Discourse about Discourse: Educasts by Ben Wilkoff

Two New Documents

bhwilkoff — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:17:49 GMT

I have been working on a couple new documents that make sense for the development of pedagogy and the future of education. You can find the links to them at the k12online conference: http://k12online.wm.edu/AuthenticLearning.pdf http://k12online.wm.edu/101Resources.pdf

A New Possibliity

bhwilkoff — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:04:11 GMT

This new possibility (which is now kind of old) is a total reversal of some of the things that I have consistently talked about and advocated for. This only comes about because of a great contact I have made with the principal of our online school (eDCSD). The possibility is this: Starting from a place of amazing technology and bringing in education rather than starting from a traditional school and trying to shove technology into it. What do you think about it

The Act of Creation

bhwilkoff — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 11:17:36 GMT

Sometimes we get so caught up in creating the system and the environment for learning that we forget about the most important element of that environment: creation. The singular act of creation is not something to be glazed over; it is the backbone of all that we do, and sometimes we need people to remind us of this.

Articulating Vision

bhwilkoff — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:10:31 GMT

I am now convinced that the only way to create widespread change within our schools is to articulate a singular vision for the future of education. I don't know if I am the person to articulate that vision yet, but I am working toward it.

Beginning the year, systematically.

bhwilkoff — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:59:21 GMT

This podcast is all about how I am starting my year. I would love to know how you are starting your year and how we can collaborate (share) any of the resources and systems that we have set up. Send me an e-mail at benwilkoff@gmail.com

Choices, Choices...

bhwilkoff — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:32:16 GMT

This is the first podcast in over a month because I needed to upgrade for more storage space. It is not an enhanced podcast, but I'm sure it will be illuminating nonetheless. I was trying to figure out which content management system to use for The Academy of Discovery. I am still not sure if I picked the best one, but I am pretty confident that we are doing some great things. Check it out at http://academyofdiscovery.com.

I vs. We

bhwilkoff — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:09:19 GMT

I don't know when it happened, but I have started using the word "we" in my podcast and blog when I would normally use the word "I." I believe that it is due to my increased awareness and involvement of the community that I have surrounded myself with. I also think that many more of "us" should start using "we" when "we" write and speak. It makes me feel like I am a part of something, that "we" are going in a particular direction. I want "us" to be aware of how amazing "our" community can become, so long as we don't fall into some of the pitfalls that I describe in the podcast. Let me know what you think of this idea at benwilkoff@gmail.com.
The image for this podcast is by http://flickr.com/photos/factoids/. I think it is amazing.

00:00:00: Intro to I vs. We
Podcast Blog
00:02:00: Shoutout to Geeked!
Geeked! Podcast
00:02:59: The Difference between I and We
Image Attribution
00:04:51: I have a community!
Edubloggerworld, my community?
00:07:28: The Coallition of We
Support Blogging
00:08:12: Chris Lehmann's Addition
Humility
00:08:47: The Moment of Switch-Over
00:10:54: The 1:1 We connection
Ripe Environment: Connection
00:14:02: Conclusion to I vs. We
My Blog

Totally Wired Acceptace Speech

bhwilkoff — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:08:42 GMT

Well, it has been a week or so since I got back from San Fransisco where I accepted the Totally Wired Teacher Award for 2007 from Edutopia and Yahoo for Teachers. This podcast has the introduction and my speech. I don't think that it is particularly eloquent, but I do think that it goes right along with everything that I have worked for on this podcast. Let me know what you think.

00:00:00: Anastasia Goodstein's Introduction
Ypulse Blog
00:00:40: Karon Weber's Introduction
An interview with Karon Weber
00:05:12: My short speech
My blog

Why do I want to work here?

bhwilkoff — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:44:45 GMT

Well, this is the official podcast about my interview with Littleton Public Schools. Although I was passionate and had a great experience in the interview, I was not offered the job. That made my decision to leave the classroom much easier. I still think that this podcast is relevant to anyone else who is thinking about leaving the classroom. I also outline the idea that passion and vision are the two elements that will allow you to progress professionally and personally. I think that I will continue to explore these ideas in the classroom next year, and I am extatic that I will have one more year to impliment all of the ideas from this podcast into my practice.

