Hi Everyone,

I’m very glad to make everyone’s acquaintance in this course. It promises to be very interesting and I look forward to working with everyone! This will be my 5th MET course; its been a very stimulating experience so far and I don’t doubt that it will continue

I currently work as Learning Technology Program Manager at St.Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. I’ve been working in eLearning for around 14 years in the health care, automotive, and pharmaceutical sectors. By education and interest I am a historian and filmmaker. I am very excited to get to know and work with everyone in this course as it promises to be a tremendous opportunity to learn from the thoughts and experiences of others.

Best Wishes and Good Luck to Everyone

Maxim

Hello Everyone!

Greetings everyone!

I am relatively new to the MET program as I began last term but currently have a full course load will working full time.  I’ve been a high-school teacher for many years in Science, French, Math, Biology and ESL and I love teaching them all but deem somewhat of a challenge prep wise.  I’m really interested in how ELLs can adapt to learning technologies through second language acquisition.  I’m originally from out East but have lived in various parts of Europe.  I’m excited to be continuing my MET program journey with you all and learning from one another.  WordPress is a new forum for me, seems quite aesthetically pleasing.  The photo I attached is of the tulip festival in Hope.  I absolutely love gardening and anything outdoors, fishing, hiking and kayaking !  I look forward to continuing and learning from you all.  This course is quite different from the one’s I’ve experienced so far, I am excited but also anxious at learning the business aspects of global learning technologies as it is all brand new to me.

Hi Everyone!

My name is Courtney O’Connor and I am taking my 3rd and 4th MET course. After taking two core courses last semester I’m excited to see what the elective courses are like.

I currently teach a variety of English courses (8,10,11), Communications 12 as well as PE at a high school in Surrey, British Columbia. I enjoy having a balance of academic and physical courses in my work day and love incorporating technology into both teaching subjects.

I’m an avid reader and enjoy travelling. After this course is finished I’m off to Spain and Portugal for two weeks before works begins in September.

Looking forward to working with everyone.

Courtney

Attached is a picture from my travels last summer.

Hi, my name is Yuki and I currently live in Chiba, a city next to Tokyo, Japan. I moved back to Japan from Vancouver, where I was living near the UBC campus in 2012. This is my seventh ETEC course. I currently work at the local college as an assistant for the Director at the English Language Institution. We recently started one-on-one iPads programs by students Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT).

Before and between my international moving between US, Japan and Canada, I worked in the television industry as a journalist and a director for over ten years. I am interested in curriculum design for my next career step. Having participated in online courses from non-Western educational background and from different career backgrounds, online global leaning  is of interest to me.

Looking forward to learning with you.

Hi, my name is Anne and this is my second MET course. The first one I took was Research Methodologies, this one looks to be quite different. I am a little nervous about it.

I am currently a middle school classroom teacher in Barrie, Ontario. I have been teaching grades 7 and 8 for twelve years and still love it. I have been increasing the integration of technology of all types into my classroom and am interested in continuing to learn about all the different types of things I can do with my students.

I live in Barrie with my husband, children, mother, dogs and cats. It is quite a full house. I am looking forward to learning a lot of new things and working with all of you.

Hi everyone. I am looking forward to learn something new here. I come form an IT background and I am building my own LMS software www.kalboard360.com

I wish to use all the knowledge I gain in this program to improve the e-learning offering within my software

Hi All,

My name is Yik Wah Penner and i’m a third year teacher at a small independent school in Richmond, B.C. This will be my 2nd MET course, so i’m a bit of a newbie when it comes to all things educational technology. The first course I took this year was the Research Methodologies course, which I found to be quite interesting. That being said, I am also looking forward to all the elective courses we can take and this course in particular interests me.

I don’t know how everyone else feels about the issue, but i’m glad we are using WordPress for this course. I found Blackboard to be rather restrictive and less intuitive, so moving back to formats that i’m more familiar with is a good start.

I look forward to getting to know you all better, and learning along side you this term!

– Yik Wah

Good Morning,

My name is Erin, I am currently completing my 8th and 9th MET courses. I work as a vocational trainer on the North Warning System. In the past, I have worked on curriculum development and program development for child and youth programming, specifically focusing on at-risk and homeless youth. Delving in to the adult learning side of things has been a very interesting experience, quite a bit more challenging then I had initially expected.

I am really excited to see what this semester brings, and look forward to meeting new peers as there seems to be a lot of names I do not recognize!

