There Are No Walls in the 21st Century Classroom
I believe mobile devices (and a reliable internet connection) hold a lot of potential for learning no matter where you find yourself in the world. As Richardson explained in his ebook Why School in his chapter Rethink Assessment, classrooms are often the only place in their lives where students are told not to use technology. This double standard is a disservice to students as the real-world work situations in which the school system is supposedly preparing them for does not have this same attitude towards technology. Ironically, even as a teacher, when I don’t know something in class, I take out my cellphone and look up the answer!
Mobile devices are already prevalent in my classroom but I am lucky to live in a neighbourhood with a high socio-economic status and a school division and parent council who generously purchase technology. We often make use of technology as part of our teaching practice in some of these ways:
1) Kahoot: This site is a great way to make learning interactive. It can be used to learn about new information, introduce a topic or review topics covered. It is a lighthearted gamification of learning with a ear-worm of a soundtrack.
2) Book Creator: This online tool allows teachers to set up classroom accounts. Students then log in and create digital books in which they can embed pictures, videos and record their voices. They can then peruse all their classmates’ final projects and the books can even be printed off as a memento.
3) QR Codes: By generated QR codes and connecting them to websites you can create digital scavenger hunts. I’ve also seen QR codes used during art displays where parents can scan it to see a video of their child explaining the piece and the process of making it.
4) Flip Grid: This website is a great tool where students can upload videos for sharing. It is a fabulous tool for digital presentations or school-wide talent shows.
5) Apps on iPad: There are millions of apps which can be easily encorporated into classroom teaching. Some of my favourites lately are Google Earth (explore maps and views from street level from all over the world), Stop Motion Studio (Stop motion movie maker) and ChatterPix Kids (Take a picture of anything with a mouth and make it ‘talk’ when you do). My list of favourite is constantly evolving as new apps are developed.
6) Quizlet and Survey Monkey: These two sites allow teachers to generate questions and invitations to students to input answers. They each have their own unique way of displaying the results. A great tool for students to use to collect opinions and data.
7) Coding Apps: I use Scratch Jr with the students at my elementary school. It is user-friendly as very intuitive to learn. The Sphero app is also popular and requires the Sphero robot to operate. Together they form a unique coding experience which allows students to practice block coding as well as coding by drawing the path of the Sphero.
8) Subscription websites: Our school is subscribed to both NetMaths and Reading AtoZ. Both websites work on a level system where students are assessed and then move upwards through levels of learning as they progress through lessons. Students earn tokens in this gamified learning environment which they can use to change the look of their avatars.
With COVID propelling us into the world of online learning, students all around the world and across Canada are desperate for technology that will adequately meet their learning needs. Many of these devices are being donated by non-profits, anonymous donors or grants. Until the school system embraces the fact that a device is now as fundamental a school supply as chalk and a slate once were, students in poorer neighborhoods and more remote locations will have to rely on the kindness of others to access the abundance of resources online. These two articles explain how schools have benefited from the generosity of benefactors who have identified this need and have aided schools on their own initiatives.
Computer Donations in Calgary:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/yes-centre-computers-donation-overwhelmed-1.5872822
Manitoba Northern Schools:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/onetab-northern-manitoba-schools-1.5882662
In other parts of the world, technology holds a lot of promise as well. A blog from Cornell states that, "
Whether we sanction it or not, technology is embedded in how our students learn in North American classrooms, it certainly opens up innumerable possibilities for connections across borders and beyond our classroom walls. Why learn about life as an Inuit Canadian in a textbook when you can have a Zoom meeting with a class in Iqaluit? Why take a classroom poll when you can use Survey Monkey to collect data from an entire community? Whether you’re a developing nation or developing your understanding of a topic, technology is poised to be an integral part of the solution. The only barrier that exists between you and accessible knowledge is the technology and a reliable internet connection.
References:
Cateater, LLC. (2021). https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/stop-motion-studio/id441651297
Denso Wave Incorporated. (2021). https://www.qrcode-monkey.com
DevTech Research Group, the Lifelong Kindergarten Group, the MIT Media Lab, and the Playful Invention Company. (2021). https://www.scratchjr.org
Duck Duck Moose, LLC. (2021). https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duckduckmoosedesign.cpkids&hl=en_CA&gl=US
Google Earth. (2021). https://www.google.com/earth/
Kahoot!. (2021). https://kahoot.com
LAZEL. (2021). https://www.readinga-z.com
Microsoft. (2021). https://info.flipgrid.com
Quizlet Inc. (2021). https://quizlet.com
React at Cornell University. (2017). Technology: a Catalyst for Education in Developing Countries? Retrieved on February 28, 2021 from https://blogs.cornell.edu/react/2018/03/14/technology-a-catalyst-for-education-in-developing-countries/
Richardson,W. (2012). Why School?: How Education Must Change When Learning and Information Are Everywhere. TED Conferences Publishing. [EBOOK]
Scolab. (2021). https://www.netmath.ca/en-mb/
Sphero. (2021). https://edu.sphero.com
Survey Monkey. (2021). https://www.surveymonkey.com
Teach Thought. (2016). 50 of the Best Teaching and Learning Apps for 2016. Retrieved on February 28, 2021 from https://www.teachthought.com/technology/best-teaching-and-learning-apps-for-2016/
Tools for Schools. (2021). https://bookcreator.com
UNICEF. (2020). Ericsson and UNICEF launch global partnership to map school internet connectivity. Retrieved on February 28, 2021 from https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/ericsson-and-unicef-launch-global-partnership-map-school-internet-connectivity
Very interesting exploration in your post about the many ways technology can connect our students to the world, provide excellent learning opportunities, support skill and knowledge development and leverage new opportunities for under served communities and patrons. A lot of good examples, easy starting points and important reminders in your post about access, affordability, equity, and opportunity, even within our own very wealthy nation. Lots of resources, links and media to further explore.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne, I love the concept of "no walls in the 21st-century classroom". I am still trying to get my head around what a 21st-century classroom is and what exactly are "digital literacy skills." The concept is so broad and overwhelming to me.
ReplyDeleteI love how you have shared so many websites, ideas and insights. Living in a small remote community we lack "a reliable internet connection" but we make do with what we have. The sites you have shared look great! They are user friendly and fun for the students.
Thank you for sharing!
Take care, from Roberta
I am about halfway in terms of using technology with our classroom. We have chromebooks, laptops, ipads, class computers and a computer lab. Most of our school encourages their use. As you have mentioned there are times where not everyone has a devices so we as a school have asked our students to keep their phones in their bags.
I do see the usefulness of students being able to immediately look something up but also try to find a balance between physical books like a dictionary, thesaurus, or a text book, and would like them to know how to access both.
Being in a remote community access to digital resources is lacking, therefore I do my best to prepare students for the teachers that don't embrace technology (there are a few)
In some cases teachers in secondary school are still reading "the Outsiders." I agree that in order to have 21st-century learning we have to become 21st-century teachers. We ourselves have to embrace technology and be willing to learn how to access and use the wonderful sites you have shared with us.
I am interested in trying some of these sites out with my students immediately. I am well aware they will learn how to use the sites much quicker and easier than I would.
I am especially interested in the Flip Grid and Book Creator. I love Google Earth, thank you for the reminder to utilize it.