Group items tagged

effective tech management techniques

Significant research has been done on the cognitive and academic outcomes of older-younger and peer-peer student relationships. Whether in a one-on-one setting or a setting in which responsibility for teaching is shared among members of a collaborative group, well-planned, well-organized, and well-executed student-student interactions have repeatedly shown positive evidence of student progress and learning This action research project differentiates itself from previous research in several ways because it focuses on motivational and attitudinal outcomes when every student in a classroom of eighth graders serves as a teacher of "new-to-everyone" content for three classes of younger students.

GenYES is the only student-centered research-based solution for school-wide technology integration. Students work with teachers to design technology-infused lessons and provide tech support. The resulting collaboration provides the students with project-based learning and the teachers with on-site, sustainable technology integration support.

I supervised the implementation of the GenYES program for three middle schools when I was working in the Schenectady CIty School District. The students really liked supporting teachers and some teachers really bought into the program. I believe it is a valuable collaborative program but sustainability, especially if it is grant funded, can be problematic because of the yearly licensing fees. It's been three years since I worked with Dennis Hooper and the program and the fee schedule be have changed. I know they were doing more online lessons, training, etc. I can provide more information to anyone who is interested.

If you are in a school this is good to know

Student portfolios, shared class accounts or student accounts, note sharing between accounts; use for conference notes with recordings, photos of student work and your notes.  Create printable, formatted documents from an app that is accessible from mobile and desktop devices. 

Article presents compelling arguments that 1. student achievement increases when students use mobile devices consistently (inside and outside of class) 50% - 75% of day 2. need for professional development when implementing a one-to-one iPad initiative.

Today's college students say the arrival of the internet was the moment that most characterized their lives, a Bronxite author found. In his book, "Generation on a Tightrope: A Portrait of Today's College Student," Arthur Levine, president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, said the internet and the tech-savvy lifestyle that sprang out of it has affected the younger generation the most.

"10 Great, Free Apps for Students for Notetaking and Class Planning "

10 Great, Free iPad Apps for Students for Notetaking and Class Planning

this is a quote about simCEO from Edutopia- What if students created their own companies, complete with business plans? What if they could also buy and sell stocks in classmates' companies? What if they could see how stock prices fluctuated over a 10-year period rather than just a few weeks? The result of that brainstorming became an online simulation called SimCEO. Luebbe, principal of American International School of Budapest, has been fine-tuning his creation by sharing it with educators around the world. They have surprised him by taking projects in directions he never imagined. He expected teachers to focus on financial literacy and entrepreneurship. But some have brought in different content. "They might set the simulation in Colonial America or New York in the 1920s," Luebbe says, then ask students to consider how historical factors would have affected market prices. Because teachers determine all the content, he adds, "they can bring in demographic data, real or fictional news, historical events -- whatever they want." The game becomes an open platform for teacher innovation.""

Teachers talk about the change in their teaching and in student learning by "flipping" instruction and becoming facilitators/coaches- spending more time working with individual students and groups as opposed to being the "sage on the stage"

Online video library with student produced videos that are all under 5 minutes. Students can produce and submit multimedia presentations to Next Vista and if they are accepted, they would be featured on the site. And it's free!

Pixar University's Randy Nelson on Learning and Working in the Collaborative Age The Dean of Pixar University explains what schools must do to prepare students (and themselves) for new models in the workplace. This is a fascinating look at what the Pixar workplace is like, and the skills and experiences Randy Nelson sees as vital to develop in students. Some high points; Four main areas- Breadth of experience, Depth of knowledge, Communication, Collaboration. The core skill of innovators is error recovery, not failure avoidance. Employers would rather see the proof of a portfolio versus the promise of a resume. Employers need people who are more interested than interesting. See communication as a destination, not as a source - you aren't the judge of your communication skills - your audience is. Collaboration is amplification, not cooperation.

This would be a great article to share with resistant teachers to help them see the need in moving forward as 21st century educators.

Interesting blog post that digs into the idea of rethinking the role that students play in the classroom

School leaders around the United States continue to spend HUGE amounts of money on interactive whiteboards for classrooms, despite the fact that these devices universally FAIL to empower students to become more independent, self-directed and engaged learners in the way mobile learning devices (like laptops, tablets or other personal digital learning tools) can. Please do not misunderstand me: It definitely IS a big deal for a teacher and his/her students to have access to an LCD projector connected to a computer in the classroom if previously, the "normal" technology in the room was an overhead projector.

This video documents an excellent example of how students and teachers at the iSchool are taking their learning beyond the 4-walls of the classroom.

When web surfers use Google or Bing to look for information about, the search results they now see at the top of the page might differ from those of their neighbor. That's because all the major search engines have revamped their formulas to include social media data as key indicators of a website's importance.

Excellent resource for showing how students can teach other students through simple screencasting applications.

Educational Leadership article provides 7 strategies to make projects meaningful for students. Let's get beyond PowerPoint presentations. Supports the rigor that teachers are expected to support with Core Contend Standards.

Interesting PA high school reform effort. The graphic details the "Range of Instructional Use" for using technology as a facilitator for transforming classrooms into 21st century T&L environments.