An argument could be made that today's "digital natives" are the most connected generation of all time. These students need to be prepared to deal with the unique challenges and opportunities that accompany our digitally-connected world. Similar to previous generations, students today encounter new cultural experiences that impact their behaviors in the classroom. The proliferation of technology tools has fundamentally changed the way students interact with their environment. Today's students rely on social networking tools and Internet sources for basic information, connecting to friends, entertainment, and personal reflection. The lack of these familiar tools in today's classrooms often leaves students feeling disconnected and disenfranchised. The fourth area in the H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T. process is the use of Technology Tools.
Teachers have a unique responsibility to balance the students’ desire to use technology tools with the need to keep students safe online while consistently moving ahead with their curriculum objectives. When observing teachers and providing feedback, there are ways one can suggest the use of Technology Tools in the classroom. Outlined below are commendations and recommendations focusing on the fourth target area of H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T.: Technology Tools.
Technology Tools: Commendations
As always, start with a positive and cite specific examples of instructional technology that the teacher used during the lesson. Then suggest the possibility of introducing additional technology resources that might enhance the learning or address multiple learning styles. Have the teachers review their own lessons to pinpoint where they can include technology resources in the future. Additionally try to encourage small steps towards instructional technology activities by guiding teachers to examples found on such sites as Thinkfinity or Discovery Education.
Technology Tools: Recommendations
1. Encourage individual staff members to discuss strategies for technology integration within their professional learning communities.
2. Challenge individual staff members to explore ways of using their existing technology resources to "bump up" the H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T. in their respective classrooms.
3. Encourage individual staff members to take small steps by directing them to resources (see list below) that are standards-based and integrate technology tools effectively.
4. Empower staff to utilize the available technology in the classroom for learning centers/stations tied to the current benchmark/content standard.
5. Recommend that individual staff members seek assistance from their campus technology specialist or facilitator to locate specific resources (e.g., websites, simulations, applets) that align with the current content benchmark or content standard being addressed in class.
Integrating technology with Standards-based Lesson Ideas
Thinkfinity
Discovery Education
Edutopia
Go to Web 2.0
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Interactivate
Illuminations
ReadWriteThink
For additional technology tools and resources, see the H.E.A.T. Resources List
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
MassCUE's 5th Annual Technology Leadership Symposium
Greetings!
If you were able to attend either one of my sessions, Using 21st Century Teaching, Learning, and Leadership to Improve Student Achievement or Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T., I referenced several websites. These websites appear below. I look forward to your feedback.
Using 21st Century Teaching, Learning, and Leadership to Improve Student Achievement
Turning Up the H.E.A.T.
What is the LoTi Level?
LoTi Continuous Improvement Cycle
Other Resources
Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T.
MassCUE's 5th Annual Technology Leadership Symposium
Greetings!
If you were able to attend either one of my sessions, Using 21st Century Teaching, Learning, and Leadership to Improve Student Achievement or Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T., I referenced several websites. These websites appear below. I look forward to your feedback.
Teach 2.0: Challenging the Interactive Generation
* Using 21st Century Teaching, Learning, and Leadership to Improve Student Achievement PowerPoint pdf
* Buy One, Get One Free online H.E.A.T. courses flyer
* LoTi Administrator Institute in Duxbury flyer
* Using 21st Century Teaching, Learning, and Leadership to Improve Student Achievement PowerPoint pdf
* Buy One, Get One Free online H.E.A.T. courses flyer
* LoTi Administrator Institute in Duxbury flyer
Big Idea #1
Big Idea #2
Big Idea #3
- Username: lotiguest
- Password: lotiguest
Big Idea #4
- Username: lotiguest
- Password: lotiguest
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Keeping it Real: Authentic Connections for Students in the Classroom
Most educators would probably agree that learning is most effective when it occurs in a "hands-on", "learning by doing" environment, where students are engaged in real world, meaningful tasks. So how can educators keep it "real" for students? The third target area in the H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T. process is Authentic Connections. Authentic Connections represent what people might actually do in the real world - real life issues, themes, problems. The degree of authenticity may fluctuate depending on the age and background of the learner; yet all authentic assessments possess the following attributes: (1) allow for multiple solutions, (2) relate to student’s prior knowledge, (3) have personal meaning, (4) are challenging, and (5) employ complex thinking processes. One of the easiest ways to infuse greater authenticity into student learning experiences is by integrating one of more 21st Century Themes into the learning experience. These themes include:
* Global Awareness,
* Economic Literacy,
* Health and Wellness Awareness, and
* Civic Awareness
You can learn more about connecting to these themes at The Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
When observing teachers and providing feedback, there are ways one can suggest making these Authentic Connections in the classroom. Outlined below are commendations and recommendations focusing on the third target area of H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T.: Authentic Connections.