Show Notes:

00:00:00: Intro To Interview at LPS
The Most Change for The Most Students
00:01:51: The Ripe Environment
The First Blog Post
00:03:09: Why do I want to work here?
My Google Document
00:06:38: The Post-Interview Reflection
My Blog

The Social Networks of Tragedies

bhwilkoff — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:52:27 GMT

This podcast is pretty heavy:
I was in Osawatomie, KS for the 4th of July. It flooded earlier in the week, and my sister-in-law lost her car and her apartment due to this natural disaster. This event really got me thinking about how we can use the technology that our schools provide (especially in 1:1 programs) in order to create social networks for a community. I hope that we can start putting together ideas like Steve Hargadon's Public Web Stations (link below) in non-crisis times. If you have any ideas about how to do this, please shoot me an e-mail at benwilkoff@gmail.com
I am also interested in knowing if you would rather I don't include links and pictures with my podcast, but rather simply upload the mp3 file. If you have an opinion either way, please post a comment on this podcast.
Show Notes:

00:00:00: Intro to Osawatomie Flooding
Pictures
00:02:12: Supporting the people of Osawatomie
News Article and Support Links
00:03:02: The 1:1 Social Network
The Osawatomie 1:1 Initiative
00:06:24: The New School Community Center
00:07:51: Steve Hargadon's Public Web Stations
Public Web Stations
00:09:53: Bridging Social Networks and Analog Communities
00:12:15: How do we use tech in our schools to benefit the community?
My Blog

The Most Change For The Most Kids

bhwilkoff — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 19:30:23 GMT

It is with some hesitation that I post this podcast. I am a teacher, and I will always be a teacher. However, I have been given the opportunity to do more. I have been recruited (although not formally given the position) for a Technology Integration Position in a nearby school district. This podcast is all about coming to terms with the idea of leaving the classroom so that I might create change and achieve School 2.0 in a larger way. At this point, I am very much interested in following my passion for finding solutions, and if this job provides solutions for more teachers and more students and also for my family, I don't know that I can do anything other than pursue it. I am, however, still looking for others who have either made this transition or who have rejected it in favor of the classroom. Please e-mail me at benwilkoff@gmail.com if you have any questions or ideas.

Show Notes:

00:00:00: Intro to the Great Transition
The Podcast Blog
00:00:58: Karl Fisch put me up to it.
The Fischbowl
00:01:59: Why is the first wave leaving the classroom?
Slow Motion Distributed Car Wreck
00:05:28: The Long Haul Teachers
Cool Cat Teacher
00:07:15: What Should School 2.0 Leadership Look Like?
Leadership Development for Educational Technology Leaders
00:09:27: What happens to the classroom I leave behind?
My classroom Website
00:10:51: Other Factors
My Daughter's blog
00:11:55: The most change for the most kids
My Blog

The 1.0 to 2.0 Transformation

bhwilkoff — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 04:24:45 GMT

Well, there are two main elements to this podcast. 1. This is my first blog post/podcast about being named the 2006 Totally Wired Teacher by Edutopia and Yahoo Teachers. I am honored, but I hope that the one thing that comes out of flying to San Fransisco is that I meet as many would-be advocates for School 2.0 as I can. I really would love to be a larger instrument for change than merely by blogging and podcasting. 2. I am challenging everyone to come up with a description for Teacher/Classroom 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, and 2.0. I would really like to know what it should look like at all of these levels. What should we be striving for in our classrooms? What should a stranger be able to come in and observe?
Show Notes:

00:00:00: Intro to Totally Wired Teachers
The podcast blog
00:00:28: Totally Wired Teens and Tweens
Her Book
00:00:51: The Ypulse Mashup
The Mashup page
00:01:06: Edutopia
The Edutopia Site
00:01:30: The nominations for Totally Wired Teacher
Blog post
00:02:22: Yahoo Teachers
The Alpha Site
00:03:04: Noah Goodman
New York Teaching Fellows
00:03:53: My Teacher Education Program
DU's TEP
00:04:57: Classroom 2.0 in a 1.0 School
The Social Network
00:06:13: The Bare Bones 2.0: The LCD Projector
00:08:13: Constructivism and Inquiry
Inquiry and Constructivism Theory
00:09:41: The 1.5 Classroom
LoTi Levels
00:12:35: The Revised Blooms Taxonomy
The Picture Reference
00:13:21: The Challenge for definining 1.0 to 2.0
My Blog

