The document discusses authentic learning and the role of technology in educational settings, emphasizing the need for meaningful learning experiences and interactive strategies. It outlines the characteristics of authentic learning, its effectiveness, and how technology can support such environments. The document also highlights the importance of collaboration, prior knowledge assessment, and the shift in pedagogy necessary for successful integration of technology in classrooms.

1. Authentic
Instruction and
Technology
Jade Ballek
Learning Consultant – Sun West School Division
July 2013

2. The Goal(s)
• Design meaningful learning experience
• Incorporate interactive learning strategies
• Investigate authentic instruction and the role of
technology in supporting instruction
• Allow opportunity for you to reflect on what this means
for you, in your school, with your teachers …
• And do this all in 60 minutes
• Google Doc
• http://tinyurl.com/nzoph7u

3. What questions do you have
about authentic learning and
the role of technology in
supporting instruction?

4. Determining Prior Knowledge
• On a scale from 1-5, how would you rate your
background knowledge in terms of:
• a. authentic learning
• b. role of technology in supporting learning
• 5 – considerable knowledge
• 1 – fairly new to me

5. What is Authentic Learning?
• In Partners: Interview your partner using the questions
provided as a starting point.
• Questions:
• 1. How might you describe/define authentic learning?
• 2. Why might this be considered the most effective way to learn?
• 3. What might you see if you walked into a classroom where
“authentic learning” was taking place?
• At the signal, reverse roles
• Form quartets: Introduce each other and share your partner’s
responses.
• As a group, develop generalizations to share with full group.
• Full group share:
• Strategy: Three Step Interview – template on Google Doc

6. Defining Authentic Learning
• Question 1: How might you describe/define authentic
learning?
• Marilyn Lombardi –
• Focuses on real-world, complex problems and their solutions
• May use role-playing, problem-based activities, case studies
• Involves questioning and critical thinking

7. Defining Authentic Learning
• Lynne Hilt: Powerful Learning Practice
• Learning goes deep
• Evidence of higher order thinking
• Real and substantive conversations – share with
authentic audiences
• Personal learning
• Autonomy, mastery, purpose, choice, self-direction
• 21st century skills integration
• Everyone is reflecting, all of the time
• Active, Participatory Learning

8. What Makes Authentic
Learning Effective?
• Question 2: Why might this be considered the most
effective way to learn?
• Research says …
• Learn to do by doing allows learners make connections
to previous knowledge which leads to real learning
(George Siemens and Stephen Downes– connectivism)

10. An Authentic Classroom
• Question 3. What might you see if you walked into a
classroom where “authentic learning” was taking place?

11. Walk Through Look Fors …

12. •Inquiry Learning
•Problem Based Learning
•Project Based Learning
•Challenge Learning
•Passion Based Learning
(20% time)

13. Personal reflection
• Recap:
• What is authentic learning?
• Why is it important?
• What might this “look like” in the classroom?
Based on our discussions, what role
might you have in supporting
authentic learning in your
school, with your teachers?
Has your thinking changed, shifted in
a new direction, or been validated as
a result of our conversations?

14. The Role of Technology in an
Authentic Learning Environment
• Multiple sources of
information
• Primary source
documents and
digital archives
• Simulations
• Community of
learners
• Experts

15. Strategy: Think Pair Share

16. Meaningful, Purposeful Use
It is not the technology tool that is important;
it is how that tool is used.

17. Shifting Pedagogy
• "If you're not changing the pedagogy, you
won't be improving anything when
introducing the technology."
- BernaJean Porter

18. Leading a Successful Shift
• What supports might
you need to
incorporate
authentic learning in
your school?
• … to ensure the
purposeful use of
technology in
classrooms?
• Infrastructure
• Access to Technology
• Managing the
Classroom
• Supporting the
“Shift” through
Professional
Development
• Collaborative
Opportunities
Strategy: Think, Pair, Share

19. Who in your school has made (or is
starting to make) this shift in your
school?
What role might these educators play
in supporting other staff as they
begin to create authentic learning
environments for their students?

20. Technology Tools “Smackdown” for
the Authentic Classroom

21. Retrieving Information

22. Accurate Information

23. Collaborating/Sharing

24. Communicating

27. Communicating/Sharing

35. A Final Reflection
• How has your thinking
changed,
shifted in a new direction
or been validated
as a result of today’s discussion?

36. Thank you! Good Luck!
• Jade.ballek@sunwestsd.ca
• @jadeballek