Article from “The Saint Croix Courier”
By Barb Rayner

Students and staff at Sir James Dunn Academy know how to make the best use of today’s technology and their efforts have been recognized nationally by one of the country’s largest education technology consulting firms.

The school is one of three national first-place winners in MindShare Learning’s Canada-wide video challenge. Some 33 teams competed and their eastern Canada division included schools from Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland and
Labrador. The three winning schools will each receive a classroom technology package valued at more than $15,000.

One thing unique about SJDA’s project, said math and science teacher Seth Richardson, was that they only had 10 days to work on it.

“I was thinking there’s no way we can get this done then I remembered that a lot of the teachers had spoken very, very highly of the students that we have and they are very, very competent in their skills. It’s just unbelievable. It’s kind of unique that we decided to put together a project-based initiative to create this video.” Students Travis Acton, Alex Peppard and Luke and Joel Goddard worked on the project with Richardson, principal David O’Leary and teacher Heidi Brown. All students are in Grade 12 except Grade 11 student, Joel. “They really came together and they each had a specific role and they fulfilled it to the maximum. We couldn’t have done it without every one giving 100 perent,” said Richardson.

Were it not for the students involved in the project, it would have been a challenge to complete it, O’Leary stated, adding that the final product was a true student production facilitated by adults.

“They are the champions of this opportunity, they won this award and the best part of it for us is that to be a true educator you need to facilitate and allow people to take a risk; to step out and to go for it and to point them in the right direction; be critical when
it’s time to be critical and applaud when it’s time to applaud. The kids that worked on this did a remarkable job.”

Last year, the eastern division of the contest was also won by a New Brunswick school and O’Leary feel this speaks volumes about the province’s educational system.

“New Brunswick is really leading the way in the area of 21st century skills. We were very pleasantly surprised but we knew we had a good shot.”

Travis probably put in the most hours on the video, said Richardson, because he did a lot of the editing and he pulled a couple of all-nighters to get it finished. “One night we got a call to say he went to bed about five or six in the morning so we had to go to his house
and wake him up at 10 because we needed his material.  “A lot of students spent a lot of nights. The work that I did was more at the beginning because I did the outline and when the students got hold of it they were able to have a lot of say and sway in where it went. It’s good because it’s theirs,” he said.

They began work on the video Dec. 5 – just prior to exams – and submitted it Dec. 15.

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MindShare Musings by Robert Martellacci

It’s been a fascinating start to 2012 in the EdTech space. We have Apple announcing its entering  the  eTextbook game (sure to spur on innovation across the sector) and reaching new market cap heights with another 15 million plus iPads sold last quarter. By contrast we have RIM in Canada trying to avoid the same fate Nortel.

Regardless of the success of these two titans, we are reminded that it’s not about technology and nothing lasts forever-it’s about learning, leadership and anticipating the future.  Speaking of which the following is a Harvard Business Review blog entitled What do Great Leaders Do? . . . . It’s a “must read” Blog. The quote that caught my attention, “These leaders make people feel emotionally engaged and inspire them to walk the extra mile.”

On the leadership front, watch for the official launch of C21 Canada this month.  I was fortunate to partner up with former New Brunswick, deputy education minister, John Kershaw and his associate, David Roberts in establishing this fledgling organization.  The new Coalition for 21st Century Learning and Innovation (C21 Canada) will be a not for profit organization with a mandate to advocate for 21st Century models of learning in public education. The coalition wishes to see 21st Century competencies, such as creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and culture, infused into curriculum, and an accelerated pace of integrating digital technology into Canadian classrooms in an effort to more fully engage students, the digital generation, in their learning.

It’s great to see it all coming together, thanks in large part to the founding education and industry partners. Watch for more details on how you can get involved.

