Monday, July 8 - The Coming of Tropical Storm Chantal

A new experience for me! A tropical storm is heading to the island. I am more excited than worried, but I am a little concerned. Today, a full 24 hours before the storm is set to arrive, there was plenty of rain. All day there were only a few minutes of actually sun with times that the rain poured down. This made the first day of course sessions poorly populated. At the start of the day there was about a quarter of the expected turnout and by the end of the day only half had made there way to the Grammar School. "There's a tropical storm coming, miss".  It is likely even less will be present tomorrow.

Darlene made a video of the photos she took today and posted it on the IT for Dominica Facebook page.

The rains in Dominica have been fairly steady since January and the earth is saturated. This storm is bringing more rain; causing mud slides in the hills. This will impede people from traveling, either blocking their way here or causing them to worry about a blockage that will stop them from returning home. Who can blame them for wanting to stay safe and sound?

Predicted path of Tropical Storm Chantal with Dominica coloured red.

Tropical Storm Chantal is predicted to hit here sometime after 8 am Tuesday and be on her way to the Dominican Republic by early afternoon. Just in case there is a power-outage, the hotel has given us matches and candles. THAT makes me worry. Being prepared just doesn't seem very Dominican to me.

Today, due to the poor attendance, we separated into two groups and used a team-teaching approach for those who came. We touched on our separate course syllabuses and many had them thinking about what learning is and looks like as well as some ways that education will need to change in order to meet the demands of a connected world. If only a few show up tomorrow, we will do the same thing. If even less show up, we may send them home. If the power really does go out, we likely will batten down the hatches and ride it out in the hotel. 

Tune in tomorrow to find out how a Caribbean tropical storm compares to a good ol' northern Alberta blizzard. I hope I don't have to shovel anything!

Back on the Island

I am fortunate enough to be able to participate in the IT for Dominica Project again this summer. It means that my summer vacation will not start until after July 21st, but that I will be spending two weeks in the heat and graciousness of Dominica. If you have never been to the Isle of Beauty, I suggest you make an attempt to visit. It is not your usual Caribbean setting. Beaches are rare and all-inclusive resorts are completely missing. It is delightful!

Alison, Rachelle and Darlene

These are the ladies I will be spending the next two weeks with. Sorry for the poorly lit picture! Part of the journey is learning from the other teachers who volunteer to host sessions. I anticipate learning a lot from each of them. Alison has been an online teacher for longer than I have and has recently taken a position as an administrator of a new not-yet-established online school. She has extensive experience in international collaborations, through her work with Canadian Federation of Teachers and otherwise. Her online teaching is much more varied than mine; it is great having someone with so much knowledge to learn from!

Rachelle is an administrator as well and also has done an incredible amount of traveling! There is so much about Google that I hope to learn from her. Having another socially-minded, outgoing person to share this experience with will make this time in Dominica different than my past two visits. Right now we are listening to a mix she like on her Songza. Later we will listen to one of my favourites on 8Tracks. We are trying new things together, including attending church this morning. Now we are sipping Ginger Wine and getting our separate courses organized. There is talk of having our separate classes share a Google Doc to really demonstrate the power of collaboration, especially with Google. So much to learn from this young lady!

Darlene is one of the ladies I was with last summer. She is quiet and steady and so driven by a desire to teach and learn. From a position of technology leader to teaching at a Hutterite Colony, she brings an abundance of varied experiences, all tied together with meeting the needs of students. Her knowledge of the education system in Alberta mixed with her wisdom of students and learning leaves me in awe.

There is a lady from Dominica who is also helping us. Corazon is a lovely young lady who will be helping those teachers who need support in basic computer competencies. Some of her day will be spent teaching right and left click. She has been studying in Barabados and Trinidad. Her knowledge of the island has been a great resource even if she finds it so strange that we want to know all of this stuff. I hope we get to spend a lot of time with her this year.

Yesterday we completed a self tour of the town. During the walk we came to this locked gate. There is something about the keys hanging on the gate itself that simply speaks to Dominica. I love it here.

Today, Sunday, has been spent in a lackadaisical manner. Alison and I are getting our courses in order. Darlene and Alison came to the island more prepared and are spending time reading or napping. After spending Saturday walking around the town (and badly burning my arms!), we are taking it easy today, although it sounds like Alison and Rachelle may go snorkeling later. If I get to course work, I might be able to join them. We'll see.