Jeff Piontek is an author, keynote speaker and teacher (most importantly). He has worked with many at-risk school districts nationally and is a thought leader in on-line and blended learning.
I’ve recently been binging on math-related TED Talks and all the great ideas out there almost make me wish I taught math. While I have yet to create a museum exhibit about math, wouldn’t it be great to teach it like something people want to learn instead ofhave to learn?
Math teach Dan Meyer says we need to focus more on teaching math reasoning in a way that students will actually retain it (check out his TED Talk). No problem worth solving is simple, he says, adding a quote from Einstein: “The formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill.” To that end, Meyer spends 90% of his prep time turning boring problems from math textbooks into conversations that build math reasoning skills by eliminating the step-by-step instructions and neatly packaged information provided for solving the problem. This force students to figure out what information and formulas they need for themselves. He encourages math teachers to turn word problems into real problems. Check outMeyer’s blog for lesson ideas and math fun.
Conrad Wolfram argues for computer-based math in his TED Talk. His suggestion: instead of giving students the formulas and making them compute the math by hand, we should teach students to conceptualize real world problems, pose the right questions, apply the right kind of math, and use computers to compute the math. “Math is not equal to calculating,” he says. Driving a modern car is not the same as engineering a car–and math instruction should focus on the driving (using math to solve real problems) rather than the engineering (with some exceptions). Make math more practical and more conceptual by teaching students to program computers!
And speaking of making math fun, check out…
Math + Origami = fun, science, space telescopes, air bags, and life-saving medical devices
Technology in education isn’t new, despite what it might feel like. The Internet is older than most beginning teachers and depending on how you define “technology,” you have to admit that it’s always been an iterative change process.
However, it does seem as though we’re finally at a breaking point where our old systems have stretched to their absolute capacity for the influx of new technologies. In layman’s terms: we’re maxed out and something has to change. Here are 9 problems that #edtech needs to fix, in 3 categories: #1-3 are about Communication, #4-6 are about Visibility, and #7-9 are about Pedagogy.
Parents. No, not the parents themselves, but rather our communication channels with them. We need better methodologies in place to have open, honest, transparent conversations with the parents of the students we teach. Involving parents in the educational process is the single greatest contributor to an increase in student achievement.
Students. I’m sure education would be much easier if we just had robots for kids, right? But that would be boring and that’s not our world. Nobody signed up to be a teacher because it was easy and that would be a waste of our talent. Instead, we need an edtech solution to how we can keep communication channels open with our students about their learning. Much like we need more dialogue with parents, we need students as active participants in their own learning as well. Students need to have voice and choice when it comes to their learning and so far, edtech has provided a lot of choice, not so much voice. Tools like Remind101 and Edmodo are changing the paradigm around the conversation of student learning and I encourage others to follow suit.
Universal IEPs. This is a problem you probably didn’t know we had. Here’s the scenario: students identified as qualifying for special education services have a meeting once a year where their teachers look at the instructional practices that work or don’t work for that specific student. They set goals for the year and identify any new strategies that could be tried. They talk about the future of this specific child’s education and, as a team, commit to working together for their benefit. Oh, and did I mention that the student is part of this process as well? They are in the room while this is taking place, interacting with these educators, administrators, diagnosticians, and their parents. They are actually a co-creator of their learning. Why don’t all students get this? Time and money. This represents the single biggest opportunity of edtech, in my humble opinion. Show me a tool that provides easy pathways to have a conversation about a specific student with all of their stakeholders with identifiable outcomes and recommended practices for the upcoming school year and I will show you a billion-dollar idea and one that will completely change the face of education.
Data. Teacher-accessible data that is clear and easy to understand just doesn’t exist. Data analysis is right up there with ‘root canal’ in most teachers’ prep times. And let’s not even start down what data visibility looks like for students and parents (it’s nonexistent). Companies like Eduvant and Metryx are looking to change this, but the edu-pool is big enough for all to play in. Let’s stop talking about data-driven decision-making and actually do it.
Soft Skills. Remember, back in the day, when we had character education? For some, it was even a class! We’re pretty focused on cognitive skills (reading, writing, arithmetic) but we’ve passed the buck on our non-cognitive skills like empathy, respect, and leadership. Yes, we could point fingers at why we think these skills have fallen by the wayside, but the past doesn’t have to determine the future: we can choose to value these again and edtech can help. We need tools to help us track and identify the impact of these skills. We need to be able to demonstrate them and show employers how valuable our skills are: cognitive and non-cognitive.
