Benefits of Mind Mapping

By Katie Lepi 

When I talk to people about mind mapping, I usually find myself facing one of two reactions: The person I’m speaking with either LOVES mind maps, or pretty much has no idea what they are or what they could be used for. We’ve discussed mind maps occasionally in the past, but I recently stumbled on this great graphic from Daniel Tay(who creates a bunch of different mind maps on different topics).

This particular graphic addresses the benefits of mind mapping, which can serve as a good primer for anyone who is unfamiliar with the concept. It is also a pretty simple mind map, especially compared with many of the maps you see if you do a quick web search to find some. Take a look and see how mind maps can benefit you and your students!

The Benefits of Mind Mapping

• Organize
• Brainstorm
• Understand
• Recall
• Note-take
• Communicate

Post Source : http://www.edudemic.com/benefits-of-mind-mapping/

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Education Technology Trends You Should Know About

By Katie Lepi

Not too long ago, the NMC Horizon Report: 2014 Higher Education Edition was released, with the aim of examining emerging technologies for their potential impact on and use in teaching and learning within higher education settings.

This is the eleventh time the New Media Consortium has put out this report, and it is interesting to look back and see what they had to say last year, as compared with their findings this year. In the report, the NMC teams with the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative to identify six trends that are accelerating the adoption of technology in higher education.

The report identifies the technologies, and then separates them into three timeframes (called Horizons) that they think will match when each technology will enter mainstream use. Just for reference, last year’s identified trends were MOOCs (Horizon 1),  tablet computing (Horizon 1), games/gamification (Horizon 2),  learning analytics (Horizon 2),  3-D printing (Horizon 3), and wearable technologies (Horizon 3).

This year, the group has identified social media (Horizon 1), integration of hybrid, online and collaborative learning (Horizon 1), the rise of data driven learning and assessment (Horizon 2), students as creators instead of consumers (Horizon 2), agile approaches to change (Horizon 3), and the evolution of online learning (Horizon 3).

While you’re welcome to download and peruse the whole report from the NMC website, we’ve decided just to highlight the key trends that they’ve identified to get you thinking.

2014′s Key Trends

(all quotations from the NMC Horizon Report)

Social Media -  “Educators, students, alumni, and the general public routinely use social media to share news about scientific and other developments. The impact of these changes in scholarly communication and on the credibility of information remains to be seen, but it is clear that social media has found significant traction in almost every education sector.”

Hybrid, Online, and Collaborative Learning - “An increasing number of universities are incorporating online environments into courses of all kinds, which is making the content more dynamic, flexible, and accessible to a larger number of students,”

Data Driven Learning and Assessment - “As learners participate in online activities, they leave an increasingly clear trail of analytics data that can be mined for insights.”

Students Shifting From Consumers to Creators - “University departments in areas that have not traditionally had lab or hands-on components are shifting to incorporate hands-on learning experiences as an integral part of the curriculum.”

Agile Approaches to Change - “When educators are able to experiment with new technologies and approaches before implementing them in courses, they have the opportunity to evaluate them and make improvements to teaching models.”

The Evolution of Online Learning - “The value that online learning offers is now well understood, with flexibility, ease of access, and the integration of sophisticated multimedia and technologies chief among the list of appeals.”

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/education-trends-keep-tech-front-center/

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The Busy Teacher’s Quick Guide To Blended Learning

By Katie Lepi

Blended learning is a combination of some face-to-face teaching and some online teaching. It is a great way for teachers to bring online components into the forefront, rather than just using digital materials as supplemental (often at home) course materials. Blended learning has a huge advantage – it doesn’t prescribe that particular activities must be online or in person. There isn’t a particular percentage of teaching and learning that has to happen in the classroom or not. You can tailor it to your needs, and do some experimentation. It is so flexible, and can be something different for each teacher, each class, or each student. One class may lean heavily on the online component and another may not, depending on the availability and appropriateness of materials available.

The handy infographic below takes a look at the details on blended learning. What is it? Why do teachers like it? How does it work? Keep reading to learn more!

Learning About Blended Learning

• Blended learning refers to any time that a student is learning in a mixed environment of brick-and-mortar, supervised learning, and learning via online delivery methods.
• It is estimated that by 2019, 50% of all high school classes will be delivered online.
• Tight budgets, teacher shortages, and a greater demand for results are some of the biggest factors accelerating the growth of blended learning.
• By the end of 2014, 50% of all post-secondary students will be taking at least one class online.
• Because blended learning is so customizable, it really pushes personalized learning and moves education away from the one size fits all model.

Blended learning models can be mostly online, mostly in person, half and half, or some combination thereof. There are six distinct models:

• Face-to-Face Driver
• Rotation
• Flex
• Online Lab
• Self-Blend
• Online Driver

More technology solutions are needed to support blended learning models. These include:

• Integrated systems
• High quality, dynamic content
• Analytics
• Automation
• Applications that enhance student motivation

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/blended-learning-infographic-2/

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How To Use Smartphones For Language Learning

By Colleen Lee on February 16, 2014

“Have you mastered what we are working on?”

