If we see that it works, why aren't we doing it???

Learning in Today's World

I am curious when I see a video like the one above, why aren't we teaching more like this?  If we see something that works, that our students enjoy and are engaged in, why don't we do more?  I am not saying there is no project based learning being done, but is there enough?  Why isn't there more?

I am very interested in student engagement and what that looks like in the 21st century.  I find Project Based Learning is an excellent example of how we can engage our 21st century learners.
Students need to be engaged in order to have meaningful learning.  Students need real life experiences, they need to make connections.

I do understand that creating projects and engaging learning environments takes a lot of time and work.  I also realize that the learning that takes place is so worth the time and effort put in to creating such a rich learning environment.

Project based learning allows ALL learners to experience meaningful learning and make real life connections.  It is what our students want and need.

Work during recess??

I just wanted to continue talking....or should I say blogging about the Calgary Science School.  I guess it is not enough to simply say that it looked like I imagined, or it was everything I thought.  I guess for me, I know what I mean.  Others may want to know why it made such an impression.
Just a few of the examples that really impressed me were:
One of their teachers was showing us how all the student laptops could be monitored.  They have no filters at their school....imagine that.  They allow their students a chance to prove that they are responsible enough to choose appropriate websites...but they can be monitored.  Anyhow, it happened to be during recess when we were looking at students that were using their laptops, 9 in total.  Every single student was on task, doing work, I couldn't believe it, that is engagement.  I was just so impressed to see how all students were doing what they were supposed to be doing.
Another really neat thing about having the teacher being able to see all the student monitors/screens on a master screen, was to help.  If a student was having problems, the teacher could watch what the student was doing, then send a message if the student needed help.  I think I talked about the class that was creating pinball machines (I believe using the program Phunball??), the teacher can take over the students laptop and show them an example.
I really got the feeling that the teacher was more of a facilitator.  The students were in charge of their learning and the teacher was their to help in any way that was needed.  There was no "sit and get."
One more really neat practice that we saw was for phys.ed.  The teacher actually video taped the students during football.  The students were then able to watch the video, record their comments over the video, and assess themselves.  They did this every year so they were able to look back and see if they improved and what may still need work.
So I guess they are just a few examples, but I hope it helps you visualize why I was so impressed.  For me, I thought it showed excellent examples of how to integrate technology in a meaningful way.  I was also impressed by the amount of team work/group work and collaboration that was evident. 
Until next time :)

What does a 21st century classroom look like??

I talk a lot about engaging the 21st century learner, but what exactly does that look like? What type of activities would the students be doing? If they were in a classroom, what would that look like?


I had the opportunity last week to visit the Calgary Science School. I have always heard of the Science School, and to be honest, just figured they did a lot of science. It didn't take me long to figure out it was more than just science at that school.

I feel that I was able to get a first hand view of what a 21st century classroom should and would and could look like, but an engaging classroom too. It was wonderful to see how truly engaged the students and teachers were in their work. There were some students and classes working on their laptops, some doing project or inquiry based learning, and some getting ready for an upcoming dance performance. It was an excellent opportunity for me to really visualize and experience first hand how an engaging classroom could look. It actually went above my expectations.

I am not saying students can't be engaged in other environments, but this is what I wanted to see. I feel I have a better, clearer understanding of what the 21st century learning classroom can look like.

I was inspired, not only by the students work, but also with the collaboration among teachers. I could not believe how willing their AISI teacher and their educational technologist (which I think every school should have :)) was to share their information, lessons, ideas, projects, etc. I was so happy to know that I could call, e-mail or even drop by if I had questions in the future. I think it says a lot when people are so willing to share their resources.

It was an incredible learning experience for me. Check out their website!

Calgary Science School

Book Talk

I try not to read too many educational books; however, every now and again something catches my eye :)


I am a member of the ASCD, and a while back they sent out the book Curriculum 21 Essential Education for a Changing World, edited by Heidi Hayes Jacobs. Something about the first paragraph, “Can you honestly say that your school’s curriculum and the program you use are preparing your students for 2015 or 2020? Are you even preparing them for today?” grabbed my attention…to say the least.

Now, I am not going to do a book review, but I must say, this actually got me to stop and think about what it is we are teaching, and how we are teaching it. The book gives insight to some of the following: Content and assessment, Program structures, Technology, Media literacy, Globalization, Sustainability, Habits of mind, and much more. It is a really good book.

