Edtech

Matthew Lynch published in Education Leadership, Teachers

How to Create Your Own Personalized Learning Network

Going to Google and searching for answers to your education-related questions is not the same thing as carefully constructing a deep network of resources customized to your professional endeavors.

There are several ways to approach building a system, and we’re breaking down how to create a personalized path to PLN success.

Be Selective

Know who you’re connecting with before you connect.

Everyone in your network should have personal or professional experience with your topic or field. They should also have credentials visible on their online profiles or verified by mutual connections.

On that note, it’s important not to create an “echo-chamber” when you’re building a network. Having an online community with varying and, sometimes conflicting, ideas and perspectives about your topic will help shape your ideas and further your understanding.

If you’re looking for a group of people who all think and act the same way, you’re not honestly looking for an educational experience. Sometimes it takes individuals with the opposite outlook to really make a difference in your classroom and your life.

Be Thoughtful

Hitting connect with someone on LinkedIn or following them on social media isn’t enough to create a successful PLN. Reach out to professionals and explain why you believe it would be beneficial to connect.

And before you even press send, figure out what steps you would like to take with someone post-connection. In your initial message, help them understand how their credentials might help you, and what you can provide for them in return. Then break down your plans for starting a network.

Whatever you say to a potential connect, make sure you know your intention so that you can accurately express your intention and ultimately live your intention.

Start on Social Media

If you’re lost as to where to begin, start on social media sites like Twitter or Instagram. It may seem counterproductive, but some of the most productive connections and conversations take place via social media.

Create a Twitter or Google Plus account and follow influencers in your field. We suggest starting with 20. You’ll be amazed at the content and conversations you’ll watch play out if you limit your followers to individuals who share your passion for the same educational issues. Social media sites are also great ways to stay up-to-date on the latest education-related news and breakthrough innovations. You’ll be bombarded with retweets of relevant articles and see commentary unfold between journalists, researchers, and educators alike.

After you’ve followed a select few, begin to direct message influences, share your resources, and comment on existing conversations. You’re guaranteed to receive back interesting and relevant information.

Social sites are a great place to continuously learn and watch a nonstop stream of information work its way through one online influencer at a time. One day, that influencer may be you.

Ask Questions

If you’ve stumbled upon a blog or online profile that interests you, read what they have to say and ask questions. People with excellent credentials and an existing network are great resources to help narrow your education-related questions and point you in the right direction. They’ll provide recommendations of who to connect with, resources for additional research and ways to relate your personal or professional needs to an existing network. Who knows, maybe the exact circle you’ve been searching for already exists! 

Create Your Own Content

If you’ve got ideas, you’re dying to share about a hot topic issue, write a blog post, share it with as many people as possible, and the network will come to you.

Having content to share with others is also a great way to introduce yourself and prove to potential connects that you’re legitimate and will add value to any PLN conversation. Think about what you look for in potential connects, and make sure your online presence mirrors those requirements.

We also recommend commenting on other influencers’ blog posts, photos, and research papers. See how people are innovating, then interact with them and ask questions. React to their ideas, provide original ideas of your own, and do everything possible to add value! Thoughtful commentary, whatever it may be, will instantly grab the attention of those you wish to connect with most.

Give Credit

When you’re communicating with other professionals, give people credit for their ideas and contributions. Everyone likes to be acknowledged and thanked personally, and the more amiable of an atmosphere you create within your network, the more productive work will arise from conversations.

It’s also important that your network trust you with their thoughts. If they’re concerned you’ll steal their ideas or leave their hard work unacknowledged, they’ll be hesitant to share anything else and may end up leaving your PLN.

Remember the WHY

You’re connecting with others to improve yourself as an educator and solve issues in the education world.

Every great conversation you have online helps the students you work for every day and improves the quality of your classroom. Every milestone you reach in your PLN is one step closer to finding solutions that you can advocate for to policy-makers who often have the final say in the structure of your school.

Remind yourself why you’re making an effort to connect and stay motivated throughout your PLN endeavors.

At the end of the day, becoming a vessel in the improvement of tomorrow’s classroom is an invaluable position. Become that vessel and add value to your community with the help of a successful personal learning network that’s custom built and thoughtfully constructed.

