Digital Learning Environment Inventory
An assessment of Rootstown Local Schools (2014-2015)
Below you will find an assessment completed during the 2014-2015 school year of the digital learning environment at Rootstown Local Schools. This assessment was completed with voluntary input from other teachers in the district.
As you review this, please keep in mind that during the 2014-2015 school year and over summer break, some improvements have been made to address issues noted in this assessment. Additionally, some new resources have also become available to students.
As you review this, please keep in mind that during the 2014-2015 school year and over summer break, some improvements have been made to address issues noted in this assessment. Additionally, some new resources have also become available to students.
rlsddigitallearningenvironment_2014-2015.docx | |
File Size: | 10 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Digital Tools
Below are digital resources that can enhance student learning and bring them into the 21st century!
Google Classroom
This app from the Google platform of tools is a great way to connect with students, to share resources, and to accept work submissions. We live in an increasingly technological world, especially in education. Once they enter college and the world of work, they will have to connect and share work digitally, and by introducing them to this digital environment now, we are preparing them for what is to come.
I currently use this app to share weekly flipped classroom videos to review literary terms, post classroom announcements, and for students to submit written assignments. In the future, I also hope to facilitate class discussions through the application as well.
Snapchat
Before passing any judgement about this app, check out my blog post about how Snapchat can introduce students to the world around them! I also feel that using this app provides a great opportunity to facilitate discussions about responsible use of technology.
Google Docs and Slides
While it might seem silly to place these very basic applications on this list, using Docs and Slides as opposed to Word and PowerPoint has revolutionized my teaching. Even more importantly though, they have enhanced student collaboration ten fold. Now students are able to work in real time on projects both in school and at their separate homes. I can provide timely feedback for the group and also assess who is doing what work so that I can also evaluate their ability to collaborate on work. Collaboration is an important skill and now I am able to help my students develop these skills in ways I never knew possible.
Blogger
For the past six years I have kept a "Class Blog" using Blogger. The blog has evolved over the years to become a great daily resource for parents and students. I post daily agendas, details about assignments and class materials, and updates about important classroom information. I can share photos from class as well as video, making it a multimedia tool. Additionally, students can comment to ask questions about assignments and get feedback from me so that they can stay on track with their work. Feel free to check out my class blog here!
Weebly
This website creation tool is not only easy to use, but FREE! This spring my students will be completing a project based learning assignment on a project of their choosing. Some will create websites for this project, and I will be asking them to use Weebly to do so. Additionally, the students and I will be creating a site about their projects using Weebly so that we can share their amazing work with friends, family, and the community. As website creation is not something currently taught at our school, I feel that teaching them how to do so will serve them well in the future.
Google Classroom
This app from the Google platform of tools is a great way to connect with students, to share resources, and to accept work submissions. We live in an increasingly technological world, especially in education. Once they enter college and the world of work, they will have to connect and share work digitally, and by introducing them to this digital environment now, we are preparing them for what is to come.
I currently use this app to share weekly flipped classroom videos to review literary terms, post classroom announcements, and for students to submit written assignments. In the future, I also hope to facilitate class discussions through the application as well.
Snapchat
Before passing any judgement about this app, check out my blog post about how Snapchat can introduce students to the world around them! I also feel that using this app provides a great opportunity to facilitate discussions about responsible use of technology.
Google Docs and Slides
While it might seem silly to place these very basic applications on this list, using Docs and Slides as opposed to Word and PowerPoint has revolutionized my teaching. Even more importantly though, they have enhanced student collaboration ten fold. Now students are able to work in real time on projects both in school and at their separate homes. I can provide timely feedback for the group and also assess who is doing what work so that I can also evaluate their ability to collaborate on work. Collaboration is an important skill and now I am able to help my students develop these skills in ways I never knew possible.
Blogger
For the past six years I have kept a "Class Blog" using Blogger. The blog has evolved over the years to become a great daily resource for parents and students. I post daily agendas, details about assignments and class materials, and updates about important classroom information. I can share photos from class as well as video, making it a multimedia tool. Additionally, students can comment to ask questions about assignments and get feedback from me so that they can stay on track with their work. Feel free to check out my class blog here!
Weebly
This website creation tool is not only easy to use, but FREE! This spring my students will be completing a project based learning assignment on a project of their choosing. Some will create websites for this project, and I will be asking them to use Weebly to do so. Additionally, the students and I will be creating a site about their projects using Weebly so that we can share their amazing work with friends, family, and the community. As website creation is not something currently taught at our school, I feel that teaching them how to do so will serve them well in the future.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about Global Education and Global Competency? Here I have compiled a list of resources on these topics for you to review that I have used and found to be interesting, helpful, and thought provoking.
