NECC 2007- Constructivist Teaching with Technology: Learning with Laptops
June 26, 2007 Session- 3:30PM
Constructivist Teaching with Technology: Learning with Laptops
Live blogging so please be kind. My comments in italic.
The presenters began with a rolling slide show of motivational quotes from teachers and students. I was amazed at how engaged the audience was at just a rolling slide show.
http://learningandlaptops.blogspot.com
http://www.lps.k12.co.us/schools/arapahoe/21c/necc2007.html
The School has a Curriculum Innovation Team- Teachers from Science, Social Studies, English and Math together with the building technology director.
Humans construct knowledge, learning is an active process. How you implement that is little more controversial.
KF suggests that one key to the professional development program is that it involves teachers teaching teachers. He suggests that had the same content come as a directive from the administration that it would have met resistance. I'd really like to understand this mentality. If I'm a professional, what difference does the staff development providers title make??
The professional learning community environment was designed around rolling chairs and tables to allow for flexibility.
Blogging was one initiative.
Each staff member has a person blog for reflection. There is a specific focus on the personal blog.
In class the presenter described a project where political discussions went into more depth and breadth than any traditional learning techniques.
Skype is way better than blogger. The comments come too fast in blogger??
Collaboration-
- Teamwork-
- Knowing when to be a leader and when to be a following and the wisdom to know the difference.
- Example of a wiki to gather 1001 flat world example
- Teachers must model the reflective learning
- Notes undergraduate journals as an examples of traditional reflective learning
- Blogging gives them a voice of their own
Example: Students collaborate using a Google Doc, multiple peer editing, reviewing toolbar for peer editing allows students to reflect on one another's writing.
Example: Digital storytelling... Prompt: What Does it Take to Challenge the System? What matters to you and how it relates to you and the world around you? Excellent prompt. No chance for plagiarism there! I frequently hear concerns about students cheating. I'll add this assignment to my collection of examples. Thanks Ann!
The Fischbowl has some blogging policy examples. Internet use at Arapahoe is opt OUT in the school and not opt IN. Bold and risky. While I like it I think our solicitor would not be supportive. Karl reports that kids generally police themselves. I can see where they would so as not to jeopardize the program and techniques.
The presenters stopped in plenty of time to allow for dialog with participants. EXCELLENT technique! We should see more of this.
How do you respond to the AP teacher who can't possibly fit this in and cover all of the material? The response was that this technique facilitates depth of understanding and long-term retention. While we have only one year of data, scores were actually higher using blogging.
How do you deal with the "Yeah-buts"? Start with a core of teachers who volunteer and buy in immediately. Allow others to follow using the wildfire effect. Good suggestion.
The message from Anne: Change the World! Thanks... I think I will and your presentation was inspiring.
I think that the success in this school is directly attributable to teacher leadership, professionalism and I would assume a supportive administration. Congratulations on a top notch presentation. One of the best.
Note to Anne concerning student file access at home: Perhaps you could have students save files to Box.net and their files WILL be available to them at home.
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posted by Kurt Paccio @ 12:35 PM
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