Learning2.019 is a wrap!

Learning2 Europe – Zürich – 25, 26, 27 January 2019

So much is still bubbling in my mind about this conference, it’s really hard to think about what changes I’m going to take on board. I feel like it all needs to percolate and settle! I thought it would be interesting to identify 3 immediate takeaways. The ones that spring to mind straight away. I’m sure there will be more… but then I can reflect on this post later. So, in no particular order:

1. Data. How it can be presented in beautiful and creative ways. It doesn’t have to be just bar graphs and pie charts! “Shine a light on the behaviours you want to foster” (@klbeasley). I’m looking forward to getting my own copy of ‘Observe, Collect, Draw‘ by Giorgia Lupi and Stephanie Posavec and practising artsy data collection! Will also share this with our Maths Coordinator.

2. Equity. @TaraLinney highlighted the importance of, and ideas for, encouraging girls to develop computational thinking. Shocking, but sadly not surprising, data from Google’s 2018 workforce numbers – just 21.4% of tech jobs are held by women. Also, I liked the connection made to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. So what am I going to do? I’m thinking of running an after-school activity next semester. Just for girls. Also looking forward to reading Tara’s book, Code Equity. Great resources here and here that she shared, too!

3. Creation, not consumption. This conference confirmed something that I have believed for a VERY long time. That our students should be creating content to consolidate and deepen their thinking whenever and wherever possible! Loved the practical sessions with @klbeasley and @carrie_zimmer. Definitely going to be making some podcasts soon – watch this space!

I was extremely grateful to have the opportunity to present a Teacher Workshop at the conference. The title, ‘Be More Dog‘, thankfully enticed a good number of participants! Having rehearsed the workshop twice with colleagues in Tanzania, I wasn’t TOO nervous but I knew that due to the nature of the workshop (a ton of fun drama games!), it was very difficult to predict how it would go with complete strangers!! Loved the enthusiasm of the group and how everyone just jumped in and enjoyed themselves – there were lots of smiles anyway. Best compliments were tweets this week from participants who have already been trying out some of the games with their students.

One of the best things about being at a conference like this is connecting. Just meeting the people. I loved reconnecting with familiar faces. I loved meeting, face-to-face, people I have known on Twitter for some time. I loved meeting people in the same/similar job as me, bouncing ideas off each other. I loved meeting people that are currently working with people I once worked with. So many different connections.

The conference was a great refresher for me. Great conversations around student learning. That’s what it’s ALL about!

Looking forward to seeing where this takes me next.

My schedule for the conference:

Friday 25 January

1. PreConference – Emerging Digital Literacies and Young Children – @horofraser

2. Teacher Workshop – Be More Dog (Me!)

3. Official Opening and L2 Talks – @klbeasley @davidcollett

Saturday 26 January

1. Student Panel – I’m sure a couple of these could be world leaders one day!

2. Extended Session – Get Real: Communicating Effectively in a Visual World – @klbeasley

3. Student Workshop – A Balanced View of Fortnite (run by Grade 6 students)

4. Unconference – Engaging parents/families in partnership around digital wellbeing

5. Cohort – Tech Coaches

6. L2 Talks

Sunday 27 January

1. L2 Talks – @svermeulin @cfebrey @ianhoke

2. Extended Session – Integrating Computational Thinking Into a Gender Equitable Learning Environment – @TaraLinney

3. Teacher Workshop: Student Produced Podcasts – @carrie_zimmer

4. Cohort – Tech Coaches

I had a couple of hours in Zürich before the conference started. Found my way around by public transport and did LOTS of walking! Video here.

#Learning2019