December+2010

December 2, 2010
Just finished adding three Wordles to the home page- they help me to compare three models of 21st Century learning that I'm familiar with. I'd like to add the OECD model, the Manitoba Literacy with ICT model and the New Brunswick NB3-21C model as well, but all in good time.

December 8, 2010
Committee meeting for 21st Century learning today at lunch. I also had to write a little something for the upcoming school newsletter- here is what I came up with: **// The 21st Century at Dakota: New Tools for New Learning //** This Semester students studying English with Mr. Norris have had the opportunity to work with new computers in almost every class. The computers are “netbooks” small computers that about the size of a hardcover book, that wirelessly connect to the internet to provide access to class materials and resources. This kind of class is called a “blended learning environment”- students meet daily in class, but they also meet online, in a class website. The traditional “tools” of education-books, binders, pens and pencils- are still being used, but almost all of the assignments in these English classes are created on the computer, handed in electronically, and never printed out on paper.

Using computers in class every day is becoming more common in high schools; teachers and students are challenged to learn all that is required in the curriculum while also learning to improve the “Seven C’s” of 21st Century learning: Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Cross-cultural understanding, Communication literacy, Computer literacy, & Career preparation. (From Trilling & Fadel, 2009, //21st Century Skills: Learning For Life in Our Times//). Learning to use these new tools for new learning at Dakota is an exciting new undertaking for the English Department at our school.

December 10
Copy of an email to three trusted colleagues:

Hi Dakotians.

I can't help myself. It is Friday night, and I've spent about 2 hours learning stuff in my PLE (Personal Learning Environment) and so now I have to share a few things. I find the three of you to be kind and generous colleagues that might put up with a link or two from me. Smile, nod, and delete if you must, but if you have a minute, check this out: it is a link to a wiki that has all kinds of visual models of PLE's (Personal Learning Environments). I'm starting to live out some of this, so it resonates with me. Maybe it will for you too. http://edtechpost.wikispaces.com/PLE+Diagram Be sure to scroll down to see all of the cool ideas for connecting oneself to other smart people via tech.

Ok. Off to bed now. Roy

December 15
I had a chat with my Mom about Twitter, and about why some people would publish so much about themselves on the web, and about privacy in general. Mom seemed to think that much of it was motivated by some sense of self promotion. I wonder... I like the altruistic idea that I am trying to share something of value, and that networking with others makes all of us stronger. I dislike the idea that a public diary like this is a lame and vain attempt at fame. I had a really quick Twitter chat with [|Dean Shareski] and [|Alec Couros] about how to set boundary markers for on-line self disclosure. Dean shares all kinds of [|fun stuff] with the webbed world. Alec posts all kinds of [|family photos]. I'm not ready for those steps yet. I know that Dean's video [|"Sharing:the Moral Imperative"] is one of the go-to videos right now for connected learning. I just wrestle with all of this, I guess.

In a world where wikileaks is challenging the most secretive and sensitive people on our planet, I wonder about how long conventional notions of privacy can remain intact. Even if I don't actively engage the web, I know that I am passively involved with the web at any moment. I'm tracked at the store with a debit purchase, recorded on a security video buying Christmas presents, and my PVR tracks every show I watch on TV. All of this goes on without my ability to stop any of it. I do wonder where all of this is heading.

Finally, cloud computing seems to be the next step in my wrestling with privacy. For example, this web page is loaded on to some server somewhere. So is all of my g-mail. So are all of my grades for my students. How many mirrored copies of that data exist? How secure is it? Should I worry?

Twitter has been an incredible thing for me- I learn new (and I think significant) things every week. It does not take the place of sustained concentration and study, and there is quite a bit of content that I pass over, but #edchat helps to filter the content for me.

If none of those folks shared, I'd be the worse for it.

Sorry Mom.