Digital Tools for Digital Learning

Update for Feb 2-6

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8201/8244333625_0b9f61d10a_b.jpg

Last week I shared some thoughts about developing a "brand" for yourself and the implications branding might have for students.  I argued that students are going to have to leverage themselves through the use of digital tools in order to be able to have access to opportunities.

This week, I want to expand on the idea of using digital tools to create a brand and connect it more to our own learning and development as educators.  I want to share some of the tools I have been using as a learner and how it has helped me begin to think about the implications this kind of learning has for the work we do for kids.

Social Media -- aka, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, etc.  All of these different platforms have a different way to access ideas and to connect with others.  I treat Twitter as a river of ideas and information where I occasionally "go fishing".  It's impossible to keep up with all of the different ideas, so just let that go and connect when you want to connect.  Just remember that connecting can help you strike gold, so don't be afraid to reach out!

feedly -- This is an extremely powerful learning tool for me.  feedly is a "news aggregator application".  In plain English?  It's a web-based application that allows you to subscribe to all of the different blogs and websites you check frequently.

Let's say you love reading Seth Godin's blog, but you don't always have time.  Adding Seth's blog to your feedly account tells feedly, "Collect any blog post Seth publishes and keep it here so that I can read them when I am ready."

You can do this with hundreds of other blogs, too.  I know it sounds like a lot, but reading articles on feedly is how I start each morning.  I feel like I have learned so much from this practice; more than I ever have from a PD session.  I highly recommend checking it out.


Google Apps -- The apps are getting better all the time. Word processing, spreadsheets, presentations and more.  The apps give you a full range of tools to help you create and explore.  I used Google Apps to do all of my grad school work, even my 8 billion page portfolio, using only Google Apps.  I love the ability to collaborate with any of the apps, which is one of the skills we all agree is important for students to develop.  We know that it is a powerful tool for students, but how many of us teachers are using it for ourselves?  Isn't it time to start making the move?


Kindle app -- This has been another huge learning tool for me for a couple of reasons.  First, I can read the same book on many devices.  I never have to have the book with me as long as I can connect.  I can read a book on my phone while at soccer practice, on my iPad at home, or on the computer at work which is especially helpful when I want to remember something I read the night before.

Second, the highlights! Let's say you read some great line or passage in a book and you want to be able to find it quickly.  Just highlight it in the Kindle app.  Here's the great part: Amazon gives you your own place online where all of your highlights are housed. I love that I can have every single thing I have highlighted from a book at my fingertips.

The bottom line for me is that these tools have helped me begin to understand how to learn in a digital world. I believe that it is important for us to be using these tools so that we can develop a deep understanding of how learning is different with digital tools and the implications it has for the work we do for kids.

Next week, I'll some characteristics of a connected learner.


Have a great week!

Articles worth reading:

Check out this awesome assessment flow chart: #edchat #unionrxi pic.twitter.com/uFrwz0oYvT
— Dr. Justin Tarte (@justintarte) January 26, 2015

A Principal's Reflections: Leading Schools of the Future http://esheninger.blogspot.com/2015/01/leading-schools-of-future.html?spref=tw


Why Even ‘Good’ Schools Benefit From Trying Fresh Ideas | MindShift http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/01/why-even-good-schools-benefit-from-trying-fresh-ideas/ via @MindShiftKQED


The SAMR Model In 120 Seconds: The SAMR Model http://bit.ly/1tJsLCX  @TeachThought

Upcoming Dates:

Feb 3
BIT meeting, 8:00am
Kindergarten Data Team meeting, 1:00

Feb 4
Children's Mathematics Book Talk, 8:00am
3rd Grade Visit to ILC, 9:30-11:00
Special Education Team meeting, 12:30

Feb 5
Admin Meeting (Herb), 8-11:00am
3rd Grade Data Team meeting, 9am
4th Grade Data Team meeting, 1pm

Feb 6
Yearbook Sale Ends
Newsletter home
BAC meeting, 8am

Feb 9
PARCC Testing meeting (Herb), 1:15
PTO Meeting, 7:00pm

Feb 10
Community Outing (Shively), 9am

Feb 11
Conference Night

Feb 13-16
No School

Feb 17
Waiver Day -- Hilliard U

Feb 24
Wellness Committee Meeting, 7pm

Upcoming Assessments:

Tuesday Feb. 24th	PARCC - English Language Arts  PBA Unit 1	4th and 5th grade students
Wed. Feb. 25th	PARCC - English Language Arts  PBA Unit 2	4th and 5th grade students
Thursday Feb. 26th	PARCC - English Language Arts  PBA Unit 3	4th and 5th grade students
Tuesday March 3rd	PARCC - Math  PBA Unit 1	3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students
Wed. March 4th	PARCC - Math  PBA Unit 2	3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students

It's Time for #Readabration!

