Help me give my students headphones with mics so that each one of them can take charge of their own learning without distractions. Having a mic on their headsets allows them to record their own learning and thoughts.
“In order to create an engaging learning experience, the role of instructor is optional, but the role of learner is essential.” - Bernard Bull
It is in this quote that I find the direction of my classroom growing, especially this year with 5th graders as they become ready for the world of middle school and high school.
More and more emphasis is being placed on knowing how and where to find resources, as for whatever reason, they may not be readily available. Students are having to more and more rely on their digital knowledge to accomplish tasks in the classroom.
Students are able to reach out and connect with students thousands of miles away from them and share and learn from one another. It is in this application of real life, hands on learning that I want to continue to expose and support my students in.
My Project
In allowing my students access to their own headsets, instead of sharing the few sets I have now, it allows them to cut out the outside noises of others and focus on their own learning. I have many students that benefit from having access to headphones, just to concentrate better.
In our class, time is spent in whole instruction and then time is spent in the digital world.
Our three guiding principals to each lesson are: What are we learning? Why are we learning it? How can I apply it? When students can create videos sharing with others their own learning and thoughts, it makes their learning real and applicable. If they can create a video that shows someone else how to multiply and divide fractions, then they are now the teacher and have shown me they understand and can apply the concept we have learned.
At the same time, when students struggle to grasp a concept it becomes clear right away and i can address it and there is no embarrassment with having a wrong answer in a class full of peer as the only one who has seen/heard the confusion is me. It also allows them to learn from each other, when they feel comfortable enough to share their video in our digital classroom.
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