MoHi BYOD Website

I would like to share the link to Monarch High School's Bring Your Own Device website that I have been adding resources and information to over the past couple of years. Everything from our vision to helpful integration ideas can be found on this site! Feel free to join our forum and join the discussion about computer use!
  MoHI BYOD

Using Technology to Collect and Analyze Data

; There are many ways teachers can use technology in creative ways to promote inquiry.  I recently joined the Global Ozone Project  to  measure local ozone and black carbon levels.  We were loaned the equipment and sensors to take walking treks to measure data and then it was uploaded to the GO3 website. Students joined the site so they could blog about the data.

Here is a link to our first trek-- MHS Parking Lot Trek

This project brings relevance to the classroom by involving students in an actual ongoing experiment. They get the chance to collect data, analyze it using Google Earth 3D mapping software and blog about their hypotheses/preliminary conclusions. My students can see treks from all over the world and make global connections!

How are you using technology in a novel way to promote critical thinking skills?

Transforming the School

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2010/12/12/stress-and-the-high-school-student/change-the-pace-of-the-school-day

BVSD schools have done all of the things mentioned in the above article, but I do not think it is enough.  I feel that taking 7-8 classes is too many for students, especially since most of them are involved in sports or other after school activities.  Students seem to mindlessly go from one class to another--always feeling behind and just "jumping through the hoops."  There is no real incentive for learning!  I call for a drastic change in the scheduling-- a transformation.  I envision a school where students have large blocks of time to work on and understand the curriculum.  Blocks that are integrated where students are applying mathematics, science, history and language and integrated arts together.  For example, Colorado College (http://www.coloradocollege.edu/) is an example where students take one or two classes at a time, thereby focusing on one area.  I envision a learning environment where students aren't busily running from one class to another, sitting listening to lecture after lecture-- I envision a place where bells are not necessary, students work together in larger multi-faceted areas with access to the latest technology and tools, where they can critically think and apply their knowledge in innovative and imaginative ways.  I envision a place where service learning is an integral part of the curriculum and where educators connect students to opportunities.

I know this vision is not a panacea, but it is time we critically examine why we use the school schedules that we do?  Life has changed drastically over the past 100+ years since public schooling has become the norm---why have we not (for the most part) changed our school schedules?  Is there a better way? What is holding us back?

What are your thoughts?

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