Lesson Planning. Somewhat surprisingly, we still need edtech to step in when it comes to lesson planning. We need embedded state standards. We need collaboration. We need idea discovery mechanisms. We need sharability. We need transparency. There is so much opportunity here and I am excited to watch companies likeTrinket, Planboard, and Common Curriculum as they seek to innovate this space.
New tools. This one might seem a little ‘meta’ at first, but hang with me. Teachers need to know what to use in their classroom and how to use it. It needs to be easy and it needs to be fast. Please don’t tell a teacher to go to a conference or “search the Internet” or “join a Twitter chat” to find the latest tools. Yes, these will work, but they are horribly inefficient. Keep an eye on great tools like EduClipper and what they’re doing in this space.
Entrepreneurialism and the Maker Movement. Teachers desperately need help here. If we want to see more entrepreneurs and more makers, we’ve got to create the spaces for our students to not only discovery but develop these skills. For this to happen, there need to be the resources in place to facilitate this kind of learning. It represents a pedagogical shift for sure, but education is ripe for this kind of innovation and we think the edtech community is primed to bring it. Here’s the bottom line: if you want entrepreneurs and/or makers and you are one, you need to create something to help expand the playing field. You need to get more folks into the game, not less.
The Nature of Learning. The massive influx of personal computing devices into classroom environments represents a tidal shift in pedagogy. If we want teachers to be successful with these pedagogical shifts, we need to give them the support and resources they need to make them. More than just an app or a tool, teachers need training and practical steps to help them cross this chasm.
The 21st century is here and it’s brought some baggage. How will you turn it into an opportunity? Teachers, which of the above most resonates with you? Be sure to leave some feedback for us in the comments.
If you ever watched Bill Nye the Science Guy, you probably remember the song parodies his episodes featured, which rewrote the lyrics of popular songs with scientific themes. Sure, getting the song stuck in your head will probably help you remember a few facts, but the benefits of music to learning science could go beyond just helping your memory.
Check out this recent article from the University of Washington, which suggests that music can help you learn science not necessarily by including mnemonics, but by relaxing and engaging you. After you read that, check out SingAboutScience.org, a database of thousands of songs about science and math. Their navigation isn’t the most obvious–search for songs under ‘Find/Add Songs’ and click on the little purple buttons by each song.
This infographic first appeared on Navigatorfrom CompassLearning on March 24, 2014.
Bended learning incorporates multiple methods of instruction in order to customize the learning experience for each student, leading to increased student interaction and engagement. A critical component of a rigorous blended learning model is quality digital learning time, filled with digital curriculum aligned to classroom curriculum. Learn more about harnessing the power of digital curriculum in the blended learning classroom in this new infographic by Compass Learning.
Engaging study materials—whether print or digital—seem to be geared mostly toward students who are struggling. This is without a doubt a positive and necessary trend, but there is no reason to support one group and not the other. In fact, some tools work for a variety of student populations. What I want to talk about is how to recognize and select tools for the students who are working beyond their grade level. Digital tools enable strong students to direct their learning to places outside the restrictions of the conventional classroom setting.
1. Purpose of the Tool. Before considering anything else, each digital tool selection should be made with a clear purpose in mind. Is the tool meant to prepare the student for standardized tests or is it meant to help students explore their more creative side? Although some tools may end up being used for multiple tasks, a specific goal is key to maximizing the tool’s value. It all begins with a single, simple question—What can the student do with the digital tool?
2. Context: Classroom, Home or Something New? Consider where the tool will be used. The context in which the tool is used will shape how the student uses the tool.
3. Is the tool required or just something extra? Once you know the purpose and type of tool you’re looking for, determine how the tool will figure into the student’s existing inventory of tools. Is this tool going to be required for a class or other academic program? Is it just an extra way for the student to explore topic not covered during class? Figuring out these questions also help inform cost and time considerations.
4. Individual or Collaborative? Is this tool meant to give students a sense of community or is it meant for individual work? Some digital tools might provide those students at the top of the class a chance to connect with similar students. Educational technology affords them the chance to build not only academic abilities, but also the social skills at the heart of the learning process.
5. Costs and Savings. The cost of the tool is (of course) another factor to consider. Free and cheaper software is easier to access and may have a larger user community. Also, a digital tool may actually end up saving money for schools, teachers and students. So the question may actually be about how much money the tool will save you, rather than cost you. If money is really tight, frame it as a learning experience and bring students into the conversation. Advanced students are often inclined to help solve problems!
