Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Who Owns the Learning? #cyberPD Part 1

Our Event
Cathy, Jill, and I are thrilled to be hosting our third annual #cyberPD event this year! Each week will be hosted on one of our blogs, so be sure to add your link in the comments section. It will also help if you tweet out a link to your blog or whatever way you decided to share you thoughts! Be sure to include the #cyberPD hashtag. This week is being hosted by Cathy over at Reflect and Refine.


My Thoughts
In the new school year, I'll be walking in to a 3rd-5th grade building where every student has a Kuno tablet. Although I've already begun making changes in my first grade classroom in recent years, reading books like this one have become even more important to me now.

I found it so powerful that November refers to Daniel Pink and his Drive book.While I haven't read it myself, I've heard bits and pieces from it. I really appreciated how Alan shared Pink's most important predictors of high-quality work (autonomy, mastery, and purpose.) Wow. Do we provide opportunities for children to excel in environments where they are expected to master content but have the autonomy to learn in ways that best suit them? Do students understand the more global purpose in their learning?

Alan really got me thinking more about traditional learning spaces. Society has changed so dramatically since the years of that "one room schoolhouse." And yet, so many of our schools and classrooms look identical to the days when I was in school (just a few decades ago!) :) It always confuses me when kids are handed a device (tablet, iPad, iPod, whatever) but they're expected to work alone, quietly, at their desk. Shouldn't our learning spaces reflect the "new ways" in which we all learn? The last paragraph on page 17 illustrates some possibilities for what these new spaces might look like.

My mind is spinning after reading chapter 2. Especially with having 1:1 tablets in my classroom, I am intrigued to see how my 4th graders might be able to take on the role of Tutorial Designer. After years of teaching, I've seen how powerful it is for students to explain things to each other. Not only does it solidify their understanding of a concept, it also helps students to hear it from another person's point of view. Actually, this chapter had me thinking more about thinking. I'm wondering about ways in which my students can share their thinking and show their understanding with their classmates and with the world. I know their individual blogs will be a key part of this, but I'm curious to see what other tools emerge to help us. This chapter also reminded me that I've had the book Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote Engagement, and Independence for All Learners in my TBR pile for quite some time. I might just have to move that one to the top!


Links
In this article from MindShift (Feburary 2013), Alan revisits some of the key points from his book. It was a good follow-up and refresher after reading the beginning of his book.

Modern learning spaces have been on my mind for a while now. Actually, I've created a Pinterest board to capture some ideas for what these new classrooms might look like. You can see the board HERE.


Next Week
We'll continue the discussion (July 10th) over at Jill's My Primary Passion. We'll be thinking about chapters 3 & 4.

And now, I'm off to start reading what other people have posted about the beginning of Alan's book!

23 comments:

  1. Thanks for the article from Mindshift, Laura. There is a lot to consider in this book, I agree. How exciting for your students to have tablets. I hope your work with them will be fun and learning filled!

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    1. Thanks, Linda! Keeping learning meaningful and fun has always been important to me in first grade, and I'm sure it will remain an integral part of my 4th grade classroom! :)

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  2. Hi Laura--I am SO HAPPY that you'll be moving to fourth grade too! You are an amazing teacher and mentor, and I can't wait to learn together this year! (Yep, I'm your Alabama stalker in case you didn't know it! ;>) I had never even heard of a Kuno tablet until I read your post! I'm thinking about how to get my students voices out into the world beyond the classroom this year and am struggling a bit to figure out how to get them easy access when they are ready and need the tools. I will have two desktop computers, my school iPad, and my personal iPad to use this year, and I'm curious to learn how to make this work in a seamless and productive way with my class of fourth graders.
    As I think about the teaching others/tutorial designer part, I'm reminded of the power of the kids teaching each other in the share at the end of our workshops in reading, writing, math, and content area project work. It's an amazing thing to sit back and watch the kids do a better job of teaching their classmates than I could ever do! They really do own the learning, and now I want to figure out how to grow that teaching so that it reaches audiences farther than our classroom. Can't wait to talk more and learn more from you this year!! Thanks for your post!

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    1. Hi, Ann Marie!!!
      I believe you may be confused... I stalk YOU! ;) Your comments and compliments mean so much! I love that we are both making the transition to 4th grade next year and am SO excited to be able to collaborate with you as we both figure things out. I love that you are already thinking about how to get your students' voices out into the world. That's really important to me, too! Using KidBlogs and our class blogs last year was a phenomenal way for my first graders to share their thinking with the world. We were able to connect with classes from across the US and Canada that way. I plan to do it again in 4th grade! We definitely need to chat more about all things 4th grade!
      Laura

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  3. Laura,
    Thanks for all the extra linking you posted in this article. I think your sharing of ideas about designing a classroom place are very important, especially given the fact that your students will be using a tech device often. We have had a class set of iPads for the last three school years and each year, I have tweaked my room design to create more and more "community" or "partner" spaces. This year will be no different. What I have loved about this shift is seeing a group of 2-4 students each with an iPad working collaboratively on projects. I think the tool is less important than the work the kids do.
    Tony

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    1. Tony,
      My classroom design has changed each year recently, too. Those community and partner spaces have become especially important, and I'm so glad to hear that you value them in 4th grade. That collaboration and space to think together really sends a powerful message to kids about what we value. Love how you said that the tool is less important than the work kids do! All too often, I find myself thinking about the tech and the tools when I have to step back and think more about the learning. Thanks for the reminder!

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  4. Laura,

    I loved Daniel Pink's book so I would recommend it as a great read. I also have Making Thinking Visible in my TBR pile -- maybe we should read it together. :)

    Thanks also for the extra links. I have been thinking about my classroom environment, too. I can't wait to browse through your Pinterest page for inspiration.

