What's Stopping You? On taking risks, leaping in and not being afraid...

Day 30 of the +TeachThought 30D Reflective Teacher Blog Challenge.

Where has the time gone??  I can't believe it's the end of this challenge - there are more to come though!

I've just finished listening to a powerful hour which focused on Connected Professional Learning which was part of the first day of Connected Educator Month.  (I will post a link to the recording as soon as it is available - very worth listening to).

There was a great deal of discussion around Online Communities of Practice which was music to my ears as it's also my research area and something I've become quite hooked on over the past few years, not only in terms of what it can do for teachers' learning and connections but also how it can be adapted for our students.  The ultimate for me would be to develop my classroom into an online community of practice which was something I was beginning in 2013.

Pathways to collaboration from Justine Hughes / Education Consultant / Teacher

This lead me to suddenly have an 'aha' moment around my research and MTchg which I will finish this year. What is my next learning step??  I expect my students to be able to articulate what their next learning is, so why shouldn't I.

If I'm not afraid, I would begin my Doctoral studies and research all the amazing initiatives that are happening in New Zealand / Aotearoa to showcase our model of learning and teaching which is so powerful.  I expect my students and colleagues to take responsible risks and challenge themselves so what am I afraid of?  What an awesome (in the true meaning of the word) opportunity and privilege it would be to explore the practices of our current online communities and then showcase that to the world.

#reflectiveteacher

Start with the 'WHY?' - Should Technology drive the curriculum or vice versa?

Day 28 of the 30 Day +TeachThought blogging challenge

Which should drive our learning and teaching - the curriculum or all the amazing new technology we now have within our grasp?  I have very strong views on this...

Technology is there to support and enhance learning and teaching and our curriculum.  If we are using tools merely because they are the latest 'cool tool' but they do little to enhance and improve learning and teaching then, in my opinion, they are not an effective addition and will have little impact.


START WITH THE WHY...

Be clear about why you are using a particular tool and why it will change the teaching and learning.  Your students should also be clear about this when they are choosing tools for their learning.  If they or we are not able to clearly articulate our thinking and state the WHY, then it's not the tool to be using.  If it doesn't improve achievement and learning, choose something that will.  Sometimes it can be that 'simple' - and that complicated!

Technology should enhance and improve what we do.  It should never be an add on or addition.


THE DIGITAL NATIVES DEBATE

We read and hear a great deal about our students being 'Digital Natives' and that we are the 'Digital Immigrants, terms developed by Marc Prensky.  We need to be very careful about these assumptions. During my research, I wrote a literature review on this subject.  If we make assumptions that all our students are confident users of technology and therefore know much more than us then we are, in my opinion, treading on very shaky ground.  Yes, our students are skilled in the use of tools, but try getting them to explain their choice of tool for learning and this is where it becomes interesting.  Many can't, unless we give them the skills to be able to relate the tools to their learning.  We can also then let then teach us the technical skills we may be lacking.  Shared and reciprocal learning is powerful learning.

THE SAMR MODEL OF TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

The SAMR model gives us a way to change our thinking and use of technology in a purposeful way.  If we are just swapping writing in a book for using a Word document to publish then we, and our students, are missing out.  However, everyone needs to start somewhere and many teachers are not confident with using technology in their teaching and learning.  These are the teachers who need our support and encouragement.  Sometimes being told that they 'must use' technology without being shown the 'how' and 'why' are where we get it very wrong.  This is where professional learning and communities of practice are so important if we want to make sustainable changes.  We all have to start somewhere.  Don't be afraid to let the students do the teaching too!

Technology integration is incredibly important in order for our students to participate in the world.  Maybe it's also time to stop talking about preparing our students for 21st Century learning and life - we've been in this century now for 14 years.  Maybe it's time to move from these phrases and focus on the teaching and learning.  Tools on their own may not necessarily change learning and achievement but tools used to enhance learning and teaching can, if the WHY is clear.  We are doing our students a disservice if we don't do this.
How to use the SAMR model for classroom tasks.

Check out the SAMR model explained by students!



#reflectiveteacher

What learning trend captures your attention the most and why?

Day 24 of the +TeachThought Reflective Teacher Blog Challenge

There are so many trends in education these days and over the years I've seen many come and go - and come back again!  Sometimes it feels as though we are on a pendulum and we swing from one extreme to the other instead of valuing the 'good parts' of what we do and using them to support and extend new ideas.

I think, for me, one of the most powerful 'trends' at the moment is the pathway we're on to involving our students more in their learning and flipping the classroom.  Learning is a partnership and is created through discussion and collaboration.  The motto below, created by my 8-10 year-old students sums it up for me:

"We are all teachers and we are all learners in our learning environment."

