Small Changes; BIG RETURNS

This is the main presentation I do for classroom teachers and IT helpers. This session is NOT ABOUT advocating that teachers revamp everything we do. I’m of the "what's old can be new again -- but better" school and strongly suggest that you begin with one change in one lesson to make it more engaging and fun for everyone (yes! you too!) or take that lesson or skill you dread teaching every year and come at it in a new way. It is intended for ‘newbies' curious about finding a manageable entry point into using Web 2.0 resources in their lessons, experienced people searching for new tools, and IT helpers endeavouring to coax reluctant colleagues into this world.

This presentation begins with the story of my personal journey from being a near ‘techno-dino’ who didn’t even know that PowerPoint existed 20 months ago to now being a ‘passionate proponent’ of using online tools and resources to enhance learning. I did not start this process because I was interested in technology; it was pure survival. Having left regular classroom work to teach in a learning centre for at-risk high school students, I found that my old management strategies no longer worked. I knew I had to do something different to get my new students to willingly engage in their schoolwork. That meant giving a few of the lessons in the traditional learning packages used at our school a 21st century makeover. Gradually my teaching partner and I have evolved a model of blended learning that we’re comfortable with -- one that starts with small changes and easy-to-manage tools.

The rest of the presentation is spent demonstrating my favourites from the collection that we are now using to provide students with (a) alternative methods for doing familiar tasks (b) unique approaches to practising difficult skills, (c) project- based, multi-media initiatives though which they can stretch and apply their skills, and (d) interesting ways to review and reinforce concepts. By trying to see traditional learning through the eyes of our students, I've come to understand how important it is to them that we make even a few tentative steps into their world of devices and technology. There are big returns waiting when we do. Although the examples are mainly from secondary science, social studies, and math, the tools all have broad applications across all curricular areas and grade levels.

A great follow- up to this session would be Give a Lesson a Makeover, Friday at 13:15 - 14:15 [http://acec2010.info/proposal/804/give-lesson-makeover-web-20-style].

This is how you cite this paper:

All delegates attending this session must bring and ensure:

Just bring your curiosity, questions, and even your doubts. Believe me if I can do this, anyone can! I've made 2 Voicethreads for you:
~one so you can get to know me a bit [http://voicethread.com/share/787247/]
~& the other to give you the flavour of the workshop [http://voicethread.com/share/758426/]
If you'd like to look at some of the tools ahead of time, I invite you to start by taking a look two resources:
~the Wilkes Instructional Media blog I maintain as their first online and oldest ( at 58!!) grad assistant [http://wilkesinstructionalmedia.blogspot.com/]
~my tools [http://small-changes-big-returns.wikispaces.com/].