User:Gilesl

=My Profile=

Professional Background

 * 2000 - 	       Marlborough Boys College
 * 1998 - 1999		Rai Valley Area School


 * 1997		       Darfield High School
 * 1996			Massey University (Student)


 * 1994 - 1995		Rai Valley Area School
 * 1992 - 1993		Redwoodtown School


 * 1987 - 1991		Greymouth High School


 * 1986                  Metal Machinists United Kingdom


 * 1983 - 1985           Greymouth High school


 * 1982                  Christchurch Teachers College  now part of Canterbury University (Student)
 * 1979 - 1982		Christchurch Polytechnic (Teaching Engineering)


 * Alex Harvey Industries (Engineer)

Formal

 * 2011  Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning


 * 2003	Master of Education (First Class Honours)
 * 1996	Bachelor of Education
 * 1984	Trained Teachers Certificate


 * 1982	Teachers’ College Diploma


 * 1980	NZ Certificate of Engineering (Mechanical)


 * 1977	NZ Advanced Trade Certificate (Fitting Turning & Machining)


 * 1976	NZ Trade Certificate         (Fitting Turning & Machining)

Professional

 * The wider issues that we as educators tend to ignore. It is my belief that as educators we should be thinking about the concepts in the following quotes.

“The modern education system “is simultaneously the repository of the societies myths, the institutionalisation of the myth’s contradictions, and the locus of the ritual which reproduces and veils the disparities between myth and reality”. ''Illich, E. (1970). Deschooling Society. New York: Harper and Row''.

“schools are required to serve as the institution which ensures both class mobility (for the poor and working class) while at the same ensuring class stability (for the already privileged)”.

''Cote, J. E. & Levine, C. (1987). A Formulation of Erickson’s Theory Of  Ego Identity Formation''.

Using these concepts as lenses through which to view national credentialing systems, and school organisation raises some interesting questions of our practice.

Personal
I especially like to be, at altitude in the snow, the weather does not matter, but a clear day has the advantage of views.
 * Being in the outdoors, all over the world, has been, still is, a source of joy.
 * Propagating New Zealand Native Plants, especially trees, flaxes and grasses. This is a new interest I have some land that I would like to turn into a habitat and food source for some of New Zealands native birds.

My Reflection
As a web2 beginner the concept of wikis and especially projects such as WikiEducator fascinates. The idea of a global community sharing content and pedagogical knowledge for the good of all fits with my philosophy of what it means to be an educator. Especially when we add the concept of creative commons that allows for the reuse and remixing of that content and the power of a wiki that allows for true collaboration.

As with all Wikis, Wikieducator is an ongoing work in progress its success will depend on educators contributing in the spirit of the wikieducator concept.

My interest was sparked by the founder of WikiEducator, Dr Wayne Mackintosh at the | ulearn09 conference in | Christchurch New Zealand. His obvious passion and commitment to sharing knowledge freely for the benefit of the world’s students was infectious.

Having been infected support in the form of Learning4Content wiki skills workshops has been most useful. The concept of progressive levels of accreditation- Apprentice 1- Apprentice2 - Wikibuddy- WikiArtisan – WikiTrainer-WikiMaster- provides a small extrinsic reward for the learning. No matter what age we are we like to be recognized for efforts we make. I am looking forward to gaining the skills required to contribute resources. In fact this post is part of th erequirments of becoming a WikiApprentice_Level_1

This aside the skills gained in the first few days have given me the confidence to make major eidts to a page on wikipedia. In it's self a step forward for a web2.0 beginner.

Posted at http://gilesl.edublogs.org/

/Sandbox/
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Feedback & Notes from my WikiNeighbours

 * hello Giles, I dropped a reply to your post at my talk page. Saludos --Gladys Gahona C. 23:30, 30 October 2009 (UTC)
 * Wonderful!! Welcome to the WE Family. Lets know how we may be of assistance in this great journey. Cheers. --Victor P. K. Mensah 16:39, 2 November 2009 (UTC)
 * Congratulations Giles, you have been certified WikiApprentice 2! --Gladys Gahona C. 18:28, 2 November 2009 (UTC)
 * Congratulations Giles, you have been certified WikiApprentice 2! --Gladys Gahona C. 18:28, 2 November 2009 (UTC)