ISTE, Innovative Learning and Being Self-Directed

This post is going to try to capture some of the enthusiasm that I have for innovative learning.  Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting with the D214 ITF's and API's to discuss innovation and our upcoming trip to the ISTE conference.  ISTE is the International Society for Technology in Education.  Their standards for Students, Teachers and Administrators have all been a guiding force in my career over the last five years in my role as Director for Innovative Learning at DPS109.  How can we, as educators, both teach and model these standards to improve learning?  How can we more effectively integrate technology into instruction so that students can be both engaged and self directed?  These essential "21st century skills," those of creativity, communication, collaboration, media literacy and self directed learning need to be evident in today's instruction.  I am looking forward to attending the sessions at ISTE2014 and then bringing the conversation back to D214 and BGHS.

Yesterday, one of my sons researched a new computer program, read the reviews online, downloaded it, tried to use it, realized he needed to know more before he could really use it, so he found several tutorial videos on You Tube, watched them and then returned to the program to keep working.  He's 10 years old and in 4th grade.  I was so proud of his self-assessment, perseverance and determination to acquire the skills he needed to complete the task that he wanted to accomplish with this new program. More importantly, he experienced success at a challenging task that was both innovative and engaging.  I would love to see more of these types of learning opportunities available in school for them.  Whether it is during a 20% Time/ Genius Hour segment or during regular instruction, we need to encourage innovative learning opportunities for students and teachers.  As lead learners in our classrooms and schools, we can own our own learning, create professional learning networks to support continuous growth and work to engage students creativity and innovation.