Where to begin...

[Diane Aronow]

Just back from High School's New Face conference in Ellicottville, NY. A zillion ideas running through my head....where to begin?! 21st century skills...which do we incorporate? Should all staff focus on the same ones? Should we pick a few to focus on to begin with?
I'm very interested in inquiry or project based learning. Remembering it's not about me, it should be student driven...help them find their "passion" in learning (as Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach says!)
Also thinking about what I currently do and how can I enhance it with a web 2.0 tool....

[Sushma Sztorc]

Diane, you have already begun. In there in your reflections, you have atleast 4 ideas. . the energy created during the conference was terrific and I think if we all do not start to incorporate these skills, we will be left behind in a world we will not understand.Thanks for the invite to join, by doing so,I will develope my skills too........happy creating

[Cassandra Goldman]

Diane,
My head is buzzing as well! I was thinking of ideas of how to hook some projects in my classes as well. I had a few ideas that I jotted down at the conference regarding projects for each class to work on. The reason why I was thinking different projects for different classes is that I would be interested in finding topics that specifically interest the group in the class-as well as meet and exceed the ability levels in the class. Most of my ideas can be linked to other subjects, but I'm afraid of beating the idea dead.
So, in a quiet moment this morning, I wanted to think of ways to reach out beyond the classroom for the math...like see what I can get myself into with skydiving or hot air balloons. I mean, I know there is no possible way we can actually have the kids sky dive...but if they can watch the divers come down and we can do some calculations OR same idea with hot air balloons. I want to try to expose the kids to something they might never see or do up close! I know Niagara Wheatfield offers a piloting class where the students actually fly a plane in their last class. How hands on is that?
I will keep the ideas flowing...and I'll keep checking back (I'll tag it for my delicious account) on your ning to see what you have going on with other responses. Thanks for putting this together!
Cass

[Diane Aronow]

Cassie- that would be awesome to even have them watch that kind of thing and incorporate math!

I cannot stay off of the computer today....
My latest idea is to have my classes brainstorm topics (this is along the lines of what Sheryl had us do the last afternoon) that they want to be involved with, then we decide on one topic. From there I come up with what skills they will need to have and plan around that - what stories, poems, novels etc. are in my arsenal related to that topic, what new things can I add in, where can I fit in 21st century skills, what web 2.0 tools can I use....I should have put in for curriculum work for the summer! LOL

[Cassandra Goldman]

Sounds good! What topics are you going to give them? Research papers?!? Ha! Anyway, I wanted to ask you what your plans were with your blog? Are you thinking of trying anything new on your blog, maybe something Sheryl talked about? The reason I'm asking is because I want to do scribe posting next year with my students where my students will summarize the lessons I teach to keep an ongoing record of class and their learning. I'm optimistic! But, did Sheryl show you anything cool for your blog? What kind of discussions are you going to try? Have you checked out Go2Web20.net lately?

Okay...and one more question for you...do you like the idea of ning? How do you compare it to a wiki? Do you think ning is a better community than a wiki? Curiosity strikes since you created one! I'm not sure if I want to create a ning for the Promethean training...which by the way is August 25 (Monday.)

Have a good night!

[Diane Aronow]

Sheryl didn't really talk about blogs at all. I know I want to start a whole new blog for next year, and separate ones for 10 and 11. I love the idea of summarizing (too bad we don't have laptops...students could take the last 5 or 10 minutes of class to do that!) I'd like to get them doing more writing/essays online somehow. Sheryl says they put so much more into it and take ownership of it when there's more of an audience than just me reading it.
I do like the Ning better than Wiki..it organizes it better. The Wiki is just such a blank page for me...kind of intimidating. A Ning might work well for the Promethean training. You could even start it before hand and have us ask questions or say what we want or whatever. You can specifically invite people and make it private too if you want.
You have to check out Sheryl's wiki for the HSNF - www.21stcenturylearning.wikispaces.com then click on HSNF 08 on the left hand side...then "resources" or anywhere on our agenda...it's Crazy, Crazy how many links she has on there!!
Off to bed - hanging out too long with the neighbors tonight!!

[Marla Rudin]

wow you guys are out of control...reading your posts and trying to follow your conversation is like trying to learn a whole new language...makes me feel very behind! i give up...going to bed!

[debby]

You should do new experiments with web 2.0 tool and start your further study and I hope it will really helpful in your future. I understand that 21st century skills are very important for students and they need it. I don't think that all staff focus on same ones, all are different. sejour linguistique australie this site give you some help in studies.