Using Twitter as class blogs

Lakeview School has recently started using class Twitter pages instead of class blogs.  Already I can see that this is going to be a lot more successful.  Here's why:

• It's so easy to send a Tweet
• Posts are only 140 characters
• Attaching photos and video is very simple
• Parents can access through their phones (this is the only Internet access some of our families have)
• All teachers have been provided with iPads, with the Twitter app loaded, signed in, and ready to go.

You can check out our Twitter pages through the links on our website homepage.

Making Science Teaching Fun!

This is from the TED website:

'High school science teacher Tyler DeWitt was ecstatic about a lesson plan on bacteria (how cool!) -- and devastated when his students hated it. The problem was the textbook: it was impossible to understand. He delivers a rousing call for science teachers to ditch the jargon and extreme precision, and instead make science sing through stories and demonstrations'.


 

Colin Powell's thoughts on kids needing structure

Check out this TED talk from Colin Powell (former U.S. Secretary of State) re kids needing structure.  Some interesting thoughts and ideas.

What's worth learning?

I enjoyed this short thoughtful piece (although not necessarily agreeing with all that he has to say) from Professor David Perkins on the question 'What's worth learning?'. Professor Perkins feels that 90% of what is taught is a waste of time!

Watch the short You Tube clip to find out what is meant by 'Understandings of wide scope'; this being what Professor Perkins feels should be being taught in schools.

 

Every student to have an iPad

Check out this story from today's Stuff website. It's all very well for the Ministry to come up with ideas that would lead to New Zealand students 'leading the world in digital literacy', but to do so, it will need to be funded somehow. The article starts:

'The prospect of every pupil having a touch screen tablet or laptop in the classroom has raised concerns it could create a gulf between the haves and have-nots'.

To read the article in full, click here.

The Talent Code

This is so inspirational!  Please watch it and gain more appreciation for what can be achieved with so little!

The Talent Code

A quality (and free) education for all!

I found this TED presentation from Daphne Koller absolutely inspirational!  Daphne finishes by stating three things that providing a top quality (and free) education could achieve:

1. Established education around the world as a fundamental human right, where anyone with the motivation could attain the skills and knowledge to make a better life for themselves, their families and their communities.
2. It would enable lifelong learning.  Learning doesn't have to stop when we finish high school or university.  
3. Enable a wave of innovation.  Talent could exist anywhere; from downtown Manhattan to the far reaches of village Africa.  The next Steve Jobs or Albert Einstein could be a child, who is right now living in an Indian slum.

To find out what else Daphne has to say, watch her presentation in full.