Once Again! Two Truths and ONE Not

It's tricky to tell a lie, but I'll try. This is the way

Moodle MOOC11

participants introduce themselves. I hope you figure out the TWO TRUTHS I've shared with you. It's all about teaching to learn and learning to teach. Refresh ourselves at the Spring of Renewal.

The summer of 1972, I worked each evening at Medicalodge, from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am as a nurses' aide. My mother would pick me up after work, and we would travel home on a paved road that went straight to where we lived. We lived about 10 miles away.

One morning, I glanced up, and I saw a medium-sized farm truck carrying and dropping fresh ears of corn. My mother and I tried to get his attention, but he didn't see us.

We were Ruth and Naomi, the ancient gleaners, that day! Being the oldest of seven children, I always enjoyed those crazy, fun, short moments with my mother. We worked out a gleaning plan. I would just lean out of the car, when she stopped, and pick up the ears of corn. We gathered enough corn for two meals for seven people. Today, it's still a great story, and only one of many gleaning adventures with my mom.

One of my favorite trips was one I took along the Mississippi River, from South of Chicago  through to Vicksburg, MS and on to New Orleans on an ancient wooden raft. I had a chance to see the invasive jumping fish, a type of Asian Carp...not native to North America. That was quite an adventure, especially when one jumped onto the raft and body slammed me. Good thing I was wearing a life preserver.

In 1990, I attended my first internet supported NSF grant summer project. It was called GENE: Genetic Education Network for Educators. We identified DNA, performed a variety of experiments with yeast as our most common lab creature. We used weevils, as models, in experiments, and learned all about Wisconsin FAST  PLANTS ( Ask about the bee butts). It was a six week workshop. We worked from dawn to dusk to bring new, up-to-date curriculum for our students. It was a wonderful experience, and we continued to be in contact and share throughout the next five years.

It's tricky to write a fiction story, but I've tried to do it well. I hope you can figure out which is fiction. Enjoy.

MMVC17 Presentation Review - Opening Ceremony

       

MMVC17 OPENING CEREMONY

August 4, 2017: 

The Opening Ceremony for MMVC17 began.  

Dr. Nellie Deutsch  developed this session of  Moodle MOOT Virtual Conference 2017. 

 She introduced the syllabus and the layout of MMVC17 learning and research areas. She's using the new WizIQ learning management system format.  It's a very naturalistic and helpful interface. It makes WizIQ presentations more accessible and fun to use. 

After sharing important information about the MMVC17 cohort of presenters, Dr. Nellie discussed open badges and final certificates.

While listening to Dr. Nellie Deutsch during the MMVC17 Opening Ceremony, I was able to comment and share conversations with other participants in the Chat Box. The new and improved WizIQ interface provides a much enhanced and enlarged Chat Box.

Dr. Nellie Deutsch

Learn all about Dr. Nellie infographic

produces so many excellent online courses and virtual conferences. If you haven't participated yet, it's time to join the learning fun. 

I've attended other IT4ALL Moodle MOOT Virtual Conferences, so I knew the process. Even so, I was wondering what the presenters would have to say this year. Many are new to me, so it was exciting to hear what they hope to bring to the table of learning and teaching.

I try to keep my thought processes open during these conferences. I want to listen and think of new and old ideas in ways that encourage me to tuck them into my extant ideas, knowledge, and thoughts. It's the way I use metacognition. 

Here's How I do it:

Using an overarching theme of 

Question Answer Relationship (QAR)
AND
Bloom's Taxonomy of Learning Domains

Question-Answer-Response Strategy in the Bloom/s Taxonomy of the Learning Domain n2teaching 2017

I'll focus on QAR for MMVC17 GUIDELINE questions:

Reflection and Sharing

• Give the title, date, presenter, course number or name, and where the presentation to place. (online/face-to-face) (Right There)

• Describe the event very briefly. (Right There)

• Did you connect with the other attendees or the speaker? If so, how? (Author and Me; On My Own)

• What questions came up as you watched the event? (On My Own)

• How did the content relate to you as a teacher and/or learner or individual? (Think and Search; Author and Me; On My Own)

• What were some of the thoughts that went through your mind as you watched the presentation? (Author and Me; On My Own)

• How did you feel as you watched the event? (On My Own) 
• If you felt good, what made you feel good?
• If you felt discomfort, what made you feel discomfort?

• What challenges might you encounter in implementing some ideas?(Think and Search) (Author and Me) (On My Own)

• What steps can you take to resolve the challenges? (On My Own)

• What would you like to do in the future as a result of what you heard, read, saw? (Author and Me) (On My Own)

• Write a question or two, that you would like to research (look into) as a result of the event. (Author and Me) (On My Own)

I'll use these metacognitive applications to evaluate various MMVC17 presentations. 

As an effective teacher, I must always remember to be effective in my work with students, parents, and the community. The content presented represented a variety of topics that are trending in the field of teaching and learning English as a Foreign Language. 

