Learning Spaces

So one thing I keep running into as an educational technologist is the need to re-design the classroom. I am far from the first to notice this and my research shows me there are amazing things being done, from small classroom spaces to beautifully designed schools that have completely broken from the industrial-age prototype, embracing both nature and technology. Score! Technology does not have to mean "indoors". In fact, the the mobility of our new technologies begs it not to be.
Still, considering we are not all moving into new buildings, there are some things we can do to our classrooms. I've put together a Learnist with great info from Edutopia, The Third Teacher+, and I've included a few dream schools to inspire us:   Learning Spaces

Eduslam

Okay, let's get a little more practical. I came across Eduslam on Google Hangouts. Tanya Avrith and Holly Clark have educators from around the world  talking about ideas, tools, apps that can transform the learning going on in your classroom.  Basically it's teachers teaching teachers. Short (about 5 minutes) videos explain a practice that has proven successful. I can talk on and on about emerging technologies, but until I can show how effective they can be in a classroom, they will remain untested. Eduslam has classroom teachers explaining their experiences – where things went wrong, and where things went right – giving valuable insight into procedures you might have wanted to try, but just didn't know enough about.

Some of the topics are: Using Stories in the Math Classroom, Collaborative Writing in Grade 3, The Best way for Seniors to End the Year, Using Twitter in Grade One, App Speed Dating... I knew you'd like that one. Check out Eduslam!

The Digital Future

Huffington Post has published an article by Matthew Lynch about the recently-released New Media Consortium Horizon which details six up-and-coming technologies for K-12 classrooms. The article, "A Digital Future: K-12 Technology by 2018" outlines how things like Mobile Learning, 3-D printing, Learning Analytics, and open content will develop over the next five years. Things can change rapidly in 5 years, but the 6 technologies projected here look like they're here to stay.

Khan Academy Dashboard

Welcome back everyone! For my first entry this year I want to revisit a site we are all familiar with: Khan Academy. This site just keeps getting better. Not everyone is a fan, I know, but let's remember, it's a tool. Use it in any way that helps you, or your students, best. The dashboard allows teachers to see at a glance where their students are struggling, so that individual attention can be applied when necessary. Students also have a dashboard to follow their own progress. I urge you to watch the video below to see how both students and teachers can benefit from Khan Academy.


 

Polleverywhere

This week I have been using Polleverywhere and it occurred to me that I have not written about it yet. "Pollev" can be a wonderful tool in the classroom. How does it work? Questions, either multiple choice or open-ended, are created online and posted. Participants can respond through a variety of options - text messaging, web devices, tweets, or private link. We use iPod Touch devices, much like a clicker response system, but computers or phones, work just as well. What we discovered is how this tool allows participation from learners who normally would not contribute to an oral class exchange. While anonymity is often disparaged online, here is a case for its effectiveness. How many times do we hesitate to add our opinion to a discussion for fear it might be deemed "stupid" by our peers. In a classroom where learning is supposed to be safe and yet where risks should be taken, Pollev might just be the answer.
For some ideas on how to use Polleverywhere check out their blog

Science Podcasts

I love, love, love podcasts. Did I  mention I love podcasts? You can listen to them when you're in the car, while you're exercising, while you're waiting...for anything. There is something for everyone. There is absolutely NOTHING you can't learn if you want to. I am a big NPR fan so all episodes of my favourite shows are available to listen to when I am. RadioLab is right up there at the top of my list and happily it made it on TeachThought's list of 40 Of the Best Science Podcasts for Mobile Learning
(That's not to say you can't listen to them on your computer as well, you can). So if Science is your thing (or even if it's not) check out the list.

New to podcasts and don't know where to begin?  Apple has created a Tips for Podcast Fans page to help get you started. Become a fan!

Twitter and the Law

Can Twitter open a new space for learning?  Should we be using it in the classroom? Maybe, but at the very least we have an obligation to teach our learners the responsibilities of such social media. Everyone should know the possible consequences of not thinking before hitting that "Tweet" button. Lawsuits for libel are not new to media law, but this generation may be. Posting pictures, names, and lies can bring contempt of court charges and more.  In Twitter Users: A Guide to the Law , Brian Wheeler outlines some of the pitfalls Twitter users might fall into in the UK, and a little closer to home Dianne Buckner writes about social media hazards for the CBC News.

Apps by Grade Level

Gary Toews posted this list of useful free educational apps:

Free apps list from Gary Toews

Twitter

C'mon teachers, what are you afraid of? Start using Twitter.
Here is a great list: 10 Ways Students Can Use Twitter for Paper Writing (thank you EmergingEdTech)
Things like, "Reach out to scholars and experts in the field", or "Get real world data" are exactly what I love about Twitter.  It doesn't have to be the shallow musings of navel-gazers. Yes, there is a lot of that, but the unparalleled access one has to people...millions of people, is what makes Twitter so powerful. Scholars, scientists, revellers, rebels, citizens, experts...and the list goes on. Just do it ! (swoosh)

MOOCs

I love iTunes U, but online courses don't stop there. Sites like Coursera, edX and Udacity offer courses, online for anyone to take for free! Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs are changing the face of higher education. Tamar Lewin's New York Times article Instruction for Masses Knocks Down Campus Walls illustrates how. Check out the video below to find out more about MOOCs, and for a comprehensive list on courses available, visit Stephen Downes and George Siemen's blog at MOOC.ca.