MaryLee Helm
IL
Education Week. (2017). Congressional Panel Asked: What K-12 Skills are Needed for STEM Workforce? Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2017/07/congressional_panel_asks_what_k12_skills_needed_STEM_workforce.html?cmp=eml-enl-dd-news2
Lawmakers introduce a bill to provide more funding for the National Science Foundation to research STEM education in early childhood.
I am a proponent of STEM/STEAM education and am encouraged to see discussions happening at the government level to monetarily support programming in these fields of study.
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
SAMR - 8 Cool Tools You May Have Missed at ISTE 2017
MaryLee Helm
IL
Common Sense Media. (2017). 8 Cool Tools You May Have Missed at ISTE 2017. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/blog/8-cool-tools-you-may-have-missed-at-iste-2017?utm_source=Edu_Newsletter_2017_07_04&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly
The tools shared in this article move the learner on the SAMR model to Redefinition as they allow for learning to be student-centered and tasks to be completed in new ways. Students get to think outside of the box and have a tool in which to share their learning with others.
I was not able to attend the conference, but am always looking for emerging technologies that can be utilized in the library. This article offers a list of programs to start "playing" and possibly, introduce in a co-teaching lesson or through a genius hour period.
IL
Common Sense Media. (2017). 8 Cool Tools You May Have Missed at ISTE 2017. Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/blog/8-cool-tools-you-may-have-missed-at-iste-2017?utm_source=Edu_Newsletter_2017_07_04&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly
The tools shared in this article move the learner on the SAMR model to Redefinition as they allow for learning to be student-centered and tasks to be completed in new ways. Students get to think outside of the box and have a tool in which to share their learning with others.
I was not able to attend the conference, but am always looking for emerging technologies that can be utilized in the library. This article offers a list of programs to start "playing" and possibly, introduce in a co-teaching lesson or through a genius hour period.
Media Literacy - 14 Apps for Kids Who Think Reading is Boring"
MaryLee Helm
IL
Common Sense Media. (2017). 14 Apps for Kids Who Think Reading is Boring. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/14-apps-for-kids-who-think-reading-is-boring?j=5163384&l=512_HTML&u=78020539&mid=7000332&jb=509&utm_source=072117+Default&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly#
Browse through the apps, read a short synopsis of each, and decide whether it's something that could benefit your students (or children). They are all rated and can help you determine whether it's the right one for your situation.
Since we all created a Symbaloo account and started our webmix, the apps may be possible resources to add. There's something for all grade levels, so give it a look and hopefully you'll find something that appeals to you and your students.
IL
Common Sense Media. (2017). 14 Apps for Kids Who Think Reading is Boring. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/14-apps-for-kids-who-think-reading-is-boring?j=5163384&l=512_HTML&u=78020539&mid=7000332&jb=509&utm_source=072117+Default&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly#
Browse through the apps, read a short synopsis of each, and decide whether it's something that could benefit your students (or children). They are all rated and can help you determine whether it's the right one for your situation.
Since we all created a Symbaloo account and started our webmix, the apps may be possible resources to add. There's something for all grade levels, so give it a look and hopefully you'll find something that appeals to you and your students.
"Why Kids Need Data Literacy, and How You Can Teach It"
Jessica Brooks
IL
Spina, C. (2017). Why Kids Need Data Literacy, and How You Can Teach It. School Library Journal (online). Retrieved 6/13/17 from http://www.slj.com/2017/06/technology/why-kids-need-data-literacy-and-how-you-can-teach-it/
This article from the School Library Journal (online) discusses the importance of teaching students data literacy, which means the questioning and evaluating of data and the sources that present data. Not only that, the author also offers many online sources that allow for teachers, teacher librarians, and students to incorporate data literacy into their research and learning.
