In CEP 810 we are tasked to learn how to do something solely using online sources. Inspired by the rainy weekend and this super fun polka dot raincoat by Pretty Prudent, I decided to learn how to make a raincoat for my son – although I think I am going to go for a shark theme to feed his imagination, and maybe make it more fitted like this navy blue option by Nat on Sew Outnumbered. I had no idea what fabric to use for a raincoat – vinyl, laminate, PUL – but I came across this gem and decided to go with PUL (polyurethane laminate) for its flexibility and light weight.
Next stop, finding fabric…and coming up with a pattern…
Week 2 of CEP 810 kicked off with 3 great articles on essential mindsets for professional growth, technology integration, and creation of modern learning environments. In the first article, Will Richardson made us question “Why School?” and examine the purpose of formal education in an age of information abundance. Following this was James Paul Gee’s article on the importance of effective technology implementation that included a stark reminder that aiding student learning with “situated meaning” does not entail a ‘free for all’ learning atmosphere, but rather a supremely crafted individualized learning experience. The growth mindset emphasized in these articles was excellently summarized in the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Standards, which emphasize the need for educators to be co-learners in the digital and global age.
This is the first week of CEP 810: Teaching Understanding with Technology, and we started with a study of learning and learning with understanding. After reading excerpts from Bransford, Brown, & Cocking’s How People Learn (2000), I evaluated my current perception of learning (the acquisition of knowledge) and learning with understanding (the ability to analyze and apply information), what methods accomplish learning and learning with understanding, and how I am currently using those methods. In short, I find that a balance of learner centered, lectured centered, and technology integrated methods work best in my classroom to effectively achieve student learning with the ability to apply and innovate based on the acquired knowledge. Read the full essay and let’s chat!