kBlog

I grabbed this image as a souvenir from the last 4 years of our 1:1 laptop initiative in our middle school.   The mac homepage has been a good friend to us, so as it retires (officially on July 7th) we are grabbing this image to remember the hit counter that grew over the years.  We’ll move over to another homepage, but will park the counter here as a memento.

A recent November News blog regarding a story posted by Jim Wenzloff,  “Maybe I’m the Slow Kid”, include a suggested activity for differentiating instruction for classroom learning as follows:
On the CAST web site they introduce Differentiated Instruction by stating:
Not all students are alike. Based on this knowledge, differentiated instruction applies an approach to teaching and learning so that students have multiple options for taking in information and making sense of ideas.

Mr. Wenzloff, went on to describe a concrete example of how to apply such multiple options in the classroom.   This is a strategy we use every day, without realizing it.  We all learn differently, at different rates, and with different sets of tools.  If a friend gave me directions to their house 50 miles away, I will approach the drive in my own way (most likely with a printed set of directions and map).  Some like to listen to the friendly GPS voice guide their car through every turn (I’d rather listen to my iPod with my map on the seat next to me).  Still others like to just find their way after someone verbally tells them general directions.  If we approach classroom instruction knowing we are covering all the needs of our learners, what a rich learning environment for students!   I am currently directing a grant which is funding middle schools to explore Universal Design for Learning principles.  The November Learning post offers a great example of the approach.   Here is another example of the concept offered by a 5th grade student who I interviewed last fall.  I think he hit the nail on the head with an innate understanding of differentiated learning and classroom design.  Colleagues on the web have wonderful ideas to share, as is the case with the author of the November post, but let’s also remember to ask the kids to reflect on what works best for them.

It is apparent to all of us that Google is now embedded into the fabric of our lives.  This week they have deepened our searching habits in a way that opened a door for us to look at history more closely.  We can now search millions of photographs from the LIFE photo archive, stretching from the 1750s to today. Most were never published and are searchable through the joint work of LIFE and Google.     While the applications for this new search tool is certainly obvious for teaching and learning, it hit me on a very personal level as a visual time machine kind of experience.   My father and grandfather were soldiers in the British Army during both world wars; this tool allows me to take a visual journey through some places where I know they fought (and died in the case of my grandfather in 1914).  I remember the war stories my father would tell;  can’t imagine having this tool in front of us as he spoke. So find an elderly relative, friend, anyone who would be able to deepen the storytelling that these pictures already tell.  Use them to drive learning in your classroom, or tell your own story with pictures to your students, children or grandchildren.  It’s all history, from yesterday back to 1750.

I had attended the GTA in New York City on Tuesday to train as a Google Certified Teacher.  We all came away with googles of learning and teaching ideas along with a new sense of order for handling web files andsharing information,  but also brought away something much deeper - a true glimpse at the potential for 21st century learning.  We met some amazing and inspiring educators; am thrilled to be part of this new community.

Yesterday I attended a team leader session for an upcoming project facilitated by Kean University’s Center for Innovative Education. Representatives from the University, the State Dept. of Ed., K-12 districts, the NJPSA and some other “fellows”, were hosted by Will Richardson and Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach to discuss the upcoming PLP Project. Will tells it better, so I’ll direct you to his blog post.

The day left the entire room full of energy and optimism for education. It’s an honor to be part of this project.

I always enjoy trying out web 2.0 tools - there is certainly a host of designs and products out there….something for everyone. But which are best for teachers? It’s a matter of personal style and preference, so I usually show teachers my favorites and hopefully some of them stick. If groups begin to understand the implications for classroom learning and information sharing, they can move forward as a teaching and learning community.

As discussed by Brian Benzinger in Solution Watch, some specific services for educators include: organizers, gradebooks, research tools, document managers, diagrams, and more. Certain Wiki and blog products are finding a home in schools, organizers, and grade programs as well. One of my favorites that was shared with me lately by my daugher is “Remember the Milk” aka RTM. It’s a simple reminder tool (in beta), but very slick. Users can easily have their memory jolted by typing in a tag and being reminded certain details for a specific topic, meeting or person. The program carries the “to do” list up a level. It interacts with online calendars and added a task list to my gmail window (Firefox only).

First day’s keynote was presented by Will Richardson.  I had been at many conferences where Will presented, but just always happened to miss his particular sessions.  Purpose of keynote today is to “get the audience unsettled”,  cool -  that sounds promising   So, here’s some streaming comments/thoughts on his keynote:Important lens is through the eyes of children 20 years from now.  How are they being prepared for their future in schools?To see a well designed site for a web.0 classroom, visit Obama site.   Speaking of politics, web2.0 (youtube debates, candidates myspace page) is changing things.Edutopia Article http://www.edutopia.org/node/2824 Hell, read his blog, it’s all on there.  He was great, nice to finally hear him in person!

A recent EDTECH Article entitled What If Your Students Were in Charge of Tech Planning?, discussed results from a National Survey. Students reported they need 24/7 access to school networks and servers and offered the following list of tools on their wishlists:
1.Text messaging for note taking;
2.Podcasts of supplemental lessons or academic subject information that could not fit into the class period;
3.Instant messaging as a collaboration tool for group projects;
4.Digital technologies for presentations;
5.Online textbooks to ensure most current information on science discoveries and world news;

The same survey refers to teacher and parent wishlists. All the requests point to a dynamic learning atmosphere, and I know many schools where all of these things listed by the parents and teachers are already in place - so what is clogging the wheel of 21st century learning? Perhaps our students need to have a stronger voice in order make it all “work”.

Top Five List for Teachers:

1. Interactive whiteboards;
2. Wireless laptops for students to use at school;
3. Ways to communicate with parents;
4. Ways to use e-mail, IM, blogs with students and parents;
5. Digital cameras and video facilities/equipment.

Top Five List for Parents:

1. Computers in classrooms;
2. Software to support core academic subjects;
3. A useful school Web site;
4. Advanced computer classes;
5. Tools to help parents and teachers communicate.

SOURCE: Speak Up 2006 national data findings (SOURCE: (http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/speakup_reports.html).

The Microsoft facilitator, Patrick, has asked us to reflect on the day and jot down what we have learned from today’s experience.

In list form:
teachers are eager to find a way to exercise 21st century skills and develop learning communities
communities should start small and grow from within - you can’t force it
students need to be brought into discussion about learning

Well, here we are in Redmond, Washington, at the Microsoft Corporate Campus. We have been teamed up with two middle school teams from Michigan, and Florida - will be going into Seattle for some project based activities. The focus so far seems to be on professional learning teaming and 21st century skills. Will keep you posted as the projects grow.

After visiting an amazing local theatre in Seattle, we are reflecting as a group on these essential questions:

What evidence of 21st century skills did you see during your teams’ journey?

How did you see 21st century skills demonstrated in your field experience?

Reflect on your experience with process, if you did this with your students what would your next steps be with their learning?

has this experience influenced or provided you with any new strategies, ideas for student learning.