6. Saving Time for Busy Students. Digital tools often save students and teachers more than just cash. Another thing to consider when comparing tools is whether or not they can make studying more efficient. Technology can help students learn smarter, not harder. Try to find tools that follow this idea. Advanced students often already have intense schedules, so why not find ways to make use of usually wasted time?
7. Familiarity with Technology. There should be a consideration about how comfortable the student is with digital tools. Think about tools they have used previously and how they compare to the potential selection. Even if the student lacks experience with digital tools, a new tool could be a valuable learning experience.
8. Personal and Academic Interests. It is important to think about the student’s strengths and interests. A tool can either allow a student to push their already strong skills to the next level or let the student work on an interesting, but unfamiliar subject. Technology is all about removing limitations and building connections. A quality digital tool should connect the advance student with new, useful content and experiences.
9. Chances to Explore and Create. Many digital tools also equip students with the freedom to explore their own ideas. As project-based learning becomes increasingly popular, these tools will be useful to advanced students as they embark on projects for class and those emerging from their own unique interests.
10. Feedback and Practice Opportunities. Digital tools can provide students with the chance to take risks with the material they are learning. Some can also provide educators and parents with insight about the real capabilities of their students.
Some digital tools also provide a more comfortable environment for practicing material. Often, more advanced students are reticent to practice material if they are unsure about it. A tool which provides useful feedback without any potential for low grades may be an appropriate choice for students to practice while also not worrying about test scores or embarrassment. Some digital tools also help students grow familiar with environments in addition to content. This works well for those bright students who are entering test preparation time later this spring.
Education technology crosses over barriers between learners and content. With this in mind, digital tools and advanced students seem meant for each other. A well-chosen digital tool will connect the advanced student with materials once outside the limits of their existing classwork. Always keep in mind that these students will often come up with their own ways to incorporate technology in their education. In fact, it’s second nature to most of them. So, be sure to include students in the conversation. Make choosing the tool a learning experience in addition to the technology itself!
It is officially Mathematics Awareness Month, the perfect time to highlight what is making math more accessible and more real for students. 3D printers are definitely evolving into a essential tool for mastering mathematics in the 21st Century. In honor of the month, we are taking the opportunity to find out why.
When I think of 3D printers, I am instantly taken back to the days of George Jetson, imagine pressing a button and opening a magic door to exactly what I had asked for. Honestly, the 3D printing technology seems frighteningly close to that futuristic memory, but, the truth is, there is HUGE potential for 3D printing to impact math education in a variety of ways.
The Process. The idea of how 3D printing works is a math lesson in itself. Being a total novice in this department I calledCasey Hopkins, Founder of Elevation Lab. Hopkins uses a 3D printer to build product prototypes and was able to help me visualize the process – think of a tube of toothpaste or a hot glue gun, building layer upon layer until the desired object is created. Not to oversimplify, but in attempt to gain a very basic understanding of what is happening within these machines, he explained the process so that I could brainstorm classroom connections. It really breaks down to:
The individual gives the machine a detailed set of instructions through the use of computer software (often including algebraic equations as instructions).
The printer uses these instructions to create layers that build upon one another to construct the final project (think of building a ball by carefully stacking cut out circles of different shapes).
In order to build more complex items, the software provides more complex instructions (and therefore more complex math to review with students).
The Mathematics. As you might have guessed, the math teacher in me can’t help but immediately think about how I would use this idea in the classroom, and the truth is there are a number of ways that a 3D printer can advance students conceptual understanding of fundamental and complex mathematics:
Functions – A 3D printer really is a perfect example of an input/output. Why not use the idea to help students understand the role of a function in mathematics?
Algebraic Equations – We can take the idea of a function one step further and look into exactly what equations are used in the computer software that builds instructions for these printers. If we want the printer to build a circle, what sorts of equations might we use in our instructions?
Recursive Formulas – This type of formula uses the preceding term to define the next term of the sequence. They may use the same formula but because they start with a different input, they result in different patterns.
(x,y,z) Coordinates – The final printed product is made up of a network of these coordinates that help to create the structure of the object.
Intersecting a plane with solid objects – When you intersect a plane with a cube, what do you get? Now think instead of building that cube out of a series of squares. Why not use the process of 3D printing to expand on this idea, better yet let the students research 3D printing and explain the process to you.
Mathematical Modeling. As I continued to research this idea, I wondered how else these printers would impact the classroom. For my continued education, I called our friend Dr. Matthew Peterson at MIND Research Institute. MIND Research is actively working on building 3D manipulatives that work with their Spatial Temporal (ST) Math software, helping “make math come to life even more so than with the software alone.”
