Learning

21st Century Learning - April 2, 2014

Alex, Vinnie, and arvind discuss students learning how to learn, and share three examples from their schools about long-term projects, with students in charge of their own learning.

TTT#346 Connected Learning is Production Centered - "Forge IV" with Ed Martinez, Fred Mindlin, and Dan Spelce 4.24.13

Another story of +Connected Learning on this episode of TTT.

We are joined by Ed Martinez, +Fred Mindlin, and Dan Spelce to discuss "Forage IV," a pilot program supported in part by NWP's collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation's Digital Literacy Initiative.

Integrating art with environmental education, we support teachers in linking their existing curriculum to a student-led interest-driven project, collaborating with practicing artists.

The Project web site is http://forage.storyreach.com/

We are also joined by Jennifer Woollven, Joel MalleyScott Shelhart and Kelsey Shelhart.

Paul Allison's profile photoFred Mindlin's profile photoScott Shelhart's profile photoJennifer Woollven's profile photoJoel Malley's profile photomonika hardy's profile photo

This is a story for the National Writing Project's Connected Learning Inquiry Group's Session 6 - Connected Learning is Production Centered http://connect.nwp.org/online-learning-connected-learning/p/16923

This story helps us put learning narratives next to this description of connected learning from The Digital Media & Learning Research Hub http://dmlhub.net/ :

Connected learning environments are designed around production, providing tools and opportunities for learners to produce, circulate, curate, and comment on media. Learning that comes from actively creating, making, producing, experimenting, remixing, decoding, and designing, fosters skills and dispositions for lifelong learning and productive contributions to today’s rapidly changing work and political conditions.

This webcast is one in a series that we've been doing recently where we are asking: Where are the classrooms that are doing this well and how do they ensure that the other principles are in place?

Enjoy!

Forage III hanging in a window of the Ritt in Santa Cruz, CA

Forage III hanging in a window of the Ritt in Santa Cruz, CA

TTT#340 A Year at Mission Hill with David Loitz, Amy Valens, Sam Chaltain, Jenerrad Williams, Bob Goodman, and more... 3.13.13

On this episode of TTT we discuss the video series, "A Year at Mission Hill" http://ayearatmissionhill.com.

Ten videos. One year. A public school trying to help children learn and grow. The national conversation we need to be having.

Monika Hardy monika hardy's profile photoand Chris Sloan Chris Sloan's profile photo host David Loitz David Loitz's profile photo who welcomes director, Amy ValensAmy Valens's profile photo along with the series narrator and education activist, Sam Chaltain Sam Chaltain's profile photo. Mission Hill teacher, Jenerrad Williams Jenerrad Williams's profile photo and Mission Hill parent, Bob Goodman Bob Goodman's profile photojoin the conversation as well. And that's not all. We are also joined by IDEA organizers and educators, Jabreel Chisley Jabreel Chisley's profile photoand Awo Okaikor Aryee-PriceAwo Okaikor Aryee-Price's profile photo.

Our friends at the Institue for Democratic Education in America http://democraticeducation.org/index.php/features/missionhill/ write:

At IDEA, we're proud to be one of the partners behind "A Year at Mission Hill." The project began when filmmakers Tom and Amy Valens spent a year filming at the school community of Mission Hill, with plans for a full documentary release in fall 2013. The web series came together when Tom and Amy reached out to educator and news commentator Sam Chaltain. Sam brought together http://Ashokaashoka.org, IDEA http://democraticeducation.org/index.php/index/, and the NoVo Foundation http://novofoundation.org around the idea of making a series of short episodes to highlight a year in the life of Mission Hill. Under IDEA's leadership, the concept grew into a larger opportunity to share the story across an eclectic coalition of education organizations, schools, and nonprofits. Currently, more than 40 community partners http://ayearatmissionhill.com/index.php/partners will be sharing the film series and offering their own resources to deepen viewers' learning around each chapter.

Maybe you are like Chris Sloan who says, "I'm hooked on the videos A Year at Mission Hill, looking forward to Part 4!"

Or maybe you're just learning of this effort to reimagine public education.

