I’ve worked in education for more than 30 years – as a teacher and administrator. I currently lead a system of 77 non-government schools in NSW, Australia. I’m passionate about the capabilities of Web 2.0 (and beyond) in the learning space. As an educator and life-long learner, I believe there’s an urgent need to push the boundaries of learning in the 21st century.
This means driving change at all levels by being innovative, thinking creatively and developing 21st century pedagogies that will inspire this generation of learners.
13 responses so far ↓
Mark Collinson // May 22, 2007 at 7:49 pm |
It is really quite heartening to hear/read/see school administrators launch into blogging.
It’s an example of innovation in progress.
I sincerelyhope that your example will encourage others to do likewise.
All the best
Mark Collinson
Chad Outten // July 9, 2007 at 8:30 pm |
Congratulations Greg for your recent Bulletin Smart 100 accolade – it was truly deserved. I had the privelege of hearing you speak earlier this year at an ICT Symposium in Brisbane. Many of your ideas about the past, present & future of education resonate with me. I’m inspired by your vision & wish you all the best with your ambitions. Regards, Chad Outten.
Chris Betcher // November 13, 2007 at 11:31 pm |
Likewise Greg. I’d been keen to meet you and hear you speak for a while and I was pleased to be able to finally get to meet you at the ACE event at St Caths. Was good to hear your perspective, and refreshing to hear someone at “the top” sound like they have a clue about 21st century education. Sadly, it’s all too rare. Loved your comments about the need to engage in ongoing professional learning, and for teachers to see their own ongoing learning as a key factor in being able to pass that on to students.
Patricia Donaghy // February 17, 2008 at 9:44 pm |
Hi Greg
Nice blog. You might be interested in adding your blog information to the new searchable International Edubloggers Directory at http://edubloggerdir.blogspot.com. Along with Chris, you will be boosting the Aussie representation!
Patricia
Gary Stager, Ph.D. // March 24, 2008 at 9:10 am |
Greg,
I tried finding you towards the end of COSN. Sorry I was unsuccessful.
Hope we can work together in august or September. Email me to plan.
Gotta catch another plane
Gary
Ps: how do I make your blogroll?
Phil Smith, Architect/Urban Designer // April 9, 2008 at 6:00 pm |
Greg,
congratulations on your Bulletin accolade! I heard a podcast of your interview on the Conversation Hour on Local ABC Radio. Inspiring and timely.
We are Brisbane based architects/urban designers. We do 2 or 3 ‘pro bono’ jobs each year in line with our commitment to our community.
At the moment we are involved in a Future Vision/Master Plan for a small Catholic Primary School on the Sunshine Coast (my kids’ school), and are about to start work on a community school aimed at young mothers as part of a health precinct in the SW of Brisbane.
If possible, we would like to bring you to Brisbane to continue the discussion/learning on the possibilities of these future schools.
No doubt you are a busy man. Please advise if this might be possible.
Kind regards
Phil Smith
Or-Tal Kiriati // June 11, 2008 at 10:17 pm |
Hi Greg!
Sharing your vision, in my way, on http://or-tal.com/?p=35.
Would very much like to share with you the new vision represented at http://kids4kids.ning.com/. That’s enabling at its best.
thanks
Or-Tal
Beyond Chalk Blog » Blog Archive » Who are our students? // November 14, 2008 at 1:48 pm |
[...] This week we’re proud to announce our guest article, written by none other than Mr Greg Whitby. [...]
Jerry Anderson // May 5, 2009 at 1:56 am |
Greg,
If you want to add Facebook or email sharing buttons to your blog posts, there’s a plugin that does it for you:
http://tinyurl.com/sharebuttons
Hope you find it helpful!
Cheers,
Jerry
Greg Whitby // May 5, 2009 at 3:53 pm |
Thanks Jerry
Lorraine Hammond // June 21, 2009 at 4:12 pm |
Dear Greg
I’m sitting here writing the unit my third year education students will take soon. I have Visible Learning (Hattie, 2009) in my hands and stumbled across your blog. It’s been fascinating reading.
I have taught my students about evidence-based practices for two years now having moved sideways from teaching Special Education to also taking general education studies. I have always referred to Ken Kevale’s work (he usually writes in the area of Special Ed) and Marzano, Pickering and Pollock’s (2001), but neither is as comprehensive as Hattie’s latest offering. It may interest you to know that I was asked at a staff meeting to talk about my work in the unit because students had been questioning some of the strategies discussed by other primary educators. I fear I am now viewed with a degree of suspicion but shall tempt fate and consider setting this as a text for the unit!
I have bookmarked your blog, thanks for the insightful commentary.
Greg Whitby // June 26, 2009 at 5:07 pm |
Lorraine, be not afraid! We know what works and what doesn’t work and we have an excellent theory base. All we need are the courageous educators like you to back your professional judgement.
People like Hattie have done the hard yards for us, let’s not let them down
Lorraine Hammond // July 24, 2009 at 10:00 am |
Greg, I was speaking at a conference recently and showing off my array of effect size stats from various contributors as an argument for evidence based practice. I’d worked my way down to the lower effect sizes and was on the slide that featured some of the neglible, negative and downright dodgy practices when a lone voice called out from the audience in an accusatory tone. “But we only do Brain Gym for 20 mins a day…and the kids really love it”. I responded gently by saying that perhaps that was 20 mins in the morning better spent doing something with a stronger research base. The conference attendee was unperturbed calling out. “There is so research and people like you just don’t understand it”. The other 299 people in the room sat in awkward silence. I said nothing and moved to the next slide. It was a quote from a well known Amercian Actor stating that Scientology had ‘cured’ his dyslexia. I drew attention to the influence of strongly held beliefs. The next slide outlined all the reasons schools eschew evidence based practice.
I am waiting for a nasty email!