Makerspaces: creating an opportunity

It's been an inspiring three days at the Expanding Learning Horizons SchoolsTech Conference 2014 in Lorne, Victoria.  Having time to gather ideas and explore them with a group of colleagues in a focussed environment is a great opportunity.

Makerspaces: creating an opportunity is my presentation exploring the combination of Makerspaces with the Learning Commons model for school libraries.  It was interesting to see the interest stimulated by Gary Stager's keynote which introduced many to makerspaces for the first time.  See more links to makerspace resources to follow up further.

Makerspaces: creating an opportunity from Camilla Elliott

Individual learners - The Future of Learning

This week, as the first week of the new school year in Australia, I've been introducing the Year 7 student intake to their learning space on the college network, activating their accounts and setting them off on their digital citizenship journey in this stage of their education.

The overwhelming impression one has after working on this routine but semi-complex task with 239 students over such a brief time frame, is the range of students in our classes.  Students who are relatively the same age, because that's how we manage schooling, but vary so broadly in abilities, interests and potential result on the NAPLAN testing they will undertake in the coming months.

Perhaps it was this week's experience that made me look closely at the following infographic published in OnCUE, the journal of CUE - Computer-Using Educators, that arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Titled A Glimpse into the Future of Learning, it provides a forecast into 'a diverse learning ecosystem in which learning adapts to each child instead of each child trying to adapt to school'. 

We have already commenced the journey. This infographic provides an overview that is worthy of a discussion with colleagues.

PISA 2012 results - Maths, Reading & Science

The PISA 2012 report of international student performance in Mathematics, Reading and Science as published by the OECD, 3 December 2013 provides an opportunity to compare literacy, numeracy and scientific literacy across countries.  Published every 3 years, it provides a benchmark for educators worldwide. 

ACER provides an Australian perspective on the report

OECD News release:  Asian countries top OECD’s latest PISA survey on state of global education

'The OECD’s PISA results reveal what is possible in education by showing what students in the highest-performing and most rapidly improving education systems can do. The findings allow policy makers around the world to gauge the knowledge and skills of students in their own countries in comparison with those in other countries, set policy targets against measurable goals achieved by other education systems, and learn from policies and practices applied elsewhere.' (OECD)

Student ICT leadership - Tapping into the Talent

Presented at the ELH Conference, Lorne, Victoria, August 2013, this presentation shared the journey of the iSupport Team at Mazenod College since its inception in May 2012.  

The premise of the iSupport Team builds on that fact that students are the largest group of users of technology within any school, representing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, yet their voice is largely unheard in relation to ICT planning and deployment.  Formation of the iSupport Team in 2012 has given Mazenod College students a voice.  It has brought like-minded students together under the umbrella of a shared passion for technology and a willingness to act as mentors and guides to others.  The Team provides a network of students across the school identified as ‘ICT experts’.  Students who can assist teachers in the classroom or on a one-to-one basis; support new staff and students; provide feedback to the IT Department, inform college families about safe use at home and coordinate the introduction of gaming experiences such as Minecraft within the college.

Inspired by the successful GenYES program and its president Sylvia Martinez, the iSupport Team is a service model of leadership whose members support the growth of digital literacy skills and confidence in the use of technology by all members of the school community. 

Lead by the Year 12 iSupport prefect and senior students, the Team meets fortnightly, and between meetings keeps in touch via social media.  Tapping into this talent at Mazenod College has been an empowering experience for all involved.  Students have gained an authentic role representing, not only their own peers but all members of the college community.  As they discuss, translate and transfer knowledge and ideas about the technology in their daily lives its more than an information process, it’s empowerment. 

The 'Flipped Classroom' model - an overview

Flipped Classroom: The Full Picture from Jackie Gerstein

I've recently had a number of conversations with colleagues about the 'Flipped Classroom' model of teaching and learning.  In a nutshell, it is the concept of using the time in class for learning, discussion and activity that benefits from close intervention of the teacher and allocating tasks as homework that can be brought back to the classroom for review and discussion with the support of the teacher.  

The Flipped Classroom model acknowledges that students often use class time to watch and listen, leaving them to do the puzzling and struggling with learning on their own at home or in the library with mates.  The model has sprung to prominence in recent years through the evolution of technology that has simplified the creation of video and audio with everyday tools.  It is not without controversy and to be fully understood should involve a review of actual practice in its various forms.

Bendigo Senior Secondary College teacher Andrew Douch has used the model with his VCE Douchy's Biology podcasts for many years and while not teaching fulltime in 2012, his podcast has approx 1000 downloads per day by students around the world. He's been 'flipped' for many years.

Gathered here are a number of resources that I consider, provide a balanced overview of the Flipped Classroom model.  They will inform and stimulate discussion of the topic.

Educause: The Flipped Classroom - Pro and Con (July 2012) In this article Educause have provided an excellent summary of both sides of the argument in relation to the Flipped Classroom model.  This is an extensive article and will require some time to explore fully.

Reflecting on the flipped classroom through student feedback (May 2012) I've chosen this article as it contributes student voice as feedback to support the discussion.

Reverse Instruction: Dan Pink and Karl’s “Fisch Flip” (November 2010) This post is a couple of years old but provides background philosophy with reference to the work of Daniel Pink author of A Whole new mind,

The Flipped Classroom Model: A full picture (June 2011) By Jackie Gerstein Ed.D, this is a comprehensive description including diagrams of the model and the presentation embedded above.

We are in a new age of learning that is providing opportunities for classroom innovation.  Do you have an experience of the Flipped Classroom model to share?