Teachers Using Trello: How To Foster Genius In The Classroom D’aww… the feeling is mutual, guys. Are you smarter than a fifth grader? Surely not these Geniuses, because they’re using Trello to answer the tough questions. The concept of Genius Hour has become a popular mechanism for educators to encourage their students to explore their interests. To avoid gaps in learning, much of the US curriculum is standardized. The basic concept is that for one hour twice a week, students explore a topic of their choosing. Paul Solarz is a 5th grade teacher who is passionate about adapting tech in the classroom, and is constantly innovating with his budding Geniuses. Asking PHAT Questions The first portion of Genius Hour consists of students deciding on a subject, and subsequently devising an open ended question that explores their topic. “The goal is to have a large enough question to keep you excited and interested for that entire period of time,” Paul explains. Roadmapping On Trello The list name is the Essential Question they seek to answer. Mr.
Print web pages, create PDFs In a fast-moving field like education technology, it’s worth taking a moment to take stock of new developments, persistent trends and the challenges to effective tech implementation in real classrooms. The NMC Horizon 2015 K-12 report offers a snapshot of where ed tech stands now and where it is likely to go in the next five years, according to 56 education and technology experts from 22 countries. Deeper Learning: The expert panel identified several long-term trends that will greatly influence the adoption of technology in classrooms over the next five years and beyond. They see worldwide educators focusing on “deeper learning” outcomes that try to connect what happens in the classroom to experts and experiences beyond school as an important trend. Teachers at the cutting edge of this work are asking students to use technology to access and synthesize information in the service of finding solutions to multifaceted, complex problems they might encounter in the real world.
Final Portfolios: Ending the Year with Meaning All in all, this year was tough but I made it through. I learned a lot about culture, society, and religion. Society shouldn't determine who you are as a person because who [can] judge us? The end of the school year is a time of conflicting needs. One way that I attempt to help make meaning of a year, give students the final word about their learning, and achieve a collective sense of completion is by assigning a portfolio project as the final major assignment of the year. Portfolio Overview With or without access to technology, final portfolios are opportunities for students be creative as they reflect on, describe, analyze, and interpret their own work and learning from the year. This class has really made me think about where I fit into the world, and how I can use my position in the world to incite change. At first I never knew stepping out of my comfort zone would make me feel like a new person. The Process Incorporating Creativity and Individualization Final Thoughts
What Education Technology Could Look Like Over the Next Five Years In a fast-moving field like education technology, it’s worth taking a moment to take stock of new developments, persistent trends and the challenges to effective tech implementation in real classrooms. The NMC Horizon 2015 K-12 report offers a snapshot of where ed tech stands now and where it is likely to go in the next five years, according to 56 education and technology experts from 22 countries. Deeper Learning: The expert panel identified several long-term trends that will greatly influence the adoption of technology in classrooms over the next five years and beyond. They see worldwide educators focusing on “deeper learning” outcomes that try to connect what happens in the classroom to experts and experiences beyond school as an important trend. Teachers at the cutting edge of this work are asking students to use technology to access and synthesize information in the service of finding solutions to multifaceted, complex problems they might encounter in the real world.
20-Time In Education Inspire. Create. Innovate. Jump In Jump Out - Energisers - playmeo This exercise is almost impossible not to stuff-up - which is the whole point. I promise you, Jump In Jump Out WILL cause your group to laugh out loud. Ask your group to form a circle, holding hands facing the centre, you included. You then explain that you want the group to ..."SAY what I say, and DO what I say." The aim is for each person (the group) to repeat exactly what you say, at the same time they are copying what you have asked them to “do.” After 20-30 seconds of this first 'introductory' level, re-form the circle, and announce that you now want to move to the next (more interesting) level. This time announce "SAY THE OPPOSITE of what I say, and DO what I say." OK, give it a go. But wait, there's more... try one of the fun variations below.
How Professors Can Bolster Inquiry in College Using K-12 Tech Tricks Coverage of technology in higher education often stops at whether Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) can be an effective way to educate hundreds of thousands of students cheaply, or focuses on the newest app to help students track their classes and homework. Much of the technology marketed to universities targets administrative tasks, things like registering students or sites like Blackboard and Moodle that make it easy for students to check assignments and download readings. But especially in a seminar setting, some professors are using technology in ways that mirror some of the forward-thinking practices of K-12 teachers who are known for applying inquiry-based methods, accessing low-cost technology that’s easy to use and making the subject relevant to students’ lives. “It was a way of opening up by bringing into the classroom modern Jewish thinkers who are engaged in modern Jewish thought,” Koltun-Fromm said. Katrina Schwartz Katrina Schwartz is a journalist based in San Francisco.
15 Characteristics of a 21st-Century Teacher Recent technological advances have affected many areas of our lives: the way we communicate, collaborate, learn, and, of course, teach. Along with that, those advances necessitated an expansion of our vocabulary, producing definitions such as digital natives, digital immigrants, and, the topic of this post -- "21st-century teacher." As I am writing this post, I am trying to recall if I ever had heard phrases such as "20th-century teacher" or "19th-century teacher." Quick Google search reassures me that there is no such word combination. Changing the "20th" to "21st" brings different results: a 21st-century school, 21st-century education, 21st-century teacher, 21st-century skills -- all there! Obviously, teaching in the 21-century is an altogether different phenomenon; never before could learning be happening the way it is now -- everywhere, all the time, on any possible topic, supporting any possible learning style or preference. Below are 15 characteristics of a 21st-century teacher:
The Complete Guide to 20% Time (and Genius Hour) in the Classroom It’s been almost a full three years since I told my students they would have 20% of their class time to work on whatever project they were inspired to create. Since then I’ve learned so much from my students and our amazing community of 20% time and Genius Hour teachers. I have tried to share this journey, the ups and downs, through blog posts, video interviews, a 20% time MOOC, and most recently my book, Inquiry and Innovation in the Classroom. Now, as I begin moving forward into other projects and seasons of new work, I want to make sure that any teacher looking to start 20% time or Genius Hour with their students have a complete FREE resource they can dig into and get the nuts and bolts of how to make it happen. The Course: The Complete Guide to 20% Time (and Genius Hour) in the Classroom When you sign up for this free email course you’ll receive the following: Sign-Up For the Free Course Here You’ll receive the entire course over the period of 7 days. Module 1: Why 20% Time? Enjoy!