Welcome to another Friday and a walk around the province looking at some great blog posts from Ontario Edubloggers. If your blog isn’t on that list or you know of a blog that I don’t, please let me know.
Australian at large in Oshawa
- Doug McDowall – @dougzone
- https://dougzone22.ca/2023/12/04/australian-at-large-in-oshawa/
We all saw the news reports this past week of the kangaroo that escaped while being transported from one zoo to another. It was temporarily being held in Oshawa on its way when it got loose.
There’s more to the story than that and investigative blogger Doug McDowall was on it.
He learned the name of the Kangaroo – Jack Hopperman. I did get a message this morning indicating that perhaps the gender of the kangaroo didn’t match the traditional sex you would expect with the name “Jack”.
The biggest revelation was that the escape was planned from the start by the kangaroo who was found in possession of this map with all the ONRoutes on his trip.
It’s a fun read.
Adventure in AI (Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7)
- Cal Armstrong – @sig225
- https://onenoteschool.com/adventures-in-ai-part-2/
I’m well over the top with interest in Cal’s latest project. I looked at a Part 1 post before and now there are versions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 and 7 part 2.
The project is to take all kinds of resources that OAME has had created over the years and make it searchable by Artificial Intellgence. It gives Ontario content and context. It was awesome to see that a limited Beta went live last week.
I had to smile a bit when I read about Cal’s attempt to give it a bit of a fun language routine. It didn’t turn out the way that he thought it might but the nice thing is that you can always drop back ten and punt again.
In the posts, he gives us a few screen captures so that we can get a sense of what it might end up looking like.
What impresses me about this is the honesty and openness of Cal’s work. He shares his thoughts about Azure AI (which I didn’t know existed) and how he’s working to make this project happen.
This is one to follow if you’re a teacher of Mathematics and other subject associations should have their eye on this with thought that they might create something to serve their area as well.
CLIMBING UP AND SLIDING DOWN THE AI SLOPE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
- John Allan – @mrpottz
- https://blog.teslontario.org/climbing-up-and-sliding-down-the-ai-slope-of-enlightenment/
John gives us an open and honest summary of his journey with Artificial Intelligence.
I think that we all can empathize with his successes and challenges. We all probably could have written this post.
But, John applies his thoughts to Gartner’s Hype Cycle. That made it really interesting and more academic than just a post about feelings.
He sees the potential use in education as:
- digital accessibility improvements
- chatbot conversational practice
- enhancing student and teacher creativity
- instant feedback and assessment efficiencies
- generating game-like learning experiences
- engaging interactive learning environments
- interactive storytelling opportunities
- personalized learning plans
- professional development and training for educators
- teacher preparation support
- tutoring and mentoring for learners
- homework assistance (not an instructor favourite)
- writing and research support (also, not an instructor favourite)
What was interesting, for the show, Stephen asked CHATGPT to rate itself according to Gartner’s work.
It’s not always easy but good things seldom are. I’ve been online long enough to know the reception that Google Search got when it was released. Look at it now.
wha’ppen
- Will Gourley – @WillGourley
- https://heartandart.ca/whappen/
Will introduced me to a new artist, English Beat. I quite enjoyed listening my way though this playlist.
He shares his early thoughts and then make the connection to education where
“So what does a memory lane visit about the English Beat have to do with helping teachers at all phases of their careers? Well, it’s about taking time to remember what motivates you”
He brings Noa Daniel into the discussion. If you remember, she had a P3 series podcast where she brought educators in to talk about music that inspired them. (It was the first time I made a playlist! so thanks Noa for that.) Her thoughts about our show can be found here.
He concludes with the notion of a “walkup” song and challenges you to share yours.
The 500 – #237 – My Generation – The Who
- Marc Hodgkinson – @Mr_H_Teacher
- https://the50-20.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-500-237-my-generation-who.html
Marc is back and this time as he works his way through the #500, #237 was “My Generation” by The Who.
When I think of The Who, I immediately think of Pinball Wizard.
And that would have been great if it had been on this album! But, it wasn’t.
Marc selects “My Generation” as his addition to his playlist. It’s a good choice.
“The Kids Are All Right” would have been a great choice from the album as well, as well as a cover of Bo Diddley’s “I’m a man”.
Marc also gets personal when he feels that certain songs were written specially for him.
Click through to his blog to find out which ones they were. Good choices, Marc.
It’s been another week of great blog reading for me. I hope that you can find some time to click through and read all these great posts.
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doug -- off the record 
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