The New Job Description

bhwilkoff — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:02:07 GMT

The more that I think about doing something "different" in my classroom, the more that I feel that process should be transparent. Not just for my students and their parents, but also for my administrators. Principals, Assistant Principals, and even Super-Intendants should be aware that there is change happening in the classroom. They should also want that change to occur, meaning that they should actively support it. But the only way that this is going to happen is if we start advocating for it. So, this podcast is all about how we should be writing our own job descriptions for the jobs that we dream about doing as teachers and presenting them to our administrators. I think that if we take this proactive approach, many will listen and start to think differently about what should be going on in the classroom. Show Notes:

00:00:00: Intro to my busy life
00:00:35: Academy of Discovery Search for Funding
Academy of Discovery
00:01:01: The Bridge Project
The Bridge Project Wiki
00:02:20: My brief brush with the law while recording
Littleton Police
00:03:04: Education Transformation's First Podcast
Education Transformation Blog
00:04:21: Maintaining My Blog
Discourse about Discourse: The Blog
00:05:18: Cresthill's Language Arts Department
The LA Cresthill Collaboration Wiki
00:06:37: Collaboration at home or abroad
Paul Allison's Blog
00:09:14: Teacher 2.0 Job Description
My Blog Post
00:11:56: Teacher Advocates
00:13:31: Creating Change Where I Am
00:15:48: Transparency at the teacher level
00:16:52: School 2.0 Duties
00:18:30: Static vs. Dynamic Teaching Jobs
Paul's Metablog
00:20:28: Conclusion to Creating the New Definition
Podcast Page

Digital Sticky Notes

bhwilkoff — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:12:36 GMT

Feedback continues to be something that requires a lot of thought to do right. I want to provide my students with as much timely feedback as possible, but I don't want to have to resort to the methods of printing out blog posts and putting paper sticky notes on them. In this podcast I explore the possibility of giving student feedback using web annotation tools. If anyone has any good ideas for tools like this (other than diigo) please e-mail them to benjamin.wilkoff@dcsdk12.org

00:00:00: Intro to Feedback
The Podcast Blog
00:01:33: Feedback Methods
00:02:56: Revision-based Writing
00:06:03: Collaborative Tools for the Individual
00:07:21: Virtual Stick Notes
00:08:55: The Outsourcing of Grading
Steve Hargadon's Blog
00:11:51: Looking for the Tool and Conclusion
My Blog

My Students Are Known For...

bhwilkoff — Tue, 29 May 2007 05:26:10 GMT

This is the first podcast that I have done on my new MacBook and I was used GarageBand rather than ChapterToolMe in order to create the chapters. I have, as of yet, not been able to find a way of exporting the chapters and links into html using GarageBand, so you will have to download the show in order to get the links. If anyone has a way of doing this, I would love to hear about it. As for the episode itself, I have been hoping for a very long time that my students are learning everything that I want them to. I want them to come back to me after years of amazing creation and show me just how much influence they have derived from my class. I do not expect to change each of my students, but I do believe that many of my students see value in the School 2.0 environment that we are trying to create. The three things that I want them to be known for and to come back and tell me all about are Authenticity, Analysis, and Passion. If they have those three things down, there is no telling what they can do.
http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2006/08/did-you-know.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/httpwww.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/persuaders/
http://discovery0607.wikispaces.com/The+Weekly+Authentic
http://discovery0607.wikispaces.com/message/list/reflections
http://headrush.typepad.com/
http://yongesonne.edublogs.org

