#LearnLAP occurs on Mondays starting at 7pm Central Time. Guest moderators and participants discuss topics from author Paul Solarz's book Learn Like a PIRATE.
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s #LearnLAP! We’re talking about the 21st Century Classroom and the four C’s.
I’m Jen Manly and I’m a MS computer science and robotics teacher in Maryland. I’m passionate about innovative education that gives Ss the chance to do work that matters.
Good evening #learnlap! Nili Bartley from MA and It’s a little embarrassing how long it’s been since jumping into this amazing chat but trying tonight!:) the 21st century classroom gets me running to school daily.
Q1: The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (@P21Learning) identifies the “Four Cs” of 21st century learning, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Which of these do you consider to be the most important? Why? #LearnLAP
I'm Paul Solarz, 4th grade teacher from Arlington Heights, Illinois.
I'm a big fan of 21st Century Skill Instruction! In my opinion, these skills need to be explicitly taught & practiced on a daily basis (which is different from the way it's "always been done"!) #LearnLAP
A1: Cop-out answer, but I don't think we can categorize by importance. Creativity leads to critical thinking, which fosters collaboration, which can only be achieved by communication. Or is it the other way around? ;) #LearnLAP
A1 This is so hard to chose because I see each as critical to the next. It’s crazy to me that we are 20+ years in to the 21st century skills journey and still have so much work to do. #LearnLAP
Q1: The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (@P21Learning) identifies the “Four Cs” of 21st century learning, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Which of these do you consider to be the most important? Why? #LearnLAP
A1 - I honestly don't think I could choose! All 4 interact and therefore to say one is more important that the others is difficult to justify! #learnlap
Yes! For so long, it seems that "21st century education" has really just been a buzzword (buzzphrase?). Implementation is where it gets tough. #LearnLAP
A1: I honestly don’t believe one is “more” important than another. In my opinion, they are all dependent and reliant on each other in order to get the fullest value of each. #LearnLAP
A1: That is a tough one but for me personally, it is the WHY behind it all that is the most important. Have experience with the 4 Cs along with soft skills is what is going to help students be successful in a globally competitive and fast pace world. #LearnLAP
Q1: The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (@P21Learning) identifies the “Four Cs” of 21st century learning, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Which of these do you consider to be the most important? Why? #LearnLAP
A1: I think the future of our students will mean creativity will be essential. Critical thinking at its highest level is creativity. Creativity is a form of communication. Frequently, we have student collaborate to develop creative solutions. #learnlap@DrCBishop@ERobbPrincipal
If I had to pick— critical thinking. If you can think for yourself you know when you need help, you know how to ask for help, you know when to find help. And you know how to give help. #learnlap
A1: last year around this time I chose creativity. But this year I would say collaboration - in a middle school I have been striving to get Ss to collaborate together to work on sharing ideas, respect, leadership and to create a community. #learnlap
A1) This is a tough ? but I feel like collaboration is huge-in fact I often run around capturing collaboration in action-trying to get Ss to discover the magic in learning with and from each other. #learnlap
Agreed, it has seemingly been so challenging moving and progressing forward. I have hard time with practices and classrooms that haven’t shifted past worksheet being the sole strategy. #LearnLAP
A1 If I had to choose, then Critical Thinking. You need to think critically to communicate well, to be creative, and to collaborate effectively! #LearnLAP
Q1: The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (@P21Learning) identifies the “Four Cs” of 21st century learning, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Which of these do you consider to be the most important? Why? #LearnLAP
I was reading an article that the push towards STEM means a generation deficient in creative types. They will be in short supply in 5-10 years #learnlap
In reply to
@MrPStrunk, @DrCBishop, @ERobbPrincipal
A1: While I'd agree that they're all important (and like many of you have mentioned, feed off each other), creativity is probably the one that is most overlooked in "traditional schooling" that is invaluable in "the real world." #LearnLAP
A1 I wouldn’t really want to choose one but ... Collaboration is the most important because in every job sector you need to be able collaborate well to be successful #LearnLAP
A1: I consider communication the most important skill overall. It's crucial in sharing ideas, expanding creativity, and in collaboration. Even working independently, it allows knowledge to be transferred and enables learning. It is the foundation in growing together. #LearnLAP
Q2: Critical thinking and problem solving require students to have a firm grasp of content knowledge. What supports or scaffolds help ELLs, special education students, and/or struggling learners apply their knowledge in this way? #LearnLAP
A1 Critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity have always been part of learning however they are now more valued in the 21st C so I am thinking how these can be applied in our digital world and the applications with #edtech in 21st C classrooms
#learnlap
The problem with education is we are training kids with the skills of today when we need to be training them with the skills needed 10 years from now #learnlap
A1: I think they are all important, but communication will always be really valuable. The ability to clearly and effectively communicate ideas, and increasingly data and it's implications, is and will continue to be huge. #learnlap
A1: I'd have to say critical thinking is the most important. If you can think critically, you will be a better communicator and collaborator, and you are likely to be more creative. #learnlap
Which is so interesting to me because STEM and innovation are inherently creative. To me, that means the way that most approach STEM leaves out a critical part of the training. #LearnLAP
In reply to
@ADDEnglishTeach, @MrPStrunk, @DrCBishop, @ERobbPrincipal
A1: My #1 is collaboration because as amazing as I sometimes think I am, I’m even better when I get other ideas to feed on too! I love to see my Ss collaborate and come up with fantastic stuff! #LearnLAP
Q1: The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (@P21Learning) identifies the “Four Cs” of 21st century learning, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Which of these do you consider to be the most important? Why? #LearnLAP
Hi, #learnLAP— a bit late! I’m Christine, MS STEM teacher, tech specialist, and co-founder of https://t.co/W7nneDYv3A, the mobile-friendly feedback tool.
