For years I’ve been training teachers and coaching them to integrate technology into the classroom. The changes I’ve seen around throughout those years vary from none to new, reinvigorated professionals. How does the move happen? Change will take many different shapes, from reframing an activity the teacher has already tried out to taking the […]
Many times we are trapped in our own routines, hectic lives and infinite tasks. It is hard sometimes even to breathe. Inertia takes over, and we see our personal and professional lives as if it were part of a film. I know there are many challenges around for teachers, and I could name a few […]
This video is a call. A call for reflection and action. I agree with much that it is said, but we need to find a balanced view to education. It is not just moving from a controlled, Prussian model of education to an utopian school. We can achieve student engagement, motivation and passion for learning […]
Serendipity is one of the strengths of a hyperlinked world in which the network is always providing us with learning moments and reflective checkpoints. As I was browsing my wonderful Pinterest network, I came across, by chance, this clean, unpretentious blog http://thingsigrab.wordpress.com/, and I couldn’t help but start browsing it, scrolling down, with my eyes glued […]
For long, we’ve been talking in our circles of students as producers, not simply audience, and students finding their own voice. Educators know how important it is to move from our classrooms industrial production-like type of education. We’ve realized that there’s much more potential in networking, in giving back to students the control of their […]
Still on what I had mentioned for New Year’s with my no-wish-list statement, I just came across a very enjoyable read that is inspiring and plain simple. Mitch Joel, in his post “The Deception os Malcolm Gladwell, Seth Godin and Gary Vaynerchuk” (no wonder I’m a huge fan of these guys!) mentions the power of […]
In my presentation about how educators have been collaborating in our school, sharing resources, ideas, connecting, interacting, my first slide is about abundant and scarce resources in our workplace. First answer from the audience about scarcity in an educational setting? TIME.For me? INITIATIVE! Some people are willing to follow, but not to start a movement, […]
There is a blog and blogger that keep surprising me and just bringing joy to my daily life. Mission Amy is pure inspiration that brings people together, always with a mission. Amy published yesterday a 2011 collaborative overture. Compelling. Exhilarating. The 2011 Overture: in 25 short movements from Amy Krouse Rosenthal on Vimeo. My 2011 […]
In Brazil, before it is summer time, people start preparing for it. Gyms get packed. We try the latest diet, we go on a bikini project. Well, it is summer in the southern hemisphere and my makeover has just started! Time to take a closer look at what has been taken for granted for a […]
Funny thing happened this morning. My oldest son is a night owl, not morning person at all. He studies in the afternoon. Yes, in Brazil, there are two school shifts, and kids can study either in the morning or afternoon. Even so, my kids have morning extra activities, like sports and English classes. Well, every […]
I’ve just started reading a very pleasant book. Nothing new, but simply painfully true. Gary Vaynerchuck’s “Crush it” talks about being true to our DNA in the beginning of his book. For me, being true to our DNA is rescuing our roots and reminding ourselves what really makes it all worth it. I’ve been talking more […]
Our presentation at the Braz-TESOL Conference and CTJ TEFL (Casa Thomas Jefferson – Brasília) went well with many teachers showing interest in the topic and wanting to make the change necessary to make the learning experience even more exciting. Here’s the slideshow for the presentation. Just click on the images and you’ll be taken to […]
Why bother?Why leave the comfort zone for the unknown?Why seek emotion and a bit more of fun into our dull lives?Why should one work harder just for the sake of changing?Why even consider the transformation if all things seem to fall into place?Why innovate if someone else will get the credit?Why do something different if […]
“ Carpe Diem: Poems for Making the Most of Time – Poets.org – Poetry, Poems, Bios & More via kwout “ As we prepare for a New Year, which can be any time you decide it to be, not the 1st of January, but any time you decide to seize your day – It could […]
I’m moving. Physically and digitally. I’ll be back home to Brazil soon. I thought. This is an opportunity for reshaping, resizing things in my life. Here’s the plan. I’ll make the change not just physically, but also digitally with one single motto. Simplicity. Though I love my Explorations blog, and could still write stuff there, […]