Into the Driver's Seat

“How did you do that?” This is a question I have been asked a few times in my career when using an element of technology in my lessons.

Prominent scholars say that to produce deeper learning, students need to become accustomed to confusion—and develop the persistence to find their own answers.

By Emily Kaplan
December 11, 2019
A few years ago, a little boy asked me when the world had become colorful.

I asked him what he meant.

Well, he said, anyone can see that when you look around now, everything has color. But in the old days, everything used to be in black and white. So what year did all the colors come?

We want our students’ learning to be enduring, enabling them to make sense of complexity now and in the future. For this to occur, we need to nudge students beyond the learning of facts and skills to uncover concepts—transferable ideas that transcend time, place, and situation.

The following article is adapted from our upcoming book on future-focused learning. It talks about how to teach learners to build solid research skills for school and for life.
 
How do we help our learners develop research skills that will serve them practically in school and life? Having this set of information location and management abilities in any digital-age survival kit applies equally to students, teachers, and everyday people. In the classroom, we teach it using the process of Information Fluency.

Educational technology, or edtech, has revolutionized the classroom by improving learning efficiency and efficacy. Used wisely, edtech strategies help students develop vital critical thinking skills, and can change the paradigms of education. Here are eight specific ways classroom tech can help students develop their critical thinking.

Shifting to “Learn by Doing”

Becker of NMC says just as the role of the teacher is switching from “sage on the stage” to one of a coach or guide, there is a shift from rote to active learning. To foster skills of teamwork and collaboration, online education is incorporating group projects and hands-on labs to help students think more critically and retain the content.

Building on the concept of “learn by doing,” online education is expanding to connect students from around the world to learn together and meet professionals. Morris is also executive director of the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration, which partners with more than 200 cultural organizations, such as art museums, to offer real-time interaction with experts in various fields.

This exposure can help answer student questions about the relevance of a geometry class, for instance. “To answer the questions of why you are doing it is key,” says Morris. “[Students] are motivated when they understand and have a reason to understand the material.”

Learn more / En savoir plus / Mehr erfahren:

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching

With online teaching and learning becoming the norm for so many teachers and students during the COVID-19 climate, it is important to be aware of what makes an engaging, creative and effective web-based teaching and learning experience.

When and how much should students be using technology in class?
What is the best way to set up my classroom for device use?
How can I make sure I am protecting student privacy when using technology?
Which policies and procedures will help me get the most out of teaching with technology?
Are there benefits to allowing student phones in the classroom? If so, what are they?
How can I keep kids on task when they're using devices?
How can digital citizenship lessons help me get the most out of teaching with technology?
How can I use technology to support learning outside of school?

A discussion technique based on peer feedback helps students delve into complex texts and develop communication skills.

Jim Lerman's insight:

The fishbowl remains a powerful engagement strategy.

Can you feel excitement about flipping your classroom? If you’ve never done it before it can be challenging to know where to even begin. That’s why we’ve created this essential flipped learning beginner’s guide for you. We’ve seen countless other teachers “flipping out” and it has forever changed the results of their students’ learning. In fact, even the kids most in need are benefitting from accessing the best flipped learning videos.

Students work on the feedback provided to them to bring the best out in their performance. However, there can be a possibility that students are getting the right feedback which hinders their growth. Without having the correct feedback it is impossible for students to work on their weak areas. As educators, the feedback provided needs to be of sort that can direct students towards better results.

Tyler DeWitt’s FlipCon 2016 Keynote Speech was Inspiring and Fun, and Full of Truths we Need Embrace

When asked what he does for a living, Tyler likes to introduce himself to new people by saying, “I make YouTube videos” … and watch the horrified look on their faces. He clarifies, “I make educational YouTube videos, and a lot of people watch them”. Suddenly their faces light up.

They ask what his channel is. Then they go home and check it out, and they’re surprised again.