Showing posts with label Future. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Future. Show all posts

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Thinking Thursday - Article: Is This Learning?


Let's discuss the definition of learning
District Administration, Dec 2012
...These are examples of a growing narrative around what learning should look like in the new, efficient, less costly EduBusiness world that is exploding around us. It’s a vision that uses technology to “personalize” education for each student to meet the outcomes required by the summative assessment, whatever that may be. And it’s a vision that should deeply concern us.

...Two years ago, IBM surveyed 1,500 CEOs from around the country, asking them what the most crucial factor for success is in today’s world. Shockingly, the top answers had nothing to do with mastering content or getting good test scores. Instead, they said that “creativity” and “managing complexity” were the most important traits. Far as I can tell, we can’t deliver those things very easily, nor can we measure them as cleanly either.

...  But we have to seriously ask: “How much more?” and “At what expense?” The new normal is learning it when we need it, not when it comes up in the lesson plan.
For administrators, it comes to two questions. Do you believe the world has changed dramatically when it comes to learning? And if so, how can you begin to change the conversation around learning?




Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Tools for Tues: Livebinders & Infographics

Here are two tools that are visual AND help us organize information, which is an essential skill today and well into the future...


LiveBinders - although not a new "tool", this may be an alternative for teachers or students to save websites, PDFs, videos, images and more to one location... Here are some possible uses:
  • bookmark/favorites alternative
  • eportfolio
  • online presentation resource (alternative to PowerPoint)
  • collaborative resources space (share with colleagues and all add to it)
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And take a look at this sample LiveBinder on Infographics -- the FUTURE of presenting/sharing information!


Learn more! Here are some more resources on InfoGraphics...
Visual.ly - a website dedicated to visual expression of data and information... Explore, share, and create here!

Infographics App — An app for finding infographics




Thursday, December 8, 2011

Thinking Thursday: Corning's "A Day Made of Glass"


Corning's "A Day Made of Glass" 
-- coming soon to YOUR world (and probably before most of us expect it!)
How will this affect schools, teaching, learning, education... and students, parents, communities?


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Take 5! Integration Update - April 12, 2011 (Vol.2/#22)


Issue #22
“Take 5” is a weekly update containing information related to teaching and learning for today and beyond...

Take just 5 minutes (or less) to look over these resources and see what might be helpful for your and/or your students. Better yet, set aside at least 15-30 minutes a week (yes, that's been increased from last year!) to focus on finding resources and ideas that will improve student learning and prepare them for their future!

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Tips and Tools for Teachers

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  • Tip: Planning for a Substitute (NOTE: Most of these suggestions came from ACTUAL substitute teachers and their experiences in the classroom. See what things can make their day better and your lesson-in-absentia more effective and meaningful for all.)
    These days, many teachers’ lessons have at least some technology element to them. Therefore, when you’re planning for a substitute teacher, here are some things to consider as you best prepare them (and your students) for a day or more without you:

    (this is particularly meant for REVS teachers, who most have a SMART Board, but it can apply in other situations as well)
  • Guest password for substitutes to get onto your computer (or have another teacher, principal, or secretary log in). You can change your log in password for the sub, then change it back, if needed. Or if that’s too much trust, seek a colleague to log the substitute teacher on.
  • Any other possible passwords they'd need (for computer, websites they will visit, overrides, etc.), be sure to leave that too (or with another teacher, close by)
  • Include a paper roster of students (even better... One with names AND pictures!)... No more “What’s your name so I can tell the teacher what you did?” “Uh... It’s Butz... Seymour... Yeah, that’s my name!”
  • If using a SMART Notebook lesson, leave it on the computer AND have a copy on a USB thumb/flash drive that you leave w/ them. If you’re really paranoid and the file is not too large (over 9 MB or so), you may be able to email it to the sub and/or a teaching colleague, just in case).
  • If using a SMART Notebook lesson, in addition to the electronic file, leave a printed copy (printed in handout format of 3 slides per page on left side and lines down the right side; or 6 per page)... This is handy if there are technological issues, failures, oops-es, etc. You know about Murphy’s Law, right???
  • Leave the names of a couple students that can assist with the technology if there are concerns...  Most substitutes welcome a helping hand and the students will be happy to help!
  • Include the phone extension for tech help (if tech help is readily available/on call, like it is here at REVS!), whether that’s the building techs or district level... Email doesn’t help since they may not be able to get online and/or their personal email will probably be blocked by the filters.
  • Last, but not least, leave the name of a teacher (probably the one mentioned in #1,2 above) who the sub can go to if there are problems. This may seem obvious, but the closest teacher may not be the best one to consult. (NOTE: this came directly from an actual substitute teacher, so obviously not all teachers leave this information!) 

