What Can We Learn From Quotes?

I love a good quote.  I love to read something, and have it bounce around in my brain a few times, only to have it all of a sudden, make sense in so many ways different than my initial interpretation.  Most tend to see a good quote and can’t wait to hang it on a wall.  Those of us in education love to find a quote that speaks to us, and immediately think it will speak to our students in the exact same way.  It doesn’t always work like that.

Lately, what I have been trying to do with great quotes that just “jump off the page” at me, is to:


Collect:  Save the great ones when you find them.  I have found that sometimes it’s hard to go back and find them, even with Internet search engines.  Mostly because we forget who said them or exactly what was said. 

Articulate:  Express your own thoughts and ideas about what the quote means.  Write them down and keep them along with the quote itself.  I have found it interesting to note that after some time has passed, I might see a quote in a different light and apply a different interpretation.  Mostly this is based on my experiences and lessons learned.

Share:  Sharing a quote does not always imply that you have to share what YOU think it means.  To share a quote and then ask others to tell you what THEY think it means may open a completely different application for you.  This can also be a great activity for students as a “bell-ringer.”

Now since this is a technology kind of blog, let’s reflect on the thoughts above through a technological lens.

Some of us continue to struggle to keep up with the fast pace that newer technology presents.  We think that if we don’t get it now, that in six months, the technology will have moved on to a newer version.  This kind of thing frustrates many who feel like they are already behind the eight ball in the technology arena.  And since we didn’t get in on the ground floor, it is impossible to catch up.  And since the systems and tools have upgraded several times, and we still don’t understand the last thing, we grow more and more frustrated…pressured…overwhelmed. (Wow…it just hit me that this is what a lot of our students might be feeling when we introduce new concepts to them…hmm… “Makes ya’ think.”)


Well, here are a few things to think about before I give you a few quotes to ponder.


1.  Most of the tools are very intuitive.  Those creating the tools have to make them user friendly…or else there is not profit in selling their ideas and products to a small percentage of the world’s population.  We just have to conquer the fear that we are going to mess something up, and “jump in there and hang on.” If you have a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, or Snap Chat account, ask yourself:  who taught me how to manipulate around those Social Networks?  What class did I take to learn how to post, share and tag?  The answer for most of us is that we either picked it up along the way by trying it out ourselves, or a friend showed us.  Newsflash – the same is true of many of the Web 2.0 tools.  I can’t wait to learn new ways, tricks and tips from the students and other teachers.  People with knowledge just naturally want to share.


2.  Many of the tools work with the same basics.  How to set up an account.  How to add classes or students or followers. How to customize the tool for your needs. How to set up the tool so you can moderate it.  The specifics come in the form of tutorial videos and manuals.  There are lots of tutorials within the sites themselves for how to navigate and learn the new tools.  The Technology Coaches for your school may also provide tutorials…and I know they would welcome the opportunity to assist you.


3.  Time seems to be a problem for most.  Many feel they don’t have time to learn new technology with what they already have to know, and teach to students.  Many tools can be used in conjunction with what you want students to learn…and Newsflash #2 - you can combine several task and tools to help you with “bringing home the point” for students.  They tend to learn better when you differentiate instruction, give them engaging tasks, and allow them to collaborate.  Marva Wilks, of M.W. Consulting, an Educational Technology Professional Learning specialist, said this about combining technologies toward mastering lessons: “This shows concept attainment which is always the goal.”


4.  And here’s the big one…Newsflash #3 – the students are already there.  They are already comfortable with new technologies.  They already know how to navigate around a tool and figure out how to make it work.  They are not afraid to try it out.  When faced with new technologies and new tools, their pattern of thinking goes something like this, “Let’s try this, oops, that didn’t work…OK let’s try something else.  Nope.  How about this?  Yes!  What’s next?”  Allow them the freedom to explore…and then learn from them.  The looming question for us becomes:  If my students are already there, and I’m not…am I hindering their learning?


So with that being said, here are a few quotes for you to ponder.  See them through a technology lens.   Reflect afterward on how you could use them to inspire not only your students, but yourself.  Ask your students how they interpret them.  Ask them to share how they could apply them to their lives.  Then LISTEN.



“If what you have done yesterday still looks big to you, you haven't done much today." 