Update for Dec 15-19

I am excited to be participating in this year's #Readabration with my friends and colleagues at Hilliard City Schools.  #Readabration is a celebration of reading over the upcoming winter break.  #Readabration encourages others to read and it is so simple to join!

1. Take a picture of a stack of books you plan on reading.
2. Share it via Twitter using the hashtag #Readabration.
3. Enjoy reading!

Check out Tonya Buelow's blog post from last year to read more about #Readabration!

#readabration Tweets

Videos That Inspire

 

Articles Worth Reading

"Hope" http://www.hilliardschools.org/hope/

(Listen to) EduAllStars Episode 74 - Josh Stumpenhorst from EduAllStars http://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=36290551

"Something’s Gotta Go…" http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/4944

"8 TED Talks to foster creativity" http://buff.ly/1AjNE63

"We need schools to be different" http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2014/12/we-need-schools-to-be-different.htm

"Digital Citizenship in the Time of 'Instant Celebrity'" http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/4932

"10 Ways to Start With Strengths in Schools"  http://chriswejr.com/2014/11/30/10-ways-to-start-with-strengths-in-schools/#.VIw_6fAEJel.twitter

"Great teachers can jump" http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/12/09/great-teachers-can-jump/

Upcoming Dates

Mon Dec 15 -- Team Planning with Kelly and Kay

Tues Dec 16, 3:40 -- Tchr Steering Committee meeting

WEDNESDAY, DEC 17th -- DECEMBER KIDS EDCAMP!

Fri Dec 19, 2014 -- Holiday Parties

Dec 22, 2014-Jan 4, 2015 -- Winter Break

And So It Begins!

Update for Aug 25 - 29

This was the best first week of school in my life! I am absolutely amazed at how well this week went. Thank you to all of you who worked extra hard to make this week such a success.

Additionally, the amount of high-quality instructional experiences you all created within the first week - within the first day - was commendable. The dedication to your work was evident.

I appreciate all of the unique and creative ways you used to begin creating the learning culture of your classroom.  The time and effort we put into building relationships with our kids will set the stage for a successful year!

Opportunities to go GLOBAL!

I wanted to share with you all two global learning projects that will be taking place in the near future.  I want to bring these projects to Alton Darby and I want you to know that I will drop everything to help you make these projects happen for your students, if you choose to do so.

International Dot Day, September 15th  -- This week, I had the opportunity to visit with your classrooms to introduce myself and read Going Places by Peter Reynolds.  Reynolds’ books focus on the themes of celebrating uniqueness, creativity and divergent thinking - all characteristics of the learners I hope we can continue to develop at Alton Darby. I used that opportunity to help our kids see these themes and then challenged them to help us create a school that reflects the spirit of Going Places.

Participating in International Dot Day would be a step in that direction.

Reynolds describes International Dot Day as this:

Imagine the power and potential of a million people all around the world connecting, collaborating, creating and celebrating all that creativity inspires and invites. I hope you will join the growing global community of creativity champions using their talents, gifts and energy to move the world to a better place.

Please consider connecting your students to this great opportunity to celebrate creativity.  Reach out to our Darby Creek colleagues.  How big can you make this? How far will you go? How can I help you make this happen?

Start by visiting http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/ - a very user-friendly website for getting started.

Global Read Aloud, starts October 6th -- Pernille Ripp, creator of the Global Read Aloud, describes the Global Read Aloud this way:

And, one of the ways you can participate in the Global Read Aloud with other classrooms is to do an author study of Peter Reynolds!

Both of these opportunities lend themselves to our areas of focus, particularly the Blended Learning Framework --

I can’t wait to see where you take these projects!

