BC Educators go to Harvard…
July 2008,
If attendance at the 2008 Harvard UDL Institute is any indication, Western Canada is extremely keen on UDL. The 80 Institute participants included 6 participants from B.C. and 1 from Alberta. From left to right, the participants were Constance McAvoy (SET-BC), Kristen Brach(SD47), Sandy Magnussen(SD46), Mallory Burton (SET-BC), Kathy Howery (U of A), Cindy Frostad (BC parent) and Theresa Verdiel (SD47). Photo by Joy Zabala!
If you want to experience the energy of 80 excited professionals committed to UDL, leading edge information in research and practical application from top educators David Rose, Tom Hehir, Grace Meo and others, 8:30 to 4:30 days with impromptu noon and evening sessions extending to 12 hour days, strolling on brick paths from the Radcliffe Quadrangle to Larsen Hall past buildings erected in the 1600’s, souvenir shopping at the Coop in Hahvahd Square, 100 degree heat and humidity, and, of course, the famous Duck Tour, you’ll have to attend yourself next year. In the meantime, here are some take-aways from this year’s institute.
“Inclusion IS Rocket Science” --Tom Hehir
“Nothing happens unless it happens in the classroom” --Tom Hehir
“We’re talking about universally designing classrooms for students, but are schools universally designed for teachers?” --David Rose
“Who is the Paul Potts in your classroom?” --David Rose
The Institute Blog
All the proceedings, PPTs, handouts, and the wikis are available here. My personal favourite is Mr. Mundorf’s class blog. He’s a 5th grade teacher with a universally designed classroom
Project Evolve
This University of Vermont project is funded to look at the role of paraprofessionals in education. They’re putting together good information here about problems and best practices for teaching assistants.
A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink
Pink makes a convincing argument that we’re now moving beyond the Information Age into the Conceptual Age where the MFA is the new MBA, GM is in the art business, and poets are in hot demand as CEO’s because of their ability to synthesize and see the big picture. Pink makes a very compelling case for right-brain teaching and explains why dyslexics are 4 times more likely to be millionaires.
Diigo
This free bookmarking site allows you to make annotations with highlighters or sticky notes on web pages as you browse and then share with others who have common interests.
Viddler
This free online app allows you to upload, share, and enhance videos by inserting comments.
An Appreciation for Red Sox Fans…
Constance and I came across a group of people sitting out in lawnchairs in Harvard Square watching the Red Sox game on high-def TV in the store window. Apparently they do the same thing during hockey season. A police car pulled up, and we expected they’d be asked to move on. Instead, the officers rolled down the window and watched the game, too.
P.S. The Red Sox won.