How do we truly believe that students learn best? Are we practicing what we believe about learning in our schools? Can technology help align our beliefs about learning to our educational practices?
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Our personal philosophy about teaching and learning were shaped mostly by our own experiences in the classroom. We were schooled very well in the traditional model of American education. In this experience, I'm going to ask you to step outside these traditions, examine our teaching practices - and think in terms of "what we can do to make learning meaningful and productive for every student."
I've always felt some of our educational traditions get in the way of real learning - the kind that sticks - the kind that is meaningful and relevant. Particularly so in the past few decades as intense emphasis is placed on marching students through core content, followed by high stakes testing and assessment. As a teacher, some questions I've often asked myself are...
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Our experience in education...
As educators, our own philosophy of education was largely shaped by our personal educational experiences. We were schooled very well in the traditional model of American education. Can we step outside tradition, and examine what we do in terms of what we can do to make learning meaningful and productive for every student? 
What 21st century learning should look like.
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This week, critically examine your deepest feelings about teaching and learning. We'll expose you to voices discussing what should occur to make education better - for both students and teachers. How do we really believe we learn best? Are schools structured around these beliefs? If not, what can you and I do to change that?
Over the course of the semester, we want you to examine your philosophy of education. That will become the foundation for how you teach. We encourage you to climb out of some of the traditional educational practices and evaluate their value - in your own life, and in the lives of your students.
We realize that the system forces many of those structures upon us (I call them "boxes we're stuck in"), and they can only be changed from higher up the administrative ladder. And, if that is the case, can we work more effectively within those boxes?
As your instructors, we are stuck in some boxes ourselves. For example, we are required to give you a grade for this course. Know that you will not be competing for a grade with your peers. We will clearly define what is needed to achieve the grade you desire to receive.
After working through this week's experience, add your voice! You'll be participating in two class discussions this week. You'll have the opportunity to introduce yourself to the rest of the class. In a separate discussion, you'll share your thoughts and take-aways for sections 1A, 1B, 1C.
Take time to research your thoughts on what you'll see and learn this week. Step outside your own box. Think about and synthesize what you'll learn this week into something of real value! These same ideas changed the way I teach and work with students. Shape your own philosophy about teaching and learning. Become a master educator - one your students will remember through their lives as a life-changing, positive experience. And in this course, learn how technology can assist you with that.
This first experience will set the stage for the rest of our team efforts this semester. We really look forward to working with you. We are excited about the ideas you'll bring to the course, and the strategies and tools you'll share with us!
Begin this experience by watching the videos about High Tech High School. As you watch, pause the video and record notes about thoughts and ideas that impressed you. I believe you'll find that it's quite different than what you experienced in high school. What are the big ideas about learning you were able to glean from these?
Over the course of the semester, we want you to examine your philosophy of education. That will become the foundation for how you teach. We encourage you to climb out of some of the traditional educational practices and evaluate their value - in your own life, and in the lives of your students.
We realize that the system forces many of those structures upon us (I call them "boxes we're stuck in"), and they can only be changed from higher up the administrative ladder. And, if that is the case, can we work more effectively within those boxes?
As your instructors, we are stuck in some boxes ourselves. For example, we are required to give you a grade for this course. Know that you will not be competing for a grade with your peers. We will clearly define what is needed to achieve the grade you desire to receive.
After working through this week's experience, add your voice! You'll be participating in two class discussions this week. You'll have the opportunity to introduce yourself to the rest of the class. In a separate discussion, you'll share your thoughts and take-aways for sections 1A, 1B, 1C.
Take time to research your thoughts on what you'll see and learn this week. Step outside your own box. Think about and synthesize what you'll learn this week into something of real value! These same ideas changed the way I teach and work with students. Shape your own philosophy about teaching and learning. Become a master educator - one your students will remember through their lives as a life-changing, positive experience. And in this course, learn how technology can assist you with that.
This first experience will set the stage for the rest of our team efforts this semester. We really look forward to working with you. We are excited about the ideas you'll bring to the course, and the strategies and tools you'll share with us!
Begin this experience by watching the videos about High Tech High School. As you watch, pause the video and record notes about thoughts and ideas that impressed you. I believe you'll find that it's quite different than what you experienced in high school. What are the big ideas about learning you were able to glean from these?
Meet High Tech High School...
In this week's discussion in Canvas - E01 - Class Discussion, and while this is fresh in your mind, take a few minutes now to synthesize, and respond to this question...
Day 1: Home Page.: On the Experience 1 homepage, you were introduced to High Tech High School, and its founder, Larry Rosenstock. What were your thoughts and take-aways about that type of learning? Have you ever experienced that type of learning yourself? What ideas came to mind about your future teaching role in relation to this? How did it impact you?
Day 1: Home Page.: On the Experience 1 homepage, you were introduced to High Tech High School, and its founder, Larry Rosenstock. What were your thoughts and take-aways about that type of learning? Have you ever experienced that type of learning yourself? What ideas came to mind about your future teaching role in relation to this? How did it impact you?
- Seriously consider what the purpose of education should be in our current technology era, and think about your own philosophy of teaching and learning! Share your ideas with us, and respond to other class members' comments and ideas.
- Consider, discuss and share how technology can assist a teacher and engage learners.
- Research, read, and think about purposes for using technology in teaching, and discuss ways that are effective or not effective.
- Section 1A: How do students learn best? Are we doing those things?
- Section 1B: How is technology changing the education process? What are the possibilities? When is it appropriate to use?
- Section 1C: The Standards for the International Society for Technology in Education
- Section 1D: Set up your USU AggieMail account (if you haven't already) and actively use it. What to do if you forgot how to access it!
Use Module "Week 1 - What voices are saying about 21st century education!" in Canvas. Be sure to look through the assigned discussions and their accompanying scoring rubrics!
About our class discussions In Canvas: The discussions are our class conversations - our own community of educators. Rules for our discussions:
- The purpose of our discussions is to promote a free exchange of ideas, resources, to make friends, increase our online personal network, and get answers to questions.
- Please, no put downs, no nasty comments, jibes, or rude remarks. It's certainly OK to disagree, and you should take time to explain why you disagree - but do it with civility and kindness. We are a team. We work as a team to make this course experience an awesome one! We're in this together to help each other as professionals, not to tear each other down!
- Please participate in a timely manner! We need your voice! I think it's critical that I or your instructor not be the only voice you hear in this course! Between us all there is a wealth of talent, experience, and knowledge! Let's work together as a group to learn together, and share ideas and resources with each other.
Please watch the videos below! They will help you understand how things work in this course!
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Video: A Few Other Quick Tips for Working in Canvas (3:45)
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Video: How your instructor will provide feedback to you on your assignments and discussions! (1:25) Here I describe how instructors can add feedback comments to the scoring rubrics.
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- Read the homepage and the syllabus before starting this experience!
- Read this help page - Research for ITLS Students
- Browse the Resources Section - Get to know what's there for you!
- Read the ISTE Standards in Section 1-C
Material on this website - other than curated internet videos and resources linked to within - are copyright 2019 by Nathan M. Smith Jr. - Updated July 23, 2019
