Attracting young highly qualified persons continues to be a race among major industrialized countries
Teaching the Facebook Generation…
During a trip to Attawapiskat, in the James Bay Lowlands (a short distance away from the Arctic Circle – see Google map) where I was invited to do some Technology in the Classroom workshops, I found it very interesting and somewhat humbling to discover that, one grade 12 English teacher was using Facebook as a collaborative forum to share ideas and notes on Hamlet.
February 18th, TDSB Secondary Science Teacher’s Conference – ‘Eureka! – Learning Through Inquiry
Here are a couple of excellent videos that due to time constraints had to be excluded from my STAO 2010 presentation.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XMa91uf-so
Bringing 21st Century Learning to Your Classroom
- The purpose of Blogs and Wikis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L2XwWq4_BY 21st Century Learning Matters – Video
National Library of Congress
Engaging the Digital Natives in Your Science Classroom – Luciano Lista – Academic ICT – TCDSB
A Vision of K-12 Students Today: 21 Century Learners – Intro Video
http://funphotobox.com – used to create billboard with funny effects
- Research shows that we learn better when the learning environment is safe and comfortable.
Video – “My lab’s research is aimed at understanding the biological mechanisms of emotional memory.” Joseph LeDoux – PHD
- Neuroscience also tells us that our kids learn differently … their brains are wired differently…. in digital format-
Video – Your Brain on Google
- Neuroscientist, Gary Small, tells CBS News’ how technology may be making us smarter.
Video – Don Tapscott – 2020 Shaping Ideas – Growing Up Digital
- Today’s children need to be taught differently than previous generations of students.
Teaching in 1985…. Was fairly simple compared to today
eBay | 1995 |
Amazon.com | 1995 |
Yahoo! | 1995 |
1998 | |
Wikipedia | 2001 |
2004 | |
YouTube | 2005 |
2006 |
1985
10 years before …
Windows 95,
The Internet,
Java Script,
DVDs, etc
20 years before …
YouTube
Facebook
- In 1985 – I taught my students the same way my teachers taught me!
Did I write tons of notes on the blackboard and have students copy them in their notebooks!?? Yes I DID! - More notes on the overhead projector?? This is what I called Technology-Enabled learning.
- I did use multimedia in my lessons + some VHS movies to review/introduce new concepts.
- Lots of Demos and Experiments
- Other activities included: Taking Up Homework, Student Projects (Individual & Groups) -Storytelling Anyone??
- Textbook exercises i.e.: reading and answering questions, Quizzes and Tests, Blackline Masters, Hands-On … Labs, More Homework, Computer Simulations
- The teaching/learning strategies I used in 1985 would not be as effective with today’s learners as they were 25 years ago.
Cartoon: Prelinger Archives Little Lulu: Bored of Education (1946)
http://www.archive.org/details/prelinger
- Teachers are no longer the owners of Knowledge…
… We are probably just beginning to accept the idea that there could be more than one teacher in the classroom … i.e. teachers & students learn and teach together.
Teaching/learning tools have evolved too. Not only there has been an increase in the number of tools but also the variety as well as the complexity of the tools
Tools Available to Science Educators in Pre Digital Learning (c. 1985)
Tools available to Educators and Learners Today in the Digital Age (2010)
According to the I.S.T.E. , (International Society for Technology in Education) a new set of skill is needed by today’s learners to meet the demands of the future … our kids will face enormous challenges and problems in their adult years!
Technology Standards for Digital-Age Learning:
- Demonstrate creativity and innovation
- Communicate and collaborate
- Conduct research and use information
- Think critically, solve problems, and make decisions
- Use technology effectively and productively
When iGeneration (Science) Students use these tools interactively, they are naturally engaged and tend to acquire critical thinking skills more readily
- Repetition is important but making learning interactive, fun and engaging is much more effective learning.
- We used to “learn” by memorizing. – Movie – Dan Willingham
- “…When Learning isn’t engaging, it’s not learning”
Movie – Roger Schank – You don’t learn anything if you don’t remember it … experiences, challenges, surprises emotions … become learning moments
- We learn when we remember and we remember when events are meaningful to us
- Active learning occurs when students are engaged.
For example:
Starting a topic or lesson by writing notes on the overhead projector or blackboard for a long period of time is not an engaging strategy.