Either way, we invite you to join this important conversation by listening to this episode of TTT.


Click Read more to see the chat that was happening during this live webcast.


 

March 13, 2013

20:21Mattie Kannard: Am I in the right spot for the ed tech talk?
20:58Mattie Kannard: ?
20:59karen (@kfasimpaur): Greetings! This is the place.
20:59Mattie Kannard: Great!
21:00unnamedYes
21:01Mattie : Is this the only window we'll use?
21:02karen (@kfasimpaur): This is the chat window. Above is the video. And to the left is a note pad where we can post links, etc.
21:02Mattie : Okay. Thanks!
21:03karen (@kfasimpaur): You should be hearing the pre-webinar banter in the video window.
21:03Mattie : Got it now.
21:03David Loitz: Yes
21:04karen (@kfasimpaur): chat seems good here
21:08David Loitz: feel free to chime in
21:09karen (@kfasimpaur): never seen that before :)
21:10Peggy George: hi everyone! my chat window is weird! one inch wide and have to scroll to read or type. :-(
21:11karen (@kfasimpaur): Hi Peggy
21:12karen (@kfasimpaur): I was really impressed with the transparency at MH that I saw in the first few video segments
21:13carey: Hi all! Agreed, Karen. I like what I've seen on their site.
21:14karen (@kfasimpaur): more g+ issues than usual tonight....
21:15Peggy George: after a reload, now I can see the full chat window and Titanpan but the video is last week's show. Hmmmm
21:15karen (@kfasimpaur): hmmm...video is good here
21:16Peggy George: before I could see the video and not the chat window
21:17karen (@kfasimpaur): "teachers as a cohort of learners"...powerful
21:18karen (@kfasimpaur): If you're in the hangout and here, don't play the video on this page :)
21:20Mattie : Relationships. That's important. Relationships value each member. Relationships aren't one-way. So important!
21:21karen (@kfasimpaur): IDEA ->http://democraticeducation.org/index.php/index/
21:22Mattie : When I watched the episodes, I felt at home. It felt just right.
21:22karen (@kfasimpaur): We need to see more models of great schools like this. They are out there. Making movies about them is powerful.
21:23rach: They are very important and people forget that which is sad
21:25David Loitz: great comment
21:26David Loitz: can you all see the video?
21:26karen (@kfasimpaur): Not really.
21:26Peggy George: giving up! I can see the chat but the only video I can see is last week's recording. So sorry. I'll have to watch the recording.
21:26karen (@kfasimpaur): Is there a YouTube link for it? (Or maybe it's not public yet.)
21:26karen (@kfasimpaur): Sorry, Peggy. See you next time.
21:27Mattie : I can't find it on YouTube, so it must not be public.
21:30karen (@kfasimpaur): I'm going to go see if we can get a link... brb
21:30Mattie : YouTube video is not showing... got the audio.
21:32David Loitz: http://youtu.be/9Efoj38lp2w
21:32Mattie : Thanks for the link!
21:32karen (@kfasimpaur): Thanks, David!
21:32karen (@kfasimpaur): Let's pause and all watch the video for a few minutes.
21:32Mattie : I'm going to YouTube to watch. THANKS!
21:32karen (@kfasimpaur): Yes! Thanks.
21:34David Loitz: Thanks everyone for being flexible
21:38Mattie : "academics don't exist in a vacuum" :-)
21:38karen (@kfasimpaur): That was so powerful.
21:38karen (@kfasimpaur): Thank you.
21:39Mattie : AWESOME!
21:39karen (@kfasimpaur): If you are back and haven't, you can skip back to the "live" part of broadcast above.
21:40karen (@kfasimpaur): I've been at schools where teachers aren't permitted to hug (or otherwise touch) the kids. That makes me sad.
21:40Mattie : Kids are people. It's that human factor that is key. We're all together in this, and it's important to invite kids into it as human beings. We all need that empathy piece to thrive, to collaborate, to grow.
21:40unnamedwhere is the live video of this broadcast?
21:41karen (@kfasimpaur): It's at the top of this page. (embedded G+ window) Click play an then click ahead to "live"
21:41karen (@kfasimpaur): David, thanks for going between the g+ and our chat here. That's helpful. :)
21:42karen (@kfasimpaur): @unnamed, did you get to the live video?
21:43carey: I love what she's saying right now. There has to be a pretty safe teaching environment for that kind of collaboration to happen.
21:43unnamed@Karen how do I click ahead to live?
21:44karen (@kfasimpaur): bottom left corner (next to volume button)
21:45Mattie : "that emotional piece" ... the human piece
21:45karen (@kfasimpaur): True...Separation of all these issues is a problem.
