This past Wednesday and Thursday marked the end of a three-part series with Alan November. He is quite the visionary! He shared many more great ideas with us, and actually took the time to talk to myself and my two colleagues individually.

I told him that I started the year by using his “first five days” idea – teaching students how to use Diigo, QR codes, internet suffixes and country codes, EasyWhoIs, and the WayBackMachine. I also told him how successful it was, but that there was one concerned parent who wonder why their child hadn’t learned math in the first week of class. As a result, there is a good possibility that I will be doing a podcast with Mr. November later this year.

I must say I’ve learned a lot at these three conferences. At this last one, he shared an idea for AP classes that I plan on using for my IB senior math classes. The idea based on my goal: for every senior to pass the HL Math exams. The plan is to allow every student as many opportunities as they want (within a six weeks period) to retake a test until they earn an A. My initial reaction was that this man must be crazy, but then I thought about it. If a student wants to retake the test – same concepts, different questions – and shows it by making all corrections, then why not give them the opportunity. Plus, think of how many IB test questions they will see between now and the actual test! They will be more than ready and able to succeed! I am still waiting for formal approval from some of my higher-ups, but I’m excited about this!

I also learned that Ed.Ted is allowing teachers to flip their videos on the Ed.Ted website! They also have animators that will create a high-quality animation based on the text of the lesson you want to teach, for free! I’ve done a few lessons, none with animation yet, and it is so easy to do! There are some issues, and I’ve sent an email about them. It just started this summer, so I know it’s a work in progress, but it’s Ed.Ted, so I have total faith that it will get even better.

To Alan November and Brian Mull, I will miss learning from you. On one hand, I wish I could go to your three-part workshop again this year, but moreso I hope that my principal sends three more teachers who will learn, and renew their passion for learning, as much as I do as a result. Thank you so much!