Started out our last semester with two great presentations in the first week! Lots to think about and get our minds in gear for our final sprint to the finish line.
Our first presentation was very suited for this internet for educators class as we did a Google hangout with Shareski. This was quite like Skype with all the voice lags and freezing but still a very cool way to bring someone into the classroom. He could see us and we could not only see him and hear his dogs, but also see the presentation he had prepared for us. I do feel like we are on the cusp of a new era in education and it is very exciting to be a part of it. His notion to rethink content, assessment, community and modeling really did get me thinking. I agree with the idea of needing to engage and fascinate our students in order to achieve that higher order deeper knowledge that memorization of facts lacks. His idea of an "unintended learning" column in rubrics really resonated with me as well. The lost art of reflection s a skill I want to work on and encourage my students to hone. I mean if I can't do it, how can I be modeling it?
We also got our copyright pants scared off of us. All I can say about that is YIKES.
I really liked his self assessment for the students and teacher assessment from the students. I really think this is a good way to improve a teacher. The copyright was a scary moment but its nice to know now what we can and cannot do.
ReplyDeleteI liked the self assessment that he makes all his students do with assignments because I feel like it would encourage them to do their best work. I know that if I had to rate my effort on an assignment then I would probably try much harder. I also think that it is a good tool for students to understand what they are good at and what they need to work on!
ReplyDeleteYou mention being " on the cusp of a new era in education". Do you think that we really are or are we simply falling in love with the idea of it? Teaching is hard because working harder doesn't seem to get you farther ahead. There is very little motivation for the masses to jump on the train. There are still a lot of "Fossils" in the classroom that will refuse to re-write any of their plans to incorporate technology. That coupled with socio-economic diversity may prove to push the timeline back a bit.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that things are changing and it will be interesting to see how long it takes for educators to fully embrace technology in their classrooms.
Google hangouts can be used as a tool in the classroom, granted you'd need permission from the administration because you'd have to login.
ReplyDeleteAs for rethinking content, assessment, I wholeheartedly agree, We need to be teaching these students what will be of use for them. The tern authentic learning and experiences come to mind. Technology is such a part of our society, that no teach how to use it and how to be respectful of is, in my opinion, detrimental. Let's use it in the classroom. Let's show them that technology is not scary! Let's be models and use it ourselves.