Virtual Learning Network

Phil Hansen's Embrace the shake video was sent to a few of us by Blended e-learning facilitator Ian Suckling. It looks at how limitations and constraints can support rather than hinder innovation and creativity.

Within it are many really cool examples of making art out of seriously weird media. Great for students in high school settings.

The challenge of the video that could be a prompt for discussion could be around our expectations of students:

• Do we lower our expectations because we see first the student's needs as weaknesses or limitations?
• Do we lift our expectations because we see the student's needs as a springboard for new ways of thinking and doing?

To create environments where all learners thrive, there is immense potential in working closely with people who share a common vision. 

But creating that vision takes a massive amount of effort to ensure relationships are strong and trusting, the environment is safe, innovation and the exploration of diverse ideas is supported, and risk taking is celebrated.

Take a look at the video Casteller. It is exceptional in its demonstration of collaboration, trust and the realisation of a common purpose. 

Casteller from Mike Randolph on Vimeo.

It has prompted me to think about how we support the development of a common vision, a shared purpose in schools/classrooms and organisations of every sort.

 What are your thoughts on the common vision in your work place?

Working alongside Māori teenagers? Check out this video on role models. You can view the video with its' interactive on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usr0uzjIINg&feature=share&list=PL01178F9248062791

Story Behind Every New Zealand YOUth is a not-for-profit organisation that offers a free unique story telling programme, aimed at New Zealand youth. The aim of the programme is to share real life stories with New Zealand youth, to empower them to overcome obstacles, enable them to discover their true selves and make a difference in life. The programme consists of over 30 interviews with everyday kiwis (peer mentors) that share their real life experiences. Because all interviews have their own unique stories and themes, the interviews can be used to discuss many different life aspects. The materials available on this resource were collected during a research project, that was funded by the Todd Foundation about the structure that create life-changing impact. The themes that our peer role models speak of are; identity, enablement, education experience and the balance of personal development an social life.

The interviews are offered in an Udemy course for New Zealand youth, an ITunerU course for New Zealand teachers, educators and youth workers, and are freely available on Facebook and YouTube.

Udemy course: http://www.udemy.com/virtualrolemodels/

ITunesU course: https://itunesu.itunes.apple.com/enroll/EME-WP9-8K5

I would love to hear if you find these resources interesting and usefull!!

Tipping the expected on its' head is one of the gems in the animated video by PES.

Take 20 minutes and catch Neil Gaiman addressing the University of the Arts Class of 2012. 

His parting words are "and now go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes, break rules and lead the world to more interesting places and now go, and make good art".

Often to open and sometimes to close a PD workshop, I'll play a series of videos as people are settling or packing up. Some people chat with friends or introduce themselves to those around them or exchange goodbyes, others seem to lock into the video.

The videos, which usually have a musical rather than speech accompaniment, provide an option for engagement, a way of shifting the brain into a different space. They can act as either a springboard or as closure, depending on their placement.

Here are two new Vimeo videos in my kete. First the USAWaltz and secondly Partir (Leaving).

USAWALTZ from Asami Ike on Vimeo.

At the weekend my daughter introduced me to the Sarcastic Fringehead.

We tried making a Sarcastic Fringehead head out of paper. We wanted to replicate its' jaws. It was an interesting exercise in improvisational origami!!

NB. Unfortunately there are no captions or interactive transcript which is a shame. It would have been a great way to take a close look at Attenborough's narration.

It is a while since I bumped into videos that made my jaw drop. But the wind seems to have changed and they are cramming my screen for attention.

So first up, meet the magical Vi Hart and her Hexaflexagaons. Be warned she speaks really fast, but the beauty of video is that you can rewind it as many times as you like.

You can also watch the Hexaflexagons video with its' interactive transcript on YouTube, if you prefer.

My other favourite video (so far) is the one about the Fibonacci series. I love the way Vi uses real object to illustrate the concepts and gives many examples of where the patterns appear in nature.

You can also watch Doodling in Math: Spirals, Fibonacci and Being a Plant (Part 1 of 3) with its' interactive transcript on YouTube. I found this really useful when I was looking for a particular section of the video to replay. It was easier to scroll the text, click on the exact section I wanted, and the video would dutifully jump to the same spot. A great universally designed function.

For more Vi Hart videos visit the Vi Hart YouTube channel. And if you find one's you fall in love with, please post them belwo in the comments section.

A cracking video to share with students about what makes you creative. 

You can view the Jack White video with it's interactive transcript on YouTube. The interactive transcript is an excellent tool for isolating quotes.