Lesson Planning Pyramid

Mimi Ito at the Huffington Post writes about Connected Learning:

Connected learning is when you're pursuing knowledge and expertise around something you care deeply about, and you're supported by friends and institutions who share and recognize this common passion or purpose. Connected learning is not about any particular platform, technology, or teaching technique, like blended learning or the flipped classroom or Khan Academy or massive open online courses. It's agnostic about the method and content area. Instead, it's about asking what is the optimal experience for each learner and for a high-functioning learning community?

What stands out the most for me in this paragraph isn't what Connected Learning is, it's the fact that connected learning isn't about one particular platform or technology.  Here's what I love about this. In a recent interview for a media specialist position (which I didn't get, but realized I didn't actually want), I was asked repeatedly exactly how I would use the SMARTboard in the classroom.  During the interview, I had no really good answer to this question.  I have used SMARTboards in the past, but I don't sit around thinking about lesson plans that revolve around SMARTboard use.  I think the interviewers took note of the slightly blank look on my face, but when I got out of the interview, I really took the time to think over how I should have answered that question. 

I realized is that I view SMARTboards (and any other piece of educational technology that comes along) merely as a teaching tool, not as a platform for learning.  The SMARTboard is not necessarily the answer to every lesson planning question, and teaching and learning in the media center does not revolve around the SMARTboard.  I want my teaching to be based around BIG ideas, like Connected Learning, Inquiry Learning, Information Literacy, Technology Literacy, Reading for Life, Lifelong Learning, etc.  Yes, technology is important.  Teachers need to know technology to be able to teach technology.  Often technology allows us to amp up our instruction and really connect with students' interests and learning styles.  But technology shouldn't be where our lessons start. 

Sylvia Rosenthal Tolisano over at the Langwitches Blog wants teachers to Upgrade and Amplify their instruction.  She's put together a great checklist for teachers to follow:

Notice that Step 1 in an upgraded and amplified lesson actually starts with objectives and standards - not with technology!  Then instruction is upgraded to take advantage of students' strengths in learning, include Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS), and ensure that literacies are being addressed (here technology would come in in the form of Technology Literacy).  Finally, technology really comes into play, in the form of creating products and artifacts and reaching a real audience. 

So, here's how I visualize lesson planning:

What do you think?