Hi everyone!  My name is Tiffany Tseng and I am currently teaching high school online courses in a school district here in the Lower Mainland.  I have a math/biology background and have been teaching since 2007.

This is my fifth course in the MET program.  The previous courses that I took all had a focus in teaching and education.  I hope I can take a step back to learn more about the global learning marketplace in this course.

I live in Coquitlam with my husband and our 3-year-old son, Trevor.   I am currently 4 months pregnant (our second baby is due in October), and we are very excited to welcome a new life into our family.

We love to travel, and Japan is one of our favourite places to visit.   Here is a picture of Mount Fuji (taken in 2013 @ Lake Kawaguchi).

I look forward to working with everyone in the next few months! : )

Hi Everyone,

It is nice to see some familiar faces here.  My name is James and this is my 5th course in the MET program.  I currently work in Sparwood BC: a small mining town on the BC/Alberta border.  I teach middle school English and Social Studies and high school Woodwork.

My professional interests are in constructivist learning theory and problem based learning.  A colleague and I worked together to get a grant for a problem based learning project that incorporated Teck Coal.  We used part of the money to buy a class set of tablets and I am looking forward to learning how to use them more effectively.

I love old motorcycles because I get great satisfaction from working through problems and sorting out what is wrong.  Old motorcycles are also interesting to ride.  They have character that modern bikes do not.  You have a closer relationship with the road and your machine when you ride an antique bike.  There is something special about older technology.  I like to think of ed tech in the same light as a motorcycle.  A new machine is smooth sleek and more versatile, but sometimes the same job can be done with an older model.

James.

Hi everyone!

My name is Riea and I’m a westcoast transplant living in Halifax.  We moved here four years ago and enjoying the relaxed pace of life.  Including this course, I have four more to complete so I’m at the home stretch now.

I find that I’m typically unique in the program because I’m not a teacher and work for the government.  I am the provincial training manager for the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) program and develop the curriculum and assess learners.  There is a huge appetite to bring physicians to a level of competency using the EMR that they are optimizing the application to make patient population decisions.  It’s quite an exiting time in the world of digital health.

I recognize some of the names here and as always, looking forward to learning from everyone.

Hi everyone,

My name is Danielle and I am a public school teacher living in Vancouver.  This is my first time using WordPress or blogging so I am very excited that I finally figured out how to use it!  I can see that many others before me figured it out as well, so I knew it was possible.  This is my second class in the MET program (but I am taking a few this semester).  I have a friend who is in the program and had taken this class before me.  He told me a little bit about the class and it sounds really interesting.  I am hoping that I will learn of all new sorts of technology ventures I had no idea existed.

I enjoy almost any outdoor activity which is why I moved to Vancouver about 3 years ago from Ontario (although I like Ontario too!).  I am currently not working in a classroom so I can’t wait until I can get back in and use some of the knowledge I am acquiring in this program.  I am working at the school board office but anticipate returning to the classroom in the fall.  I had done some TTOC work for about a year and a half before moving into my current role.

I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone in this class, I hope we can all make it through these sunny months together.

I thought I would upload this wonderful photo of Cheakamus Lake near Whistler because it is one of the first places I went when I lived in Whistler many summers ago.  It is places like this that made me move to BC!

Thanks for reading,

Danielle

Hi Everyone,

My name is Kendra Grant. This is my 5th course in the MET program. I live in Mississauga with my husband and two sons (one of which is in Teachers Collage!)  I was a teacher for 23 years in a variety of positions with a focus on SPED, AT and IT. About 10 years ago I started working in the EdTech sector (as well as continuing to teach part-time). I was able to combine my interest in teacher professional learning and the creation of digital resources at was just the beginning of blended learning and cloud-based computing.  About 5 years ago I co-founded a professional learning company out of Portland, Oregon. We created “just-in-time” instructional videos focused on the pedagogical (rather than how-to) aspects of technology integration. We created our own portal (a mistake in hindsight) and used a SaaS model for sales. I sold the company about a year ago to a company in New Jersey. I am still their chief education officer but I am also working on other projects including an online app and an interactive parent course (using Articulate Storyline). I am also fortunate to be an EdTech advisor at MaRS (www.marsdd.com). Over the past month I’ve met with and advised a few startups. Some are only service companies trying to create IP which makes for interesting discussions especially when they don’t have an educator on their team. It is also interesting to note how many entrepreneurs are looking to circumvent schools and teachers and market directly to parents. They see it as an easier (more profitable) sell.  In addition, as an advisor I also get to see pitches from some of the more promising Canadian startups – this is always fun! (see below).

