I suggest... Jackie Gernstein's Blog
These days I’ve been focusing much of my attention on assessment. As a designer of instruction, my ultimate goal is that students learn. But, what does this mean, to learn? Jackie Gernstein’s blog discusses 21st century assessment and gives some valuable insight. Gernstein provides suggestions for assessment and argues that due to emerging technology students are changing the way they learn, so teachers must change the way they teach. “Learning is collaborative, participatory, collective, and synergistic.” (Gernstein) From reports using wikis to simulation-based assessments, Gernstein embraces the idea of adapting learning and instruction to the 21st century.
One of my favorite parts of this blog is the section dedicated to technology in the classroom. Here she lists numerous sites and resources that I’ve only begun to explore. Exploring this feels a bit like taking my children to the ice cream shop. I want everything! For example, Alice is free educational software that teaches computer programming using 3D animation. As a teacher in an international school, the iEARN site was also of great interest. This is a non-profit organization that promotes project collaboration in a global setting.
Gernstein’s blog is also full of stories and examples of inspirational teaching. It makes you want to get back in the classroom and blow off the entire summer (almost!).
See my response to her blog HERE.
See my response to her blog HERE.
I suggest...21st Century School Teacher
The 21st Century School Teacher is a blog dedicated to promoting the contemporary learner. It is cool and trendy, just like my students. At the bottom of the home page, an embedded YouTube clip describes the students of today and what their needs and interests are. It’s all a bit overwhelming at times, but change is good, right? It promotes a change of instruction to facilitate the new types of learners.
I chose this blog because I believe that education is on the cusp of revolutionary change. An educational system structured in the 19th century cannot meet today’s needs. The practical user-friendly organization of this blog makes it one of my favorites. It includes easy-to-follow instructions for technology integration in “Tip Sheets” and links to great websites to get you started.
One of my colleagues had recently mentioned the George Lucas site, Edutopia. Under “Resources” the link to Edutopia is found. This is an amazing site for educators promoting the benefits of project-based learning. Take a look at the assessment video as it provides some practical advice for implementing a comprehensive assessment plan.
This blog is fun and easy to use. A great find!
This blog is fun and easy to use. A great find!
I suggest...Pump Up the Learning
Kim Caise is the author of Pump Up Learning a blog dedicated to networking, collaboration and professional development. Her ideas and suggestions remain a bit out of reach for me as I can see that I am not quite there with technology. She encourages her readers to leave their pajamas on, make a hot cup of coffee and get ready to participate and learn from several posted webinars. I am excited about her ideas and plan to engage in some of the opportunities she offers.
One of her suggestions, and the one that initially grabbed my attention as a history teacher, was the webinar for students on the death of Osama bin Laden. On May 5th, Discovery Education hosted a webinar with Ben Rhodes, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speech writing. The webinar included an initial presentation by Mr. Rhodes and then a 15 minute session where students could send in their questions and have him answer them LIVE! Unbelievable!
This is the world my students are more comfortable in than me. I must work to bridge that gap and fully engage. Times, they are a’changing!
