La Grande JAM

Learning is messy... Last week, I identified some areas of interest for my independent study for LIBE477.  I had way too many ideas and needed more time to focus my topic.  After much reflection on what would be the most relevant, practical and engaging topic/issue, I have decided to focus my research on the following question: "How can I engage students in powerful learning  that is also fun and interesting?" This overarching question then led to the following secondary questions: How can I effectively engage students with inquiry based learning (IBL) through the Genius Hour project in Social Studies? What technologies would facilitate this kind of learning? What is useful? How can IBL/Genius Hour help connect learners with other learners & experts? How can I deepen student learning through questioning?  How manageable is IBL in today's context? With these questions guiding me, I am better able to organize my thoughts and research, so here we ...

The importance of balance... As I find myself trying to come up with a focused inquiry for LIBE477, where technology will play a central role, I am also conflicted.  The reason:  I am worried about the impact technology is having on society and more importantly, on kids.  How do we strike a balance? Years ago, when I taught the Renaissance in SS9, I would tell the kids about the Bonfire of the Vanities.  Short history lesson... Jerome Savoranole was a Dominican priest who spent his life fighting corruption in the Catholic Church.  In Florence in 1490, he denounced the luxurious life led by certain Florentines.  In response to his criticism, people built these huge bonfires and burned wigs, clothes, art work and books, etc.  I would ask students what they would throw in the bonfire today, keeping in mind it had to be something that was negatively impacting society.  At the time, call waiting was a new function on home phones, and I always...