The document discusses the importance of leveraging technology to connect learners and educators in a post-pandemic environment, emphasizing a framework that promotes digital literacy and equitable access. It proposes various strategies for connecting students with resources, peers, and experts, utilizing learning management systems and social media for enhanced educational experiences. Additionally, it highlights the need for balanced use of technology and the development of professional learning networks for teachers.

1. Connecting The
Learner
Post-Pandemic Update (Summer, 2021)
Andrew W. Berning Ph.D.
President, The Renaissance Institute
www.teacherinfo.com
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2. Recall the “CEPL”
Framework for
This Class
The role of technology in teaching
and learning is to:
1. Connect the learner
2. Evaluate the learning
3. Promote digital literacy
4. Level the playing field for
equitable access for all learners
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3. This Module:
Leveraging
Technology to
Connect the
Learner
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Connect Students
and Staff
Review The
Connected Learning
Framework

4. The “Berning”
Questions
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What are the advantages of a
Connected Learner—and Teacher?
How do we safely connect students
and teachers?
How do we technically connect all
stakeholders?
How can we find balance to
disconnect/unplug?

5. Connect The
Learner to:
• The best teachers, mentors, and
experts available worldwide.
• Structured, district-approved
content, resources, and
applications.
• Resources that promote
engagement.
• Personal learning networks
(teachers, campus, community).
• Opportunity for
• Informal learning
• Participation in cultural and
civic discourse
• Publishing and creating
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6. Connect The
Learner to
Content and
Resources
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Content must be structured and
localized to school district
Strategies to connect the learner to
content
• Implement a Learning Management
System (LMS)
• Purchase Textbooks/Content with Learning
Tools Interoperability (LTI) connectors to
LMS (Digital Textbooks)
• Leverage Open Educational Resources
(OER) content and applications
• Implement a Universal Access Program
• Not the same as district provided 1:1
• Redesign Technology Training and Support

7. The Learning
Management
System (LMS)
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The Learning Management System is the backbone of a
modern learning environment.
An LMS is a software application used for the delivery of
instructional content, as well as the administration,
documentation, tracking, and reporting of e-learning.
An LMS is essentially an empty database into which school
districts add their content. We consider the LMS as a move
beyond the traditional (static) teacher web page, to a
dynamic teacher web presence that includes instructional
content, instructional applications, and social media tools.

8. Social Media is
Designed to
Connect
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But, often students don’t
know how to use social
media in an educational
or professional capacity.
We’ll see this gap
between personal and
professional use of
technology in many areas.

9. Connect the
Learner to
Peers and
Experts
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Students automatically form
Personal Learning Networks.
How Social Media Can Promote
Learning (if used correctly):
• Personalizing their learning as they
select whom to follow
• Increasing their audience
• Expanding their literacy opportunities
• Serving as an assessment and peer
review tool
• Increase social capital

10. Connected Learning
Integrates
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Personal
interest
Peer
relationships
(socially driven)
Academic
activities
Production and
construction
Digital tools
Skills for life-
long learning

11. Connect the Learner to
Opportunities to Create
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Maker Space movement
Project Based Learning (PBL)
Multimodal opportunities to
demonstrate knowledge

12. Connect the
Learner to
Cultural
Opportunities
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People
Languages
Geography
Cultures

13. Connect
School to
Parents and
Stakeholders
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Leverage technology
for information flow
between home and
school.
1
Develop relationships
with prospective and
incoming families.
2
Maintain
relationships with
alumni.
3

14. Connected
Learning
Can Fill the
Gaps
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In-school, out-of-school
Teacher quality gap
Equity gaps
Review research on parent and
sibling literacy gains

15. Connect
The Learner
(On
Campus)

16. Connect the
Learner
(Outside of the
Campus )
• District-Provided 1:1—Increased during 2020
Pandemic
• Usually goes bad on first replacement cycle
(due to cost, legal, and support)
• Increases technical support costs and issues
• Introduces legal issues of ownership and
student activity on devices
• Need clear policies in place—prior to
handing out devices
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
• Encourage students to buy their own--
Nobody washes a rental car
• Technology Lending Library
• Best option combined with BYOD
• Use local or campus library to issue devices
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17. Internet Access Outside of Campus
• Cellular Hotspots
• Low bandwidth/speeds, high recurring costs
• Community Broadband (expensive and prone to legal challenges)
• Private cellular towers and district-provided Wi-Fi
• Incentivize Local Internet Providers to Serve Students and Staff
• Best scenario and likely to have state and federal funding
• We are monitoring E-rate and Texas legislation
• Monitor Starlink and other modern satellite systems for “Last Mile” remote areas
• Provide 24/7/365 Technical Support
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18. Teachers Also Need to be Connected
Developing
relationships
through technology
Maintaining a
Personal Learning
Network (PerLN)
Maintaining a
Professional
Learning Network
(ProLN)
Having interactive
access to other
practitioners as
well as experts
Sharing teaching
ideas—never block
Pinterest
Just-in-Time
professional
development
(JITPD)
Do It Yourself
professional
development
(DIYPD)
Creating and
publishing
Modeling use of
media for students

19. Connectedness allows us to measure the
Learning
Learning Analytics is possible
to determine effectiveness of
initiatives and programs
Predictive Analytics is driving
decisions
Google may know more about
our students than we do
More on Analytics in Module
4.

20. Finding the Balance
Balancing
Connected/Unconnected
See Dr. Catherine
Spann’s interview on
mindfulness practices
See Mr. Jimmy Casas’
interview on the
advantages of
disconnecting
Unplugging is important!

21. Contact • Andrew W. Berning Ph.D.
• The Renaissance Institute, Trusted
Advisors in Educational Technology and
Information Systems
• www.teacherinfo.com
• andy@teacherinfo.com
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