We Engage 2013 Keynote
Published on Nov 20, 2015
Keynote on the current shifts in education, the 4 C's of engagement, and meddling with the notion of giving students control in their learning.
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
We engage
Opening Keynote 12/13/13
This year's theme deals with redefining engagement and understanding exactly how we get there... because it's not just with technology that we can use to empower students with.
Photo by DELLipo™
Leadership
Shift of control regarding who manages the learning
"While a real fear exists that we are losing students to the computer and that increased computer use will erode face-to-face social skills, there is the upside potential of powering students to have the confidence and the courage to learn without needing the formal structure of the traditional classroom."
Photo by Natesh Ramasamy
Leadership
This shift of control regarding who owns the learning is requiring us to change. Why is change so hard?
We have to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
We have to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
Is change really so hard?
Just ask my dad when we tried to convert him from Scrabble to words with friends (on the iPad). Starting there alone opened so many more windows to the world my dad didn’t even realize were there – including using facetime video chat and using talk-to-text!
Making some changes
The initial stages of planning...
Being an adult learner is hard because we are constantly learning, unlearning, and relearning... because we reflect - and as educators that is something we do best. It just doesn't look so good on paper, or for my case, the white board.
Is change really so hard?
My dad was an educator for 35 years. He always taught me that the best way to forge lasting relationships with students and get them to "do the work" was to show them a collection of Corvettes and talk endlessly about Hershey bars. After all of these years, he still has students (who now have children of their own) come up to him when spotted in public and reminisce about Corvettes and Hershey bars - and how much they enjoyed learning from him. That was the kind of educator I wanted to be.
draw pictures, tell stories, brainstorm, etc.
There are 2 sets of cards distributed out today – some of you have one and some have the other. Try to fill it out right now or sometime before lunch and stick to the walls covered in chart paper. Take a look at them on your way to the workshops – take photos of them, tweet out some ideas (using the hashtag #WE13D68) – we will post some in the afternoon closing for you all to see.
draw pictures, tell stories, brainstorm, etc.
There are 2 sets of cards distributed out today – some of you have one and some have the other. Try to fill it out right now or sometime before lunch and stick to the walls covered in chart paper. Take a look at them on your way to the workshops – take photos of them, tweet out some ideas (using the hashtag #WE13D68) – we will post some in the afternoon closing for you all to see.
The Revolution
reshapes relationships between teachers & students
We are experiencing and teaching within a learning revolution.
"Students need to become contributors to their work. Shift from the teacher at the center of curriculum, designing tests, correcting the tests... to the network of children who are helping one another learn." - Alan November
...regarding who owns the learning.
"Students need to become contributors to their work. Shift from the teacher at the center of curriculum, designing tests, correcting the tests... to the network of children who are helping one another learn." - Alan November
...regarding who owns the learning.
Photo by Shermeee
It's a group event
Learning is not an individual event.
Links back to the Socratic method - defending and questioning.
At the same time of giving them the freedom to manage their own work.
“In the real world, cheating is called collaboration. There should be open-book tests - well, the open-world test should be there, the open-network test - you are only as valuable as the people you are connected to. And that really is the truth for real life. It’s more like outside life. What will we do with this potential?”- Adam Bellow
At the same time of giving them the freedom to manage their own work.
“In the real world, cheating is called collaboration. There should be open-book tests - well, the open-world test should be there, the open-network test - you are only as valuable as the people you are connected to. And that really is the truth for real life. It’s more like outside life. What will we do with this potential?”- Adam Bellow
Photo by JD Hancock
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One of my classes from language arts last year.
The person who does thE work
DOES THE LEARNING
A known fact. This is something we all accept is true.
Photo by Elephi Pelephi
Unlimited access of info
Extend student relationships with learning.
But now we also have this to consider...
Photo by gcouros
Giving students a window to the world.
Tech problem vs. Design problem
design assignments rather than using a million of apps
We need more structure on learning how to
I promise this is the last time I am using this quote – but it’s one of those that are SO worth sharing that you just want to be sure you’ve covered everyone before you stop sharing it.
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Moderation with purpose - Set your vision, goals, and parameters first. Understand what skills are in focus. Think about what it is that you want the kids to do and THEN choose your tools from there.
Photo by The Daring Librarian
Left unsatisfied
But sometimes, even with dessert, we think that the right choice (or flavor of the week per say) will satisfy our needs and fulfill the needs of our students… when we’re left realizing… wow, that flavor was awful, or, I wish I had what “so and so” had/was using!
Photo by Alex E. Proimos
Ed. Tech is not the icing on the cake.
