Creative,
critical productive thinking was idea tossed about by many presenters during
the CONNECT 2015 conference.The
definition of the idea is quite simply combining creativity and critical
thinking to create a productive outcome. Check out this informative Web page filled
with information and links on creative and critical thinking for both students
and teachers.
One
concept that was built from this creative- critical, productive thinking model
was Makerspace or Hackerspace. These two terms refer to the same model:
students have a space where they can create, invent , and build their ideas. Many
of the presenters touched on these ideas in their various forms with the
consensus being that the rise of student motivation was considerable and the
creative output was enormous.
Here are
three very different You Tube videos on the Makerspace/Hacker space movement.
The first
video is how Elementary and middle years students are using the idea.
This video
is from an adult community that created their own Makerspace.
This link
is about Hackerspace. You will see that the common interests are often
technological and computer based interests but it is not exclusive to those
interests. This is how a high school is using Hackerspace.
This
Pinterest link board has many different resources to help create your own
Makerspace.
So you
vocational teachers and students are thinking, “Hey that is what I do.” You do
and you do it well but imagine if we could expand those horizons into a place
for all to create, invent and build their ideas. The question, “Where do we
start?” is food for thought but it is exciting to ponder the possibilities. I
think the trick is if your are inspired, start small and build.
This
concludes part 2 of CONNECT 2015.
If you have a story where technology has
helped increase a teaching or learning goal and would like to share it with
us.If so please contact me at:
“Pedagogy is the vehicle. Technology is the accelerator!” - Eric Sheninger
This TECH
CORNER will highlight some of the wonderful presentations and resources from
CONNECT 2015 conference in Niagara Falls, Canada.
A high
school student from the Niagara Region ran by me as he entered to listen to the
keynote speaker. We both paused at the door to find a seat.I said, “You look excited.” He responded, “Do
you know who this is? This guy is a Makerspace and mind craft junky.He makes his students do it in school.”Apparently, I should have known about Eric.
“Tell your story!” was Eric Sheninger’s final message in CONNECT 2015 keynote
address. During the presentation, Eric had
done just that. As the principal of New Milford High School(NMHS) in New
Jersey, he helped transform the learning culture of teachers and students,
profoundly altering student success rate and performance using the deliberate
and productive practice of technology.
Listen to Eric’s
TEDx presentation as he explains his vision and the success of his school.
CBS News, New York heard Sheninger’s story and was so impressed by NMHS' Makerspace program they produced new segments on the initative. Check
out the CBS News segment on NMHS’s
CBS News
also explored NMHS’s pilot project on virtual learning.
Eric’s
keynote touched on many of the education technology tools but his focus on the traits of leadership,
trust and these traits’ connection to the confidence of taking learning and
teaching risks by both teachers and students was his main theme.His quote, “Pedagogy is the vehicle.
Technology is the accelerator! ” was a powerful statement but his emphasis on
trust to build this risk taking accelerated the use of the technology that lead
to the success of his team. So what I am
saying is TAKE THE RISK!!!
I will
conclude this Tech Corner with a few links.
Listen to
what Eric has to say on Digital Leadership.
Eric talks
about the brilliance of his team and particularly about New Milford High
School’s visionary librarian, Laura Fleming. Laura has become a Library Media
Specialist and is an enormous advocate for interactive multimedia technology
and pedagogy.Check out her blog, Worlds
of Learning.
These are
some incredibly innovative educators. I can definitely see why that high school
student was so excited. Take the risk and share your story!
This
concludes part 1 of CONNECT 2015.
If you have a story where technology has
helped increase a teaching or learning goal and would like to share it with
us.If so please contact me at: willjlegge65@gmail.com
Gamification of a class subject can
increase motivation and fun in your class. It can take a lot of effort and
planning to develop and although I recommend the effort I understand the time
constraint. Kahoot is a quick and easy method to add a little Gamification into
your classroom and fun way to assess your students’ needs.
Colleen Glover, NOVA’s math and science
teacher, introduced Kahoot to me. I have heard or played with many different
web sites that engage with the creation of multiple-choice questions, polls, and
assignment questions but Colleen’s enthusiasm about Kahoot compelled me to take
a closer look.
Read what Kahoot says about Kahoot!
The greatest testimonial is from the
students. I witness students that are motivated to work so that they can play
the Kahoot trivia. The teacher assesses their content knowledge but more
importantly the student does as well and the student monitors their score so
does the teacher creating dialogue about their successes and obstacles.
Listen to what two of Colleen’s math
students had to say.
Kahoots is a new and wonderful new edition
to the Gamification landscape. Playinggames is a great way to trick students into learning…..shhhhh.
Maybe you have a story where technology has
helped increase a teaching or learning goal and would like to share it with
us.If so please contact me at:
