This article is cross posted at the Technology & Learning Advisor blog.
A little over two years ago myself and a small group of educational technologists in my area discussed the unconference model for professional development (PD). We all thought that it had a lot of potential and that the Edcamp unconferences cropping up around the country were really great. So, one of our group said that we should put together an unconference dealing with mobile devices, mainly tablets, that day PadCamp was born. This summer we held our second PadCamp on a beautiful August day at the Southern New Jersey shore. Over 300 educators and students, yes students, ran sessions and shared ideas and resources.
Shoot, they could have gone to the beach! It was a gorgeous sunny day and the ocean water was warm! But they didn't and that's profound. They didn't because they were "hungry" and wanted to learn and do it in a way that was productive and collaborative. So I said, "Why aren't more school districts holding their own unconferernces?" We all have gone through too many in-service days where the end result was boredom and frustration. Or, people got so "off course," due to being told what to do, that nothing productive come out of it. Many school districts have gone to the "turn key" approach to PD where a few staff members go out and get trained and then come back to train their peers. Don't get me wrong, this is can be effective, but it can be better.
Just imagine a day where the staff walks into the school cafeteria or auditorium, with a blank schedule in hand, and are asked to create a PD day that they control. I think that the thought of this makes many administrators cringe in fear. But, as professionals we have a lot to share and sharing is what it's all about. Remember, collaboration is a twenty first century skill!
The unconference model fosters sharing and collaboration. It gives a voice and platform for educators to share best practices and resources. How great would it be if the people that organize PD in school districts would take that chance? I firmly believe that people would leave feeling empowered, excited and motivated to go back and implement what they just learned. I have seen it in person and it's too obvious to not stand up and pay attention.
We are at a crossroads as educators. We are asked to teach to a test in a prescriptive manner that stifles our creativity. If we can take take come control of our professional growth and learn what we need and want, instead of going through more of the same, we can grow better professionally and our students will benefit as well. The unconference model of professional development gives you a voice and allows you to do what you do best - teach, learn and collaborate. Unconferences don't have to be technology related either, just use your imagination. So, if you haven't attended an EdCamp, PadCamp or any unconference yet please do! It's a PD experience that will be well worth your time.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Have you planted a Pearltree today?
This article is cross posted at the Technology & Learning Advisor blog.
If you have not checked out Pearltrees then you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Pearltrees is one of the newest social bookmarking sites to hit the web that takes a very innovative approach to content curation. At first, I didn't think that I was going to be able to get much value out if this site, but after I used it for a while, I can really see its value. If you are a visual thinker then this is a great way to store and organize your bookmarks.
When you're ready to go all you have you do is "plant" your first Pearltree, this is the category or topic of your links, and then add your pearls, which are the websites that you want to store. From there you can "branch out" and continue to "grow" your tree by adding more pearls. The entire tree collapses and expands to show all of your links. You can also re-organize your pearls or create new tress from what you have. Your tree is a fluid graphical interface that can be "pruned" and "cultivated."
Once you have created your trees you can share them with others on social media or invite people to collaborate on a tree with you on the Pearltree site. You can also search out others trees and either team up with them or "pick" some pearls to use on your own tree. They also have a browser plugin that they call the "Pearler." Pearltrees site also has a feature that will recommend trees of related interests.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XEdR0l-0DQ&w=560&h=315]
I must say that this really works for me and it will for any other person that is a visual thinker. Once you really get the hang of it, it really makes sense and you will find yourself having a great time organizing, collaborating and discovering Pearltrees.
If you have not checked out Pearltrees then you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Pearltrees is one of the newest social bookmarking sites to hit the web that takes a very innovative approach to content curation. At first, I didn't think that I was going to be able to get much value out if this site, but after I used it for a while, I can really see its value. If you are a visual thinker then this is a great way to store and organize your bookmarks.
When you're ready to go all you have you do is "plant" your first Pearltree, this is the category or topic of your links, and then add your pearls, which are the websites that you want to store. From there you can "branch out" and continue to "grow" your tree by adding more pearls. The entire tree collapses and expands to show all of your links. You can also re-organize your pearls or create new tress from what you have. Your tree is a fluid graphical interface that can be "pruned" and "cultivated."