  • no reactions
0
Share
Matthew Lynch published in Campus Security, Digital & Mobile Technology, Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech, Higher Education, Trending Topics,

10 Technologies to Keep Schools Safe

With all the news of different school shootings, it is becoming increasingly important to take advantage of new technology to keep schools safer. Implementing effective high-technology security systems can be costly and lengthy but there are four tips to make the decision of what is best for your school:

  • Know your school’s unique needs.
  • Start small, then build smart…don’t try to implement every technology security system at once.
  • Head off controversy by including the families of students in the decision-making process.
  • Don’t forget to hire people to oversee, run, maintain, and upgrade the system.

With these four tips in mind, here are ten very popular and effective technologies that keep schools safe.

#1 Social Net Watcher

At a middle school in Indiana, administrators launched their new computer program, Social Net Watcher. This program works in “the cloud” to find dangerous words posted on Facebook which then, through the program’s algorithm, will alert the school administrators.  This program helps the school to keep an eye on cyber bullying. Bruce Canal, the President of Social Net Watch, said “With the new bullying law that went into effect in Indiana this summer, schools are now required to report to the Department of Education the number of bullying events that they’ve had. Our software also allows them to go in and create a report to send to the Department of Education.”

#2 Anonymous Alerts

Another technology that helps prevent bullying or other severe and dangerous situations such as a weapon on campus is the Anonymous Alerts app. At Round Rock ISD, students and staff can download this app on their Apple or Android products and can anonymously report incidents. Round Rock ISD spokesperson, Corey Ryan, mentioned that they want students to feel safe and comfortable when sharing concerns about safety and security.

#3 NetSafe Kit

Many schools feel that they can’t completely protect their students online. So, they are focusing on teaching students to be prepared and safe while online. This NetSafe Kit helps schools teach students cyber safety and digital citizenship.

#4 Visitor Management System

Many schools require visitors to sign in on a paper log and show proof of ID before entering the halls of the school. However, at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, the administration is using a technological visitor management system to protect its students. Visitors have their state or federal identification scanned and the system checks a national database of registered sex offenders.

#5 Entry Control Equipment

Not only should schools require visitors to check in with the office before going any farther into the school, but many schools feel it necessary to keep all exits locked at all times. These schools have entry control equipment: electromagnetic doors that can be remotely locked or unlocked. Visitors buzz in and the office staff can choose to unlock the doors for them or not.

#6 Metal Detectors/X-Ray Machines

Especially in inner-city schools where violence and drugs are rife, metal detectors and x-ray machines are a necessity to keep entrances to the school campus safe. This will allow detection of guns, knives, or other weapons before they are brought on campus.

#7 Surveillance Cameras

Over 90% of K-12 schools in the United States have security cameras and video surveillance equipment. Cameras should be placed in the school hallways, large rooms (such as the library, cafeteria, and gym), and especially near the front entrance. Some security systems come with alert buttons that send emergency transmissions to police.

#8 Panic Buttons

Teachers can wear small panic buttons such as the Mobile Duress panic button on their belts or pockets during the day. If some trouble or danger arises, the teacher can push the button and an alert is sent to both the authorities and the school administrators. The administrators will then make everyone in the building aware of the threat while first responders make their way to the school. Different brands of panic buttons can double as microphones or voice amplifications systems.

#9 Mass Messaging Software

Mass messaging software, such as e2campus, allow schools to immediately send messages to parents, students, faculty, and staff at the same time when there is a threat. Messages can be sent in the form of email, voice, or text and can be sent to both computers and smart devices. Even without threats or danger to the school, this program is nice to have to send community-wide reminders or memos.

#10 Alertus Desktop

Having all the computers of staff members connected is important to keeping the school safe. Using Alertus Desktop, or other similar programs, allows desktop alerts to appear on every computer screen on campus. This is a great idea, especially if a student or faculty member is in an area that doesn’t have great cell service. It can also help all staff members stay coordinated and be used to send staff memos and reminders.

Remember, the safety of the students and staff at your school are of the utmost importance. Don’t be too paranoid in your decision making, but be smart.

