My thoughts
I’m sorry about the last minute post here, but I’ve had a long week. My parents have retired and packed up and sold just about everything from their home in Winnipeg and have now relocated to Langley, BC. I had to fly to Winnipeg for a whole 1.5 hours to pick up the gift they left me…their car. I then drove it back to Toronto…blistering heat, beautiful views around Lake Superior…thus I had forgotten about this post. So anyway, here goes:
I have chosen the Educause 7 Things You Should Know
I really like the intriguing title of this blog. I find that that 10 things might be too many, and 5 might be too few, so 7 things is just right 😉
I like the consistent titles and the brief synopsis that is provided. It helps me determine whether or not I’m truly interested. Just from the first page, I know that the “Evolution of the Textbook” intrigued me right away as I am currently in the process of developing a new Geography resource (notice I didn’t say textbook!). It will be available in print and digital formats. The “Flipped Classroom” had me intrigued as well. I had never heard that term before.
When you examine one of the articles, the presentation of the material is very pleasing to the eye. I like the structures of the columns and the use of the list with giant numbers and question like headings (they are the same in each article). They include: what is it, why is it significant, what are the downsides, and what are the implications for teaching and learning? Each question is answered with a short response. Each article also begins with a scenario. I love the simplicity and the immediate applications the articles provide.
The reading style is easily accessible; the tone is friendly and inviting.
Overall, I like this site and I can easily see myself visiting it more often. The topics are current, intriguing and ever so useful!
PS Here is a photo from my journey this past weekend!
Dennis Pratt 8:20 am on May 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Jody;
That is quite the drive. One I have never been too excited to do myself but when my kids are older I think we have to do a trip across Canada. There is so much to do and see.
I liked the idea of 7 as well. I have heard that we can remember 7 things at once, like a 7 digit phone number, but start to drop off when numbers become larger than that.
The flipped classroom is very intriguing and can see it working quite well at higher levels. The concern I have as a junior high teacher is the ability and focus of students to do the reading/viewing on their own and being prepared for class. I think there would have to be an adjustment period with lots of review in class before it really takes hold but the class time would then be used very effectively.
I would prefer to learn in a flipped classroom as I could learn as much as I could at home and then take questions to class, in stead of the other way around.
Dennis
jtpatry 3:46 pm on May 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
HI Jody, ,
That sounds like a bonkers of a week! One of the perks of online learning, being able to contribute where ever you are (well, mostly…still haven’t figured out Cuba yet…Ha!) The Flipped Classroom is definitely something that is making a huge push, and has sparked the attention of many. My partner and I teach in a Grade 4/5 classroom and are looking into many aspects of this concept. We started blogging this year, and this engaged them ten-fold! We, dabbled a bit in posting some pre-teaching videos on the blog to see what would happen, and many of the students came in the next day with great questions!
I know there is a Flipped Classroom conference in Kelowna at the end of June, unfortunately, that time isn’t ideal to attend.
Cheers
jon
Jody McKinnon 3:49 pm on May 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi there. Oh I wish I could have a blog! Our board, in their infinite wisdom, have passed a policy that requires any school related social media (Facebook, Twitter or blogging even) be available to anyone in the board. Meaning, that for me to have any of these tools, I must provide my password and user name to the admin! I am not comfortable with that at all! So needless to say, I gave up on my Twitter account….
jtpatry 4:00 pm on May 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
There were some hoops to jump through for sure, but it was something that I really felt that the students would use and find real purpose and meaning for it. It has been a great journey so far, and one that will for sure start right up in the fall. As for twitter, it is one area that I think has great purpose, but under twitter law, you must be 18 to have an account. My students are far from that age demographic.
In regards to the blog, yes, admin at the school need to have access (the get their own account) so they can see what is being posted. Take a look at kidblog, it is by far the most secure blog site I have used. Here is the link to my classroom blog as well (we are totally public on this one) http://kidblog.org/Room1617Blogzone/
Jon
mariefrancehetu 6:00 pm on May 21, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Jody,
Thanks for personalizing your post . . . a reminder that life goes on while we take online courses and that sharing part of our lives makes the learning experience more ‘human’.
After reading many of the reviews about the Educause 7 things you should know – I am convinced I too will visit it more often . . .