Edutopia

edutopia Plenty of students may know how to create digital media, but too few know how to produce engaging, high-quality content, the kind that makes them stand out not only to college admission officers, but also to potential employers. What does that kind of quality involve? We need to teach and encourage students to post original, outstanding content that will distinguish their unique identities in a sea of increasingly indistinguishable resumes -- which are going the way of the typewriter. To help accomplish this task, I model creating a positive digital footprint by making effective use of social networking and blogging. I owe my students that much -- after all, if they don't take control of their online identities, someone else will. Facebook Educators do students a tremendous disservice by demonizing Facebook, which can enhance a student's online presence and real-world prospects. Twitter LinkedIn Snapchat Blogging How should teachers go about modeling effective use of social networking?

edutopia Overview Embed Technology Throughout Content The first year that Meyer Elementary School had a technology teacher, they focused on learning basic computer skills and tools, such as email, apps, and programs. Student learning of technology skills was disconnected from what they were learning in other classes. This year, Meyer's technology instructor teaches tech through various content areas, presenting technology use as something purposeful, connected to their learning, and relevant to real-world situations. "When they have a contextual tie to what they're doing in class, it lends validity," says Jeff Dahl, Meyer's technology teacher. How It's Done Make Technology Applicable to Other Class Assignments Instead of teaching only computer and web skills, as in their first year, Meyer Elementary has been embedding the classroom curriculum from other content areas into technology instruction. Collaborate With Other Teachers Here are two collaboration tips from Meyer educators: Create a Google Doc

Does the Device Matter | Teaching in the Primary Years The are many different devices being implemented into classrooms all around the world. With schools using PC’s, Laptops, Macbooks, iPads, Chromebooks, and Netbooks to move further towards 21st Century Contemporary Learning environments I am often asked the question “What devices should my school purchase?” I immediately stop the conversation before any further discussion and ask the question, “What is the purpose of the device?” Schools need to invest time in developing a vision on “the purpose” of any new device and what it is they would like their students to create and achieve that this new technology will enable. Dialogue needs to be centred around the school’s vision and pedagogy focused on the learner. Once a clear vision and purpose is established schools can move forward and explore what different devices can achieve and weigh up the pro’s and con’s of each for their school environment. Things to consider when choosing a device: The SAMR model, developed by Dr. Substitution –

#PSP2012 VIDEO – KR | c f e d | cfee archives | @c_f_e_d Sir Ken Robinson concludes the morning sessions of “Teaching and Learning at Home and at School” by inviting educators and parents to collaborate in the design of a covenant of shared principles to transform our schools. First, Robinson identifies an agenda of issues on which we need to focus as we move forward: vexing economic, cultural, and personal challenges with which our education system has not caught up. Then, Robinson asserts that our current system is incapable of dealing properly with these challenges, owing to a ‘command and control mentality’ among political leaders, and invites stakeholders at the grassroots level — in our classrooms, and in our homes — to create an agenda not just for reform, but for transformation. Further information and related resources are provided below the embedded video.

SAMR as a Framework for Moving Towards Education 3.0 Evolution, in its broadest sense, serves as a force to help humans move towards a better way of living given the current times or Zeitgeist. It follows, then, that the education field should evolve as new opportunities and forces emerge and present themselves. But in general, this is not the case. From the Time Magazine article, How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20th Century There’s a dark little joke exchanged by educators with a dissident streak: Rip Van Winkle awakens in the 21st century after a hundred-year snooze and is, of course, utterly bewildered by what he sees. The evolution of education can be explained from moving from Education 1.0 to Education 3.0. Briefly, Education 1.0, 2.0. and 3.0 is explained as: Education 1.0 can be likened to Web 1.0 where there is a one-way dissemination of knowledge from teacher to student. Emerging technologies is, can be, should be a driving force of this evolution towards Education 3.0. Slides from a presentation given on this topic:

Using SAMR to Teach Above the Line - Getting Smart by Susan Oxnevad - 1:1 program, Apple, edchat, EdTech, SAMR, technology For as long as I can remember I have been an advocate for helping teachers understand the stages of technology integration to help them effectively use tech as a tool for learning. I’ve adopted a few different tech integration models over the years, discussed the ideas with administrators for use as a starting point for tech integration, and kept the ideas front of mind as I invent and discover new ways for using technology as a tool for learning. Discussing the stages of tech integration has led to some thought provoking and inspiring conversations, but the ideas have not gained a lot of momentum in my face-to-face teaching environment until now. As many districts jump on board with 1:1 implementation, Apple’s use of the SAMR model as a framework for tech integration presents a consistent, clear and powerful message that is spreading! About SAMR Researchers have determined that technology integration typically moves through specific levels. Image created by Dr. An Emphasis on Task Design

Top Takeaways From TeachTechPlay 2018 – Primary Tech by Kathleen Morris I’ve just returned from two fabulous full days of learning at the TeachTechPlay conference. This grassroots event is held annually at Ivanhoe Grammar in Melbourne. It’s certainly one of the best conferences I’ve been to! Why? The main reasons are: It was well organised by local teachers: Eleni Kyritsis, Corey Aylen, Steve Brophy and their helpers.It was held at a fantastic location (it’s always fun to explore other schools!). Here are a few takeaways from the sessions I attended. Kasey Bell Kasey (aka @ShakeUpLearning) presented a keynote and I also attended her workshop on Google Slides. In her keynote, Kasey talked about the importance of entrepreneurship. It’s amazing that Alex’s initiative was recognised on such a grand scale. Can we allow for innovation and entrepreneurship inside of school hours too? Kasey also talked about the importance of opening your classroom to the world. Global collaboration was the topic of the second presentation I gave. Eleni Kyritsis Cathy Hunt Now I know!

The first generations of 'digi kids' are struggling with literacy as experts warn against screen time Leading educators, academics and teachers are sounding the alarm over the impact excessive screen time is having on Australian children's reading, writing and ability to concentrate in school. A Four Corners investigation has found there are growing fears among education experts that screen time is contributing to a generation of skim readers with poor literacy, who may struggle to gain employment later in life as low-skilled jobs disappear. By the age of 12 or 13, up to 30 per cent of Australian children's waking hours are spent in front of a screen, according to the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Robyn Ewing, a Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Sydney, said this was having a tangible impact on vocabulary and literacy. "Children who have been sat in front of a screen from a very early age start school with thousands and thousands of words less, vocabulary-wise, than those who have been meaningfully communicated with," Professor Ewing said.

What is the Reward? – Deploy Learning At Deploy Learning, we think about the role that technology plays in classrooms every day. It is refreshing to see that most classrooms these days have moved awayfrom the idea of tech as a reward… for example, you can watch videos on the iPad when you have finished reading a chapter in a book. Regardless of how you are using it, how is that technology working for you? As a former film teacher, I can recall the many occasions where people looked at my program as kids running wild with video cameras. To me the hard work cam e when they returned to the classroom and began piecing together a story, reluctantly giving up on shots that they were attached to and the realization that they had to ask me for more time to reshoot. I was reminded of all that when a great friend, collaborator and creativity educator, Monica Martinez, shared her Instagram carousel post called “What are the skills creatives achieve when designing?”. The post inspired me last week in a way I didn’t expect.