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This article discussed important developments in technology for K12. Companies are creating eye wear, shoes, jackets that are  enhancing they classroom experience. Adidas has create wristbands that respond to commands about various topics. Smart Gloves are being developed that will enhance sign language via voice commands.

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Redefining The Role of Teachers
We chose Redefining the Role of teachers as it is our contention that as stated by Richardson, teachers should be learners first and teachers second. Teachers need to model the process of learning for students and show them what  intrinsic motivation, curiosity and creativity look like.
Given 21st century learners are more technologically "savy" the teacher's role is changing so that students are becoming more involved and responsible for their own learning experiences.  The teacher is no longer the primary king or queen in the classroom, but are adopting the role of educational guides, facilitators and co-learners.

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Makerspaces---Makerspaces are an excellent way to engage learners in hands-on, creative, higher order problem solving.  Makerspaces encourage students to design, construct, experiment, build, and invent.  Student makerspaces are relatively inexpensive to set up – find a corner put Legos, tape, cardboard, yarns, things that would normally be discards and let students tinker and build.  Give students instructions on what to build (robot, bridge, bird, etc) or let them just tinker away.

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Our team chose the Key Trend - Collaborative Learning.  Our definition of collaboration is "working together as a group to achieve a learning goal."
This, in our opinion, is the trend of the 21st Century.  As an article in the 2016 Horizon Report stated that collaborative efforts paired with technology = social and emotional skill development.  This is an area that students today can really benefit from.

There is unlimited potential for our students, teachers, parents, and administrators.
This Trend of education with technology gives easy access to share in real time.
CAS (Collaborate/Acess/Share)
During our Google search, we noted many benefits.
Some benefits of Collaborative Learning are:
1.  Team-based learning
2.  Competitions such as debates, fairs, etc.
3.  Problem-solving
4.  Students become leaders
5.  Teachers as facilitators
6. High-level thinking skills
7. Foster social skills
8.  Foster real-life situations
Collaborative Learning yields the opportunity for teachers to eventually step back (take the backseat and let the students take the driver's seat to learning.

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We chose Students as Creators.  Young minds are more in tune to the latest innovations in technology; therefore, they are more inclined to tap into their creative side.  Students turn what we would view as games into interactive learning.  Their peers are more motivated to try something that their peers have created instead of what was created by adults.  They view these new creations as entertainment rather than learning; when in actuality it is learning.

When students create, they are more apt to take pride in the learning process and everything involved.  The competitive nature of a student creator is motivation towards student learning.

The Google search also showed the new push for the flipped classroom in which the students serve as the facilitator and the teachers are the learners.  Students own their learning!  This is very important for personal development and building self- esteem.

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Pamela Wimbish Eric Gardner

Research shows redesign and readjustment of learning spaces can impact overall academic performance. A study conducted by the University of Melbourne indicates that students’ academic achievement increases

by 15% when transitioned from traditional classrooms to

redesigned rooms with a focus on pedagogy and layout. Schools have utilized iPad labs, informal learning spaces redesigning of hallways and labs to accommodate more incorporation of technology.

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“New kinds of learning require different approaches to classroom design,” said Leslie Wilson.   The typical classrooms, set up in rows with pupils sitting quietly is no longer acceptable with kids that are innovative and creative thinkers.      The ideal classroom is an active classroom also called a smart classroom or flexible classroom.  Creating an active  learning classroom (ALC) should be the goal of teachers and administrators.  According to Lennie Scott-Webber, the goal of active learning is to create a space that can become the catalyst for change.
Student outcomes for ALCs
Improve students’ engagement in the learning process.
Help students to outperform final grade expectations, resulting in enhanced learning outcomes.
Affect teaching-learning activities, even when the instructor attempts to hold these activities constant.
Are most conducive to student achievement when instructors blend lecture with active, student centered teaching methods.
Are perceived in a largely positive light by a broad cross-section of students and instructors.
Require some adjustment to different lines of sight and focal points.
ALCs should be student-centered and technology rich.
Some examples of active learning classrooms are shown below.
http://www.pkallsc.org/assets/files/UniversityofMinnesota-ActiveLearningClassrooms.pdf

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Coding creates a shift from using computers to how computers are built according to the article. It helps to enhance problem solving skills and computional skills. It also helps prepare students for career and job readiness so that they can be competitive in a global community.
CODING IN THE CLASSROOM

15+ Ways of Teaching Every Student to Code (Even Without a Computer)

With this collection of resources, you can teach your students to code—even if you’re still learning yourself.By Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher
1. Tynker Games: Use these age-appropriate games to teach your elementary students coding concepts.
2. Scratch is a programming game that can be downloaded or used online and is supported by MIT. It has a powerful Hour of Code tutorial in which students can program a holiday card in their web browser.
3. Alice is a popular platform with a unique storytelling aspect. You can use it to create a game, tell a story, or make an animated video.

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Patricia Cox, Nelva Walker, and Dawn Johnson
We chose Collaborative Learning from the Horizon Report.  Collaborative learning involves students or teachers working together to learn.  It can involve peer to peer learning  and/or group activities.  Collaborative Learning always involves: 1) the learner is always at the center, 2) it emphasized interaction and working together, 3) learners work in groups and not indivually, 4) learners find solutions to real worl problems.  Data has shown that this model has proven successful for student engagements and student achievement.   This section shows lots of support for teachers including: 102 free online collaborative learning tools which include a list of tools for Special Education teachers

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According to Johnson, "Effective collaboarative learning is an educational approach to teaching and learning that involves groups of students OR teachers working together to solve a problem, complete a task, or create a product".
Rosa and I concur, increased effective collaboration exposes teachers to improved practices, which leads to stronger pedagogy.
The following are deemed the top ten benefits of collaborative learning:

1. Develops higher level thinking skills

2. Promotes admin.-faculty interaction and familiarity

3. Increases teacher retention

4. Builds self esteem in teachers

5. Enhances teacher satisfaction with the learning experience

6. Promotes a positive attitude toward the subject matter

7. Develops oral communication skills

8. Develops social interaction skills

9. Promotes positive race relations

10. Creates an environment of active, involved, exploratory learning. (Panitz, 2017).

Reference(s):
Johnson, David B. archive.wceruw.org/cl1/CL/moreinfo/MI2A.htm

Panitz, T. (2017). Benefits of Collaborative Learning. Retrieved from https://www.gdrc.org/kmgmt/c-learn/.html

Link to Video: Teacher Collaboration: Spreading Best Practices School-Wide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85HUMHBXJf4"TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!"

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Coding is the new literacy for the 21st century job market. Students who can code in Java or Python or even old COBOL increase their value in STEM fields. Coding when started at an early age through programs like Tynker  and Code Academy becomes another language to children. Scratch is another coding programs designed by MIT students for kids ages 8-16. This code allows students to build almost anything they can dream of and be a part of an online learning community with other coders. Many schools are adding coding to their course offerings or they have coding clubs after school. BCS currently has a partnership with TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools) to offer at least one computer science class in our high schools.
Resources
https://www.tealsk12.org/
https://www.codecademy.com/#!/exercises/0