                                                                                                             Coach Mike Krzyzewski

 “Education can be encouraged from the top down, but can only be improved from the ground up.”
                                                                                                            
                                                                                                             Sir Ken Robinson

“We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.” 

                                                                                                             John Dewey

“After all, we are the instruments by which students learn to write and play their own music.”

                                                                                                             Keith Brown

“If we teach today's students as we taught yesterday, we rob them of tomorrow."
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                             John Dewey

“Schools have to prepare students for jobs that have not yet been created, technologies that have not yet been invented and problems that we don’t know will arise.”

                                                                                                            Andrea Schleicher

 

 

 

Do you "PODCAST"?

In this digital age, we write, we post, we download, we upload, we subscribe, we Instagram, we Tweet, we follow, we unfollow, we invite Friends, we Facebook, we Vine, we Snap Chat, we "Like" and just like you and I are doing at this very moment...we Blog.  All of these are great ways to share, communicate and collaborate.  Well, in case you haven't had the opportunity to try this one out, let me introduce you to the Podcast.



There are a lot of great podcast tools out there.  Many of the podcast tools are free...but, as with "free", there are limits to what you get for that..."price."

• Some podcast tools are host sites - meaning they allow you to upload a previously recorded audio file, made with a different tool, to their host site.

• Some of the podcast tools have a "recording" feature and also serve as a host site.  Most often than not, these kinds of sites are a better deal, but this kind of deal may come with a fee.  Not that there's anything wrong with that...it just depends on what works best for you.  A podcast could be very beneficial to the auditory learners in your class.

• Some of the podcast tools include editing features, but many do not.  You may have to use a third party tool to do the editing, or adding of background music if you so choose.

Along with the fun you'll have coming up with great podcast ideas, the byproduct is that a podcast allows students to develop several skills that they can use across the entire curriculum, such as: improving research and information fluency,  developing problem solving skills, refining time management and organizational skills,  and becoming better writers and public speakers.

Most of the readers of this Blog have probably listened to a podcast of some kind?  Maybe you've listened to a podcast of a sermon, an inspirational speaker, the head of a successful company or an author.



But how would you use it as an educator?  Here are a few suggestions:

TEACHERS
Record your lesson activity for students
Create audible homework assignments
Report classroom news for Parents
Record your "guest speakers" (with their permission)



STUDENTS
Practice storytelling and presentation skills
Record classroom announcements
Do "commercials" for a school program or play
Create a newscast



ADMINISTRATORS
Record Weekly Bulletins
Record your "State of the School Address"
Send an Audible Invitation to your school's PTO, SIC or Open House

Take a look for what's out there on the Internet.  Search for the podcast tool, editing tool, and other podcast ideas that might fit your needs and style.


Here are  couple of sites that list Podcast tools:
https://sites.google.com/site/richardbyrnepdsite/podcasting-resources


http://mashable.com/2007/07/04/podcasting-toolbox/



See you...I mean hear you later,



Keith

Take a Chance on Success

Try these three things to get you on your way to becoming more computer savvy.

1.  Explore a Tool.

Most are very "intuitive."  Who out there has a Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter account?  Who taught you how to do those?  Did you go to a class to learn how to use them?  Probably not.  You most likely just worked your way around and learned it on your own or even asked someone to show you.  Spend 10 minutes a day trying out a new tool.  If you can find a video tutorial on the tool, that is even better.

2.  Connect to a PLN.

Twitter, Edmodo, Remind 101, Wiki ... are all examples of Professional Learning Networks.  There are hundreds of them. Having is one thing. Using is another. It's like owning a boat:  you can't wait to get it, ride a few times, fish, etc., but for most folks, it sits on a trailer or at the dock. Set the tools to notify you as to your preferences.  Most tools have a way they can do this easily.  Check your PLN regularly.  Actively involve yourself.

3.  Take the Next Step. 

Read a Blog. Start a blog. Create a Weebly. Turn the resources you have into a Performance Task.  Make a Photo Story or Movie. Learn to edit.

     By nature, we move forward. How many of you have kids…or have been around those first learning to walk?  They pull themselves along, then crawl, then toddle, then walk.  But if you watch carefully, when they first start to get up, and they fall…they generally fall forward.  Up, balance, hold on for support, and take a first step... maybe a second step. Fall forward. FORWARD!!!  Then UP...and FAIL again until we progress... 2-3-4 steps... SUCCESS! 

