The New LoTi Digital-Age Survey

Some of my colleagues have shared their concerns about the potential "drop" in scores on the new LoTi Digital-Age Questionnaire. I expect the LoTi "scores" to drop somewhat in schools throughout the country; this is not a surprise based on the following events:

1. The LoTi Digital-Age Questionnaire was recently aligned to the new NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) for Teachers that were released in July, 2008. These standards set expectations for digital age learning at a significantly higher level than the previous 2002 NETS-T. Unfortunately, the bar has been raised dramatically.  Our job is to ensure that the LoTi Survey align with the latest national standards.

2. The results of our latest validation study suggested that the survey response rubric change from teacher's perceptions about their implementation of technology to their actual use. For example, in prior years, the statement, "My students use the classroom digital tools and resources to engage in relevant, challenging, self-directed learning experiences that address the content standards," would have been ranked by the teacher as either "Very True of Me, Somewhat True of Me, Somewhat Not True of Me, and Not True of Me" depending on personal perception.

In the New LoTi Digital-Age Questionnaire, that same survey statement is ranked by the teacher based on frequency of implementation, not personal perception using the scale, "Never, At least once a year, At least once a semester, At least once a month, A few times a month, A least once a week, A few times a week, and At least once a day."

These changes to the survey would account for any dip in the LoTi Levels. Please keep in mind that assessments sometimes change from year to year to reflect changing standards. One example of this phenomenon is standardized tests. Many states change both the types of questions as well as the "cut scores" for standardized tests to reflect updated standards as well as expectations.

May the LoTi Be With You Always!

Chris 

MassCUE & M.A.S.S. 2009 Technology Conference

Greetings!

Thank you for attending our session entitled, Using H.E.A.T. to encourage Academic Excellence. Provided below are links to resources discussed during the session.

MassCUE H.E.A.T. Presentation

Big Idea #1

• H.E.A.T. Framework

Big Idea #2

• H.E.A.T. Rubric

Big Idea #3

• LoTi Digital-Age Framework

• LoTi Sniff Test

Big Idea #4

• H.E.A.T. Rubric

• LoTi Digital-Age Framework

Big Idea #5

• HEAT Observation Form

• LoTi Observer

Big Idea #6

• Assess - LoTi Digital-Age Survey

• Plan - Next Steps Action Plan

• Implement - Web 2.0 Tools

• Sustain - Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T.

Big Idea #7

• LoTi-related Dissertations

H.E.A.T. Strategies:

• Lesson Makeover

• Lesson Plan Reviews

• Graphic Organizers

• Questioning Toolkit

• Bloom's Taxonomy

• Sample Classroom Walkthrough

• Rubrics

• Peer Observations

• Differentiated Instruction

• Differentiated Instruction for Advanced Learner

• Focus Strategies

• 21st Century Performance Assessments

• Online Learning (Click the "Login as a Guest" button.)

What Chris Moersch's Team Does:
• Offer online courses aligned to LoTi and H.E.A.T. (Click the "Login as a Guest" button.)
• Facilitate professional development for school administrators
• Conduct LoTi Mentor Institutes regionally and online
• Model the Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T. process
• Monitor LoTi Digital-Age Schools Nationally

Mohonk Technology Retreat

Good afternoon!

Thank you for attending the Mohonk Technology Retreat. As you participate in my session entitled, Teach 2.0: Challenging the Interactive Generation, I wanted to provide links to specific resources and/or exemplars that illustrate the "big ideas" discussed today.

Big Idea #1:

• LoTi Digital-Age Framework

• LoTi Sniff Test

Big Idea #2:

• H.E.A.T. Framework

• H.E.A.T. Rubric

Big Idea #3:

• LoTi Continuous Improvement Model

Big Idea #4:

• HEAT Observation Form

Today's Interactive Generation:

• Digital Native

• Zero Percent Idle

• 21st Century Learning Revisited

Teach 2.0:

• Renzulli's Enrichment Triad

• Moersch's Experiential-based Action Model

• Problem-based Learning

• Event-based Science

• Socratic Dialogue

• Synectics

Teach 2.0 Continuous Improvement Plan:

• Assess - LoTi Digital-Age Survey

• Plan - Next Steps Action Plan

• Implement - Web 2.0 Tools

• Sustain - Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T.

