Author Archives: mwalker

The Crazy Ones

Posted on June 13, 2009 by mwalker

I really like this clip for it honours those who thought differently, were prepared to take a risk, experiment or hypothesis or test new ideas, to make a difference in the world.

Posted in Video Clips | 3 Comments

Microsofts home of the future

Posted on June 10, 2009 by mwalker

Interesting little video where you are told when to take your medicine. Sign of a possible future ahead.

Posted in Technology, Uncategorized, Video Clips | Leave a comment

Teenagers in primary school – challenges on engagement and connectedness.

Posted on June 7, 2009 by mwalker

I have just finished sending in my last assignment for this semester [Masters Course] and with some relief I am now able to get some of my life back and amongest other things write a bit more on my blog. … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaborative Communities, Family, parenting, school, Uncategorized, Video Clips | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Open Culture Site

Posted on June 6, 2009 by mwalker

I was recently directed to this open culture site which has free videos and other media that are accessible to all. They have listed the top 10 sites that have free media material for education. I looked at the Australian Screen … Continue reading →

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Tribes, Change, Risk, Discomfort

Posted on June 6, 2009 by mwalker

I recently read a blog on Seth’s presentation on Tribes as a way of connecting people in change and he posed several questions about connections, upsetting people and leading. Whilst reading the blog I was drawn to several quotes from … Continue reading →

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Courtenay Gardens P.S. Non fiction Writing in Victoria!

Posted on June 2, 2009 by mwalker

Recently, a professional learning team from Elsternwick Primary,  visited a school, Courtenay Garden’s P.S. in Victoria that focused on non fiction writing implementing the research of Douglas Reeves. Courtenay Gardens P.S. ,a school located in the growth corridior of the outer south eastern suburbs … Continue reading →

Posted in school, Teaching, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Learning to Change and Changing to learn

Posted on May 20, 2009 by mwalker

I have been hanging onto this clip for a while not knowing what to do with it – in re-looking at it – again – its challenging. I heard some really interesting comments: “nearly now” space created by technology where … Continue reading →

Posted in school, school structures, Uncategorized, Video Clips | 1 Comment

What Inspires People

Posted on May 20, 2009 by mwalker

Here is a clip of NASA’s Colonel Eileen Marie Collins when asked what inspired her to become an astronaut. It’s from Dennis Richards and worth a look at for students. A NASA Astronaut’s Inspiration: Colonel Eileen Marie Collins, USAF, RET. … Continue reading →

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The Age of Learning

Posted on May 20, 2009 by mwalker

This is a useful clip for those teachers or administrators wanting to start or continue a conversation about learning and what it might look like in classrooms and why – has a technical focus but still worth a look.

Posted in Collaborative Communities, Leadership, school, Technology, Video Clips | Leave a comment

Teachers do not teach comprehension they test it.

Posted on May 20, 2009 by mwalker

Last week I attended a presentation by Di Snowballwho has recently returned from working in schools in the States for over 16 years. Di has been contracted to work in some regions in Victoria to hlep “struggling” schools, I gather, however … Continue reading →

Posted in Instruction, Leadership, Reading, school, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Monet by Johnson

Posted on May 5, 2009 by mwalker

Monet from Philip Scott Johnson on Vimeo. Once again Philip has excelled himself with this clip on Monet – worth a look. I have seen a few of Monet’s works here in Melbourne and in Paris many years ago.

Posted in Art, Creativity, school, Video Clips | Tagged | 2 Comments

Teaching Reading Clips

Posted on April 28, 2009 by mwalker

We have discovered this wonderful resources from the Canadian Curriculum Services which has great web casts with similar challenges to our schools: http://www.curriculum.org/secretariat/april18.shtml We have been revising our understandings about reading instruction and what certain teaching strategies look and sound … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading, school, Teaching, Video Clips | Tagged | 2 Comments

A new model for “Writing” is needed in schools.

Posted on April 12, 2009 by mwalker

It seems writing is now more in focus than reading. Over the last 6 months I have heard and read a great deal about the power of writing and how the model needs to change in schools. I wrote about … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Reading, school, Teaching, Uncategorized, writing | 4 Comments

Reflections on University Life at Monash

Posted on April 9, 2009 by mwalker

Well, I have submitted my second reflective piece of writing this week, on my holidays. It’s been a while since I’ve had my writing “marked” and I was quite nervous I must say in accessing my assessment [what students at … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Masters in Education Course, Monash University, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Mitchell at the Red Centre

Posted on April 9, 2009 by mwalker

Mitchell, my son has just returned from 13 days in the the Northern Territory and South Australia exploring the red centre of this vast continent. He has been to places I haven’t and has a set of experiences that will last … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Holidays, school, Uncategorized | 1 Comment