I have been thinking about how we deliver technology professional development at our school. There are currently two goals that we are trying to accomplish: Making sure teachers are aware of new tools so that they can become competent users of technology for themselves. Making sure teachers can use these tools to enrich and transform their classroom for the community of learners during that physical time and space. To date, we have employed following methods: Using email/blog to make teachers aware of different tools and sites. We sometimes use this in a broad sweep, sometimes in a targeted fashion. This […]
Category: teaching and learning
The Harkness Classroom for the 21st Century
Over the past six months, we have been investigating several converging ideas: Campus Wide Long Range Space Planning Questioning of Schedule and Time in all three of our divisions Discussion of the role of technology – tablets, laptops, projectors, network, and services to support learning These conditions are converging, suggesting that we are nearing a near perfect storm that potentially could transform our learning environments and provide us with the framework which will enable us to enter into our second century of existence in 11 years. I am really excited about the possibilities. Our Head of School has been interested […]
Web 1.5 + Inspiration = Potentially Great Product
One of the tools that I have and enjoyed is Inspiration. I have used this product since 1989, when a forward thinking local school system purchased it for its teachers and I had to train them on how to use it. I have always been a visual thinker, which is one of the reasons that I loved my Macintosh computers and why I think that tablet technology is an increasingly interesting tool for users. The ability to create diagrams and then simply create outlines, the ability to export a series a diagram into a web site were some of the […]
21st Century Research – The Dilemma (Humor)
Yesterday, I overheard two seventh graders in the library, chatting about the research project the they were conducting searches online at a table. The first student said, “Don’t forget that we were just asked to include a print source for our research project.” At this, the student replied, “I have that covered. Mine is Gordon Color. (the name of the printer that they could print to)” Therein lies the dilemma we face as educators.
Framework for 21st Century Learning – My Version
I had an epiphany. The framework for 21st Century Learning can be stated very simply and elegantly. Learners in the 21st Century need to: To begin, we have to agree with others that there is a problem and what the problem is. To solve the problem identified, we had to decide in consultation with others what we feel is the right question. Once the right question is identified, a solution needs to be determined. Learners will collaborate with others whose thinking is different than theirs, to make sure that they are pushed to their solution. Once a solution has been […]