MIND Research is currently piloting a program now that provides teachers with the software for a variety of manipulatives that are embedded into the ST Math program. Dr. Peterson explains that he has been looking at how to do manipulatives for a long time, “it adds a lot of flexibility and instant access into the physical world from a digital content.” MIND continues to research when and how to incorporate manipulates effectively to bridge between the physical and virtual world.
3D printing provides a more efficient model for a variety of classroom manipulatives. Most importantly, you can print out exactly each student needs. Gone are the days of purchasing full class sets and shipping them from around the world. If you have 30 kids that each need a hands on experience for different concepts, then you can easily personalize the learning experience for everyone of them. If you lose one piece, you won’t have to get a whole new set, you can instantly print just what you need. New technologies will allow you to recycle within the 3D printing machine, helping cut down on waste.
As the world around us continues to change, we need to look at how we introduce kids to new technologies and innovation. The 3D printer and other tools like it are creating more and more teachable moments for us and our students. Lets make sure we utilize these opportunities to help prepare students for careers of the future.
From Foursquare spin-offs to whistle-powered selfies, we covered a lot of ground with new Android apps in May. So by way of a quick recap, here’s our pick of the newbies from the past month.
Sunrise
Sunrise finally opened its uber-popular calendar app to Android users this month, as well as a version for desktop Web browsers.
Sunrise for Android offers a clean, simple design and useful hooks into third-party services such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Foursquare. It currently supports Google and iCloud calendars, though Exchange support will be added in the future.
PingTune lets you share songs with friends, serving as a place to chat and keep tabs on all the SoundCloud and YouTube music you share in a single place.
It’s similar to something like Snapchat or WhatsApp – PingTune wants to be the go-to music-messaging platform.
The service was first launched earlier this year and is based on Summly’s technology, a company Yahoo acquired last year. It’s available in four editions: the US, UK, Canada and ‘rest of the world’.
Founded by early Microsoft and LinkedIn employees, Addappt’s main thrust is this: Taking the pain out of updating your address book by syncing up with your contacts so you always have the most up-to-date details to hand.
Addappt finally arrived on Android in May, letting friends maintain their own data in each others’ address books. Once you connect, whenever one of your buddies updates their own information, Addappt automatically updates with their new details in your address book.
Cooliris, a service that pulls photos from multiple social networks into a single repository, finally arrived on Android this month, almost two years after hitting iOS.
In a nutshell, Cooliris hooks up with 15 services, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Dropbox, and Flickr, serving as a unified gallery to share content with friends and browse photos.
When you launch the app, you position the source text in the middle of the box, select your language combination (Chinese>English or Japanese>English), and you’re good to go. Reverse translations (e.g. English to Chinese) will be rolled out to the Android incarnation at some point, and we’re told that more languages will be added further down the line too.
The design may leave a lot to be desired, but the idea is a sound one – and it wouldn’t be at all surprising if such a feature was incorporated directly into Android in the future. The app’s core raison d’être is to make it as easy as possible to translate text into your preferred language without closing the active application – this could be an email, mobile website, document, or any third-party app that lets you copy and paste text.
You select the text you wish to convert, copy it to your clipboard, and then tap the floating Inapp Translator bubble to read the translation, which comes courtesy of Microsoft Translator.
Combining a top-down isometric design, stunning color palette and alluring soundtrack, you’re tasked with guiding a silent princess called Ida through a series of tricky puzzles.
You’ll either love or hate Secret, but it has garnered a lot of attention since launching for iOS in the US, before arriving internationally in April. And now it’s on Android too.
Secret has skyrocketed since launch, as members of the technology industry post gossip – the truth of which is by no means guaranteed – about startups in Silicon Valley and beyond. There are no names on Secret, making it difficult for anyone to guess who has posted the most recent rumors.
The oft-requested friend-only timeline option is available in the Android version too, though not the iOS incarnation.
While many apps have been challenging Skype’s throne in recent times, Ringo launched this month with a fresh take on what a mobile calling app can look like.
Interestingly, Ringo doesn’t require an internet connection to make calls – it routes them in the same way a regular carrier does, so “calls are not affected by fluctuations in internet connectivity that often lead to audio delays, loss of quality and dropped calls,” the company says.
Roomer lets you buy and sell your unwanted non-refundable hotel reservations.
The first iteration of the mobile app, which launched this month, only lets travelers search and book discounted hotel rooms, rather than selling non-refundable hotel rooms. So you’ll need to use the Web version if you’re trying to shift an unwanted reservation.