I beg to disagree. STEM includes many traditionally "creative" disciplines, as well as the fostering of coming up with creative (dare I say out of the box) solutions #LearnLAP
In reply to
@ADDEnglishTeach, @MrPStrunk, @DrCBishop, @ERobbPrincipal
I do see it overlooked far too often, many times because it is believed that not all students are ‘creative.’ This is a disastrous mindset that can hold a child’s ability to think outside the box back from full potential. #LearnLAP
A1: Hard to choose. All 4C's are critically important to develop with students in a classroom. At any point in time it is important to capitalize on opportunities to teach these skills to students. Each fits together like a puzzle. You don't want to miss a piece! #learnlap
A1 - I agree with @Isham_Literacy — comm, collab., and creativity w/o critical thinking are generally less effective. Critical thinking is key! #learnLAP
A2 It's planning for the low floor/high ceiling when you design the learning-it's knowing the enabling prompts you will use to engage all learners-it's knowing the resources you will use to support the learning-it's knowing the steps in the process to support them all #learnlap
A2; Have tons of opportunities to experience content knowledge. Use activities that incorporate mult intelligences that you can refer to later that ss can visualize or return to. Act out. Draw. Model. Etc. #LearnLAP
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s #LearnLAP! We’re talking about the 21st Century Classroom and the four C’s.
I’m Jen Manly and I’m a MS computer science and robotics teacher in Maryland. I’m passionate about innovative education that gives Ss the chance to do work that matters.
A2: I will always have Ss read the directions first. I try to be as clear as possible when writing them. I tell all Ss that will answer any and all questions, but they have to read directions first. #LearnLAP
Q2: Critical thinking and problem solving require students to have a firm grasp of content knowledge. What supports or scaffolds help ELLs, special education students, and/or struggling learners apply their knowledge in this way? #LearnLAP
A2 to me it is critical that we meet these learners where they are at. We have to focus on what each of these students can do rather than what they cannot. The scaffold should be Focussed on what work is relevant to the students so that they can connect. #LearnLAP
Q2: Critical thinking and problem solving require students to have a firm grasp of content knowledge. What supports or scaffolds help ELLs, special education students, and/or struggling learners apply their knowledge in this way? #LearnLAP
This is where varying the delivery methods and assessment methods comes in handy. There’s not one way to do things #LearnLAP ELA: text, video, graphic novels them have Ss make their own comic strips
A1: Definitely creativity. Besides being the number one “soft skill” that employers are currently looking for, creativity makes students better critical thinkers, communicators and collaborators because they are able to look at things in a variety of ways. #learnlap
A2 - I think it's important to give SS opportunities to try themselves first and then provide support as needed. You never really know what SS are capable of unless you give them opportunities to show you! #learnlap
A2 - this is a job for differentiated assessment. If we’re interested in content knowledge then we can be flexible with the skill they use to demonstrate it. And vice versa. And #formativefeedback should drive it all. #learnlap
A2: Writing in front of Ss while thinking outloud is incredibly powerful for all Ss. Conferring w/Ss and meeting them where they are at is powerful as well, regardless of background. Giving Ss the time and space to read and write in class is so important as well. #learnlap
A2: ELL and Ss with a disability still have the capacity to think critically and problem solve, it just may mean a more individualized approach. To me, creativity is crucial. #learnLAP
Q2: Critical thinking and problem solving require students to have a firm grasp of content knowledge. What supports or scaffolds help ELLs, special education students, and/or struggling learners apply their knowledge in this way? #LearnLAP
A2: Capitalize on strengths and interests. Incorporate the arts (sketchnoting), technology (videos), gamification, etc. Students can surprise you if you give them the tools to apply what they know, regardless of their individual needs. #learnlap
A2: I love using fast and curious quizizz for scaffolds. Frayer models. Leveled readings. I like to incorporate these into different #eduprotocols. #learnlap
A2: Our biggest challenge is that often, we don't provide rigor for these S groups, which leads Ss to believe that they are not capable of challenging work. Love peer coaching and self-differentiation to help ALL Ss learn in ways that are both challenging + fulfilling. #LearnLAP
A2 Providing experiences with content, sentence stems to help with communication, using @Flipgrid for students to keep learning journals they can refer back to #learnlap
Q3: While building communication skills is critical, some students might be hesitant to share their ideas in all or some mediums (oral, written, nonverbal). How can we help students feel confident in developing these skills? #LearnLAP
A2: Iteration that leads to mastery. Start where they are at, build the content knowledge and vocab, help them see connections, provide feedback and try again. #LearnLAP
