Final Posting - The learning journey of a lifetime!

Today is Tuesday, October 16, 2012.  I am home and somewhat rested from a 30-hour flight home, two swollen legs/ankles and a sore foot.  I am excited about all I learned and reeling to decide what to do with all the information.  How can I possibly unpack a 16-day journey to three Australian states, 14 schools, multiple educational government agencies, a museum, beautiful scenery abound with 17 scholarly individuals and possibly do it all justice?   I have so much to share I simply do not know where to begin.  Hopefully, writing this final blog will help.  I just could not keep you hanging without an end...so here goes!

My "skirt" so to say was definitely blown up by two of my most memorable experiences: 1) Northern Beaches Christian School and 2) Sydney Opera House – “Lucia di Lammermoor”.  These of course are new ones that I have not already shared. 

Northern Beaches Christian School is known for its learning spaces, BYOD, and gamification amongst other educational concepts. Chantelle Morrison has envisioned and
implemented a range of Game‐Based Learning and Gamification techniques to help bring coherence to this organic chaos! Her techniques help students know where they are, how they’re going, and where they can go next.  Here is a brief 360 degree pan of the space where they work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZrHFp2BTa8.  You really must check out this video.  I have also attached pictures below.  I took more video footage of this school than any other.  This is a school I would want to work at, have my children go to and see the US adopt as a model.  Can you hear the excitement?  This is one principal that I plan to contact in the very near future. 

Notice that there is not a front of the classroom...it simply does not exist!  Teachers are facilitators of learning -- they have no stage on which to perform :-)
Notice the bathroom -- it is filled with artwork! 

Sydney Opera House – “Lucia di Lammermoor”
All I could think about as I entered the grand Opera House was how Julia Roberts must have felt in the movie Pretty Woman when she went to the Opera for the first time.  I am a Broadway Show fan but never imagined myself to be a fan of Opera.  Well, little did I know how well I spoke Italian!  LOL!  Seriously, the facial experiences of the actors told the complete story.  I did enjoy reading the subscripts on the prompt which gave me a deeper insight to the story line.  The female actor who goes crazy at the end from the loss of the love of her life was phenomenal!  She gave us everything she had...I have no doubt that she was exhausted because I certainly was from her performance.  I could have stood and clapped all night. 

 This study tour is now complete, but will the lessons learned and friendships made will live on forever!  I cannot wait to share my journey with all who will listen.  I look forward to a trip to Nashville to explore personalized learning from Kecia, a chance to delve into gaming as a simulated experience for Principals/Superintendents with Kim, a chance to share my 1:1 coaching knowledge with my many new colleagues and a 2013 reunion in San Antonio at the ISTE summer conference.  A special thanks to Susan Larson for putting this incredible experience together for us.  The bounty of knowledge was put before each of us and we feasted heartily!

Our Group and exceptional leader and new found friend and colleague - Susan!

I will hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil!

Me between our  Holly- current ISTE President and Kecia - ISTE President Elect!

 

Sydney AU

Our tour of Melbourne, AU and the many schools and museum is over and we are off to Sydney, AU.

We awoke at 3:30 a.m. to leave the hotel at 5 a.m. sharp for our flight to Sydney.  The weather is absolutely beautiful with a full day packed.  There was no way anything else could be crammed into our day.  We began with a walking tour of Circular Quay and The Rocks. Stunningly beautiful barely describes the scenery.  We saw the beautiful famous Sydney Opera House (I am going to my first ever opera performance tomorrow night!). 

We then walked to the National Opal Collection where we learned how opals are mined.  Australia mines 80% of all opals in the world.  They are beautiful in color and are one of their richest treasures.  I fell in love with one as a necklace pendant and just had to buy it.

We then went to Bondi Beach to take a look at the most famous of all Sydney Beaches.  We saw surfers galore.  It was beautiful!

Bondi Beach - The Tasmania Sea

Our next stop was Waverley College (an all boys secondary independent Catholic School). They are in their first year of restructuring to be innovative in all practices.  They are taking down walls and putting up glass walls.  Their goal is transparency, innovation to liberate learning.  I loved their strategic planning process and can not wait to share with my ELC 701 students! The school is located on land that is at the highest point in Sydney.  We were provided a very nice lunch (drank some Ginger Beer -- Yummy - like Gingerale) and had a roof top view from the school that anyone would kill to see.

A classroom at Waverley All Boys College (secondary school) -- Love their strategic planning process!

