Digitalization

Digitalization has been a buzzword for an awhile now in education, so much in fact that it already is having a negative connotation as well. To me, it has always been rather empty, and I haven’t seen it to have any real value as a standalone norm. But as we applied as a part of a pedagogical framework like SAMR and TPACK, things and opinions change.  In our context, it means that we need to take a good look at our learning environment in order to manage the inevitable change; integration and implementation of digital tools (physical and non-physical) into our everyday learning.

Knowledge

This year we have started to utilize four separate, but essentially intertwined digital products that will have an impact on how we see, visualize and understand learning.

We already know that in order to integrate these tools into our practice we need to understand how we can implement them in our learning environments that they either Modify or Redefine our teaching

Inspiration

These tools are Seesaw, Google Classroom, Google Sites and Skype Classroom.

Seesaw is a digital portfolio platform:

Seesaw empowers students to independently document their learning with built-in creative tools, and provides an authentic audience for their work.

At KIS this tool is used to Redefining learning experiences that were not possible before. Students are able to collect, curate, communicate and create a hybrid portfolio that not only showcases their understandings but empowers them to think about their thinking regardless of their age and literacy skills.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom streamlines assignments, boosts collaboration, and fosters seamless communication to make teaching more productive and meaningful.

At KIS this tool is used to Modifying learning experiences by redesigning tasks into completely new. Students are able to utilize their knowledge and individuality in the virtual environment that allows for discreet differentiation, centralized communications, and instantaneous feedback. (as a bonus: as it is paperless, it also saves trees).

Google Sites

Collaboratively create engaging, high-quality sites for your team, project or event. The sites look great on every screen, from desktop to smartphone. All without learning design or programming.

At KIS this tool is used to Redefining learning experiences that were not possible before. Teachers are able to not only share information but also embed completely independent platforms whilst connecting with a global audience. Our classes are currently contacting their global read aloud partners by using their Google Sites with Padlets

Global Read Aloud website for G3

Skype Classroom

The global guessing game that gets kids learning about geography, culture, and the similarities and differences of how children live all over the world.

At KIS this tool is used to Redefining learning experiences that were not possible before. Students are able to connect with Authors, Explorers and other Students all around the world and communicate with them directly by asking new, personal questions, questions that are meaningful to them.

Spirit

What makes these platforms and applications so powerful that they would be the ones that empower our students and makes them improve their learning more than others? In my opinion, it is their flexibility, adaptability, and accessibility. All these products adjust to users needs, enhancing and simplifying the user experience, thus enabling all users to connect and utilize them to their full potential. All these applications can also be hacked to be used creatively to cater a special, personal requirement. These aspects enable and generate a learning environment where student centered learning thrives.