For centuries, education has had one purpose: to give information. This has been a successful model and has helped our society move along throughout the industrial age. However, we are no longer in the industrial age and have moved into an informational age. For the first time in years, students are accessing information at the same time and place as teachers but our education model has remained the same. The most dangerous phrase in the English language is that we have always done it this way. It is time to reflect, rethink, and reevaluate what we do and why we do it.
This focuses on building a collaborative community both at a school level and a classroom level and what this has done for my students' growth, understanding, and achievement. (elaborating more on the TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK1EmMg95tI)
This keynote focuses on the impact a teacher makes in the everyday life of a student. Teaching is one of the hardest professions but also one of the most rewarding. It is more than a test score, a lesson plan or a classroom; it is a profession of passionate, caring and amazing people. Because I am a Teacher I can tell you this, you make a difference!. https://soundcloud.com/voiced-radio/edtechteam-ontario-summit-closing-keynote-jonathan-so
This keynote focuses on understanding the ever-changing climate of the math wars. It brings in my thesis work around the impact of questions, how I plan for those and what it takes to make a balanced math program. Through my talk, it shows how moving our students from just Doing the math to DOERs we can create a more positive experience for student achievement. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tu1mBhEBZA)
This focuses on understanding and balancing both academic and social aspects of students in order to improve student success. I talk about landscapes, building powerful questions and understanding the social pieces that are at play in students lives.
This keynote talks about the power and fear of change. I discuss some of the things that have changed in the last 20 years and why it is integral for us as educators and administrators to be at the forefront of that change or at the very least not to fear what change can bring.
This keynote is about the wonders and excitement in todays world. We have such amazing inventions and creativity that is happening. Students will be reminded that the skills they need for the future are being built right now. At the center of all these skills is Math. Math allows us to be creative, to question and to be excited to learn. However, most importantly, our students will be the center of our future and who knows will one day solve some of the worlds greatest problems.