Tech & Learning magazine is currently publishing a series of articles focused on “What’s Essential for Today’s Technology Program“. Most of the articles are geared toward technology and curriculum directors, but the sixth article in the series focuses on 21st century learning and how it is assessed. While the article lacks depth (what can you include in a document that is just four pages long), it presents an excellent overview of 21st century learning and the role of technology.

The basic premise of the article is that 21st century learning is about more than ‘content’. It also includes learning how to think, lead, collaborate, and use the tools now available thanks to technology. I would imagine this premise comes as dismay to educators already overwhelmed about the amount of content that needs to be delivered. Yet, here is the reality, as pointed out by the authors: “Schools can either capitalize on young people’s affinity for technology or fail to engage them in learning and be perceived as more and more irrelevant.”

Consider with the authors the three primary components of 21st century learning – (1) the tools – includes hardware such as a laptops and digital cameras, but also online resources, (2) strategies, primarily the use of differentiated instruction and project-based learning, and (3) assessments (such as formative, performance and e-portfolios) that are seen as impetus for evaluating and then improving instruction (less focus on individual scores and more focus on how we can improve delivery). 

The article is an excellent overview of 21st century learning, and can stir up the “possibility thinking” within you. What can we do in our classrooms to mirror what is described in this article? It is certainly a daunting task.

Looking for some maps, word scrambles, clipart, forms, themes, and other classroom resources? Go to www.abcteach.com to laern more about this great site that provides teachers with materials for all subjects. There are two major sections – worksheets and abctools. The worksheets are primarily geared for student use, whereas the abctools are provided to help teachers create meaningful classroom activities. The abctools provide customizable crossword puzzles, word scrambles, math worksheets and more.

Today I’m working in the offices of Google in Chicago for a FULL day of training to become a Google Certified Teacher. There are 50 educators here from 17 different states learning and sharing everything Google. We’re only 1/2 way through and my brain is swimming! I’ll share when I get back.

Wordle is an online tool (toy) for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. The images you create with Wordle are yours to use however you like. You can print them out, or save them to the Wordle gallery to share with your friends.The Wordle below was created from tags in my delicious account. Wouldn’t this be fun in a Language Arts class? It could also be used in a computer class to demo tag clouds and how the words appear smaller or larger depending on how often they’re used.Try one youself at http://www.wordle.net.

That’s right – free music especially geared for elementary students! Free Kids Music provides downloads of various types of music (vocal and instrumental) that can be used in your classroom. As defined on the web site, Free Kids Music is ”intended to be downloaded and listened to on computers, MP3 players, custom CDs for personal listening, etc. It is NOT intended to be played on your web site, mixed with video or graphics and posted on another web site, played in public as warmup music for a paying audience, burned to CDs intended for resale, used on TV shows, etc.” In other words, you are encouraged to use this resource in your classroom. Check it out!

Photo Credit: , AODDJ. schoolpic.jpg. 1998. Pics4Learning. 10 Sep 2008 <http://pics.tech4learning.com>

Since 2004, Best Buy has awarded nearly $17 million to over 6,000 K-12 schools. Best Buy is proud to support K-12 schools who have integrated interactive technology into the curriculum to engage students and make learning fun. This year, teachers may apply for funding between $1,000 and $5,000.
The Best Buy Teach Award program recognizes creative uses of interactive technology in K-12 classrooms. Winning programs focus on kids using technology to learn standards-based curriculum, rather than on teaching students to use technology or educators using technology that children aren’t able to use hands-on. The purpose of the Best Buy Teach Award program is to reward schools for the successful interactive programs they have launched using available technology. Please do not be discouraged from applying if your school does not have the most current equipment.

Here is what they’re looking for:

• Evidence that integrating technology into the curriculum is engaging to students and makes learning fun.
• Hands-on, interactive components that engage students.
• Creative ways of enhancing the core curriculum with technology.
• Creating or maximizing classroom activities.
• Creating opportunities for cross-disciplinary teaching.
• A clear vision of how this program can grow or evolve.
• Evidence of school, parent and/or community commitment to the program.
• Detailed budget.

All awards are issued in the form of Best Buy Gift Cards to enable school to purchase the additional technology needed to expand or enhance their current programs. You must submit your application online by October 15, awards will be announced in March 2009. For more information, or to apply, go to http://www.bestbuy.com/teach.

I have seen some incredible projects integrating technology in classrooms throughout Muskegon County. Why not get rewarded for your hard work? I know this is a busy time of the year but DON’T PROCRASTINATE!!! Get your application in and get some tools to support your projects.

At the DEN Institute we had a friendly competition one night called the “DENliest Catch” named after the Discovery show “The Deadliest Catch.” Ten of us signed up to share our favorite Web 2.0 resource in 5 minutes or less. The challenge for me was the 5 minutes or less part – I could have taken an hour.

Two of my colleagues shared resources for books online. Check them out!
The first site, Lookybook, has over 300 picture books currently with the collection growing rapidly. The site allows you to look at picture books in their entirety—from cover to cover. Classroom teachers with an internet connection and a projector in their classroom could use this site to have the students follow along as they read the book aloud. Actually there are many ways teachers with a projector and internet connection could use this site.

Visitors have the ability to search for books by author, illustrator, subject, or genre. It’s definitely worth “a look.”

The other site, Storyline Online, is an online streaming video site (translation – high speed internet connection required) that features members of the Screen Actors Guild reading popular children’s books aloud. Every book has accompanying activities and lesson plans. This site doesn’t have a large collection but it does include some of my favorite books read by some of my favorite actors.

Another year of ‘making a difference’ for students is underway! As a parent, I appreciate all the preparation you have made for this new venture for students all across this area. I’m looking forward to sharing more thoughts about effective ways to integrate technology in the coming school year.

This summer, I have been busy in my district removing 760 desktop computers and replacing them with new units. In the process, I lost 15 pounds. It is not every day that you can lose that much weight and get paid while doing it. However, that is enough for me. I’m ready for ‘routine’ type of work.

 Again, I’m looking forward to a great year. If you have any topics you wish for Diane or I to address, feel free to email us.