Tuesday, March 27, 2018

NO I'm NOT the computer teacher!!!

This is not a shot at computer teachers! As a matter of fact shout out to those that dedicate their day to building 21st century learners! Our future needs you!

However, I don't consider myself one of these people. I do however consider myself a "whatever it takes to make learning happen" for ALL students kind of person. I will sing, rap, tap dance, back bend, or cartwheel to turn that light bulb on for students.

The cool thing is with technology I have learned you don't have to perform for them; if you give them a platform to do it themselves. Research has proven that active learners have greater outcomes.

However, recently I have found three obstacles with pushing technology into the classroom.

#1 Hesitant teachers...
I don't know where to begin with this one. Many times they don't know how, so they think it's not necessary. However, our future tells us different. We can't prepare students for colleges and careers that are filled with 21st century skills if we are not willing to invest in these learning opportunities.

#2 The computer is not a baby sitter...
In most classrooms technology is just a learning center where students are sent to pass the time until a teacher can get to them to commence learning. However, using computer programs as time fillers has very little outcomes. Even company's such as Study Island say that after 10 minutes a day for 3 to 4 days there has shown no greater impact on learning.

#3 But it's not a worksheet...
These educators have simply turned the worksheet into a computer document. With technology you don't have to sell the idea of learning is fun if it is done correctly. However, I do believe there is difference in teaching with technology and learning with technology.

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Building a Growth Mindset where everyone is capable of anything.

After reading Annie Brock and Heather Hundley's book "Growth Mindset - Coach". I was inspired to give my students the skills they needed be life long learner. At first I was hesitant to begin this journey with them as it was more than half way through the school year. However, I decided giving them some of the skills was better than none of the skills.

We start our journey tomorrow so check back for updates on our road to a growth mind set.

Last week we started by having a celebration of growth after we defined growth mind set and fixed mind set. All students came to the conclusion that growing was necessary. And so our journey begins.