Week 6 of 4C's

We made it to the end.  Lots of interesting learning and ideas. 

The last section was on digital citizenship.  This is an area that all of us - adults and students - can use some review of.  It is important that we all know best methods and safe use of social media and the internet in general. 

The video clips about using social media to build people up were very good.  It is so easy to post negative comments about what people do and say on social media.  Students need to see that it can be used for positive as well.  In many ways, I would like to see facebook and twitter opened up at school.  Teachers and students could then use the tools in a positive fashion. 

I very much need to spend more time on copyright law.  This should be a key component of the video class.  Students and adults break copyright regularly and we shouldn't.  I have a good introduction lesson roughed out and will collect a few more video clips off youtube to use. 

Week 5 of the 4C's

 This unit was about portfolio's and their use in the 21st century.  As much as I am resistant to their use, I certainly understand the idea behind using them and agree with it's use. 

The portfolio is looking for an authentic audience.    We can easily share information with just about anyone and receive information just as easily.  This allows the portfolio that students create to be shared with the world - a truly authentic audience.  Students can get feedback from professionals and other students about what they are doing. 

I actually like this shift of philosophy and would like to implement more.  My students in the high school can absolutely benefit from sharing what they do and getting feedback from others.  All of my classes, robotics, architecture, woodworking and video production, easily can authentic audiences both locally in greater Portland and world wide.  This does mean a shift in thinking and one that would take time to plan and implement. 

Week 4 of 4C's

Week four and all about collaboration.

Collaboration is students working together in groups to learn and assist each other.  This is something that is deemed important by most educators and society.  I agree to a point.  People must be able to work together while also being responsible for their own success.

I need to spend more time reviewing how to setup a good collaborative assignment.  I know basics, but there are many pitfalls it would seem.  The readings talk about why it is important and gave examples, but little specific detail on the actual implementation.

I do have the students work in groups some.  Video productions class the projects are all group based.  I review briefly the tasks that need to be done, but do nothing formal in teaching how to work as a group.  This is something I need to work on.

Week 3 of the 4C's

Week three has come and almost gone.  This week was looking at video technology and using it in the classroom.  I have students in a video production course that create several videos throughout the semester.  Some have specific requirements while others are flexible.  The students enjoy doing them especially the creativity aspect of them.  That is an often mentioned part they enjoy.

I have often thought of having other classes create videos but haven't tried it much.  It always seems to just a bit more involved than I really want to do.  There are also technical aspects that make it challenging such as sound control.  My current engineering and robotics courses will be doing more with video.  I started documenting their works last year, and will continue this year.  Robotics will tape their robots as they complete their challenges.  Engineering course will use screenr to record how to use the software.  These are some valuable tools that will make learning more fun and more real.

Week 2 of 4C's

Week 2 of the 4C's class I found to be useful.  I have been interested in flipped instruction for quite some time, and this forced me to spend some time reviewing it.  I like the concept in general, but have some worries and concerns.  Biggest concern for me is whether my actual students would do the homework of viewing the video clips.  My students typically rarely do homework, so this could be a problem.  Perhaps watching a video clip would grab their interest better.

I do like the idea of students doing learning outside the classroom.  It would allow basic introduction of material done at home, and the class time can be for practice and application.  It also would allow for differentiation to take place easier.

I have begun the slow process of creating clips for both my engineering class and robotics class.

Week one of the 4C's

Here we are again talking about the same thing - how education must change to prepare students for the future.  Been a common theme for many years.  I agree though, that the world really is changing and that the traditional model of education needs some updating.  Technology is making the world a different place.  Communication is easier.  Collaboration, as much as I hate trying to include in my classes, is something that needs more of my attention.

The class should be good and useful.  The vialogues looks intriguing and will be tried in my classes.  It will take some time to do and setup as time is precious and seems to be missing at this point.  Much of the rest of the subjects to be covered in the course I am familiar with, so hopefully I can get some deeper explorations of these items.