Group items tagged

Great discussion on the process of implementing blogging in the classroom. Nice infographic embedded in blogpost

A blogpost by Will RIchardson speaking to how  the last 10 years have brought to life a way of thinking about education that is decidedly different from the lens we originally carried into the classroom. For many, this has been a real transformation, not simply a shift in methods or pedagogy. For others, they're still waiting, but for what?

Interesting read on College & Career prep. Looks at what college is and discusses accessibility, literacy levels as barriers, & other important topics. 

Interesting article that addresses free speech and it's limitations in a school environment. How will we respond?

Wonderful reflective expression on ETMOOC using adjectives and research that connects with each. Certainly supports the learning environment and outcomes so many of us have experienced. 

A nice overview and challenge to consider building a PLN - professional/personal learning network. Answers the question, "Why a PLN?" and how to get started. 

Blog post that lists with a description four outstanding resources for educators interested in strengthening their grip on educational technology. 

Larry Ferlazzo gives us a start at a nice collection of resources for implementing the Common Core. In the blog post, comments, there are more that are offered.

This blog post will get you to ask yourself, "What is the role of a teacher?" Some of the comments show the wide diversity in views among educators - those who would abandon schools if they could (LIsa Nielsen), others who have the paradigm of the student making the instructional choices and the teacher just floating around and helping students, and those who see the teacher as embodying many different skill sets and who work out of a strong relationship with their students. The current educational shifts in pedagogy and goals in education have had a profound impact on teaching. Reading this post will help stimulate and hopefully clarify you own views.

"As educators, we aim to be connected to advance our craft.  On another level, we hope to teach students to use networks to prepare for them for a changing job market.  But what is the best way to approach PLNs?" This blog post has some great tips for developing your PLN and transforming your own learning.

"I often begin my workshop on personal learning networks (PLN) for educators by asking these questions: Who is in your learning network? Who do you learn from on a regular basis? Who do you turn to for your own professional development?" Read 10 great tips for expanding your PLN

The fear of failure keeps us from moving forward in an age of rapid change. This quote below summarizes some of the feelings teachers have as they face this change: "As I read this morning's daily post from Seth Godin's blog,  the concerns of people who are anxious about the transition we will be undertaking as we move to becoming a 1:1 school are forefront in my mind.  One of the biggest fears I hear from some people is that they are concerned about losing control control due to the fact that they will not know how to best utilize all of the tools that they will have at their disposal.  They are afraid that their students may know more than they do in regards to using the new tools that they will be trying to implement." 

"Speaking and listening. We do it every day for countless reasons. Routine interactions, brief exchanges, or thoughtful diatribes propel us through everything from the most mundane tasks to critical life events. Therefore, it's not surprising that speaking and listening have earned a prominent place in our K-12 standard documents, including the widely endorsed Common Core State Standards (CCSS). "

A very personal look by Vicki at handling difficult situations in life. Inspirational.

An award-winning English teacher and tech. coach/trainer, Alice shows how the CCSS recognizes the importance of technology in the classroom and gives specific ideas for meeting a number of standards. Definitely worth checking out!

Great rationale for why networks matter. Peggy Bentlley does a marvelous job of using Tweets to support the points she makes in her blog post. Must read!

Sherry Hegstrom, on her blog "Emerging Technologies in Education" asks the question: What makes for a digital story? She brings up some great questions for us to consider and there are some comments that engage the discussion. Check it out!

Lots of links on different aspects of storytelling. A great way to explore the topic and help define for yourself the role of storytelling in your own life and that of our students.

Debbie Morrison, Instructional Designer, describes how educators can develop a personal learning network (PLN) that supports meaningful and relevant learning. She makes a nice distinction between the PLN & PLE, which is the framework that is used as part of the development of the PLN. If you don't know what a PLN is or have difficulty trying to figure out how to create one, this post will be helpful. 

Although the first paragraph can be a little grating for ITs/Tech. Coordinators to read, I think it is a perception we must address. Here is my response to one IT whose view of teachers was low. Joe, I can hear the frustration in your reply. I can appreciate some of it. However, I think that the first paragraph,  I think, reflects a perception that we as IT's/Tech. Directors/Coordinators need to address honestly, but respectfully. So when I read the first paragraphs, I asked myself, "How is this true for me?" I think we need to honestly assess that in our practice.  Next, the points that follow were written to be more general in scope to give each reader a chance to explore how they might fit for them in their unique situations. Patronizing? I think they are points of practice we can all reflect on. That's the purpose I see in the blog post. In regards to filtering, we all live with it. It's coming to terms with how much filtering is necessary and how to manage the filter. I get frustrated not having the ability to filter content the way I would like. I didn't hear the author say things like "Get over it," but instead "Consider....". I think a helpful approach for IT's, teachers, and admin. is to form a partnership/relationship that allows each to better understand the needs/challenges each faces to provide the best for students. That's the goal. As a tech. coordinator, I proactively work at that. I taught for eight years, but also was instrumental in helping press into tech. integration and perhaps that has helped me to be more balanced than some in my approach to IT and embrace change. I think also we have to expect failures along the way as we feel our way through new approaches, methods, and devices. Right now, I think most IT's are a bit intimated by the level of change and diversity of needs we have to address. I know I am! Let's become more a part of the dialogue and abstain from labeling and finger-pointing. We're in this together.