 

 

 

  • no reactions
0
Share
Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Trending Topics

Personalized Learning Starts with Less Teacher Talk, More Student Voice

Personalized learning is becoming a big part of the 21st century classroom. It’s a new approach to teaching and learning that involves less teacher talking and more input from students, and it’s changing the way students are learning around the world.

The idea behind personalized learning is simple. Students guide their own learning, going at their own pace and, in some cases, making their own decisions about what to learn. Ideally, in a classroom using personalized learning, students choose what they’re interested in and teachers fit the curriculum and standards to the students’ interests.

This type of learning completely reverses the traditional structure of the classroom. Instead of the teacher being the center of attention and leader of the classroom, the students are in the spotlight. Personalized learning gives students a voice and allows them to take ownership of their education.

For teachers who want to bring more personalized learning into their own classrooms, it can seem intimidating. Giving up control of the classroom can be scary. Teachers might wonder, will the students really get engaged? Will they learn everything they need to know for the tests at the end of the year? Will I completely lose control over my classroom?

Personalized learning doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Teachers can start by talking a little less and letting students have more of a voice. Allowing students to make some choices in the classroom can have a powerful effect.

Teachers can give students different options for presenting evidence of what they’ve learned. One way to go about this is to directly give students the standards they need to know and ask them to present proof that they’ve mastered the standard. Another option is to give students choices, such as writing an essay versus creating a visual representation of their learning.

Teachers can take another route and give students different options for how they learn material. This requires a little more preparation, but teachers can allow students to choose between reading and watching a video, for example. Again, this allows students to have more choices and feel that they have a voice in the classroom.

Simple changes like these are easy for teachers to make, and they empower students. When students have just a little bit of choice in the classroom, they begin to get invested in their learning.

Personalized learning also improves student and teacher relationships. In the traditional classroom, teachers are often fighting for power. In traditional classrooms, teachers have to demand that students sit down, stop talking, and look at the teacher. This automatically creates a kind of power dynamic that can cause problems. Teachers are essentially telling students, “I am more important than you.”

When teachers give students a voice, they’re telling students, “You are important.” They are giving students control over what and how they learn. Students often respond positively to this change in the power dynamic. Students who are given choices feel valued and respected. As a result, they are actually less likely to cause problems for teachers. When teachers stop demanding that students sit down, be quiet, and respect them, students are more likely to do all three of those things.

For teachers who are looking for a way to get students engaged and excited about what they’re learning, personalized learning is the way to go. Teachers who talk less and give students a voice in the classroom are empowering students and allowing them to take ownership of, and truly enjoy, their education.

Have you seen teachers talking less in the classroom? How can teachers use the power of personalized learning to give students a voice? Tell us what you think.

  • no reactions
0
Share
Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Trending Topics

Personalized Learning Starts with Less Teacher Talk, More Student Voice

Personalized learning is becoming a big part of the 21st century classroom. It’s a new approach to teaching and learning that involves less teacher talking and more input from students, and it’s changing the way students are learning around the world.

The idea behind personalized learning is simple. Students guide their own learning, going at their own pace and, in some cases, making their own decisions about what to learn. Ideally, in a classroom using personalized learning, students choose what they’re interested in and teachers fit the curriculum and standards to the students’ interests.

This type of learning completely reverses the traditional structure of the classroom. Instead of the teacher being the center of attention and leader of the classroom, the students are in the spotlight. Personalized learning gives students a voice and allows them to take ownership of their education.

For teachers who want to bring more personalized learning into their own classrooms, it can seem intimidating. Giving up control of the classroom can be scary. Teachers might wonder, will the students really get engaged? Will they learn everything they need to know for the tests at the end of the year? Will I completely lose control over my classroom?

Personalized learning doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Teachers can start by talking a little less and letting students have more of a voice. Allowing students to make some choices in the classroom can have a powerful effect.

Teachers can give students different options for presenting evidence of what they’ve learned. One way to go about this is to directly give students the standards they need to know and ask them to present proof that they’ve mastered the standard. Another option is to give students choices, such as writing an essay versus creating a visual representation of their learning.

Teachers can take another route and give students different options for how they learn material. This requires a little more preparation, but teachers can allow students to choose between reading and watching a video, for example. Again, this allows students to have more choices and feel that they have a voice in the classroom.

