Friday, February 6, 2015
Podcast: Idea Showcase and EdCampSTL
In this episode, we talk about the Idea Showcase, our new 3D Printer and EdCampSTL. Listeners can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. Search iTunes for Harmonized Learning in the podcast section and click "subscribe". You can also follow us on Twitter @melissahellwig4 and @dayankee
Matching Tool To Task
Last week we wrote a grant on DonorsChoose.org for a 3D Printer. Within a couple of days, our students' families funded the grant so that we can use the printer to further the kids' learning. We have several students who are creating amazing projects who can use a 3D printer to advance their learning. This is the way things should be. The learning should drive the use of technology.
Too often we get technology and then try to find ways to use it. That is backwards. The way it should be is that the acquisition of technology should be a natural extension of the learning that is taking place. When we do things in that order, we are assured that the technology is relevant to the kids and their learning. As the school year evolves, we move in different directions depending on the interests and talents of our kids. Each group is different. In order to honor these differences, we plan our program according to the group of kids that we have. To that end, our technology needs vary from year to year. This year, one of our needs has been a 3D printer. We are ecstatic that we were able to get our grant funded and are eager to get the kids creating.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Idea Showcase Reflections
Today we opened up our 20% Time projects for public comment. In the school cafeteria, for two hours, students, teachers, parents and administrators came in to see the project ideas. We call this the Idea Showcase, a chance for kids to talk about their project ideas with an authentic audience and answer questions about the projects that they may not have thought about before. Over a hundred spectators browsed the projects over the two hour block of time.
The kids really rose to the occasion. Many were not ready when they woke up this morning, but worked hard to polish their presentations and materials in time to be effective advocates for their project ideas. Watching the kids interact with the adult visitors was especially interesting. Kids often have difficulty talking to adults about their work, but today the kids seemed to be engaged and verbose about their ideas. They were really able to enter into discussions about learning, and what they hoped to accomplish, on a deeper level than many would expect.
The projects represent a vast array of ideas. These are the ideas that the kids really wanted to pursue. A conversation with one parent went something like this:
"When you guys first started this, I wasn't sure what you were doing. There didn't seem to be much direction for the kids," the parent said.
"That's true. We encourage but try not to steer at the beginning. The kids have to come up with their own idea," I replied.
"Well, we ran into some real roadblocks during the last few months. I figured that those were things she (her daughter) would have to deal with. She solved the problems but she wasn't really sure how to at first," mom said.
"Yes, that's exactly it! It has to be real-life learning. We don't know the solutions to a lot of the problems we face and we have to figure them out as best we can," I said.
"Well, looking around at the projects, I get it now. This is amazing. All of these project were the kids' ideas," she said.
"Yep, they are. It's different from the way we normally think of school. If I give a kid a paper to fill out with answers that I know are supposed to be there, then that is MY work, not the kids' work. But here, all of these ideas, this clearly is the kids' work," I said.
"That is so true. I look around and I'm surprised by what these kids are doing," she replied.
"We are surprised every year when we start 20% Time," I said.
The level of thinking and problem-solving that these kids demonstrated so far is astonishing. Several have tweaked or changed their project idea because they really hadn't thought through their idea before and realized that they were not passionate about it. For those kids, they learned that the search is one of the most important parts of the project.
The Idea Showcase was validating for the kids and it's validating for us as teachers. What the visitors shared was that the kids were in command of their own learning and seemed excited to be pursuing learning about which they are passionate. The kids got to have positive interactions with adults who were both inquisitive and complementary. They came out of the showcase more confident and assured that their projects were worthwhile and valued. We, as teachers, again saw that kids can really do great things when we get out of their way.
The kids really rose to the occasion. Many were not ready when they woke up this morning, but worked hard to polish their presentations and materials in time to be effective advocates for their project ideas. Watching the kids interact with the adult visitors was especially interesting. Kids often have difficulty talking to adults about their work, but today the kids seemed to be engaged and verbose about their ideas. They were really able to enter into discussions about learning, and what they hoped to accomplish, on a deeper level than many would expect.
