Table of Contents
About the Author vii
Introduction 1
Why the Digital Learning Farm? 5
Getting the Most From This Book 8
1 Welcome to the Digital Learning Farm 11
A New Culture of Learning for a New Culture of Work 13
Starting at the Top: Redefining the Role of Superintendents and Principals 16
Standing on Our Shoulders: The Role of Teachers in the Digital Learning Farm Model 18
Owning Their Learning: Student Jobs on the Digital Learning Farm 20
Tutorial Designers 20
Student Scribes 21
Student Researchers 21
Global Communicators and Collaborators 21
Taking It Home: The Role of Parent Support 22
Balancing Responsibility, Shifting Control 23
Questions for Discussion 24
2 The Student as Tutorial Designer 25
The Story: Student Tutorial Designers Power the Mathtrain 28
Tools and Techniques: Working With Student Tutorial Designers 33
Using Basic Screencasting Equipment 33
Taking Cues From the Students 35
Questions for Discussion 37
3 The Student as Scribe 39
The Story: The Student Scribe Program Lifts Learning 41
Giving Every Student an Opportunity to Shine 41
Motivating Students With Feedback From a Worldwide Audience 42
Building Lifelong Learners and Their Legacy 43
Tools and Techniques: Adopting the Student Scribes Approach 45
Questions for Discussion 48
4 The Student as Researcher 49
The Story: Student Researchers Develop Critical Skills 51
Tools and Techniques: Guiding Student Researchers 55
Assessing Online Information Sources 56
Building a Custom Search Engine 57
Using Advanced Searches 60
Questions for Discussion 63
5 The Student as Global Communicator and Collaborator 65
The Story: Students Take Their Place in the Global Forum 68
Tools and Techniques: Guiding Students to Become Global Learners 72
Searching for Other Perspectives 73
Using Skype 75
Questions for Discussion 78
6 Joining Forces in Purposeful Work: The Legacy of Student Contribution 81
A Student Wiki-and Legacy-Is Born 82
Driving Collaborative, Lifelong Learning 83
Spreading the Medium and the Message 85
Questions for Discussion 88
Epilogue 89
References and Resources 91
Index 93
