Horizons Report - Challenges

Blending Formal and Informal Learning
The last of the easily solved challenges presented by the Horizon's Report is the ability to blend formal and informal learning.  Formal learning is rooted in 19th and even 18th century schooling. This is where the teacher holds the knowledge and passes on the knowledge to a group of students in a room as the students pass from grade level to grade level.  It is the industrial model, or assembly line model of education.  With the growth of the internet, and the ability to learning almost anything, anywhere, at any time, a newer, self-directed model of learning has developed.  This is called informal learning.  We can see this model in science and history museums.  People are left to roam around and explore and learn about various topics, many times without someone to guide them.

The challenge arises when these two models clash.  How do we still hold true to the industrial model, that society sees as the best fit for education, but yet let students explore and learn on their own?  Sir Ken Robinson talks at length about this paradigm shift in education in his TED talk "Changing Education Paradigms".  If you have never heard this TED talk, I strongly suggest taking 10 minutes out of your day to hear the words of Sir Ken Robinson.  We want kids to be self-directed learners and explore various topics, but the institution of education is still 18th century.  How do we effectively make this shift?  How can we blend the two types of learning in our classroom?  How can we informalize learning in a formal environment?  All good questions to ponder!  Take a look at your own classroom; Are you still rooted in 18th century formalized learning?

Horizon's Report - Challenges to Implementation

Challenges to Implementation
The past two months we have looked at the Horizon's Report.  The report outlines a variety of new ideas and technologies that could have an impact on education in the near future to seven years.  If you have never seen the report, I highly suggest taking a glimpse at it.

There is also a section in the report that looks into the challenges to implementing some of the great ideas and technologies presented.  We will spend the next couple weeks looking into these challenges, which range from easily solved to very challenging.

This week we will focus on the challenge of Adequately Defining and Supporting Digital Literacy.  The traditional definition of literacy is the ability to read and write.  The 21st century definition includes digital, cultural, and financial literacy, otherwise known as 21st century skills.  The challenge is accurately defining and agreeing on what 21st century skills actually are AND if they are important enough to devote class time to.  If we come to agreement and decide they are important enough to teach, the next challenge is how do we properly teach 21st century skills?  What resources do we have?  Some of the challenge for teachers is understanding a literacy that did not exist when they were in school.

Adequately defining and supporting digital literacy is a solvable challenge.  Through good conversation and teamwork, a school can accurately define the 21st century skills and identify which skills need to be taught and develop a plan how to teach them.  21st century literacies are important and are needed for success in our current world.  In 2015, our students need to learn how to properly read and write in a 21st century environment.

Next week we will look at the blending of formal and informal learning.

21st Century Skills Resource
P21

MRVED Business

FACS Meeting Update
The FACS teachers gathered at the MRVED on March 11 for their 2nd meeting of the year.  The morning was spent on completing program approval forms.  In the afternoon the group participated in a 21st century skills activity and networked.  There was much laughter and great ideas shared all day long with this great group of women!

Communication Briefings
This week's tidbit is entitled:  Nonwords

You might be surprised to hear this, but some of the words that you hear—and, perhaps, use—every day are not really words, in the strictest sense. Here are a few “words” in common usage that you will not find in the dictionary:

• Nevermind. If you mean “disregard” or “do not consider that any longer,” use two words: never mind. As one word, nevermind is an outdated American noun that means heed, as in “I never gave that any nevermind.”
• Irregardless. The correct word is “regardless.”
• Alot. Use two words: a lot.
• Alright. Again, use two words: all right. Alright is a nonstandard version that is gaining acceptance but has not yet achieved legitimacy.

— Adapted from “Words That Aren’t Words,” Grace Fleming, http://homeworktips.about.com.

Upcoming Meetings
March 17  CEO meeting
March 18  Guidance Counselors
March 20  Social Workers
March 21  Business
March 25  Pathways to Postsecondary
March 26  Superintendents' Council
March 28  MRVED Professional Development Day - trainings at LQPV and Dawson-Boyd (contact Brandon Raymo - braymo@mrved.net - to register or for more information on these trainings.)

Make You Think

All your apps should fit on one screen!

Karen came across this great article from eSchool News about using the iPad as a tool for the 4 C's, consumption, curation, creativity, and connection.  It is a great reminder that our tools are not always about content specific applications, but rather should be used for a broader purpose.  Once you realize the capabilities of the device, whether it be an iPad, Chromebook, Desktop, etc..., it can be seen as so much more than just a "drill and kill" device.  The article provides great examples of how an iPad can be used as a device for the 4 C's.  It's another reminder that our devices are merely just tools for education.

The Evergreen iPad: Why all your apps should fit on one screen by Tom Daccord