The students were adamant that they didn't want the word 'classroom' in there, they wanted 'learning environment.  Their reasoning was that learning doesn't just happen in the classroom; there has to be the connection to the local and global world.  These were students who were locally and globally connected. They connected to people with expertise for our Inquiries, worked with students globally through ePals and shared their learning from outside of school with all of us through their blogs.  The result of this was that not only were they incredibly connected to the world around them but they were also highly motivated to succeed in their learning.  For some, this had not always been the case.  They were also strong on owning their environment and learning.  I was very proud of them for this.  It was 'OUR' environment.

For the past few years my students have been 'anytime, anywhere' learners who blog at any time - not just at school, who are giving and receiving feedback to their peers, and also to me, and they are communicating and collaborating through Google.  The sense of pride I get when I see discussions about learning happening at all hours and at all times, including weekends and holidays is the biggest reward a teacher can have in my opinion.

I'm just beginning to explore Google Classroom and Google Apps for Education (GAFE) and really want to spend a lot of time seeing how this can take my students to the next level... Stay tuned!

#reflectiveteacher

Students reflection on their learning - Powerful ways to engage and promote reflection

Day 19 of the +TeachThought Reflective Teacher Blog Challenge!

Reflection on learning is a powerful tool for all of us - students and teachers alike.  It's how we can make changes to improve what we do and what we know.

I've been teaching for around 15 years and have always used reflection as a tool to improve learning and teaching.  Choosing the 3 most powerful ways this can happen wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, but here are my favourites:

1. Blogging - combined with face-to-face discussion and questioning, feedback.
2. Journals - written - this was in the days before we used online tools.  
3. Indidual Learning Conferences combined with journals - usually between individual students and me.

The easiest part of this was choosing the most powerful one and it stands out a mile..

BLOGGING

I've been blogging now for around 7 years - both for my own self-reflections and for student-reflection.  It really is one of the most powerful tools I've ever used for changing practice, being clear about the what, why and how of my practice and when applied to student learning it helps them to become reflective as well.  The impact on student achievement and parent engagement is incredibly powerful.  It is crucial that the skills of giving feedback, knowing what makes an effective blog and blog post, etc are carefully taught to the students in the beginning.  The importance of digital citizenship can't be underestimated when blogging.  Respect for others' ideas and opinions must be valued and emphasised at all times as must knowing your audience.

Blogging continues to be one of my most powerful tools - not just for self-reflection but also for writing.  It provides a real and relevant audience for the writers with the chance of receiving feedback to improve learning and achievement.

For reasons why we blog which some of my younger students wrote please read Room 14 Learning Journeys - this is my old classroom blog but it still has many great resources on it.  

Blogging gives everyone a voice - no matter what their ability - and it's particularly good for quieter students who may be reluctant to speak up in class or who may take longer to consider their thoughts and ideas.

Blogging teaches students - and teachers - how to give constructive feedback but we need to teach the skills first.  Students and teachers need to know and understand how to coach and what effective feedback is.

#reflectiveteacher

What describes my teaching?

Day 18 of the +TeachThought 30D Blogging Challenge!

I've written about this before but I believe in it so strongly that I'm not worried about sharing it yet again. This motto was created by my class and I a few years ago.  The students were aged around 9 and 10 years-old. It's become my driving force or mantra and I absolutely believe in it.  I am a learner alongside my students.

I don't have issues with sharing learning or 'retaining control'.  I never expect that I should know more than my students.  Yes, content knowledge is important as is curriculum and teaching knowledge but these are ever-changing things and we, like our students, need to be able to adapt, construct and reconstruct knowledge and understanding.  This is why I love what I do!  It's the chance and opportunity to learn something new, to be exposed to new knowledge and create knowledge in our learning communities and environments.  That's what makes what we do so exciting!  Trust and respect are key.  I never demand respect from my students - I have to earn that too.  (I do demand good manners while earning their trust, however!)  It's all about mutual respect and trust and a whole lot of fun and reflection.

I'm not the 'sage on the stage' nor am I the 'guide on the side' - sometimes I'm both, a balance and mix of the best of both I hope.  My students are also the sages and guides.  I'm a student, facilitator and lifelong learner alongside my students.  I need to know the 'right' questions to guide curiosity but sometimes the most powerful questions will come from the students themselves.  I'm a reflective practitioner and I expect my students to be reflective also.

This is a true community of practice and it's not limited to a specific age group.