The main thought that I had while I watched the Opening Ceremony was 

1. How Wonderful the new WizIQ Interface was, 
2. Teachers and Students will really benefit from the new WizIQ interface, AND the
3. Excitement of seeing previous and new presenters.

Presentation Reflection Criteria Questions 7-11

As I was watching this event it felt wonderful to see Dr. Deutsch. She offered more opportunities and presentations from experts who work in this field, that of online teaching, virtual, blended, and face-to-face.

Several people, representing over a dozen countries planned to share presentations. I was looking forward to seeing them as they explained their most recent work. I had questions to ask them.

Since this was an opening ceremony, it has a basic format. There is a description of the class and the presenters, so there were no challenges that I would have encountered. I’ve attended the Moodle Moot virtual conference before, so I know the general routine.

After the opening ceremony, I hoped to look at the online descriptions of the presenters and their topics. Then I usually choose which ones to attend.

What I’d like to do in the future is what I’ve been working on for the past year.  I’d like to coordinate what I know with what the presenters know. I’m hoping to formulate a cohesive model whereby we can all understand the similarities of the educational goals we’re working on.

For instance, many MMVC17 presenters are explaining their research. Some of the research is based on meta-analysis.

In a meta-analysis, researchers ask a question and analyze all previous, similar research to determine a plausible answer. In other words, they’re looking at various research studies to glean what really works everywhere over time. 

Then you construct new research opportunities to replicate that research to determine its efficacy. You can also use the meta-analysis to create new lines of research.

Meta-analysis is also the type of research evaluated by those who work within the Effective Schools Research Model.

For me, the most important question is:

How do the frameworks such as CLIL, Content and Language Integrated Learning, within Teaching English as a Foreign Language coincide and overlap the methodologies and research of the Effective Schools Movement? How can I integrate the best ideas of both.  

I spent many weeks surveying research and reading about new trends. I decided to use that information to compare, contrast, and evaluate these two methodologies and other frameworks to determine what I can create using both.

Now, I'll put all this information into a video format, so I'll present that on Youtube. 

I've select at least 10 MMVC17 presentations with various topics that fit in the categories listed here:

·        Teaching and Learning with Technology

·        Teaching and Learning Online

·        Blended Online Learning

·        Badges for Learning

·        Online Learning Environments

I’ll review those MMVC17 presentations that most closely relate to topics that I find interesting and important for professional development. Currently, these presentations describe research based, effective learning trends from around the world. All align with my state's professional learning goals.

Badges are awarded for a variety of activities. Badges that lead to the presentation of certificates are awarded for specific learning criteria. That criteria includes: watching at least 12 of the presentations, taking notes, comparing the information with what I already know, and discussing how I can implement the latest information into my professional development program.

I'll complete the reviews, answering eleven critical questions for each presentation and presenter. In addition, I,ll share my impressions and ideas for future use in my teaching, learning, or research. 

After that, using PowerPoint with notes, I'll download the slides to Knovio or PresentMe and record myself reading the notes in ScreenCastOMatic, In the final project phase I'll pull all those parts into a video that I'll share through YouTube or Vimeo.

I've selected presentation from these topics in the categories of:

·        Teaching and Learning with Technology

MMVC17: Technology Facilitates and Frustrates

MMVC17: Understanding programming fundamentals

MMVC17: Dealing With Digital Distraction in the Classroom

·        Teaching and Learning Online
I think of this topic as it relates to trends:

MMVC17: Techno-Clil in the 21st Century School

MMVC17: A Quantum Leap for future direction of education

MMVC17: Creating Powerful Learning Possibilities with VR Tools

MMVC17: What to expect in online education in coming years

MMVC17: What about Non - Native Online English Teachers?

MMVC17: Spice up your lessons with interactive tools

·        Blended Online Learning

MMVC17: Using Moodle in collaborative interdisciplinary group projects

MMVC17: Innovation for quality leadership

MMVC17: How to be a Fair Tester?

MMVC17: Motivating Teens & Youngsters to Learn & Study

MMVC17: They’ll never forget!

MMVC17: Bringing Pendantic Learning of Vocabulary to Life!

·        Badges for Learning

MMVC17: Opening Ceremony

·        Online Learning Environments

MMVC17: Improve Classroom Culture with Mindfulness

MMVC17: The New School Experience Part Two by Roy Andersen

MMVC17: Rethinking Stress Triggers with Sue Annan 

MMVC17 Presentation Reviews

In August, I joined the MoodleMoot Virtual Conference 2017, aka MMVC17. This is the sixth year for this three-day conference. Presenters are accomplished, well respected educators with connections to Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) or use technology in effective ways in online and blended learning opportunities.

I’ll review those MMVC17 presentations that most closely relate to topics that I find interesting and important for my professional development. Currently, these presentations describe research based, effective learning trends from around the world. All align with my state's professional learning goals.