View from top of school.  This is one view - the view was 360 degrees of the entire city of Sydney.

The Sydney Harbor Cruise was the highlight of my day.  The sheer beauty was a little overwhelming.  I have attached two pictures below, but believe me they do not do the view justice.

The Bridge across from the Opera House - See the people on top.  You could pay to climb it.

 

 

 

 We finally ended late into the afternoon with a walking tour of Darling Harbour.  This is where our hotel is located and we checked.  Fortunately our luggage was taken to the hotel from the airport while we went on our many excursions.  We have about an hour to rest and then off again we went. 

We met for dinner at the Blackbird Cafe' where I got to taste a crocodile burger -- tastes like a real mild salmon patty or as Dr. Hewitt said - a turkey burger!  We then went to the Sydney zoo for a tour.  Below you will see a 49 year old crocodile.  He is eating a whole chicken.  He is the biggest thing I have ever seen and yes he has a pink stripe down his back.

The day is full and I am pooped.  Another day of adventure begins in a few short hours.  Stay tuned...

Melbourne Museum and School Visit

Today, Monday October 8th we met with Michelle Cox, Executive Officer of ICTEV(ICT in Education Victoria).  She is our host for two days.  We had the privilege to hear presentations from ESA (Education Services Australian) and AITSL (Australian Institute
for Teaching and School Leadership).  These government agencies provided a national perspective on education initiatives and priorities in Australia.  There are many parallels with education initiatives in the US.  There big push is broadband and devices in the hands of all students. 

Next I visited Carlton Gardens Primary School which was across the street from the museum.  It is a small public Pk-5 school with about 250 students.  The building was built in 1884 and was truly a beautiful architectural structure.  However, the rooms were extremely small for 30 students.  The amazing thing was that the old building, the structural issues, the inexperienced staff (all had less than 4 years teaching) did not keep the teachers from truly integrating technology into the curriculum.  It was everywhere and was as normal to the environment as breathing.  The staff was passionate about what they do and Margaret Mead would have been proud -- Never underestimate what a small group of people can do... They even had students as ICT coaches!  How cool!  They started in the 3rd grade and are now 6th graders.  They have helped train the teachers and students.  I have seen exemplary models of high school help desk teams but never at the elementary school with 3rd grade leaders --- pretty cool! 

Below you will see some pictures from this visit.  A great day!  Ready for three school visits tomorrow :-)

Melbourne Museum

 Carlton Primary School

 Kindergarten class - the laptops are bigger than the students!

 The technology Coaches

The school - magnificent structure - right?

Melbourne, AU

Well I am in Melbourne, AU.  We arrived last night from Perth.  It was interesting to leave Perth at breakfast, fly 4 hours, eat lunch on the plane and then eat dinner in Melbourne.  The time difference is 2 hours + 1 for daylight savings times =3 hours from Perth or now 15 hour time difference from home.  I have to constantly stop and think through what day it is and what time it is here and at home.  I now have Internet in the hotel (still slow) and the time difference makes it very difficult to call or skype home.

The feel of Melbourne is very different from the feel of Perth.  Actually, it reminds me a lot of New York City.  There is a hustle and bustle of the city and there are nice restaurants and things to do everywhere.  A river runs through the city and there are gondalas.  It was quaint and lovely.

We ate at the wine and cheese restaurant and I had kangaroo to eat.  Yes, I did think about the precious animals I had petted the day before but I had to try it.  It looks very much like a steak and is quite tender.  It is a mix between steak and pot roast in texture.  The main difference is that it is very sweet.  I could only eat a small portion - I could see the little faces...but I am glad I tried it.

Oh, yes to those of you that emailed and asked if we presented at the conference.  Dr. Hewitt and I presented on our referred paper that we wrote entitled UBIQUITOUS LEARNING ECOLOGY-A FRAMEWORK FOR SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTING 1 TO 1 COMPUTING.  You will find it here along with the presentation and all our resources.  It was a blast!   https://syncingupwiththeikid.wikispaces.com/

Our hotel is in China Town which is similar to the one in NY.  I hope to have some time to do some shopping while I am here.  Thanks for reading my blog.  I enjoy reflecting in the evenings over all I have learned.

October 7th - A day of AWESOME ADVENTURE!

