Visualising Ideas - Sailing Away in 3 Different Directions with EDMODO Photo by Omri Epstein I first learned about Edmodo from Sandy Millin’s detailed post back in June, 2011. Yes, that was quite a while ago but till recently I hadn’t had any real incentive to experiment with it on my own. Tools I had already mastered were enough for me. All that changed after I had taught my first course to 38 adult students in a private language school and had agreed to teach another such course. “Let there be light!” 1) No student claimed that he didn’t know which assignment he was supposed to have done (or that I never said it needed to be done). 2) No student claimed that he HAD handed in assignments and its just me that was claiming that he didn’t. 3) I didn’t receive multiple copies of the exact same answers to a homework assignment, sometimes even photocopied copies of the same task! 4) I didn’t come home with piles of papers every lesson and carry them back the next lesson. 5) Students can upload a profile picture.
Flipping the Classroom for ELLs Why the blended learning model is a good choice One of the latest trends in the education world is blended learning. So what is blended learning and how can it help English Language Learners? The term blended learning has been used in education for many years. It involves the integration of traditional classroom instruction and educational technologies and can take different forms. Nowadays, the newest model is the flipped classroom. In a flipped learning environment, the traditional format of in-class lectures followed by at-home student assignments is turned around or “flipped”. Another objective of this individualized approach is to empower students to direct their own learning by coming to class prepared to ask questions and problem solve with their peers after viewing the subject matter on their own. For English language learners the model has some obvious advantages. This brings me to the next and perhaps the most important advantage of the flipped classroom for ELLs.
La era Tablet: ¿Qué significa para el sistema educativo? Negar que las tablets se han impuesto como gadget predilecto en el mercado de la computación personal es cerrar los ojos ante una gran evidencia. Donde antes era netbook para arriba, y smartphone para abajo, ahora es iPad esto, y Galaxy tab lo otro. La tablet se ha convertido en muy poco tiempo en sustituto de muchos artilugios y objetos de la vida diaria, como el periódico, el cajero automático para revisar nuestro saldo, el PC, o incluso el teléfono móvil. Pero ¿Qué valor tienen estos dispositivos para el sistema educativo? En España la iniciativa, en lugar del gobierno central, la han tenido las instituciones regionales, por lo que el proceso de informatización de las escuelas está siendo lento, fragmentado, y por el momento, escaso. ¿Por qué las tablets? Es bueno para tí, ¿es bueno para el mundo? Las características de las tablets las convierten en el compañero ideal del alumno, por ser ligeras y compactas. Aprendizaje, comunicación e interactividad Pero también hay pegas...
Mister McIntosh Says - Mastery Learning and the Flipped Class: A Resource Guide Mastery learning and the flipped classroom concept are innovative ideas that are working their way through education channels and are gaining more and more traction all the time. I have heard few good arguments against them. One argument I have heard does carry some weight though: “If instruction and lecture is done on-line it takes away the chance for immediately asking questions and whole-class discussions.” This could be true. Whole class discussion are not a very real world activity either. This is my first year of flipping and mastery and there have been a few complaints. I have collected some resources to provide information and insight into exactly what is going on with the flipped class movement and why so many teachers are giving it serious consideration. If you know of or learn about any other resources, please let me know and I’ll add them to this post. Jonathan Bergmann and Aaron Sams Follow @jonbergmann and @chemicalsams on Twitter. The Flipped Class Network “I Flipped!”
Using Socrative app for iPad – AfL the fun way! « Smarter Learning I have recently started to experiment with the Socrative app that is available online and via apps for iPad, iPhone and also Android mobile devices. Any device that access the internet can utilise Socrative in the classroom. Socrative brings smart clickers, student response and ease of use to a whole new level. Students can be engaged all lesson with educational exercises and games. Socractive has a wide variety of activities to use when assessing students learning. All feedback can be seen instantly by the teacher and can also be shared at the end of a quiz via a report. I recently used a ‘Space Race’ quiz that I had made as a starter activity to assess prior knowledge of a topic and the students loved it. The students can watch their rocket fly across the screen and compete with all members of the class to complete the exercise. Like this: Like Loading...
