BYOD to Do It Yourself (DIY)

Is it reasonable to do things we would prefer not to do to become successful? BYOD seem like it will gradually make it’s way to schools as it has already become common at most work places. However, care must be taken not to allow it to become a source of distraction. I suggest the following four models be used to BYOD:

(i)           Ready to use model, where the learners have the device at one side of the desk to be used only on instruction or direction by the teacher.

(ii)          Guided model, here, the learners keep the device in the lockers and are released only on request by the teacher. The teacher guides them on how to use the device during the activities in the class.

(iii)         Local use only model, the learners are restricted only to use the device as notes taking device and may be allowed to open already stored information in the device but should not be allowed to use the web for browsing.

(iv)         Personal goal model, here, the learners have the control of when and how to use the device in the classroom. The trust here is that they understand when such devices are needed to be used for the activities related to the ongoing classroom instruction.

It is observed that, these models reflect majorly two things (i) more management needed to guide the learners on how to go about the devices and (ii) give them their independence to use the devices in the classroom.

Therefore, in preparation for introducing BOYD in my class, I would do the following:

(i)           First to determine why BOYD not any other approaches to achieve the school goals and set targets.

(ii)          I too have to let the parents and teachers be convinced by myself before implementation phase.

(iii)         Make a selection of what type of device you would allow and not allow in the classroom.

(iv)         Give teachers ample time to adapt to these changes because may not be in position to change their lesson plans and teaching styles just at ago. Train them on the use of different apps and how to integrate them in the classroom instructions.

(v)          Provide device to those that may not have access to BOYD

It is yet interesting for me to run a class where the students will be allowed to use their devices for collaboration e.g to watch a video and have a quiz after wards to establish out whether they would have no time to play games during the activity.

Ciao!

Knocking Down the Walls? No!

It’s not about knocking down the walls; rather it’s how you use the existing structure to remove the old classroom set up with rows of desks which usually make collaborative learning harder. We know many learning set ups today do not support the kind of learning our learners would be engaged in by collaborating with one another in solving real world problems. Then what do we need to do?

(i)           Replace desks with tables to cluster the learners around it.

(ii)          Leave bigger spaces in between tables for them to freely move around safely.

(iii)         Organize field trips (go in for a walk not by bus) to bring the natural world in the classroom, use technology like skype, it gets you outside the classroom.

(iv)         Break down computer labs by taking the computers to classrooms where the learners need them.

In achieving all those listed above, I had a brief speech to the Principal to share with him our consensus; I will share it with you here:

Mr. Principal Sir,

Today schools must not only be designed by the engineers who build them, but as well as the teachers and learners who possess them and spend their entire life in these schools. A well established school must move far from the inflexibility of the static working spaces to an environment that will include collaborations, innovativeness, open spaces while enjoying the teaching/learning process. However, a majority of the learning in our schools as of now is determined by an obsolete pedagogy, a thing that should eventually be forsaken.

It is therefore, imperative to re-strategize and adjust the learning spaces, reshape schools to speak to genuine Learning Buildings, and to show new and more effective rationalities of learning by figuring out how to transform learning environments. This with no doubt will provide an opportunity to grasp contemporary intuition from the learning sciences, brain sciences and neuroscience, a thing that is needed by all.

The major consensus on innovative learning spaces is no longer a basic but a building block for all schools that will meet the demands of the 21^st century learning skills. The pictures below demystify the schools with favorable learning spaces.

Ciao!

Old Things Same Old Way?

Einstein wouldn’t even agree with me to continue doing the same thing in the classroom in the same old way and expect new results. For example, in the computer set up in our school, it is the same old way of organizing computers in rows and columns which can accommodate up to 60 students at a time with limited spaces in between. I have attached here a sample of a computer class in our school. I have to agree that managing such a class room isn’t something easy for student’s collaborations.

What I would promote and encourage in the school is slowly to integrate computer studies to the subjects I teach and eventually to all subjects such that it becomes embedded into the curriculum. This would discourage the obsoleteness of taking the students say after every one week to go and practice in the lab and later sent back to their classes (old things old ways).

Compare with:

Ciao!