IL
Spina, C. (2017). Why Kids Need Data Literacy, and How You Can Teach It. School Library Journal (online). Retrieved 6/13/17 from http://www.slj.com/2017/06/technology/why-kids-need-data-literacy-and-how-you-can-teach-it/
This article from the School Library Journal (online) discusses the importance of teaching students data literacy, which means the questioning and evaluating of data and the sources that present data. Not only that, the author also offers many online sources that allow for teachers, teacher librarians, and students to incorporate data literacy into their research and learning.
Monday, August 7, 2017
Historical Justification and Underpinnings of the American Common Core
Robillard, Gail
CA
Wallender, J. (2014). The Common Core state standards in American public education: Historical underpinnings and justifications. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 80(4), 7-11. Retrieved at http://web.b.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&sid=be955f56-f9ee-42b7-90a3-51e03e8e0805%40sessionmgr104
In this literature review, the author documents and discusses the historical underpinnings and justifications surrounding CCSS, and synthesizes four main justifications for their adoption. She asserts that only by educators understanding why and how the CCSS adoption came to be will their implementation be effective. The four justifications are creating common educational standards, preparing students for college, stressing quality education for all students, and increasing rigor in schools. The author notes that these four justifications are not new; early educational standards likewise grew from these same objectives.
I like the format of a literature review as it attempts to synthesize all the relevant literature on a topic, thereby giving more weight to the findings. I was interested in the historical development of educational standards as detailed by the author. It was interesting to see what philosophical goals were important to early educators. While the goals seem the same, nonetheless the CCSS have been controversial. I would be interested in further reading on what precise arguments have been posed against the CCSS. A less important thing I learned was that Delta Kappa Gamma is a professional honor society of women educators, begun just after women were granted the right to vote, in order to promote women in educational leadership positions. The society does not currently permit men to become members.
CA
Wallender, J. (2014). The Common Core state standards in American public education: Historical underpinnings and justifications. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 80(4), 7-11. Retrieved at http://web.b.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&sid=be955f56-f9ee-42b7-90a3-51e03e8e0805%40sessionmgr104
In this literature review, the author documents and discusses the historical underpinnings and justifications surrounding CCSS, and synthesizes four main justifications for their adoption. She asserts that only by educators understanding why and how the CCSS adoption came to be will their implementation be effective. The four justifications are creating common educational standards, preparing students for college, stressing quality education for all students, and increasing rigor in schools. The author notes that these four justifications are not new; early educational standards likewise grew from these same objectives.
I like the format of a literature review as it attempts to synthesize all the relevant literature on a topic, thereby giving more weight to the findings. I was interested in the historical development of educational standards as detailed by the author. It was interesting to see what philosophical goals were important to early educators. While the goals seem the same, nonetheless the CCSS have been controversial. I would be interested in further reading on what precise arguments have been posed against the CCSS. A less important thing I learned was that Delta Kappa Gamma is a professional honor society of women educators, begun just after women were granted the right to vote, in order to promote women in educational leadership positions. The society does not currently permit men to become members.
A Co-Teaching Example
Robillard, Gail
Cohen, S. (2015). Coteaching. Teacher Librarian, 42(5), 8-11. Retrieved at http://web.b.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=1ae20cc1-8add-48df-8132-d57e135aca98%40sessionmgr104&vid=8&hid=116
After documenting the research that supports the benefits of co-planning, coteaching, and coassessing student learning outcomes to improve instruction and student learning, author Sydnye Cohen describes a ninth grade social studies unit she was involved in as a humanities librarian at New Canaan High School in Connecticut in the 2013-2014 school year. The content of the unit was the reasons for the collapse or survival of ancient civilizations. Collaboration for the unit was instigated by the department chair and ultimately involved 5 out of the 6 social studies teachers and the author. The teaching group decided on essential questions and goals, including having the students work collaboratively in small teams to research and share their findings using multiple platforms. It was also important to the author that the students learn how to appropriately evaluate and cite their sources.
