I really like Diving Questions. In fact, I like them so much more then Essential Questions. You might ask why? I think it just might be my affection for the revised Bloom's Taxonomy. You may remember that in the revision the different levels were changed into action. In fact, I strongly believe that learning is a verb and is based on action. Take away the word "Question" and Driving is a verb loaded with action. The word "Essential" standing alone is only a word devoted to describing… a colorful but inactive adjective.
In this first three-part post, John Larmer describes how he and co-author Susie Boss answered the question in their newly published book, 'PBL for 21st Century Success: Teaching Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, and Creativity'. In the next post, Deborah Esparza will review the book from "the field". For the final post, co-author Susie Boss has been invited to explain why she and John choose this topic.
A digital story combines text and images with narration in the student's own voice to form a short digital movie.
Digital Storyteller is a web-based tool that offers teachers and students frictionless access to digital images and materials that enable them to construct compelling personal narratives. Digital Storyteller was developed as an initiative of Primary Access.
"Digital Storytelling is the modern expression of the ancient art of storytelling. Throughout history, storytelling has been used to share knowledge, wisdom, and values. Stories have taken many different forms. Stories have been adapted to each successive medium that has emerged, from the circle of the campfire to the silver screen, and now the computer screen."
Constant assessment and feedback is absolutely crucial to guaranteeing that students are growing and moving forward with their learning - now Edcanvas allows you to mix assessment with your content to keep a pulse on how your students are progressing!
You can create a quiz on any empty canvas tile by clicking "Add Quiz." Quizzes take seconds to make, and are also instantly and automatically graded, providing you with a detailed and easy-to-use report. This means more free time for you to give students individualized attention and support.
Many educators refer to the connections made via Twitter as their PLN or Professional Learning Network. I have recently decided my PLN is now my PPLN - Powerful Personal Learning Network. When you connect with the right people your learning network can become the most powerful part of your learning 24/7/365.
It's summertime! This is when educators, free from the daily schedule of a classroom, can focus on professional development. More specifically, summer is a great time to network and to build your personal learning network (PLN). If you're unfamiliar with a PLN, it's a network of individuals you foster specifically to learn from and cultivate your professional skills. They are especially important in the world of education where classrooms can easily isolate you from your colleagues and peers. Starting a PLN and cultivating it is surprisingly easy and doesn't take a lot of time.
"Over the course of two years, I, along with the Burlington Public Schools tech team, had the opportunity to meet and connect with over one hundred schools. These discussions would usually involve what device works best in the classroom and how the iPad is affecting teaching and learning outcomes. Frequently this conversation focuses on the most effective hardware for teaching and learning. While this is an important decision to make, it should not be the focus. In fact, the best devices a school can employ are great teachers."
From Thomas Sauer's Skydrive - the Jefferson County Public Schools (KY) WL curriculum for levels 1-3, regardless of language, but emphasis on Spanish, French and German
"For some, the technology rich classroom is easy to justify. Once you have made the transition and seen the benefits, it is easy to weigh them against the potential risks and worries about the problems resulting from having a room full of devices."
"I just came across this awesome graphic on Bloom's Taxonomy and thought you might be interested to have a look as well. This graphic is a little bit different from the visuals I have previously shared with you in Bloom's Taxonomy page here in Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. Besides featuring the usual thinking skills found in the revised taxonomy, it also provides a classification of learners along this thinking continuum. In this regard we have :
Creative Thinkers
Independent Inquirers
Effective Participators
Self Managers
Team Workers
Reflective Learners
have a look at the visual to learn more."