Eclectic Technology

Check out this new version of the KWL chart by Silvia Rosenthal Tomlison. What we once called KWL is now the KWHLAQ.

* K stands for  'What do you KNOW?'

* W stands for 'What do you WANT to know?'

* H stands for 'HOW will you find out?'

* L stands for 'What have your LEARNED?'

* A stands for 'What ACTION will you take?'

* Q stands for 'What further QUESTIONS do you have?'

This new visual also includes suggestions under each category to help students make their "thinking and learning visible." For more information click through to the post.

Today many students when asked a question choose to Google the answer. A generation is turning to one (or perhaps two or three) search engines and reading the top two or three results. As educators we should think about how this type of search is impacting how our students think. This post explores this, looking at three areas:

1. Google creates the illusion of accessibility

2. Google naturally suggests “answers” as stopping points

3. Being linear, Google obscures the interdependence of information

What do you think? Do you think Google is impacting student learning? Do you think that project based learning, inquiry learning, authentic learning projects would provide opportunities for students to not only search, but to use their critical thinking skills? This post may make you look at search engines in a different way. 

How has teaching changed? Below are the seven key ideas. .

1. A culture of emerging literacies

2. A society that is mobile

3. A world where equity is a central theme

4. A society of constant connectivity

5. A world where the technology learns, too

6. A context that demands new credibility in an era of information

7. A culture that can seem, well, distracted

Many teachers may be overwhelmed with these changes and may require professional development to help them develop new skills that technology brings. But change has happened before and will continue to happen. The question is how are we adapting to the changes and how can we assist our students in becoming independent  learners in this new age of learning?

Infographics might be considered the intersection of information, illustration and design. They provide students with the opportunity to share information in a variety of ways. This post shares the story of one teacher and her implementation of a research project which culminated in an infographic. After a brief introduction (which includes an excellent interactive infographic, 13 Reasons Why Your Brain Craves Infographics). Following this introduction there are six components that are shared:

* Select an Infographic-Friendly Topic

* Begin the Drafting Process by Hand

* Choose the Right Templates or Software

* Refine Content and Design

* Infographic Resources and Tools for Educators

* Share and Critique

Each section provides additional detail and a number of resources that you will find helpful are included.

Have you considered having your students create infographics as a way to demonstrate their understanding of a topic? The creation of an infograhic requires that students research a question and analyze the information so the can create a visual presentation. In this post Kerry Gallager shares the process she uses with her students. The shorthand version is below but check out the post for more information as well as some student responses to the project.

* Begin with an essential question

* Provide access to information and data

* Teach the students what makes a great infographic

* Choose a number of infographic creation tools and let the students use the one that works best for them

* Remember, you are the facilitator

* Make sure the students are provided time to finish, polish and publish (which may be done at home if students have access to computers)

* Have students reflect on their work

Most of us use the Internet daily but do we really know how much information is being gathered and how much is known about us? This infographic will educate you about an area that is much bigger than many think. Learn about what tracking is, how much is known about you, what information is collected, how you are tracked and why you should be concerned. 

Does this fact concern you? "There are no limits to what types of information can be collected."

Luckily there are some things you may do and the last section of the infographic provides information to help you keep more of your actions private.