STSD Curriculum & Technology Update

Regular updates and musings on curriculum and technology in the Salisbury Township School District in Allentown, PA.

Shifts in Learning - Collaborative Professional Development

Teachers keep hearing about the effects of technology in the classroom in relation to the students.  What about all of us in the classroom, not just the students?  As two teachers with different technological backgrounds, we were given a unique opportunity to spend the day collaborating to initiate a SMART classroom.  Reflecting on our day together, we feel energized to continue exploring and integrating technology.

We also experienced an unexpected turn of events where we learned that collaboration is not exclusive to the professionals in the setting, but also and more importantly our students.  We can now say with confidence that our classrooms encompass 21st Century skills and thinking. That opportunity to collaborate had a synergistic result between the students and us that led to an entire and ongoing shift in instruction and learning.

Simply put, technology in classrooms leads to engagement. Without engagement learning and/or 21st Century skills cannot occur. During our day together, there was a give and take in the process where all of us learned. Yes, even those of us who teach. We were amazed to experience the different levels of technology proficiency between students and teachers alike. It didn’t matter what level of knowledge each individual possessed, we all brought something to and took something from the experience.  Everyone benefits and learns from experience with technology.

The learning became student directed. Questions were asked and answers were found. These instances could never be planned because of the different schema everyone brings to the classroom. It also helps to make our thinking visible to students and theirs visible to us. Technology resolves the struggles to meet all the different schemas and learning styles. We can better address many modalities of learning to provide an individualized and rich learning environment.

Classrooms such as ours with state-of-the-art equipment lead to engagement, motivation, learning, communication, creativity, innovation, opportunity, and thought provoking environments.  The reality is that our students are accustomed to having information and communication instantaneously. Technology allows us to compete with that aspect of their lives.  It also prepares our children and us for life in the 21st century.

Terry Bruns and Diane Kasaczun

Comments

Thank you, Diane and Terry, for sharing.  You are not kidding when you discuss “instant access.” I know that so often as my students and I read through our text, regardless of whether it is fiction or informational, the kids always ask questions (clarifying, extending, etc.) and I absolutely wish I had a way for us to immediately search resources in a format in which they could all interact.  While I can prepare supplemental resources to have on hand, their creative thinking often reaches beyond my anticipated content and the teachable moment is often lost because of lack of access.  I look forward to the day that the instant & interactive access becomes a reality for all of us!  Until then, keep up the amazing job you are doing so that you can quickly bring us up to speed.

Diane and Terry, it is exciting to hear about collaboration between and among students and teachers where everyone is a learner.  The potential for learning and engagement is dramatic with the integration of technology into the learning environment.  The instant access that Cathy Rae speaks about and the ability to connect globally with people and information is a reality of the 21st century.  We need to make it a seamless part of learning.  Bravo on your excellent work together!!!

Diane and Terry,
It is a delight to read your posting.  You have embraced this new technology and supported your students to further their learning.  Your excitement and enthusiasm are contagious!

As I read your piece, Diane and Terry, your metacognition of technology and your embracement within curriculum is something you have shared, not only in this written discourse, but also in your dialogue with students and now your colleagues.

Our students’ engagement, motivation, communication, innovation, creativity becomes alive because of the Social Dimension you have incorporated in the atmosphere of your classroom. The teachers and the learners, and the learners and the teachers - are risk-takers.

Thank You!!!!

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