The projects represent a vast array of ideas. These are the ideas that the kids really wanted to pursue. A conversation with one parent went something like this:
"When you guys first started this, I wasn't sure what you were doing. There didn't seem to be much direction for the kids," the parent said.
"That's true. We encourage but try not to steer at the beginning. The kids have to come up with their own idea," I replied.
"Well, we ran into some real roadblocks during the last few months. I figured that those were things she (her daughter) would have to deal with. She solved the problems but she wasn't really sure how to at first," mom said.
"Yes, that's exactly it! It has to be real-life learning. We don't know the solutions to a lot of the problems we face and we have to figure them out as best we can," I said.
"Well, looking around at the projects, I get it now. This is amazing. All of these project were the kids' ideas," she said.
"Yep, they are. It's different from the way we normally think of school. If I give a kid a paper to fill out with answers that I know are supposed to be there, then that is MY work, not the kids' work. But here, all of these ideas, this clearly is the kids' work," I said.
"That is so true. I look around and I'm surprised by what these kids are doing," she replied.
"We are surprised every year when we start 20% Time," I said.
The level of thinking and problem-solving that these kids demonstrated so far is astonishing. Several have tweaked or changed their project idea because they really hadn't thought through their idea before and realized that they were not passionate about it. For those kids, they learned that the search is one of the most important parts of the project.
The Idea Showcase was validating for the kids and it's validating for us as teachers. What the visitors shared was that the kids were in command of their own learning and seemed excited to be pursuing learning about which they are passionate. The kids got to have positive interactions with adults who were both inquisitive and complementary. They came out of the showcase more confident and assured that their projects were worthwhile and valued. We, as teachers, again saw that kids can really do great things when we get out of their way.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Podcast: Idea Showcase and Changing Projects
In this episode, we talk about preparation for Idea Showcase and students changing projects. We also touch on a few students who have changed projects to ideas about which they are passionate. Listeners can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. Search iTunes for Harmonized Learning in the podcast section and click "subscribe". You can also follow us on Twitter @melissahellwig4 and @dayankee
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
"But This is Fun Work!"
As we prepare for the Idea Showcase, students are busy at work (some are working harder than others, of course). Some of the kids get stalled and need some coaching and questioning to figure out what the next step of their project should be. Most have a good idea of what they need to accomplish but time-management is not their strength. The organization skills and learning construction skills are essential for everyone to master and 20% Time is an awesome way for the kids to learn those skills. They try, they flounder, they get a foothold, and they make progress.
The thing that we like to see is the kids' mood when they've forgotten that it's a 20% Time day and they figure it out upon entering the room. Today upon entering the room, Jimmy said, "Yay! It's 20% day! No work!" I reminded him that it is work and not a day off, to which he responded, "Yeah, but it's FUN work!" Cha-ching! This was an indication that the kids are getting the point. The work is theirs; they own it. They are responsible for learning what they WANT to learn. When kids are motivated by the work they want to do, they will achieve great things. We are in the midst of kids achieving great things again this year.
The thing that we like to see is the kids' mood when they've forgotten that it's a 20% Time day and they figure it out upon entering the room. Today upon entering the room, Jimmy said, "Yay! It's 20% day! No work!" I reminded him that it is work and not a day off, to which he responded, "Yeah, but it's FUN work!" Cha-ching! This was an indication that the kids are getting the point. The work is theirs; they own it. They are responsible for learning what they WANT to learn. When kids are motivated by the work they want to do, they will achieve great things. We are in the midst of kids achieving great things again this year.
John works in a quiet corner
Some boys invade Don's space. Our space is their space.
Collaboration works
Working individually, together
Friday, January 9, 2015
Podcast: Idea Showcase Prep
In this episode, we talk about preparation for the Idea Showcase, presenting at EdCampWG and what is in store for EdCampSTL. Listeners can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. Search iTunes for Harmonized Learning in the podcast section and click "subscribe". You can also follow us on Twitter @melissahellwig4 and @dayankee
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