Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration
Dear Educator,
For too long I have felt the tension of two often disconnected perspectives in education:
Constructivist teaching practices and hands-on learning
Innovation as technology
I believe that our best, learner-centered practices combine both of these to engage learners in meaningful, relevant, and personalized learning experiences anytime, anywhere. When we braid together both perspectives, rather than separate them, we can combine the effective use of technology and learner-centered pedagogy to create the future of education and learning.
In this week’s issue of Bright Spots, I want to highlight how technology can help learners take ownership of their journey and drive their own learning in and beyond the classroom walls.
With Gratitude, Katie
BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK
Engaging Learners Through Technology
Technology should not and cannot replace a teacher. Teachers know their students, push them to reach their potential, build relationships, and create environments where students feel included and supported.
El Segundo Unified School District has created a learning model that leverages technology for agency, mastery, and purpose.
In this case study, teachers anecdotally report increased levels of observed engagement, and the district will formally measure engagement levels on student surveys and focus groups at year end. So far, students who may have had more traditional models in the past shared their own increased levels of motivation.
One eighth grader shared:
“It’s different this year because we get to control how we learn and reflect on what we are learning. We get to play a bigger part in our learning and focus on different things that may interest us. For instance, we recently were able to play a game about our rights and protections in the Bill of Rights. Then we got to choose one of the amendments to explore more as well as review landmark court cases. This was much more engaging and we learned more than simply filling out a worksheet.”
Reflection Exercise
As you reflect on this week’s Bright Spot, I encourage you to consider how you might use technology to:
Connect
Personalize
Access content
Learn and practice
Create content
Document and share
Interested in discussing how you might use technology to engage learners? Let's connect!
Below are some resources for effectively implementing technology to engage learners in your context.
1. Tapping in to open educational resources. Shifting to a learner-centered paradigm is going to require many shifts, and providing flexible and open learning resources will be an important part of the change journey. Read more on "Why There Has Never Been a Better Time for OER," in an insightful piece by Devin Vodicka.
2. Leveraging technology in the classroom. Technology can help learners take ownership of their journey and drive their own learning in and beyond the classroom walls. Learn about how you can utilize technology to create more Learner-Centered experiences in my blog post.
3. Professional learning opportunity. Join Educate Texas, Getting Smart and Learner-Centered Collaborative on October 28 for Measuring What Matters: Competency-Based Assessments, Certifications, and Credentials, part 2 of 4 of the TxLx professional learning series. This free virtual session is open to all educators and leaders. Register here.
LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!
How are you utilizing technology to support students' success? Use #LCBrightSpots to share your experiences on social media!
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Learner-Centered Collaborative, 49 Stevenson Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
