“Bather’s Beach” – By Michael Graffin (2012)
My blog is very much a reflection of my teaching journey over the past few years …
2010 was very much a year of experimentation, of learning, and finding my feet – as a relief teacher & a connected on-line educator.
2011 was a “Year of Change“, but with the benefit of hindsight, the lessons & outcomes of that painful, tumultuous year have more than compensated for the agony I went through.
So, what were my experiences of 2012?
2012 was “A Year of Exploring Possibilities”
Mr Davo Devil checking out the #globalclassroom scrapbook
This has been an interesting year. I’ve had my ups and downs, but overall it was a positive, meaningful year.
Some significant moments include:
- Working with Dr Jenny Lane on the TIPS 2012 iPads in Schools Project
- Joining the iEARN Australia Management Team
- Establishing the #globalclassroom Twitter chats
- Creating the Global Classroom Memento Scrapbook Project
- Attending & Co-Presenting at the Australian Computers in Education Conference 2012
- Having my story & expertise published in print the first time (see below)
This was a year where my skills and expertise were recognised and appreciated locally, as well as internationally. Working with Jenny on the TIPS2012 project was a rich learning experience, and my involvement with iEARN Australia has thrown up some wonderful opportunities for 2013.
A huge thank you also goes to Nigel Mitchell (my ACEC 2012 co-presenter), Kathryn Edwards of Peach Media, Kesha Busing of RIC Publications, and Mal Lee. You’ve helped shape an amazing year, and I hope we have the opportunity to work with each other in the years to come.
My favourite posts of 2012
This year, I haven’t blogged as often as I’d have liked; however, there are a few posts of which I’m particularly proud.
Perhaps my most heart-felt, emotional post of the year, which came as a bit of a shock for Mr P.
Life, Language, Laughter, Skype
The Hello Little World Skypers and Global Classroom Skype groups have had a profound impact on my personal and professional life. I treasure the relationships and friendships I’ve formed through these groups, and hope to start meeting some of the members f2f over the years to come.
Teacherpreneurs – Connect, Create & Collaborate
Part of my series of posts from the Flat Classroom Book Club earlier this year, this post was an ‘ah-ha’ moment. My engagement in the book club marked the start of an emerging, and extremely important relationship with Vicki Davis and Julie Lindsay of The Flat Classroom Project.
Publications / Articles / Podcasts
2012 has been a busy year, marking the first time I’ve had my name in print.
Contributions
Collaboration in learning: transcending the classroom walls by Mal Lee and Lorraine Ward
I was lucky enough to contribute to the research underpinning this book, and I look forward to its’ release in early 2013. For some detail on the research, and the findings, please have a read of Mal and Lorraine’s research paper.
The Global Classroom Project – Classroom 2.0 Book Submission
Things have gone quiet about this project; however, the more reads we receive, the more likely we are to be published in the print edition of the Classroom 2.0 Book. Your assistance has been greatly appreciated!
Articles
Teacher Feature
Education Matters – Primary & Secondary Magazine 2012/13
Education Matters Magazine Teacher Feature (2012) (PDF)
Learning, sharing and collaborating globally in the early years: Stories from the Global Classroom Project
Class Ideas K-3 Magazine (Early 2013 Release)
With contributions from #globalclassroom teachers in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, United Kingdom, and Lebanon, this was the first magazine article I’ve ever written, and I can’t wait to see it in print next year. I’ll post a link to the online version when it becomes available.
Podcasts
A World of Difference -The Virtual Staffroom Podcast
This interview with Chris Betcher, Theresa Allen, and Lisa Parisi was a huge confidence booster, and a great way to start the year. I forgot to link to it from my blog at the time; however, I’d highly recommend having a listen. You can find it via the link above, or find it on iTunes. Thanks Chris 
Looking Forward to 2013
2013 is going to be an exciting year!
Flickr CC-NC-SA by Lυвαιв
I’ll be presenting at the Science Teachers of Western Australia Conference in May, and travelling to Doha, Qatar for iEARN 2013.
I’m hoping the Qatar trip will be the first of many, as I’d like to do a little travelling & meet a few international friends over the next few years. If that means I relief teach for a few more years, then so be it. It will be worth it.
Let’s see how we go.
Happy New Year.