When George Abbott first became education minister, I sent out an email to him inviting him to join us on Twitter, and find out how educators are using it to communicate with each other across vast geographic distances. Unfortunately, the email got lost during his leadership attempt in BC, and I forgot about it. However, a few weeks ago, his aide, Chris Sandve contacted me through my website and indicated they were interested in getting back to my email. George Abbott sent me back an email recently, suggesting that he would like to participate in a discussion through Twitter on the topics of "technology and personalized education and how we can work together to build a great education system in British Columbia."
We’ve planned the discussion for June 13th, at 4pm. Chris Wejr and myself will be the moderators for the event, so direct any technical questions our way.
Anyone who wants to follow along in the conversation can read the threads on the #BCed hashtag on Twitter by following this link. If you have a Twitter account, and are interested in participating in the conversation, just make sure to read the #BCed hashtag at the right time, and include the hashtag #BCed in your tweets. If you want to try out Twitter for this conversation, but are unsure of how to get started, you can see my series of videos on using Twitter for some help.
We are considering this an open dialogue so that anyone with an interest in education in British Columbia is welcome to participate. This includes, but is not limited to, teachers, administrators, school support staff, parents, school trustees, media personel, and students. We welcome both participants from the private and public sectors of education, since George Abbott is the minister of all education in BC. We are even happy to have participants from outside of British Columbia participate.
Please be aware that the chat will be very fast, and George Abbott will not be able to respond to every reply sent his way. However, it will still be an opportunity to express our opinion, and potentially shape the vision of education in British Columbia. We should feel free to respond to each other in this chat, as well as to Mr. Abbott. Further, let’s try and make this a productive dialog about the future of education in British Columbia. I would like this not to end up being a political discussion about the lack of funding for BC schools, and focus more on what we think the role of technology and personalized learning means for our students.
Update:
If you are planning on participating in this discussion at your school (or workplace) you could project the conversation on #BCed using an LCD projector, and invite your colleagues (or friends) to participate in the conversation as well. This way we can include people in the conversation without requiring them to create a Twitter account.
Al Smith says:
You rock. Regaardless of how the entire session works out, the process will be worthy. The fact that his office even responded is a sign of acknowledgement that there is a unique but valid education conversation going on in unique to the media, BCTF or Gov press releases. Thanks
May 19, 2011 — 11:55 pm
Barb Hobson says:
I have high hopes for the K-12 system in B.C., with George as Minister. He’s really passionate about education and I know he will make positive changes. This is just one more example of how he is working hard to find solutions that make sense for everyone.
May 31, 2011 — 1:50 pm
Bev Bellina says:
Following all of our social networking sessions and encouragement to be brave and get on Twitter, I think this is a great opportunity for us to engage Minister Abbott. I’m pleased this event is being planned and thank those who have arranged this.
June 7, 2011 — 7:01 pm
ron hamel says:
I read in the OSOYOOS TIMES that the high scool will be closing down and the students will be bused to Oliver due to a budgetary problem. I see a number of proposed solutions but I do not see one that is feasible. I taught at Osoyoos Secondary; I know it is the focus of the small community. Many years ago I taught in Australia. The state of New South Wales was over-seen by an administrative office in Sydney. We have very capable administrators who are told how to run there schools by a large over-staffed school-board office. I do not know the cost of operating these offices;however, I do believe it is at least worth-while to look at changing the system and putting the savings into “what is best for the children”
June 10, 2011 — 1:33 pm