Todd, that is just you!

I love the act of reflection. My favorite part of my day, or one of them, is my walk to work. Nothing to do but observe and ponder. Lowers my heart-rate, keeps my legs in shape, gives me good reason to buy fancy new clothes, and I get to wonder about what might work, at work. I am absolutely certain that if I ever get any good ideas, they come from...

Nov 2022

Todd, it ain’t no boat!

So, let’s say you have eighteen people in a small paddle boat and everyone has a paddle. Or most everyone. The only task the group has is to cross a small lake. As a benevolent, kind, and perceived leader you say, “Ok folks, we are going over there to the other side of the lake. Go ahead and paddle whenever you want.” I know right? Having a goal,...

Nov 2022

Todd, that is a frightening abyss!

How about a little Nikos Kazantzakis and a some Kurt Hahn. Let’s look over the edge of that leaf and tremble and let’s take a walk where we can find a little stream and sit back in the cool grass discover some water moving by us. And just listen. I need challenge. I need a wee bit of conflict – internally or externally. I need to feel. Tired and exhausted....

Oct 2022

Todd, that is just a sock drawer.

Is your sock drawer exactly like your “My Documents” or your desktop, or your inbox? Why yes, yes, it is! Who among us has a perfectly clean and organized sock drawer, devoid of old photographs, a stray shoelace from 1973, or a belt way in the back you really like but have never actually worn on a night out with friends? Not many, I imagine. How about...

Oct 2022

Todd, those are drums not books.

Things that are unexpected can be terrifying. Or at least uncomfortable. And I could argue for simple consistency (but not like school uniforms or “template” courses) as a way to create safe and easily understood expectations. Yes, creating patterns in structure can lend itself to a familiar and often safe feeling in any event, happening anywhere. So,...

Oct 2022

Todd, they are just chairs.

There is an ongoing battle just outside my office. It involves persons unknown, possibly the nice cleaning staff or wandering students, and two chairs alongside a small table with a plant, a table tent like thing, and a brochure. Here is the thing – every so often when I arrive to the office, I see the chairs have been placed directly facing the table....

Oct 2022

106 Songs about School

I wondered if there were any happy songs about the school experience. Turns out there are a few. Some are here Thanks to @cherylcolan & @TQTHQ & @joefromkenyon for adding some songs about school to this playlist https://t.co/tTsV4zfSbP— Todd Conaway (@Todd_Conaway) July 14, 2022 Two weeks ago, in a Canvas course for faculty titled...

Jul 2022

Wow! Some Travel & Mobile App

I had grand plans to use the WordPress app to write a post or two these last two weeks. Nope. I visited Scotland and Ireland and had a wonderful time. I met some people I have known on Twitter for like 10 years! I had never met them face to face till this trip! It was wonderful. Really amazing to have shared so much, all across time and space without...

Mar 2022

This Community

Along with some time here in this wonderful 6×6 space, I am also part of one of the learning communities on the Bothell campus at the University of Washington. Each year staff and faculty can choose to join one of the many communities offered, and for the last five years I have elected to participate in the same one: Teaching and Learning on the Open...

Mar 2022

“Scaling” to Small

A couple things have happened recently that really make me feel good. What were the qualities you might ask? Well, I’ll tell ya. The events both had a small number of people and were largely unscripted. No agenda really. Just communicating. I was excited. I felt good. I was with people I knew I could learn from. In my mind, they were there to simply...

Jan 2022