21:45David Loitz: Your welcome!
21:46karen (@kfasimpaur): Being able to articulate understanding + empathy at that age is wonderful.
21:46karen (@kfasimpaur): (I know adults who can't do that. :)
21:48Mattie : That education is not preparation for life, but that it IS life. Deweyism.
21:48karen (@kfasimpaur): Yes, this is progressive education, but some of this could be done in any school
21:49Mattie : Hard to create this atmosphere when we're tied to weekly "target skills" that don't place value on emotional growth...
21:49karen (@kfasimpaur): I would love to hear folks address the film making process -- how it came about, how it's worked, what the future plans are...
21:50karen (@kfasimpaur): Getting the msg out about this to the general public seems incredibly important.
21:50Mattie : Challenging, but not impossible. We have to think beyond barriers... and shrug off some of the constraints we feel limit us. They don't have to limit us.
21:50karen (@kfasimpaur): I agree, Mattie
21:50Mattie : @karen -- just watching these episodes would be so empowering for teachers feeling all of the "can'ts"
21:51karen (@kfasimpaur): yes...there are so many barriers and challenges that it's esy to get bogged down in them
21:52karen (@kfasimpaur): We don't need "permission" to care about every student
21:53Mattie : Word! Is that David? Learning IS messy... and unpredictable... and hard to see the end of ... it's a minute-by-minute experiential thing that has a life of its own.
21:53carey: exactly, Maddie (and David) :)
21:53Mattie : Embracing that is risky for some. It can be scary.
21:53carey: Mattie, sorry - spelling... yeesh :)
21:53karen (@kfasimpaur): It is scarey...but less so when it's acknowledged
21:54David Loitz: Let me know if you want to aska question
21:54Mattie : Right. The culture. The climate. The school leadership and colleagues can embrace and support it or build walls.
21:54karen (@kfasimpaur): @David, thx. See above about the film making process itself
21:54Mattie : What's so special at Mission Hill is that there's a shared vision.
21:55karen (@kfasimpaur): Every school that I've been to that has this kind of special environment says it's an issue of deep culture
21:56Mattie : We. We. We. :-)
21:56Mattie : Empowered by collective caring.
21:57karen (@kfasimpaur): and "we as a community" not just a staff or a school
21:57Mattie : Yes, @Karen. Deeper, isn't it?
21:58karen (@kfasimpaur): definitely
21:58karen (@kfasimpaur): I hear a lot of schools pitting themselves agains the community instead of thinking of themselves as a part of it
21:59karen (@kfasimpaur): I loved the video where someone said "Our job is to help raise these kids to be a part of a democratic society."
22:00Mattie : What is often missing is that true, genuine valuing. Valuing of the human quotient, the community.
22:00David Loitz: please tweet some of theses comments using the #yearatMH
22:00karen (@kfasimpaur): Yes, blaming others doesn't fix the problems.
22:02Mattie : "Each child as unique" -- so much more layered than "Student as data point"
22:02Mattie : instagrammed it ... @David. Not on twitter.
22:03karen (@kfasimpaur): Mattie, I'll retweet you :)
22:03Mattie : :-)
22:04karen (@kfasimpaur): You're indirectly on Twitter now :)
22:04David Loitz: I am @dloitz on twitter
22:04karen (@kfasimpaur): Farm to Table is a great program for this too.
22:04Mattie : :-) thanks, @karen :: I think I have an account... I've just never used it.
22:04karen (@kfasimpaur): (I *live* on Twitter.)
22:05karen (@kfasimpaur): again, teacher as learner...powerful
22:05Mattie : Question: How do you bypass the testing and data trap? Is there pressure and how do you counter it? Do you have support from your district?
22:05Mattie : This is honey bee poetry right now. :-)
22:08karen (@kfasimpaur): well said
22:08Mattie : Hooray! :-) I read that book every year before testing! :-)
22:10Mattie : :-) Is there an emoticon for "inspired"? Thanks so much for this.
22:10rach: I don't know if you touch on this but how do the teachers grade the students?
22:12Mattie : SHIFT! Earthquake! :-)
22:12karen (@kfasimpaur):http://augusttojune.com/
22:13Mattie : Went right to it, too, @karen! Another way to keep my fire going. :-)
22:14karen (@kfasimpaur): Thanks so much to all of you for the great conversation. Inspiring indeed!
22:14Mattie : Ongoing conversations, lasting commitment. I'm in. Muchas gracias.
22:15karen (@kfasimpaur): Good night, all.
22:15Mattie : Love the clap. Goodnight.

