Group items tagged

"By engaging teachers and the technology integrationist in conversations about the curriculum, specific class dynamics and capabilities of the technology, we are now able to talk about what we would like to do, the tools best suited for that purpose, ways to tweak units or lessons, and what is not working. This collaborative, co-teaching model has allowed for us to find connections across content areas, classes and our district. We all recognize how much is gained when we are allowed to really talk about our curriculum and our students, and this model allows for that creative, collaborative time to work through complex and interesting questions and ideas about integrating technology effectively. "

Online Discussions: Affordances & Constraints Integration Ideas Examples & Resources

"LEARNing Landscapes | Vol. 6, No. 2, Spring 2013 23 Michael Fullan , University of Toronto ABSTRACT There is currently a powerful push-pull factor in schooling. The push factor is that school is increasingly boring for students and alienating for teachers. The pull fac - tor is that the exploding and alluring digital world is irresistible, but not necessarily productive in its raw form. The push-pull dynamic makes it inevitable that disruptive changes will occur. I have been part of a group that has been developing innova - tive responses to the current challenges. This response consists of integrating three components: deep learning goals, new pedagogies, and technology. The result will be more radical change in the next five years than has occurred in the past 50 years. T here is currently a volatile push-pull dynamic intensifying in public schools. The push factor is that students are increasingly bored in school"

"I don't think you should ever miss this slide from Tom Barret. It is one of the best ones available online that provides awesome tips on how teachers can use iPad in their classrooms. "

"This film introduces the story of connected learning, the outcome of a six-year research effort supported by the MacArthur Foundation into how learning, education, and schooling could be reimagined for a networked world. The film asks: 'Might the information age have presented us with the opportunity for a fundamental reimagining of the way we educate our children?' 'How might education come to life if children were to possess a burning need to know?' 'Might we each have a part to play?' 'Might this digital age hold the possibility of bringing us closer together?'"

"those teachers were the ones who engaged you in discussion, squeezing ideas out of you in a manner that forced you to think in new and challenging ways."

This seems right up the Early Adopters alley. It appeaars the fundamental concepts of this course are what Dan Pink would classify as "High Concept". The score regarding the astounding volume of what has been written, staff developed, and high dollar conferenced over the past two decades regarding technology integration seems to be a solid D. We focus our time, talent, and treasure on hardware, connectivity, applications, and platforms and mostly loose sight of THE question: To what end? What I see in my experience is still very much a knowledge acquisition based, "covering the curriculum" approach. I see it in my own practice even as I claim rebellion from it! Why? Pressure from every aspect of the edu-enterprise: from high stakes testing to pedagogy by bus schedule, to campus administration initiatives. No matter the innovative gift wrap, the message is the same: Cover the material and pass the test! Streamlining efforts in terms of curriculum don't streamline anything - they just rearrange chairs on the same size deck. "Every Second Counts" but we aren't going to change a single thing. Do not even consider the shape, size or capacity of the Edu-Plate, just keep piling new initiatives on top of the old and wonder why increases in nutritional value are static....Perhaps this course might allow us to take a real hard look at practice to get to the point, the end, the goal of creating critical thinking deep learners.I hope you'll join me!

"But the best educational outcomes grow from a well thought out program of student empowerment - made both possible and attractive by adopting, adapting and mashing-up digital media."

I think I have a convergence of two (+) very important vectors that might actually make something along these lines be realized: (1) I have a three level green light - on one, my "real" boss actually wants me to step out and really do something different, my evaluator likes to see interesting things and realizes a certain challenge to ANY poor evaluation is not in anyone's best interest, and I have friends/support in higher places (Milk it as long as it lasts!); (2) I am too dang old and tired (saying I am tired is akin to referring to the Great Wall of China as a fence!) of making excuses for why I can't and this may actually be my last real opportunity! (BONUS Vector: No one, and I mean NO ONE that might object is paying attention!) Let's set a time - a good long block of time - to map out something SPECIAL!