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Generate Instant Pear Decks

  I’ll keep this short as the video explains most of you. Any new educational technology can be complicated to dig into from scratch as you attempt to align it to learning outcomes.  Well, a new feature that Pear Deck has introduced has taken a giant leap forward to help educators do just that.  Before we jump into the new features, if you are unfamiliar with Pear Deck and why my students and I consider it the #1 EdTech tool that helps their learning, check out the video in the previous blog post.   But if you are more concerned with why you should even dive into Pear Deck or learn about this new AI generation of Pear Deck sessions to a learning target, check out the video below. Like I said, I’m keeping it short so you have time to watch the video. If you have questions, please contact me at mohammam@elmbrookschools.org or the Pear Deck Learning team at support@deck.peardeck.com . Also, check out the amazing Stacey Roshan's video on this update. 

Personalized Learning is Visible Learning



During a discussion on Personalizing Learning lead by Dr. James Rickabaugh, he recommended Visible Learning by John Hattie as good source for the research that went into some of the practice behind the personal learning framework.  I was able to read Visible Learning for Teachers by John Hattie over the weekend and was able to see how the data backed up many of the practices behind the personalized learning framework.  At the heart of it all though is that students take control of their own learning to greater degree.

I attempt to summarize my learning, I created the diagram below.  I want to use it as a guide for design and implementation of learning in my classroom.  I made it in a couple of hours so this is really just a first draft.  Any feedback would be appreciated!






Here's a more dynamic view of the Google Drawing:




What sticks out to me is that the student is identifying gaps, planning how to close those gaps, and monitoring progress towards meeting that goal.

The teacher is communicating outcomes and providing a variety of strategies to students to meet those outcomes.  Also, providing quality and relevant feedback about progress.  Also, the teacher uses assessment not to simply judge student progress, but to adapt the instruction.

As I move through the summer and redesign and improve my course design, I will be using this template to help guide my efforts.

But the data in John Hattie's book tells the story. Looking at the elements that have high effect are central to the personalized learning model.






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