Merry Christmas from the edcentre.ca staff

Have a Happy New Year! We will be back in the office on January 3rd.

Are You Stressed?

      This morning I cleaned a corner of my work space after reading a post from an online English Language Arts student. He has persuaded me to make the effort to be more organized. I know that this will require much more than simply cleaning up a corner of my workspace. I will have to reflect on how I can "work smarter".
     I may be heard repeating the following mantra over the next few weeks....Clean it up......Get it done.
If repeating the words doesn't help, I may have to resort to some more conventional ideas:

• Use a good daily organization tool daily.
• Avoid leaving tasks half done.
• Don't squander scheduled time.
• Be realistic about what can be done.

Thanks to Elliot for this list of benefits:

Have you ever been stressed out due to an unorganized schedule? I have and having a schedule helped me get stuff done faster and I have less stress. 

1. Have more time to relax. When you are looking for something in a pile of your belongings but there is just so much stuff you can’t find it, your blood pressure goes up and that causes health problems. 
2. Have a lot more time for your self. By being more efficient, like getting your stuff done faster, wasting less time looking for things, you’ll spend less time working and have more time to do what you like to do. 
3. Have more time for family, friends and dogs.  An organized person is able to have time for family, friends and dogs. You will also have more time to help out in charities or your church if you’d like. 
4. Feel good about your environment. You may feel concerned when people drop by your home and see that your house is very unorganized or “messy”. Being unorganized usually results in embarrassment, but don’t be organized just for others, do it for yourself too.   
5. Be healthier. When you are organized you’ll have more time to take care of your self like exercise and have more time to cook better meals for yourself. 
6. Do better at your profession. An organized person gives a much better impression than an unorganized person. 
7. Have more money because you’re organized. When you’re organized you’ll always know what you have before you go and buy something. 
8. Achieve more. When you are unorganized, there are usually things that stop you from reaching your goals. Organized people can find ways to take out unnecessary tasks that are taking too much time and this gives them a lot more time to spend on their necessary goals on their daily plan.  

Are you connected yet?

A couple of weeks ago, edcentre conducted an online gathering centered around learning by connecting. One of the messages was social media can be used to socialize AND learn. Facebook, twitter, youtube, etc. have the potential to expand your learning avenues exponentially; it's only a matter of properly leveraging them to do so. Watch the video below on the power of social media in 2011 and ask yourself, "Am I connected?"

Do you remember the book "Free Stuff"?

I noticed a link today and checked it out. It reminded me of a book I ordered from the Scholastic Book Club when I was in school. It is call "Canadian Free Stuff" and they now have a link. Check it out for free stuff and links to online contests.

Music Helps Me Focus!

I have been doing some informal research using music to help me focus at work. So far ... so good! Today has been very busy and loud in the office, but when I put my headset on (and listen to the right music) the distractions seem to go away and I am more productive. Check out this link if you would like more evidence than this.

Another WAM 10 completion!

Congratulations to Houston Epp on successfully completing Workplace and Apprenticeship Math 10. He blistered through the course in approximately 10 weeks; a new edcentre.ca record! If anyone is interested in enrolling in the WAM10 course, do so without hesitation. There will be a great prize (worth millions) to the person who can beat the 10 week completion record.

Making the Connection

     Last week all of the high school teachers from the edcentre traveled to Humbolt, Saskatchewan to meet with other distance educators from other regions in Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, we didn't get to fly. It was a "watch for deer along the road" trip.

    We talked about how to improve the distance learning experience for everyone and how we can work together to share ideas, resources and inspiration. A common thread in the conversation was about respecting and valuing each learner. To accomplish this, it means some sort of introduction and conversation that opens the doors to understanding.

    One of the really great aspects about meeting people face to face is that you get to connect with who they are and develop a better sense of how you can learn together. In the online world, we often don't get to meet face to face and when we do I think it changes our perspective somewhat.

     This year each member of the edcentre.ca team has committed to visiting two school sites each semester. When we are able to meet learners face to face and talk with the people who are supporting their learning it makes a big difference in the potential for success. Something magical takes place that transforms and changes the ways that people learn from one another when there is some understanding of who the other person is and how they communicate.

