Kent State University uses the graphic to the left to discuss student learning.  In this model, teachers and schools OWN the learning.  This is what the vast majority of colleges and universities are teaching undergrads in the schools of education all over this nation. 

Alan November, see his website, is an international expert on technology in education.  In this lecture in 2008, he discusses the importance of the concept of who owns the learning in schools, and why the graphic from KSU needs to change.    The second clip explains three essential skills all students need to learn in our global world, and he discusses how different these skills are from what schools are teaching. 

I wonder how many of us are trying to achieve the kind of learning Alan November is talking about?  What are the obstacles we face in working toward his goals?  What are the success stories we have?  These need to be heard.

Tonight we talked with Ed Bernetich ([email protected]) former principal at Beachwood Middle School and then Director of Teacher Education at Case Western Reserve University.  Ed was one of the architects of Beachwood’s 1-to-1 laptop initiative, the first in Ohio.  This is the second of three podcasts with Ed concerning: 1) 21st century skills; 2) the changing role of teachers and student learning; 3) teacher education and the role of administration.  Tonight Garth, Ed and I talked about "digital natives", role of culture, and skills needed in the 21st Century.  This podcast is 25 minutes.

 I was recently problem-solving a technology problem with a teacher in my building and noticed a poster on the wall.  The quote was, “Be the change you want to see in the world”.  This struck me.  We always talk about model behaviors to students, but few talk about modeling behaviors to other teachers.  Here I was, trying to fix a stubborn computer; not by myself or after school hours, but right next to the teacher who uses the computer.  We were collaborating and problem-solving as a team.  We were wrong more than right, but finally came to the solution.  Both of us took great satisfaction in coming to the proper resolution to the issue. 

There is a lot of talk these days about being a teacher/leader or creating learning communities where teachers have an opportunity to scaffold with each other.  My advice…don’t wait for your building or coworkers to create communities or groups to start modeling collaboration.  Take it upon yourself to just go and do those things you want your students to do.  I share a classroom with another teacher and I ask him questions all the time during class.  It helps me be a more effective teacher and the students get to witness to teachers, collaborating, problem-solving and having fun at their jobs.

Now I know that most teachers are very territorial, don’t like to ask for help, and can’t stand other adults watching them work.  I have heard people within education say that, “If you are doing your job right, why be worried about who is watching!”  I wish it were that simple of an issue.  Politics are an ingrained part of the educational system and it has created teachers that are cynical and wary of why people would want to watch them teach.  It happens in my building all of the time.  When you approach a colleague, don’t be threatening don’t make it sound like it’s your way or nothing.  Honestly, it’s like sneaking up on a squirrel.  One wrong step and they will run away and never get near you again.

The best way to be the change you want to see in the world is to involve other teachers in decisions you are making.  Want to try a new lesson or activity?  Try emailing your building for advice or opinions about your planned activity.  Talk to your department head or approach other teachers for guidance in changing things in your classroom.  While it is no guarantee, having others involved in changing your classroom may give them the courage, or trust, to let you help them change their classroom.  There are so many ways to teach and inspire students.  No teacher is perfect, and no teacher can use every methodology available to them in one year.

-Mike

A funny thing happened tonight.  I was at an educational committee meeting at my church waiting for the meeting to get started.  Everyone was engaged in small talk.  Soon the discussion turned to parent teacher conferences (the committee has four teachers--including me).  They started to talk about how they were going to student led conferences at two schools this year.  I listened, as we started this process last year.  They seemed a little scared.  The two parents listened as well.  After a few minutes, I asked the one parent (non-educator), what she thought about the idea.  Her response to me was a question: "What is the point?"  I explained that the main idea is  "to give students ownership over their learning."  She then replied, "I like the idea".  I think most parents agreed that last years student led conferences were a positive experience. 

Student led conferences have the following positives for students:

1.  Goal Setting: Students need to learn how to set realistic goals and establish ways to achieve these goals.
2.  Empowering: Students are given control over their education.
3.  Ownership, Responsibility, and Accountability:  Students have to see they are in control of their learning and take ownership for the results.
4.  Technology: Students use technology to create an "authentic" presentation to share with a real audience.  Plus, with online grades, it is very easy and clear why grades are what they are.
5.  Engagement: Parents, teachers and students engage in honest dialogue (many kids will say what I might have had a hard time stating).
6.  Attendance:  Over 80% of our students and parents found time to head to school for the 25 minute conference.
7.  Meta-cognition: Students learned how to self-evaluate and think about their learning.
8.  Organizational and oral communication skills:  They are prepared, have an agenda to follow, and have to explain their strengths and weaknesses to a "live" audience.

I am sure that there are other positives of student led conferences and some drawbacks not mentioned.  However, I think that the positives far outweigh the traditional conference.   When we moved to student led conferences, our staff had similar concerns about how conferences would work and if it was a good idea to change the format.   However, after the conferences were over, the staff agreed it had positive effects for our students.

 A  good link to check out for more on middle school student led conferences:  MiddleWeb. You can also see several examples of student led conferences on Youtube.  

Tonight we talked with Ed Bernetich ([email protected]) former principal at Beachwood Middle School and then Director of Teacher Education at Case Western Reserve University.  Ed was one of the architects of Beachwood’s 1-to-1 laptop initiative, the first in Ohio.  This is the first of three podcasts with Ed concerning: 1) 21st century skills; 2) the changing role of teachers and student learning; 3) teacher education and the role of administration.  Tonight Garth, Ed and I talked about the states first one to one laptop initiative, 21st century skills, standardized testing, state-based assessments and implementing technology within curriculum.   This podcast is 18 minutes.

I have been using inspiration for about five years and Mike has been using it since he student taught with me.  He now uses Bubbl.us or mywebspiration (free at this time) since his building did not buy inspiration.  However, if 30-40 percent of your students are visual, we need to be using webs for our students benefit.  These software's help students understand, see connections, and learn the material we teach.  

I posted this little visual blog because of the email I got yesterday.  It was from Brittany. 

Thanks! I downloaded the free trial but couldn't connect my netbook to
the Smartboard, so I just used Webspiration from the teacher's
computer.. My group is teaching a unit on writing a research paper, so
after the kids do their research and have their notecards they're
going to make an inspiration web and then convert it to an outline to
help them write their papers. It's also a great way to help them
generate ideas before we take them to the library. Thanks for
introducing me to the software!

We need teachers to find ways, like Brittany, to make school work for our students.  The old software's still have value.