Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Our Kid's Already Flip

As we were heading to the library tonight to return some books, my daughter (age 9) remarked how much she loved the fact that the makers of Rainbow Loom had their instructions on You Tube. Without any prompting from me she provided her reasons:

1) That way they don't have to use a lot of paper to print out instructions.

2) That way she can actually see what they are doing, instead of just reading.

3) She is able to pause the instructional video and do it at her own speed. She can take her time.

I thought about how directly this relates to a Flipped Classroom/Blended Learning approach. If she is in grade 4 and is able to direct herself to her favourite website to learn about a hobby she likes to participate in, how difficult would it be for her to access educational material online?

Students are already accessing how-to and self help videos all over You Tube - how to solve a Rubik's Cube, how to beat a level in a video game, how to perform a skate boarding trick...

It really isn't such a "NEW" idea for students to access material on the internet they need to educate themselves.

As teachers we really just need to adapt what WE are doing so that it fits in with how our students are already accessing the information they need.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Let's Go!

Scene 1: Being at school this week when class lists were posted and seeing the excited students there to find out which class they were going to be in.


Scene 2: Being at ANY store remotely involved with selling back-to-school items and seeing the line ups and crowds and the smiles on the faces of students picking out a new pencil case, package of markers, or a new back pack.


Both of these were scenes that got me thinking... our students start off the year at an all time high for excitement for coming to school.

Unfortunately, what we usually do as teachers, is try to subdue and eliminate that feeling of excitement and replace it with "proper behaviour" where students will sit in an orderly fashion and listen as we teach them what they will need to know.

What if we kept them excited?

What if when they entered our classrooms we not only harnessed their natural excitement, but got our students even more pumped up by having them involved in learning that challenged them and made them an active participant in what they were learning?

Let's try it!

Let's try using the incredible amount of interesting technology to engage our students and keep that level of excitement for school at an all time high. 

I can't wait for Tuesday to get here.

Let's go!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

$55 Tablet!!

I absolutely love the fact that the PDSB is making tablets available for the low cost of $55. One of the arguments laid out when BYOD programs are put in place is that some kids are automatically put at a disadvantage because of their socioeconomic status and that they won't be able to bring technology to school.

I submit that the tablet being offered pretty much solves that problem. Even if a family is in a financial position that they are unable to afford this tablet in one payment, I think it should be possible for schools to purchase a few to have and lend out (or "rent") to a family for the school year. Realistically, you are looking at less than 7 bucks a month for the school year to have a child with a suitable tablet for any BYOD program operating in a school. From where I sit, that is absolutely awesome!!

I also think it would be great for students to see teachers and administrators using the tablets as well. This would point out to the students that the equipment being offered is what is needed to complete the task and that you don't need to bring the "top of the line" tablet, or smartphone to school to be an active participant in any BYOD program.

I can't wait for mine to arrive!!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

TLDWPeel 2013

Teaching and Learning in a Digital World put on by the Peel District School Board was a great experience. To have such knowledgable and inspiring keynote speakers and to be able to share so much with colleagues across all subject and grade levels was an amazing opportunity.

I am calling this TLDWPeel 2013 because I really hope this is a conference that becomes an annual event.

What we were able to take away from the two days will be shared with colleagues and will make the PDSB a better place for kids to learn.