Blended Learning Language Support

There are many individual language learning apps that one can use with his/her students on the iPad. There are also two online resources that support blended learning with students working in and out of school for language learning.

The iTalki site is a provider of individual language learning. One signs up for the service and works with a tutor. The Duolingo for Education platorm really provides whole class support with each student having his/her own account.  

Image Sources: iTalki   Duolingo

Multiple Intelligences Approach to Assessment

Becky Rosenberg, our PYP Coordinator, put together a chart listing multiple intelligences assessment tasks that students could perform for the upcoming Grade 2 Life Cycles unit of inquiry. Giving students choice and multiple means to make their thinking visible is definitely supported through MI and Universal Design for Learning.

ICL and Art Integrated PYP Unit of Inquiry

PYP unit that includes art and ICL integration. 

Learning 2.0 can be described as student-centered learning designed and facilitated by teachers using a variety of instructional strategies including web tools and social media collaboration. At my school of Washington International School (WIS), Learning 2.0 is integrated into the PYP curriculum and Project Zero pedagogy through the Information and Communication Literacy (ICL) curriculum. Below is a chart of the differences between Learning 1.0, and Learning 2.0 instruction. Looking at Learning 2.0, here is one educator's view of a modern teacher's profile. 

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Digital Portfolios

Portfolios have been around for a long time and for good reason. They offer a truly authentic way to help students, teachers and parents see student learning develop over time. One obstacle though, is simply the management of all the paper and ownership of the portfolio year after year. eFolios take care of the paper and management problems. As our students create more and more digital work to communicate their learning, it makes sense to have them house their portfolios on the web for easy access. eFolios provide a platform for instructional strategies, especially questioning, to guide students to use higher order thinking skills as they reflect about their learning. eFolios also offer educators a place to document their work and professional learning over time. Here are a few resources: 

• Digital Portfolios in the Elementary Classroom and Fifth Grade
• Dr. Helen Barrett's Electronic Portfolio site rich in resources
• eFolio Rubric from U of Wisconsin-Stout
• Reasons for Digital Portfolios
• Teacher eFolio Examples: Andrea Smith| Kim Cofino | Margaret Carpenter

Field Trips

Field trips can involve four stages of learning for our students. ICL can support all the stages. In Stage 1, we can provide books, articles from databases, Web sites, videos and when visiting museums, a review of its Web site. Carefully crafted questions help students use research skills to begin their understanding of what they will experience during the field trip. By building their foundation knowledge, they are able to make the most of their time on the excursion. 

During Stage 2, the students take their trip. This is when they can experience the roles of photographer, videographer, reporter, and/or subject matter expert who gathers information. Student learning can be amplified when they work individually or in teams to use cameras and/or iPads to take photos and videos. They can play the role of reporter being video recorded to explain museum exhibits, give details on a site they are visiting, etc. Internet connected mobile devices provide students instant access to further information as questions come up during the visit. Stage 3 of the learning occurs when students return from the trip to begin processing the information they gathered. Technology supports collaboration when using information storage and storyboarding resources like Google Docs, Mindmeister, and Padlet. Stage 4 engages the students to report their learning depending on the teacher assigned assessment. 

Connecting students to other societies through geography can be supported through tools like Google Maps and Google Earth so check the next section on "Geography Connections". 

There are so many museum Web sites that offer rich student learning opportunities. Here are a few resources:

• Project Mash to Connect Museums and Other After School Learning Opportunities
• 77 Online Museums
• SmartHistory of Art thought the Ages
• Smithsonian Quests Inspiring Students to Explore, Connect and Learn

A few possible projects and tools to support field trips:

• Connected Classroom which provide virtual field trips via Google+
• Creation of a Virtual Exhibit using student recorded images and video to display them with tools such as Google Earth and Sites. Take a look at several examples using a variety of presentation tools. 
• Documentary using student recorded images and video of their in person visit or online visit
• Newscast using student recorded images and video of their in person visit or online visit
• Online or In Person Presentation of a field trip using Tool from our Presentation Technology Matrix
• Take Google Photo Sphere photos with Bubbli app on iPad/iPhone or Google Camera app on Android to contribute toGoogle Views
• Pull image of art from the museum collections in Google Cultural Institute for virtual tours that students can create within the Web site

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Web Learning Tool for Reading

We are making strides to support blended to virtual learning with the use of Xtramath and Dreambox. One option for reading that follows the same model of students having individual accounts is the Raz Kids online reading tool. It uses adaptive technology so that students can hear stories read to them or read them while selecting keywords to hear them. Student progress is measured via reading comprehension quizzes. Teachers and parents have access to the records. 

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