    I am beginning to understand how important it is to recognize that we learn best from one another and that the more we expand our personal learning networks, the richer our experience becomes. When we take our personal learning network online, suddenly the learning possibilities change to a global learning environment where we can access thousands of people who can help us learn what we need to know. Our learning connections with people we have met with face to face can now move beyond the time and space of brief meetings to a fluid communication process.

   As we begin to make the connection with how we are all leveraging the Internet to communicate and learn together we are changing the world.

Online student talent

Watch for this girl on the music scene in Northern Saskatchewan and beyond. Erin Aubichon is taking online classes through the edcentre. I am honored to have her in our English Language Arts online class.

What's new @ edcentre.ca?

What's New @ edcentre.ca?

The little things...

Sometimes it's the small things in life that are worth exploring. I stopped along the road yesterday and found these plants bathed in afternoon light. I think they are some variety of thistle. If you know what they are, please post a comment.

New updates in Kona's Online Classes

http://screencast.com/t/HCyQ97fDgoU

Does 64 = 65

Watch the following short video and explain why 64=65. Just comment to this post.

Learning opportunities are everywhere!

Last week in Pinehouse there was all sorts of interesting activity at the schools. Stations were set up around the grounds and groups of young people were moving from location to location every hour. Some of the stations included moose hide preparation, traditional foods (blueberries, smoked/dried fish, bannock, moose meat), voyageur canoe paddling, boat rides, fishing, and tug of war events.

Elders were in attendance along with community members and it was obvious on this day that the school is an open and inviting aspect of the closely knit fabric of the community.

Welcome to all of the new online students from Pinehouse: Kayla, Nadine, Joanna, Robert, Nikki, Deon, and Dabney.

Could online classrooms be close to the "Flip"?

I'm listening to an interview by Alan November with two science teachers who are using a flipped model of learning for their classrooms. (Jonathan Bergman and Aaron Sams)

This podcast explains how these two teachers have "flipped" their classrooms to allow students to take ownership for learning and allow more time to support learning in the classroom.

Instead of the teacher lecturing in front of the class, they put their presentations online so that students can access the learning resources and lectures on their own time. Other resources related to what needs to be learned are provided as well. When the students come to school, they are following up on the lectures, completing labs, reviewing notes, collaborating with each other and discussing what they have learned with the teacher. The "stuff for learning" is available online for everyone, including parents.

Jonathan Bergman and Aaron Sams have been making videos of their lectures and providing links to their students so that they have access the instructional material at home. They are considered the first teachers to introduce the "flipped" model of the classroom.

If you are taking a senior science course, you might find that these teachers have an entertaining way of presenting lectures. You can go to their web site, find related subjects and lessons to find full lessons.

If you are a senior science teacher, you might consider this learning model for your face to face classroom. If you have been using Kahn Academy to learn about math and science, you will probably like the way these presentations are put together.

I believe there are some interesting parallels between the "flipped" classroom and distance learning. I am wondering if the student centred learning approach used by teachers in the edcentre.ca online courses approximates a flipped model of learning. What are your thoughts?

Feel free to post a comment.

Check out what edcentre.ca learners have to say

Many edcentre.ca classes have a blog attached to them that gives learners a chance to BE HEARD! Here are some blogs from Foundations Math 10, Workplace and Apprenticeship 10, and Native Studies 20, that have just begun and need some action. To help get the ball rolling, check them out and leave your comments on the topics you encounter. BE HEARD !

Achieve your goals

stickK is a website designed to promote a healthier lifestyle for you by allowing you to create "Commitment Contracts." A Commitment Contract is a contract that binds you into achieving a personal goal. Whether your goal is to quit smoking, lose weight or complete your online class in 8 weeks. There are four steps... 1. Select your goal, 2. Set the stakes, 3. Get a referee (or use the honour system), 4. Add friends for support.
Give it a try and it just might help you achieve your goals.

Please Join Us!

A Celebration of Learning

Graduating Edcentre students will be honoured with diplomas and we will be recognizing student achievement with numerous awards.

All students who have completed a course this semester will have their names entered in the course completion draw which will take place along with the award presentations. The prizes include a netbook computer, a digital camera and an i-pod touch. ....You could be one of the winners!

Our short graduation and awards ceremony will be followed by food and refreshments. If you are unable to be in Air Ronge for the ceremony, please join us online by clicking on the link below.

