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Promising Practices: Teaching Middle School Science Blog: District 51
This is a blog used to supplement classroom learning by providing video of class activities, labs and lectures, downloads of classroom documents, and weekly plans. It also provides a showcase for student work. What are the benefits of using a blog to supplement learning? How does a tool like this promote 21st Century teaching and learning?
Posted:
Oct 14 2008, 6:14 PM EDT by
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Promising Practices: Collaborative Web 2.0 project for 7th graders
District 51 - East Middle School: We used the content standards for 7th grade science and the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner to create a collaborative project for 7th graders. The students used Web 2.0 tools and created wiki pages for a variety of ecological issues. They incorporated PhotoStories and used the librarian’s del.icio.us links to find resources. How is this an example of 21st Century learning?
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Oct 13 2008, 7:33 PM EDT by
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Using Web 2.0Tools (blogs, wikis, etc.) in Teaching and Learning
More and more educators are connecting their classrooms and students to the larger World Wide Web community via Web 2.0 tools like blogs, wikis, podcasting and other internet forums e.g. VoiceThread and others. I think it has huge potential. Students are immediately engaged and invested in their work when they know that it will be posted on the internet for everyone to see. Web 2.0 tools are excellent for collaboration, creativity, and discussion. They also raises issues like security and privacy. Some schools have to deal with internet access being filtered or rigidly censored so that teachers and students may not have access to some web 2.0 tools. What do you think about these issues? How do we balance giving students access to the world while keeping them safe?
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2008/01/web_20_and_education_hot_or_no.html
Posted:
Oct 12 2008, 7:41 PM EDT by beckyingj
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What is the inquiry process?
In another discussion called : A 21st Century Learning Experiment RangerMel said, "What I'm hearing here is some redefinition, perhaps, of what it means to be a modern "teacher." So much of the learning process seems to be FACILITATING the learning process rather than directing it. It sounds like you're working with your students to define the process steps of learning, which I would think would give them to skills to say (consciously or subconsciously), "I'm really frustrated with this project right now...oh! wait--this is how it's suppose to be at this stage!" I would think that if students had a better understanding of the learning process, particularly when it becomes frustrating, that they'll have the fortitude to stick through the tough times and work for clarity and success."
She is describing the inquiry process that we need to be able to tap into in order to facilitate learning. What does it look like or feel like to be in the midst of an inquiry? how can we better facilitate authentic learning experiences like working through a complex problem?
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Oct 3 2008, 4:14 PM EDT by
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A 21st Century Learning Experiment
As a technolgy teacher, I wanted to challenge myself and my students in ways that I never have before. This school year, rather than focusing on learning the technology, I wanted to focus on using the technology for learning. To allow for this, we have not spent any classtime learning any specific software or hardware this quarter, but rather, have spent time on learning how to learn the tools that the students may need to complete their projects. I have provided a variety of books, job aids, Internet Resources, and expert contacts (emails and such), for all of the software and hardware in our building that students may need to use. The students began their quarter-long project by selecting an issue/problem/topic of interest to them and continued on by planning and researching and are now in the design and development stages. I have modeled each step along the way, including the critical thinking skills, the inquiry, the collaboration, and much more as if I were doing a project of my own. I have not hovered over them much, but rather coached them as they have needed it along the way. They complete project journals reflecting on their experiences, and they also complete a self-evaluation every two weeks that asks them to evaluate the skills that they feel they have acquired or at least have become familiar with throughout their project. I have faced many challenges through this experiment and here are a couple of questions that have occured to me along the way:
1. Is it possible to really "teach" 21st Century Learning Skills, or do we just continue to model, coach, and provide opportunities for the students to develop them?
2. If it is possible, what are strategies and ideas to teach them in a way that allow students to acquire and apply them to their learning in all contexts?
3. Are there common 21st century learning skills assessments/rubrics to support this type of learning?
I am looking forward to responses!
Posted:
Sep 16 2008, 12:42 AM EDT by
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21st Century Teaching Challenges
As mentioned throughout this site, we are well aware of the necessity to help students develop essential 21st Century Learning Skills; this site was created with the "HOW" in mind. Those of us who are teaching in the 21st Century are finding th
Last updated:
Dec 10 2008, 12:48 PM EST by
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Online Learning Standards
Colorado Online Learning recently updated its Quality Assurance Process to include a section on 21st Century Skills in its course review instrument. This is aligned with the national online learning standards set by North American Council for Online Learning.
21st CENTURY SKILLS
1. Course instruction, content and assignments provide opportunities for students to take responsibility and initiative for their learning as self-directed learners. [Definition: Course affords students the opportunity and encouragement to monitor their own understanding and needs, utilize time efficiently and manage workload.]
2. Course instruction, content and assignments promote the acquisition of information management skills. [Definition:
Including the abilities to gather, evaluate, synthesize, and communicate information. Uses technology as a tool to research, organize, evaluate and communicate information, may address the ethical/legal issues surrounding the access and use of information.]
3. Course instruction, content and assignments encourage adaptability so that students learn thrive in the context of rapid change. [Definition: Afford students opportunities to adapt to varied roles and responsibilities, and work effectively in an environment where change occurs rapidly; students increase their comfort level with ambiguity.]
Posted:
Aug 19 2008, 2:45 AM EDT by DixieGood
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Promising Practices
Find out what your colleagues are doing under the 21st century teaching and learning banner. Curriculum Teaching Practice Instructional Design Assessment Professional Development Culture & Co
Last updated:
Dec 20 2009, 10:50 AM EST by
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