Research-based Support:

• LoTi-related Dissertations

H.E.A.T. Strategies:

• Lesson Makeover

• Lesson Plan Reviews

• Graphic Organizers

• Questioning Toolkit

• Bloom's Taxonomy

• Sample Classroom Walkthrough

• Rubrics

• Peer Observations

• Differentiated Instruction

• Differentiated Instruction for Advanced Learner

• Focus Strategies

• 21st Century Performance Assessments

• Online Learning (Click the "Login as a Guest" button.)

What Chris Moersch's Team Does:
• Offer online courses aligned to LoTi and H.E.A.T. (Click the "Login as a Guest" button.)
• Facilitate professional development for school administrators
• Conduct LoTi Mentor Institutes regionally and online
• Model the Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T. process
• Monitor LoTi Digital-Age Schools Nationally

Blended Learning Environments

Good Morning!

Today, I wanted to share some thoughts on designing blended learning courseware for K-12 classrooms at a LoTi 4 and higher using either a one-to-one or virtual one-to-one learning environment. Remember that as you increase the LoTi level of the learning experience, the potential to generate more student H.E.A.T. similarly increases.

Where to get started?

Step 1:
Know thy LoTi/H.E.A.T. levels! Understanding the LoTi/H.E.A.T. model can help you process the targeted LoTi level for a learning experience based on the content and the level of desired student cognition.

Step 2:

The next step in planning a blended learning environment at a LoTi 4 and higher is finding authentic connections to the content. This step can be accomplished using a professional development intervention called Tic-Tac-Toe. This activity enables the instructional designer to process connections between the content and the real world. A companion activity to Tic-Tac-Toe is a quick review of 21st Century Skills/Themes.

Step 3:

The next step is selecting an instructional model that can be easily adjusted to any content area or grade level. An easy-to-use model that works extremely well in a blended environment is the 5E Model. If you are unfamiliar with this model, check out the links below:

• Constructivism and the 5E Model

• The 5E's

• The 5E Learning Cycle Model

Step 4:

Step 4 involves becoming proficient with some fundamental tools used to promote a collaborative learning environment. I have identified these tools below. Take a few minutes to consider their efficacy and utility to your blended learning environment. You are also invited to conduct a S.W.O.T. analysis of any one of these web-based tools.

Higher-order Thinking Tools/Strategies:

• Bloom's Taxonomy
• Questioning Toolkit
• Webspiration
• Bubbl

Engagement Tools/Strategies:
• Survey Monkey

• Gaggle

• ePals

Authenticity Tools/Strategies:
• 21st Century Learning Revisited
• Google Earth
• Scorecard

Technology Use Tools:
• National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
• Interactivate
• Illuminations
• Dabble Board
• Gliffy
• Blogger
• Wikispaces
• Garageband
• Audacity

• Web 2.0 for the Classroom Teacher

• GoToWeb2.0

Project Websites:

• eCybermission
• CIESE - Interdisciplinary Projects

• Thinkfinity

Step 5:

Next, you will need to decide the type of collaborative learning environment for your blended instructional module. Your campus may already have a learning management system available such as Blackboard, Moodle, or FirstClass or you can create your own using an online social network such as NING. Probably the easiest way to get started is by using a simple blog or wiki if no other options exist.

Step 6:

The last step is to begin creating your blended learning environment. The ratio of face-to-face versus online needs to be based on your students' background with the content as well as experience within a blended environment. Please take a minute to review the samples below.

• LoTi Classroom

(Enter lotiguest as your user name and password)

• American History: Conspiracy Code Game

• Algebra 1: Functions & Algorithms

• Life Science: Simulation - (Click on Guest Entrance)

• Literary Non-Fiction

• HippoCampus

May the LoTi Be With You!

Chris