Weekend Workshop with Kathy Epps – Blogging in Classroom

Weekend Workshop with Kathy Epps Blogging in Classroom November 1-2, 2008

To blog or not to blog was not the question for 20+ teachers from around Asia who gathered at the International School of Kuala Lumpur to take the big leap into the world of blogging. Guest presenter, Kathy Epps, from the International School of Geneva, shared many examples of how other teachers around the world use blogs. She immersed the teachers in a smorgasbord web 2.0 technology, focusing on the use of blogs to enhance teaching and learning.

Teachers worked through a step-by-step process developing a blog, along the way they learned how to integrate the following into their blog: photos, widgets, comments, gadgets, and assignments.

Participants were amazed at how easy it was to make a blog. Teach ers left the workshop with a plethora of new vocabulary and were energized and excited about utilizing technology to enhance learning.

Weekend Workshop with Ann Straub Leadership for Learning October 11-12, 2008

First Row L-R: Chris Young-Shekou International School, Lincy Fung-Ruamrudee International School. Second Row R: Brian Benson-Ruamrudee International School. Third Row L-R: Sylvie Galais-Mon’t Kiara International School, Lee Poh Yean-The International School Of Kuala Lumpur.

The participants while watching one of the many presentations Ann has prepared for the workshop.

Ann Straub

October 11&12 was no quiet weekend at International School Bangkok. Thirty teachers and administrators from ISB, outside Beijing, and even Thailand came for Ann Straub’s Leadership for Learning workshop.

The theme of the workshop was all about leadership, but it could have been all about change. Ann shared with us all kinds of tools not only to become a better leader, but also to be a great agent of change with a vision and a focus in each of our respective learning communities.

What I liked the most about this workshop is that all the strate gies Ann presented were really simple and effective without losing focus on student learning. Through a series of relevant participatory learning activities, we explored questions on key areas of leadership success. We learned about critical leadership qualities, decision-making, influencing growth and change, as well as key tips and tools that will not only help us confidently lead others but also build trusting and positive relationships.

Ann has the ability to create a comfortable and open learn ing environment and makes sure that we process the information through deep discussions, modeling, and work-related activities. We all walked away with practical skills and strategies to make us better teacher leaders. What do we need the most in time of change? Practical skills and strategies to help us embark on the long process which we call CHANGE.

Sylvain Jacques -38-