Simple changes like these are easy for teachers to make, and they empower students. When students have just a little bit of choice in the classroom, they begin to get invested in their learning.

Personalized learning also improves student and teacher relationships. In the traditional classroom, teachers are often fighting for power. In traditional classrooms, teachers have to demand that students sit down, stop talking, and look at the teacher. This automatically creates a kind of power dynamic that can cause problems. Teachers are essentially telling students, “I am more important than you.”

When teachers give students a voice, they’re telling students, “You are important.” They are giving students control over what and how they learn. Students often respond positively to this change in the power dynamic. Students who are given choices feel valued and respected. As a result, they are actually less likely to cause problems for teachers. When teachers stop demanding that students sit down, be quiet, and respect them, students are more likely to do all three of those things.

For teachers who are looking for a way to get students engaged and excited about what they’re learning, personalized learning is the way to go. Teachers who talk less and give students a voice in the classroom are empowering students and allowing them to take ownership of, and truly enjoy, their education.

Have you seen teachers talking less in the classroom? How can teachers use the power of personalized learning to give students a voice? Tell us what you think.

  • no reactions
0
Share
Matthew Lynch published in Higher Education, Online Learning & eLearning, Trending Topics

The Ever-Expanding List of Online Degree Options

When online education began, students had access to precious few degree programs. Typically, only classes that required little communication and less hands-on training were candidates for digital classrooms. However, as education technology developed — and as interest in online education grew — students found more and more degrees available over the web.

Today, more than 17 percent of higher education schools offer full-time online degree programs, and the options are incredibly diverse. Nearly every student in nearly every field can find courses available online, bringing the world closer to affordable, attainable higher education. To celebrate, here is a brief history of online degree options — and what we can expect from online education in the near future.

First Came Business School

Aside from computer science courses — which only became valuable well after e-learning was established — business degrees seem the most obvious candidates for online education. First, advanced business degrees are sought primarily by adults already employed in full-time careers; thus, the flexibility of online courses is unendingly appealing to business schools’ core audience.

Furthermore, business classes rarely require hands-on attention from professors, so students can be certain of learning the correct material without bothering to journey to a university campus. Concepts like finance and marketing — as well as skills like selling, recruiting, and leading — can be acquired just as effectively through a computer screen as in a physical classroom.

Business school integrated quickly into online education sites. Today, business learning opportunities are seemingly unending; here are a few online degree options for the business-inclined:

  • Business Administration
  • Project Management
  • International Business
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Marketing
  • Finance
  • Accounting

Then, Humanities Studies

As for-profit online universities gained popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, they began experimenting with more programs to offer digitally inclined students. In the previous few decades, correspondence courses proved that many subjects in the humanities were well-suited to out-of-classroom students, so degree programs in “soft” subjects like literature, art, history, and religion made their way to the web.

Like business courses, humanities classes rarely require practical instruction; most often, students read materials outside of class and review those materials with peers and professors. Such experiences are easily completed through an e-learning portal. However, unlike most business courses, humanities studies fail to provide students with obvious careers post-graduation. Thus, online schools adapted to the changing needs of its student body by providing a variety of online student services, to include career preparation and placement, course counseling, and even tutoring.

Today, online humanities degree options are extensive, and giving online students access to the cultural degrees they crave, such as:

  • Biblical and Theological Studies
  • Latin American Studies
  • British Literature
  • American History
  • Music Theory
  • Creative Writing
  • Linguistics

Now, Engineering Courses

On the opposite end of the education spectrum, engineering degrees require extensive applied instruction. Engineers study complex subjects like calculus and physics and must be able to apply theories to the real world. In universities, engineers are seen to build physical projects: catapults, miniature towers, better mousetraps, etc. Yet, many online schools are integrating engineering degree programs into their offerings.

Less than a decade ago, teaching engineering online was impossible, but thanks to advances in e-learning technology, exceedingly complex programs like online biomedical engineering truly exist. The primary breakthrough was in simulations: Once schools could accurately replicate laboratory conditions in a digital environment, online engineering courses could offer legitimate instruction.