Badges are awarded for a variety of activities. Badges that lead to the presentation of certificates are awarded for specific learning criteria. That criteria includes: watching at least 12 of the presentations, taking notes, comparing the information with what I already know, and discussing how I can implement the latest information into my professional development program.

I'll complete the reviews, answering eleven critical questions for each presentation and presenter. In addition, I,ll share my impressions and ideas for future use in my teaching, learning, or research. 

After that, using PowerPoint with notes, I'll download the slides to Knovio or PresentMe and record myself reading the notes in ScreenCastOMatic, In the final project phase I'll pull all those parts into a video that I'll share through YouTube or Vimeo.

I've selected presentation from these topics in the categories of:

·        Teaching and Learning with Technology

MMVC17: Technology Facilitates and Frustrates

MMVC17: Understanding programming fundamentals

MMVC17: Dealing With Digital Distraction in the Classroom

·        Teaching and Learning Online
I think of this topic as it relates to trends:

MMVC17: Techno-Clil in the 21st Century School

MMVC17: A Quantum Leap for future direction of education

MMVC17: Creating Powerful Learning Possibilities with VR Tools

MMVC17: What to expect in online education in coming years

MMVC17: What about Non - Native Online English Teachers?

MMVC17: Spice up your lessons with interactive tools

·        Blended Online Learning

MMVC17: Using Moodle in collaborative interdisciplinary group projects

MMVC17: Innovation for quality leadership

MMVC17: How to be a Fair Tester?

MMVC17: Motivating Teens & Youngsters to Learn & Study

MMVC17: They’ll never forget!

MMVC17: Bringing Pendantic Learning of Vocabulary to Life!

·        Badges for Learning

MMVC17: Opening Ceremony

·        Online Learning Environments

MMVC17: Improve Classroom Culture with Mindfulness

MMVC17: The New School Experience Part Two by Roy Andersen

MMVC17: Rethinking Stress Triggers with Sue Annan 

FOR MY READERS: Watch any of the MMVC17 presentations. Comments are helpful for a community learning process. After I receive feedback on this article or these presentations, look for my online reviews.

Get out the popcorn. Get comfortable!

Seven Correlates Of Effectiveness inTeaching

Synchronicity of the Seven Correlates

W hat directs the flow of effective teaching? What will make all the ideas, activities, books, resources, and lessons fall into place to be used effectively? How will teacher effectiveness in the educational process of students be examined and evaluated?

As a beginning teacher, I yearned to find THE ANSWER. 

There remained some elusive ingredient to being a great teacher. In my mind it was like the golden ring at the merry-go-round. If I just worked, studied, and learned enough, I could grab the golden ring of superlative teaching. 

As often happens with young people, this search began because I doubted myself. Even though I had wonderful grades, experiences and references, I was still trying to perfect myself. I still believed that there was ONE MORE answer...a magic key to effective teaching that I didn't hold. 

Why did I search for the magic key? I wanted to BE the best teacher in the world. I didn't want to doubt. I wanted to KNOW.

Being young, I thought there was always something else, some magic idea out there, that I didn't know. As time went on, I experienced a wider vision of effective education. I began to trust myself, my students, and the rest of my learning community.

I discovered there wasn't just ONE magic idea for effectiveness in teaching and learning. While there was still plenty I didn't know, I did figure out that no magic bullet can replace the effective basics that help people learn well. 

It took some time for me to stop looking for something that I already owned. It took some time for the competitive energy of the student to be replaced by the collaborative efforts of the teacher.

When I was new to teaching, I absorbed and experienced the positive impression of learning based on the Effective Schools research model, encompassed by the SEVEN CORRELATES OF EFFECTIVENESS. I learned these correlates at the knee of all the effective teachers, community members and family members who touched my life. They taught me! 

Yes, they taught me how a student centered learning community began, developed, and evolved over time.

Yearning to discover an understanding of the  arrival at the end goal of effectiveness, a destination, will never happen. That's not how effective teaching happens. It's all about the journey with your students, with your teaching peers, with parents, with school leaders, and the larger community.

Over the years, gathering more knowledge and experience, I learned what I really wanted. I really wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of my teaching within the ecosystem of my students' education. I really wanted to immerse myself in the learning process with them. The Effective Schools Research movement came to serve as a core set of organizing principles for my educational philosophy.

What are the Seven Correlates of the Effective Schools Research Movement?

1. Instructional Leadership
2. Clearly Stated and Focused Mission
3. Safe and Positive Environment
4. High Expectations for ALL Students
5. Frequent Monitoring of Student Progress
6. Maximize Learning Opportunities
7. Positive Communication - School, Home, Community      

Are these ideas that people could define or describe? Are these the ideas that you want to see in your school? In your teaching? In student's learning? Isn't this a support base for effective student learning? Isn't student learning what it's all about in our world?

For me, the short answer for all these questions is YES. How about you?

This is an updated version of my n2teaching Hearts and Minds blog article on Effective Schools Correlates: It's a Teacher's Life for Me.