As a part of their Leading Innovation-Driving Change Conversation, Mass CUE is hosting a special webinar series prior to their spring conference annual event. I am thrilled to be kicking off the passion driven conversation, and I am inviting you to join me! We know that education and work driven by passion awakens us to new learning and a world bigger than ourselves. Passion makes us curious, compels us to dig deeper, and sustains us as we persevere  towards answers to questions that matter most. Explore with us how the principles and practices of a passion-driven work: disciplined study, fostered imagination, active participation and community contribution, can and will transform the teaching, learning, and lives. The amazing, Justin Reich and Tom Daccord,  Co-Directors of EdTechTeacher will be our moderator. Please check out their work below: Project Manager, Distributed Collaborative Learning Communities Project Doctoral Candidate, Harvard Graduate School of Education Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet and Society Blogs: EdTechResearcher.org  and http://edtechteacher.org Twitter: @bjfr and @thomasdaccord Save the date:  Thursday January 26, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST on EdTechTeacher Blackboard Virtual Classroom Registration is now open: Information and details here. Related articles Guest Post: Educating Students Toward Their Passions (angelamaiers.com) Honoring Genius Now! (angelamaiers.com) Chase Down Your Passion Like it’s the Last Bus of the Night! (learningisgrowing.wordpress.com) London: "Let’s Start an Education Revolution!" (eduventurist.org) Assisting the Learner to Think Like a Professional (usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com) Top 10 Requirements of Good Teaching (catechesisinthethirdmillennium.wordpress.com) Student Voice in Educational Reform (usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com)

How do you like to consume your mobile learning content? Let's ask another question, seemingly unrelated - how do you like your peanut butter, vegetable stew, or dog food?  Chunky? I know that’s how I like it. Sure, it’s a texture, but it also connotes other attributes:  easy to eat, tasty, and sometimes composed of little bits that are "chunked" together to it bigger and more substantial. For

"Passion is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without passion." Ralph Waldo Emerson I had the distinguished honor of giving the keynote address this week at the mid winter conference for the Utah Association of  Middle and High School Principals. What a pleasure it was to be in the presence of such passionate and dedicated leaders. It was the perfect place to debut a new framework for leadership and systems improvement I have been working on called: The Five C’s of Passion Driven Leadership View more presentations from Angela Maiers I believe passion to be  the single most important asset we have as educators, education leaders, and educational organizations. Passion differentiates us consistently over time, and  it needs to be nurtured, evolved, and invigorated by the people entrusted to keep it true and alive. Here’s a peek at the presentation and the talking points for what turned out to be a fantastic and  "passion driven conversation" Clear Direction: The future may be made up of many uncertain factors but the passionate will not only survive ; they will thrive. Let’s make sure we paint a vivid picture of that future immersed in choice, leveraged with opportunity, and  fueled by passion. Clarity Focus: Ambiguity is the enemy of change. The resistance we feel in moving people forward dissipates when we articulate the steps and behaviors need for the entire community to move towards achieving its vision, mission, and goals. Capacity: Everyone has the capacity to learn therefore everyone has the capacity to change.  It is important not to ensure the work ahead is "easy" but to make the hard work they will be doing easier by promising the conditions that build confidence and competence are present in every experience and interaction. Credibility: We live in an information abundant but trust-scarce world. People want to know they can trust the individuals who define and design their future. To garner that trust, leaders must "go first" so that we are able to grant those who follow us the things they desire most - empathy, familiarity, insight, and compassion. Show them do not tell them what the future holds- Go there  first! Courage: In times of big, complex change; it seems logical that we need big complicated solutions. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Less is more. The courageous leader is not the one who says yes to every new program, initiative, and invention. The courageous leader says no letting go of all that does not matter. These 5C’s taken together are what set apart a good school from a great school. Any leader who decides to adopt this level of intensity and conviction will be valued and admired. I closed the speech with the following call to A.C.T. which stands for: A.- Action C - Change T- Time. As you consider each of these passion driven principles,on any of these principles and practices which ones: A - take immediate action on C- consider letting go of, changing direction or course T- devote the most time, talent, and resources to Passion is not a nicety it is a necessity. It’s important that we recognize them, nurture them, and let them know that they matter. To all the passion driven leaders I have the honor and privilege of working with and learning from, I have two final words for you:YOU MATTER! RESOURCES: To support the passion driven leaders willing to commit to this work, the following resources were shared: The Connected Principals Leadership Chat LeadFromWithin Chat Books Referenced in the Talk: Daniel Pink- Drive Carol Dweck- Mindset The Passion Driven Classroom Heath Brothers - Switch Seth Godin- LinchPin Simon Sinneck-  Start with Why  Passion Articles: Education is for the Passionate - Isn’t it? Passionization Passion….A 21st Century Skill? Passion: A Difference Maker Passion Driven Learning in Action Passion Alive and Well in the Education World

