Session+8

8.1 Wallwisher/Summer 2011
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8.2 Teacher Conversations
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How does your school/district currently support and or encourage collaboration between teachers? I think that Malden is heading in the right direction. Offering this course was a big step. I love the idea of using a "peer coaching model" to help teachers become more comfortable with using technology.

How much do you seek to collaborate with teachers and how do you accomplish this? As a consultant in Malden, most of my work depends on collaborating with teachers and we have time built into the schedule to meet on a regular basis. I am not doing actual lessons in the classroom, but i have learned a lot from the teachers that I work with. I find that when teachers are given the technology and the time to get used to using it, they do and they do an amazing job.

To what extent do you think collaboration is of growing importance for teachers seeking to implement a 21st century classroom? I think that given the overwhelming amount of new technology teachers are being exposed to, collaboration is extremely important. Again, I think that the idea of peer groups would be very helpful. Even in taking this course, while in school, and able to help each other, it was a lot easier. Sometimes we get tripped up on something simple and having another set of eyes takes away the frustration. Sometimes, someone else sees something differently!

In what ways, if any, do you see the thoughts in this article applying to student conversation? I think the same concepts apply to students. They all have their own stregnths and when in a group, can benefit each other. Students are used to using technology in their personal lives, if given a chance to use these skills in school, to help them grow academically, would be wonderful.

**8.3 Innovation in Education**
====//"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew//." **Abraham Lincoln**====

Sir Ken Robinson (TED Video) []

8.4 Collaboration Activity
-Created a google docs account. - Added a slide (Wordle)