Well, it’s almost here- I can already hear the seagulls and detect the faint smell of coconut lotion in the air….That’s right, Summer Break is right around the corner!  That special time of the year that us New Jersey educators try to renew our minds, bodies and our souls.  While I hope that the feel of warm sand between your toes, salty sea air and warm, ocean breezes will help replenish your body and soul, I thought I’d leave you with some inspiration for your mind in this last post for the 2008-2009 school year.

Throughout history, humans have always created our own learning networks. When we needed to know how to do something, we sought out the expert in that field and they shared their knowledge. For example, hunters knew who to talk to about the latest in hunting techniques. Farmers knew who to talk to regarding the latest in agricultural technology practices. (And students could talk to their brilliant teachers!) Now we have the Internet to access more information about whatever we need to know. However, now there is not necessarily a need anymore to find “the” expert in a field of study. Instead, we need to create our own network of experts, our own Personal Learning Network.

What is a Personal Learning Network? It is a collection of resources that you can go to when you want to learn something. This includes family and friends, teachers, and people in the local community. It can also include non-human resources, such as books, journals and other forms of media. In the 21^st century, there’s also an extensive electronic network of resources that you can – and should – include in your network. This includes resources on the Internet such as webpages and podcasts. But it also includes human resources that are available to you via the Internet- your own personal collection of “experts” on various topics from all over the world! One way to build that collection of experts is via RSS Feeds, which allows you to subscribe to their content and have it delivered to you in your RSS Aggregator (e.g., Google Reader). Every time they produce new content, it automatically gets delivered to you, allowing you to tap their knowledge and wisdom from afar. It helps you to develop your own understanding of the world, to participate in the conversations that are going on, and to have a say in the world that we live in.

There are approximately 9 weeks of Summer Vacation to relax, recover and recharge our educational batteries.  Here are some suggestions I’ve come up with to help you make sure you do all three! 

I hope you have a wonderfully nourishing summer

Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. – Ferris Beuller

SUMMER To-Do List

This post isn’t really about technology in the classroom, but it’s an interesting opportunity that I wouldn’t have known about without my robust personal learning network.  So, at the very least, it’s a great example of the incredible resources and interesting opportunities you can experience by staying connected with your peers online.

I also have to admit that I’m probably even more excited about this “simple” opportunity because I just spent the entire day/night in the New York City yesterday with my family.  We started the day at the Museum of Natural History, then had hot dogs & pretzels on a bench in the park while listening to a jazz trio play about ten feet away.  A quick trip to FAO Shwartz (my son is six and OBSESSED with Legos…), then back to Central Park for some “rock climbing” and bare-foot strolling through the grass.  Next came a birds-eye view of the entire park from the roof-top of the New York Athletic Club (compliments of a good friend ).  We capped off the day with a nice, greek dinner at Kefi , then walked it off with a stroll down Columbus Ave. past, you guessed it, Lincoln Center!

So now we’ve come full-circle.  I wouldn’t be writing this post if I didn’t find out about the following opportunity in NYC from my online network. Coincidentally, I found out via Twitter when I got home last night from NYC! A wonderful example of how your virtual world & your physical worlds can (and should) exist in perfect harmony- a lesson we need to live ourselves in order to help our students do the same.

I hope you can take advantage of the following opportunity!

You are invited to

Art of Learning at Lincoln Center Educators Resource Fair IN CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF LINCOLN CENTER THE SCHOOL OF AMERICAN BALLET NEW YORK CITY BALLET THE METROPOLITAN OPERA LINCOLN CENTER INSTITUTE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC THE JUILLIARDSCHOOL NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS THE CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER METROPOLITAN OPERA GUILD JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER NEW YORK CITY OPERA LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS MEET THE ARTIST SCHOOL SERIES Please join representatives from 12 resident art organizations to learn about the wonderful education programs offered by Lincoln Center.  Be one of the first to view the newly renovated, stunningly beautiful Alice Tully Hall.   Wine and light refreshments to be provided. Thursday, May 7, 2009 4:00pm – 6:00pm Alice Tully Hall, Broadway at 65th Street Brought to you by Chase Click here for a pdf of the invitation. If the link does not work, please copy and paste the following text in the navigation bar of your browser: http://www.lincolncenter.org/pdfs/Art_of_Learning_Invite.pdf

The Professional Development Partnership announces:

An Elementary Experience:
Teaching and Learning in Kindergarten through Grade 5
Spending the Day with Debra Pickering

Apr. 23, 2009, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
at the FEA Conference Center

Student Engagement
Presented by Dr. Debra Pickering

Teachers have always faced the challenges of engaging and motivating students in their classrooms. However, most would agree that the “digital generation” in our classrooms today present even greater challenges. The good news is that research still guides us to understand how to stimulate students’ interests and ignite their inherent desire to learn. This session will provide a variety of approaches —some tried and true but some innovative — to engage students in a way that will enhance their learning of even the most rigorous content. More specifically, participants will increase their understanding of how to:

==>    Use instructional strategies that energize classrooms and stimulate students’ interest.
==>    Develop students’ ownership of their own learning.

==>    Use technology to go beyond the “wow” factor and engage students to increase

both content retention and depth of understanding.

==>    Integrate critical thinking skills in a way that can result in cognitive

For complete registration information, please click here and download the PDF file.

Mail completed form and appropriate payment to:
Foundation for Educational Administration
12 Centre Drive
Monroe Township, NJ  08831-1564
Phone: 609-860-1200
Fax: 609-860-6677
E-Mail: kmarchione@njpsa.org
Web: www.featraining.org