I believe in practicing what you preach and I think an important quality in life is to never stop learning new things. Continuously challenging and stimulating our brains has been linked to having a more vibrant and fulfilling life in our later years. Something that I go out of the way to do on a regular basis is to make sure my students are aware that I'm still eager to learn new things.
As a masters student, I regularly come into class and share new ideas that I have come across. Not too long ago I had a discussion with my class about ideas that I became aware about related to self-regulated learning. I was sharing with them things that helped me get through writing papers and staying focused while completing assignments. I often like keeping them up-to-date with tools that I learned about for google documents and they do the same.
I often learn new technology tools together with my class. Things that I come across that seem like they may be a cool tool and I'm unsure how to use, I'll test them out with my class. We then decide together, after the fact, if that technology tool was useful or not.
Lifelong learning is something that everyone should be doing and I think it is important that our students know that we are doing this.
Dave
References
Narushima, M. (2008). More than nickels and dimes: the health benefits of a community‐based lifelong learning programme for older adults. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 27(6), 673–692.
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Risk taking for teachers
Thinking back to my first year of teaching, I was extremely cautious with what I tried in the classroom. I would spend hours putting together a precise powerpoint that would help ensure the lesson went smooth. I was also hesitant to try new things or sway away from the curriculum. I've learned over the years that taking risks in the classroom is important to keep the class exciting and engaging for the students.
Here are a few ideas of some risks teachers can take:
1) Let Students Decide: I just started a unit on ecology and I'm giving my students some freedom in their research project. They're allowed to research any topic they desire as long as they are meeting some points from the Ontario curriculum. This is one example of letting students decide but other examples are by giving students choice in how they are assessed, learning experiences that will take place, and how projects can be arranged.
2) Flexible Learning Spaces: Learning doesn't always have to take place within the classroom walls. Planned or randomly, allow your students to take the day off from the classroom and have them complete the required readings, watch a video, or collaborate with their groups in a place of their choice.
3) Student Teaching: My school has shortened days on Friday, we are finished by noon. What I often do is have my students teach a concept to the class on Fridays. They create an activity or lesson plan that they think will be engaging for the class. The neat thing is, I end up learning some exciting teaching approaches from this as well!
The list is small but there are many other ways that teachers can take risks in the classroom. What I believe is that when teachers take risks the students can learn from us about taking risks in life.
Dave
Here are a few ideas of some risks teachers can take:
1) Let Students Decide: I just started a unit on ecology and I'm giving my students some freedom in their research project. They're allowed to research any topic they desire as long as they are meeting some points from the Ontario curriculum. This is one example of letting students decide but other examples are by giving students choice in how they are assessed, learning experiences that will take place, and how projects can be arranged.
2) Flexible Learning Spaces: Learning doesn't always have to take place within the classroom walls. Planned or randomly, allow your students to take the day off from the classroom and have them complete the required readings, watch a video, or collaborate with their groups in a place of their choice.
3) Student Teaching: My school has shortened days on Friday, we are finished by noon. What I often do is have my students teach a concept to the class on Fridays. They create an activity or lesson plan that they think will be engaging for the class. The neat thing is, I end up learning some exciting teaching approaches from this as well!
The list is small but there are many other ways that teachers can take risks in the classroom. What I believe is that when teachers take risks the students can learn from us about taking risks in life.
Dave
Technology Benefits in the Classroom
Technology is not a rarity in the classroom anymore, it is the norm. This makes sense as this is what is driving people in the world on a day to day basis. With so many schools making a shift towards 1-1 laptop programs, ipads, and other devices I thought it would be useful to post some reasons as to how technology can be beneficial in the classroom.
Collaboration: Classes are able to now work simultaneously on documents through their computers. A popular choice for myself is google docs. In groups, students can take on roles and co-create a document piece, all working on it at the same time. This allows for editing, checking each other's work, and giving feedback. Using google docs for example, also allows teachers to follows students progress on tasks.
Research: Students are able to research everything and anything. That can be good and bad in some people's minds but I feel as though educators have the duty to teach students how to research properly and safely this day and age. Teaching students how to check their resources, cite properly, and search for information is something that should be done in all classes.
Unique Artifacts: Students can create an abundance of artifacts online to display their creativity. Movies, songs, and websites are a few of the examples. Following this, students can post their pieces to class blogs where dialogue can being amongst classmates.
