Taking your game to the “Next Level”

As we will soon enter the year of 2014, there is no time like the present to consider making few changes or adjustments to how you are embracing 21^st century learning. Look at the new year as a way to broaden your perspective with technology in the classroom, understanding the different facets of Common Core, and/or embracing Social Media. Below are six areas where you could consider beginning or enhancing this journey.

·         Follow a Twitter Hashtag: A very easy way to increase your understanding of social media and the multitude of benefits it will bring your way. A several hashtags  (or accounts) that I’m following include: #Venspired, #2Guysshow, #cpchat, #txed, #satchat, and #edchat, #flippedlearning, @cybraryman1 and #moedchat

·         Participate in a new PLN Twitter Chat: By doing this you will be able to learn from experts in your field.

Simply join a specific chat. Here’s a link to a pretty comprehensive list of chats:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiftIdjCeWSXdDRLRzNsVktUUGJpRWJhdUlWLS1Genc&usp=drive_web#gid=0

I’ve learned quite a bit from #moedechat, #txed, and #satchatwc.

·         Embrace a new APP in your classroom: Thanks to Brett Catlett (@catlett1) I just learned about Flipagram. This APP allows you to design a picture collage using pictures from your Camera Roll, edit them and add music. Then you have a picture story. I just created two Flipagrams. One that chronicles our first semester at Francis Howell Middle and another that celebrates my oldest son’s first year marching with the Blue Stars Drum Corps.

·         Look at Augmented Reality as a tool for your classroom. Taking the APP process one step further, you will actively engage your students from the onset when you use AR Apps. www.twoguysandsomeipads.com is a great place to check out some pretty cool AR apps. Brad Waid and Drew Minock are leading experts in this area.

·        Look at implementing a new Social Media Tool to enhance the learning experience. Evernote, Google Hangouts, Backchannels, Google+ are all important tools that will help you become organized,  advance your understanding of technology, and help connect you and your students to new facets of 21c.

·        Read a forward thinking book: There are several books out there that can push you forward, solidify your pedagogy, or enlighten you. Frederick Hess’ Cage-Busting Leadership is a great read. You can even participate in a Twitter Book Chat.  Presently #moreads and #moedchat chat are leading out a chat focusing on Daniel Isenberg’s Worthless, Impossible, and Stupid. Finally, Dave Burgess’ (@burgessdave) Teach Like a Pirate has been a very popular Twitter Book chat. You can also follow the #tlap for continued professional development.

There is no time like the present to broaden your understanding and application of educational resources of the 21^st century. Those listed above can be of great resource for you as you continue this incredible journey!

Reframing Professional Development

As we continue to move forward will all facets of our educational transformation, it is important to include PD in this movement. We must move beyond the traditional “sit and get” format and reframe our Professional Development. Authentic PD encompasses the needs of students, teachers, and administrators. By implementing a variety of formats and presentation styles within your PD will best benefit the educational professional. Knowing that your staff learns, processes, and acquires knowledge in different ways, it is paramount to design your PD around those information acquisition styles.

I’ve found the following to be quite beneficial formats for Professional Development:

·         Flipped PD

·         Google Hangouts

·         Podcasts

·         Twitter Chats

·         PLNs

·         Edcamps

There are a multitude of formats and ways to deliver Professional Development.  As you discover or implement different successful formats for PD, I’d like to hear how it goes!

Taking “Student Voice” one step further…

I hear from multiple colleagues saying that by empowering “student voice” in their schools it has re-energized classroom instruction. As we move further along in our educational journey, we need to continue to branch out and look at new ways to further this cause.  There are multiple ways to achieve this goal. One way is by utilizing the “backchannel” feature of different websites or programs. In researching ways to incorporate the “backchannel into the classroom, faculty, meetings, or for Professional Development, we’ve learned that one particular tool has made a positive impact. The “backchannel” feature of Todaysmeet has helped transform different classroom settings in our school.

It is important to note that is not the purpose to merely introduce new technology to students for technology sake, but instead to have an educational purpose (with a vision) as you introduce the new tool. The “backchannel” will allow multiple students to participate in classroom discussions at the same time while completing other assignments or activities. This collaborative tool gives merit and worth to “student voice”. Look at it as a way of “thinking out loud” without talking! Our students need additional ways to process, gather, and share information and the back channel format is an excellent tool for them to use.

Keep me posted on how you are using the “backchannel” in your classroom!

2013 Edublog Award Nominations

Often we go about our everyday business in our world of education without giving a thought to thanking those who have inspired us each day. Today, as we move at the speed of light, it’s nice to slow down just enough to recognize those who are doing great things in the area of Social Media.

Well, thanks to edublog (www.edublogs.org), it is time for the 2013 Edublog Awards (www.edublogawards.com ). Recognizing exemplary work in the arena of blogging is something they’ve been doing for nine years.

I am nominating the following blogs for this award:

·        Best Teacher Blog: @venspired  / Venspired.com   By Krissy Venosdale

·        Best Ed Tech Blog: @2Guysshow  / Twoguysandsomeipads.com  By Brad Waid and Drew Minock

·        Best Administrator Blog: @ideaguy42 / aprincipalspeaking.com  By Bob Dillon

Look for the voting to open soon. Let’s recognize these innovative educators.

