21st Century Teaching and Learning

Mission: "Post a reflection or commentary of three separate blogs that focus and reflect on skills related to 21st century teaching and learning.  Candidates are encouraged to incorporate the ideas and themes related to Professional Learning, Blended Learning, and Safe Use."

Still reading?

Good.  I found quite a few discussions that struck me as great thought provokers, salient points about the current education system, and some changes that may need to happen if we are to truly embrace this ideology of a new way of learning.

The first one I wish to discuss, is http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/3170.  Take a minute, go read it.  I promise I'll wait for you.

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Great, you're back!

When George Couros (the author) wrote "The mass purchase of devices for schools is happening way too much inwithout conversations with educators about what learning should be happening in the classroom.",  I couldn't agree more.  I have been in a school where the teachers and educational assistants were provided an ipad each, for student and teacher use, and then left to their own ... devices. (Did you see what I did there?!)  Many just ended up using it for it's picture taking abilities.  And often, I was asked for assistance with how to download an app, or asked how to incorporate it into a class.  I like to help, and will gladly give my time whenever and wherever possible, but I think there needs to be greater support in regards to what is expected and what CAN be done, or IS being done to support student learning.

I read the term "Blended Learning", and I don't know if it was just late at night or I wasn't wearing my thinking cap, but I didn't know what it was.  Now, I have to kick myself for not realizing what it was.  Here's a quick video about it.

I think this idea is wonderful, but again, for the tech savy person.  Out of the gates, this scares me a little as it seems like a LOT of work, which I don't mind, but I also want to ensure that I am not burning out and still being there for my family.  There are definitely a lot of advantages to this model, as it provides students with a chance to review the lesson in perhaps a quieter/more comfortable atmosphere, while allowing for student choice of time of day, place, and pace of the lesson.  Personally, I know I do a lot better in a "brick and mortar" environment, as I feel it allows for spontaneous collaboration and good discussions.  I like the social aspect of having somewhere to go to learn.  I do, however, also enjoy being able to take a break when I need to, and ensure I am ready to learn and not just going through the motions.

Read here for more on Blended Learning.

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What is one of my biggest scares of my students going online?  Their safety.  This blog, although a little aged, accounts for some of the fears and how to address them at a school level.  Safety needs to be explicitly taught, and should be recurring.  This should include cyberbullying as this is prevalent in many schools.

Passport To the Internet is one resource available to help educate gr4-8 students about internet safety.  It's worth a look, and I have witnessed how engaged students become when exploring this program.

Yes, our school are different from when we were there as kids, but the same ideologies still exist.  Support students and teachers, get them and keep them engaged, and above all else, keep them safe.

Onward and Forward

Wow.

There is so much I don't know!  But that is okay, and I invite anyone to embrace their own lack of experience to embark a learning adventure of their own.  I feel over the past few days I've been tripping as I've been trying to progress, part of it being a busy life, another part getting confused with how to do some of the assignments asked of me.  I get picky with aesthetics, and when things don't go my way, frustration ensues.  Then I research, and find out if what I want to do is even possible or not, which helps either way with my frustration!

Over the past few days I've found myself reading quite a few blogs, watching some videos (course based!), and reading about the direction of education as we know it.  I've added some links to the side bar that I've come across over the past few days, and wanted to share.  One of which, something that I found extremely cool, is a video about a Virtual Choir.

Originally, I was expecting synthesized voices, but was pleasantly surprised that through YouTube, artists collaborated without even knowing each other to create an incredible piece.  Eric Whitacre, the composer and speaker in the video, address the need of humans to connect to others, and I think through knowledge of that need, embracing it, and using technology as well as a social medium that many students embrace above others, can benefit the education world greatly.

As I continue to read and learn, there is a lot of discussion around collaborative, high order thinking, and creativity from the students that is being, ultimately, sought out.  Our roles as teachers have changed from lecturers to learning facilitators in many regards.  That is not to say we do no explicitly teach material, rather, we teach material and skill sets, and, correct me if I'm wrong, but try to engage students in their own learning through allowing them to explore and discover on their own terms.  We as teachers needs to keep them safe and knowledgeable in regards to how to keep themselves safe when we are not looking over their shoulder, and I think that latter part is paramount.  We need to let go when we feel it is safe for students to engage in their learning with teachers taking the back seat (or at least, the passenger seat).

The important thing to remember, is just because you're not physically driving, doesn't mean you can fall asleep!  Be a navigator, and an extra set of eyes, and everyone will arrive safely at an incredible destination.

An Introduction

Hello everyone!

My name is Will, and I will be using this blog as I explore the world and pedagogy of computers and information technology in the classroom as a part of an additional qualification course I'm taking during the summer of 2014.  This is my first blog in a VERY long time, and it will be my goal to keep it updated with questions and discoveries regarding my learning and involvement with the course.

I consider myself a bit of a techie, and I love learning new things, which is why I became a teacher in the first place.  It is a fast paced, multi-faceted, ever changing profession, and if you don't stay on top of it, you'll be left behind.  The use of technology can bridge gaps of learning, create communication of otherwise voiceless students, and engage people in learning about the world around them in a plethora of ways.  I'm excited just thinking about the possibilities!