by Marsha Ratzel | Oct 20, 2011 | Making The Shift, The How of 21st Century Teaching, The Teaching Life, Voices
This article, reprinted with permission, appears as part of the “Why I Write” celebration, sponsored by the National Writing Project, and taking place this week across the nation. Science and math educator Marsha Ratzel, who writes regularly for PLP’s Voices from the Learning Revolution group blog, was one of several teachers asked to submit essays for the NWP project. In her piece, Marsha explains why it’s so important that students write as a way to learn science—and why science teachers should write as well.
by Ann Michaelsen | Oct 14, 2011 | Making The Shift, Student Life, Voices
Recently a local news reporter called me and wanted information for an article she was writing. The proposition underlying her planned article was that “students teach teachers†these days, because they know more about technology and social media than the adults tasked to instruct them. Are we really so sure about that?
by Ed Allen | Oct 12, 2011 | Making The Shift, The Moral Imperative, Voices
The accessibility that is built into Apple products has changed not only my working and personal life, but the lives of millions of people with vision impairments and other challenges that can be overcome with the right technology. The fact that I can get up each day, check my mail, visit my personal learning network on Twitter, read a chapter in my latest favorite book on my iBookshelf, send and receive a text message, check the score of a game, or check in with FourSquare and locate friends, means that for me, and people like me, everything has changed. And Steve Jobs made this possible. The impact of it all cannot be overestimated.
by Shelley Wright | Oct 11, 2011 | Less Teacher, More Student, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices
My English class is currently in the midst of learning about modern-day slavery. This past week I learned how crucial the role of the teacher is in the inquiry classroom. In fact, during the course of the week, I came to see that an inquiry teacher has at least five roles to play in this exciting, sometimes frustrating, and always unpredictable process.
by Kathy Cassidy | Oct 10, 2011 | Creating Global Classrooms, Making The Shift, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices
When I talk to other teachers about the benefits of student collaboration, often their biggest question is: How do I find other classrooms to collaborate with? If you are already connected with other educators through social media, this part seems easy, but if you are just beginning your connected journey, it’s a very real problem. If you’re still a little short on virtual teacher colleagues, I’d like to suggest three ways you can begin to connect.
by John Norton | Oct 6, 2011 | Connected Leadership, Teacher Leadership 2.0, The Compelling Need for Change, The Moral Imperative, Voices
In an interview with Voices from the Learning Revolution, national teacher leader Renee Moore reflects on the 21st century learning challenges in rural America — and in particular, in the Mississippi Delta where she teaches. “Technology access for the students in our public schools ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous,” she says, but “too many schools are using what computers and Internet access they do have to provided computer-assisted remediation drills for students in preparation for their state tests.” Moore identifies 5 actions that federal and state leaders could take to improve the chances for rural students to become connected learners. Among them: Reopen and restaff school and public libraries where so many residents have their only access to the Web. Monitor districts to assure equitable distribution of technology monies. And provide support for effective teacher networks – local and virtual – to promote professional learning.
