Documentation of Learning

Usually when I review an article regarding tech tools, I read the text and navigate through the links embedded in the article in order to experiment with an application. This article was a bit different (nothing dramatic) so I wanted to post about it because I really liked the quick video that was included. Articles become much more "educational" when they have auditory and visual support to compliment the text. Let's apply this to the classroom....Imagine student notebooks that are comprised not only of text and handouts, but sound and video - how much more impactful would it be when documenting their learning? I have been encouraging students with access to technology to take notes in creative formats for future reference but teachers need to support the notion as well. Is this format going to be the future of documentation of learning?

Have a look at the entire article at http://edudemic.com/2013/04/7-little-known-tech-tools-teachers-should-try-out/.

Brock

Evernote for Literacy

This video clip is a great illustration of how technology can be used to develop self reflection skills. I really like the fact within one file, a student can take a photo of the text, record their voice and then type text to comment on their own fluency. What a simple but powerful way to use this tool.

New Google Forms and Flubaroo

I've playing with Google Documents and Forms for communication and collection of data from colleagues throughout the system but I can see Forms as a useful tool in collecting feedback from both parents and students for a school or classroom. Some teachers have use this tool as a means to create on-line quizzes or self evaluation forms to ensure that student monitor their own progress. Have a look at the YouTube link.

What Students Want in Their Teachers

This is a simple but powerful list of actions that students identify as important qualities in teachers. I like the idea of poling students about the qualities they value in a teacher. What a great way develop an understanding of the needs of a class.
http://www.angelamaiers.com/2012/02/12-things-kids-want-from-their-teachers.html

Are We on the Same Team?

I saw this video and had to laugh. I love the message in the video. Imagine the motivation of our students if we taught digital citizenship through social media in the classroom. How engaged would our students be if the  product of their school work could be viewed by millions of people? As teachers, we need to re-examine what we expect students to do and why. We need to teach them not only the curriculum, but skills that prepare them for life.

Team Success: How does this relate to school culture?

Below is an interesting Ted Talks video about the impact of team dynamics on success. The presenter describes how he uses a marshmallow task to assess effective team dynamics. I found it hilarious that kindergarten students are some of the highest performers in the task! Another interesting note was the impact of incentives on achievement. Have a look at the video below.

The Importance of "Why"

I have always liked the work of Daniel Pink regarding motivation. The linked article posted by Bill Powers about Pink highlights the importance of group members' sense of belonging and ownership. I really liked the part about asking "why". By focusing on the "why" rather than just the "how", individuals have a sense of purpose, a key component of motivation. This is an important consideration for leadership when implementing change and for educators when teaching concepts to students. Focus on the "why" and the "how" becomes easier and produces greater results.
http://edudemic.com/2013/01/becoming-a-better-school-leader-using-the-pronoun-test/

Using the Right Apps

This article from Education Week illustrates one of my concerns with the proliferation of apps in education. The apps tend to focus on cognitive skills at the lower end of Bloom's Taxonomy. If educators only see a tablet as a warehouse of apps for the practice of basic skills, they will miss the opportunity to use the device as a tool for creating meaningful work. The tablet is a tool that can be used to demonstrate comprehension, connections and synthesize ideas in a creative way. Have a look at the article.
Education Week

Providing Students' with the Right Opportunities

Our students need to engage in meaningful challenges in order to learn the skills required for their future. Here is a down-to-earth article from Will Richardson that I found interesting.

http://willrichardson.com/post/39652574389/our-new-value-making-stuff-with-kids