Learning I LOVE to see!

As I walk around my school, I notice a variety of learning taking place. Sure, any learning makes me smile, but when I see students engaged in the following activities, my heart is truly warmed:

1. Blogging - reading, writing, sharing ideas, making connections. So simple, yet so powerful.
2. Content Creation - students demonstrating their understanding in new ways, in their way. I especially love the pride you see on their face when they realize the amazing talent they have and the quality of work they can produce.
3. Getting Lost in Exploration - such as using Google Earth to explore our amazing world just for fun, wondering what it would be like to live on the other side, curiosity.
4. Collaboration - because we learn from each other and together we are better than alone.

Happy Valentine's Day to all learners!

Photo credit: Flickr user qthomasbower

Maps are Like Documents...

View Our Holiday destinations in a larger map

After seeing Tom Barrett present at Google Teacher Academy UK '10, I'll never forget that Maps are like documents: we can collaborate on them... We did just that when a class of our students in Virginia worked with Ian Pratt's students in the UK. The topic was Holiday Destinations. It is interesting to compare the travel locations on the map above. All the blue placemarks are from the students in the UK. The red placemarks were created by Kay Conners' students here in Virginia. What a great way for our students to connect experiences with each other, even across the pond.

Next up... Mapping the Olympics!