Edina Teaching & Technology Cohort Reflections 2014

Thirty teachers from Edina just finished a Teaching and Technology Cohort through Hamline University. The Teaching and Technology cohort focused on improving their leadership and technology skills through four blended courses.

The focus of the classes was to enhance practice of integrating technology into Edina’s curriculum as well as build leadership skills in teachers in the field of technology and learning. The cohort gave participants the opportunity to collaborate with Edina colleagues from different grade levels and buildings. The cohort was taught in a blended format where the cohort met face to face once a month and then completed the rest of the work online.

Here are a few of their final reflections about the cohort

Angela's Reflection

Brit's Reflection

Debi's Thinglink

Reflection from Eric
I came into the year and the cohort as a user of technology, but a hesitant one at that. My ah-ha moment came when I realized that using technology is about jumping in and play, play, play. I feel that this is the best way to get kids using technology and programs, it also works for adults. When you play, the overwhelming pressure that comes with learning something new that is previously unfamiliar goes away. From my participation in this cohort I feel that I have changed as a learner and teacher. I have changed because if you want to learn new technology you have to take the time and play with it. I have seen this in my students the past year. When they are given the time to play and explore with an application their success level greatly expands of they are given time to explore and play. I would like to take some time to highlight one project that I worked on in particular and that is coding. You can see my link to the work that I did with this project on this website. Coding is a fantastic activity to have your kids work on collaboratively or as individuals. Students learn industry, problem solving and critical thinking skills all in a fun and non threatening environment.

You have to Read and Experience Kristen's reflections here!

Leslie's Kids are now a Community of Collaborators and Problem Solvers!

Mary's Popplet

Megan's Adventures in Digital Age Learning

This Blew the lid off the possibilities - Shandra

I didn't know what I didn't Know - Sarah

Thanks to all the amazing reflections from the Edina T&T Cohort! Another cohort will begin October 2014! Edina teachers, stay tuned for more details!

Blogs vs. Wikis

Here is a humorous video that illustrates the different applications of blogs and wikis.

Syncronicity Regarding the Future of Learning: Are you a Sherpa or a Jazz Musician?

Yesterday, Sara Swenson , Edina High School Librarian (She prefers that term!) shared the following video with me via e-mail that she found on an NCTE Web s ite . I thought that the video crystallized for me the potential for educational technology integration, 21st Century learning and learning beyond the classroom walls. It is something we are working on with our Community of Practice . That isn't to say that there won't be road blocks to navigate, or crevasses to traverse! We know they exist now! I was intrigued to see the teacher's role defined in such creative ways!! When people ask you what you do for a living, do you respond as "teacher", "educator", "instructor", facilitator", or are you a "Connected Learning Incubator" or are you still "Keeper of All Knowledge Which Is Good?" Hmmm ... Then this morning, I checked my Twitter feed and Will Richardson had posted about a conference on the Future of Education ...

We Have Met the Enemy and He is PowerPoint! A Reflection

Today, the New York Times ran an interesting article regarding the use of PowerPoint in the military, We Have Met the Enemy and He is PowerPoint . It was a fairly damning critique of an organization that gets most of its information or lack of information through PowerPoint slides. Here are a few quotes from the article: “PowerPoint makes us stupid" - Gen. James N. Matti “It’s dangerous because it can create the illusion of understanding and the illusion of control...Some problems in the world are not bullet-izable.” -Gen. H.R. McMaster And the following comment that I think has a great impact for us as educators: " Commanders say that behind all the PowerPoint jokes are serious concerns that the program stifles discussion, critical thinking and thoughtful decision-making ." And this... "Commanders say that the slides impart less information than a five-page paper can hold, and that they relieve the briefer of the need to polish writing to convey an analytic, persu...

Edina Digital Age Learning

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