always learning

Cross-posted on the K12Online Conference blog

I could not be more honored to be the pre-conference keynote speaker for this year’s K12 Online conference!

I have been participating in this annual conference since its inception in 2006 and every year I am amazed at the quality of presentations shared by educators around the world. The opportunity to learn together over the course of the conference (and beyond) is one of the most inspiring and engaging experiences of the year for me. Of course, this year’s lineup is no different!

When I was asked to keynote this year’s event, I knew right away that I wanted my presentation to have a global focus. Thinking back over the course of my ten years of living overseas, I realized that in many ways my exposure to new ways of thinking about technology has been paralleled by some similar learning experiences in the real world. I wanted to explore those links between virtual and real-world perspective shifts, and in the process try to share what I feel is an interesting and unique perspective in the expat mindset.

I’ve also decided to try to practice what I preach and make this presentation a true global collaboration, and although I will be putting together and presenting the final product, I really wanted to make it based on group input. Thankfully, my personal learning network includes a number of outstanding international school educators who’ve been willing to help me in preparing my presentation (thank you!). Right now I’ve gotten a lot of great input and material from (in no particular order):

• Jabiz Raisdana in Qatar
• Sara Patterson and 3 of her fabulous students in Korea
• Susan Sedro in Singapore
• Julie Lindsay, Jeff Plaman (and several of his fantastic students) and Tod Baker in China
• Clint Hamada and one of his wonderful students in Vietnam
• Maria Gomez in Saudi Arabia
• Steve Katz and 2 of his amazing students in Costa Rica
• Brandon Hoover in the Philipines
• Justin Hardman and Ryan Skardal in Hong Kong
• Brian Lockwood, Genki U. and Christine U. in Japan
• Darby Sinclair in Taiwan
• Dennis Harter in Thailand

While these teachers have already sent me fantastic material, I would love to include other perspectives as well. Knowing that the deadline is just over a month away, I’m beginning to put the final pieces together, and would love to hear your thoughts, include your perspectives, and emphasize the power of global collaboration in the final product.

Here’s the presentation overview:

Going Global: Culture Shock, Convergence, and the Future of Education

Everything I need to know about the future of education I learned, not from kindergarten, but from living overseas. Looking at daily life in foreign lands reveals a colorful spectrum of inspiring metaphors for the shifts we need to make in education. Featuring voices from students and teachers from around the globe, this presentation will start with a look through an expatriate’s eyes at some vibrant details of daily life in many lands. Often what we may find initially chaotic, disorienting and strange in other countries can actually spark new ways of thinking about teaching and learning.

Then, again through the voices and viewpoints of teachers and students from all around the world, we’ll examine the unique aptitudes which allow successful expats to thrive in any environment: adaptability, flexibility, the ability to understand differing viewpoints and constructs, and the communications skills to collaborate across cultural, religious and linguistic barriers. These are exactly the skills that future students and teachers will need to confidently enter the digital, global, converging, collaborative world of tomorrow – wherever they might be physically located.

What do you think? Does this sound interesting to you? Are you an expat or Third Culture Kid? Have you or your students participated in a global collaboration? What did you gain from that experience?

In January, I shared a list of international school teachers (those teaching outside of their home country in a school catering to expatriate families) on Twitter (or blogging). In the last few months, even more teachers have added themselves to the Google Form, so I thought I would do a recap with all of the names currently on the spreadsheet, organized by country.

If you’re not on the list yet and you’re teaching outside of your home country in a school for expatriate children, please feel free to add yourself! I’ll do another recap soon!