Upcoming Dates--

Mon, Aug 25 --

Tues, Aug 26 --

• 9am Lit Coaches Meeting at CO

Wed, Aug 27 --

• Mumkin Sale Begins
• 5:30-6:15pm - K, 1, 2 Curriculum Night
• 6:30-7:15pm - 3, 4, 5 Curriculum Night

Thur, Aug 28 --

Fri, Aug 29 --

• 9:30am, Gym, “Buster the Bus” Program for Kindergarten
• 1:30pm, Gym, “Buster the Bus” Program for Kindergarten

Videos That Inspire --

Articles / Posts Worth Reading --

5 Things Parents and Teachers Need to Know About the New American Dream http://goo.gl/uN43AW  via @ajjuliani

Empowerment: The key to excellent teachers in schools http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/08/18/empowerment-the-key-to-excellent-teachers-in-schools/ … via @SBEducation

Growing Closer To Your Most Challenging Students http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/growing-closer-to-your-most-challenging-students/ … via @teachthought

The new imperative: Personalizing education http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/03/24/the-new-imperative-personalizing-education/ … via @SBEducation

Update for August 11-15

Love, Literacy, and Lasting Impacts

This was a week of learning for me. The Ohio Innovative Learning Environments Conference packed five days with fantastic keynotes and breakout sessions. It was great to see so many educators spend part of their summer learning about new ideas. I walked away from the conference with three words that have impacted me and will stay with me for a while.

1. Love -- Love is such a powerful, versatile word that is often associated with romance. However, Steve Farber’s (@stevefarber) keynote reminded us that love doesn’t need to be provocative; it is at the very heart of what we do. We should love what we do, otherwise why are we doing what we do? I appreciate Mr. Farber’s advice on love and work. He suggests that we ask ourselves, “Why do I love this work, and how do I show it?”. The answers to this question will help us grow.

2. Literacy -- Franki Sibberson’s (@frankisibberson) keynote on digital literacy, student choice, and authenticity of the work students do spoke to my heart. Franki spoke on how literacy and what it takes to be “literate” has changed. Franki referenced the National Council of Teachers of English definition of 21st century literacies during her keynote. It is a definition that has helped me personally and professionally understand how my own learning has changed. The definition has also helped me frame the shifts in literacy instruction that we need to be taking in order to help students navigate a media-rich world.

NCTE Def of 21st Literacies has changed me forever as an educator - Excellent guiding document! #ileohio http://t.co/2zrsXJiUMK
— Herb Higginbotham (@HHigginbotham) August 7, 2014

3. Lasting Impacts --  I made it a point to go up to the stage to talk to Franki after her keynote. I did that because she has had a profound impact on me as an educator. Her books and her blog have helped me to understand what reading really means and what teaching kids how to read really means. When someone has that kind of impact on you, I think that you should let them know it.

Saying "thanks" to Franki.

This moment made me reflect on the lasting impact I have had on others. This is hard for me to do because it feels a little self-serving. However, since some would say that being an educator means I am “in the business of changing lives”, I should reflect on the impact I have on others. Recently, a friend and colleague of mine presented her first session at a state conference. She would be the first to tell you that it put her outside of her comfort zone. However, I knew that what she had to share would have a positive impact on the learning experiences of students and teachers.

“@lad817: Learning Mystery Skype#ileohio pic.twitter.com/cRXhVqjBks” Can't wait to try it! Thanks @FourthGradeHZN @NorwichElem @HoffmanTrailsEl
— Stephanie Miles (@smiles3boys) August 6, 2014

As you can see from the smiles, it was a great experience for everyone.

As we begin the school year, I will be thinking about how I can continue to find the strengths of others and then put them in a position where they can use their talents and knowledge to help others learn.  

What will your impact be this year?

Take care and stay positive,

Herb

Upcoming Dates

Aug 13 Staff Retreat at Buckeye Ceramic Supply, 9-12pm

Aug 14 New Teacher Work Day

Aug 15, First Staff Meeting, starts, 8:00am

Aug 18 Convocation at Bradley H.S., 8:30am - 10:00am

Ice Cream Social, 4pm - 6pm

Open House, 4pm - 5pm

Aug 19 First Day of School!

In Case of Emergency, Read This Book #EDAD688

I originally posted this story to HZN165. It's one of my favorite stories from teaching, so I wanted to share it here, too.

