21st Century Learning

Planning for Tomorrow

2010-12-08T08:10:00.000-08:00

I'm fortunate to work with some pretty sharp people and lately we've been focused on visioning and planning for 21st century learning. Each time we go through this process (at various schools) we come to similar conclusions about several aspects of the learning environment; Learners and teachers must have access to a variety of resources 24/7, learning opportunities must extend beyond the current bell schedule and school hours, the current agrarian calendar is a hindrance to success, students need more flexibility and choices in their learning approaches, school work must be relevant and include real world challenges, students must learn to be producers, all of us need to collaborate more amongst ourselves and our constituents, professional development needs to be available and accessible 24/7, and the list goes on.

This list can be overwhelming but if you can prioritize these outcomes and set forth a detailed, time bound plan, and integrate the appropriate technologies then it can be done. These are the types of goals we need to approach and today is the time to start planning for tomorrow.

What are you doing to plan for tomorrow? What is your school doing? How about your district?

Questions to ask before you buy

2010-12-02T22:41:00.000-08:00

This is an excerpt from an article I've written entitled Gadgets, gizmos and goals:Questions to ask before you buy.

Questions to consider:

How does this technology support your long term vision of classroom learning? Do you have a clear, shared vision of what learning can and should look like two to five years from now? If not, then start here.

Are we talking about participation or presentation? Most of my observations uncover technology used by teachers for presentation, old school methodology, new delivery vehicle, same results.
Is this engaging the teachers or the students? Teacher productivity tools notwithstanding most technology should be engaging students in real life, project based work.

Do you have a plan to measure the engagement factors and student learning gains? This is your return on investment (ROI) and you need a plan. And yes, it is possible.

Can it be done with web 2.0 tools or other software resources? Hardware is expensive and is outdated in six months. Can your learning goals and activities be supported with group computing devices and free web tools?

Is it supported by the vendor and the district? Not all technologies work the same on any network so beware the hidden issues (see current Apple license issues for further explanation, their fault not ours).

Is it sustainable? What is the replacement cycle? How do these purchases impact future budgets?
Do you have a professional development plan for both teachers and students? Ouch, how do we keep making this mistake?

And finally, how will you pilot it before making a big commitment? Interested in IPads? Have you thoroughly answered the above questions with wide stakeholder input? Great, then make a plan for acquiring some and trying them out first. Then, and only then should you expand the program and make the spend.

Math education for the 21st century

2010-11-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

How can we make Math more relevent to students? This teacher has a nice persptective: http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/855

A Must Watch!

2010-10-14T07:52:00.000-07:00

21st Century Learning is...

2009-10-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

At a recent meeting of our district's Instruction, Curriculum, and Student Services division we each defined 21st century learning. I transcribed their index card answers into a google doc and then copy and pasted it all into Wordle at http://www.wordle.net/. How would you answer, "21st Century Learning is...".

A Game Plan

2009-09-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

Sean Wybrant nailed it in a response to my last post, "What can I do for you?" He sums our situation up well as he describes the disconnect between three well meaning camps, teachers, IT, and district leadership. So, if you don't mind Sean, I 'm going to borrow your description of my new job, "...be the voice that can go between the teachers in the schools and the other groups in an effort to open up the talks that so desperately need to happen." Piece of cake.

So here are a few parts of the game plan and I need your feedback:

Key distict leadership buyin - The wheels are already in motion to bring together a group of key district leaders to raise the first question: What is 21st century learning?

From there we will grow the discussion and bring all stakeholders together to create a vision, mission and goals.

Create and support existing online collaboration and professional learning for teachers
Assess our resources and create a clearinghouse website:

What great collaboration sites already exist? Wikis, blogs, websites
Who's teaching 21st century skills and how?
What hardware and web 2.0 tools and resources are being used well for learning?
Who are expert users with what tools?
How can we best disseminate professional learning?
How do we assess 21st century skills?

You get to help create the plan so please comment and pass this blog around.

Help me help you

2009-08-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to a new school year. With renewed energy and focus I am privileged to offer my assistance and support to our teachers this year as the 21st Century Learning Coordinator. This grant funded position is for 09-10 but the impact will be lasting. My mission is to provide guidance, support, training and resources to drive the successful implementation of 21st century learning and skills for all D11 learners. Bottom line, I"m here to help you be even more successful in implementing quality 21st century learning.

In order to do this I need your help. My goals currently include: clarify the message of 21st century learning, coordinate and align various 21CL programs, support innovation through technology, coordinate and provide relevent PD as well as foster outside collaboration. I'm going to put my business plan draft on a google doc and ask for your input. I also need to quickly find out who really wants to play this year and get us all collaborating. We have ROCK STARS in this district and you all will be my guidance for creating a successful venture for all of D11.

I want to know what can I do for you?

Greg Wilborn
o 520.2969
c 648.33200
Twitter - gwilborn
Facebook - Greg Wilborn

Can you have 21st century learning without technology?

2009-06-03T23:34:00.000-07:00

I've been in a debate with some colleagues recently regarding the realities and complexities of so called 21st century learning. 21CL is certainly an overused term these days and there seem to be more misunderstandings than agreement. Some say that the use of technology is the defining element of 21CL while others hold that tech literacy is but one of several 21st century skills that must be taught. This past year I've been on a quest to uncover promising classroom practices in 21st century learning and frankly, it has been a difficult journey.

Most of the technology I observed was in use by the teacher to deliver direct instruction. Is this 21CL? On the other hand I observed students that were thinking critically, inventing, and collaborating with no technology in sight. Is this 21st century learning?

Going forward we desperately need to clarify our 21st century learning vision and goals, share our best examples, experiment, struggle, learn together, and collaborate while modeling 21st century skills for our students and colleagues.

Just do it!

2009-05-23T22:35:00.000-07:00

I've watched several great education bloggers over the past two years and participated in a limited way through a few comment posts here and there. I'm convinced of the importance and usefulness of this communication method for all learners but my own anxieties have kept me from starting a blog (I'm sure many of you can relate). Well, here I go, and I do so in order to set an example for my own colleagues and more importantly to start conversations around 21st century learning in my own school district and throughout the education universe (assuming of course that someone reads this and engages). Colorado Springs School District 11 is my vocational home and I'm humbled daily by the dedicated staff so diligently serving our community. My best hope is that I can somehow add value to the most important work in the world, facilitating the learning of our future generations.