Authentic Connections: Commendations
As always, start off with a positive and cite specific examples that the teacher used during the lesson to help students make connections to the content that is being presented. Then suggest the possibility of connecting this content in additional ways. Have the teachers review their own lessons to pinpoint where they can make authentic connections themselves. Additionally try to encourage small steps towards authentic activities by guiding teachers to examples of authentic learning using 21st Century Themes.
Authentic Connections: Recommendations
Remind teachers that all authentic learning experiences possess the following five factors that should be kept in mind while planning instruction:
1. Allow for multiple solutions
2. Relate to student’s prior knowledge
3. Have personal meaning
4. Replicate challenges found in the real world
5. Employ complex thinking processes (e.g., problem-solving, decision-making)
Keeping this mind, we can begin our attempts at keeping it "real" for students as you turn up the H.E.A.T. in your classrooms!
* Global Awareness,
* Economic Literacy,
* Health and Wellness Awareness, and
* Civic Awareness
You can learn more about connecting to these themes at The Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
When observing teachers and providing feedback, there are ways one can suggest making these Authentic Connections in the classroom. Outlined below are commendations and recommendations focusing on the third target area of H.E.A.T./H.E.A.R.T.: Authentic Connections.
Authentic Connections: Commendations
As always, start off with a positive and cite specific examples that the teacher used during the lesson to help students make connections to the content that is being presented. Then suggest the possibility of connecting this content in additional ways. Have the teachers review their own lessons to pinpoint where they can make authentic connections themselves. Additionally try to encourage small steps towards authentic activities by guiding teachers to examples of authentic learning using 21st Century Themes.
Authentic Connections: Recommendations
Remind teachers that all authentic learning experiences possess the following five factors that should be kept in mind while planning instruction:
1. Allow for multiple solutions
2. Relate to student’s prior knowledge
3. Have personal meaning
4. Replicate challenges found in the real world
5. Employ complex thinking processes (e.g., problem-solving, decision-making)
Keeping this mind, we can begin our attempts at keeping it "real" for students as you turn up the H.E.A.T. in your classrooms!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Digital-Age Makeover Construction Kit
General Resources:
• H.E.A.T.