The Twitter-Preneur

From the beginning of time we have had entrepreneurs. Most recently we were introduced to “teacherpreneurs”…and indeed we also have TwitterPreneurs. These lead learners are blazing a trail through 21^st century learning and on a daily basis they are embracing best practices within the Social Media framework. These advance-thinkers are “branding” new ideas each and every day. They are boldly going where no educator has gone before…

As a classroom teacher, the Twitterpreneur is… using a PLN to further advance an understanding and application of advanced applications of technology. They are reaching out to find the latest innovation that will help inspire, encourage, and engage student learners. These Twitterpreneurs are leading out chats, blogging about their discoveries, and hosting podcasts. They help empower those around them to also embrace the power of Twitter. Innovative Apps are the norm in these classrooms! Finally, these leaders are transforming the classroom experience for our students.

As an Administrator, the Twitterpreneur is… leading by example with research, blogs, and support of teachers and staff with the transition into Social Media. Administrators are also lead learners who are promoting the significance, importance, and necessity of Twitter and Social Media in the 21^st century educational setting. They are leading out online book studies, hosting chats and podcasts. They are challenging their peers to join them in this journey. They are Twitter pioneers. Finally, these leaders are transforming how their schools and districts view and use Social Media as an educational change agent.

It is time to advance the positive power and understanding of Twitter and how it can positively impact learning today. Are you a Twitterpreneur? Tell me about your innovative work!

Erasing the “Stigma” of Apps

During our most recent Parent Twitter Chat (#FHMchat) the question pertaining to the “relevance of Apps” in the classroom setting was asked. At first I thought it would be a simple question to address. However, I had to think about this (as we are in our first year as a BYOD school) since we are just now getting our feet wet with the use of personal devices and Apps. Well, thanks to my PLN, colleagues, @2GuysShow, and their blog site www.twoguysandsomeipads.com, I’ve been able to muster up additional information and resources to further explain the need for using Apps in the classroom setting.

I must admit that when I scroll through the Apps store listing I do see quite a few items that are truly meant for fun and games. However, there are a myriad of other Apps that can help our students excel in the classroom setting (and beyond). Last night Drew and Brad, during their Two Guys Show #9: Game Changing Apps, shared quite a bit of information on Augmented Reality Apps. First, what is Augmented Reality (AR)?  Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. Augmented Reality bring the learning experience into a new dimension (3D and 4D).

So we can now use apps to take a virtual look at the Milky Way (and explore the planets from a very close perspective), dabble in architectural engineering with legos, or bring music to life, or even look a little closer at the writing process. TracLabsAtlas allows students the ability to program a virtual robot and DAQRI allows learners to visual elements and projects in 4D.

More traditional functions of Apps in the classroom include flashcards, Evernote, Notegraphy (where you turn your own quotes or saying into poster-like artifacts), Grafio (students can create their own Infographics) or Tellagami (students can create an avatar then build a mini movie).

So the world of education continues to transform and we have the world of Apps to thank as we move into the next phase of technology integration into the “school house”. Let me know what new Apps you discover. I would love to share them with my teachers, students and parents!

Three Keys to Increasing Parent “Voice” in Your School

At times we often forget about the positive “power” of an individual “voice”. We strive to include students in multiple facets of decision making and leadership throughout our school communities. Yet, at times we forget about another sub group that holds the key to empowering success. I am referring to our parents.  I’ve come to the realization that there are three key ways to increase parent “voice’ in our schools.

Foster parent organizations with purpose and direction: We all have parent organizations and parent support groups, but how often do we truly “empower” them to lead out change in our schools? Our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) which fund raises for the school has shifted their focus, in part, to 21c.  Last year they funded ten mini grants so that teachers could begin using iPads in their classrooms. This year they are supporting our efforts to increase student engagement and leadership by supporting the Leader in Me initiative. They are making a difference by seeking out ways to broaden their positive impact on our school community. Our Parent Involvement Team (PIT) is taking parent perspective into consideration when researching books for our Book Discussions (Not Much Just Chillin': The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers and Whale Done!), or what topics we should consider when hosting seminars. They are sharing their “voice” in new avenues to promote a greater understanding of how they can support the school community.

Invite parents to become members of your school’s Leadership Team: It is a very simple idea with profound potential for growth and involvement. Procuring parent voice on this key leadership team tells them that their voice matters in key decision making opportunities. I believe it is vital to the success of your school to have parent voice as part of the decision making process (when applicable). Parent insight and perspective will provide your team with additional resources. We've invited parents to join our Building Improvement Group (BIG). This team is responsible for making key decisions for our school, and parent voice is a necessary facet within this leadership team.

Help parents connect with Social Media: Even though we've become BYOD schools, our students are engaged with Social Media, and we too are journeying into the realm of Twitter, (and Triberr, Apping, Blogging, and a myriad of other Social Media venues), our parents on the other hand may still be in the early stages of learning about the Twittterverse. Therefore, we must reach out to our parents and parent groups and help by providing Parent PD. By helping parents begin the journey into Social Media, we can give worth and merit to their voice in another venue. As part of beginning our Parent Twitter Chat (#FHMchat), I learned that parents needed a little assistance in getting started with the chat. So, I’m hosting a Twitter Training Session later in October.

So, the next time student, teacher, or administrator “voice” becomes the topic of discussion, go ahead and mention “parent voice"- we need to be proactive and include parent voice in multiple areas within our school communities.