Saturday, July 16, 2011

Teaching 2030

Chapter one post coming soon.....I will try not to go too deep:)

Collaborating for Integrative Teaching and Learning

In the past, teachers have worked alone and there was little or no collaboration. One of the best things we can do as educators is share and collaborate….learn from each other. Collaborating starts with an idea or question. Sharing (that idea or question) leads to curriculum connections which promote meaningful and authentic student projects, learning, communities, and better instruction. True collaboration is demonstrated only on the teams where all members feel their contributions are valued and the goal is clear, where they share decision making, and where they sense they are respected. Through collaboration, ideas can be shared, new and better strategies can be developed, and problems can be solved. Great teams not only accomplish their mission effectively, but connect people and provide insights on new tools and practices.
Effective Collaboration:
1. Teachers who collaborate must believe that all individuals’ contributions are valued equally.
2. Collaboration requires a shared goal or purpose.
3. Collaboration includes shared responsibility for key decisions. Teachers divide work and share decision making about the activities they are undertaking.
4. Collaboration includes shared accountability for outcomes. If teachers share key decisions, they must also share accountability for the results of the decisions.
5. Collaboration is based on shared resources. Each teacher in a collaborative effort should make an effort to contribute some type of resource.
6. Allows for reflecting on your personal belief system: How much do you value sharing ideas? Examine your belief system to see if you have tolerance toward changing your standards in your classroom
Collaboration Types:
1. Face to Face/Planning
2. Blogs and Wikis
3. Skype
5. Chats/Discussions
6. Twitter
7. PLNs (Ning)
8. Book Study Groups
9. Message Boards

Book Shelf

I added a bookshelf of books read to this blog.....you will find me blogging about other books from time to time but stay focused on your books you are reading. I just need a place to put/dump my thoughts on articles and books I am reading or using to teach with. If you have read other books that would make for a great read, please share.

Five Core Propositions

For those that are National Board Certified Teachers....you will recognize the 5 core propositions. I have to renew my certification this year and looking over the propositions and reflecting on my practice as a teacher makes me think about a lot of things. I posted them on a separate page for future discussion and reflecting when we look at our classrooms, curriculum and our teaching/learning. Look forward to seeing you guys and having some great conversations.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Introduction

As you begin to read Leading the Technology-Powered School, you will quickly find that it is not your typical technology book. This is a leadership book. It is about finding our place as technology leaders in the school. As you read, reflect on your role and think about your learning process. Because changes in technology happen day to day, it is important that we LEARN, Un-Learn, and Re-Learn or Monitor and Repair our thinking (REFLECT). At the heart of our learning, we must keep our students first. What tools will enhance our instruction for students? Technology is a key aspect of transformational teaching/learning and can be used to restructure learning environments. Set your goals first, then consider tools (p.9). The tool must have a PURPOSE. What is one tool you want to use next year and why....what is the purpose? Think about that five year old in the introduction!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Email Information

Leading the Technology-Powered School - Focus points for HUB (We will be applying the Principal Leader pieces to ourselves as tech leaders, completing a self-assessment, reflecting on our practice, looking at Curriculum/Instruction with Technology...how to plan, Theory of Instructional Technologies, and Transformation Teaching (Learn, Un-Learn, and Re-Learn). This is an easy read and we will be focusing on a similar model on page 13 for the school year. Your first HUB meeting is September 16th.

Teaching 2030 - Focus points will be on our students...now and in the future. This is a much deeper reading and a lot of reflection on our personal practice. Discussions will revolve around:
1. Connectivism
2. Curriculum - Looking at the instruction given in the classroom....how to grow....learn/un-learn/re-learn, and transformational teaching
3. Innovation/Technology
4. Inquiry-Based Learning
5. NBPTS 5 core Propositions/Teaching Helix
6. What we need to do to prepare our students for the future.
7. JUST GREAT conversation pieces and collaboration with each other:)
**JENNIFER BARNETT (co-author) will be at our first HUB meeting on September 16th

ASSIGNMENTS/REFLECTIONS/READINGS:
1. Go to the blog and click on the 2030 link....read over info found on the website
2. Teaching 2030- Read Chapters 1 and 2
3. Leading the Technology-Powered School - Read Intro and chapter 1 (Apply what you can to yourself as a tech leader)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Two Books to Read Over the Summer

I will be reading two books over the summer.....Teaching 2030 and Leading the Technology-Powered School.

You will have to make 5-7 posts on this blog. The books are easy read.....and we will have one face-to-face meeting.

My goal is to start off the year with our normal HUB PD day but have a guest speaker/c0-author from Teaching 2030 at our meeting.

http://teachingquality.org/publications/teaching-2030-book