TRC Book Discussion '10

Information

TRC Book Discussion 2010

Members: 23
Latest Activity: Mar 11

Jump into the TRC Reading Group

Hello and welcome to the TRC Book Discussion. This book discussion group is an opportunity for educators from various schools, disciplines, and regions of the state to share their perspectives on teaching and learning, centered around a specific book title. The book will be selected by TRC Facilitators the week before Thanksgiving break.

Discussion Format
As a learning community, we are here to share ideas and experiences. You don't have to finish the book to join in, you can jump ahead, or you can share the experience with colleagues in your district. There are sections in the Ning group to share discussions, videos, photos and other resources. The forums provide discussion starters, but feel free to start additional discussions, too. Just jump in anywhere, anytime with your ideas and experiences as we travel through our learning journey together.

Optional Graduate Credit
You have the option to apply for graduate credit. Please review the syllabus and course requirements.

here is the registration if you are interested in 2 Hours of Graduate Credit through Baker University. Please complete the registration form and MAIL IT TO: Melinda Stanley, KSDE, 120 SE 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. Please send me a message here on the ning (or email me!) to let me know you plan to register so I can watch for your registration! DEADLINE for registration: February 1, 2010.

Discussion Forum

Week 7 - Privacy, Permission, and Protection 15 Replies

Can you believe this is our last week of reading? Please finish chapter 8 & 9 and share reflections that address at least one of the following questions:1) What is the student/laptop ratio in you…

Tagged: safety, privacy

Started by Melanie Farmer. Last reply by Pam Collinge Mar 11.

Week 6 - Communication to Build Community 13 Replies

This week is an interesting one (second to sharing all of the great Web 2.0 tools a few weeks ago) because we can learn so much from leaders. Please read chapter 7 and share insights as well as respo…

Tagged: leadership, communication, web20

Started by Melanie Farmer. Last reply by Casey Wise Mar 8.

Week 8 - Reflection

What a great few weeks of reading and discussion! For participants seeking graduate credit, please complete a short reflection paper (1-2 pages) that relates concepts you read about with practice. Pl…

Started by Melanie Farmer Mar 8.

Week 5 - Strategic Leadership 14 Replies

Please read chapter 6 and respond to at least one of the following questions:1) What environments promote the best learning opportunities for professional development (virtual, face-to-face, blended)…

Tagged: PLN, leadership

Started by Melanie Farmer. Last reply by Mary Lawrenz Mar 2.

Comment Wall

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Comment by Tammy Gilley on January 18, 2010 at 7:47pm: I am hoping that I'm in responding to chapter one of our book study in the correct location. If I'm not, would someone please redirect me to the right place. Anyway, here is my response to chapter #1.

I do see the changes that have already taken place in the world of work and jobs. We have lost many jobs to outsourcing, and many people in India and China want to move up the social economic ladder. Therefore in order for Americans to sustain the status quo, we have to teach our students to think critically and creatively in order to compete with the rest of the world.

The challenges follow: changing the way we educate students is a slow process, some teachers do want to stay with the old system, some leaders don't have the right vision, education hasn't embraced web 2.0 tools, and students still have to take state assessment that are not truly testing their thinking skills.

Personally, I don't want to see standards go away; and I am glad that they are at the core of 21st century skills. I think those standards hold teachers accountable for what gets taught in the classroom. The NET-S standards can be taught through Project Based Learning Units. I'm thinking of the project that my school is beginning right now. Students are collecting data related to a corner nearby our school. They will use the data to make charts, graphs, and decisions about what they think should happen at the corner. After analyzing the data, students will determine if they believe we should write letters to our city council members to get a stoplight, speed reduction, or a four way stop at the corner. They may even decide to present the data at a council meeting. During this unit, students will be using all of the NET-S standards while addressing those state standards that must be taught and tested. I believe it is possible to do this with Project Based Learning, but many teachers need PD on how to make it happen because they just don't know where to start with PBL.

My vision of a 21 century school would be that everything is student centered, students learn through Project Based Learning, they collaborate in groups and with experts in the real world. Teachers would be more of a facilitator and guide. In high schools, students would have the advantage of moving at an accelerated pace if so desired and graduate early. I think that would motivate older students, and make them more prepared for the global competition they are up against.

Comment by Cynde Neufeldt on November 3, 2009 at 10:13am: I would love some ideas. I would like to look at some book titles and reviews. Right now I don't have an idea but will be thinking about it.