Well, our technology inquiry unit has come to an end.  We are so proud of all you accomplished!  Your presentations were better than we could have anticipated.  Thank you for your hard work and dedication.  Although we did not get many business leaders from the community, we had a great turn out.  Check out the TodaysMeet page we set up and see what our visitors had to say.

TodaysMeet comments by showcase visitors

If you didn't have a chance to see your classmates presentations, check them out.  You can find the links under the "Go Public" tab.

Thanks again for a fabulous show of your knowledge!  You were awesome!

Today's the Day!

5th graders are busy finalizing their projects for the Learning Showcase tonight.  We thank all that have followed our journey and plan to attend the grand finale this evening!  If you visit the "Go  Public" tab you can find links to the completed projects.  Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

A Few Reminders

Wow!  I sure am impressed with how hard everyone is working.  It is exciting to see these projects come together.  Please remember the following things:

• Cite your sources:  If you are using data from an article or video you have to cite the source.  You may included a source page at the end of your project.
• Cite your sources again:  When adding pictures to your project, you must cite the source as well.  That can be done by copy and pasting the link under the picture.
• Edit your work:  These will be seen by an authentic audience.  You don't want to have spelling, capitalization or grammar errors.  Ask your parents to help.
• Support your thinking:  Include specific tools, details, and research.  

In addition, remember to check out the other tabs in this blog.  Some helpful resources have been listed in the coalesce page.  Keep up the good work!

Today we have started exploring the technology tools available to us as learners.  If you run across a tool you especially think is perfect for this inquiry project, please post it on Padlet.  Follow the link below:

Tools, Tools, and more Tools on Padlet

Hello 5th graders!

I have enjoyed reading your comments.  The more we learn about technology in the future of education, the more I feel it really isn't about the technology.  It's about developing skills as learners to be able to handle the technology of the future.

I came across another video as I was researching this topic of technology and 21st century learning.  It sends a very strong message to teachers.  Just like the article we read today stated, teachers need to be more than the dispensers of education.  They need to be facilitators.  Personally, that scares me and excites me.  I love seeing what 5th grade minds are capable of, but I also have a hard time giving up the control.  I have to remember how smart you all are and remember,  when you are given choices you are more likely to perform at a higher level!

Enjoy the video. What is 21st Century Education

HSD 2025

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to learn all about HSD 2025 when Mrs. Bowen-Eggenbraaten came to visit. I found it very interesting the process the district followed when answering the essential question "What do schools need to be like prepare students for the future?".  That process is very similar to the process we are following to answer our essential question "How will technology help me as a lifelong learner?"

We are currently in phase 1, the discovery phase.  Our research has begun and we are learning as much as we can about schools of the future, skills needed to be most successful, and what tools will help us be prepared.

Mrs. Bowen-Eggenbraaten talked about the same things.  The district wanted to learn as much about those ideas as well in order to develop the district's graduate learner outcomes.  I am excited to see how what we learn will relate to HSD 2025.

Now it's time to start thinking about phase 2.  The phase when we look at everything we have learned and we figure out what it means for you as learners of the future.  Think about these guiding questions as we move forward in our inquiry process:

• Is it the technology that is going to prepare us for the future or is it the skills we can gain from utilizing technology?
• What are those skills needed to prepared for jobs, problems, and technologies that don't even exist yet?
• How can technology be used as a tool to prepare us?

Do you have any answers to those questions yet?  What are your thoughts?  What are your wonders? Share your thinking by commenting below.

What does it mean for students and teachers?

5th Graders,


What a fascinating conversation we had today after we watched the youtube video called Did You Know? Feel free to share it with your family by following this link:Did You Know?


The video ended with the question ” What Does it Mean?” Think about that question as you watch this next video called Technology in the Classroom: Digital Media. This video moves very quickly. Be sure to pause it as you watch so you are able to read the text. You will find the text provides the most powerful and thought provoking information.


Once you have watched it at least once, respond by commenting below. Think about the title of this post “So What Does it Mean for Students and Educators?” and then use what you watched to try and answer that question. As we study technology in the world, in our classrooms, and our homes, we are going to continually ask ourselves what it means for us as learners and citizens.


We will be discussing our thoughts tomorrow in class. I am excited to read about what you took from the Technology in the Classroom video. As always, remember to write in complete sentences, support your thinking with details and examples and edit your post!


Happy Learning!


Mrs. S.