I am working on trying to balance the need to know that my students ‘have it’ with the practical realities of a modern language class. For that reason I have been looking at more and more choice in not only what language students use to demonstrate learning but also in how they do it. This year I have been making more use of the ‘quick conversation’ as a means of measuring learning. So an interaction, recorded on the phone, and then forwarded to me is a new way to offer some formative assessment.

What? They all look like they’re working hard to me!

Supplies

You need one mobile phone per conversation pair. I am aware that there are students without mobile phones so I also have a handheld digital recorder ($30) that can also be used. Almost all smart phones have some form of audio note recording app built into them – and they can use any one.

Requirements

I am careful to lay out the criteria beforehand. This is not onerous but a task designed to hear the desired pattern or structure in context, and more than once. For example, in my grade 12 course I needed to hear that they understood the difference between 3 types of conditionals. It is easy for me to tell who is ‘getting it’ and who isn’t.

Preparation

I allow about 15-20 minutes depending on what we have studied. This is enough time for them to consider the requirements, ensure that they are comfortable with what they have to demonstrate and run through it a couple of times. This is also a key time where partners affirm their knowledge and even help their partner to understand a concept they might not be as clear on.

Sending

I will not accept any files until after the end of the school day and it is sent from a student’s home, via a wireless connection. The last thing I want to do is push a cost onto a parent for data. If I receive the file prior to that it is not marked.

Listening

You will receive files in a variety of formats. Typically I click on it and it opens in a program that will play it. However I use a Macbook Pro and files that come from Android phones initially look incompatible. Well – internet searching to the rescue. I know what kind of files my computer reads – and so I search “converting .api to .mp4″ – the answer is easy to find. After doing of few of these I am comfortable altering the file extension to what I need to hear it.

Marking

I wanted to be able to credit students for completing a task as required, but also encourage them to show a bit more range in the language they choose to do this. So I looked around at various rubrics and came up with one that measures “Task”, “Vocabulary” and “Grammar”. Students also receive some feedback in written form. The rubric isn’t perfect but it provides feedback that students can use.

The phone conversation homework is popular with my students who like the timeliness and authenticity is provides. More of these to come.

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/phones-language-learning/

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Why Schools Need A Powerful Physical Education Policy

By Katie Lepi on February 16, 2014

Books and homework alone don’t make an education. Learning need to be well-rounded –  students learn pick up all sorts of life skills and habits in school, even from a very young age. Required curriculum elements have, in many cases, forced districts and schools to cut some of the extras that help to make our students more well-rounded individuals. No one wants to see art, music, or even food education cut out of their school’s curriculum, but did you know how important a strong PE curriculum can be?

The handy infographic below  (created by UNESCO) takes a look at why a quality physical education program is so important for students. It does more than get students up off their tookusfor an hour in the middle of the school day. Keep reading to learn more.

The Power of Physical Education

Physical education provides a gateway to:

• Physical well-being
• Social and emotional well-being
• Culture and the arts
• Literacy and communication
• Learning approaches and cognition
• Numeracy and mathematics
• Science and technology

Physical Education….

• Values and communication skills are a critical complement to cognitive knowledge
• Quality physical education drives inclusion
• Develop knowledge and confidence to drive academic achievement
• Breaks down barriers
• Challenges stigma
• Encourages dialogue and understanding between all groups
• Drives socioeconomic improvement – fewer health issues, obesity, longer life span, etc

Because of all these benefits, 97% of countries have made physical education compulsory, but:

• Only 79% of countries have prescribed curricula
• Physical Education is considered less important than other subjects in 54% of countries
• Only 53% of primary schools have suitably trained Physical Education teachers

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/physical-education-policy/

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Connected Learning

What Is Connected Learning?

By Katie Lepi on

There are a ton of resources floating around out there about connected learning. Connected learning brings together all of the various experiences, interests, technology, academics, people and communities that learners are a part of in order to make all of these scenarios and experiences learning opportunities. Many teachers naturally do this to some degree in their classroom already, without perhaps the official ‘name’ attached.

The handy infographic below, from Mia MacMeekin, takes a deeper look into connected learning, and highlights what is so great about it! Look with a critical eye – do you already try to incorporate all or some of the elements? Do you value the same ideas in your teaching?

What Is Connected Learning?

Connected learning leverages a number of different things in order to create a larger reaching spread of learning opportunities.

• Experiences
• Interests
• Technology
• People
• Communities
• Academics

What Does Connected Learning Value?

• Equity – Educational opportunity should be available to all, and when it is, it contributes positively to the greater good
• Social Connection – Learning is most meaningful when it is a part of meaningful social connections (aka, real life experiences)
• Full Participation – Learning environments thrive when all members are participating

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/connected-learning-infographic-mmm/

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How To Teach?

By Katie Lepi 

Educators today often use a variety of pedagogical styles. Some are old, some are new(er), and some folks are out there innovating and trying new stuff of their own creation. While most teachers out there are probably piecing together a little bit of something with a touch of something else – different strokes for different folks, right? – There are some folks out there that we have to thank for some of the more common concrete pedagogical styles.

