Planning for Next Year

As I sit at the beach relaxing I begin to think about next year.  How am I going to do things different? How can I better engage my kids next year?  Well, I am going to try and go totally digital.  I have already started a separate site for each unit of study where I can collect links, documents, videos, and examples of students' work.  I am going to let me kids teach themselves and me new tools and give them more opportunities to create. I have looked at Voice Thread and am very impressed with the ability of the tool.  On the side bar, I have linked to an outstanding example of a 4th grade class using it with their study of encampments of the Japanese Americans during WWII.  You may want to check it out.  I am also going to use more Google products.  I have actually already created a couple of quizzes for the unit.  As I discover more tools that I am going to use I will post updates.

Tech Camp Coming Soon

I found out today that the Tech Camp I am leading is full.  Region 10 has expanded the class size twice and we are up to 90 participants and a waitlist started.  I can't believe it filled up so fast.  In addition, I am working with member of the Global Classroom Project to develop a PD class on technology that will be delivered via collaboration.  I will update everyone soon.

Genius Hour

Just finished another hour of chatting about #geniushour.  Had some really great conversations about sharing and collaborating.  Actually, Mrs. D. Kerbs and I have decided to let a few of our students collaborate on the next genius hour project.  Her students in Iowa and my students in Texas will be working on poetry and learning about ranches and horses.  The students will be contacting each other through Skype in the classroom and by using the chat feature in google docs.  I can't wait to see the outcome.  We also discussed the idea of sharing presentation time with other classes.  Like adults, students also learn from watching their peers.  I hope to have the opportunity to do this before the school year ends.  I think my 6th graders will be motivated by her 7th graders and it will push them out of their comfort zone to try new things.

Another idea discussed was including Fine Arts in genius hour.  A suggestion was made that learning to learn to play the piano using an app on the iPad would be a phonemail project idea.  I think several of my students would love this and neither my students or I have ever though about genius hour from this perspective.

With the goal of genius hour being to foster the love of learning I think we need to open our minds to lots of different options.

Blog again soon,

Dana

Less than a Week to Innovate 2 Educate

Getting ready for this conference has been an experience for the students who are coming with me.  First of all they were surprised that I was "forcing" them to practice.  Secondly, several of them were surprised that the audience will probably be large.  I told them to all go home and practice tonight and we would try again tomorrow.  They are going to be so nervous.  I can't wait.....

Digital Farming...What is It?

"Years ago, when farms dominated our landscape, children were responsible for performing meaningful jobs that were vital to each family’s success. Today, we need to give our students jobs that will give them the same accountability and sense of ownership that is vital to the classroom." Hence the need for the "Digital Farm."

Alan November

I have been following Dr. Alan November for almost a year now.  I have read about him, watched numerous TED talks, and have even taken a few of his online classes.  I truly believe that he is correct about connecting our children to one another and others across the county and around the world.  I have worked diligently in my classroom to make strides in the direction and plan to continue to do so with the upcoming school year.  Planning is already underway.

Dana

Innovate 2 Educate

I am so excited that I have been chosen to present at the Region 10 Innovate 2 Educate Conference on May 8th.  I hope to see you there.

Dana