Digital Ex-Patriots and The Formula for Transparency

bhwilkoff — Tue, 15 May 2007 04:19:51 GMT

Well, I may be going out on a limb with this one, but I have described in the podcast a level of discomfort with technology that goes beyond the simple immigrant/native debate. The fear and panic that is associated with technology in the classroom comes from Digital Ex-Patriots. These people (parents, teachers, administrators, etc.) are so sure of their anti-technology stance that they are actively pursuing a life (of education) away from technology integration. These are the people that we must win over if we are going to continue our collaborative efforts and truly create change. Please let me know what you think about this concept in the comments or in an e-mail (benjamin.wilkoff@dcsdk12.org)

Show Notes:

00:00:00: Intro to Online and Offline Life
Internation Community of Minds
00:03:17: Safety Vs. Panic
The Most Discussed Post I've Ever Written
00:05:07: Creating Discussion
Bud Hunt's Blog
00:06:07: Twitter as Tool
My Twitter
00:07:28: Formula for Transparency
Discovery Online Code
00:08:16: Twitter as Classroom Communication
Remote Access Twitter
00:09:40: Digital Ex-Patriots
00:11:37: Google Paper: Good or Bad Idea?
Google Paper
00:13:14: Mass Phone Call Newsletter
Pheeder
00:13:53: Paths to Transparency
00:18:03: The Role of Students in Classroom 2.0
00:19:20: Transparency as Conversation
00:21:35: Conclusion with Challenge
Podcast Blog

What Happens Next Year?

bhwilkoff — Sat, 12 May 2007 12:41:42 GMT

I am very worried about what is going to happen to my students when they leave me at the end of this school year. Not because I think that they won't be able to handle to rigors of high school life, but rather because I think that they won't be able to handle going back to a traditional classroom. I wonder what the transition will be like when they know that collaborative tools exist, but they aren't allowed to use them for school. Will they revolt? Will they create change? Or, will they just take it as another in a long string of disappointments from their learning institutions.

00:00:00: Introduction to My Father's Question
Heart Rhythm Society
00:01:24: Next Year?
Highlands Ranch High School
00:02:39: How my students learn best.
00:05:13: Students as Better Teachers
November Learning
00:07:11: Transition as Change
00:08:27: Backwards in Teaching or Learning
00:10:14: Conclusion to Next Year...
The Podcast Digg Page

The Would-Be School 2.0 Advocates

bhwilkoff — Sun, 06 May 2007 12:14:24 GMT

The podcast episode is based upon the idea that teachers will listen to someone who has a lot of experience teaching without technology and then stumbled upon the effectiveness and authenticity of technology and became an advocate for change. They will not listen to someone who grew up with technology, and for who it naturally comes to. They need "one of their own kind" to bring them on board with the School 2.0 movement.

I also decide that we need a School 2.0 plank in the 2008 presidential election. No matter who wins, I want our commander and chief constantly thinking about how technology can influence learning in public schools across the nation.

Show Notes:

00:00:00: Introdcution to Anticipation
The Academy of Discovery
00:01:02: Someone that looks like you.
00:02:05: West Wing Example
West Wing Presidential Race
00:05:06: Classroom 2.0
Steve Hargadon's Classroom 2.0
00:05:43: The Would-Be Advocates
00:07:04: Kevin Honeycutt's Ideas
Kevin Honeycutt's Webpage
00:10:15: Everyone is Doing School 2.0
00:12:56: Teacher Grazing
00:15:16: Education in '08
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
00:18:39: Conclusion to Podcast
Podcast Blog

Visions of Change

bhwilkoff — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 13:10:24 GMT

Well, I guess it was bound to happen sometime, but I really didn't expect it to happen this soon. We have received funding for our School 2.0 within a school idea, The Academy of Discovery. So, what do we do now? How do we continue to articulate the vision in the face of overwhelming support. Adversity I can handle, but what do we do now that everyone is behind us, just waiting to see how we can pull this off. It leaves me very excited to have the freedom of collaboration and experimentation within my community, but it also leaves me scared for blank page that we have been given to write on. I just hope all of our posturing and framing doesn't signify nothing.
Show Notes:

00:00:00: Introduction to Successful Proposal
The Academy of Discovery
00:02:00: What happens if you get what you want?
00:03:05: Framing School 2.0 for Success
Inquiring Minds Want To Know
00:04:03: Starting a new School
The Science Leadership Academy
00:07:24: Overwhelming Support
00:09:13: Gcast Example
Gcast
00:12:10: A Voice of Vision, A Voice of Change
00:15:12: Remote Access Challenge
Remote Access
00:16:57: Conclusion to the Vision
Podcast Blog