A2 providing a “preview” ahead of time by frontloading. Providing resources written on their reading level or alternatives such as video or text to speech. Breaking the problem down is helpful. Also, don’t assume they can’t think critically or problem solve. #LearnLAP
Q2: Critical thinking and problem solving require students to have a firm grasp of content knowledge. What supports or scaffolds help ELLs, special education students, and/or struggling learners apply their knowledge in this way? #LearnLAP
Truth! And emphasizing reading, writing and understanding are a process. It’s not a one and done. Not even pro writers are perfect on the first draft #LearnLAP
A3 - it’s all about scaffolding and early, formative #feedback. By giving Ss lots of practice and feedback, they can build their skills and confidence in tandem. #learnlap
A2: I will always have Ss read the directions first. I try to be as clear as possible when writing them. I tell all Ss that will answer any and all questions, but they have to read directions first. #LearnLAP
Q2: Critical thinking and problem solving require students to have a firm grasp of content knowledge. What supports or scaffolds help ELLs, special education students, and/or struggling learners apply their knowledge in this way? #LearnLAP
A1: Communication. You might have the best idea to solve a global issue but if you can't communicate it, there is a problem. Working on effective and efficient communication is a strong order but is needed. #LearnLAP
Q3: While building communication skills is critical, some students might be hesitant to share their ideas in all or some mediums (oral, written, nonverbal). How can we help students feel confident in developing these skills? #LearnLAP
100% agreed. I can explain things abstractly, or I can just show you how I would do it, and what I'm thinking when I'm doing it, including all the mistakes along the way! #learnlap
A2: By meeting the students where they are and help build themselves up. Will they get there in a week? Maybe not, but they will be closer than they were a week ago. #LearnLAP
A3 set goals with kids. Do one thing you’re good at and one thing you want to get good at. Have S record presentations and watch with them, so they can see what you see #learnlap
A3) Having them work with students who are willing and kind, having them do things such as Flipgrids that are less peer pressure, and highlighting writing ideas and giving positive feedback #LearnLAP
A3 we have to do the work in classes to make it a safe and trusting culture for all students. We have to lay the groundwork for a culture of collaboration and sharing #LearnLAP
A3: There is great power in making thinking visible! Technology can be a big benefit here giving students a platform to express themselves even anonymously if they would like. #LearnLAP
Q3: While building communication skills is critical, some students might be hesitant to share their ideas in all or some mediums (oral, written, nonverbal). How can we help students feel confident in developing these skills? #LearnLAP
A3 - it is important that you develop trust with Ss so they feel comfortable to try. Be encouraging, but also be aware of Ss limits and how not to push them past these points. #learnlap
A3 Modeling and low risk practice. Apps like #Seesaw and #Flipgrid allow Ss to rerecord and delete their posts until they are happy with their product. #LearnLAP
Q3: While building communication skills is critical, some students might be hesitant to share their ideas in all or some mediums (oral, written, nonverbal). How can we help students feel confident in developing these skills? #LearnLAP
There's also an instructional design component here: we need to be sure that we're leaving time + giving frameworks for prewriting, revision + reflection, which we often don't. These are the really important skills + they're certainly more valuable than the product. #LearnLAP
One thing I love about the IB program my kids did is they emphasized being educational risk takers. It’s something I want to build into my classroom. #learnlap
A3: I like to provide choice. I was the quiet kid in school so I know how they feel......I like offer them writing their response, recording their voice with screencastify, or flipgrid. I try to encourage to branch out each time we have an opportunity to share #learnlap
A3: Provide practice opportunities. In my class, we find a variety of ways to communicate. One thing I try to do is encourage and build up Ss when they communicate! #learnlap
A3: Start them where they're comfortable and gradually "nudge" them to step out of their comfort zone. Having a buddy for them to do this with definitely helps. Then, when they demonstrate those skills, praise, praise, praise! #learnlap
A3: It's important to set high standards for Ss. We can give them some help along the way but I strongly believe in having Ss write and talk as much as possible throughout the year. Repetition is incredibly helpful here, just like in the gym. #learnlap
A3: Providing those avenues for communication. Even if you have to start with a backchannel or individual conversation. Build up heir confidence. Ask before sharing. And overall, open up all options. #notemplates#LearnLap
A3 I think the answer again lies in scaffolding. Don’t like speaking in front of class? Do a screencast of your cpu and upload it to @Flipgrid for comments. Build to recording a video. Then maybe on your own. #LearnLAP
