5-Learning+Powered


 * Unit 5: Student Learning Powered with Technology**

In this unit, you will look at how student learning can be powered with technology. What should student learning look like today? Can technology really make a big difference? What do you, as an educational leader, need to know about Net Gen'ers?


 * Readings**

What should student learning look like today?

The NETS-A standard most relevant to this unit, Digital-Age Learning Culture, says that "educational administrators create, promote, and sustain a dynamic, digital-age learning culture that provides a rigorous, relevant, and engaging education for all students" by doing the following:

a. ensure instructional innovation focused on continuous improvement of digital-age learning b. model and promote the frequent and effective use of technology for learning c. provide learner-centered environments equipped with technology and learning resources to meet the individual, diverse needs of all learners d. ensure effective practice in the study of technology and its infusion across the curriculum e. promote and participate in local, national, and global learning communities that stimulate innovation, creativity, and digital-age collaboration.

Another way to answer the student learning question is to reflect on some of the videos and other material on Edutopia, a website with high quality examples of schools that work, core strategies, and more. If you haven't heard of them, listen to NPR some morning on your way to work. You'll likely hear "brought to you by Edutopia, sharing what works in education" or something similar. Visit the site at www.edutopia.org


 * What do you, as an educational leader, need to know about Net Gen'ers?**

The US Department of Education recently released the final version of the newest National Educational Technology Plan, entitled Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology. It is chock full of ideas, priorities, examples, and vision for a 21st century educational system to meet the needs of the Net Generation. The plan has five goals with recommendations for states, districts, the federal government, and other stakeholders. Each goal addresses one of the five essential components of learning powered by technology: Learning, Assessment, Teaching, Infrastructure, and Productivity. Visit the plan website and click on the Executive Summary to read it.


 * Can technology really make big a difference?**

Reflect on what you learned in Part One of Tapscott’s Grown Up Digital. Within these first four chapters, you looked at characteristics and norms of the Net Generation coming of age. He speaks of the early evidence about the changes that take place in the human brain as a result of digital immersion, such as “more highly developed spatial skills ... quicker at switching tasks ... quicker to find what they’re looking for on the Internet ... The Net Gen mind seems to be incredibly flexible, adaptable, and multimedia savvy” (Tapscott, 2009, p. 98).


 * Assignment 1**

Tapscott presents 10 issues that are often associated cynically with the Net Generation. As a way to grapple with these issues, we'll use a few visual tools. First, take a look at a "wallwisher" web page full of sticky notes.

HOW TO: Use the wallwisher link to get to the sticky notes. When you get there, you will see a bunch of sticky notes randomly placed on the page. Simply click to grab a note and move it around the page. Your task is to match the ISSUE note with the EVIDENCE note describing what evidence might support the credibility of the issue.

Here's the link again: @http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/Tapscott10Issues

When you are done with your matching activity, the notes will jump back into their original positions after you close the page. So, don't panic if you return to the page and find that has happened!

Now head over to our new class wikispace to add some content:

HOW TO: Wikispaces is a commonly used wiki service for collaborating and building online content together. Go to http://psu-ce5700-winter2011.wikispaces.com/ and click on the "Tapscott 10 Issues" link on the menu bar. You'll see the 10 issues and links to evidence that might support the issue (or not). Use the "discussion" tab above the table to add a comment about one of the issues.


 * Assignment 2**

Consider what you've read in Tapscott, Part One. Think about what you know about student learning and what you want to know about the difference technology can make in learning.
 * 1) Using your background knowledge, develop a short list of search terms that you can use for a literature search.
 * 2) Use the PSU online library or other resource to search for two journals articles that identify how technology can improve student learning (positive articles).
 * 3) In addition, try to find one journal article that argues against technology use in the classroom (negative articles). Try to locate recent articles wherever possible.
 * 4) Go to our class wiki and add your 3 journal article citations in APA format to the journal articles page.


 * Assignment 3**

Write a 2-3 page reflection paper before you begin unit 6. Reflect on what you've learned from part one of Grown Up Digital and how you feel it may change your approach to teaching and leading. Submit your paper via email attachment to your instructor.


 * Discussion**

Return to the wikispaces link above to use the discussion tab on the HOME page.

Is there proof that technology can improve student learning? How would you answer the skeptics who dispute the necessity of creating digital learning environments?