Here's my response to the following questions: What are the most important ways we need to change K-12 education by 2020? When K-12 education fully incorporates digital learning:
What will be different for students?
What will be different for teachers?
Connectedness has been around for a while now but in the 2010's and especially the 2020's it is and will be everywhere. The way to go in classrooms is 1:1 whether that means bring your own or school provided or a combination. In order for education to take advantage of all that connected, 24/7 learning has to offer schools and districts need to shift how we see learning. No longer is it necessary for a teacher to deliver knowledge to mass amounts of students in the same way and expect them all to learn it at the same time to the same level. Learning in the 21st century is personal and requires educators who are comfortable helping kids learn in ways that work for them and not necessarily for us. Personalized, individualized, student-centered with the adults as facilitators aren't just words and phrases to throw around, they are the ways we need to work with kids.
For this to happen students need to take responsibility for their education and instead of sitting passively, waiting to be told what to do and how to do it, they need to learn in school they way they learn outside of school. That means using their devices to learn new topics and ideas while finding creative ways to share their learning with the world.
In order for students to make the shift teachers need to make the shift towards encouraging and allowing students to take charge of their own learning. We cannot let standards and legislators determine how our kids learn or what our kids learn. Choice needs to be a part of learning for everyone. Teachers can only do this if they scrap the vision of how we learned in school and embrace learning in a connected, digital world where information is accessible by all and not just the teacher.
How do we get each other there? That's what I'm here for. I tend to want these changes to happen now and forget that not all teachers are ready. Not even all my students are ready!
I think that the first unit in the MOOC speaks directly your concerns. I hope that each our tech committee members will select a number of resources from the information posted, so that we can have some great conversations. Below I will list some of the resources that I have already viewed. I hope that other people will list their reactions as well.
The National Technology Plan and Looking to the Future with Chris Dede and David Rose (14.46 mins.) http://vimeo.com/75305572
Two national leaders, who helped write the 2010 National Education Technology Plan (listed in the printed resources below), discuss the plan, personalization of learning, new curriculum standards and assessments, and their insights about directions for digital learning.
I agree with Dave Rose when he discusses Standards and Assessment. I too am a fan of Standards, but would also like to see more authentic, ongoing assessment. DG
Sal Kahn on Digital Learning. (11:49) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OtSs2xEpzY
In his trademark style, Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, walks viewers through the many ways digital technology can impact teaching and learning in a blended learning environment.
I see a clear connection between Sal Kahn’s explanation and the National Tech Plan content. The beauty of Sal Kahn’s explanation for how to use these online tutorials is that it can accommodate various teaching and learning styles. DG
“As has been commonly observed over the past decade, technology has not revolutionized education the way it has other fields and industries. But revolutionizing education may finally be under way, fueled by the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI).” I would like to see our tech committee use this document as a guide for asking questions as we create our CSD Technology plan. DG
Video & Podcasting Resources, Digital Presentation Tools, Collaboration & Brainstorming Tools, Blogs & Blogging, Social Networking Tools, Lecture Capture, Student Response Systems & Poll/Survey Tools, Educational Gaming, Open Educational Resources (OER) and the iPad & other tablet devices
Since this article was written there has been an explosion of tools that will meet the needs under each category. DG
James Gee on Learning with Video Games. (8:06) Edutopia Big Thinker Series.
Dr. Gee argues that multiplayer, activity-based, problem solving games can be models of effective learning environments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnEN2Sm4IIQ
Sasha Barab on Transformational Play. (10:39) Edutopia Big Thinker Series.
Dr. Barab discusses learning through games in which learners become central, important participants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GBDAaXEvDo
These two videos on computer games are thought provoking. It helps me to better understand the strategies that Al is beginning to implement with his students. DG
Here's my response to the following questions:
ReplyDeleteWhat are the most important ways we need to change K-12 education by 2020?
When K-12 education fully incorporates digital learning:
What will be different for students?
What will be different for teachers?
