Conversations on Learning

Smart Board Technology

Several years ago portable SMART Boards were purchased by many schools. Over the years we found that the SMART Boards were not being used. We found that teachers could not be bothered setting up the SMART Board for every lesson due to the time requirements for configuration. If you are considering SMART Boards, we suggest purchasing units that are permanently mounted in the classroom. Also consider allocating funds for PD. Dean Shareski and Jeff Boulton would be willing to work with teachers in using this technology towards improving student learning.

For schools without permanent projectors in classrooms:

Take a look at the 680i SMART Board. The 680i unit has a 77” diagonal with a built in projector for $3485. We would also suggest purchasing the AirLiner wireless tablet for $434 which enables students to interact with information from their seats. Have this unit mounted in the middle of the classroom with whiteboards on both sides. When we looked at this unit the first thing that came to my mind was how long will it be before a student trys to hang on the arm? This unit has a “break away arm” and the part that breaks away is $34.

For schools with a permanent project in classrooms:
A 77” screen (Model 680) is $1465 with a bundled AirLiner wireless tablet the total is $1830. The 64” diagonal version (Model 660) will cost $1179. The SMART Board needs to be wired to your computer which needs to be within 10 feet. If your computer is located further than the 10 feet you can purchase a 16 foot extension for $30 or a wireless Bluetooth connection for $229.
If we purchase 10 units there is a deal; however it is not a reduction in price. If you are considering purchasing a unit please contact Jeff Boulton or Dean Shareski.

What else is need? Consider an audio system – computer speakers are around $200. You can purchase the SMART board pair of speakers for $340. To access how teachers use the SMART Boards check out the resources here: http://education.smarttech.com

Assessment Conference in Saskatoon, October 19,2007

My thoughts in caps.

Showed the video by EDS on building planes in the air

Another video highlighting famous people who had some weakness or disadvantage

Engaging the Heart and the Mind

We have the tools and resources but need to hone in on what's important.

Create a sense of urgency   SOME DON'T BUY THIS

The road to precision....enemy is ambiguity. We did an exercise where we looked at a writing sample and ranked it on a rubric...lots of differences of opinion...the need to have discussion around what's important is critical. Providing time to have important conversations on learning.

Create a culture of learning...focus on meaningful collaboration to get us to where we need to go

It won't happen by chance...people are too busy...leadership must:

• provide time
• build capacity
• provide data
• model and monitor
• recognize and celebrate

Powerful Learning Networks

REALITY IS THAT MUCH OF THE TALK IS ABOUT BUILDING LEARNING NETWORKS IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS....WHY?  WHY LIMIT IT. IT'S WAY EASIER AND MORE POWERFUL IF PEOPLE THINK OF NETWORKS BEYOND GEOGRAPHICAL AND FACE TO FACE RESTRICTIONS.

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Andy Hargreaves speaking at the Assessment Conference in Saskatoon, October 18,2007


Notes from his keynote...While this isn't synthesized, it should give you an idea of his talk
(My thoughts are in caps)


Old Testament....Assessment of learning

• If you think literacy alone will fix education think again.....streets of London so unsafe because kids are uncoothe, lack culture and are unfit
• focusing on short gains only turns schools into mini Enrons.
• Child welfare rankings shows Canada #11 in the world US #20 of 21. Canada ranks #2 in Education but lower in other areas in safety and well being and behaviour and risks.
  

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO HELP DEVELOP WELL ROUNDED CITIZENS?

New Testament...Assessment For learning

• Consider: increase innovation, personalized learning, assessment for learning, distributed learning
• Personalized learning involves networks and connected learning to their life goals and contributions to society (ROUGHLY PARAPHRASED)
• Teachers leave the profession because they don't have the opportunity to be involved in leadership early on....Distributed Leadership

Third Testament: Responsibility not Accountability

• Discussing Finland
  
• Nokia employees change departments every 15 months...not loyal to a dept but to the company
• Nokia provides 40% of Finland GDP
• They believe...Bad News must spread quickly
• Finland is seeking to be the creative edge of knowledge building....all students there get this.
• Music is a key component of education. They understand the connection of the past to the future

SEE KEN ROBINSON'S TALK ON CREATIVITY!