It is what I like to call, “an easy read.” I mean, you can read a bit, put it down, and come back to it later. I know I was able to get some great ideas and it is one of those books that just gets you thinking. Even if you can’t make huge changes, it makes you aware of some very important ideas.

It talks about how students know how to upload, download, and remix music, photos, videos and movies. How students can participate in virtual reality games, text and instant message, and much more (p.134). It asks where students are learning all this. In school? Now, I am not saying that I have never worked with students downloading a photo (1 or 2) or uploading from the school camera and so on. Students are capable of so much, they can fiddle with these tools and figure them out….it engages them.

Do you know how long it takes me to send a text message?? I am embarrassed. Most students can just type away, or text away. I need to know, are we doing a disservice to our students by NOT being able to keep up?

Now the book also talks about digital portfolios, curriculum mapping and other tools that I know most schools are using. So I know, or at least I think we are heading it the right direction.  How do we keep up? There is so much to know and change does take time. Are we changing fast enough?

I know I came to a page (p.24, if anyone has the book) that listed some resources (technology) and I was actually checking them off. Interactive whiteboard, check, did that. Wordle, check, did that. Online courses, check, doing that right now :) There were also a few that I hadn’t used yet such as electronic field trips. I will say, I went straight to Google to see what was out there for field trips. Now, I may never do an electronic field trip, but I am now aware that they exist.

I will be honest; there is a lot of new information coming my way, as a teacher, in my new position, and now in my MEd program. There is no way I can know everything; however, I do want to be aware. I at least want to learn what is out there, I can then choose what I will and can use.

A Vision of K-12 Student Today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8

I will start to include books and articles I am reading on this topic, but I did have to share one more video (for now).  When I think of 21st Century Learning, this video came to mind.  I have always considered myself to be a really good teacher.  I have tried project based learning, hands on experiments, tried to get my students to become problem solvers, even used technology.....so I thought.

Using the computer lab at least a few times a week, I figured I was way ahead of my time.  I then got a Smartboard, look at me now....Mrs. Technology.

I then accepted this AISI position, wow!!  My head still spins most days with the information I am learning.  I look at the signs the students are holding up in the video, they are true.  Most teachers haven't tried blogging, or podcasts, or wikis, or even e-mail.  I know in my position I have been lucky enough to learn hands on all of these exciting tools.  In my previous positions, I am not sure I would have had the opportunity or the time to venture out and learn any of these. 

I can't be critical to teachers who have not had the opportunity or support to venture out and try these new and exciting ways to communicate and share.  I know that if it wasn't for my current position, I would still be taking baby steps.  How can we encourage more teachers to try new things?  Is change that difficult? 

How do teachers keep up with the needs and wants of their students?  In the video, it is evident that students want to share and learn in more than one way.  They want to use technology, they want to be engaged.  As educators, is it our obligation to keep up with the changing needs of our students?  Is it even possible to keep up with all these changes?

More of "Fun Theory"

For anyone who enjoyed the previous video, piano staircase, visit the site below.  The Fun Theory

is dedicated to thinking that the easiest way to get people to change their behavior (for the better), is to make it fun.
http://www.thefuntheory.com/

As I mentioned earlier, I truly believe if students are engaged and having fun while they are learning, it is for the better.

Think of a time when you were learning something new, was it exciting and fun?  Maybe boring?  Were you engaged?  What is it that makes us want to learn?

I think that the 21st century learner has more opportunities to be engaged because of the resources we/they have available.  Computers, Smartboards, iPods, podcasts, visual literacy, movie making, text to movie programs, they are just a few of the tools that come to mind.

I know as a teacher I am very excited when I get the opportunity to do something different with my students.  I always like to shake it up a bit and try something new. 

Fun Theory

After talking about engagement, I had to include the link for this video, the piano staircase (youtube).  I feel it is the perfect example of what can happen when people are having fun. 

The most memorable learning experiences, for me, are when you are engaged, having fun, really enjoying what it is you are learning. 

When I think back about my students and when they seemed truly engaged, it was when they were having fun while learning. 

I hope you enjoy this video, I know I did :)  I really wish I could have tried this staircase.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw