Group items tagged

When I log into BlackBoard, I see about 30 different things I can do, and for each I have to click a link and go to a page to do the action.  Twitter strips away the features, instead using an inherently flexible textual space to facilitate communication, accomplishing the same goal of other feature-ridden “course technology.

I see Twitter’s artificial limit on post size as an important factor in classroom success.  First, it keeps the information space managable, meaning information is economized and easily retrievable

Twitter’s short form as a communication equalizer

Now, with study becoming a lifelong enterprise, and with the advent of a galaxy of new media, “learning” seems once again poised to become all things to all people, be they lay or scholarly.

learning that do not occur automatically, readily, naturally, or by dint of simply living in a certain place at a certain time

we may well have reached a set of tipping points: Going forward, learning may be far more individualized, far more in the hands (and the minds) of the learner, and far more interactive than ever before

I myself am a long-time sufferer of YouTube-block (despite my understanding of my District's motivations) and I have developed a variety of strategies for treating the condition. I have seven suggestions:

Kiersten, one of my very favorite students, discovered a strategy for including YouTube (and other Flash) videos in PowerPoint presentations and along the way introduced me to Wikihow. (That site is worthy of its own post for sure!).  Anyway, the seniors are having great success adding videos directly into their PowerPoints. It's gone kinda viral as an alternate to linking or to downloading and converting videos to WMVs using Zamzar.

The sum of the students learning will be greater than the individual aspects taught in isolation.

Students should be involved in all aspects of the assessment process.

Linked to assessment  is the importance of timely, appropriate, detailed and specific feedback. Feedback as a learning tool, is second only to the teaching of thinking skills [Michael Pohl]. As 21st Century teachers, we must provide and facilitate safe and appropriate feedback, developing an environment where students can safely and supportively be provided with and provide feedback. Students are often full of insight and may have as valid a perspective as we teachers do.

How many hours a week will this take? Courses take about 5 hours per week. (You can certainly spend more time if you wish.) Will I be working alone or with a group? You'll be working with an online teacher who monitors the course on a daily basis. Our classes are fully moderated. That means you're working with a facilitator and other members of the class to learn together. You'll be able to get help, ask questions, and learn from both the facilitator and other participants.

Can I preview the courses? Yes, follow the link below to our Moodle online learning system . When prompted, login as a guest. This allows you to see an outline version of the courses without enrolling.

Do you have free materials? Yes, almost all of our materials are free online at 21cif.com. You'll find many years of research based curriculum materials on our site. We support our research project by offering online classes, conference presentations, and custom online programming for educational and corporate clients.