This
week I went on an adventure. However, this was not your typical adventure to
some warm, sandy beach on some private island in the Caribbean, or even an
adventure to brave the elements on top of Everest; instead, this was a learning adventure.
On Tuesday, I attended OTA’s Encyclo-Media technology conference. While this
may not have the most “exciting” adventure, it definitely took me on an
educational journey while I explored the different uses of technology in the
classroom! OTA (Oklahoma Technology Association) hosts an annual technology
conference to educate teachers on how to effectively incorporate technology
into their classrooms. These conferences
usually last two days, but unfortunately, I was only able to stay for a few
hours. Nonetheless, I would still like to share with you what I learned in
hopes that you can learn something too!
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| Shannon Miller- Keynote |
This
year, Shannon Miller, a mom, teacher/librarian, blogger, author and a
technology genius, was invited to speak at the opening keynote. Can I just stop
to praise this woman? She is absolutely incredible! The impact she has left on
students, parents, other teachers, and children around the world is inspiring!
If you ever get the chance to see her in person, I would highly recommend that
you go! She started her keynote by asking a simple, yet thought-provoking
question: "What would happen if you listened to your students and let them
have a voice?" Miller focused her presentation on giving your students a
voice in their education through the use of technology. She explained that
several years ago, she conducted a survey among the students at her elementary
school, asking them that if they could have a say in how technology was used in
school, how would they use it? Ultimately, students wanted to use technology to
connect, collaborate, create, experience, access, make a difference, and have a
voice. Knowing what students wanted, Miller created a learning environment in
her school that incorporated those results. Using these seven points, she
shared with the audience innovative, technological activities that she created
due to the results of her survey.
The first point Miller discussed was CONNECT. In the survey, students expressed the desire to interact with the world outside of their classroom walls. To meet this need, Miller used what is called “Mystery Skype.” Mystery Skype is an educational game, created by educators, that connects classes across the country through a Skype call. The purpose of the game is for students to guess one another’s location by asking questions. Through this simple use of technology, classrooms have been able to collaborate with each other while learning!
Miller’s
second point was COLLABORATE. Students
articulated their desire to work alongside others outside of their school. This
was accomplished through the use of Twitter and Skype. When children would
voice names of people in whom they looked up to, or someone who they would like
to meet, Miller would contact that person on Twitter and would ask them to Skype
with their school. Amazingly, Miller contacted and Skyped with famous authors,
such as Eric Carle and Mercer Mayer, as well as, other celebrities, such as
Joseph Staten, who interacted with the students.
The
third point in Miller’s presentation was CREATE. Students
want to do more than just write projects and papers, they want to create something
unique to them through technology. To grant students’ access to more hands-on learning,
Miller let her students use creative outlets, such as blogs, YouTube, Minecraft,
and Instagram.
The
fourth point was EXPERIENCE. Students
verbalized that they want to virtually tour the world and experience what the
real world looks like from the comfort of their schools. Easily enough, Miller
employed apps like Google Maps, and websites that take you to other sides of
the world through a computer screen.
Miller’s
fifth point was ACCESS. Students
want to learn through the access of non-traditional learning tools. Miller
explained that often times teachers are so intimidated by technology that they
tend to shy away from it. But in this day and age, technology is a part of our
society and it is only fair that our students get the opportunity to learn from
it! So Miller acknowledged her students thirst for technology and used (and continues
to use) everything from educational video games to social media.
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| Shannon Miller- Keynote |
The
sixth point discussed in the presentation was MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Students not only want to make a difference
in their own learning experience, but they also want to impact the world around
them, which is teaching them to think beyond themselves. After Miller’s son
came home one afternoon saying the rainbow bands (rubber band bracelets) were
going to be banned in school because of misuse, she encouraged him to have a
voice and persuade the administration to keep these bracelets. Astonishingly,
what started as a little voice pleading to keep rainbow bands in the school,
turned into a non-profit organization lead by the school to create rainbow
bands for impoverished children across the world! By encouraging students to
have a voice, that school has been able to impact thousands of people, and make a difference!
The
final point in Miller’s presentation was HAVE
A VOICE. Ultimately, the survey showed that above everything else,
students want to play a hand in their own learning. Miller encouraged the
hundreds of teachers in the audience to let their students fall in love with
learning by allowing them to do what they are passionate about, whether that
includes technology or not. She said that students feel empowered when
they get to make decisions about their education. So she asked again as
she concluded her speech, "What would happen if you listened to your
students and let them have a voice?"
What
were to happen if we gave our students a voice? This question has rattled
around in my brain since that keynote Tuesday morning. What would be the
results if we as teachers listened to our students? I look forward to finding
out the answer to that question in a few short years when I am met face to face
with a classroom full of student voices!
What are some comments, questions, or
concerns you might have after reading this post?
Did you like Shannon Miller’s seven
points? Do you think you would like to incorporate some of her ideas into your
classroom?
Addison Foster
