Connecting the Learner 2021
- 1. Connecting The Learner Post-Pandemic Update (Summer, 2021) Andrew W. Berning Ph.D. President, The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 1
- 2. Recall the “CEPL” Framework for This Class The role of technology in teaching and learning is to: 1. Connect the learner 2. Evaluate the learning 3. Promote digital literacy 4. Level the playing field for equitable access for all learners Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 2
- 3. This Module: Leveraging Technology to Connect the Learner Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 3 Connect Students and Staff Review The Connected Learning Framework
- 4. The “Berning” Questions Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 4 What are the advantages of a Connected Learner—and Teacher? How do we safely connect students and teachers? How do we technically connect all stakeholders? How can we find balance to disconnect/unplug?
- 5. Connect The Learner to: • The best teachers, mentors, and experts available worldwide. • Structured, district-approved content, resources, and applications. • Resources that promote engagement. • Personal learning networks (teachers, campus, community). • Opportunity for • Informal learning • Participation in cultural and civic discourse • Publishing and creating Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 5
- 6. Connect The Learner to Content and Resources Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 6 Content must be structured and localized to school district Strategies to connect the learner to content • Implement a Learning Management System (LMS) • Purchase Textbooks/Content with Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) connectors to LMS (Digital Textbooks) • Leverage Open Educational Resources (OER) content and applications • Implement a Universal Access Program • Not the same as district provided 1:1 • Redesign Technology Training and Support
- 7. The Learning Management System (LMS) Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 7 The Learning Management System is the backbone of a modern learning environment. An LMS is a software application used for the delivery of instructional content, as well as the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of e-learning. An LMS is essentially an empty database into which school districts add their content. We consider the LMS as a move beyond the traditional (static) teacher web page, to a dynamic teacher web presence that includes instructional content, instructional applications, and social media tools.
- 8. Social Media is Designed to Connect Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 8 But, often students don’t know how to use social media in an educational or professional capacity. We’ll see this gap between personal and professional use of technology in many areas.
- 9. Connect the Learner to Peers and Experts Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 9 Students automatically form Personal Learning Networks. How Social Media Can Promote Learning (if used correctly): • Personalizing their learning as they select whom to follow • Increasing their audience • Expanding their literacy opportunities • Serving as an assessment and peer review tool • Increase social capital
- 10. Connected Learning Integrates Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 10 Personal interest Peer relationships (socially driven) Academic activities Production and construction Digital tools Skills for life- long learning
- 11. Connect the Learner to Opportunities to Create Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 11 Maker Space movement Project Based Learning (PBL) Multimodal opportunities to demonstrate knowledge
- 13. Connect School to Parents and Stakeholders Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 13 Leverage technology for information flow between home and school. 1 Develop relationships with prospective and incoming families. 2 Maintain relationships with alumni. 3
- 14. Connected Learning Can Fill the Gaps Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 14 In-school, out-of-school Teacher quality gap Equity gaps Review research on parent and sibling literacy gains
- 16. Connect the Learner (Outside of the Campus ) • District-Provided 1:1—Increased during 2020 Pandemic • Usually goes bad on first replacement cycle (due to cost, legal, and support) • Increases technical support costs and issues • Introduces legal issues of ownership and student activity on devices • Need clear policies in place—prior to handing out devices • Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) • Encourage students to buy their own-- Nobody washes a rental car • Technology Lending Library • Best option combined with BYOD • Use local or campus library to issue devices Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 16
- 17. Internet Access Outside of Campus • Cellular Hotspots • Low bandwidth/speeds, high recurring costs • Community Broadband (expensive and prone to legal challenges) • Private cellular towers and district-provided Wi-Fi • Incentivize Local Internet Providers to Serve Students and Staff • Best scenario and likely to have state and federal funding • We are monitoring E-rate and Texas legislation • Monitor Starlink and other modern satellite systems for “Last Mile” remote areas • Provide 24/7/365 Technical Support Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 17
- 18. Teachers Also Need to be Connected Developing relationships through technology Maintaining a Personal Learning Network (PerLN) Maintaining a Professional Learning Network (ProLN) Having interactive access to other practitioners as well as experts Sharing teaching ideas—never block Pinterest Just-in-Time professional development (JITPD) Do It Yourself professional development (DIYPD) Creating and publishing Modeling use of media for students
- 19. Connectedness allows us to measure the Learning Learning Analytics is possible to determine effectiveness of initiatives and programs Predictive Analytics is driving decisions Google may know more about our students than we do More on Analytics in Module 4.
- 20. Finding the Balance Balancing Connected/Unconnected See Dr. Catherine Spann’s interview on mindfulness practices See Mr. Jimmy Casas’ interview on the advantages of disconnecting Unplugging is important!
- 21. Contact • Andrew W. Berning Ph.D. • The Renaissance Institute, Trusted Advisors in Educational Technology and Information Systems • www.teacherinfo.com • andy@teacherinfo.com Copyright: The Renaissance Institute www.teacherinfo.com 21