Webinar 7/29/11

This afternoon I participated in my first live webinar. http://www.nmc.org/connect/2011/July/29  I decided to participate in this webinar, after Patti posted the details on Edmodo. I participated in PLP last school year, under the leadership of Will Richardson and Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach. Last year was the first that I had been formally 'taught' about the influence of the digital age to the classroom setting. Will Richardson has some great thoughts about the future of our schools and he is out there trying to make a difference. When I hear him speak, I often wish he was a leader in the U.S. education system and philosophies. His ideas need to be heard and implemented.

I signed on a few minutes late (you can't plan everything perfectly with young children :), and listened for some time to Will Richardson speak about education and the changes that are desperately needed. After listening for some time, I began to participate in the side channel chat on the side. I appreciated that my ideas and questions were responded to, and I felt like I was welcomed into the room.  I thoroughly enjoyed this time, and look forward to participating again.

Here are some quotes and notes from the webinar. 

• Kids are out there on the internet, finding things they are interested in - - - no one is teaching them how to do it well right now.
• We need to create a laser focus – how do we learn with access?
• Inquiry based education = higher motivation
• Teachers need to have students’ paths (their passions/interest learning) meet objectives/standards from state and school district curriculum.
• The easy way is for everyone to be approached the same way. This is why we have implemented standardized testing. Standardized testing is the easiest way to make sure everyone is achieving. 
• We do not trust our teachers to make assessments.
• Classrooms are moving towards using social tools through the curriculum. Teacher is co-learner. Teacher aligns learning to expectations we all have for students to meet.  This is much more beneficial.
• Students being pushed through a curriculum is not the best way to serve students in today's society, when we have the access to the information.
• Teacher needs to be perceived as a learner. Will asks students, “How smart is your teacher?” Students have opinion right away, which is evidenced by their responses on sites such as Ratemyteachers.com Will asks, “How does your teacher learn?” They are clueless. Students don’t see adults in the room as a learner who is connected.This needs to change.