Mar 28 2009
About Me
Exploring Life, Learning and Educational Technology.
Welcome! This blog is a place to document my adventure in lifelong learning, educational technology and web 2.0. Here you’ll find my thoughts on these topic, links to helpful websites, a conference & webinar calendar, projects, and random thoughts.
After growing up in Maui and getting my degree and teaching credential in San Diego; I began my career as an elementary classroom teacher. For the past ten years, I have been working at a charter school in California, serving students in grades K-12. Learning in community (PLNs) and innovative teaching are my passion!
I love seeing how technology, creativity, and forward-thinking can combine to engage students and turn them into lifelong learners. I make it a priority to make lifelong learning a habit and want to transfer that enthusiasm to my students. Just as I have taken control of my own professional development through webinars, conferences, workshops, and community; I encourage my students to take control of their learning. I incorporate their interests and talents when writing their individual learning plans. There are creative ways to engage the learner, including the use of technology tools, web 2.0 and learning communities. I want to empower them to be successful learners, preparing them with 21st century skills of: creativity, innovation, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration.
Besides teaching, I am on a quest to bring educational technology, web 2.0 and social networking to my school. There are several projects that I am working on with these goals in mind. I have started a Ning network for my school for collaboration. This summer, a team and I will begin a year-long effort in curriculum design. We are writing online unit studies which incorporate critical thinking, writing, engaging projects, and web 2.0. We plan to put it all in Moodle by the fall of 2010.
I am interested in technology tools that facilitate collaboration, communication and creativity. I enjoy reading about Innovative Teaching, Educational Technology, Web 2.0, Social Networking, and Lifelong Learning. I am working on a book that I hope to have done in a year, which focuses on these topics. Additionally, I have started writing an online learning module to help teachers and homeschooling distance educators become familiar with web 2.0 tools. I’ve called it Project 2.0. The blog and wiki for it will be posted to my blog soon.
My educational view continues to take shape as I learn more from books, workshops, and my PLN. put an emphasis on making connections, collaborating on projects, mentoring others, and learning in community.
My other interests are: travel (especially anywhere near the beach), concerts, cooking, NFL, photography, writing, blogging, and Starbucks!
If you want to connect, share ideas, make a friendly football bet, or collaborate on a project, you can find me at:
Preferred Email: dobrien917@gmail.com
Twitter: dobrien917 Skype: dobrien917
My Networks:
Classroom 2.0 Social network for those interested in Web2.0 and collaborative technologies in education.
ISTE International Society for Technology in Education
CUE Computer-Using Educators, Inc. Advancing Student Achievement Through Technology
The Future of Education Charting the Course of Education and Learning in a Networked World
LearnCentral Social networking with Elluminate
Technology Integration in Education Seamlessly integrating technology into the K-College classroom
Ning in Education Using Ning for Educational Social Networks
NECC NECC (National Educational Computing Conference) Community Network
San Juan Instructional Technology Mentor Collaborative Network & Visions Social Network (closed district & school networks)
Creative Commons Photo Attribution: Nate Steiner
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