The above are a few ways that technology can be utilized in schools. If you have any other ideas let me know in the comment section below!
Dave
References
Scheeren, W. O. (2015). Technology Handbook for School Librarians. ABC-CLIO.
Collaboration: Classes are able to now work simultaneously on documents through their computers. A popular choice for myself is google docs. In groups, students can take on roles and co-create a document piece, all working on it at the same time. This allows for editing, checking each other's work, and giving feedback. Using google docs for example, also allows teachers to follows students progress on tasks.
Research: Students are able to research everything and anything. That can be good and bad in some people's minds but I feel as though educators have the duty to teach students how to research properly and safely this day and age. Teaching students how to check their resources, cite properly, and search for information is something that should be done in all classes.
Unique Artifacts: Students can create an abundance of artifacts online to display their creativity. Movies, songs, and websites are a few of the examples. Following this, students can post their pieces to class blogs where dialogue can being amongst classmates.
The above are a few ways that technology can be utilized in schools. If you have any other ideas let me know in the comment section below!
Dave
References
Scheeren, W. O. (2015). Technology Handbook for School Librarians. ABC-CLIO.
Monday, 13 March 2017
Student Created Podcasts
I came across an interesting read about students creating podcasts. The benefits stated were that students will listen to podcasts longer than they will read or watch a powerpoint. It was also stated a benefit of podcasts is that students can listen to these while doing other activities. These benefits listed seem more geared towards university students but it got me thinking.
Can student created podcasts work in middle school and high school?
I think having students create podcasts for a unit or even throughout the year is a great way for students to work on communication and writing skills. Units can be divided up and students can each be responsible for creating a podcast for their selected unit. They will learn how to summarize the content, ensuring the most relevant information is plucked out of the text. They will then be able to work on their speaking skills as they will want a clear voice when being recorded.
The end product here is something that they will be able to use as a study tool for exams and test. They can also post these on a class blog and students can follow up with questions to each other. I think this would be a great way to differentiate a classroom.
Dave
References
Wankel, L. A. (2013). Increasing Student Engagement and Retention Using Mobile Applications: Smartphones, Skype and Texting Technologies. Emerald Group Publishing.
Can student created podcasts work in middle school and high school?
I think having students create podcasts for a unit or even throughout the year is a great way for students to work on communication and writing skills. Units can be divided up and students can each be responsible for creating a podcast for their selected unit. They will learn how to summarize the content, ensuring the most relevant information is plucked out of the text. They will then be able to work on their speaking skills as they will want a clear voice when being recorded.
The end product here is something that they will be able to use as a study tool for exams and test. They can also post these on a class blog and students can follow up with questions to each other. I think this would be a great way to differentiate a classroom.
Dave
References
Wankel, L. A. (2013). Increasing Student Engagement and Retention Using Mobile Applications: Smartphones, Skype and Texting Technologies. Emerald Group Publishing.
Genius Hour
The premise of genius hour is you give your students 1 hour a week to learn anything they want to. This option allows students to pick the content they want to study while still hitting curriculum expectations. I came across it not too long ago and was very interested in learning more. I'm doing a trial with one or my classes currently and the students seem to be enjoying the concept. It took a while to get them buying in but once a few students got involved the rest seemed to follow.
There is a large community of educators online already with a wealth of information to aid you. Taking on new frameworks and ideas in the classroom is always challenging but you can learn a lot from educators who are currently engaging in genius hour.
Students will present their topic to the class at the end of the year and will build up ideas as the year goes on. It offers students an opportunity of differentiation within the classroom. Throughout history in education, we were taught to believe that education is a teacher in front of the class lecturing. Genius hour allows students an opportunity to learn by doing the research in something they are truly interested in.
http://www.geniushour.com/
Dave
There is a large community of educators online already with a wealth of information to aid you. Taking on new frameworks and ideas in the classroom is always challenging but you can learn a lot from educators who are currently engaging in genius hour.
Students will present their topic to the class at the end of the year and will build up ideas as the year goes on. It offers students an opportunity of differentiation within the classroom. Throughout history in education, we were taught to believe that education is a teacher in front of the class lecturing. Genius hour allows students an opportunity to learn by doing the research in something they are truly interested in.
http://www.geniushour.com/
Dave
Collaboration towards goals
I've mentioned in previous posts about how I enjoy getting my students to collaborate often in my classroom. With the help of the internet, students can simultaneously co-create documents and learn how to delegate work.