Note: I linked the names of teachers to their blogs (if listed) and their Twitter @username to their profiles (if listed):

Asia

China

• Jonathan Chambers, @jchambers, Shanghai American School
• Thomas Galvez, @tgalvez, International School of Beijing
• Mark Roper, Island School Hong Kong
• Micah Sittig, @msittig, SMIC Private School
• Mikey McKillip, @atomikey, Shanghai Community International School
• Amanda DeCardy, @adecardy, Shanghai American School
• Jeff Plaman, @jplaman, International School of Beijing
• Jeff Dungan, @jdungan, Shanghai American School
• Sheldon Bradshaw, @sbradshaw, Western Academy of Beijing
• Mike DeNeef, @coachdeneef, Shanghai Community International School
• Beth Gourley, @beahgo, International School of Tianjin
• Jennifer Chapman, @jenniferchapman, Concordia International School Shanghai
• Paul McMahon, @lsa_paul, Learning Solutions (Consultancy)
• Colleen Williams, @colwill, Shanghai American School
• David Gran, @dsgran, Shanghai American School
• Colin Gallagher, @colingally, The ISF Academy Hong Kong
• Simon Power, @spower, Shanghai American School
• Heather Davis, @greenisle13, Yew Chung International School of Beijing
• Bruce Roadside, @b_roadside, Beijing City International School
• Jon Nordmeyer, @nordmeyerj, Shanghai American School
• Sarah Toa, Shanghai American School
• Colin Aitken, @caitken, International School of Beijing
• Robert Hulse, @shalombringer, Concordia International School Shanghai
• Ryan Skardal, @skardalien, American International School Hong Kong
• dcnavis, @dcnavis85, Hong Kong International School
  

Korea

• Greg Israel, @israelgreg, Korea International School
• Jason Crewe, @jcrewe, Busan Foreign School

Vietnam

• Clint Hamada, @chamada, United Nations International School Hanoi
• Michelle Matias, @michellelmatias, United Nations International School Hanoi
• Adrienne Michetti, @amichetti, United Nations International School Hanoi
• Michael Wagstaff, @mike_wagstaff, United Nations International School Hanoi
• Sean Tangey, @stangey, United Nations International School Hanoi

Japan

• Genki Unno, @genkiu, Yokahama International School
• Brian Lockwood, @brianlockwood, Yokahama International School
• Rhonda Carrier, @rhondacarrier, Canadian Academy
• Christine U, @kurisuteen, Yokahama International School
• Josh Raub, @x5josh5x, The American School in Japan
• Jeff Lewis, @jefflewis9, Seisen International School Tokyo

Thailand

• Heather Vlach, @hvlach, International School Bangkok
• Sara Best, @saraebest, International School Bangkok
• Jon Russell, @jonrussell, Pibulwitthayalai School
• Dennis Harter, @dharter, International School Bangkok
• David Wees, @davidwees, Ruamrudee International School
• Jeff Utecht, @jutecht, International School Bangkok
• Steven Hall, @hitechhall, Ruamrudee International School
• Chrissy Hellyer, @nzchrissy, International School Bangkok
• Ben Winter, @bewi, Bangkok Patana School
• Jay Priebe, @jay_priebe, New International School Thailand
• Vu Lam, @vulam, International School Bangkok
• Michael Peach, @the_giant_peach, International School Bangkok

Singapore

• Keri-Lee Beasley, @klandmiles, United World College Southeast Asia
• Katie Day, @librarianedge, United World College Southeast Asia
• Susan Sedro, @ssedro, Singapore American School
• Ben Grundy, @bgrundy, Canadian International School
• Carrie Wilton, @carriewilton, Canadian International School
• Wayne Burnett, @waynebu, German European School Singapore

Malaysia

• Ian Pittman, @ipittman, The Alice Smith School
• Bron Narsiman, @bron_narsiman, International School of Kuala Lumpur
• Mark Marshall, @markmarshall6, International School of Kuala Lumpur
• K.Gwaltney, @KB2121, Dalat International School Penang

India

• Katie Christo, @katiechristo, American International School Chennai
• Ann Krembs, @DearLibrariAnn, American School of Bombay
• Melisa Enderle, @melissaenderle, American International School of Chennai

Indonesia

• Jose Luis Mejia, @jlmejia, Jakarta International School
• Jan Anderson, @janiceanderson, International School of Riau

