Perplexity versus engagement

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Having concluded the 21st Century Learning Conference in Hong Kong yesterday, I have been left with a mind blowing number of items to ponder, to create and to learn. 

To ponder

• Perplexity versus engagement is my number one goal. Do we create lessons for students to desire to figure out the answer to? or do we create lessons because we think that they will be able to actually stay awake?


• Flipped learning and lecture. What is the purpose of my students watching video at home versus learning the content by desire to know the information in order to answer a perplexing question?


• Capture perplexity, share perplexity and resolve perplexity. My new goals for lessons via Dan Meyer’s amazing talk at 21st century learning


• Gaming. Enough said. Pretty much Rob Newberry, blog, convinced me I should learn Minecraft. 


• My technology mission statement. 


• Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition of technology  Where do I fall on the SAMR model of using technology in my room?


• iPads 1:1, I am so thrilled to begin to buy apps : ) yes done are my days of only using free apps. I want to think about how it would look for me to be in a 1:1 classroom. 


• Both physical and virtual spaces that we learn in. 


• iPads in readers, writers workshop. 


• Taking learning with digital devices out of the classroom and thinking about how I can give weight and importance to my students learning that occurs beyond the hours of 8-3

To Create

• Tweets and blog posts to share with the education community so that my learning continues and does not stop with 2 days of intense growth


• A list of perplexing things


• An RSS feed


• A list of Education questions I have


• iPad implementation goals


• My edtech mission statement


• Library of video clips to use as perplexing thoughts for lessons


• An ibook

To Learn

• Minecraft


• About a billion iPad apps


• Implementing iPad 1:1


• iBook author


• And so much more…

Looking forward to continuing to push myself as an educator and to learn from others. 

21Century Learning Conference, Hong Kong

Sitting in Incheon airport, I am preparing myself for a wonderful 3 days of learning and growing. I am looking forward to exploring the areas of 1:1 iPad integration into the classroom. With many fascinating sessions, it has been hard for me to figure out what I want to focus on as an educator and as a learner while there. 

My first session will be about transforming learning with the iPad. My husband and I have had many fascinating discussions on the reality of going 1:1 with iPads versus MacBooks or Chrome Books. I am hoping to learn and to understand how to do some of the following: file structure on an ipad, creating essays, sharing works, downloading applications and more. 

The creativity options with utilizing the iPad seem impressive and vast. Being able to download various apps that would enhance specific subject areas would bring individualization to lessons. Some students might prefer one app, while others would benefit from something entirely different. That being said, since Apple ties your devices to your Apple id, it could be problematic from a management perspective. Therefore, I hope to attend some sessions on case studies of schools who have had success.

I am also interested in looking into using gaming in schools. With so many of our students being vested in perfecting their Mindcraft skills, I think that I need to be open to exploring the possibilities that games could have in the classroom.

Additionally, I am interested in exploring creativity and challenge based learning. Pushing technology in my classroom has been my goal for this year, but having focused on that I feel I have lost some of my passion for creating design thinking based challenge projects.

In order to be an excellent teacher, we must be able to combine many schools of thought in order to craft the ideal learning environment. I am looking forward to presenting on giving dynamic visual/audio feedback on essays as well as opening my mind to using iPads rather than computers.

Bring on the learning.

#Polleverywhere—very cool #21clhk