Posts by Guest Author
20 Tips for Creating a Professional Learning Network
Networking is a prime form of 21st century learning. The world is much smaller thanks to technology. Learning is transforming into a globally collaborative enterprise. Take for example scientists; professional networks allow the scientific community to share discoveries much faster.
5 Virtual Field Trip Experiences
Today the field trip is not being used as it once was. Stories of my father being taken to the meat packing plant in his small town are old news. Even being taken to cultural museums are a thing of the past and are even considered safety hazards, because of the intrigue that students have in everything that is going on around them. Sharing a unique experience with classmates is being taken away. Luckily, we now have technology that is being implemented in the classroom that allows these students to go on a field trip anywhere in the world without leaving the classroom.
Is Competency Based Learning the Future of Education?
French President, François Hollande, is short and spectacled. Oh, and he wants to abolish homework. Whatever his arguments (youths from poorer backgrounds are at a disadvantage to their more affluent peers, etc), children across the country must be dancing at their desks.
4 Steps to Making BYOD Work
Just a few years ago, the “smart money” for school districts was on 1:1 computing where schools issued each student a laptop. While there is a role for 1:1 initiatives, increasingly the dialogue has evolved to bring-your-own-device (BYOD), which focuses on the use of student-owned mobile devices, and for good reason. Research shows that “active learners” (students who have grown up with technology and expect it to be readily available) want to bring their own devices to school – and are driving changes in mobile phone use policies.
Competency-Based Learning and FLVS
Competency based learning has its origins in the business world. High school graduates who decide to become a barber, for example, would need specialized training in cutting hair. They would take an assessment to verify competency before receiving a license to cut hair. In order to maintain global standing, industry and education leaders teamed up to create a description of elements for 21st century outcomes.
How We’ll Learn in 2013
Here are three big stories concerning education and learning that you'll be hearing about in the year ahead—and some pointers on how to think about them.
Moving to a ‘Split Screen’ Strategy for K-12
Education|Evolving – a long a source of challenging analysis and new ideas for public education -- is circulating a proposal for a fundamental change in the way America goes about redesigning K-12 education. Tom Vander Ark has cited it. Here is a summary. You can read the full text at http://www.educationevolving.org/strategy.
3 Lessons on Faculty Development from an Education Innovator
Oregon State University went from not offering formal tech support to its faculty to having the director of its faculty tech training program named one of this year’s top 50 innovators in education. What can we learn from the success of OSU’s program?
7 Steps to Flipped Professional Development
Arriving home from San Diego and having just attended the ISTE (International Society of Technology in Education) conference I was scheduled to facilitate an all-day professional development for our district. I was excited to share as much of the conference as possible in a day without overwhelming everyone.
10 Exam Studying Tips For the 21st Century Learner
Studying for an exam is not exactly the most exciting time in a student’s life, but it is a great excuse for gadget-loving 21st century teenagers to combine work and play. There is no “right” way to study and it is important that you study in a manner that suits your individual needs. Take advantage of the incredible technology available to today’s society and pass your exam with flying colors with this step-by-step guide.