Category: Weekly Reflections

Film; ‘Most Likely to Succeed’

• Learned; positive learning outcomes in cross curricular activities, giving children independence and choice give better learning outcomes, every 2 years computers double ability resulting in lack of jobs, risk of one year contract
• Surprising; high percent got into post secondary (98%), very cool
• Problems or opportunities; might not be reasonable for most public schools, possible that not all learners thrive in this environment, lack of diversity (learning differences), structure of the school might not prepare them with the world’s systems not ready; if they want to go to university the typical structure would be likely be very different than what they are used to and they may not possess the commonly used skills (e.g. note taking in a lecture setting).
• Questions; how would this method would apply to American elementary schools as it seems to be targeted for high schools or higher age groups, now the it has been 10 years what are the views on it and how have the students preformed at post secondary.

Setting up our Websites; different people have different struggles with setting up their websites

FIPPA, Privacy, Consent, Intellectual Property and Open Educational Resources (OER)

• Copyright; you own your stuff, be ethical when you use things (tell them where it came from, provide context).
• Teachers pay teachers – connecting teachers to resources.
• Creative Commons (CC) – share/use your thing, but must source if they want to use (Wikipedia’s {photos} are licensed for re-use).
• B.C. Open Collection – textbooks/course materials.
• Unsplash – photos with free license (used for above image).
• the greats – art and illustration
• Can use OER materials to get started and/or be inspired; what might be useful in inquiry/topics

It is important to inform our students on where we are getting our information so we can show our learning and credibility, as well as modeling responsible use of the web/technology. Also providing teaching opportunities into credible sources, to not believe everything they see, and to dig deeper into why we are using/doing the things we are.

Coming into this course I have little experience in practical tech for education, specifically younger age groups. Many know of the smart boards and computer labs, but how can we go deeper to provide more meaningful and effective opportunities for our students?

Looking at technology having the ability to be a powerful tool and any are optimistic about its use, though understanding that it can be used irresponsibly as well as many have anxiety towards it.

Banning phones and technology outright is it is both taking away helpful tools and learning opportunities, as well as not helping to foster safe tech use. If students want, they will find a way. Thus, we need to learn how to use them/tech responsibly and respectfully, rather than allow them to develop unhealthy/unsafe habits. Modeling proper use and allowing space for tech can help, along with understanding and clear guidelines (that the students can help create and agree to). This brings up age. Yes the above statements are more applicable for older grades, however, as a teacher you do not know what your students are interacting with digitally outside of school and want them to have tools before needing to use them, you can build responsible practices and thinking even without tech so they are ready when they do use it, and many schools have Chromebooks/desktops/iPads and you want them to be safe using those too.

ISTE tools/benefits; Equitable Access, Resource Credibility, Manage/Protect Data, Collaboration, Learn Alongside Students, Accommodate Learner Differences, Different Learning Activities, Facilitator, Classroom Management, Creativity, Alternative Assessments, Track/Guide Progress.