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  

Using the F3 Key to Search Terms of Service

Often, as one of three Tech Coaches in the Georgetown County School District, teachers will ask us via email, about new web tools they've found. What they want to know is, “Hey, I've found this new site, and I think it looks pretty good. I want to use it with my students. What do you think?"

Here are some things to keep in mind when you do find new Web Tools:

1. Is this just a cool tool that can go with an activity...or was the lesson planned, and now you are
    looking for a tool to use to enhance the content?

2. Is the site FREE?

3. Is it sustainable? Meaning, is this a site you can use year after year, and even bank items you've
    created for future use...or is it a trial period site tool that you have limited usage to without being
    required to upgrade to the "Premium" account.

4. Do the Terms of Service meet the requirements for use by students above or below the age of 13?

5. Does using the Web Tool require parental consent?

6. Does the site, and more importantly the use of it, abide by the stipulations of CIPA, COPPA, and
    FERPA Laws for Internet safety of minors?

Items 1 - 3 are easily answered. Numbers 4 - 6 require a little more investigation.  First go to the site, and then find the Terms of Service or Terms of Use (usually at the bottom in fine print). Click on these Terms. Now use the F3 key on the top of your keyboard to bring up a "Find Box." This usually pops up at the top left under the web tool bar. Type in key words and scroll down to help you find the information you need quickly. I like to type in "13", "18", "age", "legally" and "binding."

Watch the video below. I hope this has been helpful.





Keith Brown

Twitter is “all the rage”…but what is “all the rage” about?

Twitter is “all the rage”…but what is “all the rage” about?  If you are diligent in finding the right folks to follow on Twitter, you will get a Twitter Feed with all kinds of good information, wonderful and enlightening articles, and tools to help in your particular quest.  You can certainly choose to follow those that have “like-mindedness” toward certain subjects. ..thus creating a ProfessionalLearning Network.   Here are some reasons to ue Twitter.

·         First and foremost, Twitter is limited to 140 characters per message and therefore provides messages and information that are short and direct.  This encourages the writer to capture your attention fast and gives you a synopsis to glean the information in the Tweet in a quick scan.

·         Twitter allows you to enter pictures that may further illustrate your post.

 

·         Professional Interaction can take place outside the walls of your class or school.  A short time  invested to create your Twitter account can pay off big later in the eveniong while in your easy chair. 

·         Connect through Twitter to other learning communities.  Here you will find deeper applications to the educational subject matter you crave.

·         With Twitter, you can be easily transition to an array of multimedia sources (YouTube, dedicated URL’s, Blogs, etc.).

·         The availability of smartphones and tablets with their own network connections, or even over Wi-Fi, allow you connect on the go.  (THAT DOES NOT MEAN WHILE DRIVING.  BE SAFE AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD.)

Happy Tweeting!

 

Keith

A simple adjustment leads to a collaborative environment

Last week as myself, Keith and Marc were working in the office to prepare for the upcoming school year, we realized that our current office setup was hindering a collaborative atmosphere. 

Marc and Keith currently share an office while I am situated in a cubicle 15 feet from their door. Last Tuesday,  as I sat in my cubicle, I heard sounds of collaboration coming from their open office.  I listened intently as a small idea was presented and the two worked together to weave that idea into a viable plan.  Instantly, I knew I wanted to be a part of this! It was clearly evident that collaboration was being used to take their ideas beyond what either one could accomplish on an individual level.

I knew that I had to get in on this collaboration!  So I approached them about completely moving our office space around.  Being the awesome guys they are, we quickly equipped ourselves with a hand truck, and a tool set.  In the hour and a half that followed we literally moved hundreds of pounds of filing cabinets, took down walls of a cubicle, and thoroughly worked up a sweat in our slacks, button down long sleeve shirts, and ties!

What we were left with though, was an environment that encourages collaboration between the 3 of us.   In the short time since the office rearrangement, we have worked together to develop ideas and plans that will allow us to be more effective and efficient technology coaches.

So I encourage you to join the conversations at your school, break down barriers that may be negatively effecting collaboration, and create an environment that is open to new ideas!