Today, all manner of engineering programs can be found online, and some of the most popular include:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Engineering Management
  • Mechanical Engineering

Soon, Unlimited Options

In less than a century, classrooms have moved from chalk and blackboards to digital screens. Some experts envision a future where physical learning environments are unnecessary, and where every student attends classes over the internet. Already, 95 percent of universities offer at least one fully online course, and 17 percent of universities offer entirely digital degree programs — and that number is growing every semester as more students clamor for the flexibility and affordability of online school.

Some experts are taking the online learning revolution even farther. Former MIT dean Christine Ortiz argues that the online schools of the future will not be segmented into colleges and majors; there won’t be classrooms or even a rigid lecture structure. Instead, all information will be available online, and students will gain certifications through completed projects.

This vision might seem far-fetched, but as more and more degree programs become available online, students have more options than ever for their educations. Soon enough, online learning will be limited only by students’ time and imagination.

 

  • no reactions
0
Share
Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Trending Topics

10 Virtual Tools for the Math Classroom

It is no secret that many students are not passionate about math. Students feel disconnected from what is taught in class, unsure of the benefits of math and reluctant to pursue careers in the field. Edtech is trying to change these attitudes by providing them with new ways to engage with numbers. Many companies have developed virtual tools for math, which allow students to learn, practice, and have fun with different math concepts. We will discuss ten of the best on the market.

  1. Stepping Stones 2.0: Comprehensive Mathematics– from ORIGO Education integrates print and digital resources to give teachers flexibility in how they teach K-6 math. SS 2.0 is loaded with additional practice, effective strategies, visual models, and teacher supports. Slatecast lets the teacher broadcast a resource onto the class whiteboard to emphasize or reteach a concept. Kathy Beach, a teacher in North Thurston Public Schools, says about State cast, “What a great way to practice facts and have everyone on the computer.”
  2. Geometry Pad– This virtual graph paper allows students to draw shapes, charts, and other geometric features.  Students can change the properties of shapes, zoom in, save their work and add written notes on the side. Geometry Pad is a great application that can be used with students of any age and across mathematical disciplines.
  3. Pattern Shapes– Understanding the properties of shapes, fractions and creating precise figures is easy with Pattern Shapes. Students can use the virtual protractor to measure angles, change the dimensions and color of forms and annotate answers. It is ideal for elementary and middle school students, and the bright colored shapes can inspire creative design.
  4. Globaloria– Learning math through games is a great educational tool. Globaloria allows students to create games that test STEM subjects. With a gallery full of games, students can explore creations that were made by their peers. This application aims to promote STEM subjects on a global level through games and social networking.
  5. MathsPlayground– This collection of math-based games is perfect for younger students. Aligned with Common Core standards the games are separated by grade and topic. Students will enjoy learning while playing interesting games. The games test timetables, fractions, and other mathematical concepts. Combining education with easy to play games is what makes MathsPlayground ideal for young students.
  6. FluidMath– FluidMath is the first “pen-centric “platform that works on iPads and interactive whiteboards. Students and teachers can write, in their own handwriting, as they solve problems and engage with difficult concepts. FluidMath has won many awards, and its many features make it a great tool for both teachers and students in any math classroom.
  7. GetTheMath– The aim of this tool is to relate algebra to the real world. Through topics like “Math in Music” and “Math in Fashion,” students can learn how math is an integral part of everyday life. There are videos, exercises and other ways that students can engage with algebra in its real world setting. GetTheMath is an excellent way to combine theory with application.
  8. Dragon Box– This learner-based approach to math claims that 83% of children learn the basics of algebra in an hour. Through interactive games and explanations, students as young as five are introduced to algebra and how variables work. Students have no idea they are engaging with academic content, and the graphics are colorful and cute.
  9. Academy of Math– Aimed at children struggling with math in school, Academy of Math is a comprehensive tool that helps students get results. Videos and ongoing assessments tools put students in the driver’s seat of their own education. There are various topics to choose from, and educators can implement the resources on this platform into their teaching.
  10. Studygeek– Mathematical vocabulary is fundamental to understanding math. Study Geek is a great learning tool that has an alphabetical glossary of thousands of math vocabulary words. There is also a selection of informative videos that cover everything from geometry to algebra. The games aim is to test math vocabulary retention, and students will enjoy playing a game and learning at the same time.