Two aspects of the article were of particular interest to me. First, the author identified and discussed very specific choices that were made when designing the coteaching structure. For example, students were required to use the CRAP test to determine a sources's authority, and while each social studies teacher assigned his or her own weight to this assessment, it was the author who graded the works consulted and provided feedback to the students so they could improve on the next phase of the project. The author included a diagram of the hierarchy of coteaching. These and other coteaching choices really provide almost a template for successful coteaching.
Second, the author noted several assessments and tech tools that I want to investigate, such as the CRAP test, Tools for Real Time Assessment of Information Literacy Skills (TRAILS), smore.com infographics, padlet.com electronic whiteboard, and lucidpress.com as a collaborative platform.
Cohen, S. (2015). Coteaching. Teacher Librarian, 42(5), 8-11. Retrieved at http://web.b.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=1ae20cc1-8add-48df-8132-d57e135aca98%40sessionmgr104&vid=8&hid=116
After documenting the research that supports the benefits of co-planning, coteaching, and coassessing student learning outcomes to improve instruction and student learning, author Sydnye Cohen describes a ninth grade social studies unit she was involved in as a humanities librarian at New Canaan High School in Connecticut in the 2013-2014 school year. The content of the unit was the reasons for the collapse or survival of ancient civilizations. Collaboration for the unit was instigated by the department chair and ultimately involved 5 out of the 6 social studies teachers and the author. The teaching group decided on essential questions and goals, including having the students work collaboratively in small teams to research and share their findings using multiple platforms. It was also important to the author that the students learn how to appropriately evaluate and cite their sources.
Two aspects of the article were of particular interest to me. First, the author identified and discussed very specific choices that were made when designing the coteaching structure. For example, students were required to use the CRAP test to determine a sources's authority, and while each social studies teacher assigned his or her own weight to this assessment, it was the author who graded the works consulted and provided feedback to the students so they could improve on the next phase of the project. The author included a diagram of the hierarchy of coteaching. These and other coteaching choices really provide almost a template for successful coteaching.
Second, the author noted several assessments and tech tools that I want to investigate, such as the CRAP test, Tools for Real Time Assessment of Information Literacy Skills (TRAILS), smore.com infographics, padlet.com electronic whiteboard, and lucidpress.com as a collaborative platform.
Reframing History with Storytelling
Robillard, Gail
IL
Pinter, J. (2017). Something old, something new: Public Service Broadcasting on history and storytelling. NPR.org. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2017/07/05/535352500/something-old-something-new-public-service-broadcasting-on-history-and-storytell
The English band Public Service Broadcasting uses historical archival material to create their songs. According to the band's founder, J. Willgoose, the band uses the archival material by "bringing it back to the surface, reexamining it, recontextualizing it through the music that we write around it, and drawing lines between the past and the present." In their newest album Every Valley, the band used footage from the British Film Institute's footage archive to tell the story of a mining boom in Wales and the later collapse of this industry.
This work by Public Service Broadcasting was interesting to me because of the classroom implications. Students could take archival materials, or literature texts, and reflect on them and what importance the students invest in the materials or texts and then "repackage" them so to speak in a creative way that illustrates the students' meaning.
IL
Pinter, J. (2017). Something old, something new: Public Service Broadcasting on history and storytelling. NPR.org. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2017/07/05/535352500/something-old-something-new-public-service-broadcasting-on-history-and-storytell
The English band Public Service Broadcasting uses historical archival material to create their songs. According to the band's founder, J. Willgoose, the band uses the archival material by "bringing it back to the surface, reexamining it, recontextualizing it through the music that we write around it, and drawing lines between the past and the present." In their newest album Every Valley, the band used footage from the British Film Institute's footage archive to tell the story of a mining boom in Wales and the later collapse of this industry.
This work by Public Service Broadcasting was interesting to me because of the classroom implications. Students could take archival materials, or literature texts, and reflect on them and what importance the students invest in the materials or texts and then "repackage" them so to speak in a creative way that illustrates the students' meaning.
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