3 Hashtags for Authentic Learning: Thank You Twitter

Confession:

Four years ago I didn’t own a smart phone and I wasn’t on social media. Fast forward to 2017 and not only do I own a smartphone, but I’ve fully embraced Twitter for professional development and as a way to connect with educators and their classrooms globally.  

Social Media on the Rise:

PEW Research began tracking social media use in 2005, when just 5% of adults were connected; today 69% of the public uses some type of social media.  Social Media is here to stay. Check out how powerful social media is by going to the Internet in Real Time which actively documents a variety of social media platforms.

Authentic Learning Via Twitter:

Eden Prairie Schools ties Authentic Learning to the following four tenants: task, purpose, resource and audience.  Utilizing Twitter I have found what seems like a limitless number of possibilities in implementing the tenants. What follows below are three authentic learning opportunities (thank you Twitter) that are currently resonating with me:  

#MysterySkype

Invented by teachers, Mystery Skype is an educational thinking challenge played by two classrooms using a video conferencing software/app such as Skype or Google Hangout.  The aim of the challenge is to determine the location of the other classroom by asking each other yes/no questions and completing research. Mystery Skype is engaging and inspires learning through the use of authenticity, the 4C's, speaking and listening, technology, research, geography standards and more!

A few resources to explore in order to start your own #MysterySkype journey:

• Paul Solarz’s Website for Mystery Skype by Paul Solarz's @paulsolarz
• Roles for a MysterySkype and Questions to Get You Started in MysterySkype by Pernille Ripp @pernilleripp
• Mystery Skype - Microsoft in Education

#QuadBlogging

Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano @langwitches in an blog post title Blogging is NOT Analog Writing in Digital Spaces, shares the following:

“Blogging in education is about quality and authentic writing in digital spaces with a global audience, while observing digital citizenship responsibilities and rights, as on documents, reflects, organizes and makes one’s learning and thinking visible and searchable!

Blogging is not analog writing in digital spaces.

Blogging is not an activity, but a process. The process includes reading, writing, commenting and connecting. It is about reciprocating and an emphasis on quality, not just publishing.”

With #QuadBlogging your class is collaborating with three other classrooms over the course of a month. Each week a different classroom’s writing is in the spotlight and the other classes are leaving quality comments. Quality (thoughtful) comments include the following:

• Make a personal connection, i.e. what resonated with you and why?
• What question(s) do you have about what was shared?
• What can you add-on that is relevant to what has already been written.
• Provide a sincere compliment.

A few resources to explore in order to start your own #QuadBlogging journey:

• Quadblogging:  offers the why and how to quadblogging, support, free registration for your class, and more
• 10 + 1 Steps to Meaningful Blogging and How to do Student Blogging by Blogging Through the Fourth Dimension by Pernille Ripp (@pernilleripp)
• 10 Ways that Social Media (aka blogging) can Improve Writing in Your Classroom: the Innovative Educator, by Lisa Nielsen, guest post by Vicki Davis

#GRA17

Looking towards the 2017-18 school year?!?  Global Read Aloud 2017 #GRA17 is currently signing up classrooms.  This opportunity runs for six weeks from early October to mid November of 2017 and the idea is quite straightforward.  Classrooms all read the same book and then connect with other classrooms around the world to share learning.  The Global Read Aloud has been taking place since 2010 and has reached more than 2 million students.

Call to Action:

Make a commitment to authentic learning via twitter in your classroom!  The three suggestions above are only the tip of the iceberg for options using twitter to connect. Share your favorite authentic learning experiences using twitter or other types of social media in the comment section below.

Laurie

@ljcallies

Instructional Excellence Coordinator

Department of Personalized Learning and Instruction

The League of Empowered Educators is innovating classrooms!

What is The League of Empowered Educators?

The League of Empowered Educators is a professional learning opportunity where teachers meet monthly to explore, research, and implement an inquiry question or idea that will deepen learning opportunities for students. The League was formed to give teachers a personalized professional development to delve deeper into a topic of their choice and have an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues. Currently, The League of Empowered Educators has 18 teachers from across the district from a variety of disciplines.

What have the teachers done so far this year?

“The League has especially helped me personalize my scripted intervention programs. By incorporating personalized learning projects, I have increased student engagement on the weekends. This is evident in the work being completed by the students outside of the school day.” -Kristen Strauss

“I incorporated a new project where students determine the focus of their learning (within the context of our essential learning targets).  I allow class research time and students complete the project by writing a short paper describing their learning.  Students are encouraged to find answers to something they want to know about careers, college and professionalism.” -Pat Kittock

“Being part of the League of Empowered Educators has provided me the opportunity to meet with other teachers working on improving their craft as a teacher of literacy.  I am now very intentional about providing direct instruction on writing about reading and the importance of metacognition.” -Kadee Ruhland

“Since joining The League of Empowered Educators this year, I have seen a change not only in me but in my kids!   I have been intentional this year at focusing on the 4C’s in all we do and creating a classroom that is learner focused where they can explore their interests and passions with a growth mindset.   After reading “The Innovator’s Mindset” and my time with the league, my focus this year has been on strengthening student voice, choice, time for reflection, time to create and think critically, and connect with others outside of our classroom.  In our classroom, everyone is a teacher and everyone is a learner.  I am excited to see where the remainder of the year takes us and look forward to my continued work with The League of Empowered Educators!” -Jessica Cozza

“The League of Empowered Educators has “empowered me” to try new things in my classroom.  By setting a goal, determining a plan and collecting classroom data, I can see how to improve my teaching and my students' learning.

The support by  my  Instructional Excellence Coordinator has helped me by implementing my plan , encouraging me when it was difficult and celebrating when it is/was successful .  I am not saying that my goal has been totally met, but I certainly know what is working and what I need to continue to work on.  That’s what the League has provided for me, FOCUS!  “ - Jean Tushie

What are teachers saying about The League of Empowered Educators?

“I find the environment to be very collaborative, and I have learned quite a bit through the sharing of ideas with other educators.” -Jeanne Fimmen

"This is my second year being involved with The League of Empowered Educators. A year-long course that is offered by the district. I discovered this was one place I could bring my ideas, and with help, those ideas were brought to life in my classroom.  The instructional coaches are very knowledgeable and incredibly helpful. The structure of our meeting time is we, the teachers, begin with a question we want to answer around teaching. Together with our coaches and the collaboration of other educators, we find answers to what we are trying to discover. We help each other grow. This course allows me freedom to explore without boundaries. I feel motivated, pushed, and supported by the instructional coaches.  I absolutely love it!" -Patti Just

“The League of Empowered Educators has provided a safe space to innovate knowing that some ideas will succeed and some will fail.  There is built-in encouragement because we’re surrounded by colleagues also trying to innovate.  Each term I have introduced activities and lessons designed to be more inquiry-based (“teach less, learn more”) and more personalized (“student voice-choice”).” -Pat Kittock

“The league has helped me to collaborate with other educators to gain insight and encouragement on innovative practices within the classroom.  It has provided a round table for conversation and time to learn new ideas.  It has also provided support for me personally so that I am able to enhance student learning within the classroom.” -Angie Roesner

Do you feel empowered?

   The League of Empowered Educators has been a place for teachers to collaborate and discuss innovative practices they are using in their classroom to enhance student learning. It is truly a place where you leave feeling more motivated and empowered to try new things in your classroom. I encourage you to ask at your site to find those teachers who are in The League of Empowered Educators and hear what they have to say about their experience and all they have implemented this year.  Keep a look out for information for next year’s cohort!