Exploring innovation in education (by Kevin Mandeville)
Kamenetz does a good job of capturing the vast number of resources available for personal learning, but never does quite demonstrate how someone might actually earn a “DIY” credential. The advice to take charge and be self-motivated runs smack into the hard reality that currently about the only credentialing available is through traditional higher ed pathways. The definition of “education” may be changing, but so far at least, the definition of “degree” isn’t.
Edupunks Guide to a DIY Credential, by Anya Kamenetz. Free ebook available at Scribd and Smashwords.
—
Anthony ChivettaThe conference has kicked off! You can tune in live to watch here:
—
Alvin TofflerJohn Taylor Gatto is a true pioneer of education. He has worked in the trenches for decades & has instituted revolutionary practices both in & out of the classroom. He first demonstrated the power of empowering students with responsibility & field application (much like we’ve seen in Chris Lehmann). I love this short documentary, Classrooms of the Heart, showcasing his work. He just gets it. Every time I watch this urges me to finally read Weapons of Mass Instruction by the man himself.
We have enormous innovation in education technology right now. However, the majority is focused on what’s happening outside the classroom. Very few are tackling issues inside of it.
This is where I am most intrigued, as I believe it is the area prime for most disruption. Specifically, real-time integration with new mobile technology shows tremendous promise.
A recent study shows two-thirds of students who try educational mobile apps perceive positive learning, with 100% of students motivated to integrate them into the classroom.
As part of a mobile initiative at Abilene Christian University, the entire student body was given a smartphone device. In a faculty survey, 92% of respondents reported that they are comfortable having students use mobile devices for a required class activity and 83% reported regular use of mobile devices in class. Most faculty saw positive results from using mobile devices in courses, including increased levels of communication and elevated student engagement. More than 94% of faculty labeled the program “successful.”
My new venture, Amplio, is aimed at leveraging mobile apps to enhance the learning experience in higher education. We have identified basic, fundamental problems & pain points for processes inside the classroom. Current inefficiencies we are developing simple solutions for include: attendance, professor evaluation, & participation/polling.
Though we’re just getting started, it’s an exciting journey to be on. I hope we see more entrepreneurs & educators alike combine their efforts to improve the experience inside the classroom.
What are other areas of inefficiency you see & pain points you have for processes inside the classroom?
Sir Ken Robinson is one of the most recognized leaders in the development of education, creativity, & innovation. The video above, made from one of his presentations, speaks to all of the problems in the current state of education. It’s a must watch for not just professionals in education, but everybody.
I know this has been posted all over tumblr already, but had to include it here because of how inspiring & well-done it is. It has a made a profound impact on me personally in my quest to better understand & improve the way we educate ourselves.
“All television is educational television. The question is: what is it teaching?” ~ Nicholas Johnson
If you’re looking for people to network with, that’s the place to look!
8 Year old girl from Dublin tries to get her school demolished… Just listen.
(This was too funny not to repost.)
The imagination of children is astounding. The whole world is at their fingertips.
(via just-a-skinny-boy)
If you’re a student living in Missouri, you’d better not be Facebook friends with any of your teachers – because that will soon be against the law.
According to Missouri Senate Bill 54 that goes into effect on August 28, any social networking — not just Facebook — is prohibited between teachers and students. It’s all part of an effort to “more clearly define teacher-student boundaries.” However, KSPR reports that It’s only direct social media contact that’s prohibited; teachers are allowed to create Facebook Pages where all students have direct access to the teacher in a more public setting.
» via Mashable
I find this legislation to be both comical & appalling.
Now, I get it. The intention of the bill is to enact strict guidelines to reduce & prohibit sexual misconduct.
That being said, there are already enough privacy measures in place for users to control their own online behavior. The bill encompasses all of ‘social networking’ though - not just Facebook - which is even more preposterous. Measuring such online activity will be impossible when you incorporate Twitter, Google +, LinkedIn, etc.
The extent of the bill is unclear as well. Does this pertain to all levels of schooling (elementary through college)? The magnitude of teacher relationships are significantly deepened as students progress. College professors, for instance, can have a profound impact on a student & be incredibly close as both a mentor & a friend. Having the opportunity to connect & communicate online is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
On the surface, it appears that digital immigrants are writing legislation out of complete ignorance. This hinders moving towards an open & transparent web. Our online & offline identity are not separate like church & state — our representatives need to understand this.
Furthermore, this bill now reinforces a scenario of building up borders in education rather than breaking them down. Let’s start taking action that does the latter.
—
Daniel Pink