I look forward to learning with everyone this term.

Kendra

SingSpiel – I want to learn how to play!

Vanhawks Valour – a connected bike

Bubl – insane 360 camera

My name is Bobbi, I’m from Vancouver BC, and this is my seventh MET course. I’m a bit of an oddball here as a design geek rather than a teacher. I find everyone’s different teaching backgrounds and experiences endlessly fascinating and am looking forward to getting to know everyone. I am interested in blending design practice with education as it seems to offer unorthodox, fun, and exciting new ways to learn.  I’ve heard that this is a great course, and am looking forward to exploring and learning. I find open/public classes and spaces particularly interesting (although this made me uncomfortable at first) but perhaps it will rekindle my love of blogging? I hope so! I’ve never been a great writer, but there’s just something enchanting about the online space. I’m scheduled to take my last course in the MET in September of this year.

Cheers & greetings,

Bobbi : )

Hi everyone,

This is my first course in the MET program and I am excited to get going.  I am a high school teacher in Powell River B.C currently teaching science, however with a background in geography my preferred subject area is social studies.  Outside of regular classes I end up coaching a lot of volleyball and basketball. I also run a digital music club where students use digital media to create original tracks as well as learn how to DJ the school dances.  Both the school district and the local Vancouver Island University campus are turning to education technology to offer a wide range of programs to our rural and isolated students.  I’m hoping to learn more about ventures in learning technologies so I can be informed, critical and involved in my community’s future in education.

Brendan

Hi All,

I am taking my 9th and 10th courses with the MET program. I am a teacher and football coach in the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows School district and currently I teach French, Spanish, PE, and Planning. I live in Maple Ridge with my wife and son and my favorite thing to do is spend time with them. I have used technology off and on in my classes, and I look forward to the day where I can teach IT and digital media again (my teachables) but for the moment I am glad to be employed. I have really enjoyed all 8 courses I have taken so far and I am really looking forward to learning more about ventures in technology.

Bruno

Greetings everyone!

I already recognize a few familiar faces here, it’s good to see you all again. As for my background, I am currently working as a university instructor in Bangkok, Thailand, and I teach a variety of courses (but mostly communications). Previous to this position, I had worked as an English teacher in South Korea, Brazil, and Japan, and in between jobs, I used to travel pretty extensively.

I have to admit, after two semesters in the MET program, I actually have less of a clue what I would like to do when I am finished than I did when I started; it seems like there are more avenues available to educational technologists than I originally knew about. For this reason, I am interested in this course, as I would like to see what entrepreneurial opportunities exist to people in the field. So far, the concept for this course (as opposed to previous MET courses that I’ve taken) seems interesting, I can’t wait to see how things turn out.

Looking forward to getting this thing started!

Chris

I am Christopher Ward from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies. I’ve been a Lecturer in Computer Science at the University if the West Indies for the past 17 yrs. I’ve already done four MET courses and hope to become an instructional designer when I finish the MET programme.

My current interest is in the design of curricula (degree programmes as well as individual courses) that allow flexibility for personalized learning. Personalized learning is one of the most valuable benefits afforded by the use of technology in education. It is also an area that I would like to pursue through practice. This will call for a different skill set from my previous field of Computer Science, and I look forward to all that ETEC 522 has to offer in this regard.

This course is very different from any I have experienced before and I hope to learn many new things.

I look forward to working with everyone over the next 13 weeks.

-Chris

My name is Milorad Zivkovic, from Edmonton,  and this is my eight MET course. For more than 10 years, I have been working as an Educational and Information technology support specialist at the NorQuest College in Edmonton. I am responsible for planning, management support,  training, maintenance,  and implementation of all kinds of Ed&IT technologies at the college. I am looking forward to additionally enhance and expand my Ed&IT theoretical and practical knowledge with the newest ventures in the learning technologies field, so I am ready to learn, venture and exchange experiences with all of you. Let the ventures begin!

Hello Everyone!

My name is Colleen and I am taking ETEC 590 concurrently with ETEC 522, my final two MET course. I teach grade 6/7 at a small Catholic Independent school in Prince George, B.C. where I have been for the last 7 years now.  I taught Montessori Early years in both Korea and Turkey before returning to Canada.  I am a newlywed!  I just got married this New Year’s Eve.  I am now a step-mom to two kids, a 13 year old girl and a 10 year old boy.

I had the great opportunity to attend the Google Summit in Edmonton in March and am working with the tech team for my board to improve technology in our schools.  We are looking at the possibilities of using Chrome books in the classrooms. If any of you have any input or experience you could share that would be most appreciated.