Taiwan

• Leanne Rainbow, @rainbowl, Taipei American School

The Philippines

• Jennifer Smith, @jensmith8675309, International School Manila

Middle East/Central Asia

Qatar

• Jabiz Raisdana, @intrepidteacher, Compass International School
• Julie Lindsay, @julielindsay, Qatar Academy
• Ellie Bowe, @EllieBowe, Qatar Academy
• Mike Boulanger, @mikeboulanger, Qatar Academy
• Lauralynn Stefureak, @LauralynnLouise, Qatar Academy

Oman

• Eleanor Haynes, @MrsEHaynes, The American International School of Muscat

Khazakhstan

• James Lerch, @jclerch, Quality Schools International

Morocco

• David Carpenter, @davidcarp, Casablanca American School

Latin America

Mexico

• Angelesb, @angelesb, Escuela Secundaria General 5

Brazil

• Carla Arena, @carlaarena, Casa Thomas Jefferson
• Barbara Dieu, Lycée Pasteur

Argentina

• Weda, @theshortestfuse, Lincoln American International School

Peru

• Gerardo Lazaro, @glazaro, St. George’s College

Europe

Spain

• Nancy vonWahlde, @nancyvonw, American School of Madrid

Switzerland

• Kathy Epps, @k_eepps, International School of Geneva – Campus des Nations
• Will Kirkwood, @wkirkwood, Zurich International School

Austria

• Chris Rolfe, @cmrolfe, American International School Vienna

Serbia

• Jennie Scott-McKenzie, @jennieteacher, International School of Belgrade

Looking at this list, it’s interesting to see where most of the teachers are working. Can we make the assumption that those schools are the ones that are really moving forward with technology? Or is this list more representative of schools in Asia because that’s where I’m currently working?

Either way, if you’re considering going overseas, or just moving on to a new school, these are the people that can give you the greatest insight into life in a new country and working at a new school. There’s nothing better than actually knowing people at the schools you’re interested in to make an informed decision about where to go.

Please spread the word! I know there are many more international school teachers on Twitter and blogging!

A few weeks before our semester break, I wrote a post called International School Teachers Connect! in the hopes of discovering more international school teachers (those teaching outside of their home country in a school catering to expatriate families) on Twitter (or blogging).

Amazingly, within just a few days dozens of teachers had joined the Twitter group I created and left their contact details via this Google Form (please feel free to add yourself if you haven’t already). As of today, there are 65 teachers listed! Wow!

As promised, here is an organized list of all of the teachers in international schools who responded. Please add yourself in the comments or on the Google Form if you’re teaching outside of your home country in a school for expatriate children!

Note: I linked the names of teachers to their blogs (if listed) and their Twitter @username to their profiles (if listed):

Asia

China

• Jonathan Chambers, @jchambers, Shanghai American School
• Thomas Galvez, @tgalvez, International School of Beijing
• Mark Roper, Island School Hong Kong
• Micah Sittig, @msittig, SMIC Private School
• Mikey McKillip, @atomikey, Shanghai Community International School
• Amanda DeCardy, @adecardy, Shanghai American School
• Jeff Plaman, @jplaman, International School of Beijing
• Jeff Dungan, @jdungan, Shanghai American School
• Sheldon Bradshaw, @sbradshaw, Western Academy of Beijing
• Mike DeNeef, @coachdeneef, Shanghai Community International School
• Beth Gourley, @beahgo, International School of Tianjin
• Jennifer Chapman, @jenniferchapman, Concordia International School Shanghai
• Paul McMahon, @lsa_paul, Learning Solutions (Consultancy)
• Colleen Williams, @colwill, Shanghai American School
• David Gran, @dsgran, Shanghai American School

Korea

• Greg Israel, @israelgreg, Korea International School

Vietnam

• Clint Hamada, @chamada, United Nations International School Hanoi
• Michelle Matias, @michellelmatias, United Nations International School Hanoi
• Adrienne Michetti, @amichetti, United Nations International School Hanoi
• Michael Wagstaff, @mike_wagstaff, United Nations International School Hanoi

