Feeling Validated
It’s been 2-weeks since Learning Forward 2016 in Vancouver and I am grateful to have the opportunity to start my winter break with a edu-blog of gratitude. I must admit, I was kind of a grump during the first bits of the conference. I missed the pre-conference and read awesome things about the first two days before the conference of professional learning on Twitter. Thank you all in my PLN for tweeting. I was totally jelly during the 2-days and totally happy for you and your professional learning.
I started the conference weekend with driving into downtown Vancouver during the Rogers Santa Clause Parade. I was trying get to the other side of the Granville Street Bridge for a meeting and got there 15 minutes early (versus 1.5-hours early). Lucky. Post meeting, we were off to our hotel and about to embark on the start of the Learning Forward conference. I opted to part ways with my cohort to experience the welcome appie gathering at the Vancouver Conference Centre. A live band of retired superintendents, BC school trustees, and delicious food, it made for a fun evening.
The next day was the first day of the conference. Sadly, I had two Pecha Kucha presentations to give that afternoon that I was frantically trying to prepare for. I wanted to memorize both presentations. Who is crazy enough to memorize TWO 6+ minute presentations? Me. I opted to stay in my hotel room after the morning breakfast and meeting with the Minister to practice. Over and over again… I tried to memorize TWO presentations on research. Long story made short, I read my script… wholeheartedly. I was personally disappointed but my edu-fans said I did just fine. Thank you!!! Thank you for listening and thank you for your support.
Now onto day two of the conference and the start of my professional learning. I loved the workshop I was attending. It was about formative assessment but I much enjoyed being the learner and looking at formative assessment from a different point of view. I met folks from Texas and loved the presenter’s enthusiasm and authenticity. It was something I could strive for as a presenter, but also I had learned much more about formative assessment in connection to summative assessment. If anything, the workshop was a gentle way to shift gears in my thinking for the weekend.
Mid-workshop was lunch and another keynote presentation. I opted out of the catered lunch (again) and met up with my dissertation supervisor for lunch. We had a great conversation and I gained a greater perspective of higher education, professional learning, and my dissertation process. I can see the end or at least the 11th and 12th month of the dissertation process. Right now, my dissertation is in my committee’s hands and look forward to their feedback. After lunch, I made it back just in time to hear the student band perform and see the keynote presentation from Pasi Sahlberg. It might be a future blog entry… but I loved his presentation.
I walked away so inspired by Pasi and the day ends with #InnovationIGNITEbc at Science World. I abducted my fellow school trustee to be part of this learning experience. My bad. But it was sooooo good. I connected and reconnected with people from my PLN but also I was inspired by the innovation of BC educators. When we think it’s impossible, the truth is, it is possible if we want it to be possible. One after the other, we saw presentations from BC educators who were making it happen… for students!!! How can you not be inspired? Hats off to all of the IGNITE presenters. I respect and grateful for you, your presentation, and your work.
The final day of Learning Forward Conference included two more workshops and brunch. I learned a tonne about professional learning from my morning workshop. From the presentation, planning and purpose matters with professional learning. The primary focus is student learning, thus professional learning plans start from here. Made 100% sense to me, but the narratives from each presenter revealed real challenges but also real success. I appreciated their presentation and lovely takeways. Thank you. You have given me several ideas on professional learning and planning.
The conference ends with brunch with my edu-buddy Rose Pillay, selfies with BC educators (and friends), and my last workshop with Douglas Reeves on “Finishing the Dissertation.” What can I say? I feel validated. In this workshop, each participant had to speak about their research, methodology, and post-dissertation intentions. Most of the participants were still in the conceptual beginnings of the dissertation process. Hello? I’ve been there and did that (many times over). Douglas provided some valuable formative feedback to each participant. Wise words. Loved it immensely. When I spoke, he said very little about mine (meaning, I think I’m on track).
Douglas: “Leave future research for later.” ME: Got it. Left it. Feeling validated.