We had to prepare for this week's session by viewing the shorter interview video of Riley, the Young Ocean Explorer and had to think about:
- How could we use our students’ real-world (in/outside school) learning experiences as proof of their learning?
- How could we help them to find their passion?
Reflection on the homework task:
What a powerful video! To see and hear the excitement and passion of this young learner really touched my heart!
Now my attempt in answering the above questions...
- I think it is important to know our students and to listen to what they have to say and share. Unfortunately, the importance of these can so easily be dismissed. 'Student-centered' (project-based) learning is valuable and can lead to student-led discussions and projects according to students' interests. Teachers should be able to ask students what and then how they would like to learn the content and how they can be supported. It would be more powerful to access according to the Key Competencies rather than the traditional 'grading'. Meaningful assessment can also be accomplished when looking at the 4 C's (Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Communication) and how students use this in real-life. When students can apply what they have learnt in class to a 'real-world' context, this to me would be proof of their learning.
- Help them find their passion by introducing them to a variety of 'subjects' by either reading to them or to find out what sparks their interest. Encourage students to be curious about everything and when they find something they would like to explore more about to give it their all. You can also assists by helping them to connect with an expert in their field of interest.
My students were also involved in learning about an endangered species. We choose the Kiwi. Here is a movie on how our project unfolded.
I have also found this Meaningful Assessment 'chart' using the 4 C's which I think can be quite useful when looking at making assessments meaningful.
Digital & Collaborative Learning (DCL) - Learning and Problem-Solving in the Real World
Problem solving tasks requires that the problem needs to be investigated to guide the approach and then to design a coherent solution. This solution needs to be tested and improvements iterated.
Real world problems are experienced by real people and data used is real.
How to find real-world projects online? How could you use the sites?
Some platforms to use:
We worked with Zooniverse, chose a project and 'do something real today' by helping scientists and researchers to do science by analysing real world data. Feedback in the G+ Community were required after this task.
While working on a school project, 16 year old Boyan Slat started studying oceanic plastic pollution and the problems in cleaning it up.
Leadership in Digital & Collaborative Learning (LDC) - Entrepreneurship, Start Ups and Crowdfunding
We played a game called 'Market Share'. Purpose: Business education and how to increase financial literacy for the next generation. Our table split up into two groups. This was a great way of putting collaboration into place.
Whilst listening to Frances Valintine it was stressed that we should encourage our students to make a difference if they have an idea. We need to identify passions and look at ways to involve students into creating their own enterprises. There are a lot more 12 year entrepreneurs out there than before. Tristan Pang is one of the worlds youngest speakers.
A continuum of social enterprise
How do we as a school provide financial literacy?
ASB Financial literacy (ASB GetWise)
Develop a business plan (that solves one of the pre-determined problems) using the LEAN approach.
~ "The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'" - Maria Montessori ~