Communicating with staff about change

I have been attempting to lead staff into a change in thinking about the use of technology in teaching and learning. Below is the content of an email I sent in response to a request for some web links to use with students in the classroom.

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I think it’s a good idea to have access to as much technology as possible in order for you to make useful and appropriate decisions about your student’s learning. This includes the software, apps and web resources you use with your students. However, how these resources are used is up for discussion. As the picture on the left shows, it’s not merely using the technology that’s important, it’s how it is used to promote thinking. That’s the issue. I should also point out I don’t necessarily agree with the ‘right answer’ ‘wrong answer’ classification but I certainly agree with the conclusion - ‘Technology is a tool, not an learning outcome.’ To help you understand this better I include the SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition) model below. It shows the various levels where technology is used and the thinking it promotes. There is nothing wrong in making pezis or posting to Edmodo at a substitution level but in order to aim at modifying and redefining learning events we need to focus on engaging students at a greater level of inquiry.

For some of us, we are going to do some major thinking around the how, why and what we teach. I know I have. Dan and I have been submerged in a Bastow course ~ Leading Schools in the Digital Age and now we are bringing many of the concepts we have been working through home to Wellington.
Have you had an opportunity to view the examples of student’s portfolios yet? I include them again for your information.  They are not complete. Students need you to prompt them to reflect on their learning and upload some examples of their achievements. Here are the examples of some students ePortfolios for 8K I have previously posted. I have their permission to distribute their links Megan ROSS https://sites.google.com/a/wellingtonsc.vic.edu.au/ros0021eportfolio/ Dale MANANDIC https://sites.google.com/a/wellingtonsc.vic.edu.au/man0034-e-portfolio/ Victoria BANH https://sites.google.com/a/wellingtonsc.vic.edu.au/ban0024-eportfolio/ Here are some useful links which you may find helpful.

Cartoon strips and animations

Go!Animate Takes storytelling using online cartoon strip makers a little bit further by allowing students to spark life into characters and create short animations. A super tool to foster creativity and engage students.

Xtra Normal For creating text to speech animated movies. A useful tool for social development.

MakeBeliefsComix Encourage writing, reading, and storytelling. With this tool, students can create online comics.

Hot Potato An easy tool that’s free to educators. Build your own crosswords, matching exercises, short answer, multiple-choice, and jumbled sentences. Makes homework prep a breeze.

ToonDoo A web application that allows students to create their own comic strips. Highly motivational, it allows students to express themselves in a more creative way.