Dr Punya Mishra; a webinar with a difference!

I love the webinar concept and this presentation takes it to a new level; not a talking head but a slideshow with comment (split screen) and audio.

Dr Punya Mishra is entertaining, knowledgeable and has a fresh approach that really hits the mark. The talk is well constructed, also.

Punya outlines the problem of teaching with technology, the complex nature of content, pedagogy and technology and their intersection. He introduces the idea that creative solutions, those that are novel, effective and whole are essential. He puts teachers and educators at the heart of the matter.

The examples he uses are excellent, especially the sand creatures (about ¾ of the way through). This brings us to the notion that ‘the walls that exist between content, pedagogy and technology exist only in our minds!’.

His approach is to take two components, e.g. choose some content and an appropriate technology then explore the pedagogical approaches, seek creative solutions.

I really enjoyed his presentation – make a snack, watch it! (40 min)

What does a laptop lesson look like?

Grab a coffee and check out these sample lessons from the US and a description of a laptop project in the UK ...

• No strings attached: videos of lessons showing models of integrating laptops into Arts, languages, languages arts, maths, health and PE, science and social studies. These are schools in Florida with different technologies, content and style BUT there are some nice examples for K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.

• Laptops for learning (teachers.tv) download or view (QuickTime or Windows) movie – 15 min – teachers and students talk about their laptop program in The Arnewood School , UK. See how laptops are being used and their perceived benefits at school and in the home. To see the movie, register/login - it’s easy, just a couple of minutes.
  

Laptop learning - a variety of references

There are many nice, easy-to-read information about

• This post in a history teachers’ discussion forum describes a laptop classroom, Teaching history in a laptop classroom, school in the future? There are some interesting insights but also check out the discussion thread ...

• Ten ways to use laptops in teaching and learning a pdf two-page collection of instructional activities for using laptops from Florida State University (not crazy about the list of strategies but as a model of a quick reference list for teachers, not too bad)

• The laptop learning challenge is a small website from 1999 Toshiba/NSTA challenge for teaching science and maths. Nice and simple and useful - this might serve a model for support for teachers. It includes lesson plans - grouped by grade, subject, teaching methods and content) and a teaching with laptops section - with options for professional development and classroom management suggestions.

• Duco_jansen, a 16 min podcast from Vanderbilt Center for Teaching. A remarkably frank interview with Duco Jansen discussing how his students use laptops in Biomedical engineering. This could be a way to capture and share teacher’s stories.