Well our judging is complete! It has been a really interesting process to be involved in. Our selection to here involved presenting in the same way in Chch last year. In that way we seem to have quite an advantage. Many of the other participants have only submitted on line to qualify for here and are going into a bit more of the unknown than we were. It was interesting though, as our Kiwi posters were just that – a 2D presentation – some had gone as far as to have items draped all around, and multimedia too. In seeing all of these things coming out this morning it was a bit daunting – however I am sure that the impact of our message and our innovations is more effective, because of the stronger focus and lack of distractions.

It is really interesting looking around the posters – WHAT IS INNOVATION????? Is innovation demographic? For us as Kiwis it is really clear that our innovation isn’t in the tools or the ‘flash’ things (although we do love Michael’s flashing electronic circuit!) but it is in the pedagogy- the way our students direct their learning, the way we are flexible with our ‘teachable’ moments, the way in which we follow the direction that arises rather than keeping students on ‘our way of thinking’. Yes – the ICT allows that all to happen – but I believe that it is managed rather than taught. Who are we as teachers to tell students what technologies at a certain time, when they know there is a better way of doing something from their own experience?

This has been a real eye opener for me. As english speakers we have had a huge advantage in being able to clearly share our ‘point of difference’. It is quite humbling watching someone for who English is a real struggle, reading from a sheet of paper and struggling with this. Have they been able to share their point of difference or are they being sold short? For me it really shows how ICT is a catalyst for change regardless of where you are or what language you speak.

Another message that has come through clearly for me is that while we are continuing to talk about being ‘connected’ across the world through ICTs in using the likes of Web 2.0 tools – the face to face opportunities are also being established ans heightened. I believe that the ability to use web 2.0 tools to connect people is just the beginning – what they do once they connect continuously or in Face to Face is even more powerful!

Yesterday was a WOW – What a day! Our whirlwind tour of aspects of the city has been hugely eye opening!! It has also been incredibly hot and humid (so much so that even the Malaysians are complaining about the it – 38 degrees today!)!! We spent the morning touring with our groups where mine visited an Anglican Church, Mosque, Hindu and Buddhist temples. I feel quite cleansed!! The cultural diversity in this city is dominant and it was interesting to look at how these religions are similar in some ways and so different in others! The challenge of working with non-english speakers has been an interesting exercise. While our ability to communicate has been restrictive, I think it has also been interesting to see how all of our knowledge of ICTs in classrooms is diverse too! We had one person in our group who seems to have all of the latest, flash equipment, however as yet we haven’t seen him use any of it!
Photos from our ‘Field Trip’
BubbleShare: Share photos – Play some Online Games.