Wednesday, June 22 at 2:00 pm
Air Ronge Elks Hall

ONLINE LIVE: CLICK HERE
(Log in as a guest)

Main Door Prize draw: Digital Camera

Congratulations Graduates

"Puppy Love" by Martina Carriere

Puppy Love

Puppy,

Love how do I portray it? 
 It is hard to number the ways.

Warm, soft tummies

Luxurious silky fur

Unrestrained affection returned

Yes, puppy love is to the ends of time

Immense sapphire or chocolate eyes,

Pooled worship is returned

Upon my voice small pads outrun my heart

Never an unkind voice, do the creatures call out?

No need, for in me they find all, have all, and want all

Eyes only for me, on me, and through me

Puppy love, limitless, pure

Infinite.

The Completion Prizes are in...

Completion Incentives
For each completed course the student’s name is entered into a prize draw at the end of each semester.
The prizes at the end of this semester include a netbook computer, an iPod touch and a camera. With every course completion, students earn one more opportunity to win a prize.

Physics 30 Presentation by Sara Anderson

Click on the link to see the presentation done by Sara Anderson for her Physics 30 class.

Another Budding Scientist.

Math 20 Completions

Old stuff can be good stuff

It's funny how we pass by the same thing time and time again until one day we discover a need for the very thing we have been passing by. This blog is over three years old now and contains contributions from a variety of people within the edcentre.ca learning community.

When we started the blog we were looking for ways to encourage more interaction and thought we might get lots of comments or offers to post from students. Although we do get the odd comment, it is more often from a teacher with the ability to add posts. Now we are thinking that linking to the school Facebook page is a better way to reach more students from the edcentre.

With the large number of posts generated over the years, some of the cool things have disappeared into the archives. It's easy to get lost exploring old posts, but the search engine finds all manner of things in short order. On this blog there are two search boxes. Although the site template may change in the future, these little search boxes can always be found somewhere on the page. (With the current version of the blog, the search box is in the top left corner.)

Another search box may be found with this template version on the lower right of the page.

In either case, if you type a single key word, phrase or a name you may be surprised at the number of posts that appear.

As a simple experiment, try typing "learning" or "celebration" or the name of one of the teachers. Maybe you are looking for an old assembly recording or a Live talk event. Just type the words in the box. Good things will happen. -It's that easy!

David Bolinsky animates a cell

June 1st "Live Talk" session

The June 1st "Live Talk" session was about Free Money, otherwise know as scholarships, bursaries and awards. You can watch the 20 minute recording of the online assembly by clicking here.

The door prize winners were Tara, James and Diane. The each won a prize package from edcentre.ca.

De-icers and the Environment: A Project by Olivia Clarke

A look into de-icers and the impact on our environment produced by Science 10 student Olivia Clarke.

De icers science-project

View more presentations from murfinz.

Jason's walk to work....not bad if the bugs behave.

Eat Your Words

Have you ever wanted to eat your words? ....Here's how!

My wedding 1500 feet in the air!

It was quite the experience getting married in a hot air balloon in Orlando, Florida over the Easter break.  I had to get up at 5:00 a.m. (3:00 a.m Saskatchewan time) and it was canceled the first time!  Luckily the weather was good the second time or I would have turned into Zombie Bride!    They have to do it early before the sun heats the earth creating thermals (wind).  If you ever have the opportunity to go on a ride you MUST do it.  The ride is smooth sailing and the view is gorgeous!  The crew even lets you help with the set up and take down at NO EXTRA COST! LOL      

An Article on Positve Northern News written by Martina Carriere

In Cumberland House the stories in the news are usually negative. Instead of reporting the positive stories, you always hear of the murder and violence that goes on in the town, which over rules that Cumberland House does have positive things happening. Therefore, I would like to report a positive story from Cumberland House that wasn’t in the news.

Renee Carriere, a teacher at the Charlebois Community School, in Cumberland House came up with an idea from the CBC television show Community on a diet that our community should try getting active together. Each week the group of people, all members of the community came together to do a weigh in. They had six weeks to lose 200lbs collectively. Each week at the weigh in they would do a workout or walk together to help motivate each other and then get weighed in to see how much the group lost. By having that extra support of other people from the community there together it helped everyone stay positive and lose weight.

