Whatisschool May 7, 2015 Digital Safety

Digital Citizenship and Cybersafety – is it a subject to be taught or integrated into everything?

This week we welcome one of the most passionate educators I have in my PLN, Beverly Ladd. Beverly is a 2nd Grade Lead Learner from USA and it is my pleasure to have her co-moderating with me.

This week we take a look at digital citizenship, cybersafety and digital footprints. A core subject area that links across all curriculum areas within our schools. With more access to technology brings more opportunities to connect and engage. This opportunity also brings negative consequences. As 21st Century Educators we need to support our students through quality digital citizenship learning.

This week #whatisschool takes a look at digital citizenship and how in today’s 21st century classroom, educators across the globe are tackling this topic.

Our chat times for around the world are:

• Thursday 4pm Pacific Time
• Thursday 6pm Central Time
• Thursday 7pm EDT
• Thursday 11pm GMT
• Friday 7am Singapore/WA (Perth) Time
• Friday 9am AEST
• Friday 11am NZT

Join the conversation on Thursday 7 May at 7pm EDT (Thursday 11pm GMT, Friday 9am AEST, 11am NZT, 7am Singapore) as we discuss What Is School? #whatisschool

Questions #whatisschool, May 7, 2015 7PM EDT

1) What does Digital Citizenship mean to you? How are you a responsible educator?

2) What are the Characteristics of a digital citizen? Does it differ between age groups? How?

3) What does Digital Citizenship Learning look like at different age levels?

4) How can we make Digital Citizenship part of a school’s culture?

5) What is the most important element of a Digital Citizenship Program and why?

6) Share your favourite Digital Citizenship resource, image, video, link, article or program.

Whatisschool April 30, 2015 Diversity

Diversity In Schools, A Problem Or An Opportunity?

#whatisschool April 30, 2015 7PM EDT

Everyday the global community shows up in our classrooms reflected in the material we chose to teach, the technology we use and the student body.  As we educate students to be 21^st century leaders and creators  it is easy to see they will be working in a diverse, multicultural, global arena.   So what is diversity anyway?

The belief that knowledge and understanding flourishes best in a climate of sharing through debate dates back to the Socratic tradition, but it is also a part of current global perspectivism.

Diversity can be described in terms of gender, age, sex, race or ethnicity but in the broader sense it refers to a concept that embraces the richness of human differences.  Through dialogue and discovery diversity broadens the learning experience for all students. By engaging in multicultural learning we extend the meaning of personal, social,and moral growth by learning from the unique perspectives of different populations.

Allison in 7/8
French immersion class

This week help me welcome outspoken educator and student voice advocate Allison Fuisz (@allison_fuisz) who will be sharing duties as co-moderator and ambassador of classroom diversity with me.  Allison is a passionate, energetic teacher who is packing a wealth of international experience. She created an authentic co-learning space for her students and fellow teachers where she brainstormed and promoted Ontario’s Students as Researchers (STAR program).  Using integrated technology Allison has opened up the world to her students, making their voice heard and exposing them to diverse cultures while helping them gain the skills they will need to be future change makers.  Make sure you check out her excellent blog The Enthusiastic Learner and give her a big welcome to #whatisschool.

Questions #whatisschool 
April 30 2015, 7PM EDT

1) What are the challenges of a diverse classroom? 

2) How can you use structured classroom activities to highlight diversity? 

3) How can global classrooms and technology increase diversity, awareness in your student body?

4) How can teachers, parents and communities create opportunities for students to experience diversity?

5) What can you do to increase student

voice, empathy, understanding and acceptance of diverse populations?
6) How can embracing diversity in class prepare students to be active members of a global community?

Whatisschool April 23, 2015 Gamification

#whatisschool, April 23, 2015 7PM EDT

Classroom learning through Gamification

Games and gaming culture are playing an increasingly large role in the lives of people all over the world with an estimated 7 hours a day being spent on-screen. This fast growing sector that has already outpaced music and will soon eclipse the movie industry in sales now has its eye on education.  So what is Gamification anyway?