Today a group of us went on a day long tour - about 12 hours.  You will see our bus below.  (More to come about the bus - unbelievable). This was our only day off in Perth.  We have been busy at the conference for 5 days and were ready for an adventure. Boy, did we get an adventure.  Our day began at a wildlife park where we got to pet Koala bears.  Soft does not describe them.  They are so sweet!  We had to be careful when petting them because if we touched the leaves where they were sitting then they would not eat it.  This was also where they fed.

 Next, we got to pet the kangaroos in the park.  We had seen two kangaroos in the wild as we drove out to the park, but had no idea that we would get to go inside their habitat at the park.  I LOVED THEM!!!  I got to feed them and they hopped right up to me.  They are soft and sweet.  One had a baby in their pouch (see below).  Do you know how long a mother kangaroo is pregnant???  One month!  That is my kind of pregnancy :-)

 Next, we went to the Namburg National Park.  It is located about 3 hours north of Perth.  There we visited the Pinnacle Desert.  This place was truly amazing.  It was covered with Pinnacles which are limestone formations.  There are thousands of them.  It is hot, dry and full of flies.  The sand is an orange color and each formation is very different.

We then went to the Indian Ocean to take in the beauty while the bus driver let the air out of the tires.  Yes!  I did say the air out of the tires.  You see we were getting ready to go to the largest sand dunes in the world.  The plan was to ride up and down the dunes.  More below.  I must say that I have seen the Gulf, the Carribean, the Atlantic and Pacific oceans but the Indian is by far the bluest ocean I have ever seen!  It is breathtaking!

 

Above is our bus with tires deflated.  Below you will see one of the sand dunes.  We rode in the bus (27 of us) up and down, round and round, slipping and sliding down these enormous dunes.  It is was fun yet scary at the same time. 4 wheeling in a bus...who would have believed it to be true.  There is no way you could ride these dunes without feeling alive.  The sand on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other.  A wonderful adventure.  After the ride was over each passenger got to go sand sliding if desired.  They were given their own board, wax and careful instructions.  You will see Dr. Hewitt going down one below.  Go Kim!

 

Tomorrow we travel to Melbourne!  This is a four hour flight across Australia.  Let the adventure continue!

October 6, 2012

My last post was October 3rd.  Sorry for the delay!  The Internet is extremely slow here and there is a charge based on data used.  For example, a 2 hour service is $10.00 and you only get 36mb.  We certainly are spoiled in America.

Politics -- The Australians do not seem to be as interested in politics as Americans.  They did follow our presidential debate and are amazed at how much vigor we put into it.  In Australia you are required by law to vote beginning at age 18.  If you fail to vote you are fined $200.00.  They simply do not understand why we are not required by law to vote if we are so passionate about it. -- Just an interesting tidbit.

The other school visit was to a brand new 6 million library -- Hale School.  This is an all boys Independent (private) school.  The grounds was sprawling and the library was totally amazing.  The learning classroom spaces surrounded the library book spaces.  It also hosted a large computer lab for students to work.  This is a 1:1 school for grades 6 - 12.

October 2, 2012 - Visited Schools to learn about technology integration -- Sharing three today and one tomorrow!

FUN! FUN! FUN!  
The schools were on holiday so we mostly saw the learning environment which I think you will find interesting.  At two schools a group of students came in to talk with us.  Hospitality at it's finest!

The Primary School: St. Anthony’s School 
http://www.stanthonyswann.wa.edu.au/

St Anthony's School is a Catholic co‐educational primary school with an enrolment of approximately 460 students from 3 Years old to Year 6 serving the Parish Community of St Anthony of Padua, Wanneroo. The use of technology at St Anthony’s is embedded within classroom practice and has been an integral part of the school, especially in the past five years. The use of mobile devices to enhance learning during literacy and numeracy dedicated times across all year levels from Kindergarten up is a hallmark of the integration of technology in the class setting within the school. Using mobile devices in collaborative settings, especially in the early years, is an area of current focus.

