About the Author

Thank you for visiting “Thinking In Mind” by Neil Stephenson

Currently, my job title is the Professional Development and Outreach Coordinator at the Calgary Science School. I love this job because I get to support teachers in designing rich inquiry-based learning projects. The school where I work is very forward-thinking with regard to technology; we’re a 1:1 school where 600 kids in grade 4-9 are each provided with an Apple Macbook.

I’m currently working on my Masters degree in Education at the University of Calgary. I’m in the Interpretive Studies stream – which means I’m taking a very philosophical approach to teaching and learning. I’m really enjoying the program – it challenges me and forces to think very differently about the nature of learning and understanding. What I really appreciate is the way it pushes me to think first about LEARNING, second about how technology can enhance and deepen learning. One of my professional goalsis to keep those two creatures in proper alignment.

I feel very lucky to have spent my first 6 years teaching at a school that focuses on inquiry-based learning. I believe the Calgary Science School has a strong foundation in designing meaningful and authentic work for our students. In large part, this is due to the close relationship we have with the Galileo Educational Network, and their model for designing Inquiry-based work.

Over the last few years I was a grade 6 and 7 Humanities teacher. I love working with this age group, they are so creative, and about to produce incredible work. During my first five years teaching I was the recipient of some significant teaching awards:

I have been awarded two of Canada’s national teaching awards: the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in teaching and the Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Canadian History. I feel lucky to work in a school environment that fosters creativity and thoroughly examines inquiry-based learning.

In 2007 I was chosen as an Apple Distinguished Educator, and I currently sit on the ADE national advisory board. I’m not shy about the fact that I’m an advocate for Apple products, primarily because I have seen first hand the impact they can have on student creativity and learning in the classroom (I don’t receive any financial support from Apple).

I’ve given a number of presentations over the last 5 years, and am ready and available to give more. I’ve presented local, nationally and internationally. I’m able to give presentations on:

  • designing inquiry based learning
  • 21st Century Participatory Culture in the Classroom
  • Teacher Change: Improving Together
  • using technology to enhance assessment
  • “The Cigar Box Project”
  • building a Personal Learning Network
  • blogging
  • digital storytelling
  • pocasting
  • iMovie and Garageband
  • voicethread
  • web 2.0
  • collaboration in the classroom

A comprehensive list of presentations and feedback can be found here.

Feedback from Presentations and Workshops given by Neil:

“You provide excellent tools (with examples of use) that I was able to incorporate into my teaching right away”

“OUTSTANDING! – someone needs to get this man doing a conference on technology and inquiry!”

“Neil was an engaging, clear and well prepared presenter. Being in the classroom brought an energy to the presentation because hi is working with the technology.”

“LOVED IT – best PD of the year! – Thank you!!”

I can be reached easily on Twitter or by email

Thanks for stopping by!

7 Responses to About the Author

  1. Robin Laycock on July 29, 2010 at 10:56 am

    Hi,
    I was trying to email you but couldn’t find a link. I hope you come across this post soon. I’m the principal @ John Ware School of the Calgary Board of Ed and am interested in possibly having you work with a number of our staff here. Last year you spent some time with Sheryl Burrows who worked in the humanities area at JW and she has provided me the link to your work and what a powerful learning experience it was for her.
    We have a PD Day on Friday Sept. 17th, I’m not even sure you have time then, nevertheless, we’ll have to talk. Our school development plan would dovetail with any/all of the following themes you propose:

    1.Google Tools in the Classroom
    2.Building a 21st Century Learning Network and/or
    3.Supporting Strong Inquiry-based Work with Technology.

    Please email me at the address I’ve provided and hopefully we can have a talk about some possibilities.
    thanks,
    Robin @ JW

    Reply
  2. Kate Schutz on August 17, 2010 at 10:20 am

    Hi Neil,
    I came across your blog via some PD research I was doing on the Calgary Regional Consortium. I am very interested in meeting for coffee if you have a free moment in your schedule. I am the Education Coordinator at Cantos Music Foundation soon to be the National Music Centre. Thanks to a generous grant I am in the process of developing a school program for grades 4-6 that allows studnets to use ipod and ipad technology to develop musical compositions and soundscapes. The program is called Reel to Real. SomaCreates, an educational software design company is developing a cmposition program which integrates the sounds of the instruments in our collection, particularly our 1920′s theatre organ. Students will spend a week at Cantos learning about the silent film era, developing their own film based on a curriculum topic and then using the software to develop their soundtrack on Apple technology. The week will culminate in a presentation of their own silent films whereby they are both the actors and the composers. Phase two,or at least post-vist, could incorporate iMovie technology as well. It is a multi-disciplinary, cross-curricular program and we are in the development stages. I wonder if you might be interested in acting as a consultant for the program?

    I am also the President of a network of out of classroom educators in Southern Alberta called SERG (www.sergalberta.org). I am very interested in the work you have been doing on inquiry-based learning. I am going to pass on your blog to our Professional Development Corrdinator.

    I hope that we can touch base on some level and I will try to attend your iMovie workshop. Thanks so much!
    Kate Schutz
    Cantos Music Foundation and SERG Alberta
    schutzk@cantos.ca

    Reply
  3. Tweets that mention About the Author | Thinking In Mind -- Topsy.com on October 31, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Nancy Gajewski, Jeff Bergstrom. Jeff Bergstrom said: Thanks to @Neilstephenson for your awesome website http://bit.ly/9jGXZu I especially like your Cigar Box Project. #historyteacher [...]

    Reply
  4. Garfield Gini-Newman on June 1, 2011 at 9:55 am

    Hi Neil, I have a Masters of Teaching student who would like to do one of her practicums next year in a Calgary school. Your school would be a great fit. She is an Intermediate/Senior history teacher candidate. The two practicum are Nov. and mid-Feb. to mid-March. Can you help me to arrange something for her?

    Garfield Gini-Newman

    Reply
  5. Nora Elsheikh on December 1, 2011 at 9:22 am

    Hi Neil,

    As the Chief Blogger for Bon Education – an International Education Consulting firm stationed in Dubai, UAE, I nominated your blog, “Teaching in Mind” for the 2011 EduBlog Awards in the category of “Best Teacher Blog.” To check out your nomination and find out you can vote, check out my article here, http://goo.gl/IK1HE. Good luck and thank you for being such an inspiration!

    Best,

    Nora

    Reply
  6. Greg Long on January 9, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    Hi Neil,
    I am putting together a course at the University that is supposed to mirror what Dr. Jacobsen has done in the past, and believe me, hers are big shoes to fill. I noticed that you were a guest speaker in her previous class, and wanted to know if you would consent to speaking to my class this year?
    You support and expertise would be much appreciated. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Take care, Greg

    Reply
  7. Anne McCullough on February 1, 2012 at 10:57 am

    I enjoyed a workshop you gave at the AAC convention a couple of years ago. I am now living on Vancouver Island and am working with teachers to help them develop assessment for learning strategies in their classrooms. Because Canadian history is a big part on curriculum, I was wondering if you have some info (project outlines, checklists, rubrics….)that you would be willing for me to share with teachers about the cigar box project. Many thanks!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*