Exploring Learning

Flubaroo is one of those tools I have been aware of for some time but also one of those who kept escaping me. However, with the advent of my new Unit that is all about understanding text, I saw the opportunity to try it out. I first came across the script gallery in Google Forms at the GAFE Summit Singapore, in September 2012, where I learned how to make my forms send automatic emails - brilliant! I even earned a little certificate to celebrate my geekiness (thanks Jay Atwood). This was when I first learned about the possibility of Flubaroo, but it is only through using it that I have come to understand and appreciate how useful it is. We are studying the novel Stargirl , by Jerry Spinelli, to explore the concepts of individuality, conformity, prejudice and tolerance. We are asking, do we dare to be ourselves and let others be themselves? Each week, learners have to perform a variety of tasks to demonstrate engagement, appreciation and understanding of the reading. One of the ...

Currently, we are studying ' Stargirl ' by Jerry Spinelli and exploring the ideas of tolerance, individuality, prejudice, and conformity. The driving question behind this unit is, "Do you Dare to be Yourself?" with the sub-question, "Do you Dare to Let Others be Themselves?". One of the assessments is an independent research project exploring the themes mentioned above, but of a topic and with a research question of each learner's own choosing. Stanford Prison Experiment, 1971 One of my learners has been exploring the idea of conformity and has been researching the Stanford Prison Experiment , the Milgram Experiment and the Asch Experiment . He had already written the draft of his report but we'd spent some time discussing his desire to conduct an experiment of his own along the lines of the Asch Experiment. He wanted to know if his peers would conform, even when they clearly know that everyone else is wrong. Today, as our lesson began, he i...

Educational Technology in Context To begin the course, Foundations in Technology in Teaching and Learning, I have had to research to come to an understanding of where technology has come from to learn where it is going. Studying 'the big picture' of technology in education leads me to understand the early perspectives that "shaped and defined" it to try to gain insight into the true role it will play in the future. The Four Eras of Digital Technologies 1950- late 1970s: PRE-MICROCOMPUTER ERA IBM 650 Computer Consoles, 1956 https://www.llnl.gov/news/photo_gallery/ historical_photos.html the first computer was used for instruction; MIT pilots are trained using flight simulators (1950) the IBM 650 teaches binary arithmetic to school children in NYC (1959) universities use main-frames systems for programming (1960-70) Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) emerges; universities using mainframes and mincomputers in schools (early 1970s) schools begin using...

In the academic year 2012-2013 I took or qualified in the following Professional Learning:- Extended Essay Category 3 Training (IBO, Malaysia) Google Apps for Education Teacher Certification Presenting Read? Me?  at Hands on Literacy Conference 2012 (Singapore) Designing New Learning Spaces (Stanford University) Professional Learning in the Digital Age (Virtual book club with the author) English B IB Diploma Training (IBO, Online) Flipped Classroom Certification E-learning and Digital Cultures (Edinburgh University) PBL Certified Teacher Flat Classroom Certified Teacher Most of the learning from the above is documented in this blog.  Now, at the end of the year, not feeling the need to slow down for some reason, I have begun my Masters in Education and Instructional Technology at the University of Maryland University College .   This advanced degree program focuses on integrating technology in the preK-12 schools to strengthen and transform te...

Teaching and leading beyond boundaries I feel I completely share the vision of UMUC's Professional Education Unit Conceptual Framework to "surpass boundaries of time and place, conceptions about the limitations of students, and maintenance of the status quo in teaching, learning and leading" (p.3) as embodying the exact same standards, skills and ethos I wish to instill in my learners. The idea that the vision of UMUC's Professional Education Unit Conceptual Framework is to empower us to teach and lead beyond boundaries is one that excites me as something I hold dear for my learners. As an English teacher, I see my role as one that is changing to meet the needs of current learning and futre needs. Literacy to me means being able to read, understand, respond and communicate via paper, pen, video, film and digital means. Boundaries exist for me in regards to traditional styles of teaching and in terms of what are perceived as my role, but I want to push them, break ...

I am currently working on the culmination of my Flat Classroom Teacher Certification course, which is a collaborative Global Project Design. I have worked with a colleague from Wisconsin, USA to modify and develop my ' Dare to be Yourself ' unit, designed for my Year 8 and 9 learners this term. Originally written to address the problem of intolerance and lack of kindness, the 'Dare to be Yourself' unit, using the novel Stargirl , has been utilised to become a Global Project that can be delivered across the world and allow learners to connect and observe the similarities that exist in our world, with the hope of building individual, social and global conscience. In preparation, the following feedback has been received from one of the course facilitators:- Stargirl  by Jerry Spinelli from Goodreads "AMAZING!!!! Seriously, this is one of the most thoroughly and thoughtfully planned out projects I have seen. You have chosen a timely and timeless topic tha...

We are lucky enough to have published author, Sarah Froggatt, as a parent of one of our learners. She came and shared her knowledge during Book Week and, this week, I invited her back to teach learners about characterisation. Sarah sharing her expertise about characterisation with Year 9 Sarah covered the basics and the essentials using lots of great examples from print and film, such as Roald Dahl's, The Hitchhiker , everyone's favourite detective, Conan-Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and even Pixar's The Incredibles. Once learners had learned about and discussed characterisation, I introduced the receipts! Having collected receipts from staff over the past month, I have a exciting selection of varied and wonderful clues about potential characters. The idea came while reading our current novel-study Stargirl , whose protagonist has a penchant for following people in malls and coming up with stories about them. She uses these 'stories' to decide on how to be ...

Recently, I have implemented some time at the start of each lesson for creative writing. I have allowed learners to bring in their own 'special' books and have given them 20 minutes at the start of each class to explore and play with language, as well as put into practice some techniques we have been learning. I have tried a variety of methods to inspire their creativity including:- free writing - no boundaries, write what you want/feel art-inspired - we visited the IB art exhibition and they wrote based on the work that 'spoke' to them walk-around - we moved about the school and stopped in various places to write what we saw/felt/heard/smelled etc. breathing kindness - to build on the work we are doing to develop kindness in our current unit, based on the novel Stargirl , we did some meditation. Each inhalation 'sucked' out of the world something unpleasant, negative or unkind. Each exhalation transformed that into something pleasant, kind and positive ...