Q3: While building communication skills is critical, some students might be hesitant to share their ideas in all or some mediums (oral, written, nonverbal). How can we help students feel confident in developing these skills? #LearnLAP
A3 set goals with kids. Do one thing you’re good at and one thing you want to get good at. Have S record presentations and watch with them, so they can see what you see #learnlap
A3: It’s crucial to create a safe environment where students feel comfortable and safe. I’ve never been a proponent of “forcing” a child to share out if they do not feel comfortable. #LearnLAP
Q3: While building communication skills is critical, some students might be hesitant to share their ideas in all or some mediums (oral, written, nonverbal). How can we help students feel confident in developing these skills? #LearnLAP
The idea of sharing vulnerability is vital: if we only show students the finished product + not the brushstrokes, they inevitably think the product needs to be perfect + that it is ultimately more valuable than the process. #LearnLAP
Q3: Give them choice. Ask what they need to feel comfortable and provide this for them. Give them positive feedback along the way. Have them set their own goals and celebrate their achievements, big or small with them. #learnlap
A3 Quite often communication can be seen as how we share our ideas & our learning however communication is a 2 way process-both receptive & expressive-we need to focus on the learning conversations that take place-we need to provide a range of experiences & strategies #learnlap
A3 I think exposing Ss to a variety of ways to express their knowledge and providing them with choice are both critical. I often find that some Ss don’t know yet the best ways for them to communicate what they know until we help them discover it:) #LearnLAP
A3: I remind students of all they’ve done before in other English classes and in other classes. I try to build on all the other blocks that are already in place. “You got this!” “It’s all you!” #LearnLAP
Q3: While building communication skills is critical, some students might be hesitant to share their ideas in all or some mediums (oral, written, nonverbal). How can we help students feel confident in developing these skills? #LearnLAP
Yes! Repetition also makes it accessible to teach these skills. While there may not be days of time to teach presentation/communication skills in every class, there are definitely pockets of 5-10 minutes to continuously improve. #LearnLAP
A3: Classroom culture is everything and empowering students in ways to help them find their voice, be comfortable and confident andknow that their thoughts, ideas, and wonderings matter. #LearnLAP
Q4: True collaboration requires students to be able work within diverse teams to accomplish a shared goal. How does this differ from traditional group work? What considerations are important to ensure that every team member’s ideas/contributions are valued? #LearnLAP
Absolutely. These steps are often the first to go to make room for more curriculum/content... without realizing that they're critical to long term understanding and application. #LearnLAP
In reply to
@MrAustinA2, @ADDEnglishTeach, @kruevans
A3 Allowing students to see that even Ts make mistakes and showing acceptance of their willingness to try is important. Support them every step. #learnlap
I wrote recently about how we can make space for all students in our classrooms while still providing the supported challenge they need to grow, even when using whole-class or required texts. #LearnLAPhttps://t.co/kF6pmcmG9D
A3: Fortunately technology has enabled all students to have a voice in class. Whether it is backchanneling with something like google slides or using @Flipgrid as examples, choice can lead to every student being able to communicate in some form. #learnlap
Agreed! I'd go so far as to say, in my English class if my Ss aren't talking they aren't learning as much as they could be. It's vitally important! #learnlap
I love using small group presentations as a tool to help Ss get more comfortable with speaking. Start with presenting to just a few other Ss and then expand #LearnLAP
A4: I remind them that they are working to get a job done. They don't have to marry their partners or even take them to prom. I just want them to work together to create a product. #learnlap
Yes! Teachers are human too and it's so unrealistic to hide struggles from Ss! By sharing the challenges we experience, our relationships and trust only grows stronger! #LearnLAP
a4 lets be real traditional group work means the “smart” kid gets dumped on and everyone else copies. Collaborative assignments should be too big for one person. The workload needs sharing. #LearnLAP
A1: critical thinking - students need to be critical thinkers because students are not challenged enough. They need to find alternate ways to solve issues and think of alternative ways #leadLAP#learnLAP
Love this! So important for Ss and also for Ts! opening our doors for others to see the process of learning and the risks we’re taking with Ss in the classroom benefits all kids. #learnlap
The idea of sharing vulnerability is vital: if we only show students the finished product + not the brushstrokes, they inevitably think the product needs to be perfect + that it is ultimately more valuable than the process. #LearnLAP
