Group items tagged

"Identifying promising models for mixing online learning and face-to-face instruction Challenges in e-learning Building partnerships to increase virtual learning collaboration among districts Teaching a "flip model" of instruction with online lectures as homework"

Tech-Fueled Differentiated Instruction Engages Elementary School Students At Forest Lake Elementary School, in Columbia, South Carolina, achievement has soared since educators started using new technology to personalize the learning experience for each student.

Education Week PD Webinars (yes, there is a fee to register). > Developing Intrinsic Motivation in Students with Chris Wejr and Larry Ferlazzo March 5, 2013 at 4pm ET > Intentional Teaching: Infusing Instruction With Purpose with Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey March 20, 2013 at 2pm ET >Daniel Pink on How Teachers Can 'Sell' More to Students April 9, 2013 at 2pm ET

Providing multiple means of access to improve engagement- here is a way to add subtitles to instructional videos posted on Youtube.  

Article on college students using "serious" video games as part of their instruction.

This Kickstarter project aims to fund a standards-aligned history board game that engages students. The free companion web application will track students' progress, allowing for differentiated instruction while making the game "fun to play again and again: as players answer question cards, they earn badges and can unlock new careers and powers. The game becomes a story, a competition, and a World History simulation with limitless possibilities."

As schools mix online instruction and face-to-face learning, educators are identifying promising hybrid approaches As blended learning models, which mix face-to-face and online instruction, become more common in schools, classroom educators and administrators alike are navigating the changing role of teachers-and how schools can best support them in that new role.

How a teacher started to use iPads as a supplement to instruction (thinking "these devices would help me to create a magical, collaborative learning environment that met all my students' individual needs"), but realized that to really revolutionize teaching and learning, she needed a "technology-based redefinition of [her] practice."

Interesting promises here. My current school uses Podium which is not ugly but totally useless if you want a tool for classroom teaching.

This article discusses play in virtual worlds (focusing on World of Warcraft) with an emphasis both on the learning that takes place and the engagement. You'll have to log in with your Harvard ID to get the article, FYI. "Our observation showed that players are motivated by the game's scope, rules, and scenario to create and participate in virtual communities, and share their knowledge with others, while newcomers are encouraged to engage in collective actions, and develop their skill base. We also found that although current MMORPGs have not been designed as instructional tools, they provide an excellent fantasy environment for intrinsically motivating learning, where players can experience the elements of challenge, curiosity, and control [30]." "People engage in pervasive games that use the best of two worlds, the virtual and the physical, in order to offer to its players the sense of maximum enjoyment."

"Parents see the use of mobile technologies in schools as a means of increasing student engagement (43 percent) and preparing students for the working world (41 percent). The most often-cited instructional benefit is mobile devices' ability to extend learning beyond school hours."

Free online 12 minute instructional videos on different topics

Some very interesting deliberation on the meaning of the Khan phenomenon. I found some resonance with Prof. Dede's comments on the radio.

Teacher David Suarez has developed a three-tiered approach to teaching math in which student choose how much of a challenge they want in class. Especially interesting because it's one of the first time I've seen a classroom teacher discussing how they support and manage a differentiated classroom.

I came upon this resource last December and I agree that this is a well documented effort for how to differentiate and create commitment. I have encouraged as many teachers as possible to try it out since I don't have a class right now to practice with it. It has so many elements from our readings and the video of his classes is an excellent way to help teachers understand what differentiation looks like in practice. Thanks for sharing.

Computer-led math learning at Virginia Tech.

Interesting article and very ambitious to address an academic need, but I wonder if the instruction/test environment addresses UDL principles to appeal to a variety of learners or if the multiple choice tests target a narrow definition of math success. I added a blog post above that highlights some of technology's short comings as a platform.

Great point. My feeling is that a lot of higher ed institutions use technology as a way to cut costs, so not much attention is paid to accommodating diverse learners. If I may think back to my own undergrad experience, the prevalent assumption is that you're old enough to seek out additional support on your own when you're stuck or want to learn more. I definitely think though that more attention should be paid to applying UDL principles to educational software (yes, even for adults), so that learning can move beyond passing multiple-choice tests!

Scholastic Education, the leading provider of instructional technology for schools in the U.S., today announces FASTT Math® Next Generation, a significantly upgraded version of the country's premier math fact fluency program.

Seems like a lot of experimentation in this implementation. Unusual.

A good site that encourages kids to upload their artworks. They are encouraged by rewards. Parents can monitor their kids' portfolio using their dashboard and give comments. Instruction is kept simple on the site.

As we get closer to the presidential election, organizations and individuals are once again appealing to officials for an education reform. Over the past few years there has been a push for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) programs. What about a push for language instruction?