Attention Administrators and Educators
Maybe you’re a classroom teacher interested in the “next big thing” in education. Maybe you’re an administrator. Maybe you’re one of my administrators. I have an important message for all of you. I want to be part of the Learning Revolution. I want you to discover the Learning Revolution. Does “Learning Revolution” sound intriguing? Want to learn more? Well, from what I’ve found, there’s no easy way to summarize it. Summer vacation is approaching so we’ll all have a ton of free time (yeah, right). Here’s a little research that will fill up your free time and most likely throw your views of education for a loop. That’s what happened to me:
Visit these sites:
North American Council for Online Learning
“Blocking the Future” by Scott McLeod published on The School Administrator, May 2008
Castle: UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education Iowa State University
“Middle Schoolers and MySpace”by Bill Ferriter published on The Tempered Radical
“Preparing Students to Succeed in the 21st Century” by Liz Davis published on The Power of Educational Technology
“School AUP 2.0″by David Warlick published on 2cents Worth
“Get Past Teaching Apps: Build and Use a Student Technology Toolbelt” by Vicki Davis published on Cool Cat Teacher Blog
“The Evolution of PD” by Vicki Davis published on Cool Cat Teacher Blog
“Beyond the Fear Factor with Internet Safety” by Wesley Fryer published on Moving at the Speed of Creativity
“My Greatest Hits” by Liz Davis published on The Power of Educational Technology
“Kathy Schrock’s Guide for Educators”by Kathy Schrock published on Discovery Education
Watch these videos:
”We Think” posted on The Thinking Stick
“Wikis in Plain English”by CommonCraft
“Blogs in Plain English” by CommonCraft
“The Machine is Us/ing Us” by mwesch on YouTube
Read These Books:
A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman
Here Comes Everyone by Clay Shirky
Everything is Miscellaneous by David Weinberger
The Media Equation by Byron Reeves & Clifford Nass
Redefining Literacy for the 21st Century by David Warlick
I’ll also be reading and collaborating on these subjects. Let’s meet in September to discuss our endless options. We can discuss professional development, AUP’s, Internet safety, Web2.0, etc, etc, etc.
**Have these blog posts and sites caught your interest? Want to stay on top of the newest posts? Set up an RSS Reader (such as Google Reader). Simple explanation and instructions on RSS In Plain English by Common Craft.
Readers: Please add to this list…I know there are great sites that I’m missing! Thanks.
Title from: The Electric Company Television Show
Picture by: NECC Button contest winner: Bill Moseley
7 responses so far ↓
kwhobbes // May 28, 2008 at 5:50 pm |
Christy – You’ve some great things for some administrators to read. The one thing is, the one’s who need to read these things and get with the learning revolution most likely won’t find your information or suggestions. Why? The same reasons that the teachers I want to read some of the same books won’t find my suggestions. They don’t know where to look or, even sadder, that they’re really missing out on something.
You have some great resources here. I like your book list although my list is a bit shorter and a bit different. The links are to those who are doing so much and have so many great things to say. You’re preaching to the choir. My question, how do we get all those teachers and administrators who don’t even know where the church is, to enter and at least listen to the choir? What will we need to do to draw them in? Where will we get the needed time and exposure to put forth our ideas?
I would really like to see things move along but how do we reach those who really need to hear the message?
cmtvarok // May 29, 2008 at 3:31 am |
You are absolutely right, kwhobbes! One of the reasons I created this “list in progress” was to have it ready when my administration finally asks, “In what direction is eductional technology going these days?” I believe they’ll ask… they’re good educators who want the best for our students. As far as teachers finding this “church” of ours….I found it about 2-3 months ago, and not because I was necessarily looking for it. I’m not quite knowledgable enough to be in the choir, but I like making my own bit of noise from the back row.
thanks for the comment!
Ann Oro // May 29, 2008 at 1:37 pm |
Christy:
I really like the list you put together. I’ll be working with the teachers in my building in a couple of weeks and I’m going to add it to the resources I’ll be pointing to.
The summer is a great time to recharge our batteries and visit new ideas. I have read, or am in the process of reading, the first three books on your list.
Kelly:
We all need to make the difference one person at a time. I’ve spoken with three different groups of people at our local alternate route to teacher certification program back in February. I plan on sending those who gave me their email address a follow up note as a reminder of what’s available. I also plan on asking them what they may have tried since February.
In my building, I’m will be showing the projects that our students created and collaborated on. People have to make the choice to grow. They also need exposure to new ideas to make that choice.
It takes time to learn and grow our personal lesson plans that we use with our students. It may take showing people opportunities over and over again until they are willing to try something new themselves. I know you’ve been at this a lot longer than Christy and I, so the process might seem painfully slow. The message is getting out there one teacher at a time.
Ann
cmtvarok // May 29, 2008 at 1:41 pm |
Thanks for the comment, Ann. I’m hoping to make a technology club for teachers next year that focuses on their own learning, rather than simply using technology for teaching. BTW: I loved “A Whole New Mind”.
MariaD // May 29, 2008 at 1:59 pm |
I would like to add a category or five to your list. To revolutionize it some more, hehe. Right now, it invites to watch and to read – or so the category names tell us. For people to really learn what that whole “revolution” is about, they’d have to actively engage in it. Or so my pedagogical beliefs tell me. How about:
- Comment on this blog entry
- Create an interactive widget there
- Answer questions there
- Participate in a live conference chat there
- Upload a video response into a collection there
Adding your blog to my feed meanwhile. To my list of “comment there”
cmtvarok // May 29, 2008 at 2:11 pm |
MariaD… YES! This is why having a PLN rocks! Thank you! I still need to try a few of those things myself!
amayala // May 29, 2008 at 2:29 pm |
Hey, fellow teacher friends! I am in the process of trying to gather together instructional materials and resources for planning student-centered technology projects in my language arts classroom. For this purpose, I recently posted a “call-out” for lesson plan ideas, worksheets, project descriptions or whatever has worked for teachers in the past. If some of you could check out the blog on Christian Teacher Forum at WordPress and help contribute to the lesson plans, ideas, etc., I would be very appreciative. I have to do some hand-holding for the middle school teacher next year, but there is still so much that I need to learn as well. Hope you all have some great, practical suggestions.