Digital Learning Environment
This video provides some evidence for skills and knowledge students need to succeed in work, life and citizenship, as well as the support systems necessary for 21st century learning outcomes. More information is also found here.
Also during week 4 of our TGC Online learning, we were asked to create a Digital Learning Environment Inventory for our school and district.
Tools, software, operating systems, and equipment available in my school and classroom
I teach in an inner city school. Our school has a set of laptop carts 4 (30 pieces) Mac Carts, I ipad cart decided to Social studies and one chrome book Cart. Some schools in our district use a 1-1 tablet PC program. We have 2 Computer room with 30 Mac desktops. One lab is in the Media center and the other is dedicated for district and state assessments. They are most often used by students to take notes and to do research. We are beginning to Google Drive more in school. Classes store their handouts in Google Drive, and more teachers are putting all resources into Google Drive. I have Mac desktop and a PC laptop. All classrooms are equipped with a Promethean Board. Being new, I am not too sure of what teachers do regarding social media, etc., but because every student has computer access Google Drive is the most common means of storing data and making it available to students
How schools make use of school and/or teacher websites
Our school uses a learning management system called Classroom for Success. This is the system used for attendance, grade books. Schools and individual teachers use Google sites or wiki for their web pages, calendars, and homework planners. Teachers are required to post every homework assignment in , and anything that is distributed to students is required to be posted either on the school website or in Google Drive. This is the "go-to" place for students, and they use it several times each day. We are gradually transitioning to another system called MYMPS
Current technology utilized for learning
We use technology for many things. In science , I use technology to collect data and make graphs to analyze that data. We use video to record events for analysis, and when those events are too large or difficult to collect. I used to have SMART Notebook to conduct my lessons, so I have a digital copy of what we do in class each day. I also use an online homework service called W, which is linked to out textbook and can randomize numbers for each student for a particular problem. I have data projector, document camera, and Internet access. Certain websites are blocked b the district including Youtube which teacher can log on and override. We use eCompass for all our professional development and teacher observation/evaluation management and Atomic Learning for student Online resources.
Sites and tools that Colleagues are using
Wiki Spaces, Weebly, Edmodo, Dojo, Socrative, Google sites.
Is there a system for evaluating student technology literacy in your school? If so, how effective or helpful have you found the assessment?
The District’s Technology Integration department does that. I have not seen the assessment nor the result so I cannot say much about its effective at this time.
The links below are some of the global e-learning sites available for my school community and district. This list is by no means exhaustive. This is provided as a springboard to incorporating digital learning and 21st century learning tools in the classroom.
Minneapolis Public Schools provides a variety of StudentLearning Resources and Web2.0 tools for global learning and digital literacy. These tools provide our students opportunity and access to extend learning or for staff to target differential learning opportunity to students either during regular class or through the online learning. I have used some of the tools to assign work to my students who are on vacation or in other schools within the district. Last year my students used Edmodo to collaborate with other students and scientists at the University of Minnesota for the MRSEC research and poster presentation. I post my assignments on pbworks wiki. I collaborate with my colleagues using MYMPS. My principal is an avid Twitter and I use it sometimes.
Skype: According to their slogan, Skype keeps the world talking for free. It was my experience using it to connect with Minnesota Writing Project and National Writing Project colleagues in Trondheim, Norway that got me interested in connected and global learning. It is still my go-to communication tool for my class and global collaboration with colleague the difficulty with connection, image quality and time zone coordination notwithstanding.
iEARN
iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) is the world's largest non-profit global network that enables teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world. iEARN empowers teachers and young people to work together online using the Internet and other new communications technologies. Over 2,000,000 students each day are engaged in collaborative project work worldwide.
ConnectAllSchools
This organization works by bringing the world into the classroom and building global competency that can include the introduction of global issues curriculum, new World Languages, online collaboration, youth and teacher exchanges, professional development on international education, video-conferences, etc. This interactive website has been built to enable schools to indicate how they are connected to the world and for new teachers, school administrators and parents to work with consortium partners on building new links.
Peace Corps Speakers
Peace Corps seeks to promote world peace and friendship by helping to meet the education needs of interested countries and promoting a better understanding of Americans and other people the corps served. Our school and some other schools in MPS are Peace Sites. Peace corps Speakers match speakers to these schools especially during the Earth Day celebration.
ePals
This organization through their website, makes it possible educators to connect and communicate with other educators around the world.
Global Nomads Group
Global Nomads Group fosters dialogue and understanding among the world's youth. By leveraging technology, the group enables conversations between middle school and high school students who otherwise would not meet. These exchanges promote empathy, peace, and build 21st century workforce skills.
Omprakash
This organization facilitates communication, collaboration, and mutual learning within a diverse international network of social actors.The organization educates volunteers, interns, and citizens through Global Engagement (EdGE) program matches a rigorous online curriculum with an immersive international internship experience, leaving participants better prepared to understand and engage with local communities during their time abroad.
Primary Source
Primary Source connects educators with other cultures and peoples to promote the incorporation of global content into schools and curriculum. Programs include seminars, institutes, and study tours for educators. Primary Source also produces resources and curricula available for use by educators. They collaborate with teachers, schools, and educational organizations to offer professional development courses and resources that help make global education an integral part of every student's classroom experience.
Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBERs)
The Centers for International Business Education and Research (CIBERs) were created by Congress under the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to increase and promote the nation’s capacity for international understanding and competitiveness. Administered by the U.S. Department of Education under Title VI, Part B of the Higher Education Act of 1965, the CIBER network links the manpower and technological needs of the United States business community with the international education, language training, and research capacities of universities across the country.
Global Education Conference
The Global Education Conference Network is a collaborative, inclusive, world-wide community initiative involving students, educators, and organizations at all levels. Their activities are designed to significantly increase opportunities for connecting classrooms while supporting cultural awareness and recognition of diversity and educational access for all.
Online Newspapers
This site contains thousands of online world newspapers in various languages organized by countries and regions.
The fifth annual Digital Learning Day will be on February 17, 2016. This image is a compilation of some useful resources to help you celebrate the day with your class and support digital learners all year long. I subscribe to edutopia and stumbled on this ocean of resources as well an a professional learning opportunity. Click on the image to learn more.
Teachers often assume the sole responsibility for student learning. 21st century students want to be agents of their own learning as this video shows. This video can be used to spark conversation with colleagues and students on learning outcomes or targets.
My Pinterest was developed as a repository of online resources focused on global education and/or global topics as well as strengthen my network of globally-focused educators through the sharing of online resources and discover and/or rediscover technologies, books, images, lesson plan ideas, videos, primary sources, experiments, etc. that they can bring into the classroom.
All the boards developed for Teachers for Global Classrooms begin with TGC. I also followed other TGC fellows and pinned on their boards as they pinned on mine. It was an experience in digital exploration and collaboration. I thoroughly enjoyed doing it and have introduced it to my school community and my students.
All the boards developed for Teachers for Global Classrooms begin with TGC. I also followed other TGC fellows and pinned on their boards as they pinned on mine. It was an experience in digital exploration and collaboration. I thoroughly enjoyed doing it and have introduced it to my school community and my students.