A4 I think traditional group work lacked the structure and accountability needed to make it truly collaborative. Students need to have a role in the group and it must have value not just a title #LearnLAP
A4- setting group norms —> assigning/choosing roles —> reflecting and self-assessing regularly —> protocols for processes and conflict resolution #learnlap
A4: You have to make sure that the work is interdependent. Something that is really hard to accomplish. Success comes from all, not from "I did it while you watched". Have yet to find the magic formula for this. #LearnLAP
A4: Really teaching into Empathy and the importance of every idea no matter how large or small is valued. This doesn’t mean that every idea is chosen or makes that “final cut” - the importance is that all players are all in, not just given 1 job or task to complete. #LearnLAP
Q4: True collaboration requires students to be able work within diverse teams to accomplish a shared goal. How does this differ from traditional group work? What considerations are important to ensure that every team member’s ideas/contributions are valued? #LearnLAP
A4 Such a powerful way for students to have to think and work together. We have to ensure that we as teachers aren’t directly or indirectly answering these questions. We want resilience and rigor as a byproduct of this work. #LearnLAP
Q4: True collaboration requires students to be able work within diverse teams to accomplish a shared goal. How does this differ from traditional group work? What considerations are important to ensure that every team member’s ideas/contributions are valued? #LearnLAP
A4: I make sure each student has a specific part to the collaborative discussion. While group work can be unproductive, I ensure that each student is responsible #LearnLAP
A4: When Ss can communicate clearly, think critically with their peers, and collaborate with specific group roles, true collaboration has begun. #learnlap
Q4: True collaboration requires students to be able work within diverse teams to accomplish a shared goal. How does this differ from traditional group work? What considerations are important to ensure that every team member’s ideas/contributions are valued? #LearnLAP
Q4: I'm a huge proponent of using Scrum to facilitate meaningful group work. If you're not familiar, I'll link my presentation in the comments. We should be using real-life tools to teach Ss real-life skills - Agile Scrum fits the bill. #learnLAP
Q4: True collaboration requires students to be able work within diverse teams to accomplish a shared goal. How does this differ from traditional group work? What considerations are important to ensure that every team member’s ideas/contributions are valued? #LearnLAP
A4: I think creating a community dedicated to helping each other become better readers, writers, thinkers, and people is so important. It's not easy, and it requires intentional modeling and constant care, but it's doable and worth it. @casas_jimmy writes a lot on this. #learnlap
Q4 collaboration /kəlabəˈreɪʃn/ the action of working with someone to produce something
We as teachers need the opportunity to work collaboratively as well as students to develop a deep understanding - protocols, meetings, purpose, context, all help to collaborate #learnlap
How do we create systems where students work collaboratively + are assessed individually? I think that's the key + I think it's about creating cultures where students are invested in making meaning together + not being right or getting a certain grade. #LearnLAP
A4: Sometimes we need to model expectations of collaborative work. Establish norms, assign roles and enable each member of the group to provide feedback and assess each other's progress. Working through the collaborative process involves constant reflection #learnlap
A4 Traditional Group usually means the strongest member do the lions share of the work. I think it’s important all team members have a role within their groups. It also helps in the design process if all team members create an initial design to ideate #LearnLAP
Critical thinking is most important. Because you can communicate creatively with other people (3 Cs) but it doesn’t matter if the product is false, misleading or doesn’t take into account multiple perspectives. #LearnLAP
A4 Creating a family atmosphere is important from day one. Often times when Ss make mistakes you hear giggles- we always say we don’t laugh (at others), we learn #LearnLAP
A4: Feedback and reflection throughout the entire process is also critical so that students continue to see the value in their word and the ideas of others. #learnlap
A4 cont: Thinking of some game shows that clearly state, for this challenge you work together, but will be assessed individually. (Face-Off is a great example). #LearnLAP
Q5: In order to be creative, students must be willing to put new ideas out there and sometimes fail. How can we create environments where Ss feel confident sharing new ideas? How can we support – and even celebrate! – when new ideas don’t work out the way they want? #LearnLAP
A3: this is a difficult approach as some have anxiety to present or discuss in class. I let my students focus on what they want to get out of the discussion first. I do a random call but offer them a choice to participate letting my students know their input in valued #LearnLAP
A4 this is an issue in adult collaboration too. Here should be interdependencey. We can’t accomplish the goal unless we work together.