Global Competence Matrix
This matrix, developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers’ EdSteps Project, in partnership with the Asia Society Partnership for Global Learning, clearly identifies the skills possessed by globally competent students.
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence Value Rubric
This rubric, shared on the University of Michigan's Center for Research on Learning and Training's website "was developed by teams of faculty representing colleges and universities across the United States. It identifies learning outcomes and fundamental criteria for each outcome: cultural awareness, verbal and nonverbal communication strategies, and attitudes of curiosity, openness, and empathy." This is a great starting point for assessing where your students are in regards to global competency, and for evaluating their progress as you present new learning opportunities.
Global Education Checklist
This checklist is an excellent resource for teacher leaders and administrators when planning for curriculum changes and for evaluating changes to implement in order to increase global compentency in their schools.
Common Core and Global Education
These posts from EdWeek shows how the Common Core Standards go hand in hand with global education.
"Common Core: Preparing Globally Competent Citizens" Part 1 by Margaret Reed Millar
"Common Core: Preparing Globally Competent Citizens" Part 2 by Margaret Reed Millar
"Common Core: Getting There Globally" by Elizabeth Howald
Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Youth to Engage the World
This guide was prepared by the Asia Society and is a very in depth and comprehensive guide to understanding global competence and the need for global education. For more from the Asia Society via the web, check out their website.
This matrix, developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers’ EdSteps Project, in partnership with the Asia Society Partnership for Global Learning, clearly identifies the skills possessed by globally competent students.
Intercultural Knowledge and Competence Value Rubric
This rubric, shared on the University of Michigan's Center for Research on Learning and Training's website "was developed by teams of faculty representing colleges and universities across the United States. It identifies learning outcomes and fundamental criteria for each outcome: cultural awareness, verbal and nonverbal communication strategies, and attitudes of curiosity, openness, and empathy." This is a great starting point for assessing where your students are in regards to global competency, and for evaluating their progress as you present new learning opportunities.
Global Education Checklist
This checklist is an excellent resource for teacher leaders and administrators when planning for curriculum changes and for evaluating changes to implement in order to increase global compentency in their schools.
Common Core and Global Education
These posts from EdWeek shows how the Common Core Standards go hand in hand with global education.
"Common Core: Preparing Globally Competent Citizens" Part 1 by Margaret Reed Millar
"Common Core: Preparing Globally Competent Citizens" Part 2 by Margaret Reed Millar
"Common Core: Getting There Globally" by Elizabeth Howald
Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Youth to Engage the World
This guide was prepared by the Asia Society and is a very in depth and comprehensive guide to understanding global competence and the need for global education. For more from the Asia Society via the web, check out their website.
globalcompetence.pdf | |
File Size: | 4013 kb |
File Type: |
"The Danger of a Single Story" - TED Talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A wonderful lecture by this successful Nigerian novelist which addresses the problems we face when we only hear one "story" about a people, a culture, a country, or an event. |
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IREX Website & YouTube Channel
IREX is "an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally" (IREX website). Check out their website for a wealth of great information and opportunities. Their YouTube channel is also a great way to start learning about the importance of global education and global perspectives.
Global Education Conference Network Website
"...a collaborative, inclusive, world-wide community initiative involving students, educators, and organizations at all levels. Our activities are designed to significantly increase opportunities for connecting classrooms while supporting cultural awareness and recognition of diversity and educational access for all."
"Global Competency is a 21st Century Imperative"
This policy brief from NEA addresses why global competency and 21st century skills go hand in hand.
"What Does it Mean to Be Globally Competent?"
Informational piece by Bill Hunter, George White, and Galen Godbey printed in the Journal of Studies in International Education.
Edutopia Resources
A compilation of global competency resources compiled by Edutopia.
"Educating for Global Competency" by Fernando Reimers
This scholarly article addresses the need for schools to develop global competency in their students.
IREX is "an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally" (IREX website). Check out their website for a wealth of great information and opportunities. Their YouTube channel is also a great way to start learning about the importance of global education and global perspectives.
Global Education Conference Network Website
"...a collaborative, inclusive, world-wide community initiative involving students, educators, and organizations at all levels. Our activities are designed to significantly increase opportunities for connecting classrooms while supporting cultural awareness and recognition of diversity and educational access for all."
"Global Competency is a 21st Century Imperative"
This policy brief from NEA addresses why global competency and 21st century skills go hand in hand.
"What Does it Mean to Be Globally Competent?"
Informational piece by Bill Hunter, George White, and Galen Godbey printed in the Journal of Studies in International Education.
Edutopia Resources
A compilation of global competency resources compiled by Edutopia.
"Educating for Global Competency" by Fernando Reimers
This scholarly article addresses the need for schools to develop global competency in their students.