Facebook - to teach, to learn

I witnessed an eager group of students today meeting with their teacher and another adult who was there to explain how she set up a Facebook account from a business perspective. Yes, we are entering the social media community of using Facebook...
in school...
with kids...
and teachers...
by students...
for learning.

And later tonight, I logged onto FB and wondered this...

I follow a few pages that post some very interesting articles like this one by MindShift: How We Will Learn. The article is called, "Why Every Student Should Learn the Skills of a Journalist." and it got me to thinking about the information that our students could post.

In other words, I am consuming information and thinking when I read these articles BUT the other side is producing information that grabs my attention and gets me to think.

So how can I explain this?
When students post online, it seems that it is only information for sharing. I think it could be deeper.

My question: What if students posted content that got other students or adults to think about the information they post by asking questions or drawing conclusions?

What's the question?

I was thinking the other night about assessment because I am starting to collect the hard data on whether our technology integration is having a positive impact on student learning and achievement. I recall reading an article that said something to this effect - sometimes, to change the way we see things, we need to change the question.

In education, we ask all the time - what did you learn? How do we know you've learned it? Why is it important to learn it? States have standards, schools have learning targets, essential questions, etc and all of the above. There are probably millions of tests on the Internet to answer these questions - paper and pencil ones you can print out, online ones that give immediate feedback, ones that will engage you in a virtual experience and so on with lists of what kids needs to know.

So I know I'm not the first person to ask these, but what if we asked these questions:

How much did you learn? Was it a lot? a little? Significant? Was it enough?

What didn't you learn? Why? What if you don't learn it, how will that impact your future? What are you going to do about it? What stopped you from learning it?

I do believe I just generated some form of my end-of-the-year reflection questions for technology integration. I'm curious. Update to follow in June....

What's your passion?

Ever since I read The Element by Sir Ken Robinson, I have been wondering about passion and teaching.

And now I just read this article on Edutopia:
Using Music in the Classroom

I have heard that teachers have a passion for teaching, but I think it might go further than this. I have been on a journey to understand how to integrate technology. I'm on a quest to understand how to truly get to a personalized learning environment. So let's see if I can articulate how all of these pieces fit together.

First. Technology integration is developmental. Nothing new. It's obvious - our whole education system is built on a process of development so why should it be different for adults? To reach a transformational level of teaching means there is growth and development. Transformation use of technology means a shift in thinking so that a personalized learning environment is achieved for each child.

Second. Designing a personalized learning environment is not what we grew up, so this is different, hence the word transformational. The key word is personal. I think that in order for a teacher to understand how to truly implement a personalized learning environment for each child, they have to understand how their own learning is personal and that means tapping into their own passions.

Third. Infusion is the step that happens right before transformation. This is the process of adding a new element so that there is something new. New instruction. New ways of learning. New ways of teaching. What happens when a teacher taps into their own passions and bring that into the classroom? I think this is that "new element" that will result in change and help us understand how to personalize learning for each child.

For example, I know a teacher that is passionate about the sensory features of the classroom, one that is passionate about exercising, one that is passionate about farming, one that is passionate about plants and music.

What if each of these teacher brought their own element into the classroom ? Imagine the change if each of us brings our own unique element to education!

It's not about the technology.

Inspiration versus Motivation

Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?

Which comes first, inspiration or motivation? Or are they related in such a way that it doesn't matter which comes first? Or do they pertain to different goals?

I am working on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

Yes. I am motivated to get as much ready as I can for the start of the school year. I would not say that I am inspired though.

I am inspired by listening to A Whole New Mind on audiobook because I will have another opportunity to speak in front of others. I am inspired to share what Daniel Pink has to say and I am using one of his ideas for activating the right brain while I present technical information to staff.  I am tired however, so I am not particularly motivated to work on this beautiful afternoon.

So what is driving me to do both? What drives you to complete work or implement new ideas?

Opportunity to Teach, Opportunity to Learn

What would you say if you had the attention of administrators and innovators for 4 minutes?

I would teach! I would take this opportunity to teach others and myself.
Watch this video called Opportunity by Synergy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDcT0zYLP6A

http://www.teachertube.com/members/viewVideo.php?video_id=190531&title=Opportunity_by_Synergy

I would learn! Especially from their interpretations.

I learned that there are a lot of people "paying attention" and doing something about it!

What would you say if you had the attention of administrators and innovators for 4 minutes?

The Mammas and the Pappas

I recently met Dr. Helen Barrett - what a lovely person!

It was funny because I almost jumped up so excited I was to meet what I call one of the "celebrities" of the field of instructional technology. I also saw David Warlick who I refrained from getting his autograph : )

As I stood awe-inspired and listening to her adventure in Barcelona, I got to thinking how great it is to have people like this forge forward. Having these "mammas and pappas" are extremely important to people like me who are pioneering the way in their own district.  They give us strength and credibility to navigate along this challenging journey.

Last summer, I heard Alan November speak. And when I went to have him sign my book, I thanked him. He asked why. This is why. We need people like him who get up in front of the crowd and tell it like it is. We can then go back knowing we are not alone.

So thank you Mammas and Pappas - the celebrities of instructional technology!

Connecting and constructing

I'm working on a summer collegial study this summer and the question is what will I learn, how will I know I learned it, and ultimately, how will I apply it?

If we are visual learners, then I'd like to "see" the result of my my learning. After all, isn't true that once I'm exposed to new ideas, my mind will make sense of it and construct new meaning? And if I discuss this with someone, their own learning will become enmeshed in mine to create a new dynamic.

So how do two educators make sense of The Third Teacher, The Element, and A Whole New Mind? I'll post the concept map when we finish with our collegial study this summer!