Determining the best way to develop "snack" learning content involves more than simply clustering content and making it available on a variety of mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, and next iterations of technology). There is definitely a need to develop effective design. After all, much content delivered in bite-sized bits, but not all of it is engaging.  Just think of the average banner ad

If you have been following the Presidential candidates' campaigns, you're probably familiar with their goals to bolster the economic recovery and to bolster programs, both public and private, to help create jobs and develop a robust position in the world. But, how do their views translate to careers?  Which sectors of the economy will benefit once their policies are implemented? It's a

For the past year, my Tuesday nights have been filled with insights and  inspiration from the worlds top leaders who faithfully gather on Twitter for one of the most powerful and productive chat streams on Twitter:  #leadershipchat The chat is co-hosted by author and CEO of C-Level Strategies, Inc, Lisa Petrilli (@LisaPetrilli) and The Connection Agent,  Steve Woodruff (@swoodruff) , and each week  they challenge and guide us through the questions that challenge us to be the best leaders in our fields and industry. I have learned a lot from this super smart crew, and I am very very proud to be part of this community.  It is what makes this Tuesday night even more special to me.  I have the distinguished honor of being a featured  #leadershipchat  guest and cohost. We have an exciting show planned for Tuesday Feb 7, 8pm EST entitled :  YOU MATTER: Two Words Changing Leadership and the World I am equally thrilled to be joined by the authors of the newly-released bestselling book, Have a Nice Conflict. Authors Tim Scudder, Michael Patterson and Kent Mitchell, who have written a brilliant road map for better understanding and navigating conflict, and for using this knowledge to be a more effective and successful leader who matters!! I highly recommend it! Buy it today! (Not an affiliate link). Lisa gets us thinking about the role these two words have in our lives and in the lives of those we lead and serve: I believe the concerted and consistent use of the words, "You matter," by leaders in an organization, and actions that reinforce this message, can change a company. After all, according to a Gallup survey of more than 1 million employed US workers, the Number One reason people quit their jobs is a bad boss. Imagine if people began to be told by their boss on a regular basis that they matter… Knowing that in an organization people are your biggest asset, this change of mindset would make a tremendously powerful and positive impact. Do you agree? I hope that you are able to share your thoughts live with us. Whether you lead a team of one or a force of thousands, we are all leaders in some way,  #LeadershipChat is  It is THE place to be this Tuesday evening: Topic: YOU MATTER- Two Words Changing Leadership and the World When: February 7th at 8:00 pm Eastern Time Hosts: Lisa Petrilli and Steve Woodruff Where: Twitter To Read More About the YOU MATTER Movement, check out the following resources: YOU MATTER TED Talk YOU MATTER Manifesto  2 Words Changing the World How I am Using Social Media to Change the World To Read More About #LeadershipChat check out this post  and awesome video produced by my friend and #LeadershipChat mate,  Judy Martin of Work/Life Nation    See you Tuesday night!! Related articles Twitter Chats and Cocktail Parties (brandimpact.wordpress.com) My Business Vision (brandimpact.wordpress.com) Are You Getting Ahead? (brandimpact.wordpress.com) "Follow Your Lead? What’s In It For Me??" (brandimpact.wordpress.com) Lisa Petrilli: 3 Critical Career Advancement Strategies for Introverts in Business (huffingtonpost.com) Leadership in an Era of Digital Darwinism (briansolis.com) Are you too busy to grow? (leaderchat.org)

Mobile learning has occupied a space within e-learning; at its inception it was largely a stopgap effort to provide digital distance education even when there was no connectivity, in places such as submarines and forward bases. The mobile content consisted of downloadable text files, videos, and audio which could be played on a laptop or loaded onto various mobile devices, ranging from audio