So, there you have it. All of these tools push students towards self-exploration and allow them to see how math is an integral part of the world they live in. Through the use of these tools, students can also take control of their academic achievement, and foster a positive relationship with a subject that previously felt ambivalent about.

  • no reactions
0
Share
Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Higher Education, Trending Topics

Why Professors Shouldn’t Ban Smartphones

As smartphones have become more common, educators have struggled with the question of what to do with smartphones in the classroom. For K-12 educators, the answer has been to ban smartphones from the classroom completely. College professors have also banned smartphones in increasing numbers. But now there’s some evidence to suggest that banning smartphones in the college classroom isn’t such a good idea.

A study conducted by researchers in Singapore found that undergraduate students who were allowed to keep their phones with them actually scored better on tasks that measured their cognitive functioning. Even when they weren’t allowed to use their phones, students who were allowed to keep their phones in their pockets performed better than students whose phones were confiscated.

In this case, researchers theorized that the poor performance by students without phones was due to a kind of smartphone withdrawal. When students had their phones taken away, they may have been anxious about missing out on something—a text message or friend request, for example. This anxiety could take students’ minds off of what they should be learning.

Smartphones could have academic uses

While professors may be quick to ban smartphones, it’s rare to find a professor who doesn’t allow laptops in the classroom. Most professors who allow laptops but not smartphones would likely argue that laptops can be used to take notes or for other academic purposes. However, as smartphones have become more powerful, they can do many of the same things.

Microsoft Office has long been the standard for productivity, and for years it was only available on PCs. Today, many smartphones can run Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Smartphone users can also find a wide variety of apps that replace old paper-and-pencil methods. There are apps for note-taking and calendar apps that students can download for free.

In some cases, smartphones are even better than laptops. In addition to being easier to carry around, smartphones have features that laptops lack. Smartphones enable students to instantly snap photos of anything the professor presents, such as charts, pictures, and diagrams that may help them understand concepts when they study.

Smartphones are also a great tool for student who like to record lectures. Students no longer have to carry around a recording device—they already have one in their pocket. Listening to those recorded lectures is a lot easier with a smartphone, too, since students are never far from their phone.

Smartphones are always handy

The fact that students always have their smartphones with them actually makes their phones a better tool. Anything that students save on their phone, whether it’s a recorded lecture, class notes, or pictures, is accessible anytime.

Cloud-based apps, like Google Drive, have made it even easier for students to access information on their phone. Students can store anything they want on the cloud using their phone, then go home and review what they saved on a laptop or tablet.

Banning smartphones might be impossible

Any professor who’s tried to ban smartphones can attest to the fact that it isn’t easy to get students to give up their phones. There will inevitably be students who try to sneak their phones in anyway or refuse to hand them over. This can lead to wasted class time, as professors are forced to argue with students or impose consequences on those who refuse to comply.

Ultimately, trying to ban smartphones is nearly impossible. When it is possible, it can end up taking up more time and effort than it’s really worth. After all, if college-aged students are so distracted by their smartphones that they aren’t learning, it may be time for them to learn a lesson about using technology appropriately in the form of a lower grade. Smartphones, like laptops, are a tool—they can be used for academic purposes or can be a detriment to learning. It’s up to students to find ways to use them correctly.

Can professors make smartphones a useful classroom tool, or are they too much of a distraction? Tell us what you think!

  • no reactions
0
Share
Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Trending Topics

The Ultimate Guide to Using Open Educational Resources

The idea that knowledge is power is not a new concept, however the idea that knowledge, resources, and information should be widely available and also free might be a slightly newer concept. Before the advancement of the internet and today’s technology, the idea of access to free information, teaching resources, and even online books was unheard of. If you wanted to learn about a topic, you could pay for the materials and or books to learn about your topic of interest. If you want to teach about a specific area, you needed to develop the materials yourself or pay for them. Many educators now believe that teaching materials and other information should be free. As we begin to share our resources as copyright free materials, we also open the idea globally that teaching, learning, and research materials should be accessible to everyone.  Edutopia notes that open educational resources can also save teachers significant time, planning, energy, and resources.

