ANNOUNCING NEW AALF COURSE:
The VISUAL Experience: Visualization and Simulation as "Tools to Think With"
Click here to learn more!
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SURVEY SAYS!
How do you define 1:1?
Let us know by responding to our 10-second poll!
We will share more survey and poll results in upcoming issues, so stay tuned!
Thank you for participating!
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SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE
A teacher in Massachusetts asks:
"What method do you suggest for printing using Anytime Anywhere Learning? We have printers in every room and 300 students with laptops who move from room to room each day. We only want them to use the printer in the room in which they are. Our concern is that students will keep printing things to the wrong rooms because they aren't paying attention."
Any advice? Click here to share your expertise!
A teacher in Virginia asks: "We are currently doing a 1:1 initiative and wanted to contact 1:1 schools nearby to ask if they charge a fee for laptop/technology use. Are there any 1:1 schools which do so?"
Can you assist her? If you have any information, please click here to share your expertise or send us your contact details and we'll forward them on to her.
Thanks for sharing!
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EVENTS 
Check Events on the AALF website regularly to keep up-to-date on other events of interest to the 1:1 community. Dec. 1, 2011 Great Lakes 1:1 Conference, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Feb. 6-8, 2012; Apr. 2-4, 2012 Cincinnati Country Day School Tablet Conferences Feb. 22- 25, 2012 ASB Un-Plugged Mumbai, India March 5-7, 2012 COSN Conference AALF President, Bruce Dixon, is a spotlight speaker on March 6th. June 24-27, 2012 ISTE 2012 San Diego, California July 9-12, 2012 Constructing Modern Knowledge Manchester, New Hampshire July 15-17, 2012 Lausanne Laptop Institute Memphis, Tennessee |
AALF COACHING
AALF coaches provide support for educators at all levels and, working either individually or in expert teams, coaches and consultants support educators and policy makers at every phase of their 1:1 initiative.
For additional information regarding AALF coaching support, go to the Coaching and Mentoring Services page of our website, or contact Karen Ward at service@aalf.org
Coaching Services now available in Australia. For more information, contact: Susan Einhorn at seinhorn@aalf.org
CONTRIBUTING TO AALF
Our AALF worldwide newsletter readership continues to grow.With this in mind, we would like to invite foundation members to get involved with the content of our bi-monthly newsletters. We are currently looking for articles on the following themes:
Current Issues in 1:1
Student Voice
New Learning Spaces
Teaching Practices & 1:1
Learning Frameworks
If you have something you would like to contribute, please contact Justina Spencer (jspencer@aalf.org or 425.502.6900) We look forward to hearing from you!
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The Foundation thanks all its partners for their ongoing support.
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Greetings!
Welcome to the November edition of the AALF newsletter. This month we re-visit an often requested editorial by Bruce Dixon, President of AALF, from November 2008 that discusses developing a culture of innovation in our schools. We also have an editorial by Susan Einhorn, Executive Director of AALF, who writes about the importance of defining a clear message concerning 1:1.
This issue also includes an article by Peter Skillen, Manager of Professional Learning for Social Media with the YMCA of Greater Toronto, about the real meaning and value of collaboration; Claudia Urrea, Director of Learning for Latinoamerica at OLPC, talks about critical factors for the design of teacher professional development. In addition, we have an article by Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana, Co-Directors of the Right Question Institute, exploring how to get students to ask their own questions; and AALF coach Karen Ward, who discusses rich learning environments for students and teachers. As well, you'll find some of our regular features: Survey Says and Share Your Expertise.
Click on the link at the end of each article to read it in its entirety on our website. You can comment or add your stories to any of these articles. We would love to hear from you!
Enjoy!
Justina Spencer
AALF Communications
jspencer@aalf.org
Be sure to follow us on:
 
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RESEARCHING WHAT FOR WHY?
In the November 2008 edition of the AALF newsletter, Bruce Dixon, President of the Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation, discussed the increasing stream of research that has targeted the use of technology in schools and asked: How can we support innovative teachers taking risks, if every move is covered by a researcher measuring outcomes? Click here to read Bruce's thoughts on research and innovation. |
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DEFINING 1:1--MORE THAN A SNAPPY PUNCHLINE
In this editorial, Susan Einhorn, Executive Director of the Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation, discusses the importance of clearly defining our beliefs, goals and expectations around 1:1, and cautions that the very definition of 1:1 is beginning to change. Click here to read Susan's thoughts on clear definitions.
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WHY SHOULD STUDENTS COLLABORATE?
We hear it all the time now. Students must collaborate. It is a 21st century skill! But, what is the deeper, fundamental meaning behind this phrase? In this article, Peter Skillen, Manager of Professional Learning for Social Media with the YMCA of Greater Toronto discusses the issue of collaboration, and explores how it can contribute to the sharing and building of knowledge. Click here to read more on student collaboration!
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TEACHING STUDENTS TO ASK THEIR OWN QUESTIONS
 Imagine a classroom where students are more engaged, take greater ownership of their learning, and learn more as a result. In this article, Dan Rothstein and Luz Santana, Co-Directors of the Right Question Institute, discuss how their work has shown that powerful changes can be achieved using a simple strategy - teach students to ask their own questions. Click here to read more about The Right Question Institute!
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SURVEY SAYS RESULTS!
In our previous survey, we asked: "How does your school or district factor in Student Voice?" Here is what you said (we did not limit number of choices): 41.7% Peer assessment 33.3% Including students on board committees 25% Student-run technology committees 25% Including students in school-wide technology support 25% Student "academic leaders"/peer coaches 16.7% Including students on curriculum committees 16.7% Allowing students to teach lessons
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HOW TO CREATE RICH LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
 In this article, AALF coach Karen Ward asks: What are the foundations for effective and sustainable 1:1 professional development? How can we help our teachers think about the complexities of establishing the best conditions for learning? Click here to read Karen's thoughts on creating rich learning environments.
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7 CRITICAL FACTORS FOR DESIGNING TEACHER SUPPORT
 In this article, Claudia Urrea, Director of Learning for Latinoamerica at OLPC, discusses the important role teachers play in 1:1 computing initiatives and the necessity for optimum teacher support. Here, Claudia outlines seven critical factors that help determine the success of any teacher development initiative. Click here to read her list!
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 ANNOUNCING NEW AALF NEXT STEPS COURSE!
The VISUAL Experience: Visualization and Simulation as
"Tools to Think With"
Join us as we examine visual thinking - how it is often easier for us to create meaning from visual experiences than from symbolic depiction like text or numbers. In this course, consisting of four 1-hour sessions, you'll explore visualization and simulation in mathematics, sciences, social sciences, special education, and the arts, and learn about free technology tools and activities that can help your middle and high school students visualize relationships and simulate complex and emergent behavior in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, economics, mathematics, and more.
For more information, or to register, please click on the link below! Jan 30 - Feb 16, 2012
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AALF NEXT STEPS INSTITUTES-- SIGN UP TODAY!
The Next Steps Online Institutes are a series of Professional Development courses that focus on best practices of highly effective 1:1 classes and their organization, pedagogy, and learning culture. These courses concentrate on frameworks and innovative practices for teaching and learning in 1:1 classrooms. For more information, fees, or to register, please click on the dates below. WE'VE GOT LAPTOPS, NOW WHAT?! COURSE 1: FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESS During this course, participants will learn about, discuss and plan for the crucial alignment of district and/or site 1:1 goals with their classroom instructional practices and student engagement activities. JANUARY 17-26, 2012 WE'VE GOT LAPTOPS, NOW WHAT?! COURSE 2: INSTRUCTIONAL FRAMEWORKS & INCREASED STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT While building upon, We've Got Laptops, Now What? Course 1: Foundations for Success, participants will take an in depth look at the elements of successful 1:1 classes and learn about research-based frameworks and principles that guide teachers to become 1:1 pedagogical design experts.
FEBRUARY 21-MARCH 1, 2012 TAKEN 1 OR 2 OF THESE COURSES? THEN BE SURE TO CHECK OUT: WE'VE GOT LAPTOPS, NOW WHAT?! COURSE 3: MODELS OF OUTSTANDING (AND EFFECTIVE) 1:1 CLASSES Developed for people who have taken Courses 1 and 2 in the We've Got Laptops, Now What? series, this institute provides an opportunity to dig more deeply into the tools and frameworks introduced in the earlier sessions as you virtually visit with educators at highly effective laptop classes and schools around the world.
During Course 3: Models of Outstanding (and Effective) 1:1 Classes, you will have the chance to speak with experienced laptop classroom teachers or site administrators to learn about their practices and, using the tools and frameworks presented in the first two courses, to identify the strengths in each model school. These tools and frameworks will help you develop an understanding of the elements present in highly effective 1:1 programs with the expectation that you will be better prepared to incorporate the class/school models and common understandings in your own work.
Course dates: March 13 - 22, 2012, from 5-6pm EDT/2-3pm PDT. Click here for more information. This course is offered only to educators who have completed Course 1 and/or 2 of the We've Got Laptops, Now What?! series. For course registration codes, contact: service@aalf.orgDON'T MISS OUT! REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE-- CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED! Want to take all three courses? Are you part of a team? Special team and three-course package rates are available! Contact service@aalf.org for more information.
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