Learning, Teaching & Technology

Everyday I open my computer(s) and am bombarded by input, ideas and possibilities. My rich personal network of Twitter contacts, Ning memberships, Diigo messages and more add to the noises in my head about ways to move our teachers and students forward by using technology to excite learners and provide opportunities for success in their endeavors. A three day weekend brings even more torment as I have time to take in podcasts, work on my Images4Education class and join live webinars. Sometimes I have to stand back from the influx of new learning and options to carve out a direction that feels manageable and allows for the developmental process of our setting.

Yesterday I sat down and sent out an email to classroom teachers (grades 2-4) describing what I hope will help us focus our work:
1. Creativity of expression using many forms of media — writing, drawing, photography, video, voices, etc.

2. Audience — as our students use these various forms of media to create, I’m looking for ways we can share their work with audiences within the classroom, within the school, connecting to homes & families and possibly connecting to students around the country or around the world.

I’m hoping addressing these two goals will help to define what we do with classes and students. To me, it is the 21st Century skills and preparation for lives as creative communicators and innovators. For teachers and students I need to break it down into what we can do on a given day, at a given age within the learning goals of the curriculum.

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