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Mobile Devices & School Reality

I think we are very close to opening up the use of mobile devices in our schools.  This video clip presents some interesting information and a perspective that is hard to refute.  What do others think about cell phones in school?

Next Steps....

This clip always gets me thinking about the way of the future.  I am impressed with the global outlook this video presents.  Interestingly enough, by the time this information reaches educators needing to transform their classrooms, this video will be outdated with newer tech taking its place.  

History of Education...need for change

I think the discussion about the history of education is fascinating! It is all so true...factory models, assembly line, batches, forcing conformity on kids to fit one model....the list goes on right? What perplexes me is what continues to drive this type of system besides budgets? Teachers know that change can happen without increasing cost...especially with awesome tools like Google...so, what is the hold up? What gains are made by not shifting practice? 

Collaboration stretches thinking. We are inspired and challenged by each other. I often see and participate in the most amazing work when others are involved. I see a lot of potential for sites and drive to really transform the work my students will do this year to foster a more collaborative work environment. 

I also really enjoy the whiteboard presentations. It is a creative way to demonstrate information, I would like to see students try this for upcoming projects.

Testing Mobile App with Android Phone

Test

Google Search Info

The clips we viewed today about Google Search get me wondering about the needs my students have for a tech class which shares this type of info... However, I also feel that it is essential for tech to be integrated in the classroom with content. It will be anew challenge for teachers to fine tune the amount of time they must spend teaching students how to use aspects of technology prior to delivering content. Teaching technology as a stand alone course seems to be a practice from the past. Rather, students seem to be more engaged when they are able to incorporate passion in their work. For some students, passion maybe the content...others, the passion maybe using new technology.

Google Tools for My School

I am getting my Google brain going again.  It is exciting to think about how sites and drive will work  in my school.  These two tools will transform the way students access learning.  I am hopeful teachers will have a chance to transform the way they teach and bring about more personal learning plans.  The flipped classroom ties in nicely with Google Tools.  I know folks will go further than these two tools, but if we can get started school-wide using sites and drive, I believe we will transform learning experiences for all.  It will be a small step for some and year long focus for others.  The nice part will be an entire school community working on it together.

Literacy Post

I have been impressed with the different ways teachers are harnessing both technology and CCSS. There are so many components to juggle today as a teacher, and I have been learning more and more about how to reach students by truly engaging them in the learning process. I had the opportunity to observe the Google Presentation in person at the Vita-Learn Tech Fest, and it was empowering to know that part of the work my students were involved in was so similar. The information in the slides helped me to take them the additional steps further. Sarah Brown Wessling's information validates the work we need to be practicing each day with students. It think this is a great keynote presentation for CCSS. Ending the school year with students taking their Google Drive (Doc) writing through the drafting stages, conference/comment writing teams and finally publishing their work for authentic audiences by way of a message to the world on their own web sites is a true highlight as an educator. 

Using this information and the upcoming opportunities to collaborate with colleagues both in and outside of my district is exciting. Google allows for these amazing experiences to happen. It is impressive to see the many ways teachers are harnessing these tools in the classroom and making rich learning experiences for students. As Sarah's presentation indicates, we are looking for experiences and conversations over assignments and tasks.

Innovation

I enjoyed Tony's presentation and I found myself making several notes in a traditional format on paper and pencil.  At one point, I stopped and thought, "I could be typing this on my iPad."  But, the scrap paper and pen were there and handy.  My point in mentioning this is about balance.  I take from Tony's information that we all need to find the balance in our life with ever changing aspects of our world.  Change will be something we can predict vs. the next new piece of information or technology for example.  We will never be faster than innovation if we continue to pursue an innovated culture...but, we will have the skills for conceptualizing how to handle each new situation and opportunity.  Innovation sparks more innovation!  Teachers can support students will the necessary balance.  This is part of the work we need to do to help students work their muscles of concentration.  Learning is different.  Time is available to do these things if we are supporting creation.  There will never be enough time to continually add more information  to a lecture or handout to memorize.  Students will need to discover and grapple with gaining knowledge to support important content AND then DO something REAL with it.  It really is that simple...time is not a barrier here...traditional thinking can be a barrier.

The digital divide is another topic I found interesting.  I think Tony didn't have a response other than it will take time to close this gap...and smaller mobile device will help this.  I think this is true.  But, what to do in the meantime?  In my district, conversations have been taking under serious consideration to form connections within the whole school community.  How to ensure learning and technology extends beyond the school walls.  Some thoughts involve one-to-one devices that students take home and can share and use with their families to have this access.  I think Google Tools will highlight these opportunities for students!  We have to have a plan for this, but I also see that it will continue to take time.  This will not be a quick fix just yet.

There were so many things I jotted down...I also found myself thinking about how I will apply this information in my classroom.  Specifically, I started thinking about how I will work with my colleagues to reframe my course outline and the expectations I have for myself and students.  I even have a great idea for one of the first things I will ask students to do at the start of the year.  Essentially, I will borrow some of the questions Tony mentioned about exploration, curiosity and passion.  It is important to get to know students in order to form connections and develop relationships.  I will use these question stems to take video clips of students to share with the school community.  I think this would  be a great thing to do as a school-wide opportunity.
Something I would like to explore would be...
I am curious about...
I have a passion for...
I think students could share their clips as part of our Teacher Advisory groups.  What a nice way to get to know the group...oh, and students get to use technology too!  It is great when it is embedded and seamless.

I found this to be a longer clip, but a lot of great info was shared.  It was worth watching and I certainly refreshed my thinking about how I plan to start my year and learn with students.   It is exciting to think about teaching a generation as Tony said who want more than money but rather know they changed the world and made a difference.

A Brave New World Wide Web

I was recently going through some resources I have seen in the past, and came across this Teacher Tube link. In thinking about the work we will do next week with Google Tools and technology in my own classroom, clips like this one validate the work I am already doing and inspire me to think about how to engage students and motivate them as I grow and change as their teacher. What motivates you as an educator to incorporate technology in the school community? Changing my perspective and lens has made a difference for me!

A Brave New World Wide Web