Some interesting ideas here. But I would contend with, first, with the lack of non-technology 'innovative ways' to approach 21 century learning, and, second, his 'ranking' of what is 'obsolete'. thoughts?
Just saw this Doug.
I agree that innovative movements in education certainly don't need to involve technology. When I read this article I see much more than technology tool as offerings 21st century learning. I see major themes including collaboration, information access, personalization of the learning process, student choice, and better opportunities for students to be active learners. It's true you can't read too many paragraphs in this article that don't involve words like "blog" and "device." Yet, if these tools have become such a useful part of the lives of the 21st century student, why shouldn't we as teachers advocate for their use in our curriculum re-designs and innovative approaches to 21 century learning in schools?
"But in practice, curriculum maps are almost always not the "living, breathing" documents that experts like Heidi Jacobs Hayes promote. They are instead very dead things -- lifeless prisons of content to be covered, and boxes to be highlighted in Data Team and Professional Learning Community meetings. For a curriculum map or any planned learning experience to be vital -- and vitally useful -- it must be adaptive and circular rather than rigid and linear. It must by design be able to respond to the performance of the students.
And more critically, this planned learning experience must encourage students to continue their pursuit of understanding and self-knowledge."
Found this interesting. It brings up the point of boundaries in eLearning. I can certainly respect a teacher's desire to not be connected to the classroom 24/7. A teacher should be able to set his/her own course policies. My course email policy allows for student emailing and the possibility for a response in the evening. If I am expecting learning to happen after hours (aka homework), I need to be as available as reasonably possible to the students.
I wonder what the future might be in terms of eLearning and work hours of teachers. Could it be reasonable to give a teacher a few hours off in the middle of the day to in exchange be available to work with students in the evenings?
I read the article. Like the idea a lot. I think this could work in the middle school. It sounds like he put the resources online using a Creative Commons license so that others can copy them.