On this episode of TTT we discuss the video series, "A Year at Mission Hill" http://ayearatmissionhill.com.

Ten videos. One year. A public school trying to help children learn and grow. The national conversation we need to be having.

Monika Hardy monika hardy's profile photoand Chris Sloan Chris Sloan's profile photo host David Loitz David Loitz's profile photo who welcomes director, Amy ValensAmy Valens's profile photo along with the series narrator and education activist, Sam Chaltain Sam Chaltain's profile photo. Mission Hill teacher, Jenerrad Williams Jenerrad Williams's profile photo and Mission Hill parent, Bob Goodman Bob Goodman's profile photojoin the conversation as well. And that's not all. We are also joined by IDEA organizers and educators, Jabreel Chisley Jabreel Chisley's profile photoand Awo Okaikor Aryee-PriceAwo Okaikor Aryee-Price's profile photo.

Our friends at the Institue for Democratic Education in America http://democraticeducation.org/index.php/features/missionhill/ write:

At IDEA, we're proud to be one of the partners behind "A Year at Mission Hill." The project began when filmmakers Tom and Amy Valens spent a year filming at the school community of Mission Hill, with plans for a full documentary release in fall 2013. The web series came together when Tom and Amy reached out to educator and news commentator Sam Chaltain. Sam brought together http://Ashokaashoka.org, IDEA http://democraticeducation.org/index.php/index/, and the NoVo Foundation http://novofoundation.org around the idea of making a series of short episodes to highlight a year in the life of Mission Hill. Under IDEA's leadership, the concept grew into a larger opportunity to share the story across an eclectic coalition of education organizations, schools, and nonprofits. Currently, more than 40 community partners http://ayearatmissionhill.com/index.php/partners will be sharing the film series and offering their own resources to deepen viewers' learning around each chapter.

Maybe you are like Chris Sloan who says, "I'm hooked on the videos A Year at Mission Hill, looking forward to Part 4!"

Or maybe you're just learning of this effort to reimagine public education.

Either way, we invite you to join this important conversation by listening to this episode of TTT.


Click Read more to see the chat that was happening during this live webcast.


TTT #296 String Art with Fred Mindlin - 05.09.12

On this episode of Teachers Teaching Teachers, +Fred Mindlin/@fmindlin starts with string art, and pulls us into his world of anthropology, story-telling, collaborative learning, and more!

Fred inspires and entertains all of us in this episode of TTT: +Lacy Manship/@now_awake, +Gail Desler/@GailDesler, +Kelsey Shelhart, +Denise Colby/@Niecsa, +Paul Allison/@paulallison, +Chad Sansing/@chadsansing, and +Diana Maliszewski/@mzmollytl.

minecraft3

To get the full effect, take a moment to find some string before you listen to this episode of TTT. How much? Fred says, "About two meters or a little over 6 feet is usually a good length. Hold the string between your two hands stretched out as wide as they go, then add about 6 inches."

Fred explains that he was "inspired by the session we had with teachers using Minecraft, where we explored an online game world via another virtual world, http://edtechtalk.com/node/5102 and I was intrigued by whether it would be feasible to explore a meatspace game in our virtual Teachers Teaching Teachers forum." He sees "string games as a gateway to keyboarding and creativity or finger calisthenics, and computer keyboarding: media magic for tradigital storytelling."

