Bringing 21st Century Learning to Your Classroom

I really liked the idea of this video. I would love to blog in the classroom!!

TPACK - Are you familiar with this model?

I wanted to share this model/image of TPACK, Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge because I feel it gives a clear view of how to incorporate technology with the content pedagogically.  I think most people initially struggle with the integration of technology, thinking it is something all on its own.  Really, technology (when used properly....I think) is best used when it is integrated into content areas.

It is funny, when I think back to when I was in high school....which wasn't that long ago :) "Computers" was a class.  I believe we learned the basics, had typing tutorials (thank God, as I know how to type), but there wasn't any curriculum from other areas integrated.  I guess back then, just using a computer was the technology.

Now, I think sometimes the basics are forgotten and we jump right to the advanced lessons.  I still have students ask me how to get on websites....not even knowing what the "E" for Explorer is.  I have stopped taking for granted that all students know their way around a computer.  I have also stopped assuming that all teachers know how to incorporate technology into their teaching of content/curriculum in a meaningful, effective way....hence the image above.

For lack of trying to say this better myself, I have included a quote from a website I found very helpful in understanding TPACK.  "True technology integration is understanding and negotiating the relationships between these three components of knowledge. A teacher capable of negotiating these relationships represents a form of expertise different from, and greater than, the knowledge of a disciplinary expert (say a mathematician or a historian), a technology expert (a computer scientist) and a pedagogical expert (an experienced educator). Effective technology integration for pedagogy around specific subject matter requires developing sensitivity to the dynamic, [transactional] relationship between all three components."  ( http://tpack.org/tpck/index.php?title=TPCK_-_Technological_Pedagogical_Content_Knowledge)

I just thought this was very helpful and I thought I would share :)



(image from http://tpack.org/)

Animoto

Animoto is another one of my favorite programs to use. It is online, and free if you sign up for an educator account. The educator account allows you to create longer movies, otherwise you are limited to 30 second movies.

It is a great way to put a slide show of images and text together...with music. You can remix the images as many times as you like until you find what you are looking for. I find it very user friendly and easy to share with others.

Just a note, if you want to add text, it has to be on a slide without an image. Up until now, I have not been able to find a way to add text to an image. I think some people prefer Movie Maker because you can add test to images. I prefer Animoto because it shuffles the images in several different ways and creates something great.

I find when I first start using these programs, it is good just to play around and experiment with what you can do.

I have created several Animoto videos/slide shows and have been happy each time.

Think how great it would be if you made one with your students. Maybe take pictures throughout the year and put them all together in Animoto, burn a DVD and give to each student as a year end gift....just a thought :)

Xtranormal

Xtranormal

City Project

I was unable to embed the video that I created for a project I did with my students, so I provided the link....hope it works. 

So I am always talking about engaging the 21st century learner, but I never actually included examples that I do.  I was reading Terri-Lynn's Blog  (fellow grad student) last night about Photostory 3 and realized, "hey, I use that too."  Then I started thinking about all the fun resources I do use. 

Xtranormal is a lot of fun!!!  It is a program that allows you to create movies simply by adding text.  They have a variety of settings and characters and even some movements you can add to your characters.  I have used it with students as an introduction to a unit.....see the city project link, but I also have created some just for fun.  Try it out!  Maybe instead of another e-mail, you can create a movie for someone :)

Enjoy!!

I just appeared in Google!!!!!!

I think all the hard work blogging just paid off!!!!  I was looking for some new videos on engaging the 21st century learner.  I went to my google search button and put in "videos on engaging the 21st century learner."  I, well my blog came up second in the search!!!!  I think this is one of those moments that I may require a seat belt :)

Five-Year-Olds Pilot Their Own Project Learning

Check this out. Truly amazing what students can  and will do when given the chance!

I have not been able to embed the video, but here is the link,
Five-Year-Olds Pilot Their Own Project Learning

This video is true reflection of what students can accomplish when they are engaged. I think it is a shame that students are not given more opportunity to be active in their learning.  Students want to learn and explore, they want to inquire and investigate. 

All you need to do is watch the students in the video, they are all involved in meaningful learning.  It is obvious that they are truly enjoying what  they are doing.  They are having fun too, while learning.

Wouldn't you want to learn like this if you were 5, any age really?  What will last longer, their experience creating the planes and being part of an airport, or if the teacher was simply to read or recite what it would be like to travel to Brazil???

I think this is an excellent example of what engaging the 21st century learner looks like.

How Technology Is Changing Schools

I am a little behind in my reading.  I was recently catching up on my Educational Leadership magazines.  One article that I came across was in the April 2010 issue.  "For Openers How Technology Is Changing School."  I could not find a copy to link, sorry.  The article is about the effect technology has on school and how it is changing the way we learn.   

