As always, I am finding some interesting content through the connections created on social media that I am hoping I could share with you. Please take a look at the blogs listed below for an expansion in content:
1. Cell Phones in The Spotlight – Parkland School Division teacher Luke English recently asked his students about the use of cell phones in the classroom and their feedback. Blogs are a fantastic tool to get feedback from your students and to have some critical conversation, but what was interesting was the expertise that came into the classroom from outside of the classroom. Although this is a very new component to Luke’s class, and many students started off by discussing using mobile devices as calculators or to text the teacher, some of the responses from others was highly invaluable. In fact, one teacher from a different school took the discussion to his own class and summarized their responses. Here is a snippet from that conversation:
5. Above all, I believe the use of a smart phone for educational purposes is an opportunity for teachers not only to instruct students on proper use of a smart phone, but it could also be a way for the students to teach older generations (teachers mostly) about the use of these newer devices. It would be a learning opportunity for both the student and teacher.
Blogs are such a great way to bring innovation from outside of the classroom and tap into expertise all around the world. This blog post is just another great example of that. You can also check out Luke’s blog post on “Blogging in the Classroom” to see how his own thought process has progressed.
2. Twitter ; A Teaching and Learning Tool – Tom Barrett shares this very comprehensive look at how Twitter could be used in teaching and learning and goes through several aspects of tapping into this social network. Although this is longer than many typical blog posts, it is great guide for new people who to Twitter who see it as a “Facebook Status Update” tool. Here is a great quote from his post:
When you plan to involve your network in teaching and learning in your classroom it is basically inviting individuals to offer their voice to what you do. Twitter is all about communication, so when thinking of what you will get from Twitter for your lessons – conversation is the currency.
If you are not on Twitter, this might be a great start. If you are on Twitter, this might be a great resource to share with your colleagues that are not.
3. At a Crossroads – Shelly Wright, who is probably my favourite blogger, talks openly about her change in the view of teaching and learning, especially with high school students who have been conditioned to the “traditional” model of education. Her blog is fantastic as it is an open and honest reflection not only of the successes she has had, but also her struggles as well. In her latest post, Shelly shows her passion for her students making a true difference in the world:
What do I mean by that? Learning about great individuals who chose to make a difference in the world, but not doing anything like that ourselves. Learning content and skills to jump through the hoops we call a secondary education, creating assignments that only I’ll ever see — an education that has little current impact on the world outside our four walls. It’s the way a large part of our North American school system currently functions…I want my students to make a difference in this world, for them to use their voices and talents now, rather than waiting for some future date, after they leave high school.
We do our best to connect learning to the real world, but Shelly recognizes that school for kids is the real world. What are we going to do with that?
4. BONUS*** Lego QR Code – My good friend Royan Lee shared the work of one of his students and it is absolutely amazing. It just shows that if you create an environment where students can be innovative, they will most likely be innovative. Check it out!
Have a great week!
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by jenn.davis
