Daily Archives: August 6, 2008

Change…on the Fly…

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Brenda MacIsaac’s session this morning at CONTACT on the shifting nature of our kids and the increasing disconnect between schools and their learning needs was wonderful.  She presented a great snapshot of the research and personal anecdotes, painting a picture of today’s youth that captured just how important it is that teachers recognize how kids have changed and the need to adapt to this change in clientele.

I am pleasantly suprised by the quality of the conversations here.  It’s a very different feel than other events I have attended that were not tech-specific and the story emerging is one of teachers seeing the need and demanding opportunities and change within their school.  In fact, the quality of the conversation here is at a level approaching that of some of the major “ed-tech” conferences I have attended.

Tomorrow I am presenting a workshop on School 2.0; Creating Flat Classrooms for the 21st Century.  I now am reviewing my session on the fly, adapting stuff she covered and building upon conversations she started.

For a small, “non-tech” conference, Brenda and a few others have a chance to start real conversations about changing the narrative of learning and how we can use technology to connect to students and have them connect with each other.  This is turning into a pretty “shifty” event.

tags: technology, education, whipple, learning, contact2008

From Hopscotch to Hypermedia (live blogging)

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Live blogging morning session at CONTACT2008 conference.  Please excuse typos and grammar.

“From Hopscotch to Hypermedia: A Vision of K-12 Students Today: Growing up Digital” – Brenda MacIsaac, NSTU

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This is not a workshop on technology, this is a workshop on students and learning.

Technology transformed my practice, I couldn’t teach like I did before.

Have our students changed?  How are they different?

Starting with the new version of Karl Fisch’s original “Did You Know” …icebreaker first…teachers fill in the blanks of some of the facts in the presentation.

Is there a disconnect between schools and clients they serve?  What our kids do outside of school is embraced by the millenials.  Digital Natives have changed radically.  Computers are the oxygen for todays’ kids.  There is a huge digital discinnect between schools and students.

Are these digital natives different because of digital media?   Research shows characteristics of today’s students…assertive, determined, curious, close bonds, independent…emotional and intellectual openness, hopeful/optimistic, accepting, extremely social

Breaktime…

Do they learn or approach things differently? Do they think differently? Reserach shows student are innovative, achievement oriented, immediate, like structure, discovery, self-reliant, prefer intercatives, hugely collaborative, can multi-task and multi-preocess and they want relevancy!! They are primarily visual-kinesthetic learners. Need to use graphic organizers, pictures to reinforce learning.

Kids want to learn things.  Ref: “A Private Universe” (search Youtube video)…once kids get ideas in their minds it is hard to unlearn things…difficult.

Brain Plasticity: What is It?  Brain responds and develops according to stimulus.  Physical changes will result when different ideas are introduced.

Group discussion of Marc Prensky article “Turning on the Light”.  Interesting discussions…some get it!

It’s their after-school education that is preparing them for their future more than their in-school education.

Classrooms must be interactive and experiential, creative learning, higher order, collaborative spaces.  Students should not be doing the same assignments and activities as everyone else.  Break down classroom walls…

It’s not about whether we are DN’s…but can we adapt for our students.  We need to erase our own “memories” about learning.

Change is inevitable.  Growth is optional.

tags: technology, education, whipple, learning, contact2008

CONTACTing on the East Coast…

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My wife and I enjoyed a leisurely drive yesterday, turning what would normally be a five hour drive into a ten hour tour as we drove along Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore on my way to the CONTACT conference at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.

Taking in a winery tour at the Jost Vineyards and fish n’ chips at the world famous Murphy‘s in historic Pictou, we truly enjoyed our day.

Last night was opening keynote for CONTACT – an education conference hosted by the teacher’s federations of the four Atlantic Provinces (Newfoundland, Prince Edwards Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick).  As always, the conversations are the best part, but last night’s keynote was simply amazing!  Charles MacDonald was hilarious, poignant and challenging, brining with him a message highlighting the increasingly important role of educators to the lives of our young people.

“I’m gonna talk, and you’re gonna listen.  If you happen to finish ahead of me just raise your hand.”

Charlie drew on his background as an educator of over 35 years to spin a powerful narrative on the value of relationship.  The basis for connecting in all relationships – including with your students – is forming a relationship.  Kids form an impression in minutes.  It’s different than in the past where teachers had respect by virtue of their position, now educators have to work hard to earn everything from kids – including respect.

Definition of expert: x = unknow quantity in Math; “spurt” = drip under pressure

Add to the 3 R’s one more…presentation skills.  Life is a bunch of presentations.  When you get up in the morning you begin presenting yourself; to your wife, kids, colleagues, etc.  We need to give young people these skills.

We have eliminated a whole bunch of caring adults from the lives of kids (storekeepers, community, neighbors, etc.)  Teachers are what is left in many cases – so this makes our role increasingly challenging.

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This was one of the most dynamic presentations I have seen in quite some time.  Just one man, sharing stories w/o props or pictures in the grand tradition of learning through stories.  Quite a moving experience.

Day 2 starts now!

tags: technology, education, whipple, learning, contact2008