Andra Horton

The reading last night on Natives/ Immigrants made me wonder whether we are losing the ability to read and concentrate, supergenerating into exciting new stages of creativity, or whether we are spiraling out of control and heading towards the "fall of the digital empire"? And who will be the ones who invent the new technology?

I can see, in the work I do with my 5/6 graders. that the ease with which they navigate their computers, multi-tasking, going to their computers for answers before they use other sources, is very far from the way I originally designed my curriculum. I had wanted students to be able to access information from a variety of genres (as part of the Information Literacy Standards). Now I wonder whether those standards are realistic and whether they are entirely meaningful in the changing digital world. It's making me re-think the resources I have, and whether, for example, it's more useful for students to be able to use a dictionary on-line as opposed to a book. What is it I really want my students to be learning? Is alphabetizing a skill of the past? 

I am so very definitely an immigrant with a heavy accent. But does this make the "past" unimportant. How can we know where we are going unless we see where we have been?

This past year with my digitally savvy 5/6ers has made me see that techology CAN help them learn more. They are more interested and can focus for longer periods of time. More ENGAGED. Now that I can expect more, what will this higher level of expectation look like? Will it be more skills aquisition, or perhaps, formulating/posing important and interesting questions they can answer with their newly learned skills.

Hi Andy - you are asking very big and important questions!

CONSTRUCTIVISM - the idea that students need to build their own understanding of new ideas through engagement, exploration, explain, elaboration, evaluation. Learning is not a linear process. It begins with a sparked interest and then builds on what we know, what we suspect, want to prove or disproove. It isn't a step-by-step process. It is constantly spiraling, and is an individual process. Teachers facilitate constructive classrooms by providing opportunities that build understanding.

ENGAGE: asking the question, defining the need,  learing the task (BIG 6 Task definition)

EXPLORE: Find resources to give answers ( BIG 6 location and access)

EXPLAIN: Share what you know/have learned with others in various formats and situations ( BIG 6 use of information)

ELABORATE: Apply what you have learned to other situations ( BIG 6 synthesis)

EVALUATE:using checklists, rubrics, confefences and other evaluation methods, teachers (and students?)decide whether true learning has taken place. 

(BIG 6 evaluate)

These "5 E's" follow Eisenberg's BIG 6, (task definition, location and access, use of information,  synthesis, evaluation) the template for Information Literacy design and evaluation.

Technology is a tool that encourages excitement, engagement, helps students with explanation and gives plenty of examples on elaboration as well as being able to generate templates for evaluation. It can makes things easier and more fun on all levels in a constructivist classroom. Especially when dealing with differentiated learning.

KATHY SCHROCK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ME

(WOW!!! SO many to use. Here’s a NOT comprehensive list, but plenty to keep me busy for  while!)

Reference and Librarians

    THIS SECTION IS AWESOME AND ELIMINATES THE NEED FOR MANY COSTLY REFERENCE BOOKS. HERE RE A FEW OF THE LINKS I KNOW I’LL USE, BUT WILL TRY MANY MORE, I’M SURE.

    Bibliographic Citation Format (for electronic media and for elementary schools) - for bibliographies

    Currency converter

    Dewey Subject guide - a quick reference for cataloging without having to go to Dewey or Sears

    on-line encyclopedia from Dorling Kindersley (nice idea but not too searchable, as with most DK publications. More of an overview by topic)

    Electronic reference desk for all sorts of quick reference questions

    Acronym Glossary (demystify those abbreviations)

    Information Literacy process Model

    Information Please - LOTS of quick facts answered FAST

    Occupational Outlook Handbook (for mentoring)

    Rhyme Zone (rhyming dictionary)

    Zip Code finder

IN About the Internet:

    Acceptable Use Policies - a handbook from the Virginia dept. of Ed.

    Finding Information on the Internet - tutorial for evaluating websites

    NetLingo - for when I’m feeling particularly stupid and foreign

HOLIDAYS and CELEBRATIONS - resources for teachers...and me

In Art and Architecture

     CGFA (Carol Gerten's Fine Arts) for artwork to use with VTS