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Quick self-guided tutorials on some basic tools of connected learning and Web 2.0

"What has to happen for school libraries to become relevant? If we want to connect with the latest generation of learners and teachers, we have to totally redesign the library from the vantage point of our users-our thinking has to do a 180-degree flip. In short, it's time for school libraries to become a lot less like Microsoft and a lot more like Google. With this notion in mind, I collaborated with two of my colleagues, Carol Koechlin and Sandi Zwaan, Canadian educational consultants, to develop an idea we're calling the school library learning commons."

"In Grade 6, instructional time should focus on four critical areas: (1) connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems; (2) completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers; (3) writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations; and (4) developing understanding of statistical thinking."

The NSDL Middle School Portal project is evolving! You can still rely on the NSDL Middle School Portal web site for high-quality resources but now through the Middle School Portal 2: Math & Science Pathways (MSP2) social network you can connect to colleagues and share knowledge within and beyond the MSP2 community.

"We want a team to think about action research as a collaborative endeavor, where principals and teachers work together to improve something over time. It's not just about gathering data, it's about working hard to improve something. Maybe you see a need to improve writing in the building, and you're going to figure out whether there's a way to take a techno-constructivist approach to strengthening students' writing skills. Maybe you feel the culture of your school is very mired in antiquated approaches to teaching and learning, and you want to build a new culture of innovation and collaboration, so you're going to develop your project around that goal."

Miguel asks the right questions!

Great posts on 21st century leadership

The !gnite initiative strives to create flexible learning environments where the use of technology is a seamless part of the process, ubiquitous in connecting learners to content, each other and the global community. Students work extensively with digital tools to create podcasts, video casts, still images and mind maps, and use Web-based environments such as Moodle, blogs and wikis, to construct, communicate and collaborate across time, space and geographical boundaries.

"While Twitter is beginning to catch on with many educators, schools are lagging in their adoption of the platform. But let's think about it. Twitter is a quick and easy tool to let the entire school community know whats going on with you and your students. Updates can come from anywhere and users don't have to have a Twitter account to follow along."