Gamification is defined as “the use of game thinking and game mechanics in non-game contexts to engage users in solving problems.”  In education this could amount to learning apps or game specific models for learning that work on a reward or point based system.  Outside of education these game techniques are used every day by adults as frequent flyer miles and credit card points.   So how can games be integrated into education?

This week #whatisschool welcomes special guest tweeter and edtech consultant Justin Hardman (@jahardman) who is working with schools in South Korea to support the integration of technology and games in the classroom.   Justin will be offering our #whatisschool PLN a chance to win a ticket to the 21st Century Learning Conference in Hong Kong (Feb 18-20, 2016), where Mr Kemp will be speaking and offering a master class! This winning ticket valued at US $500 will be given to one of the top 25 tweeters at #whatisschool this week who will be randomly selected.

So let’s get our game on!

Questions #whatisschool, April 23, 2015 7PM EDT

1) What does gamification mean for you? Give a 1tweet summary for those new to the idea.

2) What are the key learning benefits to gamification?

3) What apps/resources are useful in employing gamification in K-12 education?

4) How do you know when gamification has been effective?

5) Can gaming replace intrinsic motivation? How? Why?

6) How could educator professional learning be gamified?

BONUS 7th Question this week only: What will have a bigger impact on learning: Games for learning or gamification of learning?

Whatisschool April 16, 2015

Student Centered Learning

#whatisschool  April 16, 2015, 7PM EDT

"I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn." -Albert Einstein

We are in the midst of an education renaissance brought on by a rapidly developing technology sector and a shift in learning focus from industrial skills to global communication. With this change has come a host of teaching innovations.

Join us this week as  #whatisschool takes an in-depth look at student centered learning where the teacher turns from "sage on stage" to mentor and coach, and the students take more responsibility for furthering their own education.

 #whatisschool Questions 
April 16, 2015, 7PM EDT

Q)1 What types of student centered learning have you employed in your class, what were the results?

Q) 2 Does student centered learning increase engagement and retention or cause chaos?

Q)3 What programs or technologies have you employed to facilitate student centered learning opportunities?

Q)4 How can educators switch to student centered models and reach scholastic learning goals?

Q)5 How much responsibility should students have to drive their own education and at what age?

Q)6 How can student centered learning provide diversity and equal education for all students?

Read my post  Opting Out Of A Broken System and Opting Into Life Learning 

Whatisschool April 9, 2015

High Stakes Assessment GLOBAL SMACKDOWN!

#whatisschool  April 9, 2015, 7PM EDT

There are over 700,000,000 million students in elementary and secondary schools around the world.

Before the break, parents and teachers in my district engaged in in-depth, sometimes animated, discussions about high stakes assessments and the classroom.  Parents were urged to opt out of tests but with little promise that classroom time would be re-devoted to activities that encourage critical thinking, collaboration or the building of modern skill sets.  Teachers likewise were frustrated. The students became political footballs, confused about why they worked hard all year to prepare for a test they weren’t obligated to take and in some people’s mind has no value.  So how do we get our classrooms back and return to the business of growing student skills for a new generation of 21^st century learners, leaders, thinkers, creators and doers?

In our first ever GLOBAL SMACKDOWN #whatisschool is asking YOU to send your thoughts about balancing classroom time with assessments to laurahillbooks@gmail.com or DM @candylandcaper between now and Thursday, April 9.  Your ideas will be posted as graphics during the chat while heavyweight global educators Mark Weston @ShiftParadigm and Brett Salakas @MRsalakas man the helm and moderate this week’s #whatisschool Q&A.

After the chat you can download the SMACKDOWN at www.whatisschool.org.  Make a difference, join us as we re-imagine education #whatisschool!

High Stakes Assessment GLOBAL SMACKDOWN!

Questions #whatisschool April 9, 2015, 7PM EDT

1) How do you balance preparation for high stakes assessments with teaching and learning in your classroom?  

