21st+Century+Learning+Project-+Balster

Creating a 21st Century Learning Environment

__Part 1: Belief Statement __

I chose to focus on developing connections with my AT Math students. The AT Math students are a unique group of students who often demonstrate great thinking and I'd like to empower my students by finding new ways to share their ideas with others. I teach AT Math at three elementary schools in D303 and I'd like to connect my students with other AT Math students in other schools. I think this can be very powerful for them to exchange ideas with peers who they can identify with, even if they've never met these individuals. Students can start to network from a young age and exchange ideas through the use of technology. When they reach middle school, it will be interesting for them to potentially connect with the individuals they've communicated with virtually in their middle school AT Math class.

When looking at the Vision of Learning in the 21st Century manifesto, I thought about all the ways that 21st century learners are connected. There are so many ways that students can connect with others, as they connect with their peers to share their ideas, as they make connections in their learning, and as they connect with information via technology. I'd like to further develop these connections by having my students connect with peers beyond their own AT Math class as they communicate with AT Math students in my other classes. Students today live in a much different world than we did when we were their age and their lives center around technology. I'd like for students to realize that their peers go beyond the walls of their classroom...they can connect virtually with anyone in the world!

I am excited about the idea of connecting my students among my three schools by providing this authentic experience for them to learn from one another. I anticipate that this will have a very positive effect on them. They are always curious about students in my other classes and I often share stories and ideas with them about students from my other buildings. I think it will be powerful for them to find other students whom they can identify with. I plan to develop a class portal on Google Sites and have my students communicate Edmodo, which they will access through the Google website.

Collaboration and communication are also integral parts of the class ecosystem. It is very important that students learn how to collaborate and work well with others, as this will be an important skill as they journey through life. We know how important it is to work respectfully and effectively with others, and how much we can benefit from hearing other viewpoints and ideas. Effective communication skills are essential so students can share their ideas with others and justify their thinking. It is also important for students to be receptive to the ideas of others and understand the perspective of others.

As students communicate virtually, they can develop connections with new ideas, resources, and individuals. These experiences will empower students and encourage them to take ownership in their learning. Students will learn how to socially responsible by being part of a learning community that encourages them to contribute their ideas and thinking.

__Part 2: Artifacts __

 Edmodo site- Students will be able to collaborate with other students from my other buildings using Edmodo. I plan to use Edmodo in a variety of ways: getting to know one another, problem solving, as well as sharing ideas about math concepts.

I plan to first spend some time with my students introducing Edmodo and getting them comfortable with the site. We will take some time to establish virtual class norms and will use the suggested norms provided Edmodo as a springboard for discussion. We will establish our own norms and refer to these periodically to ensure that Edmodo is used appropriately. Here is the link of suggested norms that we will use as a springboard for discussion: 

We will also use Edmodo as a means to get to know one another. Students will gain experience communicating one another through Ice Breakers such as Two Truths and A Fib. Students will learn how to post their ideas and reply to others. I plan to have each student post their two truths and a lie and students will respond to it with what they think the lie is. The following are the directions for the activity:



I plan to use Edmodo for students to collaborate with problem solving. They can ask questions and provide feedback to their peers. I will pose a problem for students to work on individually and then encourage them to later share their approach to the problem. I'd like to encourage students to focus on sharing STRATEGIES rather than solutions with one another so they can help one another to see different strategies to solve the same problem. I thought that one way I may be able to do this is to start with a fun problem solving activity. Last year the students were asked to save Fred, the worm, by using only paper clips to get him in his life preserver. This year I thought they could instead save Herby from the drainpipe. This is an engaging activity that requires students to use their problem solving and critical thinking skills. I'd like for students to blog on Edmodo about the think and answer questions using the 1 + 1 strategy. Here's the directions for this activity;



I'm also in the process of developing a Google site for the AT Math students and parents to access for important information and documents. I originally thought I'd use it to post homework, but I've reconsidered that and think I'll instead use it to post important dates/details, along with unit documents, websites, and newsletters. This is still a work in progress.