    
     Kids then begin running, hopping, skipping... climbing...you are pulling your hair out... Oh sorry, that's when it transfers over to the parents.

      The point being that we succeed when we move forward, a little at a time at first until we gain the confidence to move faster.  Take a chance on success for your own sake... And for those you lead.

If you only get one thing from this blog post, think on this: 

I believe people aren't so much afraid of FAILING... But afraid they will SUCCEED and do nothing with it!

Keith

Who's Working Too Hard?

When you look at the title of this Blog, the thing most consider when pondering the question is the element of time.  Technology is coming too fast…I don’t have the time to put in to stay up with it…I am so busy with my job, my family, and my outside responsibilities, that I simply don’t have the time to put into keeping up with technology. Besides, technology is changing too fast, and I can’t keep up...IT'S TOO HARD!

We are working too HARD. We put in a lot of time doing the step by step instruction, and our students spend too much time as passive learners. What if we flipped how we approach our lesson development? What if we spend time in PLN’s (Professional Learning Networks) developing learning paths for our students based on the resources that they can access.
What if we spent majority of our time guiding them in the development of the Career and College Skills that they will need to function? What would our lessons look like if we spent time in these areas?
Our students are about to enter the fast paced 21^st Century world.  We need to spend our time teaching them how to operate successfully in that world.  It’s not that we’re too slow or that technology is too fast…it’s a matter of focusing on good reflective teaching and let time manage itself for us.

Here are four areas where we need to make sure students have the tools to be able to operate in that environment:

Research & Information Fluency*:  In the 21st Century classroom, students find, navigate through, and evaluate large amounts of information. Teachers provide guided and independent research opportunities for students to make informed decisions and create products.


Communication & Collaboration*: In a 21st Century classroom, students communicate and collaborate effectively to reach a common goal or create a product.  The teacher utilizes a variety of communication methods, structures student interaction in groups, and engages students in collaborative projects.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving*:  Students will apply knowledge and skills in practical ways to solve real world problems. The teacher provides the activities, experiences, and feedback needed for students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Creativity & Innovation*:  In the 21st Century classroom, students develop original ideas and create products by applying critical thinking, research methods, communication tools, and collaborative processes. Teachers provide experiences that allow students to create unique ideas and products. 

The ideal target for us as teachers is to stimulate the students to be able to do their own research, to work together, to think critically, and to “reach outside the box” as an innovative learner.  The Technology will keep coming fast, but most of it is so intuitive, that you will be able to embrace it and keep up.

If we are able to get a handle on these ideals, we will have the time, and it won't be so hard.  We can explore new technology…but more importantly, we will be able to enjoy the fruits of our concentrated and purposeful labor. 

Sources: * Advanced Learning Partnerships

Contributors to this post:  Keith Brown and Marva Wilks

 

Try PADLET

I did an activity in a middle school math class last week where the teacher created a “Problem of the Week” sheet which had a different problem for every class taught.  We then had the students work with a Partner, solve the Problem for their class period, and post it on a Padlet (an Internet Bulletin Board).  Students were to explain how they solved the problem, as though the person reading the explanation was being taught the concept for the first time.  Students posted their explanation on a Word Document, saved it, and then uploaded it to the site.

We locked and password protected the site so that students could only see their own class’ work until the end of the day.  They were to then go home and finish the other class’ problems for homework…but not for posting.

Using the Padlet allows students to work outside of their classroom and also share their work with parents.  The Padlet allows you to Monitor and Control the contents of the wall before it becomes live on the web, as well as allowing the teacher to set a password, create a unique web address, and keep the site Unlisted or Private.

As a “twist” to this activity…students within the class can be paired up, with each group working to solve a different problem…then at the end of the period, students posted their work to the Padlet board representing the problem they worked on.  Students went to the Interactive White Board, having the Padlet up on the screen, and shared with the remainder of the class, how they solved their particular problem.

The nice thing about this type of activity is that it can be used over many different disciplines different types of activities, and at varying grade levels.  On the Padlet you can post pictures, Word Documents, PDF’s, URL’s, Power points, Photo Story presentations and videos.

The great thing about this activity is it really registers high up on the scale as far as their Communication & Collaboration with audiences outside of their classroom, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving to engage in open-ended learning experiences that require higher order thinking skills, Creativity & Innovation by having the students apply existing knowledge to create ideas and products…Research & Information Fluency to use information and resources to accomplish real-world tasks.