Creating the School 2.0 Movement

bhwilkoff — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:28:17 GMT

I have become dissatisfied with talking about School 2.0 only among educators. It seems to be this feedback loop that creates a lot of noise, but in the end, really doesn't create any massive change. So, I am proposing a change in tactics. We need to begin talking to anyone who has the time to listen about School 2.0. We need to show them artifacts of authentic learning so that they know just how effective it can be. We need to get outside of the blogosphere and podcast communities, and talk to the parents that don't get it yet. Although "consciousness raising" is important amongst teachers, it really should be our only tactic in bring about a transformation in education. Most of this is why I will be starting up another podcast over at The Podcast Network. I am looking for educators and non-educators alike to interview, anyone who is willing to think critically about the shared vision of student-centered education. Please contact me for details.

00:00:00: Introduction to Busy Week
Academy of Discovery Model
00:01:14: Blogging Class
Blogging in the Classroom Presentation
00:02:16: The Podcast Network
My Interview with Cameron Riley
00:04:47: The School 2.0 Movement
The Discovery -Ism Project
00:06:48: Learning without Gatekeeping
00:09:04: Home vs. School 2.0
00:11:05: Plea for Interviews
My e-mail address
00:12:49: Conclusion with info.
The podcast blog

Beyond Rubrics

bhwilkoff — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:33:52 GMT

This podcast was created because of a discussion I had with my students about the merits of rubrics in a School 2.0 classroom. The data was mixed. Some students felt very comfortable with rubrics because it let them know how to get an A. Others believed that rubrics would hinder their creativity and ability to be authentic. Although I had asked students to help me create a rubric for an assignment, I had never asked them if they thought a rubric was a good idea at all. This podcast is a summary and a discussion of what I decided to do: Student-Centered Youbrics. Show Notes:

00:00:00: Intro to Rubrics 2.0
The Podcast Blog
00:01:46: The Great Rubric Debate
The Value of Amateurs
00:03:15: Rubrics in Authentic Learning
In the Students own Words
00:04:45: The Youbric
The Decision
00:06:11: The Downside of Rubrics
00:07:16: A Geek!Ed! Moment
Episode 67
00:08:35: Youbric Vs. Messy Assessment
Messy Assessment according to Wes Fryer
00:12:14: The Teacher and Student Assessment Connection
00:12:57: Conclusion
The Discovery Utopias

The Embedded Classroom

bhwilkoff — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 04:09:56 GMT

The two wiki project that my students have started to work on have taught me that an open framework that allows for embedded materials is preferable to any all-in-one solution that tries to do too much at once. I also would like to apply this concept to my classroom in a concrete way. My students should be able to embed their knowledge and experience into the framework of the classroom. They should be allowed to use whatever service/method they can to prove that they have learned something. Show Notes and Links:

00:00:00: Introduction to The Embedded Classroom
The Podcast Blog
00:00:29: Wiki Project 1: Utopias/Dystopias
The Discovery Utopias
00:03:42: Wiki Project 2: -Isms
The Discovery -Isms
00:04:21: A Content Management System
TTT Episode
00:07:02: The Framework for Embedding
Example Embed
00:09:44: The Metaphor for Embedding
00:12:36: The Drawbacks of All-In-One CMS
00:14:27: Pulling Spaces Together
Grazr
00:16:32: Conlcusion
My Blog

Remixing The Classroom

bhwilkoff — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:36:13 GMT

One of my students came up with an amazing metaphor for how intellectual property should work in the classroom and in greater society. She described the idea that remixing should be like cake making. You buy all of the ingredients and then can prepare any kind of cake you like. Once you have the cake, however, you can't un-remix it and get back to the sugar and flour. You can also borrow sugar from a neighbor, but generally you give them credit when you are serving your delicious cake. I hope that this podcast outlines such a metaphor a little bit better, but I think that this is the metaphor for creating connections that I was looking for a few podcasts back. If you like this podcast, I recommend the Great Remix Debate. You can also digg this podcast at http://digg.com/podcasts/Discourse_about_Discourse_Educasts_by_Ben_Wilkoff