• Ning
Get Real: Math in Everyday Life
Math Projects
Applying Math Skills to a Real World Problem
Funny Math Videos on Teacher Tube
Math Projects
Applying Math Skills to a Real World Problem
Funny Math Videos on Teacher Tube
ELA Resources
Read-Write-Think
Read-Write-Think
Family and Consumer Science Resources
Online Resources
Family and Consumer Science Website
Thinkfinity -Search by Content for Resources, Lessons
Online Resources
Family and Consumer Science Website
Thinkfinity -Search by Content for Resources, Lessons
Science Resources
Virtual LabsChemistry
Simulations
Social Studies Resources
270toWin
National Budget Simulation
Fine Arts Resources
The Audition Room
SFS Kids
Web 2.0 Resources
• GoToWeb20
• Web 2.0 Tool: Survey Monkey
• Web 2.0 Tool: Zoomerang
• Web 2.0 Tool: Survs
• Web 2.0 Tool: Dabbleboard
• Web 2.0 Tool: MyWebspiration
• Web 2.0 Tool: Wordle
• Web 2.0 Tool: TagCrowd
• Web 2.0 Tool: Blogger
• Web 2.0 Tool: 21 Classes
• Web 2.0 Tool: Writeboard
• Web 2.0 Tool: Wikispaces
• Web 2.0 Tool: ePals
• Web 2.0 Tool: Gaggle
• Web 2.0 Tool: GoogleDocs
Website Construction Resources
Wikispaces for Teachers
Blogger
SchoolNotes
Scholastic Home Page Builder
Wikispaces for Teachers
Blogger
SchoolNotes
Scholastic Home Page Builder
Jog the Web
Interactive Map Resources
Intute World Guide
National Geographic Map Machine
Google Earth
Video Editing Resources
Movie Maker (Windows)
iMovie (Mac)
Publishing Student Work Resources
Publishing Students Resources
Virtual Field Trip Resources
Take or Create One
Internet 4 Classrooms Trips
Tramline
Photo Sharing Resources
Photobucket
Flickr
Shutterfly
Screen Capture Recording Resources
Cam Studio
i Show U (Mac)
Interactive Map Resources
Intute World Guide
National Geographic Map Machine
Google Earth
Video Editing Resources
Movie Maker (Windows)
iMovie (Mac)
Publishing Student Work Resources
Publishing Students Resources
Virtual Field Trip Resources
Take or Create One
Internet 4 Classrooms Trips
Tramline
Photo Sharing Resources
Photobucket
Flickr
Shutterfly
Screen Capture Recording Resources
Cam Studio
i Show U (Mac)
Friday, February 5, 2010
LoTi Administrator Orientation: Irving ISD
Provided below is the agenda for our LoTi Administrator Orientation session.
Big Ideas for Today
Mega-Trends Impacting Digital-Age Learning
21st Century Teaching and Learning
What is H.E.A.T.?
What is LoTi?
• Discussion: How does LoTi relate to H.E.A.T.? If you have access to a laptop, add a comment at the bottom of this blog post now about the relationship between LoTi and H.E.A.T.
What is the LoTi Continuous Improvement Cycle?
• Plan
• Implement
- Retrofitting LoTi
- Retrofitting LoTi
• Sustain
• Discussion: As an administrator conducting classroom walkthroughs, what criteria or "look-fors" do you currently use to gauge acceptable instructional practices? How do these criteria compare with the H.E.A.T. look-fors?
What is Digital-Age Leadership?
Professional Development Opportunities:
Resources:
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
LoTi Snapshot: Union County School District
Provided below is the agenda for our LoTi "Snapshot."
Let's first explore digital-age teaching and learning by viewing the short video clips below.
Now, rank the videos from Lowest (1) to Highest (3) in terms of representing digital-age teaching and learning.
• Discussion: Add a comment at the bottom of this blog post now about the specific "look-fors" that separated your highest rated video from your lowest rated video.
What is H.E.A.T.?
• Discussion: Conduct a H.E.A.T. analysis of the Food Chains video. Was it bringing the H.E.A.T. to student learning in terms of Higher order thinking, Engaged learning, Authentic connections, and Technology use. Take a minute to reflect on the amount of student H.E.A.T. generated from the video.
What is LoTi?
• Discussion: Conduct a LoTi Sniff Test of the Elements Commercial and Biology videos. What was the LoTi Level of each video?
• Discussion: How does LoTi relate to H.E.A.T.? How does the LoTi/H.E.A.T. Model relate to 21st Century Skills.
What is the LoTi Continuous Improvement Cycle?
• Assess
- MILE Guide Self-Assessment Survey - Partnership for the 21st Century Skills
• Plan
• Implement
• Sustain
- Classroom Walkthroughs with H.E.A.T (User ID: lotiguest/Password: lotiguest)
• Discussion: What criteria or "look-fors" does your school district currently use to gauge acceptable "digital-age learning" best practices? How do these criteria compare with the H.E.A.T. look-fors?
Professional Development Opportunities:
Resources:
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