Why Use Open Educational Resources (OER)?:

  1. Save time and energy – One of the most obvious reasons for using OER is to save time, energy, and also money! Teachers can search for OER on the internet, and share resources that they discovered with each other in person, on social media sites, in school meetings, and in professional development workshops.
  2. Increases flexibility – As noted by Nicole Comforto on Edudemic.com, using OER also allows teachers to be more flexible and creative with their resources. For example, a game with a map that was developed for one area or region could be easily adapted for the area in which the teacher lives, states Nicole Comforto.
  3. Adds to our existing materials and knowledge – Of course, it never hurts to expand our own resources and knowledge as teachers and also as learners! The more materials we can access for free, the more both our students and ourselves can benefit!

Our Top Recommended Resource for Educational Materials:

  1. Sharemylesson: https://sharemylesson.com/ offers abundant resources for teachers to use for students of all ages, and also offers free webinars for teacher use.
  2. OER Commons: https://www.oercommons.org/ is described on the website as being a “digital library and network.” OER Commons, as recommended by Andrew Marcinek in his article on Edutopia, states that OER Commons is the ideal database for free teacher-developed resources.
  3. Math Solutions: Looking for great free math lessons? Try checking out this website: http://mathsolutions.com/books-resources/classroom-lessons-old/ where you can find math materials for varied level learners.
  4. MIT OpenCourseWare: is a website that shares full courses and materials offered by MIT professors. View what resources are available at https://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
  5. UNESCO As recommended by Nicole Comforto, UNESCO found at http://en.unesco.org/womeninafrica/, provides reading materials, comic books, and histories of African American women for middle-level learners.

How Can You Be Confident the Resource is Copyright Free?

If you are still concerned about using materials you find on the internet, look for resources using a “Creative Commons” license. Nicole Comforto states that if you find any resources on https://creativecommons.org/ you can be certain that you can use the resources. Creative Commons is well known for being the best guide for finding OER and materials in the world of learning. Save yourself a few of hours of searching, and start your search at Creative Commons!

Where Can You Start?

If you are still unsure about where to start searching for copyright free lesson plans, materials, and ideas, speak with your colleagues and other educators. Swap ideas with people that you know! Other teachers may already know a perfect resource or website that they use for many lesson plans. You don’t have to struggle and spread hours upon hours making the perfect lesson plan thanks to the availability of OER.  Edwige Simon, also on Edutopia, recommends looking for trustworthy resources by searching for websites that end in “.org,” or are produced by the government, or the Department of Education.

PBS and National Geographic are also excellent, reliable resources for online educational resources, states Edwige Simon. Whether you are just looking for one lesson plan, or are also interested in sharing your ideas with other educators, teachers, and students, the internet is now full of free and accurate resources. You should never have to pay for another lesson plan again if you search for OER on  Creative Commons or even on https://sharemylesson.com/! Happy searching and have fun!

 

  • no reactions
0
Share
Matthew Lynch published in EdTech & Innovation, Elementary Education, Trending Topics

Why Digital Learning is Reshaping Education

Technology has changed just about every field, including education. Digital learning is reshaping education in unprecedented ways. The ways in which students learn are changing rapidly thanks to technology, and both students and teachers will benefit from it.

There are several specific changes that we can expect to see as digital learning takes over education. For one, the way teachers present information and how students work with that information has changed. Students are asked to be more hands-on and collaborative than ever before. There are also new skills that students must learn, such as digital literacy.

The Flipped Classroom

The traditional model of teachers lecturing in the classroom and students completing practice and homework on their own is changing. Instead, students are learning on their own and using the classroom as a place to dig more deeply into what they’ve learned. This model, known as the flipped classroom, is gaining popularity thanks to the rise of EdTech.

How does the flipped classroom work? Students watch lecture videos or complete readings at home. The following day in class, the teacher clarifies anything students didn’t understand. Students then work with the information to answer questions, complete projects, and do other activities that used to be reserved for homework.

The flipped classroom provides benefits for students and teachers alike. Teachers spend more time helping students with the content they don’t understand. This means more one-on-one help for students and less time listening to boring lectures in class.

Emphasis on Collaboration

Another change brought about by digital learning is a new emphasis on collaboration. Thanks to increased technology in the classroom, students able to collaborate online and work on projects together. With a flipped classroom model, teachers can spend less time lecturing and devote more time to collaborative activities and projects.