Japan

• Genki Unno, @genkiu, Yokahama International School
• Brian Lockwood, @brianlockwood, Yokahama International School
• Rhonda Carrier, @rhondacarrier, Canadian Academy
• Christine U, @kurisuteen, Yokahama International School

Thailand

• Heather Vlach, @hvlach, International School Bangkok
• Sara Best, @saraebest, International School Bangkok
• Jon Russell, @jonrussell, Pibulwitthayalai School
• Dennis Harter, @dharter, International School Bangkok
• David Wees, @davidwees, Ruamrudee International School
• Jeff Utecht, @jutecht, International School Bangkok
• Steven Hall, @hitechhall, Ruamrudee International School

Singapore

• Keri-Lee Beasley, @klandmiles, United World College Southeast Asia
• Katie Day, @librarianedge, United World College Southeast Asia
• Susan Sedro, @ssedro, Singapore American School

Malaysia

• Ian Pittman, @ipittman, The Alice Smith School
• Bron Narsiman, @bron_narsiman, International School of Kuala Lumpur
• Mark Marshall, @markmarshall6, International School of Kuala Lumpur

India

• Katie Christo, @katiechristo, American International School Chennai
• Ann Krembs, @DearLibrariAnn, American School of Bombay

Indonesia

• Jose Luis Mejia, @jlmejia, Jakarta International School

Taiwan

• David Carpenter, @davidcarp, Hsinchu Interntional School

Middle East/Central Asia

Qatar

• Jabiz Raisdana, @intrepidteacher, Compass International School
• Julie Lindsay, @julielindsay, Qatar Academy
• Ellie Bowe, @EllieBowe, Qatar Academy

Oman

• Eleanor Haynes, @MrsEHaynes, The American International School of Muscat

Khazakhstan

• James Lerch, @jclerch, Quality Schools International

Latin America

Mexico

• Angelesb, @angelesb, Escuela Secundaria General 5

Brazil

• Carla Arena, @carlaarena, Casa Thomas Jefferson
• Barbara Dieu, Lycée Pasteur

Argentina

• Weda, @theshortestfuse, Lincoln American International School

Europe

Spain

• Nancy vonWahlde, @nancyvonw, American School of Madrid

Switzerland

• Kathy Epps, @k_eepps, International School of Geneva – Campus des Nations

It’s certainly interesting to see how many of these teachers are in the Asia region. I wonder if that’s because that’s where I am, and I was the one who sent the request, or if schools in Asia are more tech-savvy than those in other regions of the world?

With recruiting season upon us, it seems like a great time to connect with other international school teachers around the world! These are the people that can give you the greatest insight into life in a new country and working at a new school. There’s nothing better than actually knowing people at the schools you’re interested in to make an informed decision about where to go.

Having said that, I know there are loads more international school teachers on Twitter and maintaining a blog, so please, add yourself in the comments or to the Google Form!

This weekend I discovered TweetDeck and I am totally in love! (Yes, I am late to the party with this one @JavaJive, Jeff showed it to me ages ago, but better late than never, right?).

As you may know, I am obsessively organized (often mocked for the obscene amount of folders I have for storing old e-mails) so the fact that I can actually organize my twitter friends is just about the best thing since sliced bread. All weekend, I’ve been categorizing and organizing all my twitter friends into convenient groupings – so much easier to follow what I want to follow, instead of just what rises to the top!

One of my fun new groups is “International Teachers.” I had been following quite a few teachers that I know personally, but being able to categorize them in TweetDeck has helped me find dozens more just this weekend – and now they’re all nicely organized into my “International Teachers” group, so when they post something new, I notice right away.

I love connecting with international school teachers, because even though our day-to-day experiences may be very different, we all share the common bond of teaching overseas, our schools are often very similar, and it’s amazing the number of times we will cross paths during our careers – despite the fact that we may currently be on opposite sides of the planet!