Helping Kids Through A Bad Day

This afternoon, I was running 10 minutes behind the time I was supposed to be working with some students on responding to their reading through writing.  I had made a commitment earlier in the week not to let anything stop me from meeting with these students since that kept happening.

As I was getting nearer to the classroom (walking at a pace that is probably not allowable in an elementary school), I saw a student outside of her classroom showing signs of being frustrated.  Now, it's not unusual for this child to get upset easily.  That's just who she is.  So, against what I wanted to do, I stopped and asked, "Is everything okay?"

She blurted out her frustration and said, "I'm going somewhere else," and headed down the hallway.

That's usually not a good sign.  Not just for this kid.  For any kid.

I followed her and tried to get her to tell me where she was going, but all she said was, "I need to get outta here."

At this point, I wasn't quite sure what to do next.  I was worried that talking about what happened would upset her even more.  It turns out, a few kids in her class were reminding her not to use so much lip gloss in that kid-reminding-another-kid-sort-of-way (think poor choice of words and a negative tone of voice).

So I turned to the emergency, never-fail, guaranteed to make a kid laugh book, The Blue Day Book for Kids: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up, by Bradley Trevor Greive.  

I told her I have the perfect book for you.  She was interested and wanted to see what I was carrying on about.

It worked.

She loved relating to the different examples of blue days (and the funny pictures of animals, of course).

So if you ever find yourself in a situation where your child is too upset to think about anything but being upset, I highly recommend bringing out The Blue Day Book For Kids.

It works like a charm.

Digging Deeper into the Research

We are removing our deck in preparation for a new patio.  I offered to do the demolition because when else will it be okay for me to destroy something?  After removing the decking, I started to dig around a support post so that we could pull it out of the ground.  After 5 minutes of digging, my wife asked if we should call the utilities commission to see where the power, cable and other utility lines are buried.  I'm glad she made that suggestion because I found out after the utility lines were marked that I was digging right in the area of our electrical line.

That was close.  I will definitely be more cautious as I continue to demo the deck.  I realized I was too focused on getting the job done and I wasn't thinking about the bigger picture.  It made me think of how we educators are sometimes too narrow in our focus when we need to slow down and dig deeper into the issue.

Educational research plays a large role in our lives as educators.  Our district and our building have high standards for providing “research-based” interventions for our students.  What I have learned from my teaching experience and from the research I have done recently for a quantitative statistics course is that educational research is a complicated world.  “Research-based” interventions can sound like a safe bet, but digging deeper into the research can reveal a truer picture of the research.

I have been investigating “computer-assisted instruction” and its effects on comprehension.  I wanted to look into this area because I help facilitate intervention plans for students who are struggling with a specific academic, behavioral, or social skill.  Many of the students who are referred to our team for assistance are not responding to classroom instruction, and these same students may need the instruction to be presented in a unique way.  I wanted to see if computer-assisted instruction could be a possible solution to help increase student comprehension.  Computer-assisted instruction usually refers to instruction that is guided by a computer program that responds to how a child answers questions or how a child is applying a skill that the program is teaching.  A good example of computer-assisted instruction is Khan Academy.

Here is what I found out from my research:

1. 
   

   Most of the computer-assisted instructional programs for reading focus on phonemic awareness and word solving skills.

   
   


2. 
   

   All of the studies measured aspects of phonemic awareness and showed positive gains among student in this skill.

   
   


3. 
   

   While all of the research studies I read claimed the computer-assisted instructional program they studied might improve comprehension, NONE of the studies included reliable data about the effects on comprehension (which is the ultimate goal of literacy instruction).

   
   

So, how does this impact me as someone who wants to lead a building some day?  

• 
  

  I have a responsibility to dig deeper into “research-based” claims.

  
  


• 
  

  I need to remember computer-assisted literacy instruction probably focuses only on phonemic awareness, which is only one aspect of learning to read.

  
  


• 
  

  The best way a child can improve his or her comprehension is by being immersed in quality texts that are at the child’s instructional level and when the child’s reading behaviors are being supported with explicit language from the teacher.

  
  


• 
  

  I need to remember to stay true to my belief that nothing can replace high-quality literacy instruction that is provided by an expert teacher (the kind that live and breathe).

  
  

I invite you to take a look at some of the research yourself.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7pbjcf5Ua1kNEpqaHRMTzhxTnM/edit?usp=sharing