ChrisRyall

There’s a great little Python script to take a csv file and easily add addresses to email lists in Google Apps. It’s saved me (or someone else!) a lot of time, and was a great reason to install and learn how to use Python. See the script here and read about the mistakes I made in learning to use it.

With all these independent learners and teachers around – what am I for?

Lots of interesting interactions have been wounding my pride recently, which is on the whole a good thing! Students who are better than I am at a whole range of things, teachers responding to exciting opportunities quicker than I do! – you know who you are

You give them enough of the skills to work independently and make choices, a direction to go in, fuel an enthusiasm and give them some space… then what do I do once they are on their way making exciting discoveries?

Leave your answers below, but I guess it is along the lines of:

• Peer reviewer
• Recipient of their new found knowledge & skills
• Occasional guide, light house or way point
• Role playing of boss, work mate or client
• Crowd control
• Cheerleader
• The guy who fixes the printer

None of them sound much like teaching – I think I’d much rather be the learner.

I know I should be the learner alongside them, but here comes the pride again, maybe I’m just a little bit too tired to learn at the moment.

As for my colleagues, it’s great to see them finding exciting new ways to communicate understanding and share experiences, I wish I had the time to do half of what I wanted… – in a real creative-whack kind of way I guess that the question becomes “where am I spending my time in a way that isn’t producing that joy”? – Hmm, now that’s a trickier one!

Many thanks to my colleague Graham. My paraphrase as best as I can remember it.

1. I do not know the best way to do things.
2. Working together, we can find a better way to do things.

Wonderfully simple and great to be reminded of. I especially like the web 2.0 social networking idea of working collaboratively. If you haven’t you might want to consider the ideas around the wisdom of crowds.

How would you hope to learn what your job is called? Might it be on the job advert? Possibly when you send for further information? Maybe even at the interview? Maybe in a letter after you’ve been appointed or written on your door or on your ID badge? It could even be raised in a discussion with your boss.

I’m not bitter But I think I found out what my job title be (and I don’t think I like it very much!). Where did I find it?

The fount of all vital, corporate information. I found my job title in the school’s internal telephone directory.

I now know what I’m called – and will it make much difference to what I actually do? I hope not.

(I n practical terms I think I might stick with the title teacher.)