Module+4



** Alan November and Novemberlearning.com ** Lead Instructor: Terrie RIchardson (terrie_richardson@dpsk12.org)

Runs March 17th - 31st


 * INTRODUCTION:**

In ** Module 4 ** you will explore some of the work of Alan November and become familiar with many of the resources available on his website that can help you as you embark on this journey to implement your learning in order to create a 21st Century learning environment. Alan November's articles, podcasts and videos will provide some thought provoking ideas and concepts. He believes that it is not the technology itself that is important, but rather how we use it. The article that you will read will provide some practical ideas about ways to effectively engage with technology in meaningful ways, while getting them to contribute to their learning environment by giving back or adding value through the jobs he describes. First let's learn more about Alan November. Just click on his name to read more about this internationally esablished and leading presenter on teaching and learning with technolgy. Watch the video that can be found on this same webpage on the right. It sets the stage for our focus for this module.

Alan November has some very definite ideas about what our teaching and learning environments need to become in order to truly meet the educational needs of the students of today in order to prepare them for their future. While some of his beliefs may conflict a bit with where we are with a prescribed and aligned curriculum, he does make some points that are worth considering as we transform our learning environments to meet the needs of our digital age students. All we ask is that you keep an open mind and consider the changes that are happening in many schools across our nation and even globally.

EXAMPLES/ RESOURCES:**
 * [[image:EG_Logo.JPG width="51" height="52"]]


 * Video on "A Vision of Students Today"**

media type="youtube" key="dGCJ46vyR9o" height="385" width="480" =__Articles:__= **Students as Contributors: The Digital Learning Farm"**

=__Podcasts:__= A Podcast with Eliott Washor on the Big Picture Schools. Click here for Podcast



=ASSIGNMENTS: =

1) **Read the article** from above, **"Students as Contributors: The Digital Learning Farm".**

2) **Read this blog** post from a teacher inspired after listening to one of Alan November's conference presentations. Click on the folowwing link to access the blog post. []. Then **watch the video,** (located above in EXAMPLES/RESOURCES). Finally, **respond to these questions** on the Course wiki "Discussion Tab": Then **relfect** on 2 of your classmates posts.
 * What resonated with you after reading the article and the blog as well as watching the video?
 * Is there one or two of the jobs that you would implement with your students after reading the article or viewing the video from the website?
 * What additional training might you need in order to implement these job for students?

3) ​ **Listen to the Podcast** with Elliot Washor, also found above, to discover how he describes learning and what it takes to create an "environment for learning". **Then respond** to this question in the Course wiki Discussion Tab: **Knowing that DPS has a set curriculum that teachers need to follow for the grade level they teach, what are the implications of trying to create an "environment for learning" that will prepare students for the 21st Century workplace. (What challenges do you face? What will be an easy place to begin?)**

4) **Create a page on your personal wiki** for Alan November and copy some of these resources to your page as well as any new ones you discover that will be helpful to you as you continue creating an effective digital learning enviornment. Also add any notes reflecting your learning or notes about things you want to remember that will be helpful to you later.

5) **Locate and read or view** another article, podcast, or resource from Alan November's website that you find useful or valuable to your learning. Post the link to this on the **Additional Resources** wiki page found below the **Module 4** in the navigation table on the left. Please add to the Summary colum and the Comments column about why you found it useful or why others may find it useful. Be sure to copy this to your personal wiki as well.  REMINDERS: - Respond to the Module 4 Discussion Tab - Email the Lead Instructor once you have completed a module/topic, so we can review your work. - Use the Discussion Tab above if you get stuck or have questions that an instructor or fellow student in this class can help you answer - we are all part of your Personal Learning Community (PLC).