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.