As the weeks went by the pounds came off. Not only were the people out walking in their community together, but some also made lifestyle changes. One man in the group lost 13lbs in total because he cut down on his coffee intake, which was at a un-healthy level and he worked out. This community came together to help each other become healthier and continue on even after the six weeks are up. At the end of the six weeks the group lost their goal weight of 200lbs and were rewarded with three new elliptical trainers, which are being kept at the school easy access to any member of the community.

With all the positivity the people gained from this experience the community wants to try it again and are starting up again with a new weigh in in May!

Edcentre.ca LiveTalk! .....from the bush

The staff at edcentre.ca go to amazing lengths to make things happen. Three members of the staff, Kelly, Ted, and Jason, set out an a perilous journey to hunt down the elusive Easter Bunny. We were told, via the RCMP, that he would be in the vicinity sometime during the afternoon hours of April 20, after a lengthy hide-out with Rudolph "The Red Nosed" Reindeer.

We entered the forest at approximately 1:30 pm and proceeded cautiously to our objective. The destination was Muskrat Delight; a secluded area along the Montreal River that was perfect for an ambush. After encountering dangerous Pelicans(one almost looked at us!) and the extremely unpredictable squirrel, we finally were able to locate the objective and set up for the broadcast.

The location looked promising; there was Easter Bunny droppings all over the place. We quickly set up a perimeter and connected with the staff and students in the assembly room, all of whom were safe and sound at their computer screens. While a good discussion on Geo-caching was happening, Kelly and Jason maintained a vigilant watch for any surprise attacks.

The broadcast ended and we quickly packed up and made our way to the safety of edcentre. Then it happened............to find out more click here. 

Entire Adventure Album

Spring is here!

The edcentre.ca eagle is back and needs a name. You can make your suggestion by commenting on this post.

Advice by Virginia Ross

ADVICE

People with a child shouldn't get drunk too often.When both parents get drunk,they are unable to look after their child.Some parents put aside their responsibilities for their own fun and pleasure.When parents get drunk, they could end up saying something to hurt their child,and if the child were to tell his/her parents,the parents would probably deny it. The child could keep on hurting.Some people expect everything will go back to normal.What if someone else hurt their child and the child was too scared to tell.The child could grow up not trusting anyone and not know where he/she belongs.

Being sober is great!Some families may have their ups and downs,but they remember their bad and good moments.Some become to understand one another and where they are coming from.A child with sober parents usually have a safe house to come to after along day of playing.

There is no such thing as being too over protective,there is danger lurking behind every corner.

Congratulations to our most recent course completions!

Jades Roberts' Poem

A Part of Me

An Aboriginal Canadian
A different breed some would say.
We may have different traditions but
You'd think by now the discrimination would wash away.

Throughout the years
We've faced a hard time.
Even today, in the year 2011
We still have to climb.

The fact is, in this country we're all Canadian
In a perfect world we'd work as one.
Not worrying about race, religion, gender or age
Don't you think that could be kinda fun?

I'm proud to be Aboriginal and Canadian
I be the best I can be.
I am not the only one who is proud
There were others who paved the way, there were others before me.

Congratulations to Jeri on completing Science 10 !

Jeri Laliberte has recently completed Science 10 and is moving on to another online class. She wrapped up with a small study on the Tar Sands and it's effects on northern Aboriginal communities. Well done Jeri and good luck in your next class!

Jeri's Tar Sands Paper

Earthquake Math

The most memorable earthquakes for me are the resent 8.9 magnitude in Japan (2001/03/11) and the 9.2 magnitude in the Indian Ocean (2004/12/26). Both of these earthquakes triggered a tsunami and caused immeasurable destruction.

But what do the numbers mean? How can we compare the magnitude of the two earthquakes?

The Richter magnitude scale assigns a number to quantify the amount of energy released by an earthquake. For example, an earthquake of magnitude 5.0 is 10 times stronger than an earthquake of 4.0. This is done using a base 10 logarithmic scale.

If we compare the two earthquakes from above, we see that one was 0.3 larger than the other. That means that it was 10 ^ 0.3 (10 to the power of 0.3) times stronger, which is very close to two times stronger.

Enroll yourself in Math B30 at edcentre.ca to learn more about logarithms.

Japan hit by deadly quake, tsunami

Our Prayers extend to those affected through this crisis...