Connectedness has been around for a while now but in the 2010's and especially the 2020's it is and will be everywhere. The way to go in classrooms is 1:1 whether that means bring your own or school provided or a combination. In order for education to take advantage of all that connected, 24/7 learning has to offer schools and districts need to shift how we see learning. No longer is it necessary for a teacher to deliver knowledge to mass amounts of students in the same way and expect them all to learn it at the same time to the same level. Learning in the 21st century is personal and requires educators who are comfortable helping kids learn in ways that work for them and not necessarily for us. Personalized, individualized, student-centered with the adults as facilitators aren't just words and phrases to throw around, they are the ways we need to work with kids.
For this to happen students need to take responsibility for their education and instead of sitting passively, waiting to be told what to do and how to do it, they need to learn in school they way they learn outside of school. That means using their devices to learn new topics and ideas while finding creative ways to share their learning with the world.
In order for students to make the shift teachers need to make the shift towards encouraging and allowing students to take charge of their own learning. We cannot let standards and legislators determine how our kids learn or what our kids learn. Choice needs to be a part of learning for everyone. Teachers can only do this if they scrap the vision of how we learned in school and embrace learning in a connected, digital world where information is accessible by all and not just the teacher.
How do we get each other there? That's what I'm here for. I tend to want these changes to happen now and forget that not all teachers are ready. Not even all my students are ready!
What are your thoughts?
Al,
ReplyDeleteI think that the first unit in the MOOC speaks directly your concerns. I hope that each our tech committee members will select a number of resources from the information posted, so that we can have some great conversations. Below I will list some of the resources that I have already viewed. I hope that other people will list their reactions as well.
The National Technology Plan and Looking to the Future with Chris Dede and David Rose
ReplyDelete(14.46 mins.) http://vimeo.com/75305572
Two national leaders, who helped write the 2010 National Education Technology Plan (listed in the printed resources below), discuss the plan, personalization of learning, new curriculum standards and assessments, and their insights about directions for digital learning.
I agree with Dave Rose when he discusses Standards and Assessment. I too am a fan of Standards, but would also like to see more authentic, ongoing assessment. DG
Sal Kahn on Digital Learning. (11:49) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OtSs2xEpzY
In his trademark style, Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, walks viewers through the many ways digital technology can impact teaching and learning in a blended learning environment.
I see a clear connection between Sal Kahn’s explanation and the National Tech Plan content. The beauty of Sal Kahn’s explanation for how to use these online tutorials is that it can accommodate various teaching and learning styles. DG
The Nations Schools are Stepping up to Higher Standards article by Alliance for Excellence in Education Report Factsheet
ReplyDeletehttp://all4ed.org/reports-factsheets/the-nations-schools-are-stepping-up-to-higher-standards/
“As has been commonly observed over the past decade, technology has not revolutionized education the way it has other fields and industries. But revolutionizing education may finally be under way, fueled by the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI).”
I would like to see our tech committee use this document as a guide for asking questions as we create our CSD Technology plan. DG
10 Internet Technologies Educators Should Be Informed About
ReplyDeletehttp://www.emergingedtech.com/2011/09/10-internet-technologies-educators-should-be-informed-about-2011-update/
Video & Podcasting Resources, Digital Presentation Tools, Collaboration & Brainstorming Tools, Blogs & Blogging, Social Networking Tools, Lecture Capture, Student Response Systems & Poll/Survey Tools, Educational Gaming, Open Educational Resources (OER) and the iPad & other tablet devices
Since this article was written there has been an explosion of tools that will meet the needs under each category. DG
The Value of Video Games
ReplyDeleteJames Gee on Learning with Video Games. (8:06) Edutopia Big Thinker Series.
Dr. Gee argues that multiplayer, activity-based, problem solving games can be models of effective learning environments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnEN2Sm4IIQ
Sasha Barab on Transformational Play. (10:39) Edutopia Big Thinker Series.
Dr. Barab discusses learning through games in which learners become central, important participants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GBDAaXEvDo
These two videos on computer games are thought provoking. It helps me to better understand the strategies that Al is beginning to implement with his students. DG