I had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Gary Bitter from ASU, who was the founding president of ISTE and a legend in the learning technology space. Besides touring me around the ASU campus and enjoying some amazing authentic Mexican food in Scottsdale, he shared some the following free PD video apps for teachers that his team created, thanks in part to grant funding. One of Dr. Bitter’s video libraries (DVL/PT3-integrating technology into the curriculum) on line as an app for free.  See Teachw/technology(iPad) and PT3 (Android) – there are 22 videos of classroom instruction modeling technology integration each lesson includes all the artifacts. They also have several other iPad/iPhone and Android app (search under Arizona State University).  I encourage you to connect with Dr. Bitter directly at bitter@asu.edu

Speaking of ASU, one of the most innovative companies in K12 based out of SkySong is Adaptive Curriculum.  On my recent visit I learned my former TLC colleague, Melinda Cook, was recently promoted to new VP of Sales. Congrats Melinda!

Doug Connolly, President, Distribution Access dropped me a note recently to share the news Distribution Access signed Definitive Agreement to Acquire Jobs People Do Inc. Read more

I’m pleased to share that the great folks at ERAC (B.C. Ministry of Education) launched their Commons (eraccommons.ca) | ERAC http://bit.ly/y47r8z  I don’t get out to the western Canada enough but I plan to do some this spring.

Staying on the western theme. There’s lots of exciting things coming from Calgary based SMART Technologies in 2012. Among them are:

• SMART’s first interactive projector…..an affordable option that enables you to add interactivity to almost any surface. Read more
• SMART Notebook 11….many more capabilities, even more intuitive and easy to use. Learn more

On the Discovery Education Canada front, Tom Metuzals, shared the news that rock star EdTech leader from Saskatchewan,  Dean Shareski, is the newest addition to the Discovery Canada team..

Be Inspired!  This is a conference I would love to attend next year with some amazing speakers. Learning without Frontiers conference that took place recently in the UK. http://www.learningwithoutfrontiers.com/category/talks/

I tuned into Don Tapscott’s CBC Radio show this past weekend ReCivilization it was outstanding!

Tania Sterling shared she is making a  big leap from her classroom teaching position to join Pearson Canada effective February 1st, 2012. She has assumed an exciting role as Pearson’s Digital Learning Consultant/Research and Communications Manager. It is a secondment until August 31, 2013. Congratulations Tania!

Last but not least, in case you missed it! MindShare Learning Report Top 12 Canadian EdTechPredictions for 2012

My other passion besides EdTech is playing and coaching hockey. It was great to be a part of the 50 years of hockey celebration at York University recently as chair of the varsity hockey alumni chapter. Alumni, coaches and friends gathered following the York vs. UOIT game recently to share, reflect and re-connect. It was great to see so many familiar faces and to learn how many alums went on to lead very successful careers. Something to be said about the pursuit of academic and athletic excellence! Did I mention that the home team won too!

Until next time, walk the digital talk! Cheers, RM

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/666603–teacher-nabs-national-award

An innovative local teacher has nabbed a national award.

Heidi Siwak, who teaches Grades 6 and 7 at Dundas Central Public School, is one of three educators to win the 21st Century Classroom Video Challenge.

The competition, hosted by The MindShare Learning Report — an educational technology eMagazine — challenges teachers and students from across the country to share their tech-savvy classroom practices using creative videography skills.

“I’m so, so excited,” Siwak said in a release. “Thank you very much, it is a great honour.”

“When I looked at the other video submissions, I didn’t think we were going to win with such a competitive field.”

It’s not the first time the 22-year teaching veteran has gained accolades for her innovative approaches. She also appeared in the Globe and Mail’s Future of Education series last fall after being nominated by a colleague.

Siwak’s winning video can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVf3o3Z3kjs

tpecoskie@thespec.com

Fri, Feb 3 – A St. Andrews, N.B. high school has done more than embrace smart phones and tablets on school grounds – they’re encouraging it. Tino Makris visits the school recognize as one of Canada’s most tech savvy.

Read it on Global News: Canada’s most tech savvy school – Evening News – Videos | Global Maritimes

Simon Fraser University is launching entrepreneurship@SFU, a new high-tech entrepreneurship initiative, thanks to a $210,000 donation from SFU alumnus Ken Spencer and a matching contribution from the Province of B.C. through the B.C. Innovation Council(BCIC).

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News Release                                                    For Immediate Release

Contact:       

Robert Martellacci

President& Publisher

Mindshare Learning Report

Cell: 416-569-2106

robert@mindsharelearning.com

TORONTO, ONTARIO: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 The MindShare Learning Report – Canada’s Leading, Learning & Technology eMagazine is pleased to announce the winners of the 4th Annual MindShare Learning 21st Century Classroom Video Challenge.    Our contest is a testament to the digital learning revolution that is happening across the Canadian education landscape and beyond.  This year we had a record number of submissions.  As well, it was the most competitive to date.  The quality was outstanding and the judge’s panel was extremely challenged in arriving at three national winners.

The winners from West, Central, and Eastern Canada recognized for their outstanding video entries emerged as Canada’s leading, tech savvy educators who embrace 21st century learning on a daily basis are the following:

Western Canada – Shelley Wright, Cornerstone School, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBgAmeTNMtY

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My students and I are incredibly excited to have our work recognized in this way. It’s shown them that being globally connected really does matter!” says Shelley Wright, Western Canada Winner

Central Canada – Heidi Siwak, Dundas Central Public School, Dundas, Ontario

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVf3o3Z3kjs

“I’m so so excited…thank you very much, it is a great honour ….when I looked at the other video submissions, I didn’t think we were going to win with such a competitive field,” says Heidi Siwak, Central Canada Winner

Eastern Canada – Seth Richardson, Sir James Dunn Academy, St. Stephen, New Brunswick

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FR5w_JgLnQ

“At SJDA technology education is at the forefront of our 21st century learning initiative. We are committed to inspiring our future leaders to question, innovate and collaborate, using the skills necessary to succeed. On behalf of our school and community, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to MindShare Learning for recognizing our efforts and helping to further support our students,” says Seth Richardson, Eastern Canada contest winner.

The annual contest challenges teachers and their students from across Canada to share their successful classroom practices using digital technology. Teachers from publicly funded schools put their creative videography skills to use to qualify and win a total of over $50,000 in technology prizes.

“This year’s slate of winners have raised the bar once again for all educators across Canada to embrace the notion of 21^st century learning.  To ignore it is no longer an option if we are to effectively prepare our future leaders to succeed in the global knowledge-based economy,” says Robert Martellacci, president and publisher of the MindShare Learning Report.

The three contest winners will each be awarded over $15,000 in classroom technology prize packages totalling over $50,000:

Prize Package

About The MindShare Learning Repor

Our mission is to transform education by sharing knowledge of 21st Century innovative best practices and success stories in the Canadian education market space and beyond. We harness the power of Web 2.0 technologies to feature engaging vodcasts, podcasts, polling, Canadian educational technology news headlines & upcoming strategic industry events in the K-12, Higher Ed and corporate eLearning market segments.  http://www.mindsharelearning.com

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Thank you to our sponsors!

Congratulations to our 4th Annual  MindShare Learning 21st Century Digital Classroom Challenge winner’s! The three regional winner’s from Western, Central, and Eastern Canada will receive technology packages worth over $15,000. See the full list of prizes.

In fine tradition the quality of videos just keeps getting better.  Here’s a shout out to all those teachers who demonstrated their leadership in sharing their passion for 21st Century Learning and engaging students to enhance learning.

I want to take this opportunity to thank our judges panel, our generous sponsors and all those teachers and students who participated.

Western Winner

Teacher:  Shelley Wright
School:  Cornerstone School
Location:  Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Central Winner

Teacher:  Heidi Siwak
School:  Dundas Central Public School
Location:  Dundas, Ontario

Teacher:  Seth Richardson
School: Sir James Dunn Academy
Location:  St. Andrews, New Brunswick

“At SJDA technology education is at the forefront of our 21st century learning initiative. We are committed to inspiring our future leaders to question, innovate and collaborate, using the skills necessary to succeed. On behalf of our school and community, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to MindShare Learning for recognizing our efforts and helping to further support our students.”

(photo credit Ron Albertson/The Hamilton Spectator)

Robert Martellacci interviews Heidi Siwak our Central Canada 2011/12 Video Challenge Winner.