Friday the 13th. Read on if you dare. Lots of great content again from Ontario Edubloggers.
A Rationale for Limiting the use of First Person Pronouns for Academic Writing
It’s probably a sign of the times that this even has to be said, but Dr. Camille Rutherford said it.
And, she said it well.
Now, nobody is going to confuse this blog with academic writing. It’s a place for, as noted above, my “personal opinions”. Some might even argue that, occasionally, I’m right. The reality is that I’m right in my own mind as I write them. They’re not necessarily backed with research or background information.
There are some sacred things in education and the level of professionalism that should appear in academic writing or academic presentation is crucial to success and credibility. What’s next? Accepting LOL, IMHO, YOLO, ? Blogging has become an art in itself but there needs to be a distinction between the informal platform for sharing ideas and professional, academic writing.
People do notice.
For one of the conferences that I’m working with, I was researching possible keynote speakers and one that was being looked at had an interview online and shared through a speakers’ bureau. It was only 3 minutes long but EVERY sentence started with *I*. Any sense of credibility went away just 30 seconds in because of this. One phrase stuck with me “I’m an expert in collaboration”. Yeah, right. Think about it. Anyway, it came across as totally unprofessional so it was on to someone else.
I wish I knew the rationale for this post. It almost sounds like the sort of frustration that one gets when marking a particularly challenging set of assignments! Anyway, she’s put it out there and I would hope re-purposes it for every class in the future. It’s good advice.
I was touched once again on Thursday when Mrs. Zappitelli and her grade 3 class stepped up to help the residents of Fort McMurray. Mrs. Zappitelli came to school with the question: How could our school community assist the thousands of people who are affected by the fire in Fort McMurray?
Peter Cameron has issued this challenge for all schools to help the Fort McMurray residents. Is your class/school up to it?
Join #PubPB London on May 26th
Amazing things happen when educators get together to just talk with no employer agenda. There are a number of different ways that this happens whether it’s a Coffee get together, a social event at a conference or …
Thanks, David Carruthers for sharing the news of the London event. If you’re in the area, why not consider dropping in to meet new friends? I’ll challenge those that attend to pass the hat and make a contribution to Fort McMurray.
If you can’t make it, donations are easy – through the Red Cross or at virtually any store in your community. I’ve seen contribution boxes around here at Sobeys, Rexall, Canadian Tire, …
Of course, congratulations have been extended a number of times to Jennifer Aston.
But the post isn’t a barrage of baby pictures. Instead, it’s a first person story about family reading. This is a great post about it, the love of reading, and family. I would hope that all families are like this. Sadly, as we know, that doesn’t always happen.
My Classroom at a Glance > Blogging Ideas
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of blogging in the classroom. Sharon Moskovitz shares where and how blogging fits into her classroom.
For students:
For parents:
I think this is a great summary of the whys and hows of blogging, and at a couple of different levels. It’s worth sharing with anyone sitting on the fence wondering whether blogging has a purpose for them.
#EnviroEd Chat Continues To Evolve
I had no idea that this chat even existed but do now, thanks to the post from Rob Ridley.
How appropriate it is that it’s a truly global chat. Check out where participants come from.
Brazil, Cambodia, Japan, England, Australia, Scotland, the States, Canada and even from outdoor educators on the high seas
All of the chats are storified which does make it a global resource for those who aren’t able to make the actual chat times.
Global Voices – Universal Vision
Rodd Lucier had a wonderful chance to go on an educational road trip to Barcelona and notes, from his experience, that we’re not all that different. I watched the video twice – first for the content – the interpreters did a good job. On my second view, I focused on the display boards behind the interviewees and they really did reinforce a consistent message.
He shares a remix of interviews in this YouTube video.
Interesting interviews and a great job putting the video together, Rodd. What a way to record your learning and thanks for sharing it with us.
My own reflections from a PILGF that I attended. Nowhere near as impressive as Rodd’s video but I just wanted to bring them forward so I don’t forget.
- PILGF, Day 1
- PILGF, Day 2
- Closing Keynote #PILGF
- My Takeaways from the Partners in Learning Global Summit
Jennifer Casa-Todd is on the move.
And yet, I have been at a crossroads lately. I miss being in a school. I knew it was time for a change. The question became…go into administration? go back into a classroom? or something else?
She’s accepted a position as a Teacher-Librarian and is already planning on what sort of impact she plans to have where she’s headed. Read her complete post for her thinking and planning. Who knows? She might also be on the lookout for project collaborators?
I wish her the best in her new position and I still owe her a coffee.
Ontario Edubloggers never fail to deliver. Drop by the blogs above and leave them a comment. They’ll appreciate it and you’ll have done some good learning this morning. May the rest of your day be just as valuable.
doug -- off the record 
Please share your thoughts here. I’d enjoy reading them.