Pocket-Based Learning: My Cellphone Classroom

by | Mar 9, 2012 | Less Teacher, More Student, Making The Shift, Passion Based Learning, Student Life, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices

I am a proponent of BYOD (bring your own device) learning. I very rarely travel anywhere without my iPhone or iPad, and I can’t really blame my students if they do the same. I see the “addiction” students have to their cell phones as an opportunity to engage in learning since I view cell phones as another teaching tool, not a distraction. The technology is in their pockets. It’s a learning resource. Let’s use it!

Dig Deep with Project-Based Learning

by | Feb 23, 2012 | Less Teacher, More Student, Passion Based Learning, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices

Project Based Learning was never something I spent too much time pondering. Just another way to assess learning, right? Well, I didn’t quite “get it.” Turns out PBL is not simply a culminating project at the end of a unit. It’s the learning experience that takes place throughout the project process. If you want to see your K-12 students’ eyes light up with excitement and watch them approach learning with more enthusiasm than ever before, PBL/Inquiry-Based Learning is for you. I encourage you to read on…

My Students Put Their 21st Century Skills to the Test

by | Feb 20, 2012 | Less Teacher, More Student, Making The Shift, Passion Based Learning, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices

This exciting and demanding opportunity for my students to serve as ejournalists at Canada’s National Rural Congress is the “exam” I’ve been preparing them for. I think this is the future of education: authentic tasks; embedded, mobile, BYOD technology. What students can memorize and spew back on a Biology or English final has no ability to tell me how they will perform in a high pressure situation like this. But I think they’re up for the task.

Contagious Leadership

by | Feb 10, 2012 | Connected Leadership, Local Professional Collaboration, Passion Based Learning, Teacher Leadership 2.0, Voices

At the best unconference experiences, contagious leadership abounds. And isn’t this the foundation of every social networking site, every blog, and every wiki? Isn’t this the true definition of collaboration? The sum of the parts is always greater than the individual. Together, we are stronger, smarter, and more creative. Leaders who get this are not only better for it, but can lead others to create communities of excellence.

Knocked Out of My Orbit: Becoming a 21st Century Educator

by | Jan 17, 2012 | Less Teacher, More Student, Making The Shift, Passion Based Learning, Student Life, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices

I have long believed the role of the teacher is to ask the best questions she can, and to help her students answer them. I also believe, more than ever, in empowering students and teachers with the attitudes and skills necessary to become change-agents in their own lives. That includes leveraging the powerful tools made available by new technologies to help students and teachers become co-creators of knowledge collaboratively and online.

Our 13 Most Popular Posts of 2011

by | Dec 30, 2011 | Connected Leadership, Creating Global Classrooms, Less Teacher, More Student, Making The Shift, Passion Based Learning, The Compelling Need for Change, The How of 21st Century Teaching, Voices, Voices Index, Web Tools That Deepen Learning

I’m a little reluctant to follow the popular annual tradition of announcing a “Top 10” — mostly because I’ve read every one of the 100+ articles we’ve posted since our March launch. Whatever the click counts, I know how much great content we have to share, written by a remarkable cross-section of creative and visionary educators. Still, a colleague assures me that Top 10 lists are a good way for folks to sample the product and become regular readers. Reason enough. And I’m sure you won’t mind if I add a few extra!