Technology has also created a more connected world, where everyone is reachable almost any time of day. Cloud-based apps, like Google’s Drive, allow students to share work and collaborate outside of school. Many teachers are already using social media or education apps to encourage students to communicate about class content or ask questions from home. As digital learning becomes more popular, this kind of after-hours collaboration will only increase.

More Higher-Order Thinking

Thanks to technology, students have instant access to all the information they could ever want or need. There’s no longer a need for students to memorize facts or dates. Today, there is much more emphasis placed on higher-order thinking.

Higher-order thinking occurs when students are asked not just to know a piece of information but to do something with that information. At the most basic level, this can mean analyzing information—comparing and contrasting, for example. At the highest level, students are asked to create something on their own that shows their understanding.

In nearly every classroom today, students are asked to do these types of higher-order thinking tasks. Gone are the days when teachers lectured and students regurgitated information for a quiz or test. Today’s students are learning how to be critical thinkers, a skill that is in-demand in today’s job market.

New Skills

There are other skills that students will need to stay competitive in the 21st century. Digital literacy, the ability to use the internet and other digital technologies, is increasingly important for a wide variety of jobs. As technology becomes a bigger part of education, teachers will devote more time to teaching digital literacy.

In some states, digital literacy is already a part of the curriculum. More states are creating standards for digital literacy just as they would for reading or math.

These are just some of the ways that digital learning is reshaping education. As digital learning becomes a bigger part of the world of education, you can expect to see more changes in classrooms around the world.

How do you envison technology changing education?

  • no reactions
0
Share
Matthew Lynch published in Digital & Mobile Technology, Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech, Higher Education, The Hechinger Report, Trending Topics

Do classroom clickers improve learning? It depends.

by Nichole Dobo

Classroom “clickers” quiz students in real time, allowing instructors to gauge student learning and reinforce what is being taught.

New research suggests that the effectiveness of these devices hinges largely on the teaching methods being used with them, not the technology, and that instructors would do well to think about why they are using the devices and whether or not they dovetail with their teaching style.

“It’s super easy to just incorporate clickers into the classroom and to say ‘I am doing something new, something innovative,’ ” said Amy M. Shapiro, a professor of psychology at UMass Dartmouth. “But it’s not that simple.”

The study, published in the most recent edition of the journal Computers & Education, studied clicker use in classrooms of undergraduate students in an introductory biology class and a physics course at a university in the northeast.

The researchers discovered, to their surprise, that these devices encourage some students to focus on rote fact memorization, to the detriment of deeper, conceptual learning. Those students without a background on the topic covered in the course might fixate on the clicker questions when studying, rather than delve deeper into the material of the course, researchers suggested, adding that more study of this novel finding is needed.

The study builds on prior research that generally found that clickers had a favorable effect on student learning. But those earlier studies found it difficult to determine if the improvements in student learning came directly from the use of the clickers. This new research helps fill in the gap by studying how clickers combined with different styles of teaching – lecture halls full of students versus problem-solving in smaller groups, for instance – changed the results of student learning. The study notes that previous research showing positive results with clickers had hypothesized that teaching strategies probably had a major influence on the results. This new research seems to confirm it.

That said, limitations remain. Results could have differed because researchers were comparing courses in different subjects (biology and physics), for example.

The researchers were careful to note that they do no suggest eliminating the technology from the classroom. Instead, they say their research suggests this: The mere use of a technology isn’t enough; careful attention to how devices interact with teaching is required.

Shapiro, for example, said that she uses clickers in a large lecture hall during an introductory level course. There, the clickers are useful in improving attendance (students know the clickers track that), and the course requires a fair amount of rote memorization of new terms. But she does not use clickers in smaller, higher-level courses where students are more engaged in applying what they know to solve problems.

“We suggest that, while clickers are useful in motivating students to come to class, increasing enjoyment of the class, and enhancing rote learning in didactic courses, instructors interested in imparting deeper understanding must be mindful of their overall pedagogy,” the researchers wrote. “Incorporating activities that involve students in active inquiry and problem-solving may be much more helpful than simply offering clicker questions in class, even when the clicker questions are conceptual in nature.”

This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news website focused on inequality and innovation in education. Read more about blended learning.

  • no reactions
0
Share