Brian Housand, Ph.D.
brianhousand.com
@brianhousand
Utilizing Technology to Construct Personalized Learning Experiences
Since the dawn of the computer revolution, the promise of PERSONAL Computing has been ever present. Yet, when we simply leave students to their own devices, technology can serve to depersonalize their experiences. This is especially true of their educational experiences. Meanwhile, as teachers we struggle to effectively manage truly differentiated learning environments. However, this need not be the case. Together, we will explore the possibilities and potential afforded by today’s technology and empower you to utilize technology resources to make learning personal, meaningful, and differentiated for today’s connected students.
111. Summer 2013
T
he admonition that we should be preparing our
students for the 21st century is everywhere. There
are numerous books, blogs, and content resources
promoting and espousing the virtues of 21st cen-
tury learning. If one examines the titles and descriptions of
presentations at any gifted or general education conference,
reference to 21st century learning is prevalent. Most of us
in gifted education have regularly advocated for teaching
trace their origins back at least 30 years. In 1983, the Na-
tional Science Board Commission on Precollege Education
in Mathematics, Science and Technology published a report
entitled, Educating Americans for the 21st Century: A Plan
of Action for Improving Mathematics, Science, and Technol-
ogy Education for All American Elementary and Secondary
Students So that their Achievement is the Best in the World
by 1995. This publication outlined many of the same initia-
Quality Classroom Practice
for High-Abillity Students
Teaching for High Potential
THPThe 21st
Century
is SO Yesterday
Brian C. Housand, Ph.D.
East Carolina University
www.brianhousand.com
Brian Housand is an Assistant Professor at
East Carolina University in the department of
Elementary Education.
“The world is moving at a tremendous rate. No one knows where.
We must prepare our children, not for the world of the past,
not for our world, but for their world, the world of the future.”
— John Dewey
113. Creativity is just
connecting things.
When you ask creative people
how they did something, they feel
a little guilty because they didn’t
really do it, they just saw
something. It seemed obvious to
them after a while.
That’s because they were able to
connect experiences they’ve had
and
SYNTHESIZE
new things.
- Steve Jobs, 1995
114. An idea is nothing
more or less than
a new combination
of old elements.
new combination
old elements
James Webb Young, 1940
A Technique for Producing Ideas
115. The capacity to bring
old elements into
new combinations
depends largely on
the ability to see
relationships.
new combination
old elements
James Webb Young, 1940
A Technique for Producing Ideas
116. They must know how to link apparently
unconnected elements to create something new.
People who hope to thrive in the Conceptual Age
must understand the connection between
diverse, and seemingly separate disciplines.
-- Daniel Pink in AWhole New Mind
130. “Learning to
write programs
stretches your
mind and helps
you think
better, creates a
way of thinking
about things that I
think is helpful in
all domains.”
140. Jackson, L. A., Witt, E. A., Games, A. I., Fitzgerald, H. E., von Eye, A., & Zhao, Y. (2012). Information technology use and creativity: Findings from the Children and technology Project.
Computers in Human Behavior, 28(2), 370-376.
CREATIVITY
COMPUTER
USE
INTERNET
USE
CELL
PHONE
USE
VIDEO
GAME
PLAY
141. Jackson, L. A., Witt, E. A., Games, A. I., Fitzgerald, H. E., von Eye, A., & Zhao, Y. (2012). Information technology use and creativity: Findings from the Children and technology Project.
Computers in Human Behavior, 28(2), 370-376.
CREATIVITY
VIDEO
GAME
PLAY
179. Suggested meeting time: 30-60 minutes (Some of you may choose to combine
this meeting with meeting #2.)
!
Before the meeting:
● Create a TED-Ed (ed.ted.com) account if you haven’t already. All members
over 13 should aim to have their own account.
● Watch the first TED-Ed Club Lesson (http://ed.ted.com/on/vaY6FipN). Your
group can choose to do this before or during the meeting.
!
Guiding questions
● What is your name? How would you describe yourself? What are three
things you are passionate about?
● What do you and your club members hope to get out of your TED-Ed Club
experience?
!
Materials
● A device to take pictures
● Index cards
● Pens
● Copies of this guidebook (one for each member)
!
Meeting activities
● Take a few minutes to create a name badge on an index card. Write your
name and at least 3 things that you are passionate about.
● Gather in small groups and introduce yourself to your fellow club members.
Learn each other’s names and get to know each other.
● Share your reasons for joining a TED-ED Club with the group. Let people
know what you’re interested in and what you’re passionate about. This will
help your club members give meaningful feedback when you begin
developing your presentation idea.
!
What will you have created by the end of your meeting?
A name badge that lists 3 things you are passionate about. You will bring this to
future meetings so that everyone in the club knows your name and interests.
!
After meeting #1:
● Browse through the TED Talks (www.ted.com) /TED-Ed Lessons (ed.ted.com)
to find ideas that speak to your passions.
● Facilitator: Please send a photo of the name badges from different club
members to TED-Ed at TEDEdClubs@ted.com.
6
#1 Introduction week: What’s your passion?
It’s tough to give a good presentation on a topic that you’re not passionate about! This meeting is
all about getting to know your fellow club members and spending some time identifying and
articulating the ideas that motivate each member of your group. Later on, each club member will
present and record their own idea worth spreading in the form of a short TED-style Talk.
233. “We don’t
have the option
of turning away
from the future.
No one gets to
vote on whether
technology is
going to change
our lives.”
Bill Gates
The Road Ahead
234. “Every generation of
teenagers embraces
the freedoms and
possibilities wrought
by technology in ways
that shock the elders.”
Time
March 27, 2006