A great new post from Lucia Smith on the ways that online education in the form of e- learning can benefit career enthusiasts. She has shared here a few benefits of pursuing an e-learning program. Enjoy, and try these great tips in your own institution! __________________________________________________________________________________________ E-learning - A New Learning Style to Im prove your Career Standards Don’t you prefer something different and unique in comparison to taking traditional classroom trainings? Don’t you think that flexibility is very important when it comes to pursuing education? In today’s world, each and every human being is conscious of one’s monetary limits crossing which can never permit him to achieve one’s goal whether it’s related to building career or enjoying retirement. In respect to education, we always dream to get enrolled in a reputed college or university in order to get fruitful results in return. However, if our pockets don’t afford, we are bound to keep our pens down. Have you come across the term ‘e-learning’? E-learning or electronic learning is a brilliant innovation that has cast a sensational impact on the entire globe thereby alluring countless career aspirants from far and near. Unlike those typical classroom programs, e-learning is completely different and impactful. For years, people have been dependent on pens and books. On the contrary, distance learning or e-learning will only include a laptop and a web browser. Is it not an amazing option as well as a huge break from the typical classroom programs? Imagine the days when you were compelled to wake up early morning and take a big fat bag on your shoulder to head to your school campus. In case of e-learning, you not only get rid of these compulsions of attending classes regularly but also allowed to study completely at your own pace. Visit here at http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/E-learning to know more about e-learning. Now, let’s take a quick look at some of the benefits of e-learning: 1. Cost Effective - There are special authorized training softwares through which students are provided classes online. Although a certain fee will be charged for the synchronous distance learning programs, the expenses will be extremely low than the conventional courses. 2. Better progress level - As far as the e-learning courses are concerned, the progress level here is 50% faster than a fulltime course. If you wish, you can skip here certain portions of your study material which you have already known earlier. E-learning programs therefore save a good lot of time. 3. Flexibility - In case of classroom learning, you have to attend a particular college or a university. Distance learning does not compel you to join classes. Rather, you can study from any corner of the globe whether it’s from your home or your work place. 4. Easy updates - In case of an e-learning session, the materials are updated on a random basis. The lessons are all updated on a specific server from where students can take down and study. So, if you are willing to pursue a career oriented program, e-learning can surely help you show the paths of success. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ For more information, visit Distance Learning. Distance learning stood witness to a massive progression over the years, as millions of students took to the learning mode outwitting the traditional learning approach. Students and professionals in Zambia also took to the advantage of obtaining skills via online learning, given to the wide support of RDI UK in the learning endeavor.

Game-based learning that immerses students in a "deep" simulation, and brings a virtual world that tackles real-world problems and allows active role-play can result in accelerated learning, high confidence, and superior performance on real-world related tasks. Lake Forest Graduate School of Management has developed an Immersion MBA (iMBA) program that incorporates virtual worlds and virtual

Whether you are a teacher, parent, relative, boss, or fellow community member, each of us has a chance to make a positive and impactful difference in a child’s life. But in order to do this, we must carefully consider this question: What do you think matters most to our children? For 20 years I have been posing this question to my students. At the beginning of every school year, I would ask my students to give me advice on how to be their best teacher. I asked them to think about the times they felt most successful and to consider what the adults in their lives did to make this success possible. The classroom would become immediately silent as the students wrote intensely for longer than they had ever written before. Smiles would appear on their faces as they reflected on the happy experiences they were remembering. After reading their responses I would add to my list all the ideas they mentioned. Surprisingly, many of the responses were the same. Year after year, in every grade level, content area and classroom I was in, regardless of demographics or background, students were saying the same things and had the same message: It’s the small things you do that mean the most.  That is what they remembered. That is what mattered. Here is a list of the 12 Most Important things that came out of these amazing conversations: 1. Greet me each day Wish me good morning, and send me off with a "see ya tomorrow." 2. Smile When you look at me, let me see happiness in your eyes. 3. Give me your attention Sit and talk with me privately; even if only for a second. 4. Imagine with me Help me dream of things I might be able to do; not just the things I need to do now. 5. Give me challenging content and assignments Show me how to handle it. Teach me what to do. 6. Ask about me Inquire about my weekend, the game a played, the places I go. It shows you care about my life. 7. Let me have time Time to let things sink in. Time to think. Time to reflect, process, and play. 8. Demand of me Hold me accountable to high standards. Don’t let me get away with what you know I am capable of doing better. 9. Notice Me Leave special messages in my desk or locker. Just a quick not that says you notice something right. 10. Let me ask the questions Even if they are off topic. It will show that I am thinking about new perspectives, curious, and willing to learn more. Let me have the chance to show what I am wondering about, not just what I know. 11. Engage me I came to you in love with learning, keep me excited, keep me wanting more. 12. Trust me Believe that I can do it. Allow me the chance. I promise to show you I can. These words did not fall on deaf ears. I collected them, honored them, and then promised I would do everything within my power to be the teacher they needed. What matters to the children in your life? It’s worth a conversation, I promise! Cross Posted on 12 Most Related articles   You Matter, 2 Words Changing the World Honoring Genius Now Please, son, be anything else. Anything. (educationontheplate.wordpress.com) Week 7 Reflection-Evolving Role of the Teacher (techmommaster.wordpress.com) Experts Explain How to Choose a School by the Numbers (wired.com) How I Saved My Teaching Career: Step 2: Take Time Off (siobhancurious.com) Do Involved Parents Help Teens Learn Better? (huffingtonpost.com)