#1 sought after profession.......Teachers!  1 in 10 get into Teacher Education
If you get the best,smartest, kid loving people into educations, you've got half the battle won.

PLC's should not be figuring out someone else's curriculum but developing it together.

i CAN HEAR THE WHEEL'S TURNING NOW....

Finnish teachers not concerned with data....they recognize when somethings wrong and immediately respond in a calm, quiet way...

Trust, cooperation and responsibility.  Gov'ts trust teachers and teachers trust gov't , they don't feel accountability they feel responsibility

Leadership in Finland:

• all leaders must continue to teach...every principal teachers at least 2 times per week

The long and the short of it
The secret is making sure that short term goals keeps you focused.

SOUNDS FAIRLY OBVIOUS BUT LOOK AT THE REPORT

A culture where schools help schools and the strong help the weak. The process is transparent not just the results.


HARGREAVES HAS SOME VERY COMPELLING IDEAS THAT I DARE SAY ALL OR MOST TEACHERS WOULD AGREE.  DOES REQUIRE A SHIFT. PART OF THE SHIFT WERE CURRENTLY IN BUT ALSO HONORING TEACHERS AS PROFESSIONALS, BUILDING TRUST, RESPONSIBILITY AND COOPERATION. 

I'D WELCOME ANY COMMENTS.

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The use of new tools to change how politicians interact is becoming very prevalent. Our provincial election will reveal a variety of ways that our government embraces social networks.  Here's a few examples of the way the politics in the US is changing:


The Web is Changing Politics (via Will Richardson)

• "The YouTube Campaign" --Jeff Jarvis
  • The YouTube Debates (NCLB Question)
• Barack Obama
• John McCain and YouTube Q&A
• Local politics, too. (Nashua Teachers)
• Impact at MySpace, where the first presidential primary will take place on Jan. 1 and 2, 2008.

The provincial election will be one of the most information intensive

Most of the political parties of Saskatchewan are using these tools as well:

Youtube

• SaskNDP
• SaskParty
• Saskliberal
  

Facebook also has groups for political parties.  Watch for blogs to show themselves very soon for many of the candidates. The internet and particularly the use of read/write tools provides voters with plenty of information and opportunity to make good decisions. This is what makes the election of today different.  Instant access and the power of the voter's voice. Today that means even though most of our students won't be able to vote, they'll be able to ask questions and get answers.  Searching the blogosphere to see what others are saying can also provide insight and debate.

Why not allow your students to explore this and lead them on their way to becoming responsible citize

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Technorati Tags: politics, saskatchewan, election

Darren Kuropatwa of Winnipeg writes,

Once access is cheap, fast and ubiquitous and students have access to all this content at their fingertips we will have to change the way we teach. Teachers will no longer be able to resist changing their pedagogy. There will be no more validity(?) to statements like: "What I've always done works fine. My students are learning from me. Why should I change?"

Many have pondered at the future of the teacher with all the information and technology available. Some wonder if we even need or will need teachers. The answer is, if all they do is provide information, they no; we won't need those types of teachers.

But our best teachers are already discovering that change is critical. Examples exist right within our division of teachers much of the learning and discovery over to the kids and allowing their experience in how to learn be their greatest contribution. This is by no means an easy shift. It means a degree of chaos, messiness and uncertainty. Being comfortable with these things goes against our entire years of schooling, education and teacher training. Maintaining full control of what happens in the classroom has been held in high regard. With relation to the statement above, this may not be so important. To be clear, it doesn't mean a free for all. It simply means that students will need to build their own personal learning environments and it is our job to help them navigate that. The difference is that it will be in new worlds and with new people most of us have never heard of or seen. Real learning is taking place in these worlds. It becomes our job to learn more about them.

The best teachers are learners first. Those will never be obsolete.