unnoticed or worse, ignored. You’ve challenged us to say something unexpected in order to push not only our thinking but the thinking of our readers.  I wonder sometimes, though, if writers feel that by bolding or adding colour to their font that the message will be heard more effectively.  My first administrative partner shared an important lesson that to this day I’ve tried to follow.  Her theory was that by bolding/colouring messages you were actually “belittling” your readers and assuming that they cannot discern on their own what is important within your message.  You are training your readers to count on you for the important stuff.  I like your suggestion better ~ effectively craft your message so that it creates the conditions for readers to read something unexpected, something that makes us think and something that is undeniable personal.