This free tool can be found at www.padlet.com

Keith

Technology and Mayberry

Mayberry, NC is the home of one of the most beloved television programs of all time, The Andy Griffith Show.   But as far as technology, there really wasn’t a lot by today’s standards.  In one episode in particular, “Crime Free Mayberry”, Barney Fife is upset at the modern marvels of the neighboring Mt. Pilot police department and jealous because Mayberry was so far behind the times.  He told Andy, “We don’t have any submachine guns, no tear gas, and we don’t even have a “hee-lio-copter.”  Barney decries to the fake FBI agent that “Sir, we’re working under very primitive conditions here.”

What would Barney have been able to do had they had a radio dispatch operator other than Sarah, the town phone operator, a computer mounted in the Ford Galaxy patrol car for access to outstanding Warrant records, an Eye-in-the-Sky heat camera for tracking escaped criminals on the run, or even an iPhone?

The technology wasn’t prevalent in Mayberry, but some of the Technology that we have today has replaced what the folks in Mayberry used to communicate.

So often, Mayberry folks had heart-warming interactions, which were lessons for us, by way of face-to-face interactions.  You might see two friends, sitting down to talk with one another about a situation...a nephew sharing feelings with his Aunt…or a father having a heart-to-heart with his son.  Today we could do the same thing, but it might be via an email, a text, a Tweet, or a Snap Chat.  We share what’s going on in our lives with a Facebook message or with an Instagram photo and comment.  And as you know, people tend to share more boldly via Social Media without having to look the other person(s) in the eye.  We can share thoughts or pictures, but it’s hard to read the voice inflection, the excitement, the sadness, the concerns, and joy that we get with face-to-face interaction.  So although technology and connecting with friends using the many tools that are available is great…it is wonderful to spend time talking with friends over a meal or a cup of coffee, with our phones in our pockets or out of reach.

It wasn't that long ago that we didn't have email, text messages or cell phones. We did our banking in the bank with a Teller.  We did our shopping by going to the store.  We checked in at the airport with a flight assistant instead of an App on our mobile devices.

Whether we will admit it or not, we all have a strong primal need to be remembered, to connect, and to belong to something outside of ourselves and our immediate environment.  Technology can certainly put us in touch, but don't forget to connect as human beings.  Reach out to others; share your lives with friends and family...with a handshake, a hug, and face-to-face communication...just like we used to do. 

Next time you are out at a restaurant; take an informal poll of the lost art of talking and sharing face-to-face.  Look around and see how many folks are on their phones while sitting across the table from friends and family members…not talking.  Technology is great, but I still think the world needs a little more Mayberry.

 

- Keith

COLLABORATION

Often times the first thing we think about when someone says the word "collaboration" is a group project or meeting. It sometimes carries a negative connotation due to the fact that most of us were at some point in our lives, a part of a group that had as its mission, to plan, decide and act on a task. Miriam-Webster says it means to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor. Some of those groups may have resulted in a "not-so-good" experience.

Another definition given says, "To cooperate with an agency or instrumentality with which one is not immediately connected." Here's where I want to discuss "collaboration." Even though you may be a part of a school's classroom, a church or civic group, or even a member of a community, you are not necessarily immediately connected. Some synonyms for collaborate are: band (together), cooperate, concert, concur, conjoin, conspire, join, league, and team-up) and unite. Some related words are: affiliate, ally, associate, combine, hang together, and interface.

Our young people see examples on television of how NOT to collaborate...at least not in a productive manner, as they tune into all of the "Reality Shows" that are shown in prime time. So how can we collaborate if we are not immediately connected? The Internet. Most of America is already connected via Face Book, Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat, and Blogs…to mention a few.

But there are lots of sites where you can collaborate with other professionals online. The bottom line is this…Collaboration is something that adults must teach and model in our classrooms and at home. We are responsible for teaching our young people how to be good digital citizens, how to properly use “Social Media” and demonstrate appropriate collaboration.

Here are just a few sites that are good for you to explore that are collaborative by design:

Edmodo             www.edmodo.com 
Google Docs      www.google.com
BlogSpot           www.blogspot.com
Mind42              www.mind42.com  
Wiki Spaces       www.wikispaces.com  
Type With Me   www.typewithme.com