The Power of Making Connections

As most of my loyal blog readers know (and thanks by the way for being so loyal!!!), each week I typically try to make a strong connection between a photo taken during the week and a story. Sometimes the story comes first, sometimes it is the photo. Either way, one usually supports and enhances the other. Well, you may be wondering why I took the photo above and what it has to do with making connections. Let me explain.

Yesterday I had the distinct pleasure to attend EdcampTo, our northern instalment of an education-related “un-conference” where a variety of stakeholders gather to discuss the issues surrounding education in our region. It is called an “un-conference” as it sheds the familiar tired trappings of conferences – key-note speakers, market-places and often tacky swag. Instead, anyone with a vested interest in the education system is welcome to attend and participate in thoughtful crowd-sourced discussions, adding their voice and perspective to a wide range of topics.  Yesterday’s EdcampTo, held at graphically lined, 60’s inspired York University, drew a diverse crowd, from educators, soon-to-be educators, parents, and publishers to name a few. The topics up for discussion included some of the following:

-“How can we adjust the physical and virtual learning space to help nurture creativity?”

-“As a teacher librarian, how can I more effectively support my school community?”

-“If we are REALLY leaders in education, shouldn’t we be sharing our great ideas?”

-“How can we incorporate social justice throughout the curriculum?”

-“How can we instil a 21st Century mindset with little access to technology?”

-“How can we leverage the power of PLN’s (professional learning networks) to more effectively create change in schools?”

-“How can I encourage and promote (and implement) networked learning at my school?”

-“Why do we forget the point of education is to create a happy child, not just an academically successful one?”

-“How can we organize our classrooms to look more like EdCamp?”

And these are only a few of the topics unpacked yesterday. I attended four thoughtfully facilitated sessions that, although diverse in scope, all converged to look at ways to harness technology to encourage connections between teachers and students, between teachers and parents and between teachers themselves. For example, many spoke of the connective power of Twitter to act as a 24/7 professional learning network that allows us to reach beyond single events and classroom walls.

As I sat in the final wrap up session, where I took the photo above displaying Lego block-style connective artwork, I was struck by the power of the connections our educators strive to make to ensure they are continually learning and improving along with their students. Just look at the questions posed above. At a particularly troubling time for educators, students, parents and the education system in Ontario, I was also struck by the passion and sincerity of the participants in improving this system for the betterment of all involved. I was proud to be part of this group on an early Saturday morning at York University!

If you would like to read another perspective from yesterday’s EdCampTo, please check out Andrew Campbell’s insightful blog post here. I agree with many of Andrew’s reflections, including how great it was to recognize so many connected educators by their Twitter profile pictures! And yes, I AM a geek!! If you would like to participate in an EdCamp in your area, please check out the EdCamp site for a listing of new events as they are organized. Your voice is important!