Playing games with string is a human cultural universal. This ancient art form is surprisingly helpful in developing both the manual dexterity and strength needed for computer keyboarding. The approach I use for teaching string games to groups also provides a helpful practice ground for some of life's essential skills: creativity, resilience, cooperation, and storytelling.

And that's not all. Here's an excerpt and a couple of photos from a post that Diana wrote shortly after this episode of TTT:

There were some great quotes that Chad, a fellow participant, shared via Twitter. (I can't recall them all - they were things like "it's important to model failure" and "string games are 'digital' fun".) What I realized was how potent teaching string games would be to analyze your own teaching practice. Listening to Fred teach the group how to make a 3-pronged spear made me hyper-aware of how important detailed, clear instructions are, and the different learning styles at play. The first time I tried it, I failed. The second time, when Fred re-explained and added a few "notice this part here" tips, I did it! I cheered pretty loudly when I succeeded. My webcam wasn't working on Google +, so I convinced my daughter to take a photo of my accomplishment.
 

I made a 3-pronged spear! Here's proof!
A less complimentary shot of me, with my string jedi master Fred on-screen

Fred mentioned that there are several books and YouTube videos that explain, step by step, how to make different shapes. I think I need a person near me to give feedback (though the string collapsing in unrecognizable shapes is pretty immediate feedback too). I gave myself a goal - to teach the kids in my SK and Grade 7 classes how to make the 3-pronged spear and do it to music at a June assembly. I'm repeating it here so it'll be my contract to myself to try it out and report what results.

Enjoy!

TTT #290 - NYCWP Teachers Fostering Youth Voices with Jim Nordlinger, Amal Aboulhosn, Carla Cherry, and Valerie Burton - 3.28.12

Youth Voices

On this episode of Teachers Teaching Teachers we have a conversation with three teachers from the New York City Writing Project who are part of a study group that has been sponsored by the NYCWP to foster and reflect on the use of Youth Voices by these teachers. Paul Allison, Chris Sloan, Monika Hardy host a conversation with Jim Nordlinger, Amal Aboulhosn, and Carla Cherry from the NYCWP along with our colleagues Valerie Burton, and Fred Mindlin.
teachers290
As an introduction to this conversation, we offer these reflections posted by one of our listeners on her blog, "Short Quips: thinking in (hyper)text" (Check out here blog, to see this teacher's complete response, and view her About Me.):
Tonight I participated in my first live educational conference online through EdTechTalk. The conference is called “Teachers Teaching Teachers” and takes place every Wednesday night. I did not join the group via video, but rather just watched/listened to the other participants and participated through a live chat feature....

It took me a while to catch up to what was being discussed. Participants were throwing around the term “Youth Voices” and I thought at first that it was just a cool catch phrase for high school kids who were blogging. It wasn’t until i joined the live chat that I got a better idea of what Youth Voices is. Youth Voices, it turns out, is a huge site where the main purpose is to offer a space for youth to participate in discussion. It is a place where youth can post their thoughts and comment on other youth’s thoughts....

One of the discussions among the video participants revolved around how teachers should/are assessing their student’s contributions on Youth Voices. One educator shared how she is setting guidelines for how much/what her students need to contribute to Youth Voices within a specific time frame. For example, she will stipulate that her students need to write one post and make one comment within a week, and if they do both they get the marks for it. This particular educator works at a school in the Bronx and has found that participating in Youth Voices has empowered her students to have their voices heard. She noted how much time and effort can be put into a short comment, because the students are very aware of their online presence and ensuring they present themselves appropriately.

... It was an interesting experience to view it. I think the biggest thing I got out of the experience was that I was also able to network with educators from far and wide- always a positive when you are working on developing your professional learning network.

... I would love to come back to join in a conversation in the future, especially if I am looking for information specifically related to the topic being discussed. I am curious to know whether there are any live educator chats/conferences specifically for Early Childhood Educators. If you know of one, pass it on!

Click Read more to see a copy of the chat that was happening during the webcast.

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