I failed to mention that when students are collaborating, they should be working together to achieve a solution. It doesn't always have to be through technology either. Incorporating collaboration in groups to fulfill a scavenger hunt or organize facts for an upcoming debate has students improving important life skills.
They will be practicing important communication skills, learning how to delegate and negotiate tasks, and will have a chance at practicing different roles within a collaboration team. When my class is collaborating together to achieve a goal I will often have students take on roles such as researcher, secretary, leader, and mediator. While the research is finding facts the rest of the team is working towards the main outcome.
Dave
I failed to mention that when students are collaborating, they should be working together to achieve a solution. It doesn't always have to be through technology either. Incorporating collaboration in groups to fulfill a scavenger hunt or organize facts for an upcoming debate has students improving important life skills.
They will be practicing important communication skills, learning how to delegate and negotiate tasks, and will have a chance at practicing different roles within a collaboration team. When my class is collaborating together to achieve a goal I will often have students take on roles such as researcher, secretary, leader, and mediator. While the research is finding facts the rest of the team is working towards the main outcome.
Dave
Student Blogs
I've recently launched my first classroom blog and it was much smoother than anticipated. My students created videos for a research project and I was unsure of where they were going to submit them so I decided to create a blog for the class.
It ended up being a great choice as students were about to watch everyone's videos and comment on the videos. I followed up the initial project with the students posing questions to each other to form extensions on the concepts they initially learnt. Students ended up taking this very serious and put a lot of thought and effort into the questions and responses. This ended up being a mini research project as I instructed students to include one source for each response.
A big benefit of the blogs is I'm able to teach the students about the importance of their digital footprint. I remind them to think about if they would be alright if everyone in the world knew that they were the person who posted.
The collaboration, research, and creativity that a classroom blogs offers is tough to beat.
Dave
It ended up being a great choice as students were about to watch everyone's videos and comment on the videos. I followed up the initial project with the students posing questions to each other to form extensions on the concepts they initially learnt. Students ended up taking this very serious and put a lot of thought and effort into the questions and responses. This ended up being a mini research project as I instructed students to include one source for each response.
A big benefit of the blogs is I'm able to teach the students about the importance of their digital footprint. I remind them to think about if they would be alright if everyone in the world knew that they were the person who posted.
The collaboration, research, and creativity that a classroom blogs offers is tough to beat.
Dave
3D Learning
I recently made a post about student-centered learning and wish I would have been more aware about the benefits of 3D learning beforehand. I came across this new approach and the benefits that it has to offer and have been curious ever since. 3D learning is exactly as it sounds. Students wear a pair of 3D glasses and are able to see holograms of things such as the human body and the solar system.
3D learning draws students attention in and helps make difficult concepts easier to make sense of. It allows for a more inclusive environment and also for the teacher to use a differentiated approach that will keep students motivated to come to class daily. This leads to better knowledge retention for the students as they are enjoying and actively involved throughout the lesson.
As a science teacher, a bulk of the concepts are very difficult for students to make sense of. Pictures and videos can only do so much for understanding the components of the human body but I feel as though something like a virtual reality setting of the digestive system for example, could be a really exciting and dynamic lesson.
Dave
Forest Kindergartens in Denmark
I recently stumbled across a video on youtube about forest kindergartens in Denmark. I was really interested in finding out more about how these are organized and to see what they are all about. Within a minute of watching the video, there was a 4 or 5-year-old that looked to have climbed about 10 feet up a wobbly tree. Following that scene there was a bunch of children running around, jumping in water, and sliding down muddy hills all displaying huge smiles of excitement.
Forest kindergartens have been around since the 1950’s in Denmark and are also popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Currently, in Denmark, about 10% of all kindergartners are enrolled in a forest program. People in Denmark believe this program allows the children the opportunity to be free and let their curiosity run wild. They learn many skills such as how to use a knife, motor skills, and components of the ecosystem. When parents were interview throughout the video many them simply stated that they had a large amount of trust in the program to aid their child’s development.
