Eva

Learning is FUN! In other words, I love to learn. Simple as that. But something equally as fun is helping and watching my students learn. My career spans 32 years--now in my 33rd year of teaching I have seen a lot and experienced a lot of learning. I am still learning. My major area of instruction is technology so needless to say, 33 years ago we did not have access to technologies in the classroom as we do today. Oh sure, a pencil is technology and we had pencils but we did not have the efficient technologies such as web 2.0 tools, virtual worlds, wi fi, iPads, tablets, lady bugs, cloud computing, and the list goes on. So where did I learn all of this? Along the way. Currently, I am completing a certificate from the University of Manitoba in Emerging Technologies. The first course I took in this program was Connectivism with George Siemens. The class could have hundreds of learners participating at any given time. How's that for a changing educational environment?! I have learned how to use mobiles, immersive worlds and open source content in the classsroom--wherever that "classroom" may be. Last year, I became a Flat Classroom Certified Teacher. My students have participated in Flat Classroom Projects--collaborating on technology research on a global basis. My students in Winnipeg collaborated with students in India, China, Australia, United States, Korea, Thailand, England and other countries. This type of learning expands the mind!--both students and teachers!! Currently, I am teaching at Red River College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in the Teacher Education program. This is an exciting opportunity since I get to help pre-service teachers become equipped with tools for a lifelong career--helping other learners on their learning journey. I hope to live long enough to talk to these new teachers in 30 years and learn about their experiences! I shall have to write a book on that--who knows what form that will be--technologies might allow us to create "thought" books rather than ebooks!!

There have been many people along my learning journey who have helped me and provided opportunities for me to learn and help others learn. I appreciate everyone of them!!

All work and no play--well not exactly--my work is my play. But as my photo reveals palm trees, I do enjoy my condo home away from home in Palm Springs, California--as often as possible, with my husband and son and family and friends. I am a proud mother of an aviation pro (aircraft engineer and pilot--aerobatics included!!) and a step mother of a nurse and Navy engineer and grandmother of a 9-year old inquisitive boy in Victoria, BC.

Inspiration for this project: The first part of my inspiration for my entry came in January, 2011 when I attended the MERN (Manitoba Education Research Network) seminar at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. Commissioner James Wilson spoke to the audience about the goal of the commission to educate every student in Manitoba about Treaties and Treaty Relationships. I pondered that goal for a few weeks as to how I, a technology teacher in a high school, could do my part to help the Commission fulfill its goal. After all, this was part of the social studies curriculum. Several weeks later, I was invited to attend a dinner/evening presented by Microsoft at Red River College in Winnipeg where the former Microsoft representative for Manitoba and region was leaving office and the new representative was being introduced. Several new Microsoft products were also being demonstrated at this evening. My role at this event was that of a technology teacher who was involved in Girls in Gaming in the province and my involvement in various workshops that I have presented for Microsoft previously. That evening the Microsoft Innovative Teacher Project registration was announced. I believe in networking and I teach my students to develop a PLN--this was no coincidence! There was no prompting me to enter this competition since the seed for the project had been sown in January by Commissioner Wilson. My students could use technology as a tool, invisibly, for a global goal—the best education possible!

I am so looking forward to learning and celebrating with innovative educators in Washington, D.C. Thanks to Microsoft for this amazing opportunity!!