Secondary School: Holy Cross College  
A MIND BLOWING MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL!
Personalized Learning at its BEST!!!  
Watch the video to see the classroom spaces.
http://www.holycross.wa.edu.au/
http://eiwarch.com.au/projects/13‐work/91‐sienaoffice‐fitout.html

Western Australia’s newest Catholic school, opened in 2010 with students in Years Seven and Eight. Currently the College has students in Years 7 ‐ 10 and in 2014 the College will have its first group of year 12 students and will also open its Early Learning Centre with Kindergarten to Year 2. The College is dynamic community of learners which strives to challenge each student to be the best that they can be, A holistic education programme is offered through the four pillars of Learning, Inter‐Relationships, Faith and Enrichment (The LIFE Curriculum). In the Middle School years students engage in both specialist and integrated learning. Big Ideas, the College’s inter‐disciplinary programme, encourages deep and critical thinking, intellectual independence, and creativity. Designed for 21st century learning, the College has a particular focus on using digital technology for learning. Recently Holy Cross College was named an 2011/12 Apple Distinguished School for Innovation, Leadership and Educational Excellence. Since Holy Cross College opened in 2010 all the students have had access to a mobile device and work in a a technology rich environment.

A must see You Tube Video

http://youtu.be/NnNwGyKdl8I

Adult Learning: Contemporary Learning Hub at the Newman Siena Center
http://cms.ceo.wa.edu.au/home/professional_learning.jsp
The Contemporary Learning Hub is a newly renovated set of professional learning spaces. Designed as a technology‐enabled environment, it will be accessed by teachers engaged in a range of professional learning events. The five highly flexible spaces include two teaching spaces with flexible furniture, a collaborative space for small group work, an observation room to allow the viewing of teacher's working with an individual or small group of students and a design room including a dedicated audio recording booth and video room with green screen walls.

Monday, October 1st, 2012

It is 10:00 p.m. Western Australian time as I blog today.

Last evening we ate at Miss Maud's Swedish Restaurant.  The restaurant is near our hotel and the food was served as a smorgasbord.  In Australia there is an across the board tax of 10% for all services and tipping is not expected but appreciated.  The food was delicious and the wait staff was highly attentive.  The best part of the evening was getting to know our group a little better.

Our Group -- This is an ISTE study tour (International Society for Technology in Education).  ISTE is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the use of information technology to aid in learning, teaching of K-12 students and teachers.  Our purpose/mission is to study the Australian education system, attend the ACCE (Australian Council for Computers in Education) conference (where Kim and I are presenting), tour multiple schools in several states and territories, learn from being together with participants from all over the US and two from Norway, and then return to our setting to advocate and influence 21st century teaching and learning.  

We have classroom teachers, university professors, educational business sponsors, researchers, district level technology leaders, IT staff, Directors of Instructional Technology and Instructional Technology Coaches.  We have public, private and religious schools all represented.  Large urban districts and small rural districts are also represented.  Our current ISTE President (Holly Jobe) and President Elect (Kecia Ray) is also part of our group.  The energy is enormous!

Today we spent time together (4 hours) on a bus touring the city, Kings Park and Freemantle.  We also stopped off at a beach and several took a swim in the Indian Ocean.  (I only got my feet wet).  The ocean is beautiful like the Caribbean yet had waves like the east coast.  I have attached a couple of photos.

Perth is the most outdoorsy of all Aussie cities. It is set along the Swan River and the Indian Ocean and has an abundance of parkland.  It has a wonderful Mediterranean climate that gives it more hours of sun than any other major city in Australia.

This evening we met with the ACCE Board at Wesley College (a PK - 12 grade independent grade school) where they shared a broad perspective on the Aussie education system and political structure.  Interesting indeed!  They also sponsored a BBQ for us - Aussie style!  Honestly, I was expecting chopped pork.  But to them BBQ is grilling out.  We had steaks, hot dogs and kraut.  It was delicious!  The conversation was the best.  They were open to anything I wanted to ask.  Can't wait to learn more!

Me, Kecia and Kari standing in the Indian Ocean

Kim (my traveling partner from UNCG) under one of the magnificent fig trees at Kings Park.

The Fremantle Market place - much like the market in Seattle. 

Our ISTE President - Holly

Kecia, Susan and Holly - ISTE Leadership

Kings Park with Perth and the Swan River in the background.

The city of Perth with Swan River

Today is Sunday or at least I think it is Sunday, September 30, 2012 :-) 

I am officially down under after almost 30 hours on a plane.  I have safely settled into my hotel room on the Swan River in Perth, AU.  It is 2:30 p.m here which is 2:30 a.m. at home.

I am happy to say that there were only minor hiccups on the entire adventure.  All planes arrived and took off on time.  Our team met for the first time in LAX and we were fed great food by the airlines.  Today I even ate two breakfasts -- yes two -- one on the plane coming in to Sydney and one on the plane going to Perth.  Now you know why I am confused.  There is a two hour time difference between the two with Perth being behind.

