Another Lesson on Learning 3

It’s at times exciting and at other times scary to know what fellow educators think about using technology to engage students in learning. The conversations can range from copyright scares to the idea that using technology is adding something more to what they are doing, when we know that it can actually enable us to focus on higher level learning and differentiating lessons so that all can reach high levels.

I was totally awestruck this week to receive a note from a teacher I’ve been privileged to mentor over the past several years. Here is the note; the names have been changed or deleted to protect both the innocents (the teachers, the student teacher, the students and the school) and the guilty (the college and the college instructor.)

“The student teacher that is in our school was needing some help on her lesson plans. We both [two sixth grade teachers] helped her with how to integrate some technology into her lesson. Both of us thought, ‘This looks good.’ All we think is good, but then she [student teacher] e-mailed us later and said there was a problem with her lessons. Of course we offered for her to come in and we’d take a look at it.
“She arrived, saying, ‘My lesson is too hard.’ The college instructor had said that her assignments were at the top of the Blooms list. The instructor wanted her to "dumb" it down. She, [student teacher] said, ‘I told the professor that [name of school] doesn't do very much in the Knowledge areas of the Blooms list.’ The college instructor was looking for worksheets.
“I looked at her Blooms lists that she had, and it was incredible how simply we had taught students before the use of technology. When we design assignments, it was awfully interesting to look at what we expect of our students now. ALL of our students are expected to achieve at the high levels. We only use the lower tiers of Blooms for background and re-teaching items.
“When I actually think about how far we have come, with teaching, and how technology has helped, I am amazed. I think you should be very proud of what you have accomplished here at [name of school]. (I know we still all have a way to go.)
“We have always said that all students can learn, and I believe it is a pretty special mark when you believe that all students can learn at the top of the Blooms taxonomy. This could only be done with the use of technology in the classroom.
“Thanks again for all that you do, and remember it is always good to reflect on what our ultimate goal is.”

And that is our ultimate goal – all students can learn at the top of the Blooms taxonomy. The technology enables us to do that – we can differentiate instruction for every single student that comes into our schools. And we are incredibly proud of how we are learning to do just that!

Need a Booster?

It's end of the first quarter time at most of our area schools. Need some ideas to re-energize your class at the start of second quarter? Take a look at a few great ideas by going to my Jog-the-Web, Fun Sites to Re-Energize Your Classroom. Your kids will love the ideas, and you will love the creativity they put into their next projects.

Journeying with MapVivo

MapVivo is a terrific Google Maps Mashup site. You can tell the story of any journey by placing markers on the map, adding text, pictures and links to online videos to complete your story.
Here is a great educational example; it is the story of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train. Just click on the numbered tabs in the center of the screen to move to each location in the journey. http://mapvivo.com/journey/6290
If you click on the thumbnails of the pictures, they enlarge; click on the videos and they will enlarge and play.
I'm making one myself of the locations touched on in a novel students are studying. Easy and fun!