WPP Project Part A

                                    Collaborative Learning

      Providing 21st Century learning to our classroom is essential for our students. One of the elements that is so crucial to that learning is collaboration.  Even though we know the idea of collaboration is crucial for connections and achievements, many teachers today are not incorporating this into their classroom.  According to a poll taken by Edutopia, only 14% of the teachers said that their students are ready for the "Collaboration Age".  This is definitely a "wicked" problem!
     This past year I have seen the benefits as to the effectiveness of collaboration as a teacher and as a learner.     I have found many networks that have provided collaboration with other teachers to make instruction meaningful and connected.  This in turn, has allowed the opportunity for collaboration with my classroom to other classrooms throughout the world. These collaborations have provided a 21st Century learning experience.  Students in my classroom are learning about a week in the life in South Korea by collaborating with students in South Korea.
      I plan to address this issue by providing professional development to our  elementary staff about the importance of collaborative learning through the use of technology into the classroom. All of our classrooms have already been equipped with tools such as computers and projectors. Incorporating this idea does not require any basic costs or start up fees. However, one simply cannot be asked to do something "just because". The idea of 21st Century learning must be introduced.  I plan to "pull" them into the idea of 21st century collaboration by showing them the "why" of collaborative learning- through research and resources, and the "how" through curriculum examples.
     Once I have pulled them into the benefits of collaboration, I would share a Livebinder full of resources and tools that would allow for collaborative learning.  I understand that it takes time to feel comfortable with the tools. Therefore, my long term goal would be to provide staff development once a month after school focusing on a particular technology tool that would provide the benefits of collaboration.   We need to see collaboration as an interconnected tool that is essential for the future.    The indicator of success can be provided in the first few minutes of a bi- monthly staff meeting where staff shares their success in the classroom.  Sharing the benefits with others is such a powerful motivator!  The more we share, the more we are successful as to the integration of collaboration in our classrooms!
Resources on Delicious

My Three Words for Education- What Education Means to Me

New Project 3 from kim powell on Vimeo.

Meaningful Online Learning

      Creating a meaningful online learning environment was one of my goals to begin last year.  I agree that this task must be taken in small increments to make the students, as well as the teacher, comfortable. Our first meaningful learning experience with sustainability was with the incorporation of Kidblog.  Kidblog allowed the students to reflect on classroom topics and projects as well as the opportunity for feedback from others (outside of their classroom).  Starting with a paragraph, and later incorporating pictures and other digital media, allowed the opportunity for extensions within the online tool.  Kidblog provided an essential component of writing for an authentic audience in our classroom.  It gives the students a purpose for writing.
   We also extended our online learning by the use of Spelling City.  This became a primary component in our spelling program.  It allowed for the use of practice, testing, and review on words through our spelling program. The program was tailored to meet their specific needs. It wasn't limited to everyone using the same words or the same game to practice their spelling.
      The last big tool we used for online learning was the use of Edmodo.  Edmodo provided the tool to incorporate essential characteristics needed in online learning such as collaborative experience, integration, sustainability,  as well as teacher involvement.  Students were able to connect with others across the world to create a multi media project through the Flat Classroom experience.  Students were able to generate dialogue, post pictures, post vokis, and participate in polls.  I would like to extend the online experience through the use of Edmodo.  There are so many other ways this tool can be used to extend the lifelong learning skills of the students.    I would like to use this in my reading groups to incorporate more accessibility to the UDL principles that are essential for diverse learners.
      I look forward to incorporating more opportunities of online learning into my classroom in the future.  Integrating the TPACK model as well as UDL principles will greatly affect my classroom structure as well as the impact of the learner. I cannot wait to see what the future brings..

UDL Checklist

UDL Checklist

   I found the UDL checklist very helpful while I was evaluating the lesson plan. I was very happy to see that I have incorporated many of the principles of UDL. It also made me aware of some of the essential items (such as student reflection as well as visual checklists) that I could add to the Livebinder.  Seeing what is missing ahead of time allows maximum potential of the lesson plan. I would definitely use the UDL checklist in the future as a guideline to implement effective units.  

Lesson Plan Re-Creation

Persuasive Writing Lesson Plan

Scholarship of Teaching

    
Throughout my years as a teacher, I have seen the progression I have made on my ideas on the scholarship of teaching.. When I first began, I would research the information for my students, and "teach" them the material the way that I thought would be most appropriate.   I felt that I must know all the content and all the answers...When I student asked a question that I didn't know, I would research it and come back to them with the answer.
       Through time and experience, I have grown to see teaching to be more than just one person"giving" the information.  Teaching and learning go hand in hand in my classroom.  Finding the passion for the topic "what" and generating discussion about the "why" and the "how" ignite the classroom!   Giving kids meaning and connections to content are so important!  Providing a framework that allows them to be creative and collaborative has been my goal!  
      Recently, I have read an amazing book titled, "The Passion-Driven Classroom " By Angela Maiers and Amy Sandvold that provides an insider's look as to how to create a framework for teaching and learning in your classroom that corresponds to 21st century learning.   Providing the opportunity for students to navigate their learning through collaboration and creativity is so essential!  I want my students to be passionate about their learning!  I want to learn with them, not teach to them!
    I have also found my PLN to be an invaluable tool as a teacher. Working with others and generating new ways to look at common core standards provides a community that extends your perspective as a teacher and a learner.
    In my classroom I hope to see a community of learners that work together for a common goal.  I hope to see expression and motivation towards learning.  Teaching and learning are collaborative projects.  I cannot wait to see what the future brings...

Looking Back, Looking Forward