Comments for Darin Janssen's Weblog http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:00:55 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on In the darkness by machnaij http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/in-the-darkness/#comment-72 machnaij Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:00:55 +0000 http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/?p=138#comment-72 What a wonderful event for your family to honour Earth Day. It brought back memories of camping with my two boys as Bushpies were always the favourite. I think I will have to dig out our bushpie makers and get ready to have some backyard fun this year with my kids - they're never too old for this kind of fun and time together with family. Julie What a wonderful event for your family to honour Earth Day. It brought back memories of camping with my two boys as Bushpies were always the favourite. I think I will have to dig out our bushpie makers and get ready to have some backyard fun this year with my kids – they’re never too old for this kind of fun and time together with family.
Julie

]]> Comment on Teaching Treaties in the Classroom by Julia http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/teaching-treaties-in-the-classroom/#comment-69 Julia Thu, 02 Apr 2009 05:16:46 +0000 http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/?p=118#comment-69 Hi! I think this is a fantastic post. I am a student at the University of Toronto writing an assignment for a final year seminar in The Anthropology of the Present. I am writing a graduate school-like proposal on Teaching Treaties in the Classroom and critical pedagogy. I hope to make education a career, and this topic is incredibly interesting and provokative as it forces questions to come forth on nation-state formation, what it is to be "canadian", and the importance of teaching children the often not-so-pretty history of our nation and how it is lived today. Not only that, but it is important to teach these things so that we can create a more holistic, critical and accepting society where First Nations is fully recognized and legitimated in the public sphere. This post let me know that all my work is not in vain! Hi! I think this is a fantastic post. I am a student at the University of Toronto writing an assignment for a final year seminar in The Anthropology of the Present. I am writing a graduate school-like proposal on Teaching Treaties in the Classroom and critical pedagogy. I hope to make education a career, and this topic is incredibly interesting and provokative as it forces questions to come forth on nation-state formation, what it is to be “canadian”, and the importance of teaching children the often not-so-pretty history of our nation and how it is lived today. Not only that, but it is important to teach these things so that we can create a more holistic, critical and accepting society where First Nations is fully recognized and legitimated in the public sphere. This post let me know that all my work is not in vain!

]]> Comment on Philosophy by machnaij http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/philosophy/#comment-66 machnaij Mon, 09 Feb 2009 04:58:42 +0000 http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/?p=91#comment-66 LOVE the self-portrait, Darin. You are quite the artist. You are absolutely right that you are on a journey to understanding and solidifying (but also questioning) your philosophy of education. Continue pushing and challenging yourself - you have much to offer to students of today. I’m so glad that you have such an interest in pursuing the power of technology for our students’ learning and for their future. LOVE the self-portrait, Darin. You are quite the artist. You are absolutely right that you are on a journey to understanding and solidifying (but also questioning) your philosophy of education. Continue pushing and challenging yourself – you have much to offer to students of today. I’m so glad that you have such an interest in pursuing the power of technology for our students’ learning and for their future.

]]> Comment on Playground Wisdom 1 and 2 by machnaij http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/2009/01/27/playground-wisdom-1-and-2/#comment-65 machnaij Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:56:36 +0000 http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/?p=105#comment-65 It is exciting to read that all of your brainstorming, critiquing and questioning is bringing you to see connections and applications. As instructors, we can only create a learning space where you are stretched to think and question - it is YOU that makes the connections. :) You shared a few weeks ago that your philosophy of education is continually growing, morphing, evolving as you are challenged to think beyond what you see/hear/feel in today's classrooms (and it will continue throughout your career). I think what you are beginning to feel is that you are connecting with what your inner beliefs are as to how students learn and what responsibility you have to create those powerful learning spaces. So...What is possible? What gives you hope? How are you going to create a learning environment that is meaningful and relevant where your learners are engaged? What risks are you willing to take to do things 'differently'? You are on an amazing learning journey, Darin, and I feel honoured to be a part of it! It is exciting to read that all of your brainstorming, critiquing and questioning is bringing you to see connections and applications. As instructors, we can only create a learning space where you are stretched to think and question – it is YOU that makes the connections. :)
You shared a few weeks ago that your philosophy of education is continually growing, morphing, evolving as you are challenged to think beyond what you see/hear/feel in today’s classrooms (and it will continue throughout your career). I think what you are beginning to feel is that you are connecting with what your inner beliefs are as to how students learn and what responsibility you have to create those powerful learning spaces.
So…What is possible? What gives you hope? How are you going to create a learning environment that is meaningful and relevant where your learners are engaged? What risks are you willing to take to do things ‘differently’? You are on an amazing learning journey, Darin, and I feel honoured to be a part of it!

