Most recent public comments by Allison Woodside https://nowcomment.com/users/41289 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024263 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024263 Thank you Adam for referring to all of the lenses. I completely agree! I was especially intrigued thinking how Khan could be used within the technophile profile, and being a user of Duolingo myself, I appreciated the connection. I would be so curious to see if any schools have worked with Khan in this way, even within one subject area, allowing students strengths and weaknesses to drive their learning and grouping. I also liked your reference/appreciation of Khan being FREE. It is amazing how much schools are asked to pay on a yearly basis for educational platforms when some of the best are out there with no charge. Sun, 06 May 2018 21:47:06 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024261 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024261 Adam, I really like your reference stating that Khan is able to catch students that would usually slip through the cracks because of the constant and consistent feedback. I wonder what the teacher in the class was able to do/did in order to help the students begin to use that, or if it just came naturally? (Aka: What front-loading was done to prepare the students for this program, if any?) You also bring up a good point of teachers being open to this process, which I see as the biggest struggle of all. It is hard for teachers to let go of the reins, however for many it is hard to change when they've been doing it a certain way for so many year. Great insight! Sun, 06 May 2018 21:43:27 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024260 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024260 Ryan, You make some great points that I honestly hadn't considered. I think I take teacher comfort for granted because I'm lucky enough to have tech skills come more naturally, but you bring up the great point of that potentially being a deterrent for both teachers and students. I also appreciated your comment about being skeptical around whether or not this was a good structure for students who were low, but I have to say in my experience it actually helps them boost their confidence even more if they're given more space to do the work at their own pace. Many of our struggling students fall behind with more structure because they are unable to keep up, which causes them to shut down. In addition, if they're pulled in groups, they start to perseverate on being "low", which also causes them to shut down. Since Khan not only gives them "hints", allows them to retry and they get positive feedback from the teacher I really see it as an excellent option. Khan is also great with having translations when needed, which can also be a skill the teacher is not able to provide during regular classroom instruction. (***Now, if classroom culture isn't there it could crash and burn very quickly). Thanks for your insights! Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:36:05 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024259 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024259 I can actually see this video being argued for any of the three visions, but particularly the Optimist and the Preservationist. Preservationist: Some argue that Khan is simply a way to complete the classroom whole group in an online setting. They're doing the same learning, same types of problems, but in an online setting. Some have even argued that it makes the job of the teacher easier because it does their job for them. (I don't agree, but in the wrong classroom I could see that happening). Optimist: This is where I really see our video hitting the mark. The teacher is aware of Khan's ability to make learning more personalized for each student, and the teacher is also able to provide interventions for individual students almost immediately. Students are also able to work through the platform /their learning independently, with the teacher only stepping in to coach. While there are still areas for improvement, this is much better that the pre-perscribed apps that are also out there that don't ask students to show their work and provide A/B/C/D answers and don't let students go back and check. The student's learning is obviously becoming much more active, and the scores are proving it. ***Technophile: Using a program like Khan, the classroom could be transformed into pods of knowledge and learning. Khan can do diagnostics, show areas of strengths and growth, and in turn the teacher could create a more fluid classrooms environment. Now, I don't think that's where this was going but it COULD given the right training/preparation. Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:36:05 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024257 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024257 What does this particular use of Khan Academy assume about students and the ways that they learn? At this point in the video, this answer turns in to engagement and motivation. The students talk about the fact that they are able to work through the problems at their own pace, that they are able to see how they're doing immediately, and also go back and make corrections as well. The engagement could arguably come partly from the fact that Khan is on the computer, but since students are also performing better, that is also a motivator as well! When students are able to learn at their own pace, make corrections and do it all online, the success rate skyrockets. In addition, when they still feel stuck, they're able to reach out and get in depth guidance from their teacher. I enjoyed the quote that said "students want to do well". I think Khan Academy functions on that level, and as such, students feel more confidence and willingness to try. (***Whereas sometimes with a teacher we are convinced they don't care). What does it assume about teachers and the way that they teach? I think here it is important to remember that in order to use these types of programs well, the teacher also needs to have some type of confidence and knowledge of the program as well. Without being able to navigate the "Coach", they might not be able to reflect on individual students as easily, or identify overall classroom trends that may require a whole group reteach. Having used Khan before, I can attest that it is very intuitive, but I also have more experience with online platforms that many of my colleagues that can struggle sometimes. Training and support would be needed to implement this correctly, otherwise it would just turn in to a babysitter and be no more effective than paper/pencil. Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:36:05 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024255 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103410?scroll_to=1024255 What does this use of technology assume about students and learning? What does this particular use of Khan Academy assume about students and the ways that they learn? Using Khan allows students to explore their own learning in a more independent way, and also assists them in working through problems without always resorting to the teacher to answer questions. They can also take their time and repeat the video/check the hints as often as they need to instead of the pressure of keeping up with the class. Using Khan offers a variety of learning styles, learning resources and levels for the same topic/skill. What does this use of technology assume about teachers and teaching? What does it assume about teachers and the way that they teach? Using Khan allows the teacher to focus on students with high need, and also shifts the learning even more into the students hands instead of a drill and kill lecture. The teacher is also able to track individual progress more efficiently via Khan and target interventions and misconceptions more easily that if he didn't have the program/had to do everything "whole group". It also streamlines teaching, and allows the teacher to really focus on the core knowledge instead of trying to look for resources/plan using many different sources. Sun, 06 May 2018 21:13:08 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024220 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024220 Rebekah, I totally relate to your post! I had a very similar experience, and to think I had almost forgotten about my math teacher preparing her transparency sheets. I remember enjoying it so much because I could see her illustrate her thinking and it helped me work through problems as well. I also remember a computer lab in middle school, but I actually don't remember having one in high school. Computers were becoming a little bit more common then, but not so much that we had easy access to them. Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:36:03 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024217 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024217 Corinne, Our district has gone through much of the same, but I'm jealous that you see a little of the "cautious optimist" in yours. Ours has turned more into (so far) really just using the carts and now the 1:1 for efficiency. I don't think our high school classrooms use small groups and struggle to differentiate even with such personalized devices. It sounds like I may need to come visit, or send one of our district people over ;) I think they're trying, but not many really understand it. Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:36:03 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024216 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024216 Rebekah, I am glad you mentioned the "fear" behind some of these changes, because I also see that. With all of the high stakes pressure, so often any sort of change makes teachers feel like they won't be effective, or it's going to take away from the efficiency that they're used to (because they've always done it that way). Showing data is helpful, and when it's their own data it's even better. You really have to ensure that your school has a strong community/culture to embark upon this and do it well! Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:36:04 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024213 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024213 Trying to remember that this was written in 1993, I do believe that a shift is ocurring. While I stated in one of my previous comments that the "Presevationist" seems to be dominating in our district still, there are more and more efforts and education around authentically using technology in the classroom. Our school is a testament to this, where classwork is a mix of small group and 1:1 activities, with whole group happening in only 7-10 minute increments and the iPads are used to personalize learning but also push the students to create within their interests. Even our teacher learning has become more personalized, and teachers are leading PD for each other using technology. While I also agree with the article in thinking that we probably still have another 7-10 years before this really sinks it, I do believe it is happening. Wed, 27 Nov 2019 10:36:04 -0500 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024192 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024192 Preservationists: Our District overall fits this scenario perfectly. It first adapted computer labs, then has moved to carts, and now is 1:1 in middle and high school, 2:1 in 3rd-5th and 5:1 in K-2. They don't provide training for teachers on the possibilities of the technology, but only has encouraged the use of them as time savers/productivity managers. Instruction has not fundamentally changed, and there is not hint that it will either. With 16,000 students and 2,500 teachers, this "department" has only 5 members, showing quite clearly that they are more preventers than teachers of how to use technology. When presented with ideas for training and usage, the response it "oh, great idea", and it never moves on from there. Technology is simply "reinforcing what schools have done for over a century" (Paragraph 75). Sun, 06 May 2018 18:56:56 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024191 https://nowcomment.com/documents/103405?scroll_to=1024191 In reflecting on my K-12 experience, I think the only one that someone registers with me is bringing schools in step with the work place. More than anything, I felt it in our "typing" class, where my teacher/s would stress the importance of being efficient typists and help us create our resumes to be up to par with what our supervisors in a job would want. I remember only one small computer lab for tht class (middle school). We also had a 'Civics' class in high school that had an entire semester around understanding how to get a job and what employers looked for. However, in that class there was no technology involved. As a Principal now, I see/hear/feel this all the time. Since we have received the Apple ConnectEd grant, everything is around how we can get our students ahead of the curve to be prepared for the future job market. I struggle with this every day for many reasons, and while overall it is a blessing and our students thrive with the opportunity, I'm not convinced it puts them "ahead of the game". Sun, 06 May 2018 18:38:21 -0400