Achieving it requires believing all team members bring value, utilizing strengths, avoiding group think, taking risks, & shared norms. #LearnLAP
Q4: True collaboration requires students to be able work within diverse teams to accomplish a shared goal. How does this differ from traditional group work? What considerations are important to ensure that every team member’s ideas/contributions are valued? #LearnLAP
I also ultimately think much of the anxiety + stress our students are feeling is part of an emphasis on grades + results as metrics + measures of self-worth + success. We have the agency to make changes in our spaces + it's a moral imperative that we do. #LearnLAP
A4: There will always be struggles with group dynamics, but one things I've found mostly successful is pre-teaching and modeling what positive group work looks like in order for students to comprehend what is acceptable when collaborating and working with others. #learnlap
I agree! Too often the workload gets dumped on one or a few students while the others take credit. Collaboration promotes the efforts of all the group members and shows value to their contributions #LearnLAP
Q5: In order to be creative, students must be willing to put new ideas out there and sometimes fail. How can we create environments where Ss feel confident sharing new ideas? How can we support – and even celebrate! – when new ideas don’t work out the way they want? #LearnLAP
Q5: In order to be creative, students must be willing to put new ideas out there and sometimes fail. How can we create environments where Ss feel confident sharing new ideas? How can we support – and even celebrate! – when new ideas don’t work out the way they want? #LearnLAP
I often wonder what opportunity we have as educators to collaborate in our own professional learning - what are the structures & process we use to collaborate - this is how we can build collective efficacy #LearnLAP
I try new things all the time. Let the kids know this is an experiment. Sometimes experiments fail. I give a few test runs of a tool before I use it as part of an assessment. #learnlap
A5 This has to start with the educators in the building. What are they willing to do to be creative. If teachers model students follow. Let’s take risks together! #LearnLAP
Q5: In order to be creative, students must be willing to put new ideas out there and sometimes fail. How can we create environments where Ss feel confident sharing new ideas? How can we support – and even celebrate! – when new ideas don’t work out the way they want? #LearnLAP
A5: I've done things like a "bad idea" factory during brainstorms. Everything is documented and we go back to them as we move forward in our #PBL#LearnLAP
For my classes, the product itself is only part of the assessment -- Ss can display individual mastery through reflection, whether written or oral. #LearnLAP
Q1: The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (@P21Learning) identifies the “Four Cs” of 21st century learning, including critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Which of these do you consider to be the most important? Why? #LearnLAP
A5: When Ss can communicate clearly, think critically with their peers, and collaborate with specific group roles, true collaboration has begun. #learnlap
Q5: In order to be creative, students must be willing to put new ideas out there and sometimes fail. How can we create environments where Ss feel confident sharing new ideas? How can we support – and even celebrate! – when new ideas don’t work out the way they want? #LearnLAP
You can’t discover anything new without “failing.” You can’t explore different ways of doing things without “failing.” In every failure there is a lesson. The truly successful, the innovators, the creative geniuses, the legends all share this in common. #LearnLAP
Q5: In order to be creative, students must be willing to put new ideas out there and sometimes fail. How can we create environments where Ss feel confident sharing new ideas? How can we support – and even celebrate! – when new ideas don’t work out the way they want? #LearnLAP
A5 we must create a culture of a growth mindset where we fail forward and celebrate our mistakes just as we celebrate our successes. We must model risk taking and foster innovation. Create challenges for our students where they will struggle #LearnLAP
So if they see me try and fail (and own it) they are more likely to try. Also keep emphasizing I’m assessing their growth not their perfection #learnlap
A5: it's important to acknowledge that failure is a part of life and it should be seen as motivation to try again, not a reason to give up. As teachers, we can model this by sharing our failures with our students, as well as the importance of working through them #LearnLAP
Q4: @spencerideas has a great blog post where he talks about how the Ss have to see that they can create something better than they could do apart. In order to do this they have to first know their strengths so they can value the strengths in others. #learnlap
A5: just as @Joe_Sanfelippo said in his 1-minute to work; it’s what we model. We need to model what hasn’t worked to show it’s ok when ideas just don’t work out #LearnLAP
A5: Foster a climate that embraces a growth mindset. Encourage risk taking and resilience. Celebrate success and embrace failure. Check out my feelings on a growth mindset here: https://t.co/uLmx5dQDTr#learnlap
A4 protocols are a better way for ALL to learn to listen for understanding and contribution vs traditional group work where 1 dominant least emerges. #LearnLAP
Q4: True collaboration requires students to be able work within diverse teams to accomplish a shared goal. How does this differ from traditional group work? What considerations are important to ensure that every team member’s ideas/contributions are valued? #LearnLAP
My classes have a very collectivist ethos: competition + notions of "best" are reduced with self-assessment + self-reported grades + there's no real "right" answers or right "way" to do things, as we're inquiry driven. The focus is on making meaning together. #LearnLAP
Random - draw sticks literally - Ss can’t blame me for being in “the groups that doesn’t work,” or any other excuse. Equal opportunity to succeed! @DennySexton20 gave me colored sticks too, so more random opportunities! #LearnLAP
In reply to
@Jennifer_Manly, @PaulSolarz, @DennySexton20
