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It's scary to take your first steps into PBL. What if it doesn't work? What if I don't know what to do next? The first steps often are the scariest; however, most of us who try it are sold by the success. Preconceived Scare-Factors about PBL In the past year, I've heard the following three preconceived notions about PBL: I have heard people describe their PBL as having choice boards or menus for student choice; but in actuality, what I hear them describing is differentiated instruction (DI). Sure, DI is in PBL, but that does not make it PBL.   PBL Benefits PBL is good for all learners. When PBL is done correctly, it engages the students in their learning. They are motivated by an authentic purpose that peeks their curiosity. Learning is differentiated through product, process, possibly content, choice, etc. Various learning styles are met, and student strengths are nourished. Teachers can work with small groups, and can meet individual needs. PBL ...

I had some great comments from my last post about student portfolios, Diigo, and blogs. This post is a continuation of that conversation. Traditional Portfolios When I think back to my beginning years in the classroom, I remember my student portfolios were in manilla file folders. Later, they became gorgeous construction paper books. On both accounts, they were linear, and you would view it from left to right, one page after another. Currently, the two sites that stand out in my mind to collect student work in a linear manner are LiveBinders and Google Sites . Those are great options, and I'm sure there are a plethora I haven't even considered. However, I am not always a linear thinker. I like having multiple options. Diigo Portfolios In Diigo , students could bookmark and collaborate regarding their resources, notes, etc. The teacher could view per assignment or per individual. Here's a little video made in Screenr that shows my thinking: Tips for Manage...

I've had several people ask me about how to start blogs and portfolios with their students next year, and what's the best approach. Purpose of Student Portfolio? Portfolios  are collections of student work/artifacts that represent the process and progress of their learning. Typically the stronger artifacts document reflection and feedback. Some of the artifacts in the portfolio are then selected to present to others, such as at a parent-teacher conference. Collecting, reflecting, and selecting to share with others is what makes portfolios extremely valuable. I like the visual that Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano created to show the three steps of curating a digital portfolio. Creative Commons: Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano/Langwitches What Could a Digital Portfolio Look Like? I appreciate Implementing ePortfolios? Questions to Consider , and have used it to funnel my thinking for what the digital portfolio could look like. I'm at a comfort level now where I don't ...

This was my first time going to ISTE and Edubloggercon . So, what were my favorites and takeaways? 1. I found that Jackie Gerstein 's session on the Flipped Classroom at Edubloggercon  gave me incredible perspective. We were given snippets of information filled with examples, interspersed with discussion points as small groups and the whole group. Later in the day when I had a moment to ponder this, I realized the possibility of the Flipped Classroom was no longer something intangible to me that only districts with lots of money and high SES could do. It's something we  can do despite the economy, having to close two schools, and all the other "Yeah, but..." excuses I could list here. 2. Blogging "N@ked" or Being Transparent in Our Relationships with Susan Davis , was another favorite from Edubloggercon. The discussion started with what it meant to be transparent by sharing celebrations as well as failures, because that's the reality of change a...

I was asked to present ten coaching tips in ten minutes at ISTE . Here are the ten I presented today: 1. Building relationships is key . It takes time and energy to build those relationships, but it's the key in coaching. 2. Work with the willing . It is more effective to work with those who are willing, and forcing someone won't get the results the students deserve. If this were an ocean, I probably couldn't turn a whale. However, I can focus on turning and working with the leaders in a school of sardines, and the rest will eventually follow. (Thanks Jon Castelhano for giving me that imagery). 3. Cater to their readiness . It's the same idea as individualizing for your students -- pre-assess and adjust to their needs. I ask questions to assess their comfort level, if they use it primarily to teach, or use it for students to learn and create. In other words, is technology something that is used? If so, how? Is it used mainly by the teacher or also by the studen...

The Edublogs PLN Teacher Challenge #2 gives me an opportunity to ask what questions I have about PLNs and share some insight. Connecting I want to connect with innovative educators who are passionate about learning-centered classrooms. I am rewarded when I learn and can help others grow, because of the impact it makes on the students. Developing PLNs are like developing friendships. It takes time. It's easier when I have similar goals and common things to discuss, or can respectfully challenge each other with new ideas. I need to contribute as much as I take, otherwise it's an unbalanced relationship, which won't last. My One-to-One PLN Needs My job title is "Technology Integration Specialist" for AJUSD. I spend over half my time in K-12 classrooms working with students and teachers. The other half of my time is spent helping teachers with resources, project based learning, creating/facilitating professional development, and setting goals for future...

I was reminded what it felt like to be incredibly frustrated with technology. Perceptions of Failure I had everything ready for my first BlackBoard Collaborate webinar where I was a guest of Shelee King George for Peer Coaching . My computer was ready, and just in case, I had Plan B set up -- my laptop was booted up with the URL typed in. When it was time to start, my computer crashed and my laptop froze. Panic. Anxiety. I ended up using our System Admin's computer because neither of mine would reboot. Pictures by AJUSD's Brian Killgore I was taking a risk and trying something new, but didn't feel like I was connecting with my audience because I couldn't see nor hear them. Plus, I didn't feel like my calm collected self after the technical errors. I easily could have dismissed the whole experience and told myself, "I guess it's just not the medium for me, so I'll never try that again."   Time Gives Perspective, even Inspirati...