ICET Day 1

This is my first time attending the World Assembly for the International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET). It is being held in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada (just outside of Toronto). Today (day 1) has been very interesting and thought provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed the opening blessing by Rick Bourque and the singing by the O'Neill Collegiate Ensemble along with the drumming, singing, and dancing by Morningstar River. I was put into a reflective state this morning during the morning speakers. I noticed that everyone seems to still be grappling with access to high quality resources and everyone wants to push for student critical thinking. I was reminded that individually and as communities we need to be mindful of how people look at others and how we see and talk to people. Right in line with research I am currently working on, classroom discussion and facilitation in learning is vital, so the thought that the "best way to learn is together" (by Lee Maracle) resonates. I am more energized about the research+practice partnerships I am part of and have been reminded to approach these with eyes from different directions.

My afternoon was spent participating in an activity and discussion around lesson remodeling. I was surprised by the level of agreement my group had around the lesson we were evaluating; we agreed good scaffolds were needed (guiding questions), a good launch (or hook) was needed, and the lesson needed more formative assessment. We didn't wrestle much with homework, but my thoughts wandered to giving a challenge to students, a question or activity for them to reflect on or engage with overnight that would frame discussion for the next day. Other ideas that surfaced during the presentation of the research (see more information on the presentation UCAR colleagues: John Ristvey and Tony Murphy.

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