Challenging the current school system

Some kids learn by listening; others learn by doing. Geoff Mulgan gives a short introduction to the Studio School, a new kind of school in the UK where small teams of kids learn by working on projects that are, as Mulgan puts it, "for real."

Are your students bringing their own Devices into School?

A quick post from me to find out if any of the schools within the Cluster that are allowing their students to bring their own devices into school (e.g. iPods,iPads, Laptops etc)

Are you using a permission/disclaimer form for parents to fill in to keep on file for issues around insurance etc before the student is allowed to bring the device to school?

If so, I would love to hear from you

K

The Flipped Classroom

The Flipped Classroom - seems to be gaining momentum. What are your thoughts.
Background article here 

UPDATE from the above web site: New "Flipped Class" Series - posted June 21, 2011
Part 1 - The Flipped Class - Myth vs. Reality
Part 2 - Are You Ready to Flip?
Part 3:  The Flipped Class Revealed:  What Does a Good One Look Like   

This graphic may make more sense after a read. What are your thoughts? What age would it suit?


Created by Knewton and Column Five Media

Always Connected

An interesting info graphic with some figures about how connected the modern student might be.

Students today face far greater distractions than in generations past. Connectivity is at an all time high, but how much is this really impacting students' quality of life? Take a look through the comic book style graphic to take a look at a day in the life of a student, and see how we are "Always Connected".


Created by: Online Schools

Pressure in Education

Note: - I have not seen the film but this trailer makes interesting watching.... considering where western education seems to be heading......

Gamify? or Notify? (not)

Interesting point of view of gaming in Education in this article.   I guess it is a good time to think about games in our classroom as we can now have huge access to them via personal technologies.  I was not sure what this person was really concerned about gaming or (sticker) rewards.  Good to have a discussion about though as it comes down to your basic beliefs about learning.  I think there is a place for gaming depending on how they are handled and why the students are doing them.   If you really want to get thinking follow the link from the article to Ian Bogost's comment. (no - I had not heard of him either :-)

Stickers.... hmmm that could be another discussion.  I know of a Principal of a new school who told me he would not initially employ any teacher who used stickers!   What are your thoughts on that view?

Link here
3-reasons-not-to-gamify-education

Collaborative Learning for the Digital Age

Have just finished this online article entitled Collaborative Learning for the Digital Age recounting a lecturers journey of learn - unlearn - relearn - as she challenged some theories of learning within her own teaching. I found the article quite thought provoking and paralleled some of the ideas around about the value that collaborative technologies can change and improve learning (eg blogging - peer review).  Well worth a read.  What are your thoughts?  Agree or disagree with anything?  And of course the comments are worth a read too......


Link here


Collaborative Learning for the Digital