Q3: While building communication skills is critical, some students might be hesitant to share their ideas in all or some mediums (oral, written, nonverbal). How can we help students feel confident in developing these skills? #LearnLAP
A5: @BrianTracy talks about how successful sales companies sometimes have contests in the AM to see who can hit 100 rejections first. The idea is that failure is less scary with repetition. Traditional learning is so focused on being "right" that being wrong is scary. #LearnLAP
Q5: In order to be creative, students must be willing to put new ideas out there and sometimes fail. How can we create environments where Ss feel confident sharing new ideas? How can we support – and even celebrate! – when new ideas don’t work out the way they want? #LearnLAP
A2: I love that YouTube has made content so accessible to students. My developing readers know so much about the world because of this resource. Sites like Khan Academy, Learn Zillion and Audible also provide audio and visual supports for our students. #LearnLAP
Also ELA is awesome because as long as you can support your answer with evidence, you’re right. When you get out of DOK 1 & 2 there are very few wrong answers #learnlap
A5: If we preach "growth mindset," we must also think about how our grading practices do or don't align with it. If students can't redo work or show mastery at a later date, is growth mindset truly celebrated? #LearnLAP
A5 Celebrate effort! Reinforce the idea that there’s never only one right way! Again it comes from the atmosphere that’s created from the beginning. My question is always -Who thought of something different? Who found another way? #LearnLAP
Q5: In order to be creative, students must be willing to put new ideas out there and sometimes fail. How can we create environments where Ss feel confident sharing new ideas? How can we support – and even celebrate! – when new ideas don’t work out the way they want? #LearnLAP
Q6: What does the 21st classroom LOOK like? How must the physical structure of the room change to support students’ development of these skills? Have you made changes within your own room (we love pictures!)? #LearnLAP
A5 As the leader in the room we have such a responsibility in developing a classroom culture that promotes learning as the core work-it's all about the tone, the climate, the protocols, the conversations, the discussions, the ways of working together-it's up to us #learnlap
A5: Turning mistakes into masterpieces. My art friend once told me this and I stole it immediately. Sometimes our greatest achievements are through failures. All learning is valuable even if we fall the first time. #LearnLAP
A5: We need to make our learning environment a safe place for students to explore curiosities, take risks, solve problems, and be adventurous - and we need to encourage them through every step of the way. And - they need to see those same qualities in us. #learnlap
A3: It helps for teachers to also participate in the medium as a model. Make a blog post on the class blog or join the discussion the Google Classroom. #LearnLAP
A6 Alternative seating is key students aren’t going to be working in brick and mortar spaces in the future they are going to be free lancers and working from their homes and coffee shops and out of their cars. Students need to have those choices now. #LearnLAP
A4: Having different roles for the students to choose from and also a rubric for expectations and the end product keeps the collaboration on track. #LearnLAP
100% agree!! In my content, students fail on a small scale a regular basis -- their program doesn't compile, the code doesn't do what they want it to, their group doesn't choose their idea, etc. Each of these builds tenacity without being fatal. #LearnLAP
I know what my dream classroom looks like. But budgets... I’d like standing desks and flexible seating. I don’t care how you learn or work, just that you ARE learning and working #learnlap
A6- my room is messy! Lots of tools, students stand up and move around, they know the process to get what they need (physically, academically, and emotionally). #LearnLAP
A6: the classroom needs to be inviting, foster creativity, and above all be flexible. Ss need to work in an environment where they have choices. Choices are key! #LearnLAP
A6: Open space to collaborate and make thinking visible (all thinking - the process of learning), think boxes or areas to draft and brainstorm, technology to connect outside the classroom, and flexible learning spaces #LearnLAP
A5: I consistently model resilience by trying new things in front of Ss. I regularly fail (never on purpose, WiFi is out, my link is broken, etc.) like old Timex commercial “takes a licking and keeps on ticking.” 🤩 #LearnLAP
Q5: In order to be creative, students must be willing to put new ideas out there and sometimes fail. How can we create environments where Ss feel confident sharing new ideas? How can we support – and even celebrate! – when new ideas don’t work out the way they want? #LearnLAP
A6 If you haven't already here are some tips from @cultofpedagogy some great ideas around 21st C classrooms-a great opportunity to re-evaluate/design your classroom. #LearnLAP
12 Ways to Upgrade Your Classroom Design https://t.co/9Gg4v5ae3P via @cultofpedagogy
A6 The 21st century classroom is multiple seating types from gathering on the floor to small group areas. They need white space, board space to collaborate #LearnLAP
This is an equity issue, too. If we're penalizing kids for late work, if we're not allowing for revision, if we're not providing multiple pathways to mastery + if we're not committed to reteaching, then we're not growth-oriented + we're centered on compliance + control. #LearnLAP
A6: I redid my classroom this summer with my dad to support collaboration and creativity. Blackboard wall inspired by @RaeHughart, a storage closet turned breakout room built by 8th graders in 2017, lots of diff seating, + white boards on walls! #LearnLAP
Q7: Let’s talk about you – the educator. How should the role of an educator change to best support students in developing 21st century skills? In other words, what skills or traits must a 21st century educator have? #LearnLAP
Compliance + control often impacts the most marginalized students in the building because compliance + control are focused on scarcity + what students aren't doing rather than abundance + what they are doing. #LearnLAP
A7 educators must be facilitators and mentors assisting the students in developing the skills to solve problems using their strengths and support them in their journey to improve their lesser strengths. Encourage voice and expand choice #LearnLAP
A7 - The 21stC teacher should be a clear and explicit model of lifelong learning. They should be seeking to discover what they don’t yet know and active in learning whatever skills are missing. And they should be on team kid, not team content. #learnlap
Thanks! Computer Science is a pretty homogenous field -- I wanted all of my students to be able to SEE themselves succeeding in my classroom and my content. #LearnLAP
The only time I take points off for late is on long term assignments. I need to be able to give them feedback. If they don’t meet deadlines we don’t have time for feedback #learnlap
A6 I love flexible seating (meaning that the room can change and furniturecan have different functions) to meet the needs of the earning taking place at the time...but instruction HAS to shift from traditional first. #learnlap
A7: the skills and traits of a 21st educator include a growth mindset, the ability to collaborate with others and reflect on their craft. They must be a life long learner who strives to push all students to their greatest potential in the most personalized way possible #LearnLAP
Q7: Let’s talk about you – the educator. How should the role of an educator change to best support students in developing 21st century skills? In other words, what skills or traits must a 21st century educator have? #LearnLAP
A6: Computer stations, couches, and a coffee bar would do it for me. 😉 Seriously, though, kids need comfortable and flexible seating, they need to have modern supplies and resources that support their learning in relevant ways, and they to be inspired to be creative. #learnlap
I've said this before: but achievement + opportunity gaps are often the result of compliance-based systems that are focused on asking the wrong questions + measuring the wrong things. We always need to look at what's embedded into our systems. #LearnLAP
A7 facilitator, guide the learning, the bumpers on the alley. What can Ss do with the information, encourage risk taking, demonstrate our own learning. #LearnLAP
Q7: Let’s talk about you – the educator. How should the role of an educator change to best support students in developing 21st century skills? In other words, what skills or traits must a 21st century educator have? #LearnLAP
Q7: Let’s talk about you – the educator. How should the role of an educator change to best support students in developing 21st century skills? In other words, what skills or traits must a 21st century educator have? #LearnLAP
A7: That risk-taking we keep talking about when we talk about students. Being able to try something, knowing that if it does not work, no biggie. Adapt to what is going on in your classroom today, right this second. #LearnLAP
A7: The 21st century educator must be flexible + humble. It's no longer about imparting wisdom, but about how to best curate all of the information our Ss have at their fingertips. We must be willing to adapt on the fly and be open to continuous growth and improvement. #LearnLAP
Q7: Let’s talk about you – the educator. How should the role of an educator change to best support students in developing 21st century skills? In other words, what skills or traits must a 21st century educator have? #LearnLAP
A7 Just as we want our students we need to be:
✨Critical Thinkers and Problem Solvers
✨Collaborators and Communicators
✨Digitally Literate
✨Global Citizens
✨Leaders
✨Creative and Imaginative
✨Innovative
✨Big & small data analysts
But most importantly LEARNERS
#learnlap
A7 traits I look for in Ts: smart, willing to learn, empathy, collaborative, communicator (in all senses of the word), problem solver, and passionate. #learnlap
A7: ... and grace. The ability to have grace in all that you do - in taking risks and failing, in not having the answers, and being comfortable with uncomfortable #LearnLAP
A7: Educators need to keep learning in order to stay relevant. They need to continue pushing forward, taking risks, being innovative, and having a strong comprehension of who their students are and what's happening in the world that students need to be prepared for. #learnlap
A7 One skill the educator needs to realize you can’t control everything, Learning is messy. Educators need to be guides on the side, mentor, question... #LearnLAP
A7: The 21stC teacher needs to be a model of what they are trying to instil in their students. They need to have a growth mindset and be open to learning themselves! #LearnLAP
Q7: Let’s talk about you – the educator. How should the role of an educator change to best support students in developing 21st century skills? In other words, what skills or traits must a 21st century educator have? #LearnLAP
A8 - time/prioritization. Bc I offer resubmits and limit homework, Ss prioritize higher-stakes work for other classes. I’d love for them to spent time exploring their own interests related to the work we do, but they’re swamped. Need all GL Ts in on this approach. #LearnLAP
Thanks to everyone who participated in this evening's #LearnLAP chat! Thanks especially to @Jennifer_Manly for moderating such an outstanding discussion!
Please join @MrAlbertSES next week MONDAY @ 7pm Central to discuss "100 Day! Time to shake it up!"
For now, check out #tlap!
A8: As an admin, I see teachers hesitant to move toward a facilitation of knowledge with student driven instruction. Not that they aren’t willing, but as we all know, it’s a different way of thinking that can be scary. #LearnLAP
I was talking with a coworker about this the other day -- some of the most advanced educational systems in the world focus on fewer standards to enable greater mastery of those which are most important. #LearnLAP
We should do an entire chat on this sometime, somewhere! No joke! It's worth our time to think about where our systems fail kids + what agency we have to make changes in our sphere of influence. #LearnLAP
My problem is a district culture of not trusting the kids to be able to do more. Our leadership is trying to get the Ts to buy in. As more TS practice, the Ss will become more confident. #learnlap
Who do I need to follow in order to see more answers than just mine? 😂 A friend tweeted about the #LearnLAP chat and it sounded great. But I’m only seeing the questions and my own replies.
WOW! Thank you all for such a thought provoking conversation. That hour flew by, and I'm still reading through content. Looking forward to #tlap next and continuing the conversation with each of you! #LearnLAP
