Learning & the Power of Play

by Colleen Worrell, Secondary Technology Integration Coordinator at HHS

Winnie the Pooh just sauntered by my office. An Italian Cafe is set up outside of the Athletic Center. Everyone from Caesar to Elsa is in the house. It’s Halloween at HHS!

Tradition dictates that Seniors not only dress up, but also compete for various prizes -- from scariest to best team effort. The energy and enthusiasm is contagious (okay, and maybe a bit distracting...), and led me to reflect upon the importance of play in our students’ daily lives.

In his book, Play, Stuart Brown, M.D., emphasizes the importance of lifelong play: “Playfulness amplifies our capacity to innovate and to adapt to changing circumstances” (Aran Levasseur, “The Power of Play in Learning” Mind/Shift).

The playfulness on display at HHS today reminds us of the potential games and play have to engage students and transform learning. Digital tools and a 1:1 environment can help facilitate this shift -- but no tech is needed to create quality learning opportunities for our students.

Here are some ways we see teachers integrating play, games, and the “gamification” of learning into students’ daily learning experiences at HHS (with and without technology):

• Rubberband car races in Physics
• Alka Seltzer lab competitions in Chem
• Barbie Bungee Jumping in Math
• Physics “party tricks” lesson activators
• Silk Road and Paper Clip Factory simulations in World History
• 1-minute science videos to open class in Chem (see this blog post on the importance of first few minutes of class and game design)
• “Tech” challenges in Freshman Tech Seminar
• Kahoot in Bio, Wellness, English, and more
• Competitive Debate in US History
• “Speed Dating” in World Languages (using the great DiLL Lab paid for with a HEF grant)
• “Franchocia” election simulation in AP English Language & Comp
• “Telephone” Photo Project in Digital Photography
• “Trick or Treat” review activity in Math (see Ms. Fairbank’s great blog on this!)
• Jeopardy and $25,000 Pyramid for test prep in multiple subjects
• Human Tic Tac Toe review activity in English
• Padlet for creative brainstorming in Art and English

Yes, students will always say that going trick-or-treating is more fun than going to school. But they come away from the experience of school with a lot more than a bag of candy.

For more images from today's Halloween event, see this flickr photo album.

Ashley Wows the Crowd at MassCUE 2014

by Colleen Worrell, Secondary Technology Integration Coordinator at HHS

HHS Senior Ashley Olafsen received a rousing standing ovation for the “Ted” style talk she delivered to educators attending MassCUE 2014, the state’s premiere technology & education conference.

Held in Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, over 1,000 attendees had their backs to the field where the Patriots and Revolution play, and were focused instead on Ashley’s story of how she’s using technology to follow her dreams. She is passionate about building self-confidence in young women in the face of a media industry that makes them feel unattractive and inadequate. 

At age 17 she has not only started a “M.O.V.Ement” to empower and motivate girls through the workshops she facilitates, but also Ashley is harnessing the power of the web to write her first book.

In her MassCUE talk Ashley explained that while new technologies have made it possible for her to get her important message out to a larger audience and connect to experts and activists, it was supportive educators like Mary Ellen Grady at HMS and Kiely Murray and Sarah Ellam at HHS who helped her to find her voice and use it to make a difference in the world.

Here are some of the Tweets that were flying through the twittersphere during and after her talk:

“Blown away by #AshleyOlafsen #massCUE2014 #HopkingtonHighSchool”

“17 yr old Ashley Olafsen will change this world with her message of positive female empowerment - She has "it"!”
“17 yr old Ashley Olafsen addressing #masscue2014 about female self image and confidence. Amazing!”
“Inspiring first TED Talk by Ashley Olafsen”
“Outstanding job! Ashley Olafsen, Senior at Hopkinton High School"
“I think that we will be hearing from Ashley Olafsen in the future. She delivered a great talk.”
“Ashley Olafsen from Hopkinton High School rocked this Ted-Talk at #masscue2014 this morning-standing ovation from the educators here!”
“What an amazing speaker at #masscue2014, Ashley Olafsen! It's so wonderful to see her enthusiasm!!”

Bravo, Ashley!

For more on Ashley’s talk and initiative, visit these resources:

• Ashley’s “Confidence to Create” Video Submission
• Storify Video of Tweets on Ashley's Presentation
• M.O.V.E. website
• M.O.V.E.ment Facebook Page

Digital-Agel Parenting Resources on the Web

by Colleen Worrell, Secondary Technology Integration Coordinator

Massively Open Online Courses, more commonly known as MOOCs (pronounced "moo-ks"), have become a familiar part of the higher education landscape over the past 5+years. They are free, open courses that are meant to both "democratize" education and to allow institutions to promote their "brand." MOOC participants can participate as much or as little as they want, depending on their own learning goals and reasons for enrollment.

While MOOCs are only just starting to have an impact on K-12 education, they have much to offer educators and students, especially at the high school level. High Schools and universities are even starting to use MOOCs to reach out to parents on everything from the college application process to digital citizenship. I wanted to share one course called "Parenting in the Digital Age," which started September 22nd. Enrollment is still open for this free course, so you may want to check it out (click on this link: Parenting in the Digital Age MOOC).

Another great resource for parenting in the digital age is the Cyberwise website. In particular, their video, "What Kids are (Really) Doing Online," is worth watching:

Don't hesitate to get in touch with me (cworrell@hopkinton.k12.ma.us) if you have any questions or need resources or advice on managing family life in the digital age.