Comments for Celia's reflections

Comment on What’s the point? by Celia Coffa

Celia Coffa — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:39:33 +0000

Thanks Donna,
I admit to being a bit sad (but agreeing) re your feelings about ‘the system’. How sad is it that we rejoice when our children are out of it. It shouldn’t be like this. As you say the earlier years are about developing a positive attitude to learning and encouraging skills but then we stream then through this regime that sucks so much pleasure out of it.
Thanks for your support
Celia

Comment on What’s the point? by Donna Gronn

Donna Gronn — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:44:02 +0000

That is exactly how I felt at the same time last year Celia.
I have never felt so much relief as the day my last child left the system. We do so much in the formative years of schooling to develop thinkers who have a love of learning only to have them struggle emotionally with the testing regime that is VCE. For those children who care about their results because they ‘need’ a score to get them into university the stress is very high. For their parents watching them going through this stress it is, I think, sometimes worse.
All I can say is I feel your pain and there is an end in sight.
Look after your daughter and yourself, make time for the positives!
Now, not so frustrated mother and educator

Comment on Time out to think about the big picture by Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:49:47 +0000

An excellent summary Celia. I particularly liked your comment, “How could one person captivate an audience for that long and keep us from acknowledging that the chairs were hard and remembering we had other duties beyond the room?”. I was captivated for the entire time, even as I felt my rear going numb.
It was so true what Richard said about the difference between preparing our students for the life they will lead, versus preparing them for the life they are living now.
I like the idea of being in the Organic Age. I wonder if Richard has heard of the Anthropocene Age….

Comment on Time out to think about the big picture by Marg Yore

Marg Yore — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 13:05:54 +0000

As always, I anticipate, and am enervated by, your insightful reflections…. and most of all by your questions and uncertainties. It’s the uncertainties that most engage us as educators as we grapple the elusive pathway that engages and educates our students.We want an wholistic education in order to create cultured people and are constantly bombarded with “the latest way” to do that.

“Vision”, ” the big picture”, “mission”,”collaboration” are the catchwords today. As a 1972 graduate, I have survived a myriad of new ways. Some have passed their used by dates. Some are still in contention! And still we seek the best possible pathway to enable it all to eventuate.

When faced with the task of bringing up children, my mother wisely told me to follow my heart, not the “how to” books. I like to think I can take a pinch of her wisdom, along with the latest research, which I seek and read with constant earnesty, to seek a pathway that does not dispense with the wisdom of the past, but takes the best of it and harmonises it with all the wondrous educational discoveries of the 21st century!

Comment on Time out to think about the big picture by janette

janette — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:57:24 +0000

Thank you for the report Celia. After checking out Richard’s Blog and website and hearing your reflection I have a better sense of his thoughts and how they walk alongside those of such thinkers as Ken Robinson.
The skills you listed make me really think about how we operate or structure our classroom practice for student learning.
“Live a little, learn a little. Laugh a lot.” Are our school inspiring students to love learning?
Collaboration, play, negotiation, network…..wow

Comment on Time out to think about the big picture by vgridley

vgridley — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:57:26 +0000

Thank you Celia for summing up what was an amazing day. It was incredible that he had us all captivated from the beginning to the end and left us still wanting more. I couldn’t wait to get home and read his blog and watch his videos. Richard Gerver is an inspiration for all teachers and leaders in education around the world.
Our challenge now is to broaden our collaboration, play more and engage the students of the organic era.
Verona Gridley

Comment on Time out to think about the big picture by kfitt

kfitt — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:44:45 +0000

I can’t wait to hear more. Hope he had some examples of collaboration that we can use.

Comment on Time out to think about the big picture by Barb Bellesini

Barb Bellesini — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:08:34 +0000

Great report Celia, Sounds like Richard Gerver has it altogether, and reinforces my use of games for collaboration, teamwork and co-operation skills! Collaboration it seems, is now a must, as that is what the children are asking for. It is then that they ‘own’ their learning and become more engaged.
Keep up your creative teaching! Barb Bellesini

Comment on People Power – Teachmeet by Linda

Linda — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:55:41 +0000

Yes, another valuable learning experience for educators by educators. All in our holidays and all sharing selflessly. I too value the presentations, the connections and the informal chats afterwards.
Thanks everyone!

Comment on Digital portfolios – ePortfolios – Children as reflective learners by Digital Portfolios – Continue? Modify? Delete? « Teach Tech Ed

Digital Portfolios – Continue? Modify? Delete? « Teach Tech Ed — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:31:14 +0000

[...] a reflection by Celia Coffa ’Digital Portfolios – E Portfolios – Children as reflective learners‘ I have had many of the same thoughts and questions and wonderings. With the greater use of [...]