Peter Skillen

Peter Skillen is an independent educator in Ontario, Canada. He has been involved in technology supported, inquiry-based learning since the mid-1970s—particularly as it relates to learner agency, passion, & cognitive intent. Peter is currently Curriculum and Project Lead at CodeToLearn.ca

Peter Skillen has written 8 posts for Cooperative Catalyst

“It’s not about the tool” – a naïve myth.

Posted by Peter Skillen ⋅ May 28, 2012 ⋅ 16 Comments

“It’s not about the tool – it’s about the learning.” – a naïve myth. I think I understand the intent of these kinds of statements. I believe it is a reaction that arises because some teachers and kids are focusing on the skills required to use the tool rather than on the ‘subject-matter’ at hand. … Continue reading →

Education or Subjugation – Power & Empowerment in Schools

Posted by Peter Skillen ⋅ April 15, 2011 ⋅ 8 Comments

😉 (Note: ‘subjugation’!? Sorry, I just had to use that word. It rhymes!) I have been thinking, once again, about empowerment and what it means- both theoretically and practically. You will think about the term and its ramifications quite differently depending on the lens you are using (your upbringing, your values and beliefs, your profession, your … Continue reading →

Connecting from the Heart

Posted by Peter Skillen ⋅ January 31, 2011 ⋅ 3 Comments

@dougpete, in a post called, An Idea that Just Keeps Growing describes a powerful use of Google Street View for ‘storytelling’. Megan Palevich (@mrspal) wrote A Walk Down Memory Lane which got me started on this little adventure. Ok, I have to tell you. This has sparked something for me. I mean, I have used Google Street … Continue reading →

Metaphoria – the Pecha Kucha Version!

Posted by Peter Skillen ⋅ January 28, 2011 ⋅ Leave a comment

Alright, time for me to switch it up a bit. I know much of what I write here has been in rather a formal voice – some might say wordy or stodgy! 🙂 So I thought I’d pop in this small post which is similar in theme to this previous post. This Pecha Kucha presentation … Continue reading →

Why Should Students Collaborate?

Posted by Peter Skillen ⋅ January 26, 2011 ⋅ 10 Comments

Introduction So I just started taking the Connectivism and Connected Learning course – and I shall struggle to see how it differentiates itself as a ‘learning theory’. George Siemens is developing this theory along with Stephen Downes. George outlines it here in Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. The first analysis I wish … Continue reading →

Journal Writing – just another ‘worksheet’?

Posted by Peter Skillen ⋅ January 16, 2011 ⋅ 14 Comments

Writing has been known through the centuries as a tool for introspection (Britton, 1970). Forms of writing frequently used to enhance thinking include journal writing, autobiography, formal paper, or learning log (notes from class). However, I can not be so naive as to think that these techniques – or any techniques for that matter – … Continue reading →

‘Metaphoria’ and Digital Literacy

Posted by Peter Skillen ⋅ January 8, 2011 ⋅ 11 Comments

The Internet has changed the way we read. There is no doubt about it. Nicholas Carr, in his book What is the Internet Doing to Our Brains? The Shallows says, “Once I was a scuba diver in a sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski.” Some … Continue reading →

PBL – Who IS in Charge? What Tools can Help?

Posted by Peter Skillen ⋅ January 7, 2011 ⋅ 14 Comments

What tools support a socio-constructivist approach to Project-based Learning? Assumptions We believe in kids. That’s why we are in this ‘business’ of education in the first place. Yet, much of what we must face relegates us, and the students, to roles and responsibilities that are in discord with this belief. Further to that, I believe … Continue reading →