New Semester 2 Student - Jason Bonneau

When it comes to my identity, the only thing that is absolute is my name. I'm a very diverse person. When you have strong roots in the north and in the south, different things influence you. I'm definitely Canadian. I love Canada. It's gorgeous, and the people here are the most down to earth, and rational people I think on the whole planet. I definitely get offended when people call me American when I'm abroad! Music is a big part of my life. I love all genres, but some of my favorites would have to be northern country like Ernest Monias, and New Horizon, and I LOVE southern country straight outta Nashville! Another favorite music genre of mine is Hip hop. I love fast beats and all the different sounds that you hear in hip hop music. Aside from listening to music, I also play music. I first took on the piano back in Gr. 4, and then went on to take Saxophone in Gr. 6. Another big part of my identity is my family.They teach me a lot of things. One thing that I enjoy is northern hospitality. I'm sure you know what I mean. Walk right in, have at the fridge, take a seat, stay a while! I don't really participate in many activities, but I do enjoy volleyball, badminton, helping out, and learning. I used to volunteer at the hospital in Prince Albert and that is one thing that really made me feel accomplished and appreciated. It's really nice knowing that you're needed and that you're doing it out of the goodness of your heart. I played club badminton for a few years, and once was actually a part of the Smashing Bananas volleyball team in Prince Albert. All around I'm a nice guy, love to help, love listening, learning, being with family and friends, smiling, and life itself.

Congratulations Jolene Ballantyne!

Congratulations to Jolene Ballantyne for passing her GED!
Jolene started in September 2010 and wrote her GED in January 2011. Good Job Jolene!

Did you achieve your goal?

During the first week of January I set a dream goal of skiing 55 km in the Saskaloppet. My realistic goal was to ski 35 km and I did it! There were obstacles during the day including frostbite (-30 at the start), a blister and really slow conditions.

I had a lot of time to think while I was skiing (almost 6 hours). I thought about the accomplishments of my students and the obstacles that they overcome along the way.

Make sure you celebrate all that you have done so far this year and push to finish strong in your remaining classes.

Road Warrior

Sometimes you just need to step away from the computer screen and get on the road.

Rita Lowenberg, Literacy Developer extraordinaire, has been on the road lately to connect with learners. This means braving the elements, spending time behind the windshield and best of all meeting interesting people.

The most important benefit of connecting with learners face to face is that the reality of the person behind the screen shifts the nature of our communication.

Rose LaPrise, (left) is now working on GED preparation after completing Literacy program requirements with Rita.

Edcentre.ca Online Student vs. The Other Guys

Akrit Jaswal - 7 year old surgeon

Part 1 of 5 ... watch the rest on YouTube

Daniel Tammet - Super Human Brain

Can only give you the link because embedding has been disabled, but its worth a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd1gywPOibg&feature=fvsr

This Computer Could Defeat You at 'Jeopardy!' Q: What is Watson?

Congratulations Vanessa

Congratulations Vanessa on winning the camera in the first semester course completion draw!

Imagining the 10th Dimension

You might want to watch this a few times, just because String Theory is just so darn interesting, especially when you don't have to do the math!

Scary School Nightmare

I've been a Pinky fan for a while ... hope you enjoy the Pinky Show too.

TED - Do Schools Kill Creativity?

I'm so pleased that there are so many TED videos posted up. I absolutely love TED and I will definitely be adding my personal favourites to the collection! Here is one:

Live Talk Session

Here is the recording of the Live Talk session from Feb 16th. There seems to be some dead air at the 11 minute mark, but you can fast forward if you like. Congratulations to all students who completed courses in the first semester. Prize winners include:

• Netbook: Melissa R. Sanderson
• Camera: Vanessa Searson
• Door Prizes: Brittney, Dorthy and Virginia

First GED Graduate in 2011

Congratulations to Jolene Ballantyne for passing her GED! Jolene started in September 2010 and wrote her GED in January 2011. Good Job Jolene!

Precam Hoop Dancers

Here is a video from the Valentine's Day concert at Precam School. Gr. 5 & 6 students.

LiveTalk Session - Celebration

LiveTalk
edcentre.ca

End of Term Celebration and Netbook Draw!

Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Time: 2:30 pm

Fresh Water Golith Tiger Fish

A Native Studies Project

This is an example of a Native Studies 20 project a student chose to create. Jade Roberts of La Ronge wanted to showcase Canada's three Aboriginal peoples in a unique way, so she decided on producing an easy to view webpage. Congrats to Jade on completing her class and being an excellent example of students overcoming great adversity to finish their course. Good Luck Jade !

Check it out. Jade Roberts Canadian Aboriginal Peoples webpage

Physics 30 Completions

Connect With Your Future

Family Literacy Day

On Thursday, January 27, 2011, Edcentre.ca will be celebrating National Family Literacy Day. Come to Northlands Administration Building and share in the festivities.

Proof that anything is Possible!!!!

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Never Fear.........Math is Here !!

You can do Math!

GED Student Stepping into the Ring

Jolene Ballantyne from Creighton will be writing her GED on January 27th. She has been a very dedicated and hard working student from the beginning and I know she will do great.

Good Luck Jolene!

Twitter? Social Media in the Classroom? Are you Crazy?

Social media in the classroom has been unfairly criticized by the fundamentalists as something that is distracting and adds to the already difficult management of a classroom. I equate it with not taking your dog out for a walk because it's more work for you, regardless of the potential benefits.

Two quick examples of how Twitter can not only function in a school setting, but thrive, are explained in the presentation by Samantha Morra below.

Firstly, the ability to rapidly disseminate information. The reality is more students are carrying cell phones and the trend seems to be cell phones becoming the main web connecting tool. Instantly, information such as meetings, dates, reminders, or emergencies can be sent and digested in a fraction of the time it took previously. Teachers can post a topic and instantly have a class brainstorming session OUTSIDE of the classroom, with students contributing from ANYWHERE in the world.

Secondly, the efficiency of collaboration with colleagues and other professionals. Professional Learning Communities are present in many schools and the ability to use a social networking tool like Twitter to collaborate anytime, anywhere makes for a continuing collaboration; as opposed to meeting within a confined space and time. Wouldn't you like to instantly get feedback on a problem you are experiencing, reflect on a great lesson, showcase a student's talent, or just see how a person's day went. Together we are better.

Introduction to Twitter for Educators

View more presentations from Samantha Morra.

What does your personal learning network look like?

I like to think that we learn something new every day, or at least more pieces for own puzzles are found. Some of what we learn comes as a direct result of living our daily lives and bumping into ideas or unexpected circumstances. The interesting thing is that there will always be more “brain food” out there than we can possibly absorb and we have the ability to make choices about what interests we follow. People around us who “know things” and are willing to share are part of our immediate personal learning network. Our ability to access information through our “immediate” learning network is dependent on how many discoveries our friends are willing to share with us and what we in turn are able to contribute to this network.
Fortunately, we have books, film, music and the Internet that allow us to access ideas that others beyond our immediate network have decided to share with the world. We are more connected than now than any previous time in human existence. So what?
In this age of digital communication, we can have access to huge learning networks, but it is up to us to create and develop the kind of learning network that suits us. We have the ability to select pieces of information that help us make sense of the world. We can aggregate news, automatically follow what others have written in blogs, establish connections with people through social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter but the thing that connects is our own contribution. We have to interact in some way to make our personal learning network meaningful. We must be citizens of a larger learning community.
Expanding personal personal learning networks requires commitment and time. The time we take to develop a personal learning network will be reflected in the ways we access and share ideas. The tools for learning are all around us. It is up to us to make it happen.

Arianna Huffington: How to succeed? Get more sleep

In this short talk, Arianna Huffington shares a small idea that can awaken much bigger ones: the power of a good night's sleep. Instead of bragging about our sleep deficits, she urges us to shut our eyes and see the big picture: We can sleep our way to increased productivity and happiness -- and smarter decision-making.

Cuba!

Everyone needs to get out and see another part of the world. This Christmas I was fortunate to travel to Veradero, Cuba. The experience opened my eyes to the differences in the language, history and culture of the Cuban society. It made me appreciate Canada and helped me to "slow" down and enjoy the moment by practicing patience.

This "sandman" was made by a group from Montreal. They are improvising and keeping up with their winter traditions. Many Canadians travel to Cuba in the winter. In fact our tour guide told us that there are usually 55,000 Canadians in Cuba during the cold season!