The Mind Lab: Assignment #1 thoughts?



The 21st century skill I am thinking of focusing on for assignment #1 is collaboration. 

As a CRT/relieving teacher my time is spilt across many classrooms and year levels (0-8). Our school is a part of the Manaiakalani CoL so the kids have access to digital tools in the classroom (in year 3-4 they use iPads and years 5-8 chrome books). The Manaiakalani CoL pedagogy is "Learn, Create, Share". The kids use their devices to access their learning on class sites. Learning is rewindable as video/Google slides are embedded on the site that explain the concepts that are being taught. The kids show their understanding by creating DLO's (digital learning objects) that they share with the world on their individual blogs (or in the junior school through class dojo). 

I have been teaching CRT/relieving across the school for over a year and it is my observation that the learning activities set for the kids are mostly independent activities. As our kids, especially in the years 5-8 classrooms are looking at a screen for the majority of the school day I believe they are missing out on the wealth of hands on learning that digital technology has to offer. Taking part in The Mind Lab has opened my eyes to different types of digital technologies (like Google's cardboard VR, Makey Makey, Scratch).

 As a CRT teacher I have 2 days a term with each class and a few other unexpected days thrown in the mix with this in mind I need to chose an innovation that can be trailed in one-off lessons.

My first thought is the use of a 'mini' Maker space or STEM learning activity. I think the kids will benefit from the exposure to different more hands on digital technologies and the experience of collaborating to create and problem solve. I think the kids at my school will need  a 'structured' Maker space time and explicit teaching around how to work collaboratively (and manage themselves). Class dojo has a really engaging video series about collaboration that I am thinking of using.

I am wondering if there is a online tool the students can used to provide feedback about the way their group collaborated (I am thinking, www.mentimeter.com or www.padlet.com).

I am interested to hear other ways in which I can foster the 21st century skill of 'collaboration' in my teaching practice.




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