Category: Edci 568

This slide stood out to me in Jesse Millers presentation as it really values the idea of digital literacy in education. With technology constantly evolving it is important to help children understand media and online environments. Therefore, we as teachers are acting as role models and guidance to give positive communications and values in the world kids grow up in now.

Connecting this quote to my final project, we see 3D printing and self-efficacy of teachers playing a role. However, teachers need to step out of their comfort zones and put aside anxieties to meet students where they are at. That is why in my opinion professional development and learning opportunities for teachers is so important as we all grew up with different experiences and need to meet the new generation and their digital needs as it expands more and more.

When doing this week’s readings, multiple connections were clear to me in terms of our project of 3D printing and technological advancements. Here is the quote that aligned with the Cheng article and Graham and Roberts (2018), article that states

“Online and blended learning environments afford educators the opportunity to extend learning environments beyond the four walls of the traditional classroom, but pedagogical innovation has not been able to keep pace with technological change.”(p.2377).

This change and diversity of devices (3D printers in my focus case), have been difficult to implement as there is no team to help manage and be tech support for the numerous styles.

Finally the other article we read also aligned with our project as we focus on personalized learning. The conclusion of this article really reinforced my connections. Ross stated that “Ultimately, I learned that in order to be an effective teacher, I must, myself, be an engaged learner.” (p.71) as this happens most effectively through personalized learning. The personalization of using “voice, strengths and interests.” Is also prevalent in 3D printing and providing multiple means of communication for students. Students are thus motivated to design their ideas and print it in real life. Ultimately this motivation is what we are hoping to foster in our workshop and all of the above ideas discussed are key aspects to the creation of our project and the implementation of new technology in education.

References

Graham, L., & Roberts, V. (2018). SHARING A PRAGMATIC NETWORKED MODEL FOR OPEN PEDAGOGY: THE OPEN HUB MODEL OF KNOWLEDGE GENERATION IN HIGHER-EDUCATION ENVIRONMENTS. International Journal on Innovations in Online Education, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJInnovOnlineEdu.2019029340

Ross, T (2016). Relevant MEd Project: Making Reflective Practice Visible: Supporting Shifts in Practice Towards Personalized Learning

Jesse Millers Presentation

Blog Post 1:

Looking back at my blog posts and reflecting on where I was a year ago today is interesting to consider. This reflection came to me when Valerie put in the syllabus to watch the Most Likely to Succeed video (2015). Circling back to exactly this time last year is the first time I had ever watched that video in EDCI 565. This time when watching this video, I was able to connect my Masters project I have been working on with some of the pedagogies and ideas they followed at High Tech high. I focused on art in my previous blog past here. Now I can have a similar mindset but with 3D printing and the importance of UDL principles and multiple means of communication. Notably with access to technology we remove barriers for students and with the research of our project we hope more elementary schools will understand the need and benefits of 3D printing in skill development. Cheng (2023), addresses access to technology as first order barriers. Cheng  (2023), further states that “First-order barriers are external to teachers and are related to educational resources (including hardware and software), teacher training, and instructional support” (p.185).

To further enhance this idea of barriers and technology, it connects to a project my brother did during his high school experience at PSII. Jeff Hopkins who uses similar methodology to High Tech High including inquiry, innovation, technology and student centered learning, provided access to tools that my brother wouldn’t have had the opportunity to explore others. He was able to order lights so that he could program them, Arduino’s to help him learn to code. Therefore, learners came up with ideas and not only did PSII make those happens but during the process connected students with experts to help enhance the learning, ultimately removing the idea of first order barriers.

A video I watched that reinforces the Most Likely to Succeed video and book is below: It acknowledges what the 21st century (the innovation era) learner needs and focuses on skills and motivation. He addresses some key considerations of “play, passion and purpose” to improve intrinsic motivation.

This article really stands out amongst those we have used during our literature review. It addresses most of our research questions. Krystal and I can’t wait to .

See our infographic for more specifics related to our project

All in all our learners are all diverse and the more means and diversity we have for them to complete tasks the more engaging and accessible tasks are. Some of the impacts of my brothers and my learning experiences based on our needs has helped me been able to understand and critical think about the needs of my students. As such, Krystal and my 3D printing project in Elementary Education hopes we can address the needs of both teachers who may be experiencing some second order barriers (fear of integrating technology) as well as students and families who wish to experience these tools and skills.

My 3D printing workshop with my grade 1 students allowed me to witness this engagement and skill development first hand, which encouraged my willingness to share and make this project know. See the article of the field trip here on page 5 of the Friends of Library December newsletter.