00:00:00: Introduction to Carcast
Podcast Blog
00:01:11: The Great Remix Debate Recap
The Great Remix Debate Podcast
00:01:55: The Cake Metaphor
Rockinwithacdc12's Blog
00:04:32: The Classroom Remix
00:08:06: A Standard for Classroom Creation
00:09:41: Conclusion
My Blog

The Great Remix Debate

bhwilkoff — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:56:55 GMT

I give all of the credit for this podcast to my amazing students. They were the ones that kept a debate on intellectual property, remixing, and mash-ups going for nearly thirty minutes. They were the ones that came up with the amazing examples to support their points. They were also the ones to inspire many thoughts on creating rules for how we use content in the classroom. I am now convinced that each classroom of students should decide for themselves just what they want to be done with their content. Should teachers be able to use it for next year's class? Should teachers remix their content into more polished work? We need to be asking the students to come up with what their own boundaries for intellectual property are, and we need to be teaching them where the boundaries are drawn already. I have decided to split this podcast up into about 40 chapters because that is how many different ideas were thrown around (mostly by different students). I have attached each student's blog to the chapters in which they spoke. The one request I have is that you comment on this post and tell us which side won the debate. (Although, I'm sure my students wouldn't mind if you commented on some of their blog posts either.)

00:00:00: Introduction of Debate
Yongesonne's Blog
00:01:32: Against 1: Giving credit and making money
Silver Lining's blog
00:02:50: Pro 1: Remix means new thought
Hockey90's blog
00:03:28: Against 2: New content is new thought
Moose's blog
00:04:08: Pro 2: Building upon an idea is valuable
Nextmj1's blog
00:04:55: Against 3: Permission means remix ability
Denalirott53's blog
00:05:43: Pro 3: Art for art's sake
Dancingintherain's blog
00:06:31: Against 4: Profit, Author choice, and Talent
C4d1ll4c's blog
00:07:20: Pro 4: Artist vs. Producer
Ferrari49's blog
00:08:15: Against 5: Who owns the art?
Helamanswarrior100's blog
00:09:56: Pro 5: Remix happens no matter what
Sanje86's blog
00:10:55: Against 6: Who does a remix benefit?
Goldenluckycharm12's blog
00:11:45: Pro 6: Listener's choice and Profit
Hellomynameisbill77's blog
00:12:14: Against 7: Remixing as disrespect
Sandyanteater's Blog
00:12:46: Pro 7: Remix as improvement
Ismellpretzels's blog
00:13:23: Against 8: Long-term effects of remix
Snowboardinghockeyplayer3's blog
00:14:03: Pro 8: Remix as personalization
Mrengland's blog
00:14:45: Against 9: New content vs. Remixed content
Rbsmm743's blog
00:15:32: Pro 9: Remix as publicity
Nextmj1's blog
00:16:29: Against 10: Artist ownership
Puffinsaresosweet's blog
00:17:08: Pro 10: Remix as originality
Bazookabubblegum's blog
00:17:47: Against 11: Losing artist intent in remix
C4d1ll4c's blog
00:18:14: Pro 11: Remixing binders
Rockinwithacdc12's blog
00:19:14: Against 12: Remix as changing context
Denalirott53's blog
00:19:47: Against 13: Happy middle-ground
Goldenluckycharm12's blog
00:20:39: Against 14: Artist rights
Rubyredslippers' blog
00:21:10: Against 15: Artist responsibility to remix
Snowboardinghockeyplayer3's blog
00:21:37: Against 16: Selfish remixes
Moose's blog
00:22:01: Against 17: Losing work in remixes
Roadrunner19937's blog
00:22:30: Pro 12: Remix as perfection
Hellomynameisbill77's blog
00:23:05: Pro 13: Cars are remixes
Ferrari49's blog
00:24:09: Pro 14: Remix as entertainment
Mrengland's blog
00:24:48: Pro 15: Change is good
Dancingintherain's blog
00:25:25: Pro 16: Knowing the originators
Ismellpretzels' blog
00:25:49: Pro 17: Remix as connection
Acdcrocks10's blog
00:26:29: Against 18: Original thought is perfection
Denalirott53' blog
00:26:49: Against 19: Knowing all sources
Sandyanteater's blog
00:27:10: Against 20: Remixing context
Moose's Blog
00:27:56: Against 21: Personalization should stay personal
Snowboardinghockeyplayer3's blog
00:28:08: Conclusion of Debate
Podcast Blog

A New Image for New Students

bhwilkoff — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:08:45 GMT

My students are different. Not from yours, but from the ones that came before them. They are desperate to connect everything together: disciplines, ideas, home and school. They need a way of bridging the gaps that many adults artificially create. We must help them to connect. I don't have any five point plans in this podcast, but I do have a good example from a student about tormenting substitute teachers. Have a listen. I am looking for a new image to help explain this phenomenon of connection as a reaction to the increasingly splintered world that they experience. If you have any grand ideas about this, please drop me a line at benjamin.wilkoff@dcsdk12.org.

00:00:00: Today's Students vs. Yesterday's Students
The Horizon Report
00:03:28: Connected Learning?
Nicholas Negroponte's Necc 2006 Keynote
00:05:13: Seeing a Splintered World
Moose's Blog Post about Substitute Teachers
00:08:43: The Metaphor for Connection
00:11:32: Asking for Help and Wrap-Up
My Blog

Researching School 2.0

bhwilkoff — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 03:58:19 GMT

In creating a wiki for my vision of School 2.0 within a school, I have found that there is quite a bit of research out there supporting 1:1 computing, constructivist teaching practice, and engaging technology usage in the classroom. What is even more amazing is that I didn't know that this research existed because it has been so universally ignored by much of the proponents of this kind of reform. We must have this kind of research on the tips of our tongues, and we must be ready to spout off both the anecdotal evidence and the numbers to anyone who wants to know more about where education is going. We must also create our own research from our own classrooms. This podcast describes three different ways of achieving this goal: 1. A malleable research model that can assess new types of technology as it becomes available. 2. Survey and reflection of what is working in our classrooms. 3. Comparisons of certifications of mastery. Show notes:

00:00:00: CSAP and the Academy of Discovery
The Academy of Discovery
00:02:25: The Research
Rockman Et Al
00:05:53: Is technology realization too new?
Google Documents Research...
00:07:44: Informal Research
Paul Allison's Gcast
00:10:52: Proficiency and Mastery
Geek!Ed!
00:13:59: Wrap-Up
My Blog

Is School 2.0 just a fad?

bhwilkoff — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 04:20:57 GMT

Although there is a lot of talk about School 2.0 among those in the edublogosphere, I believe that many educators are going to try and wait out the torrent of technology integration that they currently are experiencing because they believe that it is merely a fad that will eventually go away. If we are serious about this type of systemic change, we need to be able to convince everyone that School 2.0 is not a fad. In this podcast I came up with a few observations about the nature of School 2.0: 1. We need a watershed collaborative School 2.0 event that causes all educators to take notice (I'm thinking of a hybrid between the numbers on myspace with the education of the K12 Online Conference (http://k12onlineconference.org/)) 2. Once you give students the power to create their own learning, you can never take it back (nor would most teachers who have tried it, want to take it back). 3. Students are clamoring for School 2.0 classrooms, even if they don't know that is what they are looking for. 4. School 2.0 is not a fad because it doesn't repackage something that has come before (like many movements in education). It is truly something new. Show/Chapter Notes:

00:00:00: Edtechlive Springboard
Steven Hargadon and David Warlick
00:03:51: Is School 2.0 a Fad?
David Warlick's Blog Steve Hargadon's Blog
00:06:28: The Definitive School 2.0 Event
School 2.0 by the Department of Education
00:09:54: Framing Change
00:12:38: School 2.0 is different because the students say it it's different.
00:15:52: Changing Professional Development
00:18:01: Conclusion
My Blog

What does support look like in School 2.0?