The focus is about continuity of learning and how some schools are now providing blended learning options.  Online lectures, posting course content and homework online, phone conferences, digital textbooks, blogs, etc. etc.  "The wealth of information available online is also changing teaching practices." 

Students and teachers alike are changing the way they can access information and resources.  Technology allows both students and teachers to collaborate in a way that was not possible before.

From my experience, taking online courses has been amazing.  There is no other way I would have been able to take courses towards my MEd had there not been an online option.  I work full time, have a young son, family, there would be no time. 

The flexibility I have with online courses allows me to be able to watch my lectures while I make supper, work on my discussions while my son is napping, and do my readings in the back yard while my son is playing.  There is no commute to and from a university, it is great.  The people I have met in my classes are amazing.  We have rich discussions, even more so than if we were in a classroom.  I think most people contribute more online then they would in a class environment.

Now, I will say, the one challenge to online learning is that you have to be very disciplined.  I don't have a set schedule so I have to work whenever I have extra time.  I think some people think online learning is easier....so not the case.  It may be easier to fit into my schedule, but that is it.  I really have to plan my time wisely, keep up on readings, and discussions.  I also had to learn how to use Blackboard, Elluminate, and of course, blogging :)  For me, this has been one of the most positive learning environments I have been part of. 

Just have to share!!! IO Intelligence Online

I haven't blogged in a while as I am sick :( and working quite rigours on a paper :( 

While I was doing research for my paper today, I concluded that there is so much information, resources, philosophies, approaches, websites, etc. etc. out there!!  My head is about to explode.  How is one person supposed to know that all of these resources exist?  I now understand that one of the benefits of being part of a group or an online virtual community, allows you to share information you may not come across on your own.  I believe IO may be a virtual community that I would like to be part of :)

Currently I am doing research for a paper on Project Based Learning.  I am interested in engagement and 21st century learning...just look at my blog :)  I find Project Based Learning is an excellent approach for engaging the 21st century learner.

I just (literally) came across an article that was talking about teachers using IO, or Intelligence Online....just what I need!!  It is a personal workspace for teachers that provides support, lessons, everything you need to get started when designing projects. 

The foundation of IO is the work of the Galileo Educational Network Association. Galileo's proven methods have been developed and refined by Dr. Patricia Clifford and Dr. Sharon Friesen over a 20-year period.

IO - Intelligence Online

I have just signed up for my free trial, and possibly a membership if it is everything it claims to be.  I will for sure continue to blog about this as I think it looks like an excellent resource for teachers to create engagement in their classrooms.  Who wouldn't want help in designing projects, creating meaningful learning experiences, and engaging students?

That is about all I can write for now as I have yet to try this site for myself.  I have included the link (above) and hope others sign up too.  I will let you know how it turns out!

Hope it is everything I have been looking for!!

Am I still learning?

Really, it is almost bed time and I just realized how to add a picture!!!!  I can not believe that I am getting excited over this :)  I don't think I will need a seat belt, but pretty darn excited.
The picture is of my mom's bungalow (well you can't see the bungalow) in East Bay (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia).  I grew up spending my summers there, and still love it!!  Nothing to do with engagement or 21st century learning....but now I can add pictures!!!!

Teaching Teachers to Teach 21st Century Learners

Yes, another video! I personally love watching videos (good and bad) because I feel I always walk away with something. I don't know if I am just a visual learner, if the music or people catch my attention, or if that is simply my media of choice?? Whatever the case, I will include lots :)
I have to include this video as I think it is an excellent continuation of what I was blogging about earlier...if we can motivate teachers??
This video opened my eyes as to why some teachers are not willing to change, why some want to, but don't know where to start, and that change should be required.
Teaching needs to change in order for our students to be prepared for the future. We have to teach our 21st century learners, using 21st century teaching.
I wrote a blog a while back that also included a video of what students want (blogs, e-mail, iPods, wiki's, etc.). When was the last time a student asked, "Please, can we do one more worksheet? One more lecture?" Just saying, maybe if we listened to what our students wanted (in means of learning) we could have one rich learning environment.
I know there are lots of teachers currently teaching our 21st century learners and doing an amazing job. I am just not sure how much change in teaching styles is happening, and I think there needs to be a lot more.
I am not trying to be critical by any means, I know teaching is a very hard job! It is a lot of work, constantly changing, more demands, students, parents, admin., report cards, paper work, etc, etc. How high can the plates be stacked? I know one of the reasons I went into teaching was because it was a profession I knew  would constantly be changing.  I knew I would be a learner for life...there would never be a dull moment, and there hasn't been one so far :)

How do we motivate teachers?

A video I think everyone will enjoy...I hope!

From what I hear, the blogs you don't plan, tend to be pretty good....here's hoping!

