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This morning as I am catching up on some of the technology news to which I subscribe here are a few of the headlines related to measuring 21st Century Skills…
“On the way: Nations first tech literacy exam”
“Report: Retool instruction, or will U.S. fail”
“Groups push for media-literacy education”
“P21: Rethink testing for future success”
“ISTE unveils new tech standards for teachers”
And the one that made me stop and think…
“Are your students learning the way they are living?”
You may be asking or wondering what does this look like in the classroom? I would suggest that it involves the very tools and strategies that we offer training in and support the implantation of in BISD – podcasting, blogging, and creating media to collaborate in the global world. Many are using these tools in a personal way or at least know others that are. You have your social network accounts (MySpace, Facebook, etc), you create and enjoy videos on You Tube, you blog about your families, and goodness knows you email regularly for both work and personal life. It’s time to utilize these tools in the teaching and learning process.
So, here’s my question for you…
“Are you teaching the way you are living?”
Distance Learning: Where We’ve Been, Where We’re Going
When most people think of a Distance Learning experience they think big carts of equipment, content providers, and scheduling, all of which means money! And speaking of money, there always seems to be a shortage of that whether in education, business, or personal finances! There are, however, some huge benefits to these learning experiences. Connections with professionals such as heart surgeons, NASA astronauts, artists, entertainers, etc. provide students the opportunity to experience real-world events and professionals through the available technologies. However, budgets sometimes prohibit all from being able to access. This whole Distance Learning experience could be labeled Macro Distance Learning.
So, what’s the alternative? Micro Distance Learning. This type of experience would be using webcams, Skype, and teacher and student generated content. But mostly, this type of experience is collaboration and sharing of knowledge through inexpensive and/or free tools. This type of experience does, however, require planning and scheduling, but the advantage is that the teachers and the students control the curriculum and content being delivered. Students especially are required to become the experts before participating in video conferences. They can collaborate with their peers both in the classroom and with those at another site to create their learning. Collaborative efforts do not mirror traditional learning experiences. Students must be free to move around the room, work in groups, and share information, and sometimes this can look “messy” while in fact students are actually creating, evaluating, analyzing, and applying knowledge. Hum….sound anything like Bloom’s? These are exactly the types of experiences our student’s need to develop 21st century skills. Click here to take a look at the updated Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy.
The first steps in making Micro Distance Learning happen require users to become familiar and comfortable with the tools that will be used. Skype, for example, is a free download that allows users to make free calls to other Skype users on the computer. By adding a couple of inexpensive tools such as a microphone and webcam this free call now becomes a live video conference. Or, you can try ooVoo to participate in a video conference with multiple users.
Using webcams in the classroom provides engaging learning experiences for both students and teachers. You can use a webcam and Skype to contact Santa at the North Pole, just like our first graders did back in December, or to watch your kindergarten teacher participate in the Alaskan Iditarod while you are in the classroom at Holiday Heights. Binion students got a glimpse into tomorrow by visiting with Dr. Tribble’s son while he was in Japan – it was already the next day there! Next week Hardeman students will be connecting via webcam and Skype to Oceanside, California to meet face to face with their pen pals. Students in a geography class can connect with classrooms in another region or country to hear first-hand about cultural differences. Or, a physics class in Birdville could connect with another physics class to collaborate on a project or solve a problem. Teachers can use webcams to connect with their teaching peers to collaborate, plan, and share ideas. Using a webcam you can record a movie and/or stream a presentation, science experiment, or other event to those unable to attend can view later.
Use of webcams in the classrooms can motivate and engage students. Students can work collaboratively to prepare for interactions with an authentic audience. Students can experience real-world tools while broadening the knowledge and connecting their learning. School is no longer contained to the walls of the classrooms. Through available technologies the doors of learning are wide open!
