Point A to Point B

Category: Learning

  • The Rules

    Following up on the previous post about what matters, where does technology fit in? Schools are about people and learning, regardless of technology. That being said, obviously technology plays a huge role in where we are going, so how do we keep on the best path? Its very easy to get sucked in by technology that is cool, or a time-filler, but has no real value. So here are 2 easy, basic rules for harnessing the power of educational technology:

    1. Does the use of technology create new and/or unique learning experiences not possible without the technology?
    2. Does the use of technology exponentially increase the efficiency and/or value of a process that is possible without the technology?

    If the answer to both is no, then its not worth devoting time to use the technology.

    Learning to Crawl

    Image citation:
    Lutz, R. Frank. “Learning to Crawl.” Flickr. 7 Aug. 2007 <http://flickr.com/
    photos/lf-photodesign/337715955/>.

  • What Matters

    As I form the foundation of the work for the new school year, what crystallized for me during the 3 day Bea McGarvey workshop on What Works in Schools, continues to be what I posted about last November:

    A school is people learning. (click on the sentence to go to the original post – still holds true).

    I’m excited about the District taking the Marzano research as the foundation of working, as it will give us common languageDictionary Definition: Learn to improve. As my thinking firms up even more, the work going on at Fablevision and Generation Yes continue to peak my interest. I do not yet see a vision for how they play in, but I think that will become clear when the time is right.

    Image citation:
    “Dictionary Definition: Learn.” Online image. PowerMediaPlus.com. 10 August 2007. <http://www.powermediaplus.com>

  • What Works in Schools

    I just finished a 3 day workshop sponsored by the school on the research of Robert Marzano and Debra Pickering. The workshop was lead by another of the Marzano group, Bea McGarvey. Bea is an entertaining speaker and shared many insights on the current state of education, and what we could/should do, based on research, to improve what we do.

    I think the most important aspect of this workshop is that it will provide everyone in the district with a common framework and language of research-based methods for improving learning. Much of what is in the research is stuff we do, but the research also indicates there are many things we should change or can do better.

    teamwork

    There were so many things covered, but here are my top “take-aways” from this week (not necessarily in priority order – just listing things that jumped out):

    • Just as doctors are experts on the human body, mechanics are experts on engine systems and pilots are experts on aerodynamics, teachers need to be experts on learning.
    • We spent quite a lot of time on on the systems of learning, including a model of the systems. I found a connection to the backdrop of learning which included the habits of mind, something I studied via the work of Art Costa.
    • The basis for Marzano’s work is, 1. Students Learn in Different Ways, and 2. Students Learn in Different Time Frames. Pretty straight forward, but Bea purposely put this slide up repeatedly, because if those are the foundationsal principles for learning, then we need to do some things differently.
    • We spent a lot of time on various pieces of the 11 factors that infludence learning (from the perspective of the school, teacher, and student). This research represents the breadth of work that Marzano undertook since his time at MCREL.
    • There are 9 proven strategies that influence learning positiviely: identifying similarities and differences, summarizing and note taking, reinforcing effort and provdiding recognition, homework and practice, nonlinquisitc perpresentations, cooperative learning, setting objective and providing feedback, generating and testing hypothesis, and cues, questions and advance organiziers. We spent time looking at a few of these.
    • Regardless of the strategy used, the goal is learning.

    The primary take-aways for me were the reaffirmation of 2 things (which I will post on separately soon…):

    1. We all own all kids in the school (that is, kids come first, and we all have to help every one of them in any way possible).
    2. Learning is why we are here.

    Reynolds, Peter H. “Teamwork.” Fablevision. 4 Aug. 2007 http://www.fablevision.com/education/clipart/index.html
    FableVision artwork on this web site copyright by Peter Reynolds/FableVision

  • Bringing it Together…

    WorldwideWebNetworkCables.jpgLast November I posted about where to start with teaching Web 2.0 tools (RSS, Anyone?). Today I finished the first attempt at introducing these tools to our teachers – the title of the workshop was Web 2.0 Tools for Learning: RSS. There was a small but enthusiastic group that was ready to jump in with RSS – we set up Bloglines accounts, subscribed to various feeds, and had great conversation about RSS and Web 2.0 in the classroom.

    In that original post in November, I felt the need to start teaching about Web 2.0 using RSS, since it is the glue that binds all of the other tools together. It is simple to set up an aggregator and begin reaping the benefits of RSS – and from there anything else is possible. This workshop confirmed my feelings about how to introduce these tools.

    Image:

    “Worldwide Web Network Cables.” Online image. PowerMediaPlus.com. 21 May 2007.

  • Visual Thesaurus

    I just completed the final set of extra work hours for my school – they are still a ridiculous paperwork nightmare for everyone, but they continue to provide focused time for study and reflection.

    I spent today with the work of Robert Marzano, specifically on his research into building adacademic backround knowlege and academic vocabulary. I’m working on how technology tools can support this approach.

    ani-book.gifThere are many ideas that are going on in my head, but the one that stands out that I want to investigate is the Visual Thesaurus. This tool, best described by just going to the site and trying it, puts words and their definitions in a whole new visual context. It’s is a pay-for site, so it will necessary to work with it and see if it is worth it. I remember first being introduced to this site a couple of years ago at NECC, and I think its time to revisit and really get a handle on its use.