    Jill

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    1. Thanks, Jill. Adding Pink's book to my already ridiculous list of books I need to read! :) I'll look forward to hearing more about classroom environments from you!

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  5. Laura,
    Thank you so much for your thoughtful reflection. You asked some powerful questions, "Do we provide opportunities for children to excel in environments where they are expected to master content but have the autonomy to learn in ways that best suit them? Do students understand the more global purpose in their learning?"

    You also moved a few books up in my - much too large - "to be read" pile: Drive & Making Thinking Visible.

    Oh the possibilities,
    Cathy

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    1. Isn't it so much fun to read all of these posts and see how differently we all think... and also to find the common threads? I do believe that's what I love most about our #cyberPD events! Here's to more fun in the next couple of weeks!

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  6. Lucky you with a 1:1 classroom in the fall! I'll be watching with interest (and jealousy) all of the cool things you do!

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  7. Laura,

    It sure sounds like you are on the right track with your up and coming fourth graders! I love "listening" in on your thinking and why decisions are made, even down to the learning spaces. I can easily see and hear the learning happening in your new classroom. Everyone will be excited (including you) and the learning will be endless. I can't wait to hear more!

    I have also heard snippets of Pink's "Drive" book and I guess it's time to read it! (Just clicked over to the public library and it's now on hold!)

    As always, I enjoy learning with you. I've "pinned" your extra links as well! More reading!

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Michelle. I love that you mentioned "why" as that is something I really value when I make decisions about my classroom. I'm happy that it comes through in my writing! Yes, the more I think about this new move, the more I panic but also am filled with excitement! I think there will be so many things I'll love about 4th grade!

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  8. Laura,
    Your energy and enthusiasm for learning will serve you well in fourth grade! I know you will be so inspirational to your students!
    Here's a link to the RSA animate version of Pink's Drive-http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=u6XAPnuFjJc&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Du6XAPnuFjJc
    Also, I recently watched a Ted Talk by Pink on Drive if you're interested! Love your Pinterest board on spaces! Thanks for the other links too! I want to read November's follow up!
    Exciting that your kiddos will all have tablets...do you know what software the tablets will have? I would want to be able to get one of them and test drive it over the summer!
    So much to think about here...

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    1. Thanks for the links, Amy! I'll definitely check them out. Yes, I already have one of the Kuno tablets at home with me and have spent some time exploring. It's Android-based and already has some apps on it. Off to peruse those links...

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  9. Laura,

    We are on the same path this summer, planning for a new classroom. I feel as you do--excited and panic-stricken!! Actually, I am returning to my own classroom, but after a three year secondment to work at the system level. Although I am returning to teach at the same school and many of the same courses (high school), I am not the same teacher now. I am hoping that I can still find my way around the classroom!!

    The other neat piece is that I am returning to room 121, but I am having it renovated this summer to reflect some of the design principles and pedagogical shifts that I learned about over the past three years. Like you, I do think our learning spaces should reflect the way learning and teaching is happening now (I think that everything has to shift: planning and assessment).

    Finally, I can't help but comment on your thoughts about thinking. Helping teachers think about their students' thinking was a major focus of mine over the past three years. We did lots of work around metacognition and the Q-chart, but what I discovered is that the stronger the teacher's questioning skills were the better the students' thinking was, and the less a teacher shared her thinking, the more thinking the students did. So developing my thinking, critical thinking, critical literacy skills is on the top of my personal learning goal's list for this year, which means that I, too, have Making Thinking Visible on my TBR list. I also ordered Q Tasks by Carol Koechlin and Sandi Zwaan. Next up after November!!

    Sounds like there is a Making Thinking Visible group forming and a suggestion of more collaborative learning! Keep me in mind if you decide to read together.

    Julie



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    1. Julie,
      I loved reading and rereading your comment! You've given me a lot to think about. I'd love to see pictures of your newly renovated learning space!! We'll have to see how many of us are planning to read Making Thinking Visible and make that study group happen!

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  10. Laura,

    I enjoyed reading your reflection. Your conversation about having students share their thinking made me stop and think. I jotted down some notes in my notebook about making sure I take the time to allow children to share their thinking. Often times in trying to get everything done during a day, I don't stop to listen and allow children to share their thinking about what is going on and what they are learning. Thank you for making me stop and think, Laura!

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    1. Barbara, thanks for your comment! This past year, I was really working on making myself stop talking and give my first graders more time to talk. Giving them an opportunity to share their thinking is so important!

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  11. Laura~ Love the thinking about the environments reflecting our "new ways" of teaching. We have a teacher in our building who has more comfy spaces than tables. I have updated my interest board and my TBR pile!

    Please keep us up to date on your new digs!

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    1. I'm intrigued about what this teacher's classroom looks like! Do you happen to have pictures? That is the route I'm thinking about, quite honestly. Is there ever a time when I have to have all of my kids sitting at tables? I think right now I'm just scared to make the jump!!

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  12. Laura, first thanks for all your thoughts. I also love the idea of learning environments. It is all about community and that starts day 1. On my blog post you left me two ideas that I am still pondering: It's really when we reach further and stretch the possibilities for creation that the learning transforms into a whole new beast. (builds on those communities) and I'm curious to hear more about these digital notebooks. This is still an area that I am thinking about and now my thinking is moving towards digital note books for my students. Going to meet with some friends to help/think together. Maria

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    1. I'd love to hear more about what you're thinking, Maria! Don't you love when someone comments or writes something in their post that keeps your mind wondering for days?! :)

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