Formerly iOS and Web only, BillGuard sells itself as the world’s first ‘people-powered antivirus system for bills’. Once you’ve connected all your bank cards and credit cards, its predictive algorithms alert you when there’s unexpected charges such as hidden fees, billing errors, scams and fraud on your credit card bills.
It also serves up warnings when a similar dubious charge has been flagged by other users, or receives a complaint elsewhere on the Web. The ‘BillGuard brain’ becomes more accurate over time, and it’s a shame it’s restricted to the US and Canada.
However, it’s not about timing your egg-boiling efforts. No. It bypasses seconds, minutes, and even hours to let you add future (or past) events and give you an at-a-glance view of what’s on the horizon.
BreakFree gives feedback on how exactly you use your phone, through tracking things like how often you unlock your screen, how long you spend on calls, and which apps demand your attention most.
I found this great article about new and innovative classrooms written by Jeff Dunn. It was originally posted on the website Edudemic in September 2012. Click the link to see the original article.
There’s a whole new classroom model and it’s a sight to behold. The newest school system in Sweden look more like the hallways of Google or Pixar and less like a brick-and-mortar school you’d typically see.
There are collaboration zones, houses-within-houses, and a slew of other features that are designed to foster “curiosity and creativity.” That’s according to Vittra, which runs 30 schools in Sweden. Their most recent school, Telefonplan School (see photos below via Zilla Magazine) in Stockholm, could very well be the school of the future.
Architect Rosan Bosch designed the school to encourage both independent and collaborative work such as group projects and PBL. Even the furniture is meant to get students learning. Bosch says each piece is meant to “aid students in engaging” while working.
The un-schoolness doesn’t stop with the furniture and layout though. The school has no letter grades, students learn in groups based on their level and not age.
Most of all, admission to the school is free as long as one of the child’s parents pays taxes in Sweden and the child has a ‘personal number’ which is like a social security number to our U.S. readers.
This post originally appeared in Edudemic.Com Online (http://edudemic.com/2012/09/swedens-newest-school-system-has-no-classrooms/)
In 2011, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tested 122,000 eighth grade students in their knowledge of science according to the 2011 NAEP Science Framework. Students are tested in their knowledge of science and their ability to work problems in three science areas: physical science, life science, and the Earth and space sciences. The test covered 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense schools. Students’ test scores placed them in one of four categories: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, and Advanced. The terms Basic, Proficient, and Advanced are defined as:
Basic denotes partial mastery of prerequisite knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficient work at each grade.
Proficient represents solid academic performance. Students reaching this level have demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter.
Advanced represents superior performance.
While the national report card for eighth graders does show improvement, the results of the sample suggests that the nation as a whole has more students in the Below Basic category than any other:
Below Basic 36%
Basic 34%
Proficient 29%
Advanced 2%
The achievement-level results in the eighth-grade NAEP science scores for the years 2009 and 2011 are:
At or above Basic went from 63% to 65%
At or above Proficient went from 30% to 32%
The number of students in Advanced stayed the same each year.
Here are some sample questions by science content area and difficulty level for grade eight students:
Basic
Physical Science
Describe the energy transfer between two systems
Read a motion graph
Earth and Space Sciences
Draw a conclusion based on fossil evidence
Predict a geological consequence of tectonic plate movement
Identify the mechanisms of a weather pattern
Life Science
Recognize a factor that affects the success of a species
Predict the effect of an environmental change on an organism
Explain an experimental setup to study populations of organisms
Recognize how plants use sunlight
Physical Science
Identify an example of kinetic energy
Proficient
Earth and Space Sciences
Explain the effects of human land use on wildlife
Predict a lunar phenomenon
Relate characteristics of air masses to global regions
Identify a source of energy for the Earth’s water cycle
Predict the long-term pattern in the volcanic activity of a region
Investigate the magnetic properties of some common objects
Physical Sciences
Select and explain the useful properties of a material used in an industrial process
Identify the atomic components of the molecule
Determine a controlled variable in a chemistry investigation
Recognize an effect of electrical forces
Life Sciences
Identify the main sources of energy for certain organisms
Select and explain graph types and draw graphs from data that compare insect behaviors
recognize that plants produce their own food
Describe the competition between two species
Identify a function of a human organ system
Advanced
Earth and Space Sciences
Predict and explain a weather pattern due to collision of air masses
Explain the formation of a rock based on its features
Draw a conclusion about soil permeability using data
Physical Science
Describe the evidence for chemical change
Identify chemically similar elements on the Periodic Table
Explain a change in energy due to friction
Life Sciences
Select and explain graph types and draw graphs from data that compare insect behaviors
Form a conclusion based on data about the behavior of an organism