#reflectiveteacher

My Current Top Tech Tools

From Teaching and Technology 

I'm a huge fan of technology to change how we teach and learn but I always start with the 'Why' of using it.  I need to be able to clearly articulate how it impacts learning and teaching in a positive manner and why I'm using it.  I need my students to also be able to do this.  If one of us can't, then it's not a tool we need to be using.

We start with the learning and then look for the tool to support what we are doing or trying to achieve. We also focus on using the SAMR model of technology use so that it is changing our learning and teaching us skills for the future.

Over the years I've tried so many different tools.  Some I still use regularly while others have been exchanged for more effective tools.  The tools I've chosen are those which I've consistently been able to use with my students of all ages over the past few years and which can be adapted to meet changing needs - both for the students and myself.

My top tech tools that impact learning and teaching are:

BLOGGER
This is still my favourite blogging tool.  I've used many others but love the simplicity and ease of use of this one.  Great for students and new bloggers.  Huge benefit that it links in with all things Google.  Blogging has been the single most powerful thing I've done with my students in recent years in terms of creating and sharing learning and giving and receiving feedback.  Blogging gives our students an authentic audience.

STORYBIRD
If you want to motivate writers - including the 'reluctant' ones, then you really can't go past this.  It's a wonderful tool for digital storytelling.  Beautiful artwork - all free to use so you don't have to worry about copyright - that stimulates the senses and the imagination.  Great for all ages.  Completed writing / books can be shared and / or embedded.  Easy to use.  Completed work becomes a virtual storybook.

ALL THINGS GOOGLE
I am such a fan of Google Apps for Education (GAFE), Google Classroom - just starting to explore this and everything else that can be linked to create anytime, anywhere learning for my students and also for me.
This has been one of the most powerful suites of tools I've used in my teaching career.  It's been a way of creating online communities where collaboration and creation of new knowledge is to the fore.


VOICETHREAD
I love this application for sharing learning and giving and receiving feedback.  Feedback can be given by typing in your response or recording your response.  It incorporates images and text as well as sound.
Can be used on mobile devices too  - great for quick recording on the go and sharing learning.

MYCHATPACK
This is software that my class and I had a part in designing.  It's a video tool which has so many different uses - only limited by our imaginations.  It's point of difference is that it incorporates a rolling teleprompt feature which is absolutely fantastic for building student confidence - great for students learning another language too.  The completed videos can be uploaded and embedded in a variety of places or, if under 1 minute, you can attach supporting documents for sharing through email.  Fantastic for assessment too!

Day 13 @TeachThought blogging challenge  #reflectiveteacher

Professional Learning - Whose Responsibility Is It?

The eLearning Buzz: Through the Looking Glass - Teacher Self-S...: Over the past few months I've been reading about, and investigating issues around, teacher self-study.  (Another form is Action Research ...

This post was written almost two years ago now.  I'm about to start my final Masters paper and have started to think again about all the learning that has happened over the past few years.  I'm also looking forward to finishing this paper and beginning more study.

My reason for revisiting and reflecting on this post is because I've just finished reading a post by Edna Sackson - Teachers' Action Research.  The full post can be found at http://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/teachers-action-research/ and is well worth the reading and reflection.  What are your views on teacher responsibility for professional development and learning?

What percentage is our responsibility and what is that of the schools in which we teach and learn?  How far along the continuum are you as a learner alongside your students?  Do we 'walk the talk'?

Edna asks an important question:  "How can we create new models of professional learning in our school that help build our learning community, while embedding our learning principles in our practice?"

I've taught in schools where teacher responsibility for professional learning is expected and valued and it really does lead to rich conversations and exciting learning - both for the teachers and for the students.

What happens in your schools in terms of Action Research / Professional Learning?  Do you value different forms of Social Media as part of your daily professional learning? e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Scoop.It, LinkedIn.  How do you receive professional development - when and from what sources?  Does it happen because you're part of a contract and it's expected or do you take responsibility for your own learning?  Afterall, it's what we expect of our students...

I really like this quote and have had many discussions over the years around this.  I believe that you can have 'expertise' in an area but, the moment you think you are an expert is the moment you stop learning.  

Salman Kahn flips the classroom

Salman Khan talk at TED 2011 (from ted.com)



Salman Khan gives us even more reasons why we can - and need to - 'flip the classroom'. The more I think about and learn about this, the more I want to be involved in the potential for educational reform this offers.

How many of our students who have not had successful educational experiences could have benefited from learning in our new environment? We can't afford to wait any longer.

What are we doing in our teaching and learning each and every day to meet the needs of our 21st century learners?

How far have we come on the eLearning journey?