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Collaborative learning is an educational trend based on social constructivism that is helpful. It is effective in raising engagement and in helping students to learn from their peers. In schools with a collaborative learning approach, the teachers also collaborate professionally with other teachers.

Resources:

This blog gives articles on collaborative learning, discussion boards with other teachers, videos of collaborative learning practices, and a resource that gives each group member a different responsibility.

https://www.edutopia.org/blogs/tag/collaborative-learning

This website gives technology resources that are great for elementary students to use. The site gives ways that these online resources can be used for collaborative learning in the classroom.

https://www.weareteachers.com/10-collaborative-technology-projects-your-students-will-love/

This resource gives advice on how to create a classroom space to allow for collaborative learning, as well as other educational trends. I really like that the classroom space includes technology suggestions for classroom set-up.

http://teaching.uncc.edu/learning-resources/articles-books/best-practice/collaborative-learning-spaces

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There is a growing trend in today's education system that emphasizes deeper learning practices. These practices engage the students in critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and self directed learning. The goal is to take passive learning and make it active by engaging the students in meaningful ways. . This can best be done by using real world applications and having the students study topics of their choosing. One of the leaders in implementing these approaches is Finland. Finland is expecting all of their schools to design and provide at least one  one multi-disciplinary, phenomenon- and project-based study-period per school year, in which all students have an opportunity to focus on studying topics of personal interest to them. These methods cross curriculum and incorporate real-world issues. Technologies, such as social media, are highly influential in our students lives. Using them in the classroom will not only assist in keeping  the students engaged, but it will give the student to publish and share their polished and creative work with the rest of the world!

Resources
Deeper Learning in Practice- This article breaks down six different deeper learning skills.
Deeper Learning: What is it and Why is it so effective?- This article briefly explains Deeper thinking and the psychology behind it that makes it so effective.

Deep Learning vs. Surface Learning: Getting Students to Understand the Difference- This article using deep learning strategies to show the students the difference between "learning for the test" and gaining a deeper understanding about a topic.

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Today there is a focused movement to recreate the traditional classroom and to change the whole classroom experience. These changes in todays schools are beginning with the use of innovative learning approaches. The methods that pertain to this new way of learning include project, competency, and challenged based learning. These would allow the students to move through activities more smoothly, this would completely eliminate the use of bell schedules. Some schools have even started rethinking and changing their grading policies where things like homework assignments can only be work 10% of their final grade. Other schools are allowing students to retake tests or assignments they have failed. The use of these approaches have allowed students to apply technology and foster innovative school models, linking subjects to the real world. As this learning becomes more student center it allows more flexibility within lessons. This allows room for authentic learning and independent work. Following this trend is the assumption that public, private, and charter schools are not longer the main option. Unconventional models such as open, virtual, and project-based learning schools are expanding possibilities for formal education.

Resources:

Design Thinking - This website explains the process of design thinking in the classroom.

Making Education Exciting - This is an article that explains why we need to be making education exciting for the students.

Safe and Healthy School Hours - This is an article that talks about the health benefits to changing school hour times.

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Overview:
The world is changing around us everyday. In recent decades we have made vast improvements with technology and knowledge of the world around us. This has led to our schools changing throughout the years as well. Some schools have the latest and greatest technology in their classroom and sometimes it is utilized for transforming learning, and other times its simply there for convenience purposes. However, I believe technology should be in the classroom to further our students skills in today's society. Educators are watching the transformation of our understanding of knowledge and learning. As a future educator, I want to look at what the children know and understand on how to be successful and assets to our communities. Recognizing that traditional forms of education will no longer meet our societies expectations and student needs is the first step in realizing we are a humans modeled to be dependent on technology. Giving our students paper and pencil to write certain words and sentences over and over again no longer benefits the multilayer of knowledge, understanding, and commitment it takes to be a functioning member of society. Deeper engagement and understanding comes from students when they are interested and in control of their own learning process. This is why students as creators is such a pivotal technique so the students feel ownership and responsibility in their learning, and have something to show what they have done and learned. In conclusion, teachers need to allow students the freedom to create their own projects to encompass all they have learned through the semester.
Resources:
Global Digital Citizen- This website has a list of websites, free of charge, that let students create projects and create a different way to express their knowledge!
Drive Your Students to be More Than Consumers - This is an article about how teachers need to encourage their students to create things. When students are asking to create a piece of information it allows them to understand certain ideas, topics, and/or information and get the main point to share with their readers what they know.
Students as Creators Not Consumers - This article talks about students as not only users of educational tools, but in charge and create projects via technology.

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O v e r v i e w
Computer science is one of the fastest-growing industries, and educators are taking notice.  Some countries (Australia, Estonia, and the UK to name a few) have begun implementing coding into their curriculum for both primary and secondary school students.  This is becoming a trend for two reasons: (1) programming and innovative technology development have been linked to growth in the economy, and (2) learning to code develops and encourages creativity and computational skills which are applicable in most 21st century jobs. Large computer science moguls/CEOs are pairing with nonprofits, such as Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Code.org, to grow funds to jumpstart this initiative.  Other benefits include bringing more women and ethnic diversity into the STEM field, as well as giving students opportunities to explore and develop technology who otherwise may not have access to such forms of technology.  Overall, making students and educators aware of coding as a literacy can greatly benefit our society by enhancing our careers and developing highly-needed skills in the future citizens of our society.

R e s o u r c e s
How to Teach Coding and Programming - An article that shares resources, examples, and affordable digital technologies to use in primary and secondary education
Coding Education in Schools: Crucial as English and Maths — Or is It? - An article that describes how Australia is changing its curriculum to teach students how to develop and operate the technology that is fueling their economy
A New Model for Coding in Schools - A detailed layout of how the curriculum can incorporate coding with specific grade levels and resources