As I am wrapping up the class on 21st Century Learning Dimensions, my reflections are part validation and part, "Oh NO! I sent my kids off not being prepared for the 21st Century!"
I found many aspects of the elevator guides to resonate strongly with me and I my natural teaching methods. The collaboration, and communication dimensions would be easy enough for me to tweak a bit to enhance. However, the use of technology, and self-regulation are areas I would need to beef up on quite a bit. The constructing knowledge dimension is something I feel I need to spend quite a bit more time on to truly understand and consider more heavily. I think this area is incredibly important.
My goals as an instructional coach around these competencies is to model the skills in professional development opportunities. I plan on incorporating more and more technology into my presentations to introduce teachers to the awesome tools and websites out there. I would like to continue my learning around screen casting and start developing 'how to videos' for my teachers on different things that they may ask me. I'd like to start using Google forms for the teachers to provide me feedback and information throughout the year. I plan on starting this year with two forms. One a scaled form for them to indicate areas they are really strong, and areas they feel they want to work on or need support from me. I'd also like to use it as a schedule sign up to organize individual meetings with each teacher to have one on one conversations with me. Then I will make a quick screencast to show them how to make a form like it for their parent teacher conference sign ups.
Longer term goals include continuing to attend 21st Century opportunities for PD for myself, and watch more modules on topics I didn't get to over time. I gathered so many ideas to share with my teachers that I'd like to keep that tool box full.
Cheers to the 21st Century and all the excitement that change brings!
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI think you will find that by working in all the dimensions you will develop further in terms of knowledge construction. Many of the other dimensions make explicit reference to supporting knowledge construction; and even when it isn't explicitly stated those links are there. One phrase you will see repeatedly in the guide is "product of learning," often this phrase is interpreted to mean knowledge constructed in students minds. It's difficult to make progress in the other dimensions without also making progress in knowledge construction.
I like your idea to use more tech in your presentations and to make use of video and screen casting technology. I often use these tools myself and have found them to be quite effective. Tech often serves as the gateway for teachers to get interested in 21st century learning and I think your plans will help many classrooms to progress. What a great time to be a teacher/PD coach!