Week 7: PBL

In order to help me try and wrap my head around project based learning (PBL) , I researched a few sources on the web. I knew that many teachers "do projects", but I needed to clarify specifically what PBL is and is not. I visited pbl-online.org, who defines PBL as:

a systematic teaching method that engages students in learning essential knowledge and life-enhancing skills through an extended, student-influenced inquiry process structured around complex, authentic questions and carefully designed products and tasks.

If you have not visited this site in your research, I recommend to take a few moments to check it out. I helped me clear up what exactly is PBL, now I just need to take the proper steps to ensure that my assessments "authentic."

As a way to help you in the creation of your assessment, you may desire to create a checklist for your students to follow. To help you, visit pblchecklist.4teachers.org. 4Teachers.org is also responsible for the very helpful rubric generator site called Rubistar. It is quite easy to use and give a great starting point for the creation of your assessment.

Podcast

After some slight formatting issues, I've finally been able to post my podcast.

I have been working at school the last few days because we are changing the schedule for our freshmen and creating a "Freshman Team". During our lengthy meetings, the topic of our discussion shifted to public relations and communicating with the community. We were looking for a vehicle to share information consistently, I a Web 2.0 idea popped into my head.

If we create a I-LHS Freshman Team blog, we can get the word out to our community consistently and efficiently.

A colleague said that we should have a recording that answers the question: Why did we start the Freshman Team in the first place? Again, a Web 2.0 idea popped into my head.

This would be the perfect application of a podcast.

They podcast is short (27 seconds), but I feel that I overcame some obstacles in terms of creating and posting that will make the completion of future podcasts much easier.

You can listen to the podcast by going to the I-LHS Freshman Team blog, or by using the podomatic player below.

Why create a Freshman Team?

Mark Parsons' Podcast

Week 7: Free Choice The Accidential Billionaires

I happened to catch an interview NPR last month with the author of The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal. I was immediately interested in learning more about this story after hearing the title, but even more so after listening to the seven minute interview by Guy Raz. As you can gather from the book's title and the interview, the development of the social networking site Facebook into and the internet phenomenon that is today is surrounded in controversy. The following weekend I happened upon a Borders and had to pick myself up a copy of the book. As you can see from the book's reviews on Amazon and the comments on NPR's site, the book itself is causing quite a stir, never mind the story.

I'll summarize my opinion with a mock Facebook status update:
Mark Parsons just finished The Accidental Billionaires, an interesting, fun, and quick summer read. Check it out.

Week 6: Professional Learning Networks

I have a friend who seems to know everyone. Wherever we go he is always running into someone and shaking hands or giving a pat on the back. I asked him once how he knows all these people and his reply was simply, "networking."

My understanding of networking is limited to spreading your name around so that it benefits you when it comes time to apply for a position. You try and get on good terms with as many 'important" or "powerful" people as possible so that you could use this network of people to your advantage when the moment is right.

Professional Learning Networks are similar. You still have these connections that you call upon for assistance, however there is a distinct difference. Using tools like Ning, Twitter, Facebook, Podcasts, Blogs, and wiki's, you can become connected with people all over the world who share interests similar to yours. Then you can use these connections to give and receive information that could benefit you are anyone else in your network.

Here is a quick example. I was lucky enough to get a SMARTBoard last year. To get some additional help, I search the web for podcasts related to SMARTBoards. After listen for about six months, I was introduced (over the web) to people who frequently share tips and tricks and just plain old good information about the use of interactive whiteboards. I benefit directly from these kind individuals who are part of my network. And maybe, someday, they will benefit from me.

By the way, if you are interested in SMARTBoards, I suggest you look into adding James Hollis and Obe Hostetter to your professional learning network. Also check out http://smartboardrevolution.ning.com/ for a plethora of information and resources.

Week 6: Professional Development

When I think about professional development, particularly when it concerns technology, I feel that we play the role of consumers and the new technology is the product. Our professional development often demonstrates and introduces us to a product, with its accompanying bells and whistles, and then we are sent back to our classrooms. Sometimes the product works beautifully as demonstrated. Often though, the product does not work in quite the same fashion as demonstrated, nor does not live up to the expectations that we had during our "test drive". We are left to figure out exactly how to get the product to work effectively in our classrooms. Since we are all short on time, it gets put off. It collects dust. Eventually, is gets sucked into the black hole that is our "I'll get to it as soon as I get these other really important things done first" pile.

"Our professional development models should involve teachers in how we use and struggle to use such tools meaningfully and how we ourselves wrestle with and resolve such issues."

The sentence above is taken from Christine Greenhow's Reccommendation 2 of Supporting Teachers ' Development of Extended Social Networks for Teaching and Learning, found on page 110 of the book Web 2.0, New Tools, New Schools. I am in complete agreement with this statement. If we want our professional development, specifically Web 2.0 tools, to "stick", we need to discuss how are we going to use this technology meaningfully. We need to discuss the educational benefits of using these tools, and research what works and what does not. I fear that if this research does not take place, the new bells and whistles that were demonstrated during our professional development will quickly begin to devolve, much like the annoying Powerpoint sound effects that seemed so cool once.......ten years ago, but now make you cringe. I made a special video for those who wish to hear the laser, drum roll, and applause again.

Week 6: Free Choice (Summer Reading)

I enjoy reading when I have the time to take a few minutes out of the day to actually relax and curl up with a good book, but I seems that I never can find enough time during the school year to read anything but magazines. Since this is the case, I try to make up for my lack of reading during the school year by reading during holiday breaks and summer vacation.

This past June, my friendly librarian school pulled me aside and said "I have the book for you." She accused me of being "a computer geek" or "techie nerd" or something along those lines and said I had to read "Little Brother." This story, written by Corey Doctorow, who is not only a journalist and science fiction writer, but also a blogger. The author describes his novel in the video below:



I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and was quite thought provoking. It certainly got me to think about how technology is used, not only by our students, but also by the government. If this type of novel appeals to you, I suggest reading the description and reviews located at Amazon.com.