A week ago, I came back from two wonderful days at Skywalker Ranch for the CUE Rockstar Admin conference. I'm sure I annoyed all those around me with the great things I learned and all the things I wanted to do. (I did come back and drive my sphero BB8 around our district office, had others do the KooKooKangaroo, and got active on our District's Facebook page) Some call this the conference "high," but this was not a high I was going to let go of.
So, a week later, three things have stuck with me. What I find interesting is that I didn't attend a "session" on any of these. These were all things I learned from side conversations, reflection and being around creative and innovative people.
1. Beyond 1:1. Many schools and districts have rolled out 1:1 programs with a variety of devices, some successful, some not. However, the real conversation we should be having is about the student learning and creating that students do with the technology. We really should be talking about having a variety of devices (learning tools) for students to choose from. Maybe a classroom will have 10 iPads, 10 Chromebooks and 10 laptops. Students would be able to choose their tool based on the outcome. Need to do a podcast? Maybe the iPad is the way to go. Need to create a presentation with Google slides, maybe the Chromebook will be the tool for the day. Or need to crunch some data in Excel, then go for the laptop. Yes, we are a ways away from students knowing how to use all of these tools, or are we?
2. Don't wait for the teachers. Are teachers necessary in the classroom, absolutely. However, there is so much new technology, no way can one person hold all of the knowledge and be responsible for disseminating that knowledge to students. Let's not wait to train teachers in every possible new technology. If we give kids the devices or tech (Spheros, drones, 3D printers, etc...) and let them learn, design and create, they will figure it out. Will they need to work together and collaborate? Yes. Will they need to think critically? Yes. Will they need to be creative? Yes. Will they need to think critically? Yes. Will they make mistakes? Yes. Isn't that all part of the learning process.
3. Tell your story. This has two parts- tell your story through digital storytelling and social media. Yes, I did go to Adam Welcome's Digital Storytelling session as well as his blogging session (that's how this got started), and he was amazing. But telling your story through social media was a thread that all faculty used and stressed. Kids and teachers are doing amazing things in our schools- tell the story and get the good news out there!
So, those were the big things. I also learned many great tips and tricks such as
- Google calendar appointment slots
- Inserting images into Google slides
- KooKoo Kangaroo
- lots more!
Thanks CUE Rockstar!
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