More Questions

My last post expressed my questions about how to seamlessly incorporate 21st century learning concepts in a language arts concept and I have recently finish A New Culture of Learning (Thomas and Brown). This book was recommended by my AP when he told me that Tim was reading as part of their FOCUS group.  I asked Tim to bring it home and I began to work my way through it.

Much of the book revolves around massive multi-player online games (MMOs).  I get what the authors are saying - that MMOs create this collective that develops true tacit knowledge.  What I never got was exactly how to take this into my classroom.  I don't think it's advocating playing World of Warcraft in my class, but it's more about taking what is working through that game and finding a way to implement that.

When all was said and done the book talks about how learning in the 21st century doesn't lead you to answers, but leads you to more questions.  I can definitely say that this book gave me NO answers, but only leaves me with more questions.  I just don't know if their ideas spark my passion and motivation enough to continue on the path of MMOs and middle school language arts.  I guess we'll see.

Focus on Project Based Learning

I think I understand Project Based Learning on a basic level, but I am struggling with its implementation in my classroom.  I've spent several days contemplating ideas for topics, rubrics, products...but I just can't seem to make anything fit.  Today I came to the realization that it's not the subject area (Reading and Writing) that are causing me problems.  It's how does all of this fit in the grand scheme of what the state of Texas is now calling STAAR?

Because so much in Texas is tied to the high stakes test - accountability ratings that drive funding, jobs, programs - I'm not sure how to make sure they get the skills necessary to do well on the STAAR through more personalized, student-directed learning.  I believe that if we teach students to read critically and write well, there should be no problem with a minimum standards test.  So...how do I make this work through Project Based Learning?

Granted - I have not attended workshops or training on PBL, but am anxiously looking forward to attending a WOW (Working on the Work) workshop this summer.  Maybe this will put it all in perspective.  Any thoughts on other ideas or things to read are welcomed.  (I'm about to start Schlechty's Working on the Work - that's on my spring break list.)

A New Adventure

I am setting out on a new adventure. I must say the school where I teach is not living in the dark ages of education, but I can't say that we are learning in the 21st century, either.  It's time to make a change.  These last 12 weeks of school I am tiptoeing into Project Based Learning (Schlechty) and technology integration.  Next August I am jumping off the high dive.  My mind is constantly spinning with ideas, but trying to organize it all is not going quite as well.

Next week is Spring Break, but when we return I'm going to assign my students a culminating activity to give me some input as to how to proceed.  I've compiled a list of seventeen questions that I'd like students to respond to, but I didn't just want to give them a piece of paper and ask them to answer them.  Since we were going digital, I thought I'd go to Survey Monkey or Zoomerang and create a survey, but that seemed to easy  boring, too.

I've come up with four activities from which students can choose: blog their responses, create a video diary/journal to respond, write a paper (yes, some will choose this); design their ultimate classroom with procedures and all that goes with it.  I think I've come up with a good way to get the information I want, but I guess I'll see.  I'm definitely open to other suggestions.  Comment or message me.