2) What value do high stakes assessments bring to your students, how does it affect their future?

3) How do you motivate students who are aware at a very young age of their scholastic rank and academic measure against their peers?

4) What can administrators and districts do to create balance in the classroom and refocus education on nurturing student’s skills.

5) How can parents and educators work together to change high stakes assessments without bringing students into the political arena?

6) Smackdown! With high stakes assessments still in the mix, what can you do to make a change in your classroom?

Whatisschool April 2, 2015

Reflection, A Learning Tool For Life

#whatisschool 7PM EDT April 2, 2015

Do reflection strategies make learning stick? How about when technology is involved? Both the giving and receiving of feedback and useful reflection are habits that can be nurtured in the classroom and used in every aspect of life.  This week #whatisschool takes a look at learning from the student side examining the real meaning of student reflection, how techniques like blogging fit in and ways to connect your class with authentic audiences on the outside.

Questions #whatisschool

7PM EDT April 2, 2015

Q1) How do you define and model authentic reflection for your students?

Q2) What does reflection look like in your classroom, what should it be?

Q3) How can traditional reflection methods use technology to enhance student experience?

Q4) How do you connect your students with an authentic audiences to provide feedback?

Q5) How can reflection heightened self awareness to aid student success in and out of class?
Q6) How can you turn mindful reflection into action that aids global learning?

Whatisschool March 26, 2015

Integrating Technology Into Your Classroom

#Whatisschool March 26, 2015 7PM EDT

Last week #whatisschool took an in-depth look at education technology, the highs and lows and what successful educators are looking for in apps.   This week we continue the conversation focusing on integrating EdTech into lessons and educating parents and administrators about technology use in your classroom.

"Effective integration of technology is achieved when students are able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally. The technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions -- as accessible as all other classroom tools." – National Educational Technology Standards For Students, International Society For Technology In Education.

So how do you successfully integrate technology into your lesson plans?

Questions for #Whatisschool

March 26, 2015 7PM EDT

1) What does technology integration mean to you?

2) What does technology integration look like at your school?

3) How do you integrate technology into lessons to provide meaningful learning and critical thinking?

4) How would you respond to parents questioning blended learning, BYOD or other EdTech integration?

5) How do you get buy in for grade-wide EdTech integration in core subject like math, science, and STEAM?
6) What do you believe is the real student value of adding technology your classroom?

Whatisschool March 19, 2015

Navigating The Sea Of Educational Technology

#Whatisschool March 19, 2015 7PM EDT

In a 2012 PEW Report Judy Buchanan, deputy director of the National Writing Project said,

"The Internet is changing the very nature of how teachers engage in their profession and collaborate with one another.  The key moving forward is to ensure that all educators have equal access to the vast resources available online, and the encouragement and training to use them in groundbreaking ways."

Judy Buchanan

While EdTech has become an essential instructional tool for many educators around the globe, the discussion between supporters citing increased student-teacher productivity and critics who question the effectiveness noting gaps in instructional ability and availability for student in-home use, has also heated up.  So how do you get past all the bells and whistles to integrate really meaningful technology into your lesson plans?

This week #whatisschool explores the groundbreaking hits and misses of Educational Technology and looks toward future trends in a rapidly changing market that earned $4.4 trillion in 2013, with e-learning accounting for a $91 billion chunk of that.

Questions for #Whatisschool

March 18, 2015 7PM EDT

1) Is Educational Technology essential for success in your classroom?

2) Which technologies have you integrated with great success or failure?

3) What favorite apps have you used to enhance your teaching and learning programs?

4) How can technology be integrated with real world learning or critical thinking applications?

5) How can you get buy-in and teach others to effectively use and navigate EdTech trends?
6) How can you and your students help each other create an effective EdTech program?

Whatisschool March 12, 2014

What makes a good PLN?