bhwilkoff — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 15:06:39 GMT

Support is such an essential part of education, but many of us who are looking ahead to a technologically rich educational experience sometimes forget this. Because we are savvy, we expect others (including our students) to be savvy. I created this podcast in order to flesh out a few of the ways that we can support teachers who want to transition to School 2.0. The basic points that I came up with were: 1. All teachers need an aggregator starter pack. 2. School 2.0 must be framed in terms (and using tools) that most teachers understand. 3. Small groups of teachers must conduct relevant research within the specific school before many teachers will buy in. 4. School 1.0 teachers should engage in assessing School 2.0 products from the small group's classrooms as a way of transitioning into a more collaborative model. I have also decided to start including the chapter information and links as part of the show notes for those of you who do not have access to a podcatcher that recognizes enhanced podcasts. # 00:00:00: Outdated Paper? Dave Cormier's Blog (http://www.davecormier.com/edblog/) # 00:02:04: How does support look in School 2.0? School 2.0 Wiki (http://school20.wikispaces.com) # 00:04:20: An Aggregator Starter Pack Netvibes (http://www.netvibes.com) # 00:06:16: RSS as Support xFruits (http://www.xfruits.com) # 00:08:32: Framing collaboration Ourtenwords.org (http://www.ourtenwords.org) # 00:12:20: Collaboration Take 2 # 00:13:35: Supporting Relevant Research Terry Freedman (http://www.terry-freedman.org.uk/db/web2/) # 00:15:16: Flat Classroom Assessment The Flatclassroom Project Wiki (http://flatclassroomproject.wikispaces.com) # 00:16:50: Summary and Conclusion My blog (http://yongesonne.edublogs.org)

What Myspace can teach us about School 2.0

bhwilkoff — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 03:18:47 GMT

This podcast was brought about because of the classroom discussion that my eighth graders had about what a terrible affect Myspace can have on their lives. I wanted to start brainstorming a school-sponsored space that we could substitute for Myspace that would be an extension of the classroom. This space would have the ability to connect students over academic interests as well as personal interests. It would allow for photo sharing and digital storytelling within these photos. Primarily, however, this space would allow students to comment on everything. Each element of the space (a module) would have a feedback form, so students would get comments about their school notes, their podcasts, their blog posts, their beliefs, and their photos. I can't think of anything that would engage students more than being able to get specific feedback on all of the important aspects of their lives, and to do it all in an environment that wouldn't allow the inflammatory remarks that are a systematic part of Myspace. Let me know what you think of this idea and its feasibility at benjamin.wilkoff@dcsdk12.org or http://yongesonne.edublogs.org

The Internet as Utopia

bhwilkoff — Sun, 18 Feb 2007 16:51:40 GMT

This was a discussion I had with my 8th graders about how the Internet could be used as a vehicle for creating a utopia in their everyday lives. I was truly surprised and intrigued by some of their responses. Many of the students believe that the internet is a "0." Meaning that there are just as many bad things on the internet as there are good. One student also identified the three most influential groups for his (and other young people's) life: The Governement, Celebrities, and The Internet. Another student proposed splitting the internet into different sections, so that no one who was looking for educational materials would be able to stumble upon to pornography and misinformation. I am encouraged by my kids' ability to think so abstractly on this subject, but I am disheartened to find out that so many of my students hold such a bleak look of the most amazing resource of our time. I wonder if each of them were immersed in a School 2.0 experience they would feel the same way.

Parents as School 2.0 Stakeholders

bhwilkoff — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 04:58:10 GMT

Convincing parents that the skills of School 2.0 are important is going to be one of the biggest jobs facing all teaching in the very near future. I have outlined in this podcast three possible ways of accomplishing this goal: 1. Student exemplars of continual advancement. 2. Constant communication and reflection on learning between parents and teachers, students and teachers, and parents and students. 3. Parent and Student testimonials of engagement and achievement. My hope is that by identifying the things that are the most convincing to parents, we can create a compelling argument for technological school reform.

How do we assess School 2.0?

bhwilkoff — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 04:36:06 GMT

I've been trying to figure out for a while just how assessment is going to look in School 2.0. I have developed (or at least half-baked) 3 types of assessments that I would consider in this new type of environment: 1. Conversation 2. Reflection 3. Aggregation