Social Media Revolution 2011

How Finland became an education leader

How Finland became an education leader

The final point of the article really hit home:
"How did Finland manage to elevate the role of teacher in the eyes of the population to something that is not just an honorable profession, but a revered profession, whereas in the United States, teachers are so regularly denigrated?"

"They really think about teachers as scientists and the classrooms are their laboratories. So, as I mentioned -- every teacher has to have a masters degree, and it's a content degree where they're not just taking silly courses on education theory and history. They're taking content courses that enable them to bring a higher level of intellectual preparation into the classroom. That's the first point.

The second point is that they've defined professionalism as working more collaboratively. They give their teachers time in the school day and in the school week to work with each other, to continuously improve their curriculum and their lessons. We have a 19th century level of professionalism here, or worse, it's medieval. A teacher works alone all day, everyday, and isolation is the enemy of improvement and innovation, which is something the Finns figured out a long time ago. Get the teachers out of their isolated circumstances and give them time to work together."

Web 2.0 and Blooms

This Bloom's triangle says it all.  Click on any of the links.

A Changing Culture of Technology

Isaac Asimov on Computers and Education (1988)

View part 2 of a three part Bill Moyers interview of Isaac Asimov in 1988.  A summary of Asimov's thoughts follow.  Through computers, each child can have an individualized education that was in the past was only accessible to the wealthy.  If all children have access to computers, the creative minds of children will not be stifled by our current system of education.  Students will be guided by teachers on how to access common knowledge, and to interact with others students.    All students can enjoy personal learning, and people of all ages can become learners.    Most people seek good sense, clarity, and truth (Saul Bellows in Herzog).  Things are changing so fast, that we must embrace change.  

Web 2.0 Integration Plan

Integrating Web2.0 tools into both my personal and professional lives requires strategic planning, especially in August when my principal advises his goals for the year, and we take off down the runway, all while teaching our students.  I am by nature a hard worker, and fortunately a "short sleeper" with sisu (Finnish word with no exact translation, but here is good one).  I also pride myself in finding shortcuts; why do the task the hard way? As an educator, it is also difficult to extract the personal and professional lives, that by nature and by job description are intertwined, especially from mid-August to mid-June. 21st century tools blur the lines even more, while challenging our efforts to obfuscate our private lives (Rupert Murdoch not withstanding).

Personal

• Try to not get distracted when I am performing a task. (personal and professional)
• Use Web 2.0 tools to connect, organize, and share with friends and family
•  Find more tools to add music to my daily life

Professional.
Teaching in a public school, we must always align to standards, thus clarifying and guiding my actions.  Maryland has Teacher Technology Standards (2002), but I will use the ISTE National Standards for Teachers (2008).

1.  Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity through modelling and facilitating digital experiences that connect to real world experiences, and that utilize Web 2.0 collaboration tools.  This step is crucial, and if we start with one or two tools, such as wikis and blogs, our digital native students will be ready for the challenge.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments through use of technological ad digital tools that link students' outside world lives with schoolhouse experiences.  Alignment of  content standards with technology standards is an essential component of the plan.  Students will be instrumental in sharing the tools they use to communicate, and to develop classroom goals that will enable them to be more engaged in and responsible for their learning. If we incorporate one new tool in each unit, the learning experiences will be remarkable.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, not only to students, but to staff as well.  As a teacher leader, it is imperative to communicate and model the digital innovations with staff, administrators, students, parents, and community members if we are to excel in preparing our students for college and career readiness.   In addition, we must find ways for students to integrate digital tools in ways that will enhance higher order thinking skills, such as analysis, evaluation, application, synthesis, and creativity, while promoting scholarly research. Many teachers in our building utilize social media to engage students, but we must remember that learning is not about being a "sage on the stage", but "guides on the side". 

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility through collaboration with the Library Media Specialist and other staff, in order for our students to understand ethical implications and obligations in a digital world.  Engage and collaborate with teachers in other regions of the world to promote global responsibility. [This summer I am a participant in an online professional development experience with educators around the world, through IEARN, where we are building plans for collaboration projects for our students.]

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership that is meaningful, and ongoing.  Too often when  teachers are introduced to new ideas, it is done in a "drive-by" or "speed-dating" method.  Teachers spend 30 minutes learning one tool, then either go back to the classroom with no follow-up, or try it with no support.  If teachers participate in a PLN, and regularly discuss tools, share their knowledge, even invite other teachers to see the technology in action in classrooms, we will all learn and grow, making digital tools second nature to our lesson planning and delivery.   We need our administrators to be leaders in this change as well.  Too often faculty meetings are sit and take, rather than share and give.    Our leaders must include "infusion of technology" in the improvement plans for our school, as well as input from teachers, students, parents, and the community, in the vision for change.