- Give students options of: how, what, and when to learn. Spark their interest with something real, relevant and meaningful
- Suggestion:
Start a lesson or concept with a short video clip or an audio file (podcast):
Activities should be: Relevant to the students’ lives,
- experiences,
- or current events
Use a video clip produced by the students themselves!
For Example:
Your students (and you) could create a video in seconds using the Smart Notebook Recorder – demo on SmartBoard – mini lesson the area of a square – record wmv file and save it on desktop.
Suggestion:
Use a KWL Chart to group students according to:
- What they already know about…..
- What more do they want to know about….
- What did they finally learn about……?
Movie – What is a KWL CHART?
Suggestion: Have students plan lessons and activities themselves:
- They can use mind maps
- The can use concept maps
- They can use Software (Smart Ideas – OSAPAC)
- They can display their lesson plans on a Smart Board.
Movie – Smart Ideas Tutorial
Allow students to choose IT enabled learning strategies that suit their learning style:
A few examples of possible student choices:
- research the topic on the Web
- report back to the class using a Power Point Presentation
- Prepare a Smart Notebook activity – to interact with on a Smart Board
- Use the Smart Notebook gallery to find relevant simulations or animations to explore.
- Produce a podcast
- Design and present a digital storytelling project
Suggestion:
Don’t do all the work yourself. Facilitate, mentor, assist and plan so that students…. using a variety of techniques, and strategies … can:
- search
- filter
- create
- remix
- collaborate
- experiment
- synthesize content
Students could start a threaded discussion or a classroom Blog.
For example, if the lesson topic is “Diffusion”:
The discussions could be about….
- the impact of diffusion (of fluids) on society and the environment:
- smog and pollution from factory exhausts
- smoking in public areas
- using fertilizers and pesticides for lawns
WordPress is one of many free blog solutions for educators and learners.
Have students design and perform their own experiments at home using safe household products
…. Examples:
Factors Affecting the Diffusion of Ink in Water (of course you would approve materials and procedures first for safety).
Students will record their own experiment using a web cam, a digital camera or a cell phone
… a SmartBoard.
Students could then post their videos on YouTube.com, TeacherTube.com, SchoolTube.com, the school blog or share them with others using Microsoft SkyDrive. All kids -young and old – love to be movie producers. Five minutes movies and screen capture upload using JING and Free webcasting
www.jingproject.com
In place of a poster presentation students could take pictures during experiments to create a digital storytelling project. Readily available software can be used at no extra cost (Moviemaker, Photostory 3, and other open source or freeware video editing applications).
Video – “What is Digital Storytelling?”
Differentiating Learning in today’s Science Classroom…. a possible implementation solution:
Video from Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board – Delta SS
Lab groups work on different parts of an experiment.
Each group can post their own observations, conclusions, diagrams, graphs, pictures, movies, files, sound files, and answers to questions on a wiki.
Video – Wikispaces Intro
Assessment and Evaluation
Learning Skills – Organization
The student:
- Identifies gathers, evaluates, and uses information technology, and resources to complete tasks.
- devises and follows a plan and process for completing work and tasks;
- Establishes priorities and manages time to complete tasks and achieve goals.
The OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development)report outlines the following three categories of competency:
A. Using Tools Interactively
• The ability to use language, symbols, and text interactively
• The ability to use knowledge and information
interactively
• The ability to use technology
interactively
http://www.polleverywhere.com
Microsoft Mouse Mischief for PowerPoint
- Something new and interactive for PowerPoint users for fun Assessment/feedback activities
In Conclusion:
- Active Learning = Engaging Students
- Technology can play a big role in engaging the Digital Natives in your classes
- The teacher is the facilitator in the classroom
- DI is the underlying pathway to student success
- The students are the active collaborators in an engaged learning process
Movie How Many Uses Can You Think of a Paper Clip? – Sir Ken Robinson – Paradigm Shift in Education – The promise of the future?