Once you have created your trees you can share them with others on social media or invite people to collaborate on a tree with you on the Pearltree site. You can also search out others trees and either team up with them or "pick" some pearls to use on your own tree. They also have a browser plugin that they call the "Pearler." Pearltrees site also has a feature that will recommend trees of related interests.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XEdR0l-0DQ&w=560&h=315]
I must say that this really works for me and it will for any other person that is a visual thinker. Once you really get the hang of it, it really makes sense and you will find yourself having a great time organizing, collaborating and discovering Pearltrees.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Book Review: "Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds"
This article is cross posted at the Technology & Learning Advisor blog.
There is a new book on the market, that I think, is a much needed "guide" for those that want to collaborate in their classrooms but are not quite sure how to get it done. Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis have provided a wonderful resource in their book "Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Move to Global Collaboration One Step at a Time." This is more than a book, it is designed using an interactive, action based approach that puts readers through a three part process that involves fifteen actions to give you, "a live learning experience connecting you to other learners."
Overall, this is a great book written by 21st century educators, for 21st century educators, in a way that not only instructs, but engages that reader and gives them the tools to act and lead. I have met and spoken with so many educators that want to include 21st Century learning and pedagogy in the curriculum but feel overwhelmed and are not sure how to start. I now have a resource to point them to that is a complete and actionable resource to make them not just global collaborators, but leaders that can share what they learn and spread the "Flat Classroom" ™ movement. Or, better yet, become a Flat Classroom ® Certified Teacher!
There is a new book on the market, that I think, is a much needed "guide" for those that want to collaborate in their classrooms but are not quite sure how to get it done. Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis have provided a wonderful resource in their book "Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Move to Global Collaboration One Step at a Time." This is more than a book, it is designed using an interactive, action based approach that puts readers through a three part process that involves fifteen actions to give you, "a live learning experience connecting you to other learners."
In part one - "Meet the Flat Classroom," the authors will familiarize you with the concepts of flattening your classroom through solid research and examples. You will read how to embed and enhance current projects as well using stories from educators and students that are globally collaborating. Part two - "Seven Steps to Flatten You Classroom," will get you involved by teaching you how to connect and build your global reach as well as communicate effectively. The authors include information about how to sustain your projects, build relationships, while teaching digital global citizenship using what they call the "7 Steps to Flatten Your Classroom." Finally, part three - "Project Development," guides the reader through the framework to create and manage their own global projects. These final chapters take the reader full circle from connecting, to collaborating, and then creating and managing your own global projects. Every chapter ends with a great summary, some essential questions, one of the fifteen challenges, a diary entry from one of the authors, and case studies. These features give great closure and application to all of the concepts that have been covered.
As I stated earlier, this is an interactive book with many great features that help educators apply what they are learning, and share them at the same time. Just about every page has a QR Code to scan, a website to visit or resources for connecting to others. For instance, they list key people to follow on Twitter under "Add Friend" or give the address of a recommended social network. Furthermore, the ISTE NETS Standards and 21st Century Skills that are discussed can be found listed in the margin on the same page. Plus, they give you six months of free access to their PD Toolkit that is chock-full of case studies, downloadable tools, templates and assignments.
Overall, this is a great book written by 21st century educators, for 21st century educators, in a way that not only instructs, but engages that reader and gives them the tools to act and lead. I have met and spoken with so many educators that want to include 21st Century learning and pedagogy in the curriculum but feel overwhelmed and are not sure how to start. I now have a resource to point them to that is a complete and actionable resource to make them not just global collaborators, but leaders that can share what they learn and spread the "Flat Classroom" ™ movement. Or, better yet, become a Flat Classroom ® Certified Teacher!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
A Tablet for the Little Ones - Leapfrog's LeapPad Explorer
This article is cross posted at the Technology & Learning Advisor blog.
Recently, my wife and I, purchased Leapfrog's latest tablet device for our daughter. The LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet is their newest offering and is aimed at children ages 4-9. This rugged little tablet comes in a couple of colors and is built to withstand the rigors of a youngsters day.
