Connecting to students’ authentic information and computer technology interests and experiences
We need to stop underestimating children!
Let them ask PLENTY of Questions
Give them PLENTY of time to explore the answers.
Encourage them to make SENSE of their learning.
Let them collaborate.
Authentic-Based Learning Environment: shift in curriculum to Project and Problem Based Learning.
Students are identifying and solving real-world problems.
Students are the CENTER of the classroom.
Learning is across the curriculum, not just geared towards one subject.
Reflect, Reflect, Reflect! Document their learning and let them reflect on it, as well as the learning of others in the classroom. Create a learning community.
Look at student understanding as a whole, not just mastery skills.
Have a flexible learning space.
KEEP LEARNING! THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!
Using technology in the Classroom
Before you consider using any technology in the classroom ask yourself:
“What can I do more efficiently?”
“Where do I lose time?”
"What aspects of life in the classroom take you away from expectation, instruction and conversation?"
"How can you incorporate more conversation?"
Create an online classroom space to
organize information for students.
It's ok to try and fail. Give yourself time to learn.
Conversation is where the teacher learns most about their students.
Create a blog to use within the classroom.
Conversations open up the world of your student’s mind and thought processes.
Try Todaysmeet.com
A teacher can open a chat room for one hour, two hours, eight hours, one day, one week, one month or one year.
The Room Tools allow you to save and print a transcript of the chat that can serve one of two purposes: To provide documentation of learning or to provide evidence of misuse.