"Technology is kneaded into the dough and woven into the fabric of everything that we do in our classrooms - it matters and enhances the learning experiences. It is what we make that matters. This is not novel - it's the difference between teaching these kids how to cook vs. how to eat. We have to teach them how to create and not just consume. We have freedom to make things but make things that matter. Life is short; build stuff that matters." - Adam Bellow
Photo by Ace Reston
Two ways of thinking
when it comes to learning w/ technology
From Alan November: Automating vs. Informating technology.
Photo by yuckfa
Automating Technology
- Do it because it's familiar (but not innovative)
- It's faster (but not always better)
- The work process remains the same (no rigor)
- Quality of work declines
- Ease of access = less critical thinking
This is usually the first logical step that we take. *Share example with vocab instruction* – SMARTnotebook, prezi, etc… how I was using the technology had zero impact on student achievement because I wasn’t asking them to do anything with it. I was using the technology as the $1000 pencil and bolted it on top of something I was currently doing. In essence, there was frankly no reason or value to what I was doing and what I was spending hours creating.
Photo by tim caynes
INFormating Technology
- More difficult to implement (but not in use)
- Timely access of info (beyond the walls)
- Increased responsibility to apply info
- ...and to solve problems
- Leads to empowerment
*Vocab example continued*, Prezi’s placed on a blog, emailed the link, I told students to take note… one challenged me on “taking the notes” with their phone via taking a picture. So I challenged him back and said “you tell me on Friday if you think that is the best way that you can learn what you need to” (Alec Hall). Some students used photos and then annotated them, some took photos and texted them to other classmates. Some would call that cheating… well in the real world cheating is really just collaborating it all just depends on how you use the information. Some students still took paper/pencil notes. Some said they learned by just listening and then reviewing notes on their phone/online when they were home/away/on the bus. Friday was the test, and they also took a survey on Google Forms after the completion of their test recording their score, their note taking style, how long they “studied for” and what conclusions they could take away from the process.
"It is unlikely that technology will improve learning without a powerful vision and without thoughtful creative teachers challenging students to go beyond traditional expectations of achievement." - Alan November
"It is unlikely that technology will improve learning without a powerful vision and without thoughtful creative teachers challenging students to go beyond traditional expectations of achievement." - Alan November
Photo by tim caynes
What's on the other side?
Demonstrate HOW to learn. Applaud the Process!
Embrace our struggles with informating technology is not an easy process. Doing anything for the first time is NOT easy. We often fail and learn that trying again is expected of us.
Photo by brungrrl
Think differently
...failure is okay!
Take a note from gamers - they fail 8 of 10 times - so gamers are used to trying and trying again.
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Using technology is not the learning outcome we want the students to walk away with. Yeah, we want them to eventually use the tools proficiently but the other column is going to make them more proficient out in the real world. No one is being hired from a company because of their ability to make Prezis... unless they of course work for Prezi.
I really wish I knew this in third grade!
I really wish I could have thought in this mindset when I was a student - especially in 3rd grade when we would play Oregon Trail.
"What did you do at school today."
"Died of dysentery...again!"
"What did you do at school today."
"Died of dysentery...again!"
innovation
FEAR & BRAVERY
"Innovation happens when you intersect fear and bravery - when you know it might not work out but you do it anyway." - Adam Bellow
Photo by compscigrad
NO.
A few things before we innovate.
Don't say no just yet - we all know as educators that we need to see some official results and student achievement in your classrooms before 100% buy-in takes place. So before we start "flirting" with this new idea - here's a bit more of where we are heading into today with today's workshops.
The 4 C's
of 21st Century Super Skills
Here’s where the rational for our changes to this in-service come in to play. We can’t simply just apply various tech tools that fit into each of these categories and call it a day. There are a lot of teaching strategies and classroom management techniques that must come first before anything else. Set your vision, figure out what it is you want students to do, and build relationships first.
CollaboratE
1: WORLD - No longer a 1:1 audience
It's important to be connected to ALL resources beyond just Google. Every classroom should be Global, but work on the vision first.
1:1 audience
Imagine a 10 year old girl with a 1 person audience (i.e.: her teacher)
1:World audience
Then imagine the same girl with a GLOBAL audience. Imagine showing her the traffic report to her work submitted online.
- Alan November
1:1 audience
Imagine a 10 year old girl with a 1 person audience (i.e.: her teacher)
1:World audience
Then imagine the same girl with a GLOBAL audience. Imagine showing her the traffic report to her work submitted online.
- Alan November
Photo by martinak15
because it's endless
Potential: Maximize their "who they know"
Students' "who they know" is endless - it's almost like future companies will not only be hiring the individual but also that person's entire PLN.
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Teach kids the value of collaboration - of connecting!
Want to increase learning? Increase entry points: create and provide access to an audience that is shareable.
Want to increase learning? Increase entry points: create and provide access to an audience that is shareable.