So who are these folks? Many of us are familiar with the pedagogical concepts, but the people behind them are often less well-known. Take a look at the handy infographic below – it highlights six individuals that have made major contributions to what we modern folks know as pedagogy. Keep reading to learn more.

The People of Pedagogy

You’ve probably heard of their work, but you may not know about the person behind the pedagogy. Here’s a quick bit of information on six contributors to pedagogy.

Lev Vygotsky

The Zone of Proximal Development distinguishes what a learner can do with and without help, eventually leading to the notion of scaffolding.

Jean Piaget

The Theory Of Cognitive Development articulates the mind’s typical stages of growth. It helps to understand student’s perspectives and understand what is needed to advance their learning.

Jerome Bruner

Bruner coined the term ‘scaffolding‘ as he conducted cognitive and developmental studies in psychology. Understanding how the mind works helps guide instructional design.

Benjamin Bloom

Although he didn’t create the now-famous Bloom’s Taxonomy, he did the vital work of studying and classifying stages in pursuit of mastery learning.

Howard Gardner

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences describes various forms of mental capacity (not to be confused with the ever-polarizing topic of learning styles!). Its a framework that describes patterns of how information is processed (not how it is initially acquired).

Erik Erikson

Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development serves as a roadmap of the eight stages a typical person follows as they develop. These stages give insight into student’s driving impulses at each stage of their education.

Source: http://www.edudemic.com/how-to-teach/

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4 Ways Teachers Can Encourage Online Interaction

By Laura Iancu

The education sector is rapidly changing and adapting to new technologies. Modern days have made educators go above and beyond with their teaching skills and learn to use new tools to innovate their style and create a better learning environment for students.                          

            

Starting with correspondence courses and ending up with the apparition of MOOCs, education tried to bring closer students from all around the world. This has rapidly grown the number of enrolled students but the completion rate was really low.

The reasons for this statistics are various, but one thing we know for sure is that students need a sense of belonging even in online learning. It is in our human nature to seek communication and want interaction. And this is a part that many new online educational application lack sometimes.

If you are a teacher wanting to increase the interaction with students while helping them to learn online you have to identify the right way to communicate with students. You may want to achieve this no matter if we are talking about actual MOOCs or a custom way you choose to disseminate materials in a digital format. So here are some helpful tools which you can implement to encourage interaction and enhance your teaching skills:

Online Quizzes

These can be a good way to help your students learn easier. If you use them as pop-up quizzes at the end of a presentation, chances that students remember what the course was about raise considerably. You can find a tool to create complex online quizzes that will answer all your needs and results will probably improve immediately. Working with custom made quizzes is easier that to search for ready-made ones. Online quizzes are a great way to keep your students focused, to evaluate them and offer them the chance to test their assimilation capacity.

Feedback Forms

Feedback forms can be a great chance to find if your tactics actually work. Feedback is a great way to find what students actually think of your course. The odds that they will fill such a form are higher if you allow respondents to remain anonymous either if you have personally met them or not. You can focus on data and put your efforts in finding what is relevant for improvement of your online course.

Surveys

Surveys have a lot of applications in the classroom. Use them to discover the general opinion of your class, to learn about new trends and better adapt your teaching style or prepare new courses. Online surveys will generate statistical data that can help you reach further and understand the needs and requirements of present and future students. These are perfect for research, especially if you desire to create a new course and test the water to see if there is a demand from students.

Polls and Ratings

Conduct regular voting and let students participate in decision making. For example, let them choose the projects they are about to do or the topic you will discuss on a special lecture. There are many variations, the important thing is to enable them to feel they are actually part of the course you are teaching and that their opinion actually matters. If you don’t have the luxury of adjusting the course as you go, you can add ratings to your course with grades or rating stars to learn an immediate reaction of your students.

Besides all these, you definitely need to show your students that they can reach you. Offering a valid communication channel will allow you to give a complete learning experience for your students. You can guide them towards a forum on the MOOC you use, a social group, an email list or other medium. The important part for your students is to know they can ask questions and someone will give them an answer.

Online learning is tricky but the benefits are tremendous so learn to leverage them. Because, “online learning can open doors that would otherwise remain closed.” (Daphne Koller, one of the Coursera founders)

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/4-ways-teachers-can-encourage-online-interaction/

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The Visual History Of Classroom Technology

By Jeff Dunn

It’s been quite awhile since the early days of classroom technology. However, it’s still something worth knowing about as we all race into the future of edtech. Whether it’s a Massive Open Online Course (MOOCs) or simply trying out a new app on your tablet, there’s a lot to know about how we all got here.

As you can see in the below visual guide to the history of classroom technology, the ballpoint pen and overhead projector didn’t really happen too long ago. In fact, this whole timeline seems shockingly recent! I’d also recommend you check out a previous Edudemic article we did that takes an even deeper dive into the history of edtech.

What tools are missing? There are certainly some. Share your thoughts with us on Twitter bymentioning @edudemic!

Post Source: http://www.edudemic.com/visual-history-classroom-technology/

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