]]> Comment on Classroom Blogging by chris Harbeck http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/classroom-blogging/#comment-63 chris Harbeck Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:57:43 +0000 http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/?p=53#comment-63 I hear your pain. Perhaps a class blogging project will not be a go especially if you have only 3 weeks in March. Try using a different collaborative tool like voicethread and have the students interact with the world that way. Ask Dean to put the word out when you have a project. Do not despair. Try to take a first step that is easy for others to follow. Kids will be on board you just need the teachers to find the train station :-) I hear your pain. Perhaps a class blogging project will not be a go especially if you have only 3 weeks in March. Try using a different collaborative tool like voicethread and have the students interact with the world that way. Ask Dean to put the word out when you have a project. Do not despair. Try to take a first step that is easy for others to follow. Kids will be on board you just need the teachers to find the train station :-)

]]> Comment on Classroom Blogging by Andrea Prizeman http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/classroom-blogging/#comment-62 Andrea Prizeman Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:57:17 +0000 http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/?p=53#comment-62 Hey Darin, Little did I know I would find you here :) I think there is much more than some point in starting your co-op class on classroom blogging. Try to get you co-op into it as well (probably a hard thing to do). If they all enjoy it, then I am sure the regular classroom teacher will continue with it. Knowing you for the short time I have, I am sure that you will make this work (somehow). Hey Darin,

Little did I know I would find you here :)

I think there is much more than some point in starting your co-op class on classroom blogging. Try to get you co-op into it as well (probably a hard thing to do). If they all enjoy it, then I am sure the regular classroom teacher will continue with it.

Knowing you for the short time I have, I am sure that you will make this work (somehow).

]]> Comment on Lesson Two by Dean Shareski http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/lesson-two/#comment-61 Dean Shareski Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:09:00 +0000 http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/?p=49#comment-61 The fact the teacher wouldn't let you observe is indicative of the isolated nature of teaching. The shift to transparency and support is something you are already experiencing together with your partner and coop together not to mention the fact that you're sharing your experiences, both good and bad here. The assumption that teaching is done in isolation would also infer that it's easy enough to do on your own. You already know it's not easy and having to go it alone doesn't help. Even a veteran teacher should be not only willing to share but should be involved in making efforts to constantly improve. Even the best, especially the best will never relent at improvement, seeking advice, wanting to be better than they were yesterday. I think things are changing but there are still those who aren't interested in collaboration or transparency. They will be the losers in the end. The fact the teacher wouldn’t let you observe is indicative of the isolated nature of teaching. The shift to transparency and support is something you are already experiencing together with your partner and coop together not to mention the fact that you’re sharing your experiences, both good and bad here.

The assumption that teaching is done in isolation would also infer that it’s easy enough to do on your own. You already know it’s not easy and having to go it alone doesn’t help.

Even a veteran teacher should be not only willing to share but should be involved in making efforts to constantly improve. Even the best, especially the best will never relent at improvement, seeking advice, wanting to be better than they were yesterday. I think things are changing but there are still those who aren’t interested in collaboration or transparency. They will be the losers in the end.

]]> Comment on I had to share by Corinne http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/it-has-been-a-while/#comment-56 Corinne Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:12:59 +0000 http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/?p=38#comment-56 Too cute, who knew sprinklers had such universal appeal! Too cute, who knew sprinklers had such universal appeal!

]]> Comment on Where I have been and where I am going. by Nicole Little http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/where-i-have-been-and-where-i-am-going/#comment-54 Nicole Little Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:30:03 +0000 http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/?p=35#comment-54 Nice to hear that you're doing well. I'll be waiting for more updates, and I hope you do keep blogging. Nice to hear that you’re doing well. I’ll be waiting for more updates, and I hope you do keep blogging.

]]> Comment on Final Project for ECMP 355 by Heather http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/final-project-for-ecmp-355/#comment-51 Heather Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:54:42 +0000 http://darinjanssen.wordpress.com/?p=34#comment-51 Great story Darrin. You are a great example of someone who isn't afraid to go out and accomplish your dreams, no matter what life stories were thrown your way. You are an inspiration!!! Great story Darrin. You are a great example of someone who isn’t afraid to go out and accomplish your dreams, no matter what life stories were thrown your way. You are an inspiration!!!

]]>