Gray Learning

To state that we live in the information age is equivalent with stating that the sky is blue. You gain no peer admiration for your brilliance and may be judged for the simplicity of your thinking. Yet I will make the obvious statement: we live in the information age! So what?  So, we are informed, inundated and at times incensed by exchanges of information. Yet even in this current age, can we really say that we understand what it means to respect information?  This is a skill or tradition which often escapes the rapid strokes of our keyboards and allure of the “send” button. I recently had the opportunity to read about some of the teachings of the Piikani Blackfoot Nation on http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/ . I will never view information as I previously did. What I learned from the teaching of  Dr. Reg Crowshoe and Geoff Crow Eagle  is that the stories, dances, songs and customs they share are not merely for entertainment. They are sacred and highly r...

As a core French teacher, I have struggled with how to integrate technology in meaningful ways into the learning environment. While I would like to continue using French as the language of instruction, I am also aware of the fact that most students do not have the level of vocabulary necessary in order to accomplish the required learning in French.  After taking part 1 of  I ntegration Of Information & Computer Technology and now currently part 2, I am at a cross-roads. I can see the countless ways in which I have resisted change. So, I am looking for ways that  I can release the reins ( a little) - perhaps you are already sensing the control issues.  Throughout the next few weeks of my journey into the land of digital liberation, I hope to find my balance - my in between - my gray (grey -Canadian) areas where my students and I can experience the joy and creativity of inspired learning. (Wow, this sounds like more than an assignment for a course! Let's see ...