In an amazing coincidence, I woke up this morning (far too early, I might add), to see that Lucy and Vicki had found TwittGroups, a way to create groups of Twitterers with a common interest (Lucy started one for Apple Distinguished Educators Worldwide and Vicki started one for Teachers).

I figured this would be a great way to find even more international school teachers, so I created a group for us! I’m not so sure how this works yet, but even if it just ends up being an opt-in listing of international school teachers, this would be a great way to connect and find more international colleagues in one central place. Please, join!

I’m also curious about international school teachers that are blogging. I’ve been organizing (of course) my Google Reader account as well, and I have an “international teachers” folder that I’d love to add more feeds to – I just need to find them!

It’s amazing to see how we’re all connected – despite being so widely spread across the globe – connecting with one international school teacher in one city begins an amazing chain reaction of so many others in that city, and then their connections around the world. I love it!

Is there a central place where I can find a listing of international school teachers who are blogging? If not, anyone want to share some links in the comments here? I’ll be sure to write a follow up post with links to all the bloggers and twitterers that share! What a great way to connect with our fellow international school teachers!

Update: I just had a brainwave! I’ve been wanting to try out Google Forms for a while, so I just made one for international school teachers to share their blog and twitter info. If you’d like to be listed, please fill out the form here and check for the results here. Looking forward to connecting with even more international school teachers!

Amongst the Flags by thadman

Inspired by Silvia, Johnathan and Simon, Chrissy and I will be hosting a K12 Online LAN (local area network) party this Saturday morning at my apartment in downtown Bangkok. Unfortunately we’re a little late getting started because of the way our October break fell on the school calendar this year, but we are no less enthusiastic!

Already we have some of my amazing colleagues joining us: Heather, Sara, Ali, Tara, and of course Chrissy and I. I was fortunate to also attend a meeting of Bangkok international school librarians yesterday afternoon and hope to see a few of those familiar faces Saturday morning. I wish I knew more of my fellow teachers here in the city – given that there are over 90 international schools in Thailand, I would guess that we have a captive audience. It’s just a matter of getting the word out!

So, earlier this week, I sent around the following e-mail to all of my colleagues at ISB and to as many fellow international school teachers as I know here in Thailand:

Dear Fabulous Colleagues,

As some of you may know, there is an amazing (and totally free) conference happening online right now! It’s called the K12Online conference and it features digital presentations (videos, podcasts, wikis, VoiceThreads) by some of the leading minds in 21st century learning.

Topics range from project-based learning, to using video conferencing in the classroom, to connecting students through global projects, to dealing with the rapid pace of technological change as a classroom teacher, and more.

All of these presentations are described and posted online at the conference website: http://k12onlineconference.org/

But wait, there’s more!

Chrissy Hellyer (grade 5 teacher) and I would like to invite you to a K12Online Local Area Network pot-luck brunch party on Saturday, November 8th from 10:00 – noon to watch the best of the best presentations and discuss how we can use these new ideas in our teaching.
What: A mind-bending, inspiring, and energizing conversation about new teaching and learning practices based on a variety of K12Online presentations
When: Saturday November 8th from 10:00 am – noon (and now you’re already downtown for a day of shopping and dining in the city!)
Where: Kim’s apartment, downtown Bangkok
Why: to get geeked! And to enjoy a delicious pot-luck brunch!

I will download all of the presentations so that we can watch as many as we want and everyone can walk away with all of the presentations to watch when you have time.

We would also love to open this up to other international school teachers here in Bnagkok, so if you know any other teachers that might be interested in attending, please pass it on!

Please let us know if you’re planning on coming so we can prepare

Kim and Chrissy

So if you’re teaching here in Bangkok, or just happen to be in the city (it’s amazing how many people come through Bangkok on a regular basis), or even if you’re not, we would absolutely love to have you join us – either in person or via Skype!

Anyone have any suggestions for how to host this kind of party? I barely even have any wall space to project the presentations on to… I definitely need to start thinking logistics!