I met some very interesting people along the way.   Kim, my traveling partner from UNCG tells me that there is just something about me that makes people open up to me....well, was she ever so right!

On the first flight from RDU to Charlotte I sat with a blue collar worker from Michigan.  He works for Ford Motor Company.  I sat for almost and hour and listened to his perspective on how bad the economy was and how our government is broken.  I sat and reflected over the conversation and decided that I was going to let this trip be a listening and learning opportunity.  I am being exposed to so many people who do not think like me.  Interesting guy....

My flight to LAX from Charlotte was bizarre and yet purposeful.  I truly feel that God put me on that plane for Michael.  My seat at the last minute was changed...Ann Davis please come to the ticket counter!  Kim and I were separated on both flights.   I went and was asked if I would like to have a window seat at an emergency exit.  I said yes...better than where I was assigned squashed in the middle of a row of four.  This is where I met Michael.  Michael was a white male from Newport News, VA.  He was on his way to China to see his fiance.  The minute I sat down he began to pour his heart out to me...how he was so bitter and angry with his wealthy parents who emotionally abused him...how he traveled with the Grateful Dead for years before his heroine addiction landed him in rehab...not once but 4 times.  He talked about how he was missing something in his life...how he was empty.  Needless to say I witnessed to him.  I even prayed with him.  I am not sure he believed or not but he shared his life with me -- the drug abuse, alcohol abuse and sexual addictions.  He was starting a clean life with a girl from China whom he found on the Internet.  He had proposed, been sober and clean since March and was very much wanting to bring her home to the US to begin a family.  He so wanted a HOME not a house.  He was an independently wealthy man who had any material possession in the world but did not know God, family, love, happiness, etc.  We talked to 3 hours and then he slept -- the first time in days he said!  I pray Michael will find the peace and love that he wants.  I hope my witness will cause him to think and reflect.  I know it did for me.  He made me dig deep to explain my faith.

The plane from LAX to Sydney was lots of reading, watching movies and sleeping.  The plane was huge and so very comfortable.  I had a row seat and was served a great dinner.  I bought the NO JET LAG pills and did exactly what they said on the box....it worked great!  I feel great!  I took some Advil PM on the plane to sleep and I slept about 6 hours straight (soft blanket, squishy neck pillow and eye mask --- thanks Christina).

The plane from Sydney to Perth (5 hours) was tiring...yes...by this last leg I was tired of airplanes.  I graded papers and watched a movie and visited with my new colleagues on our tour.  I have so much to learn from these smart people!  I can't wait to get to know them better.  I'll tell you more about them tomorrow and the purpose of this tour.

Well, that was my trip here...I missed Saturday completely.  I got on the plane on Friday and off on Sunday afternoon.

I have exactly two hours from now to shower and meet up with my group to go to dinner -- all you can eat at Miss Maud Swedish Restaurant.  So I better sign off. 

Hugs and kisses to my family -- I love you guys!

No worries mate....I'll be back on later!

Ann

Good day Mate,

That sounds funny coming out of a girl's mouth from Burlington, NC.  LOL.  :-)

I am so glad that you are taking time out of your busy day to read my blog.  As you can tell this is going to be a very informal blog.  I plan to take you on the journey down under with me.  I also plan to use it as a record for myself - menopausal memory -- you know!

Today I fly out!  Oh, the packing, unpacking, repacking, stuffing until I finally got it all in one large suitcase for under the plane and one to carry on with me.  Finished about 2:30 a.m. -- sounds like me -- I love the night time.  I have a book and devotional book to read on the plane from my sister, snacks in my bookbag thanks to a dear friend, a blanket and head support (don't say it...I know...her big head needs support!) from my dear daughter and enough technology gadgets to appear real techie once I get there.  After all, this is an educational technology study tour right?  [I will update you on how this all came to be one day when I don't have much to say...LOL]

My goal for today is to survive the airports, customs and 24 hour 15 minute plane rides...oh my!  Yes, I said plane rides...Raleigh to Charlotte, to LAX, to Sydney, and finally to Perth.  It all begins at 4:00 today in Raleigh and ending in Sydney on Sunday morning.  [Remember they are 14 hours ahead of us.]

Love to my family...thanks for your support...stepping up so I could step out for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Let the journey begin...

Ann

p.s. Comment occasionally so that I know someone is indeed reading my blog :-)

Getting ready for the big day!

One week from today I will be on my way to Australia!