Engaging the Digital Natives in Your Science Classroom
November 12, 2010
Luciano Lista
Books and Publications
- Harry K. Wong
, Rosemary T. Wong, (2009), The First Days of School – How to be an Effective Teacher, Singapore: CS Graphics Pte. Ltd. - Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, (2009), What If? Technology in the 21st Century Classroom, Toronto: Leading Education’s Advocates
- Meg Ormiston, (2010), Creating a Digital-Rich Classroom – Teaching & learning in a Web 2.0 World, Bloomington: Solution Tree Press
- Mark Prensky, (2010), Teaching Digital Natives – Partnering for Real Learning, Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press
- Will Richardson, (2010), Blogs Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, Third Edition, Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press
- Jeff Piontek, Blane Conklin, (2009), Blogs Wikis, Podcasts, Oh My!, Huntington Beach: Shell Education
- Mike Ribble, Gerald Bailey (2007), Digital Citizenship in Schools, Washington: ISTE
- Amy Benjamin, (2005), Differentiated Instruction Using Technology – A Guide for Middle and High School Teachers, Larchmont: Eye on Education
- Ontario Ministry of Education, (2010), Growing Success – Assessment , Evaluation, and Evaluation in Ontario Schools, Toronto: Queen’s Printer for Ontario
- William M. Ferriter, Adam Garry, (2010), Teaching the iGeneration – 5 Easy Ways to Introduce Essential Skills with Web 2.0 Tools, Bloomington: Solution Tree Press
- Ontario Ministry of Education, (2010), Student Success – Differentiated Instruction Educator Package, Toronto: Queen’s Printer for Ontario
Videos
- A Vision Of K12 Students Today – http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=12272
- NIMH · Joseph LeDoux on Replacing Fear Memories
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4625928n (Edited)
- Your Brain on Google – http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4625928n
Neuroscientist, Gary Small, tells CBS News’ Daniel Sieberg how technology may be making us smarter.
- Growing Up Digital – Don Tapscott – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qujFJuj1S6I
- Bored of Education Cartoon (c1944) – http://www.archive.org/details/prelinger
- EUREKA – Edited – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=by-7kkAu2Pg
- Dan Willingham, Cognitive Psychologist – U.Va.’s psychology department,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iPHDSKytoc
- Roger Schank http://sciencestage.com/v/14879/the-history-of-lecture-as-a-form-of-teaching.html
- TRY THIS
Nelson Education – Science and Perspectives – Grade 7
Teacher Resources Package – Interactive DVD
- KWL Charts – How to teach Children with …
http://www.ehow.com/video_4402290_teach-children-kwl-charts.html
- Smart Ideas Tutorial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSO0sygM0Yo
- What is Digital Storytelling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKZiXR5qUlQ
- Differentiated Instruction – Science http://www.edugains.ca/newsite/di/diprodprojschoolsregion.htm
- Wikispaces Tuitorial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df2rC2QfvFc
- Google Docs in Plain English
http://vodpod.com/watch/240934-google-docs-in-plain-english
- Microsoft Mouse Mischief Demos
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8AD4D0A32D20D9E2
- Sir Ken Robinson – How Many Uses Can You Think for a Paperclip?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWG0OMEruJg
- Your Brain on Google – http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4625928n
These files are extracts from some of my most recent presentations and workshops
ICT resources…
During my presentations and worshops, I often make reference to resources and web 2.0 tools.
I post some of these links with brief descriptions. If you find miore and would like to contribute let me know.
I will update these links periodically.
Resource | Description & Link |
Comic Books | http://canadianfreestuff.com/free-comic-books-for-teachers/#axzz0ddC6FIbLMany downloadable free comic books and samples for teachers |
http://bitstripsforschools.com/ Bitstrips is Ministry Licensed software for School Boards in Ontario. This is a great tool to create comics for lessons and presentations. | |
http://www.sevenoaksart.co.uk/Collection of free animated images | |
Animations | http://www.aniboom.com/Animachines/Create animations online and export them for your students ore your own presentations and lesson ideas |
http://www.photofunia.com/Add your image to preset animations – excellent for any presentation | |
Online Books (eBooks, audio books, Podcasts…)
|
http://librivox.org/ Public domain books available as free audio books. |
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page Project Gutenberg – Free electronic books available for download |
|
Web 2.0 | http://www.tools4noobs.com/ Easily summarize –in point form– any web page or article. Great tool for Differentiated Instruction. |
IT Strategies for Differentiated Learning in the Science Classroom.
There is so much material and information on the topic of Differentiated Learning that I found it challenging to condense the main points and provide good, practical information at the same time. For this reason it was very difficult to put it all together in a one hour presentation.
I have prepared a summary of my Differentiated Learning strategies for the Science Classroom presentation which you are most welcome to download .
Here it is: stao2009_Lista.
I hope to discuss individually the tools and techniques presented in the above if the interest is there.
Please leave a comment and let me know.
You can also find me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/llista
Thank you!