What and How...

After processing, clarifying, and simplifying with the Technology TEAM; a few key things have been rolling around in my mind as I prepare for our staff development next Monday.  I keep reminding myself that:

• It's all about student learning!  What do students need to learn?  What do they already know?  How do they learn best?  We know that their minds work in much different ways than ours did when we were elementary aged students.  They are truly "wired" differently!  Reflecting on data we collect about our students and by reading current research we are starting to understand what students already know, how they come to school "differently", and how they have different learning styles and smarts.  We know that students learn at different rates, have strengths and need different support. 
• Technology is a How in education.  It's a way to engage students in the What.
• We are all part of a community of learners.  We have professional development to "improve teachers' and principals' effectiveness in improving student learning".  As professionals, we need to model learning and transfer new knowledge and skills to the classroom.
• We can do this by thinking about the 4C's:  Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking!  We are not in this alone - isn't that GREAT!  Teacher, leaders, students, administrators, parents.... all stakeholders can learn and teach together.  We work together for our kids.

I am getting excited to hear what will be shared on Monday.  I "4C" great things!  Next Monday should shed some light on WHAT we will be teaching, give us a way to understand WHAT students know, and we can start to explore HOW we can teach the WHAT!