Authentic Instruction and TechnologyJade BallekLearning Consultant – Sun West School DivisionJuly 2013

The Goal(s)

• Design meaningful learning experience • Incorporate interactive learning strategies• Investigate authentic instruction and the role of

technology in supporting instruction• Allow opportunity for you to reflect on what this means for

you, in your school, with your teachers …• And do this all in 60 minutes

• Google Doc• http://tinyurl.com/nzoph7u

What questions do you have about authentic learning and the role of technology in supporting instruction?

Determining Prior Knowledge

• On a scale from 1-5, how would you rate your background knowledge in terms of:

• a. authentic learning

• b. role of technology in supporting learning

• 5 – considerable knowledge• 1 – fairly new to me

What is Authentic Learning?• In Partners: Interview your partner using the questions

provided as a starting point.• Questions:• 1. How might you describe/define authentic learning?• 2. Why might this be considered the most effective way to learn?• 3. What might you see if you walked into a classroom where

“authentic learning” was taking place?• At the signal, reverse roles• Form quartets: Introduce each other and share your partner’s

responses.• As a group, develop generalizations to share with full group.• Full group share:• Strategy: Three Step Interview – template on Google Doc

Defining Authentic Learning

• Question 1: How might you describe/define authentic learning?

• Marilyn Lombardi – • Focuses on real-world, complex problems and their solutions• May use role-playing, problem-based activities, case studies• Involves questioning and critical thinking

Defining Authentic Learning• Lynne Hilt: Powerful Learning Practice• Learning goes deep• Evidence of higher order thinking• Real and substantive conversations – share with authentic

audiences• Personal learning• Autonomy, mastery, purpose, choice, self-direction• 21st century skills integration• Everyone is reflecting, all of the time

• Active, Participatory Learning

What Makes Authentic Learning Effective?

• Question 2: Why might this be considered the most effective way to learn?

• Research says … • Learn to do by doing allows learners make connections

to previous knowledge which leads to real learning(George Siemens and Stephen Downes– connectivism)

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6024826883594104941

An Authentic Classroom

• Question 3. What might you see if you walked into a classroom where “authentic learning” was taking place?

Walk Through Look Fors …

• Inquiry Learning•Problem Based Learning•Project Based Learning•Challenge Learning•Passion Based Learning (20% time)

Personal reflection

• Recap:• What is authentic learning?• Why is it important?• What might this “look like” in the classroom?

Based on our discussions, what role might you have in supporting authentic learning in your school, with your teachers?Has your thinking changed, shifted in a new direction, or been validated as a result of our conversations?

The Role of Technology in an Authentic Learning Environment

• Multiple sources of information• Primary source

documents and digital archives• Simulations• Community of

learners• Experts

Based on your experiences,

how has technology changed the ways in

which we teach?

Strategy: Think Pair Share

Meaningful, Purposeful Use

It is not the technology tool that is important; it is how that tool is used.

Shifting Pedagogy

• "If you're not changing the pedagogy, you won't be improving anything when introducing the technology." - BernaJean Porter

Leading a Successful Shift• What supports might

you need to incorporate authentic learning in your school? • … to ensure the

purposeful use of technology in classrooms?

• Infrastructure• Access to Technology• Managing the

Classroom• Supporting the

“Shift” through Professional Development• Collaborative

OpportunitiesStrategy: Think, Pair, Share

Who in your school has made (or is starting to make) this shift in your school?What role might these educators play in supporting other staff as they begin to create authentic learning environments for their students?

Technology Tools “Smackdown” for the Authentic Classroom

Retrieving Information

Accurate Information

Collaborating/Sharing

Communicating

Communicating/Sharing

A Final Reflection

• How has your thinking changed, shifted in a new direction or been validated as a result of today’s discussion?

Thank you! Good Luck!

• Jade.ballek@sunwestsd.ca•@jadeballek