    Ponderings 
     
      
    Predicted Changes in Education by 2020
    • "21 Things That Will Be Obsolete by 2020" -- That's less than 9 years away! Here are some things to consider, such as:
      ... Desks, 
      Language Labs, 
      Homework, 
      High School Algebra I, 
      and Paper (which could be a good thing!)

    Learning Opportunities
    • 1. In-District Professional Development Opportunities
    • 2. NWO's STEM Education Inquiry Series (at Rossford High School!) - LAST ONE, this Thurs., April 14th (from 5-8pm) a low-cost, local opportunity for elementary teachers and JH/HS science, math, and technology teachers offered 7 times from September 23 - April 14, 2011.
    •  3. In the right margin of this blog, enter your email to receive future postings into your email Inbox (Take 5s and more!) -- plan on 1-3 posts per week.

    ;-) Just for Fun?!?! (and a little learning, perhaps)
     
    "What can school do for me?"
    This Betty comic (click to see full comic) asks an interesting question to parents and teachers these days... which hopefully all educators can answer!


    Monday, November 29, 2010

    Qwiki- An Information Experience

    Watch this 6 minute video to learn more about a newly developed (and developing...) website for computer-generated "information experiences"... It's still in "alpha" (or early development), but you can sign up to help make it better - go to the Qwiki site



    Wednesday, February 10, 2010

    FRONTLINE: Digital Nation (PBS)

    Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier


    Watch the entire 90 minute show online (aired February 2010) as well as the supplementary videos under the LEARNING tab. 

    All of that plus the podcast and comments below the video clips... from experts and the general public... are enough for a semester course in 21st century learning!

    Tuesday, December 22, 2009

    Books for Teachers Focused on Improving Student Learning

    Looking for a good read that may affect the way you teach and how your students learn? Try one or more of the following:

    5 Books for Teachers Focused on Improving Student Learning (and the future of learning!):



    1. The World is Open (Curtis Bonk, 2009) - http://worldisopen.com/
    2. Generation We (Eric Greenberg & Karl Weber, 2009) - http://www.gen-we.com/
    3. A Whole New Mind (Dan Pink, 2005) - http://www.danpink.com/whole-new-mind
    4. Brain Rules (John Medina, 2009) - http://www.brainrulesbook.com
    5. The World is Flat (Thomas Friedman, 2005) - http://www.thomaslfriedman.com/bookshelf/the-world-is-flat
    Do you have other suggestions? Add them to the COMMENTS below...

    Friday, November 6, 2009

    21st Century Skills - MILE Guide


    From the Partnership for 21st Century Skills...

    MILE Guide for 21st Century Skills: Milestones for Improving Learning and Education
    http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/mileguide


    From the MILE Guide...
    Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes 
    Mastery of core academic subjects is the base upon which all 21st century learning occurs. Core subjects include English, reading or language arts, world languages, arts, mathematics, economics, science, geography, history, government and civics. 
    Schools must support students in developing deep mastery of core academic subjects while also integrating 21st century interdisciplinary themes into these academic subject areas. These themes include: 
    • Global Awareness 
    • Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy 
    • Civic Literacy 
    • Health Literacy 
    • Environmental Literacy 
    Learning and Innovation Skills 
    Learning and innovation skills are what separate students who are prepared for increasingly complex life and work environments in the 21st century and those who are not. They include: 
    • Creativity and Innovation 
    • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving  
    • Communication and Collaboration 
    Information, Media and Technology Skills 
    People in the 21st century live in a technology and media-driven environment, marked by access to an abundance of information, rapid changes in technology tools and the ability to collaborate and make individual contributions on an unprecedented scale. To be effective in the 21st century, citizens and workers must be able to exhibit a range of functional and critical thinking skills, such as: 
    • Information Literacy 
    • Media Literacy 
    • ICT (Information, Communications and Technology) Literacy
    Life and Career Skills 
    Today’s life and work environments require far more than thinking skills and content knowledge. The ability to navigate the complex life and work environments in the globally competitive information age requires students to pay rigorous attention to developing adequate life and career skills, such as: 
    • Flexibility and Adaptability 
    • Initiative and Self-Direction 
    • Social and Cross-Cultural Skills 
    • Productivity and Accountability 
    • Leadership and Responsibility

    Monday, October 19, 2009