Challenge-Based Learning As described in the paper, challenge-based learning includes these attributes: Multiple points of entry and varied and multiple possible solutionsAuthentic connection with multiple disciplinesFocus on the development of 21st century skillsLeverages 24/7 access to up to date technology tools and resources, allowing students to do the work.Use of Web 2.0 tools for organizing, collaborating, and sharing[1]A focus on universal challenges with local solutionsRequirement that students do something rather than just learn about somethingDocumentation of the experience from challenge to solution. These attributes are intended to ensure that challenge-based learning engages learners, provides them with valuable skills, spans the divide between formal and informal learning and embraces a student's digital life. (Apple Inc., 2009, p. 2) The New Media Consortium published an in-depth study of challenge-based learning in classroom practice in early 2009. References[edit] _________ (2009). See also[edit]
Teaching Innovation Is About More Than iPads in the Classroom Innovation is the currency of progress. In our world of seismic changes, innovation has become a holy grail that promises to shepherd us through these uncertain and challenging times. And there isn’t a more visible symbol of innovation than the iPad. In education it’s been widely hailed as a revolutionary device, promising to transform education as we know it. It’s not ‘just add water’ The profusion of digital technology at work, home and everywhere in between is evident to even the most causal observer. In light of this dynamic, two critical questions need to be asked and provisionally answered when integrating technology into education. The second question is equally important and often more elusive: “Do the current systems and processes support the integrative and innovative goals?” Adapting Teaching To Technology The answer to the first question — about the goals of technology integration — often orbits around 21st century skills. Does our current system support innovation? Related
Mastery Learning Few programs have been implemented as broadly or evaluated as thoroughly over the last four decades in education as those associated with mastery learning. Programs based on mastery learning principles operate today in nations throughout the world and at every level of education. When compared to traditionally taught classes, students in mastery learning classes consistently have been shown to learn better, reach higher levels of achievement, and develop greater confidence in their ability to learn and in themselves as learners (Guskey, 1997, 2001). Although the basic tenets of mastery learning can be traced to such early educators as Comenius, Pestalozzi, and Herbart (Bloom, 1974), most modern applications stem from the writings of Benjamin S. Figure 1 students vary widely in their learning rates, virtually all learn well when provided with the necessary time and appropriate learning conditions. Figure 2 There are many alternative strategies for mastery learning. Figure 3 Anderson, L.
Taxonomy of an iPad lesson I haven't blogged about our iPad journey for a while, so I thought I'd update how it's going, and impart a few of the lessons I've learnt the hard way! Forgive the length of the post, but I thought it was time to get into the nitty-gritty of the learning which occurs when iPads are used so you can follow my thinking, and improve on what I'm doing (and hopefully suggest those improvements to me in a comment at the bottom? Who knows?). The first thing to comment on is a class procedure which has changed: The first thing my students do when they come into the class is to wash their hands with the anti-bacterial gel soap, a dispenser of which is on the wall at the entrance to the class. Change number two: Organisation. Change number three: Flipped learning: I'd always been a fan of flipped learning, the idea of setting learning for homework, and its application as a class activity which could be easily differentiated on the basis of how well the homework had been understood.
United Kingdom) - Education - Challenge Based Learning EdTech: 100 Tech Tools for Teachers and Students This post is #12 in DailyTekk’s famous Top 100 series which explores the best startups, gadgets, apps, websites and services in a given category. Total items listed: 104. Time to compile: 8+ hours. Follow @DailyTekk on Twitter to make sure you don’t miss a week! This post is quite a departure from last week’s subject: 100 Tools to Develop the Next Killer iOS or Android App. So here’s what I’ve got for all you educators our there: some random and cool EduTech tools, tech tools for teachers and students, ways to integrate mobile devices into the classroom, social learning tools, elearning and online learning resources and finally some test prep, textbook, educational gaming and a few other random resources. Actually, this post has been a long time coming. I know there are tons of education technology resources out there so if I missed something good, maybe a favorite of yours or something that cropped up after I created this list, leave me a comment to let me know so I can get it added.
Mobile Learning and The Flipped Classroom: The Full Picture I have jumped onto the Flipped Classroom craze to take the opportunity to propose and discuss an experiential model of education (ala John Dewey and Kurt Hahn), one that has experience at its core and provides learning options for all types of learners. In this model, the videos, as they are discussed in the flipped classroom. support the learning rather than drive it. My series on the Flipped Classroom – The Full Picture includes the following posts: This post continues the series by providing an overview of The Flipped Classroom: The Full Picture using mobile devices. Each phase of the model has suggestions and ideas for mobile-driven learning activities which can be implemented on most devices. A major focus of mobile learning these days seems to be centered on the apps, but my focus is on designing and providing mobile learning activities that are cross platform. Engaging Experience Photo and/or Video Examples of Real Life Situations. Concept Exploration Meaning Making Like this: