I respond to a wonderful set of research from Peter Elbow brought up by Paul Allison that discusses how home languages can be better understood and used in the classroom. Paul (and I in this video) make the case that technology and online spaces can be thought of as a home language for our learners.
Original Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlcyzPdH380 (careful, he is jogging, so it might be a bit disorienting)
Reflective Practice Vlogging Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116395158372553895482
Inspired by Kevin Honeycutt, I wanted to dig deeply in what Blended Learning is and what it can become. Also, I share a story of my own Blended Learning.
Please share your story of how you are actively reclaiming Blended Learning.
Kevin’s Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTxI0kjDFqI
Reflective Practice Vlogging Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116395158372553895482
After having a great conversation with a number of educators from the Douglas County School District, I did a lot of reflection on why so many communities that we start seem to die shortly after their birth. This video is what I came up with for an answer.
Let’s make sure that whenever we are setting up a new community space for learners (including adult learners) that we have first have allowed them to set up a space to call their own.
Google Doc from the meeting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hCsNNdz5fHbA1-OgMcvHMC_1UY7jbReNX_WFLb0rdto/edit
Reflective Practice Vlogging Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116395158372553895482
I was pretty excited about Scott McLeod and Angela Maiers doing a video response to my question over the weekend (http://youtu.be/3H8pPTn9jK4), but there were two things that really resonated with me:
1. Role-Alike networks (rather than Job-Alike networks)
2. Choosing those who you would like to learn with
Let’s do more of both.
Video from Scott and Angela: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdFb_sMcqlI
Reflective Practice Vlogging Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116395158372553895482
Recently, I asked all of you a question, “What would you do as a Director of Blended Learning?” Immediately after the first response came in, I realized that I would need some way to aggregate all of the answers. I didn’t want a list and I didn’t want to simply …
I have taken a bit of inspiration from my daughter’s Ski Lesson and thought about better ways to get to know learners than traditional assessments. If we watch them come down the hill and struggle with their turns, I think we get a much better picture of where they are in their progress. If we can be with them in their learning and catch them if they fall, we will be better teachers and we will change the conversation to be more about them as people than them as a score on a test.
Whenever we accept the first answers from learners, we are saying that first drafts are enough. As Luke Cowdell references, we need to be pushing one another to move beyond First Draft Ideas and collaborate with one another by using two simple words: "Say More."
Original Luke Cowdell video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymkgMM7pNdg
Reflective Practice Vlogging Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116395158372553895482
My learning network is invisible. At least it is to everyone but me. I see the connections I have made and know the level of depth our conversations represent. I have seen changes in learning spaces and whole systems shift because of the power of this invisible network. I am proud to be surrounded by people that support me and sustain my growth. I am proud that you are one of those people.
But, I would like to do something in the next week to show just how powerful this network can be. For a few short days, I would like to make the connections visible to everyone, and show just how much expertise and value you all provide.
You see, I have an opportunity to become the Director of Blended Learning for Denver Public Schools, and while I am excited about this chance on a personal level, I am much more excited because I get to take you and your supporting connection with me.
I believe that the best way for me to demonstrate my expertise is to show DPS the power of a networked teacher and learner. So, I had an idea of how to make that happen.
I made a video explaining it, and I would love for you to watch it and take action if you are so inclined:
(If you don’t have time for the 4 minute video, here is the gist: Answer in a comment or video response: “What would you do as a Director of Blended Learning?” Because, in essence, by taking you along in my network, that is the question you will be helping me to answer every day.)
I was inspired by the concept of learning a teacher rather than a subject and I wanted to dig more deeply into whether or not it was something to pursue or avoid. Essentially, I believe that learning without a way to demonstrate that learning and someone to demonstrate it to isn’t learning at all. We should avoid Khan-ification of learning, as it removes any kind of authentic audience.
Original Inspiration Video from The NerdWriter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aNktszr2rA
Reflective Practice Vlogging: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116395158372553895482
Collaborations aren’t merely good as a 21st century skill. They are good because of the networks of trust that they create, and because they generate more collaboration and connections. Establish projects that allow you to do something you wouldn’t be able to do on your own.
Reflective Practice Vlogging Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116395158372553895482