Giving students a Global Audience
From Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Ms. Cassidy's Classroom Blog (6 year old students)
http://mscassidysclass.edublogs.org/
"Flattening the classrooms walls and connect with another teacher and work out collaborative interactions and projects between a few classes so that students get the skills needed for working with others when they're not face to face."
Ms. Cassidy's Classroom Blog (6 year old students)
http://mscassidysclass.edublogs.org/
"Flattening the classrooms walls and connect with another teacher and work out collaborative interactions and projects between a few classes so that students get the skills needed for working with others when they're not face to face."
Communicate
...there's a new language out there
#eduwins #comment4kids
If you're doing some awesome learning and you're not sharing - that is selfish! Share your #eduwins. Increase traffic to student-centered posts on Twitter by adding #comment4kids
#we13d68
Tweet out words/quotes/photos of your learning!
Some shameless event plugging :)
think Critically
Are we giving kids Non-Googleable scenarios?
It's important to be connected to ALL resources beyond just Google. It's not that Google is bad, well, it is if it isn't being utilized to it's full potential.
Every classroom should be global, but work on the vision first. Then think "What are the critical questions we should ask? ...because the questions are not about apps and technology." - Alan November
Every classroom should be global, but work on the vision first. Then think "What are the critical questions we should ask? ...because the questions are not about apps and technology." - Alan November
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For example...
Google-Proof Topics
- Does it pass the "so what" test?
- Is it epic and big scale (not tiny & fake)?
- Does it cover more than just one topic?
- Does it spark natural curiosity?
- Can it be made accessible for everyone?
Be Creative
...failure is okay.
...and get creative when things don't work.. when technology does not go your way that day that's not the end all be all for your learning for that day. Sometimes we think it is, and believe me I've been there, but it really doesn't have to be that day. What thoughtful discussions can still take place about your content? About what happens when the internet goes down? The internet isn't going away and students need to know how to be flexible and know what to do when something doesn't go right. When something fails. They need to learn to adjust to real life complications.
Photo by KDL Photography | Lookin Cyril
Change in Practice
This takes time, but it can happen. Give the students opportunities to interact with real people outside of the classroom walls.
Photo by giulia.forsythe
Honor Choice
Give students the tools/options they need to succeed.
But never underestimate the power of the sticky note! Some people deem that chart paper/sticky notes are dead. It's only dead if it isn't being utilized. Paper is always an option if gives the kids to maximize the 4Cs and experience rich, deep thinking.
Immediacy
When a child waits, they lose the answer
Students like the internet because of the lack of judgment it provides and, when designed correctly, the instant feedback that comes along with it.
What kid really likes to wait? “Are we there yet?” 15 minutes…
What kid really likes to wait? “Are we there yet?” 15 minutes…
Photo by Luis Hernandez - D2k6.es
why kids like the interenet
lack of judgement - immediate feedback
Reorganize the cutulre
Take advantage of students' desire to explore and solve.
Photo by Tomasz Stasiuk
Let go
And when you're ready...
Set your vision, goals, and parameters. Understand what skills are in focus. Think about what it is that you want the kids to do - and give them the control.
Photo by against the tide
Teacher Talks
on what engagement looks like.
coming soon
Event Photos.
coming soon
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Our Role
Find connections, facilitate interactions, model the behavior.
Find connections
Facilitate interactions
Model the behavior
Facilitate interactions
Model the behavior
Photo by Hugo Chinaglia
No one is running off the school bus
with a scan-tron saying "Look what I did!"
coming soon
Photo by dprevite
Global Communicator, Researcher
Tool Builder, & Internal Collaborator
Ideas via Alan November
Photo by SalFalko
work as collaborators
Removing model of teacher = boss
If we are focusing on developing relationships with and between students, then we need to be there collaborating right along side them.
"Someone who is self-directed, understand how to do research, is a life-long learner, is empowered, is constantly adding value and doing their own professional development... when students can do this it is in line with the 21st century workplace." - Alan November
"Someone who is self-directed, understand how to do research, is a life-long learner, is empowered, is constantly adding value and doing their own professional development... when students can do this it is in line with the 21st century workplace." - Alan November
in the end...
We must embrace struggle and change so that the students know how to do that, too. We model the behavior.
Photo by klbeasley
About the test...
What are we preparing them for?
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Engagement
with AND without technology
"Technology can be a powerful motivator for some students who do not succeed in traditional classrooms."
But let students choose HOW to show what they learn - this is the shift of control regarding who manages the learning.
-Alan November
But let students choose HOW to show what they learn - this is the shift of control regarding who manages the learning.
-Alan November
Photo by Barrett Web Coordinator
Teacher Talks
on embracing the shift & how it's impacted them.
coming soon
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But always remember...
