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 Setting the Stage > Powerful Readings > Resources

Favorite Resources

A great book to set the stage is Powerful Learning by Ron Brandt. This book is available from Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). Brandt identifies and describes the conditions that support powerful learning.

NCREL's Plugging In: Choosing and Using Educational Technology focuses on learning and technology. This is a great resource for creating a vision for learning that is supported by technology.

Using Inspiration software for planning, organizing, and brainstorming during Setting the Stage is an excellent way to model the use of graphic organizers to support learning. Then, Visual Tools and A Field Guide to Using Visual Tools explains how graphic organizers help us learn and offers ideas for supporting and extending learning. This book by David Hyerle is available from ASCD.

Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe's book, Understanding by Design, provokes thinking about teaching and learning. They challenge our thinking to promote "understanding understanding" and backwards design. Wiggins and McTighe's companion book, The Understanding by Design Handbook, provides suggestions for activities and discussions. Both are available from ASCD.


Others Resources


"Technology in Today's Classroom"

This Skip Stahl video focuses on technology and students with special needs. There are 5 modules which can be used for professional development. Each module provides a unique vision of the expanding potential of educational technology. The video is available for purchase from Canter & Associates Telephone: 800-262-4347 and for preview and checkout at the Indiana Educators' Technology Center (ETC) located at IUPUI in Indianapolis. Telephone: 800-222.4223.

"Live & Learn"

 Inspired by filmmaker George Lucas, "Live & Learn" is a one-hour documentary hosted by Robin Williams. The video shows innovative schools integrating technology with teaching and learning and involving parents, business, and the community. The focus is on student learning and the question, "What's best for our children?" The video and facilitator's book illustrate how technology, hands-on projects, assessment, and reflection can help students reach their potential.
Materials are available from the George Lucas Educational Foundation. Telephone: 888-4RKIDS1, and for preview and checkout at the Indiana Educators' Technology Center (ETC) located at IUPUI in Indianapolis, 800-222.4223.

"CD-ROMs Captured Wisdom Library"


This CD-ROM collection presents stories of teachers who are using technology to make a difference in student learning. Each story includes video clips and narratives to illustrate how that teacher uses technology to support student learning. By clicking on a particular question in the Frequently Asked Questions section, the user can access teachers' thoughts about learning issues, goals, and assessment through both text and audio. These CDs, a great resource to create a vision of how technology can be effectively used to support student learning, are available from North Central Regional Education Lab, (NCREL).

"The Motivational Power of Technology/The Last Lie"


This article was written by Alan November for Curriculum w Technology Quarterly. November's powerful article tells the story of two of his high school students who totally changed his vision of technology as a motivator for student learning. He makes a strong case for ensuring that all students develop what he identifies as "Skills of Freedom." The article presents students' views regarding the effective use of technology for learning. It is available online: http://www.ascd.org/readingroom/ctq/vol08/1winter.html

"Talking With Alan November"


In an interview for North Central Regional Education Lab (NCREL), Alan November answers questions about his vision of the role of technology in education, online learning, and the skills online learning requires. Although this resource is designed for parents, it stimulates thinking about using technology effectively. The article is available online at http://www.parentech.org/talkwith/twan.htm

"Reaching for the North Star"


This video highlights an exemplary school using technology, authentic learning and assessment, and student-led conferences to ensure students' attainment of high standards. This video portrays students not only assessing their own learning and setting their own goals but also articulating their own progress toward standards. Video segments provide a vision of the effective use of technology by highlighting students collaborating on technology-based projects and discussing their learning. This video is available for purchase from Phi Delta Kappa International Center for Professional Development and Services, P.O. Box 789, Bloomington, IN 47402-0789, Telephone: 800-766-1156.