Once my daughter got it in her hands she automatically went to work using the stylus, and her finger, to set up her profile, navigate menus, draw, take photos, videos, and play learning apps. The LeapPad has many of the features of the full-fledged tablets such as a microphone, rear facing camera (stills and video), home button as well as a button for navigation. The touch screen is very responsive and the stylus does a nice job drawing and navigation. It does not connect to the Internet, no Wi-Fi card or browser, so you don't have to worry about little ones straying into uncharted territory.
The expanding choice of learning games are where this device really shines. You have a choice of purchasing them as downloadable apps or as small cartridges. Each one of them is game based learning for improving reading, writing, math, science and life skills. The games titles include familiar characters from Disney, Sponge Bob and others. Plus, with the included software for your PC call LeapFrog Connect. With LeagFrog Connect you can sync and update your LeapPad with apps or software upgrades. What makes this really power is what they call "Learning Path." Learning Path gives parent, or teachers, the ability to track the progress of the users so they can see if they are progressing well or need any with certain skills. Also, depending on the learning app, you can make the game more easier or more challenging. For instance, you can adjust math from single digit adding or subtracting all the way up to basic algebra and probability. Language and reading is also adjustable. You can do it or the app will adjust the child progresses for you. It even allows you to upload vocabulary words that will be included in the stories and games that are currently being played.
LeapFrog sells bundles, in quantities of five, for schools to integrate into their curriculum's. These bundles include the tables, AC adapters, headphones, cases and learning apps. For elementary school teachers these devices would make great learning centers as well as allow young students to apply creativity and learn responsibility in a familiar, game based environment. Each tablet allows up to three individual profiles so you can track multiple students with each unit. LeapFrog Connect is a great tool to track progress in the classroom too. The only drawback with these tablets is that they go through batteries fast, so be sure to use rechargeables or the AC adapters whenever you can. Overall, this little tablet is a powerful and unique solution for elementary learning. See the demo to get the full story and see it in action!
Recently, my wife and I, purchased Leapfrog's latest tablet device for our daughter. The LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet is their newest offering and is aimed at children ages 4-9. This rugged little tablet comes in a couple of colors and is built to withstand the rigors of a youngsters day.
Once my daughter got it in her hands she automatically went to work using the stylus, and her finger, to set up her profile, navigate menus, draw, take photos, videos, and play learning apps. The LeapPad has many of the features of the full-fledged tablets such as a microphone, rear facing camera (stills and video), home button as well as a button for navigation. The touch screen is very responsive and the stylus does a nice job drawing and navigation. It does not connect to the Internet, no Wi-Fi card or browser, so you don't have to worry about little ones straying into uncharted territory.
The expanding choice of learning games are where this device really shines. You have a choice of purchasing them as downloadable apps or as small cartridges. Each one of them is game based learning for improving reading, writing, math, science and life skills. The games titles include familiar characters from Disney, Sponge Bob and others. Plus, with the included software for your PC call LeapFrog Connect. With LeagFrog Connect you can sync and update your LeapPad with apps or software upgrades. What makes this really power is what they call "Learning Path." Learning Path gives parent, or teachers, the ability to track the progress of the users so they can see if they are progressing well or need any with certain skills. Also, depending on the learning app, you can make the game more easier or more challenging. For instance, you can adjust math from single digit adding or subtracting all the way up to basic algebra and probability. Language and reading is also adjustable. You can do it or the app will adjust the child progresses for you. It even allows you to upload vocabulary words that will be included in the stories and games that are currently being played.
LeapFrog sells bundles, in quantities of five, for schools to integrate into their curriculum's. These bundles include the tables, AC adapters, headphones, cases and learning apps. For elementary school teachers these devices would make great learning centers as well as allow young students to apply creativity and learn responsibility in a familiar, game based environment. Each tablet allows up to three individual profiles so you can track multiple students with each unit. LeapFrog Connect is a great tool to track progress in the classroom too. The only drawback with these tablets is that they go through batteries fast, so be sure to use rechargeables or the AC adapters whenever you can. Overall, this little tablet is a powerful and unique solution for elementary learning. See the demo to get the full story and see it in action!
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