I must admit that I am nervous for this Ventures course as I don’t have an idea coming it to it but I am so excited for this last semester and working together.

I have two dogs.  A two year old black Lab named Kyrie and I just (last Friday!) adopted a 10 month old Border Collie named Renny from the SPCA.  I do dog agility in my spare time and am looking forward to getting back to my ballroom dancing club when my MET journey is over.

Me and my hubby

Hi everyone!

My name is Laura and this is my final semester in the MET Program. I am currently working for an online public school in beautiful Victoria, BC. I feel very fortunate to work in an environment that supports flexible learning.

Before I entered the teaching profession I spent a number of years working in the field of environmental science. I loved the technical nature of the work and had the pleasure of working on a variety of projects from sewage recycling to bird and agricultural research. I am interested in exploring how I can combine my passion for technical projects with education in the future. Although my entrepreneurial experience is very limited I am very much looking forward to exploring opportunities throughout this course. I saved this course until the end, like dessert, as I think it will be something to savour.

In my spare time I enjoy all things outdoors – skiing, running, kayaking, gardening, tennis and sitting at the beach reading a good book (or having a nap!).

I look forward to working with you and getting to know you better this semester.

Best wishes,

Laura

. 

These photos are from one of my favourite places – Clarke Island in the Broken Group – a great place to have a nap on the beach.

Hello everyone,

My name is Ana, and this is my second MET course. Life has been quite busy with teaching Math online as well as developing Math courses for a First Nation Internet high school here in Ontario.

Three months ago, a little baby Matteo came into my life and made it that much richer… and busier, as I resumed with teaching three days after his arrival.

My academic background is in applied Math and I have taught this subject in Ontario, the UK, and briefly in South Africa. My interest in integration of technology in Math instruction has led me to earn a Specialist in Integration of ICT in the classroom. Of course, BEd. came before this designation and well after my BSc.

This summer I will be instructing international students at the University of Toronto for the seventh “summer off” in a row. These summer experiences are quite fun as I get to go back to a more “traditional” classroom and be reminded of what it’s like to have a classroom with actual physical space.

I am looking forward to working with all of you and learning about technology ventures in education so I can better my professional practice. Who knows, maybe we come up with something better than GeoGebra   🙂 (jk) Good luck to all and see you in class!

(…For serious climbers only!)

Hello Everyone,

Introductions are not my strong point but I will give it a shot… I currently reside in Calgary, AB. I moved here shortly after spending a year both teaching and travelling in Asia. I can’t believe I have been here three years already. I am originally from Nanaimo, BC but have been in Alberta for almost 10 years off and on. I received my BA and BEd from the University of Alberta and unfortunately moved to Calgary at the worst time for teacher, 3 years ago. With that being said the lack of opportunity in teaching lead me to alternative opportunities. I am currently the Team Lead of Project and Training for the Office of the Registrar at SAIT Polytechnic. I enjoy my work a lot as it give me a broader perspective of post-secondary education, the administration side that few see. Being at SAIT has given me the opportunity to pursue this Masters program. This is my seventh course and should be finishing April 2015. In my spare time I like to be as active as possible, play softball, volleyball, basketball, snowboarding, skateboarding and biking. I volunteer for a couple music festivals here in Calgary: Folk Fest and Sled Island with the focus on the volunteering being that of environmental sensitivity. I am big into music and art and am starting a blog on urban art in Calgary as the scene is quite small and emerging. I have attached a couple photos that took from Sled Island Music Festival 2 years ago.

I look forward to learning from everyone in the class and experiencing a new avenue for online learning. 

Welcome ETEC 522 students. We’re looking forward to working with you all over the next 13 weeks.

A good part of the curriculum and content for ETEC 522 is generated through collaborative engagement during this course. We welcome your ideas and are eager to see how the class will steer the direction of the 2014 version.

One of my first recommendations would be for you to consider an offline RSS reader, a web browser RSS plugin, or an app for iPad or Android to help you manage your reading of both course content and colleague interactions.

A few are listed below. I use a Mac, iPad and Android tablet so, I’ve equipped all my gear for the task.

• Mac – Vienna open source RSS reader or Feedly Chrome plugin
• PC – Bamboo Feed Reader for Firefox
• iPad – Feedly app
• Android – gReader or Feedly

Please choose your own RSS reader and configure it right away with the course URL: http://etec522m.sites.olt.ubc.ca

We look forwarding to interacting with you all.

dp