    This puts a whole new spin (pun intended – you’ll know what I mean if you try the site) on learning words and relationships of words. Go there, and enjoy!!!

    Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com.

  • What should our model classroom look like?

    This is a question we ponder regularly, and is a question we should ponder regularly. Its been on my mind again recently as we (district technology facilitators and IT staff) think about major upgrades to our computer technology hardware.

    So, what should our classrooms have in them as far as computer technology? We have started toclassroom concentration.jpg infuse good things into the classroom, but are they the right things? Are there other things to consider?

    I’d love to hear any idea, big or small. What would make you want to leap out of bed in the morning and get to your classroom?

    Image citation:

    Phitar. "Classroom Concentraion." Flickr. 13 Feb. 2007 http://flickr.com/photos/phitar/
         89287777/.

  • Let the Fun Begin!

    ScienceFictionPaintingoftheFuture.jpg

    We just received word that it is time to update our 5 year technology plan, formulate the 2007-08 wish list, and also identify any building needs that would have a major financial/structural impact (wiring rooms, etc.). I really enjoy this part of the process – this is where we ask what should we be doing, and how can we get it done. We are in the middle of the 5 year plan we started 2 years ago, and are making excellent progress. This will be a good time to reflect on what we are doing and make sure we still want the same things (or, if we need a change, figure out what those changes are).

    This 5 year plan turns into a “wish-list” of items that has a really high price tag (typicallly $200,000) – we never get nearly that much, but if we don’t put down what we need (and how much it costs), we won’t have the necessary direction.

    So the questions that come to mind…

    What should students and teachers using technology in learning look like at Heim Middle?
    Are the right technologies in the right places?
    Are we using technologies that are worth the expense (in time and money)?
    Are there other ways to focus resources (time/money) to maximize learning with technology?
    Are there physical issues/needs in the building related to technology placement?

    Image citation:
    “Science Fiction Painting of the Future.” Online image. PowerMediaPlus.com. 29 November 2006.

  • A School is People Learning

    Having just finished the morning portion of a full day with Peter Reynolds (www.fablevision.com), the title above summarizes the inspiring morning I had. Albeit simple and basic, it sums up why we are here, in priority order. The fist priority in school is (should be) people. People (students, staff) need to be cared about first – then the door is opened to learning. All of us have stories about their favorite teacher – and invariably the connection starts with how that teacher connected with us as a person, then helped us to grow.

    Peter is an author / illustrator with an incredible creative flair. By his own descritption he is unrealistically optimistic – something we really need in education. He shared many of his own works (more on that later) and works of those that inspire him. The bottom line is that his vision for any person (not just kids in school) is to unlock what their strength is and capitalize on it. His own story is his 7th grade math teacher saw his constant need to doodle during class as an opportunity to help him find his calling – media and filmmaking and technology. What an eye-opener that the subject (math – something he is not so good at to this day) had very little to do with the connection the teacher made to helping him find himself. The math teacher asked him to draw the mathematical concepts they were learning and teach it to other students. His world opened up from there.

    In this crazy, silly, constrained world of standards, tests, and more tests, how are we going to find the time to do what matters?

    Looking forward to the afternoon session!

  • Epic 2014

    Epic 2014 is a video I was introduced to more than a year ago. It is a summary of recentepic happenings in the world of technology and media, and goes on to predict what happens by the year 2014. It is certainly just one view, that of the creators of the video, but it is quite thought provoking.

    Check out the video here (http://mccd.udc.es/orihuela/epic/)

    After viewing the video, return here, and post your thoughts (by clicking the comments link above, just underneath the title of this entry):

    What types of things should we be doing in teaching and learning to prepare for such a future?

    Thanks for participating in this mental exercise!

  • Summer Haiku

    Welcome back, everyone! I’d love to hear how your summer was – so let’s try it in the form of ahaiku haiku. I’ve read up on haiku a little, and the “rules” for them are not set in stone – but typically one is set with 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and then 5 syllables in 3 lines, along with a reference to the season. Here are some from me:

    Teachers get the time to be learners in the summer – I had a great opportunity to go to Calgary, Alberta to learn in-depth about SMART Boards:

    Learning is so sweet
    Water the brain with knowledge
    Sunny Calgary

    It is also a time for teaching – I taught two workshops with Mrs. Calandra on Internet Safety, and one on SMART Boards:

    Time to surf and play
    Keep those predators away
    Use your brain always

    But the best part of summer was with my family – my kids are 3 and 1 – time with them is awesome:

    Warm sunny hazy
    Children laughing on the swing
    Lazy summer days

    So, I’d like to hear from you! How was your summer – leave a summer haiku here in the comments.

    Image citation:
    Elijah. �haiku.� Flickr.� 4 Sept. 2006 http://flickr.com/photos/evdg/973981/.