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Pre-Institute Module

Page history last edited by jdownes@uvm.edu 10 years, 9 months ago

 

The Middle Grades Learners and Technology Strand:

Technology, Young Adolescents and Learning in a Connected World

 

Pre-Readings and Resources

 

Welcome to the Middle Grades Learners and Technology Strand of the 2013 Middle Grades Institute. We're excited to see you on the 24th. We would like all participants to share a common beginning to what will become highly individualized journeys toward effective middle schooling with technology.

 

Step 1 on our journey focuses on Middle School is Not a Building (MSNB), which you should have received in your welcome mailing. MSNB reminds us of core concepts of effective middle schooling which, when paired with appropriate technologies, can transform the educational experience of young adolescents, their families, and teachers. This strand aims to do just that by inviting you to:

 

  • identify a core concept of middle schooling,
  • explore gateway technologies,
  • develop an inquiry into how a gateway technology can promote a core concept in your practice,
  • evaluate and share your findings. 
 

Below are the pre-resources we want participants to examine prior to arriving at the Institute in order to launch into the important work of the week. We estimate that it will take about 2-3 hours to read and watch these resources. 

 

 

 

 

Core Concepts Drawn from Middle School is Not a Building Required Resource Orientation 
  Middle School is Not a Building

Please read Middle School is Not a Building and note that it highlights a number of critical concepts at the core of effective middle schooling. An initial understanding of these core concepts will prepare you to begin considering how technology can cultivate these concepts in your practice. One or more of these core concepts will guide your project work in the months ahead.

Challenging, integrated, real world, standards based curriculum that promotes conceptual understanding, 21st century skill development, and knowledge acquisition.

 

Instruction is engaging, personalized, and differentiated to meet individual student learning needs 

 

Learning is measured by appropriate assessments, resulting in continual learning and high achievement. 

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mooresville's Shining Example, It's Not Just About the Laptops 

This 10-minute video prompts us to consider the underlying forces behind our desire to learn and excel, and the implications for current and prospective designs for curriculum, instruction and assessment.

 

 

 

 

The Moresville case described in this brief newspaper article is meant to stimulate thinking about how technology can contribute to changes in curriculum, instruction and assessment, and the implications of these changes for the systems in which we work and learn.

Organizational structures and a school culture of high expectations enable both middle level students and educators succeed.  Organizational Structures that Support Meaningful Relationships and Learning 
    
  
This 6 page article provides an overview of organizational components of effective middle schooling, proven structures that can benefit from imaginative integration of 21st century technologies.
Ongoing family and community partnerships provide a supportive an enriched learning environment for each middle level student  
Parent Involvement
Technology integration, particularly 1:1 laptop programs, raises the stakes -- and the opportunities -- for bold family and community involvement. This 2 page article outlines proven approaches to extending the reach of classrooms and teams and leaves us wondering how technology could help.
A democratic system of continual collaboration by all stakeholders allows for authentic student voice and a shared vision to guide decisions. 

Mapping the Personalized Learning Journey

 

 

A chief challenge facing middle school educators today is bridging the growing gap between students' in-school and out-of-school technology lives.  A quick scan of this report hints at what we can learn when we invite students into conversations about how they use technology already, and how technology can advance their learning.
MGI 2013 Democracy Theme Articles  

 

 

 

Find the preliminary course syllabus here.

 

 

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