Some questions that came to my mind throughout this video were how come more schools like this do not exist in Canada? Are parents in Canada too protective of their children?
Forest kindergartens have been around since the 1950’s in Denmark and are also popular in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Currently, in Denmark, about 10% of all kindergartners are enrolled in a forest program. People in Denmark believe this program allows the children the opportunity to be free and let their curiosity run wild. They learn many skills such as how to use a knife, motor skills, and components of the ecosystem. When parents were interview throughout the video many them simply stated that they had a large amount of trust in the program to aid their child’s development.
Some questions that came to my mind throughout this video were how come more schools like this do not exist in Canada? Are parents in Canada too protective of their children?
Saturday, 11 March 2017
Student-Centered Learning
As an international teacher, I've come to understand the importance of approaching my classroom with the student's interests as a top priority. I recognized this when I stepped into my first PE class and my students were quickly de-motivated when I laid out my yearly plan and did not have a dance unit included.
They were looking forward to a dance unit and made me well aware of this. I was very hesitant about making changes to the units I spent time organizing but could sense the passion the students had and I wanted to keep them motivated to come to class.
Student-centered learning is when the teacher organizes learning experiences that are considerate of the culture, interests, and needs of the classroom.
As a class, we collaborated and put together the dance unit. The class was split up into groups and each group was required to pick a specific dance type and teach the class. It brought the class together while they were creating and presenting their lessons. The students and I, all learned new dance techniques and it ended up being one of the highlights of the semester for everyone involved.
Keeping the students at the core of my planning means keeping an engaging, motivating, and exciting classroom on a daily basis which is what the students want and deserve.
Dave
References
Jacobs, G. M., Renandya, W. A., & Power, M. (2016). Simple, Powerful Strategies for Student Centered Learning. Springer.
They were looking forward to a dance unit and made me well aware of this. I was very hesitant about making changes to the units I spent time organizing but could sense the passion the students had and I wanted to keep them motivated to come to class.
Student-centered learning is when the teacher organizes learning experiences that are considerate of the culture, interests, and needs of the classroom.
As a class, we collaborated and put together the dance unit. The class was split up into groups and each group was required to pick a specific dance type and teach the class. It brought the class together while they were creating and presenting their lessons. The students and I, all learned new dance techniques and it ended up being one of the highlights of the semester for everyone involved.
Keeping the students at the core of my planning means keeping an engaging, motivating, and exciting classroom on a daily basis which is what the students want and deserve.
Dave
References
Jacobs, G. M., Renandya, W. A., & Power, M. (2016). Simple, Powerful Strategies for Student Centered Learning. Springer.
Social Media in the Classroom
The title may seem a little eerie to some but give it a chance. Utilizing tools such as twitter, blogs, facebook class pages, or youtube class channels can be a great way to differentiate your classroom and allow students the opportunity to express their unique creative approaches.
Incorporating social media will allow students opportunities to display their understanding of concepts and themes in a manner that is becoming common to the 21-st century communities. These platforms will also allow students opportunities for collaboration by following up on other students postings and posting inquiring questions to extend posting. Students will become engaged in online conversations and extend their knowledge learning well beyond the classroom.
Students are growing up on social media and the stigma of it in schools can shun teachers away from its benefits. As educators, we should accept that social media is a norm in students lives and help guide students in recognizing how to utilize the benefits that can be offered.
G-Suite for Education
Throughout my 4-year teaching career, I have tried various online tools. The goal is to increase productivity, promote collaboration, and allow for opportunities inside and outside the classroom of technological skill development.
G-Suite for Education is the blended learning platform that I believe delivers everything you need in education and more. There are a variety of tools that have transformed the way students and teachers can collaborate, teachers can monitor student activity, and provide feedback to students in a much quicker fashion.
Top Features
Google Documents: Allows for students and teachers to collaborate together on anything. Capable of various add-ons to help promote referencing and grammar. Teachers can use google doc's to create lessons, unit plans, and tests. Allows for commenting on students work instantly.
Google Forms: Allows for creation of surveys, tests, and response questions. When used as a test or quiz, google forms allows for instant data feedback which will allow the teacher to save time going through the entire marking process and analyzing the data.
Google Classroom: Similar to a class website. Teachers post daily announcements, assignments, and any handouts they would want students to recieve.
I've listed 3 features but there is so much more G-Suite for Education is capable of. Best of all, it reduces paper use across the school. Give it a look if you haven't already.
Dave
G-Suite for Education is the blended learning platform that I believe delivers everything you need in education and more. There are a variety of tools that have transformed the way students and teachers can collaborate, teachers can monitor student activity, and provide feedback to students in a much quicker fashion.
Top Features
Google Documents: Allows for students and teachers to collaborate together on anything. Capable of various add-ons to help promote referencing and grammar. Teachers can use google doc's to create lessons, unit plans, and tests. Allows for commenting on students work instantly.
Google Forms: Allows for creation of surveys, tests, and response questions. When used as a test or quiz, google forms allows for instant data feedback which will allow the teacher to save time going through the entire marking process and analyzing the data.
Google Classroom: Similar to a class website. Teachers post daily announcements, assignments, and any handouts they would want students to recieve.
I've listed 3 features but there is so much more G-Suite for Education is capable of. Best of all, it reduces paper use across the school. Give it a look if you haven't already.
Dave
Friday, 10 March 2017
Project-based Learning for the 21st-century Learner
Project-based learning (PBL) is an opportunity for students to gain knowledge and experience by working on something over an extended length of time, with the facilitation of their teacher. PBL allows students to extend on curriculum content, form and work towards their questions of inquiry, and reflect on what they have taken in from the entire experience.
I feel PBL is even more important for the 21st-century learner because of the added experience it can add to specific skills need to be successful.
Collaboration: With the advancement of technology and internet access, PBL offers students an opportunity to learn collaboration skills with their classmates as well as people who could potentially be on the other side of the world. Students can simultaneously work on and build documents through google drive. An e-mail to a major company requesting further information could be sent. The tools are all there for teachers to help facilitate collaboration that is necessary during this time.
Research: Gathering potential facts and data is not the same now as it was 30 years ago. Students can hone their research skills through PBL and learn how to use the internet effectively. Teachers can aid students in this process and help ensure students know how to find valid information on the web.
Creativity: Depending on the teacher's requirements for the projects, students can take advantage of numerous software's and video channels to put together final projects.
Below is a video about the importance of the bolded terms above in the classroom today.
Dave
I feel PBL is even more important for the 21st-century learner because of the added experience it can add to specific skills need to be successful.
Collaboration: With the advancement of technology and internet access, PBL offers students an opportunity to learn collaboration skills with their classmates as well as people who could potentially be on the other side of the world. Students can simultaneously work on and build documents through google drive. An e-mail to a major company requesting further information could be sent. The tools are all there for teachers to help facilitate collaboration that is necessary during this time.
Research: Gathering potential facts and data is not the same now as it was 30 years ago. Students can hone their research skills through PBL and learn how to use the internet effectively. Teachers can aid students in this process and help ensure students know how to find valid information on the web.
Creativity: Depending on the teacher's requirements for the projects, students can take advantage of numerous software's and video channels to put together final projects.
Below is a video about the importance of the bolded terms above in the classroom today.
Dave
Flipped Classroom?
A rising framework that has gained popularity in education is Flipped Classrooms. The flipped approach is where knowledge learning moves from the classroom to the individual learning space, and the classroom space is transformed into a dynamic, interactive, learning environment where the educator guides students as they apply concepts.
How does this usually work? Educators will assign readings, videos, and other content for students to go through on their own time, outside the classroom. Classroom time will then be used for more activities, labs, discussions, and group tasks.
Why try this? Students learn at different speeds and this framework allows students the opportunity to develop the necessary knowledge at a pace they prefer. Students will come to class motivated to take part in the engaging activities that become available with the extra class time that is now available. Finally, a flipped approach allows for more formative feedback from the teacher as they will be able to observe and facilitate students in need, more often.
There is an abundance of resources on the web. I'm not even close to a fully flipped classroom but I regularly incorporate this style into my class and the students enjoy the style change.
Useful Resources:
https://www.edutopia.org/blogs/tag/flipped-classroom
How does this usually work? Educators will assign readings, videos, and other content for students to go through on their own time, outside the classroom. Classroom time will then be used for more activities, labs, discussions, and group tasks.
Why try this? Students learn at different speeds and this framework allows students the opportunity to develop the necessary knowledge at a pace they prefer. Students will come to class motivated to take part in the engaging activities that become available with the extra class time that is now available. Finally, a flipped approach allows for more formative feedback from the teacher as they will be able to observe and facilitate students in need, more often.
There is an abundance of resources on the web. I'm not even close to a fully flipped classroom but I regularly incorporate this style into my class and the students enjoy the style change.
Useful Resources:
https://www.edutopia.org/blogs/tag/flipped-classroom
https://flippedlearning.org/
http://www.edudemic.com/guides/flipped-classrooms-guide/
https://edpuzzle.com/
http://www.flippedclassroomworkshop.com/
Dave
Encouraging Self-regulated Learning
The importance of encouraging Self-regulated Learning (SRL) in the classroom is something that should be at the top of a teacher’s to-do list. A number of stimuli that students are exposed to daily is something that teachers are not familiar with when they look back to their education days. Cell phones, laptops, and a constant connection to social media are a few of the advances in technology that students have to learn when to use and when to put away, which can be difficult at their age.
SRL is a process of assisting students in managing their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions when they are in the process of acquiring new information or skills (Schunk & Zimmerman, 1998).
How can we as teacher help students through this process?
Plan- Encourage students to set an action plan. This can be goals they want to accomplish for the day, week, or month. How are they going to allocate their time? Encourage students to plan realistic times to spend on certain assignments and coursework.
Self-Monitoring- Facilitate students to adopt strategies to keep them on task. Considerations can be limiting facebook or cell phone use while studying. An example one of my students mentioned in class was studying for 45 minutes then taking a 15-minute social media break.
Reflection- Encourage students to look back and think about what worked for them and what they could have improved on. I regularly have students reflect on assignments and tests.
A big thing I try to do is relate with my students. I’m pursuing my master of education degree and have a lot of things taking up my time. I struggle at times and still set mini goals, plan study breaks, and monitor my cell phone usage while going through course-work.
Self-regulated Learning is an ongoing process!
Dave
References
Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (1998). Self-regulated Learning: From Teaching to Self-reflective Practice. Guilford Press.
SRL is a process of assisting students in managing their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions when they are in the process of acquiring new information or skills (Schunk & Zimmerman, 1998).
How can we as teacher help students through this process?
Plan- Encourage students to set an action plan. This can be goals they want to accomplish for the day, week, or month. How are they going to allocate their time? Encourage students to plan realistic times to spend on certain assignments and coursework.
Self-Monitoring- Facilitate students to adopt strategies to keep them on task. Considerations can be limiting facebook or cell phone use while studying. An example one of my students mentioned in class was studying for 45 minutes then taking a 15-minute social media break.
Reflection- Encourage students to look back and think about what worked for them and what they could have improved on. I regularly have students reflect on assignments and tests.
A big thing I try to do is relate with my students. I’m pursuing my master of education degree and have a lot of things taking up my time. I struggle at times and still set mini goals, plan study breaks, and monitor my cell phone usage while going through course-work.
Self-regulated Learning is an ongoing process!
Dave
References
Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (1998). Self-regulated Learning: From Teaching to Self-reflective Practice. Guilford Press.
Monday, 6 March 2017
Considerations for a 'Paperless School'
While I attended a workshop this weekend, I came across a technology coach who was presenting about areas she wished she had thought about more before her school transitioned into a paperless school. That idea has always been fascinating to me and a deterrent I think for many schools to take this on is simply the idea that it's not possible. Going paperless means exactly as it sounds, removing all paper from school, this includes handouts, permission slips, and everything else.
Here are some things the presenter wished she thought about beforehand:
1) Clearly define WHY - She stated that her school had not put together an effective communication plan beforehand and left not only the parents and students but the teachers and administration confused about why they were going completely paperless.
2) Network and seek support - Try to find mentors and other schools or organizations who have tried this before and ask them for any tips you can.
3) Timeline it all - She mentioned that her school failed to give enough notification to the parents and staff about this transition. What ended up happening? The staff found out 2 months beforehand and parents found out about 6 weeks. This left little room for adjustments to happen and she stated 'a lot of things ended up happening unsuccessfully on the fly'. Plan well in advance and set goals and dates to achieve them by.
4) Communication is key - She stressed the importance of making daily announcements, forms, newsletters etc., as easy to access as possible for parents. We had a discussion about this and there was still no general consensus about what route to go. This is a big factor in my mind and I'm still left undecided. Do you post things daily? twice a week? Through e-mail? What I can take from this is you have to pick something and be very CONSISTENT.
5) Prototype, trial, and test - She said this was a biggie. She wished she tested it out with one class beforehand instead of jumping right into it.
Anything else you can think of?
Regards,
Dave
Here are some things the presenter wished she thought about beforehand:
1) Clearly define WHY - She stated that her school had not put together an effective communication plan beforehand and left not only the parents and students but the teachers and administration confused about why they were going completely paperless.
2) Network and seek support - Try to find mentors and other schools or organizations who have tried this before and ask them for any tips you can.
3) Timeline it all - She mentioned that her school failed to give enough notification to the parents and staff about this transition. What ended up happening? The staff found out 2 months beforehand and parents found out about 6 weeks. This left little room for adjustments to happen and she stated 'a lot of things ended up happening unsuccessfully on the fly'. Plan well in advance and set goals and dates to achieve them by.
4) Communication is key - She stressed the importance of making daily announcements, forms, newsletters etc., as easy to access as possible for parents. We had a discussion about this and there was still no general consensus about what route to go. This is a big factor in my mind and I'm still left undecided. Do you post things daily? twice a week? Through e-mail? What I can take from this is you have to pick something and be very CONSISTENT.
5) Prototype, trial, and test - She said this was a biggie. She wished she tested it out with one class beforehand instead of jumping right into it.
Anything else you can think of?
Regards,
Dave
AIMS conference March 4th, 2017, Penang Malaysia
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the AIMS conference in Penang, Malaysia. AIMS stands for 'The Association of International Malaysian Schools'. I gathered a lot of great ideas and witnessed a handful of great presenters express their unique and innovative approaches to education.
I want to go over the concept of AIMS. The association was put together 3 years ago and the entire idea behind it is to offer professional development at a very affordable rate for educators. Presenting educators gather from all over Malaysia and provide a 50-minute workshop on any expertise they feel comfortable with. Anyone who's school is participating is able to volunteer to run a workshop. It is unique and an innovative approach to PD as those who are presenting are doing it free of charge.
Throughout the day there are 3 workshops to attend but over 30 to choose from. It really is a great opportunity to learn what other educators are doing and to take on the task of presenting information as well.
Needless to say, I had a great time at this conference.
Regards,
Dave
I want to go over the concept of AIMS. The association was put together 3 years ago and the entire idea behind it is to offer professional development at a very affordable rate for educators. Presenting educators gather from all over Malaysia and provide a 50-minute workshop on any expertise they feel comfortable with. Anyone who's school is participating is able to volunteer to run a workshop. It is unique and an innovative approach to PD as those who are presenting are doing it free of charge.
Throughout the day there are 3 workshops to attend but over 30 to choose from. It really is a great opportunity to learn what other educators are doing and to take on the task of presenting information as well.
Needless to say, I had a great time at this conference.
Regards,
Dave
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
My Go-To Simulator for Science --- PhET
Have you ever had a great idea right before a lesson and the only thing you were missing was the resources to make that lesson happen? Maybe some HCl? or NaCl? or the proper humidity and temperature settings to catalyze the growth of fully mature poinsettia?
Well I have, a very exciting and free website that was recommended to me, https://phet.colorado.edu/. This website is built and organized through University of Colorado Boulder and it has a vast selection of simulators for the sciences and mathematics courses. It's extremely easy to use and it offers users a variety of variables that they can adjust to a specific concept.
From experience, you cannot build an entire lesson around this but you can offer students a quick opportunity to make sense of concepts introduced in class.
It has been expanding rapidly and is not slowing down.
Enjoy,
Dave
Well I have, a very exciting and free website that was recommended to me, https://phet.colorado.edu/. This website is built and organized through University of Colorado Boulder and it has a vast selection of simulators for the sciences and mathematics courses. It's extremely easy to use and it offers users a variety of variables that they can adjust to a specific concept.
From experience, you cannot build an entire lesson around this but you can offer students a quick opportunity to make sense of concepts introduced in class.
It has been expanding rapidly and is not slowing down.
Enjoy,
Dave
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