12-11-13
My head is truly spinning after all of the information that I absorbed during the SLATE conference in Wisconsin Dells. It was a lot to take in (these conferences always are) but they are energizing. I have been feeling in a rut and these things always seem to get me back on the educational track and looking to improve student learning and not be happy with the status quo.
One thing that I did learn is that I am NOT a 21st century teacher just for using technology. I guess I get a reputation for using chromebooks and all that good stuff. What I am mostly doing right now is “substitution.” Basically, I am taking my old lessons that had been done on paper and put them on the computer. The other thing that I am doing is Augmentation- adding a few things (sharing and collaboration) via Google Docs. These come from the SAM-R theory of technology. SAM-R is substitution, augmentation, modification, and redefinition. This could be a great way to teach technology PD to the staff here at Sauk Prairie- it goes above just using the technology and is more about how technology is integrated into the curriculum. A way to make technology PD easier or more effective for Sauk Prairie staff might be to create a series of videos or an iTunes U class. Edgerton states they have had a lot of success with this process. The other model I saw was Waukesha North’s model where they had “team leaders’ work with a group of 5-6 staff on a weekly basis and work together to develop better technology skills and better ways to integrate the technology into their curriculum. I am excited to discuss the video idea with the “tech crew” at SPHS as well the IT staff. I know that they are currently doing the ZenDesk videos- but maybe they would work better in an iTunes U course or on a youtube channel.
I know that the overall goal is to work towards more “personal learning” students trying to learn and figure things out on their own and for their own benefit versus compliance. I did enjoy the snippet that Chad tweeted out from his session regarding the idea that a student needs 6-8 weeks of personal learning before they totally buy into the idea. I am struggling on how to make that work in history (I know that 20% times and all that is good- just not sure how to work it into the history curriculum). I think it would work well in a “World Cultures” type class where we could focus more on current issues and events and then research to find answers to questions. That is just a thought for the future.
What I would like to implement in the coming time:
2 Weeks: Flipped Classes- this might be a big mistake, but I think I am ready to take the plunge. I need to get youtube unblocked, rework my website, and get some technical pieces figured out from the tech department..but I think it could happen. Why I want to do this is that it will give us more time in class to study documents, inquiry, chromebook based web and research activities, and authentic assessments. Typically I spend a lot of time (too much time in my opinion) doing teacher directed lecture/notes. Eventually I would like to add in some more of the storytelling elements to the flipped videos- but they will be pretty simple to start out. I am a little worried (and have been advised against) about jumping into this head first- but if I just do a lesson here or there or a unit here or there...the kids won’t buy in- much like personal learning. The presenter said that it started out the kids didn’t buy in right away- but when he stuck with it- they bought in and grades/participation/learning improved.
2 Months: I would like to use some of the new apps (little bird tales, thinglinks, etc.) as a way for student assessment/learning. I also want to integrate some of the storytelling elements discussed in the closing keynote.
3. Next year: Next year I would like to continue with the flipped classes as well as operate “history blogs” in my class. I would like to link up with a history class in another country -I was linked to a database via a twitter recommendation- that would allow students to discuss their perspectives on historical and current events though the internet. I would also like to get a tech blog started at Sauk Prairie and maybe coordinate with Dan to revamp the video technology lessons as we hopefully move towards a 1:1 initiative at Sauk Prairie.
