Imitation is the first step

Currently I have lots of time to think, learn, and tutu (play around) with new things. This is fantastic - I can learn all the things I felt I didn't make time for in the rush and hurly-burly of school life as a leader/ learner. A school moving forward like an ocean liner with goals, staff, skills on board and trusting we're on the right course. 

So, the luxury of time. Yet what to learn? Suddenly there is no pressure, no have to, nothing to solve and no specific goal to achieve. 

I do have a community of on-line learners to collaborate with, to see what they are thinking and valuing, to mirror this and to contribute what I am thinking, learning, doing.They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. This seems true up to a point but I also need to add something. Hopefully through questioning, through reflecting and considering I can in some small way do this.

http://thinkerprofit.com/stop-brand-imitator/

Naku te rourou nau te rourou ka ora ai te iwi

With your basket and my basket the people will live

http://www.maori.cl/Proverbs.htm

My understanding is that as we all contribute and co-operate, as we give of our gifts and talents we will find success. 

I have decided to learn more about google apps for education, to take the basics exam and move onto advanced. As I work through the basics I am confirming that I know quite a bit already. Having come from a school using Office 365 I didn't think I would know much. While I haven't used the suite of tools to their full extent in terms of linking it all together I do know and regularly use this and that. I have been a  long time loud chrome user and used google drive for organising family events such as our daughters wedding (in three months flat... another story) but blogging sounds kinda scary.

There is a whole GEG NZ  and other communities to learn alongside. Most are way ahead of me and doing great thing...so imitation.

But as I am me and everyone else is already taken (quote from Oscar Wilde) I will have to see where I get to in learning and contributing. 

Here goes.