Welcome to my Blog! I am delighted that you have found your way to my site. It started out as a place to share educational ideas and inspirations, but as my career has grown and shifted, my posts are becoming more personal and reflective about all aspects of life.
I hope you can relate to my perspective.
You will see many posts about e-Portfolios and reflective learning since this has been a focus of my work and studies. I have discovered the value of reflecting on key life experiences and have gained countless insights in my own life from this practice.
In January of 2019, I completed the sixth draft of a book. It has just been published and released last week by Castle Quay Publishing. I agonized over the title, but with guidance from the publisher this title was chosen: Seeking Silver – In Every Life Experience. The book contains 29 stories about dilemmas in my life. At the end of each story, I have included reflective questions for readers to think about, or possibly write their story on that topic. I am hoping these reflection guides will deepen reader’s insights about their key life experiences and lead them to a greater understanding of themselves and the “why” questions they might have about their lives.
If you are interested in this book, it is available on Amazon and through Castle Quay Books.
After I finished the book, I decided to compile all that I had learned about writing in a format that others could use. I developed an online course called “Writing a Memoir: Step by Step”. It is now being offered through University of Victoria. I’d be delighted to see you in my course and be your coach as you begin your writing pursuits.
Mini Bio: Karen Y. Barnstable was a teacher for many years and had the chance to experience K to Grade 12 and adults. After completing her M.Ed she taught Learner Centered Instruction courses to new Facutly at Okanagan College and worked as an Educational Leader at BC Cancer for 10 years. She is currently teaching online at University of Victoria and working as a Field Advisor for Education students at UBC Okanagan.
All questions and comments are appreciated : )
Stable Transitions 
Hello, Karen…
Googled your name out of curiosity….we use Portfolios at school with the children…and we have also been using them as teachers…
Would love to hear from you…a voice from the past from the U. of S…t’es toujours belle, mon amie!
Tim Romanow (Quebec, Quebec)
Hi Karen,
Have you heard of Mouse Mischief? It’s a PowerPoint add-in that integrates into Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007, letting teachers insert questions, polls, and drawing activity slides into their lessons. Mouse Mischief is designed using the MultiPoint platform, which allows teachers to use one PC with many mice, thereby increasing student participation and active engagement.
And one of the coolest things about Mouse Mischief: It’s free of charge.
There are many benefits to incorporating Mouse Mischief into the classroom including:
• Creating a collaborative learning environment
• Helping students learn more effectively and improving student participation.
• Affordability compared to other classroom response systems
To learn more about the product, visit our sites below. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have – I can be reached at v-erburg@microsoft.com.
Once you are familiar with the technology, we encourage you to share your thoughts, feedback and best practices about Mischief in the classroom. Send us a tweet, write on our Facebook wall or email me directly at v-erburg@microsoft.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you,
Eric B.
Website – http://www.microsoft.com/multipoint/mouse-mischief/
Blog – http://blogs.msdn.com/mousemischief
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/mousemischief
Twitter – http://twitter.com/mousemischief
Eric Burgess |Microsoft | Startup Business Accelerator | Online Community Manager
Connect with me: @mousemischief & @ericburgess
Hello Karen,
I am a Program Manager for ePortfolio California, a project of the California Virtual Campus (grant funded by the California Community College’s Chancellor’s Office) serving K-20 California education (with a big lean towards CCC). We are holding a “working meeting” ePortfolio California Summit on October 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA. The purpose of these focus discussions is to determine how the State can accelerate the use and benefits of ePortfolios across all segments, including workforce development, which is one of the three tracks of the meeting.
I found you by Googling, “getting employers to accept ePortfolios” which is probably the biggest challenge and question facing WFD and ePortfolios. How do we influence a cultural change across California so that students’ lifelong learning records (ePortfolios) will be recognized as valuable and accepted (or expected) to getting the first job, or a re-entry into the workforce?
Do you have any research and or direct experience in this area that could help us with this focus session? Because this track was added on late to the program, I am searching for examples, research, questions, experts, employers, programs…anything that can help drive some of the conversations and help us get some real work done in this area.
Thank you so much for your time. I will try to find your email and send this under separate cover, as well.
-Patty
Hello Karen – I’d like to quote your lovely Four Dimentions Of Reflection blog post in a book… could you please email me so that I could send details of this request? sincerely – DL
The fresh idea is here). I’ve read the post with excellent satisfaction and even could know something new that
I will use for my further requirements. The article is bright and clear, with no further
worthless facts or else, it reminded me https://ridethenation.org/kindergartens/. The speech is
both brilliant and vivid, so the more I read, the more I really do enjoy it!
Besides, the information is rather cutting edge, so just like it.
Anyway, the info is quite cutting edge, so just like it.
Karen, I’m a retired prof currently working on a hybrid memoire/nonfiction book on my experiences in Victoria with mushrooms (no magic mushrooms….). I’m wondering if you could send me more information about the course you’re offering through UVic so I can determine if it would be suitable support for this project which is pretty well underway. Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks