It amazes me each summer how 2 months away from students and your learning environment really forces you to reflect on the past year, and provides the energy and impetus to look ahead to the new academic school year. It's almost like New Years Eve, where resolutions are made, the difference being I follow through on summer promises.
One of my first resolutions is to continue my professional blog. Even though I blog with student classes, my own blog has fallen into a state of neglect. So my resolution is to document classroom trials and success, or to reflect on my own learning and share resources.
So lets start.....For me, summers over the past three years have consisted of cramming doctoral courses and taking trips with my family, however, July this year provided the opportunity to attend the Nova Southeastern University summer doctoral conference on Global Leadership, Learning and Research in Orlando, Florida.
Having the chance to attend the conference provided a myriad of workshops plus first and foremost the chance to network; meet dissertation chairs and professors face to face as well as the opportunity for roundtable discussions with educators and experts from around the globe. Anyone who has undertaken distance education, can fully comprehend transactional distance ; described as the cognitive space between instructors and learners. Even though I have powered my way through all but 3 of the ITDE courses, my concept paper had not moved past what best could be described as a rough draft (a work in progress). After politely responding to my dissertation chairs pleas over the past two and half years, meeting her face to face was such an inspirational experience; it allowed clarification of topics, the chance to dialogue and provided insights into learning environments in public schools in the United States. My dissertation chair hails from New York City and is the Director , Solutions Design and Engineering Group for the New York City Department of Education. Currently, her role involves revamping curriculum, offering solutions with technology integration with a focus on learning environment for all public schools in the NewYork City area. What was abundantly clear from our conversations is that globally we all struggle with strategies to best meet the needs of 21st century students; schools and students are no different whether in Kuala Lumpur, New York City or Broward County, Florida.
Next, after 7 flights, over 50 hours of airtravel and 9 days in Florida, I have taken the following back with me to Kuala Lumpur;
1. A valuable framework for 21st Century Learning - This framework compliments our current standards as well as our schoolwide learning results. (refer graphic at beginning of post).The framework clearly illustrates the relationship between 21st century skills (student outcomes) and support systems.
As published, The 21st Century Outcomes are "the skills, knowledge and expertise that students should master to succeed in work and life in the 21st Century",
* Core subjects and 21st Century themes.
* Learning and Innovation Skills -
- Creativity and Innovation
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Communication and Collaboration
(these skills are almost identical to ISKL's schoolwide learning results; Learn Enthusiastically, Think Creatively, Reason Critically, Communicate Effectively, Collaborate Constructively and Live Ethically.
* Information Media and Technology Skills
- Information Literacy
- Media Literacy
- ICT Literacy
* Life and Career Skills.
Next, the 21st Century Support Systems include:
*21st Century Standards
* Assessment of 21st Century skills
* 21st Century Curriculum and Instruction
* 21st Century Professional Development
* 21st Century Learning Environments
To learn more, please view The Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
2. A desire to completely rethink, rearrange and move desks and chairs away from my learning environment, and replace some of them with modular lounges and comfortable chairs. My dissertation chair has recently been involved with programs in several schools in NYC that have implemented 21st Century Learning Environments ( Learning Environment = Classroom). The gains in social cognition, collaboration (with students and teachers), constructivist activities and student achievement is clearly evident. So, yes I have been scouring the Ikea Catalogue, with the view to creating a proposal for my principal.
Upon reflection, I know that this is something I have been wanting to do for the past 3-4 years. I am more than comfortable with students sitting on the floor collaborating in groups, with pens and paper or computers for tools, at ease and cognitively engaged. This is already a common feature in my classroom. I know that sofas, bean bags and easychairs will be more comfortable than the floor.
A recent article in Edutopia, also provided information on creative ways to change seating in classrooms.
3. Lastly, a narrowed focus for my concept paper and dissertation topic. (more details to follow).
Clearly, professional development opportunities such as attendance at summer conferences play a vital role; Building on a knowledge base in the view to improving curriculum, instruction and assessment, the chance to make global connections and lastly gaining strategies and frameworks to enhance student learning.
On a personal note, attendance at the conference would not have been possible without assistance from the ISKL Faculty (FHM) Summer Scholarship Program. Kudos to ISKL Administration for this initiative; it is programs like this that inspire excellence.
References:
1. The Partnership for 21st Century Learning http://www.p21.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=254&Itemid=119
2. Ikea Malaysia - Online Catalogue http://www.ikea.com.my/en/catalogue/index.asp