Join #whatisschool Thursday, March 12 at 7PM EST

For many of us our PLN emerged spontaneously due to like attitudes and interests fostered on social media, especially twitter, where personal learning networks spring like blossoms from the screen.  Other PLNs are created amongst co-workers or individuals in like-teaching tracks  But what happens when your PLN needs revitalization, when those initial questions that brought you together are answered? How can you help each other turn your ideas into action and in turn help others looking for answers?

This week #whatisschool explores your PLN and ways you can keep it as fresh and exciting as the first day you pushed the follow button.

Questions for #whatisschool 
Thursday, March 12 at 7PM EST

Q1)  What attributes make for a Healthy & Productive PLN? What 2 attributes do you seek in a PLN?

Q2) In a Healthy & Productive PLN what responsibilities should members have? Do rules help or hurt?

Q3)  What are the key DOs & DON’Ts for PLN members? Give examples & tell us why…

Q4) What are the tell tale signs that a PLN has become dysfunctional? What can you do to help?

Q5) For Social Media based PLN’s, what options do people have for resolving issues that arise?
Q6) How can we ensure that all members of a PLN have a voice, are heard & issues are addressed & resolved?

Whatisschool March 5, 2015

How will classrooms changing in the future?

#whatisschool, March 5, 2015 6PM EST

  

Two roads converged in the forest, one well worn, and the other less trodden.  Which path leads to happiness, success, and fulfillment?  Which is full of danger, intrigue, and the unimaginable?  Which one is right, which one is wrong, the answer may surprise you!  This week #whatisschool takes a look at the less traveled path as we re-imagine the future of classrooms.

“Learning happens spontaneously in these purposefully chaotic environments.”- Sugata Mitra

In his school in the cloud Education Scientist Sugata Mitra promotes a methodology of learning driven by “a global community that connects Self-Organised Learning Environments in an organic movement towards a more inclusive, universal education.” While this sounds like a mouthful the basic premise of a SOLE or Self Organized Learning Environment, is to let students collaborate, use the internet and learn in their own style, teaching each other while being gently prodded by an adult mentor.  To accomplish this Mitra combines a new attitude toward designing classrooms and toward teaching methodology. 

As children continue to gain voice and focus their talents at increasingly younger ages on solving real world problems, how will you change your classroom and your mindset?

How will classrooms changing in the future?

Questions #whatisschool, March 5, 2015 6PM EST

Q1)  How would you re-imagine your classroom to create a SOLE learning environment? NT the explanation is in the set up

Q2) What new topics can you imagine teaching in 20 years?

Q3)  How will the classroom environment need to change to teach these topics?

Q4) How does technology fit into your new classroom?

Q5) How does nature and collaborative space fit into your classroom?

Q6) How can you include student voice in growing a futuristic classroom and mindset?

Whatisschool February 12 2015

#Whatisschool, Thursday February 12, 6PM EST

What kind of culture are you creating in your school?

What is shaping the culture at your school high states testing, standards and fear, or habits and values like curiosity, initiative, perseverance and creativity? Which are the real indicators of personal ability to achieve success and how is it affecting students, educators and parents?

Joshua Katz, a High School math teacher from Florida opened his TEDx talk with this message:

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by it’s ability to climb a tree it will live its whole life believing it is stupid…Right now the public narrative in education is all about school, teachers and curriculum. We need to start focusing on our students and who they are.”

So how can we create a school culture that focuses on students and who they are? This week #whatisschool challenges you to take a critical look at the culture at your school.  You may be surprised at what you find.

Questions #whatisschool February 12, 6PM EST

Q1) What kind of a school culture should you aim to build? What is needed for this to happen? 

Q2) How can school culture be co-held by students? Should it embrace technology used in their daily lives?

Q3) How will school culture need to change as digital natives enter the education work force?

Q4) What is needed to build an open active learning environment with room for questioning, thinking and growing together?

Q5) How are you integrating parent's values and culture into your school culture?

Q6) How can your culture change to make your school a fear free place of learning, acceptance and growth?

1. For more articles and archives on creating 21 century learning or to book a visit at your school visit whatisschool.org or contact Laura Hill @candylandcaper