So, why we are focusing on Blended Learning at HPSS? For many years now I have been championing the need for all schools and all students to engage in e-learning, and whilst I definitely sense there is a ground swell of support for this notion I am still patently aware that it is important to be clear about why this should be a priority. I initially trialed e-learning because I suspected it would engage learners and would provide an opportunity for students to continue learning and engaging in the work I set, anytime, anywhere. These continue to be compelling arguments for blended learning, however it is becoming increasing clear that this is in fact just the tip of the pedagogical iceberg. Firstly let's talk about the term e-learning. It is easy to write this term off as twee or outdated, and I agree that it should be about the learning full stop. There are a number of reasons as to why we have decided to make blended learning a non-negotiable at Hobsonville Point Secondary School. World Trends Research Findings
Take aim at innovation, with students in the center In September 2012, I packed up my Prius, left my patient wife, and drove around the United States for 89 days and 10,000 miles visiting 64 schools of every flavor and size to find out how they are preparing students for a rapidly changing world. I asked questions and recorded learning with more than 600 teachers, administrators and students. In setting up the complex matrix of this trip, many of my hosts asked, “What would you like to see when you are here?” The journeys of discovery in my life have started with open goals and few preconceptions, so I left the agendas as open ended as possible, with one caveat: I was not interested in seeing a 1:1 laptop program or talking with teachers about their tablet rollouts. As others have said, technology in learning should be as ubiquitous as air, and there is nothing innovative about students and teachers breathing. Technology is not innovation What would Dewey do? Flipping the classroom is not enough But what if we really flipped learning?
What Every Student Needs What Every Student Needs by Terry Heick There is no perfect lesson, unit, or school any more than their can be a perfect song, flavor, or shade of blue. Every student is different. So when we talk about student-centered classrooms, that too is a kind of generalization–more of an approach than a strategy. But what is universal? That can be added to everything–curriculum, frameworks, school design, instructional strategies, and anything else that touches the mind of students? What does every single student need–absolutely, positively have to have–to succeed inside and outside of the classroom? 14 Things Every Student Needs 1. Who am I, and how do I relate to the world around me? 2. Models offer ideas, can act as scaffolding, illuminate possibility, provide a pathway, and give students something to anchor their thinking to when everything else seems abstract and academic. Modeling–showing how, when, where, and most importantly why–matters too, bringing lessons from ideas to action. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Coding from kindergarten to graduation We interact with computing devices every day—so should we have a better understanding of the science behind them? An increasing number of districts are saying yes. This year, 25 states require computer science courses for high school graduation, compared to only 11 states in 2013, according to the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). Districts are teaching basic coding to students as early as kindergarten, embedding computer science principles into core curriculum, and mandating computer science courses for graduation. Computer and mathematical occupations are projected to add 778,300 new jobs between 2010 and 2020, after having added 229,600 new jobs from 2006 to 2010. “It’s a new path in the curriculum and it presents a whole lot of opportunities for kids,” says Eric Schneider, assistant superintendent for instruction at Minnetonka Public Schools in Minnesota. An example of its growth could be found in the news. Uniformity, integration Start a computer coding program St.
Into the Future - Teaching and learning: Under the influence of Big Picture Education Last week I spent three days with my team at the Big Picture Conference in Wellington. To sum up, it was amazing, affirming, inspiring and challenging. Some big questions being asked were: Can we shift? The easiest way to sum up the Big Picture Education Model is that it is student centred rather than teacher centred, with a strong focus on relationships and building on learners’ interests and passions. The time at the conference made me feel immensely proud to be part of the team at Hobsonville Point Secondary School. “The 'plan' that was very firmly in place at the start of this term was the vision and values of our new school, Hobsonville Point Secondary, and all the supporting structures (or 'enabling constraints') that were so carefully built by the foundation staff last year; the learning hub model, the specialised learning modules and the big projects as well as our emphasis on blended learning. Tuesdays are ‘cool’ too. Macca’s summary of school: “Cool” – why? Can we shift?
40 Uses For Smartphones in School As Alanis Morissette once said, ‘isn’t it ironic’. After years of struggle between teachers and students and the use of smartphones in school, new educational trends are actually encouraging the use of these devices. The mobile, cellphone or smartphone is not just used for WhatsApp, Facebook or Angry Birds, it can be used in a multitude of ways from an educational perspective. Don’t believe us? Keep reading. In this article we bring together 40 uses for smartphones in school. Before we continue, it is worth remembering that this does not mean we should suddenly change the way in which we teach and allow the use of the smartphones without control. A revolution in the classroom: Check facts: probably the most common use of all. These 40 uses of Smartphones in School are just the beginning. Don’t forget to download the brand new ExamTime iOS and Android app today. About the ExamTime Blog
Realising the Future of NZ Education - an open letter to all NZ educators (and Minister Parata) On Saturday I was lucky enough to be invited to speak at The Festival of Education as a supposed 'mover and shaker'. Here is an overview of my presentation on 'Realising the Future of Education' which endeavored to look at why, how, what, when we need to change education and what the government could do (IMHO) to support it. Okay, so not so humble...more righteous really. Why must we change education? As Ludwig Lachman stated, "the future is unknowable, but not unimaginable" and whilst we can't see into the future, we can look to a strong body of research to try and divine our present and future learners' needs. How do we need to change education? Firstly we need to change our focus. We also need to address our models of teaching practice. I would actually argue that self-direction and developing student agency and efficacy is the fundamental shift. How can we lead change in our schools So how can we all lead this change, particularly when not given the gift of a clean slate.
The Precious First Few Minutes Of Class The Precious First Few Minutes Of Class by Suzy Pepper Rollins Students file into class. “Your warm-up is on the board,” we announce. More minutes pass, as students dump out backpacks and empty pockets in a panicked search for a scrap of paper they swear was secured last night. But the opening minutes are also the time when students’ brains are their freshest and they tend to remember more of what’s been taught during this period than any other time of the learning episode. These precious minutes can quickly establish a prior knowledge connection, vital to maximizing learning. Rather than begin class with a passive warm-up, success starters have the power to get every student motivated about the lesson and successful right from the bell. We’ve shared 12 Interesting Ways To Start Class Tomorrow before. 4 Easy Teaching Warm-Ups To Start Class Tomorrow 1. Create facts and fibs about the upcoming topic on strips of paper. 2. Tackling a piece of text about a character in a tough predicament?