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Pedagogy First, Technology Second

5/28/2016

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Michael Fullan brilliantly argues that pedagogy is the driver and technology is the accelerator. In other words, consider pedagogy first and technology second. Once educators grasp this concept, they will understand the true power of instructional technology. Many teachers facilitate their students’ use of technology on a daily basis, but the greater question is how students are using technology to enhance academic outcomes. It goes without saying that any student can use computer-mediated technology, but it takes pedagogical savviness on a teacher’s part to accelerate achievement through integrated technology.
 
So what does an example of pedagogy first, technology second look like? A great place to start is teaching with a global mindset. Project for Awesome is a global endeavor run by The Green brothers (John and Hank - John wrote The Fault in Our Stars). In a nutshell, students read a novel and identify a key problem or issue that can be addressed via a charity (a real charity). As students practice textual analysis and evidence-based thinking, they create a 3-minute YouTube video describing and presenting their charity of choice. Students are encouraged to be creative and expressive in their video presentation. The charities include a myriad of topics, from world hunger and refugees, to animal shelters and cancer societies. These projects are completed around the world and students can respond to the YouTube videos. Check out the link Project for Awesome. How is that for a powerful and purposeful use of pedagogy first, technology second?
 
The Visual Thinking Strategy (VTS), a technique for analyzing pictures and other visual text, also works well with the pedagogy first, technology second philosophy. Among the many ways to implement this strategy, one in particular is to have students post a compelling, controversial, emotional, and/or thought provoking picture to a school/classroom website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or other social media outlet. The three questions for every picture are as follows: 1) What is going on in this picture? 2) What do you see that makes you say that? 3) What more can we find? This technique can be used to generate conversations within a global context via online chats, webinars, podcasts, Skype, social media, and other digital media. The fun part is how competitive and adept students become at reasoning, critical thinking, analysis, dialogue, debating, reflecting, and finding the most awesome pictures that foster these deep conversations. You can learn more from the link Visual Thinking Strategies. The New York Times, through The Learning Network, provides additional examples of VTS in practice and allows readers to post their comments about a picture. 

Let's try VTS for ourselves! What is going on in this picture? What do you see that makes you say that? 

What more can we find?

 






​What might be some global implications from this picture? All of these great questions for one picture! Just imagine facilitating this strategy throughout the year - students would be more than prepared to engage in rich dialogue and discussion. Okay readers, I think I have given you enough to ponder in regards to pedagogy first, technology second. Please share your ideas as well. Remember, Leonard Nimoy says, “The more we share, the more we have." Cheers! :)

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Teacher Uninterrupted

5/28/2016

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In the name of truth and unwavering commitment
Against all odds
Against all excuses
There is power
 
In the name of honor and intense resilience
Advocates for equality
Advocates for justice
There is courage
 
In the name of innovation and tenacious grit  
Against budget cuts
Against depleted resources
There is ambition
 
In the name of humor and indelible memories
Advocates for storytelling
Advocates for testimonies  
There is reflection
 
In the name of unity and invaluable peace
Against division
Against boundaries
There is strength
 
In the name of diversity and cultural proficiency
Advocates for respect
Advocates for sensitivity  
There is perspective
 
In the name of optimism and required positivity
Against fatigue
Against negativity
There is victory
 
In the name of teachers across the United States and around the world
Advocates for students
Advocates for education
There is hope.

Dedicated to ALL teachers! #YouRock
by Acacia M. Warren
January 8, 2014


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What's Your Superpower?

5/22/2016

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I have written over 200 poems, but only shared them with two people - my husband and my twin sister. Realizing that this is my superpower (one of many!), I am taking a bold step by sharing a piece of my heart with my world audience. If you have a special talent or skill, don't keep it to yourself. You never know who might be inspired by your talent or skill. Change the world with one superpower!

Ready, Set, Go
I am a go-getter
A trend-setter
An innovative work of art
Everything I dream comes from my heart
Every idea, every seed
Cultivates what I need
I thank my spirit
I thank my energy
I thank my smile
I thank my personality
I thank my excuses – no wait, I have none of those
I thank my glows and my grows
I thank my Savior for my optimistic behavior
I thank every person who persevered before me
Clearly they prepared me to be
An entrepreneur
A creator
A self-directed motivator
Spontaneous
Dangerous
Famous before my time
Redefining the box
Forget thinking outside of it
My mind is set
My goals are clear
Spellbound by this atmosphere
Captivating my soul
Taking control
I’m in a zone
Get out of my way
The best things in life start today
No delay
No pauses
Just applauses
For passion
For diligence
For tenacity and resilience
Watch out world
My journey has begun
All the pieces equal one
I am ready – set – go

by Acacia M. Warren 
February 20, 2015
  
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The K-12 Research Deficit

5/15/2016

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The new slogan in education is "college and career ready." You hear it and see it everywhere. But what does it really mean? For this particular blog, I am going to focus on the "college ready" piece. When it comes to college assignments and course work, what is the one thing that remains constant? Research. Regardless of one's major/minor/field of study, research is the common thread in most (if not all) disciplines. Research allows us to gain more insight and knowledge about subject matter, phenomena, and solutions to problems. While peer-reviewed journal articles typically dominate college research, other sources includes magazines, op-ed articles, statistics (surveys/charts/graphs), studies, books, and videos. Opposing viewpoints are also key to conducting research - it is critical to know the pros and cons of ideas, services, and products.

Those who conduct research are better equipped to make informed decisions and fully comprehend the issues at hand. Would you buy a car without first doing a little research? Some might, but most wouldn't. At this very moment, there are research labs and think tanks devoted to curing cancers, diseases, and other illnesses that people have. Just about everything is researched, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear to the college we attend. 


Now let's bring the conversation back to K-12 schools. If research is so vital to college readiness and reality, why don't more students engage in research projects throughout K-12? Most students who engage in research projects do so at the secondary level - and mainly high school. As an educator, I know first-hand that research projects are not as prevalent at the elementary and middle school level. And if it weren't for Science Fairs and experiments, many students in grades K-8 would rarely engage in research projects at all. This is a huge problem! The biggest complaint from students who enter college out of high school is that they wish they had been exposed to more research in K-12. Think about it, if kindergarten students are taught how to conduct research (even if it is heavily facilitated by the teacher), they enter first grade with a very important skill set that is further cultivated. And if first grade students are given research projects (inside and outside of science), they enter second grade with a very important skill set that is further cultivated. And if second grade students... 

You get the point. If students are conducting research projects and writing research papers, throughout their K-12 experience, they are better prepared to engage in research by the time they enter college. So, how can we integrate more research into our instructional practices? You already know my answer - project-based learning! Do our students a favor by preparing them to master the who, what, when, where, why, and how's of research, starting from kindergarten and every grade thereafter until the twelfth grade. Turn the K-12 research deficit into a K-12 research surplus!

Your comments and/or feedback about this blog are greatly appreciated. 
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    Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. 
    - John Dewey

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Acacia M. Warren, Ed.D.
acacia@acaciatreelearning.com



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