So, I would like to know  how we motivate teachers? Can we motivate teachers? If we know students need to be engaged, need to be motivated, need to become a 21st century learner, how do we motivate teachers to motivate their students?

Now, we all know some students that have enough motivation and will be able to inquire more at home, on their free time do some extra reading, etc. What about the rest of the students, who will motivate them?

It is almost like this just occurred to me, students need to be engaged, what if the teachers don't feel the same way I do about engagement?? We all know some teachers that like things the way they are, they don't want change, don't agree with technology, think worksheets are the be all and end all. Is it possible to engage and motivate teachers? How?

I recently watched a video that really made me think more about motivation. Up until recently, I would have never dreamed about going back to school. If someone paid me, or paid for my school, I just wouldn't do it....I wasn't ready. It goes to show, motivation has to come within. I could not have been motivated by any amount of money, anything I can think of to spend every extra minute studying, reading, writing....blogging :)

One day I started looking at different websites, different MEd programs, and here I am. I guess I just realized that up until now I wasn't ready or motivated. What changed, I have yet to pinpoint it, but it was definitely something I did on my own.

So in saying all that, can we really try to change the unmotivated teacher before they are ready?? Still trying to figure that out.

Is your library engaging?

So I have been part of a library committee recently. Our focus is to bring the current library into the 21st century!! Now, I never really gave much thought to the library and the importance, if any, of it being current. To be honest, as long as it had the resources I was looking for, I was happy.

Now after much reading, a bit or research and some library visits, I now understand. After seeing some libraries that are moving into the current times and some that want to change for the better, I feel I have been missing out. I love to read and truly value a library that has lots of great materials. I just never stopped to think of the layout, the colors, student work, books, audio books, iPods, e-readers and e-books….just to mention a bit. It is amazing how much a library can offer.

There is much to be said about a library, or as some now say “learning commons.” I guess some libraries are moving towards being learning commons and starting to offer a variety of services. I can honestly say; I have been learning lots.

Think about the struggling readers, do they want to read? In most cases, the answer is no. Now, they don’t want to read because they are struggling. What if they could get a new iPod with some audio books? How cool would they look listening to an iPod? That is what most students want….to fit in. Now, picture the student with a physical copy of the book, listening to the audio copy from the iPod, following along. Are we engaging a struggling or reluctant reader? I would have to say it’s a start.

Now, think about the students who just aren’t interested in reading. What if the school library had e-readers and e-books? Wouldn’t it be fun to play with the new technology? Would it also be a start to introduce a new way of reading? Are we moving to the 21st century?
Leather coaches, bright overstuffed pillows, art work, painted chairs (by the students), open spaces, e-books, e-readers, iPods, Smartboard, newspapers, “pub” style tables and chairs, computer stations, and much more. Does it sound like an environment that you would like to be in? Relax? READ? Learn? Study? Is this type of environment better than the old library with rows of books, no open space, all one color, not very welcoming?

When I think 21st century, I don’t just think about how we learn or the resources and technology we use to learn. I think about the learning environment and what it looks like. I think the updated library plays a huge part in moving towards 21st century learning.

Any thoughts or comments? Is it just me? Was I the only one who never really stopped to think about the library getting an upgrade?

Doesn't take much!

If I am talking about engagement, I will share a little story.
Up until seconds ago, I could not for the life of me embed a video. A fellow teacher (we share an office) just showed me how to embed a video and I literally jumped out of my seat!! Yes, he did look at me in surprise as he didn't realize why I was so excited. He was very happy to have helped and my excitement was evident.
I have just been really happy with my "blogging" experience, I am engaged, trying something new and meaningful and learning lots.
Honestly, if I was writing a paper, I am wondering what would have made me jump out of my seat....literally??
It doesn't take much to get students, including myself, to become active in their learning.
See what can make your students jump out of their seats today.

Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction

According to Robert Gagne, there are nine events that activate processes needed for effective learning. Gagne believes all lessons should include this sequence of events:
1.  Gain attention
2.  Inform learner of objectives
3.  Stimulate recall of prior learning
4.  Present stimulus material
5.  Provide learner guidance
6.  Elicit performance
7.  Provide feedback
8.  Assess performance
9.  Enhance retention and transfer


Okay, was I the only one who was not framiliar with this?  Maybe this never made it to my long term memory or I am having trouble retrieving the information.  Anyhow, I really thought this was something neat.  Take a look at this video, it helps in explaining Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction.
Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction


Now in this video one of my favorite parts was when it asked you to remember your best learning experience.  I really want to know how many people recall a "sit and get" lesson, or some boring lecture, or even reading a "manual." Most people recall something that was exciting, different, hands on, something they could realte to and maybe a "real life"experience. 
I think Gagne was ahead of his time :)