© York University 2003 © Janet Murphy 2003 This work is the intellectual property of the author. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the author. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the author.

© York University 2003 Plug into Learning Connecting People Changing Practice

© York University 2003 ABEL Vision Improving student success through: Collaborative learning community (teachers, faculty, pre-service teachers and students) New blended learning environments for classrooms, schools and districts Interactive web-based learning resources Sustainable inter-jurisdictional and inter- institutional collaboration Institutional change

© York University 2003 ABEL Community of Practice 360 educators and partners (public/private) –K-12 and postsecondary –13 sites in Ontario and Alberta on CA*net –Teachers –Faculty (college and university) –Pre-service teachers –Students –Researchers –Experts/mentors –Private sector contributions – capacity building – content, tools and services –Growing list of public sector partners: TVO, Barrier Free, StatsCan, Historica, Ontario Science Centre, Alberta Learning, Ontario Ministry of Education …

© York University 2003 Technology En-abeled Learning People Data, Information, Knowledge Instruments, Facilities Distributed, computer-based tools and services ABEL Learning Engine/Platform Hardware, software, personnel, services, institutions 1. Technical - Tools and services 2. Learning –Managing the human aspect and pedagogy 3. Research – Informing the process

CA*Net4 ONET SenecaYork U. Anlon Tutor Buddy TDSBYRDSBGTBELLTelus 20MB10MB Historica Intelligence Online Ontario Science Centre TVO Statistics Canada – E-STAT GTJPP – via U of Calgary Centre – via U. of Alberta Victoria – via U. of Alberta U. Of Alberta Banff Centre GalileoTelusShaw NETERA Edmonton Homes WWW ABEL Connectivity Layer 10MB Ramius Corporation U. Of Ottawa VC Bridge ONET

© York University 2003 ABEL Learning Engine/Platform A collaborative learning community –CaNET*4 and broadband networks –Access to digital content (e.g. streaming media, ON LOR/Portal, CRB, Professional Development Resources) –Collaborative technologies –Content management tools –Web services –Videoconferencing technologies –Help Desk and Support

© York University 2003 Student Comment “There were so many ways to communicate because there was even an MSN messenger type of device used where we could ask questions and get an immediate response from someone in Ontario.”

© York University 2003 Professional Learning Program Transforming teacher practice –Participant-driven design (job-embedded, ongoing, reflective practice) –Sharing (create, reuse, repurpose) multimedia learning objects –Modular –Blended Learning – (face-2-face and online) –Leadership –Inter-institutional, Inter-jurisdictional –Accredited

© York University 2003 ABEL Teaching and Learning Program ICT Core Modules Education Modules Collaborative Projects Research Projects TechnologyTeacherTeacher (subjectAction Skill Development and Integration Requested/ Teacher Developed specific) collaboration. Student-centered collaboration (topic specific) Research, Case study, Group research -Using LCMS -Using Digital Resources -Inquiry- based Teaching -Applied Math Lesson -Human Rights Student /teacher perceptions of ABEL learning PD Activity Nature Of Activity Example

© York University 2003

Teacher reflection improves the experience

© York University 2003 “The professional learning model is amazing. This affords our teachers and faculty with many opportunities for accreditation.” Principal “I’m so impressed with what you have achieved the past year. Good luck in the year ahead.” Robert Lebans, Accreditation Consultant

© York University 2003 ABEL Research Supporting ongoing innovation in: Student learning Teacher/faculty professional learning Personalized lifelong learning environment Instructional designs that make best use of broadband in classrooms Organizational change/ cultural transformation to embrace eLearning

© York University 2003 ABEL First Interim Research Report, July 2003July 2003 Teachers have begun implementing broadband technologies in their practice in ways that are breaking through the bounds of traditional pedagogies, offering their students more authentic and engaging learning experiences

© York University 2003 The ABEL Project: First Interim Evaluation Report, June 2003 Student responses to ABEL projects: “I learned an approach to problem solving by starting small and finding patterns.” “I learned how to think a different way when attempting a question.” “There were so many ways to communicate because there was even an MSN messenger type of device used where we could ask questions and get an immediate response from someone in Ontario.” Teacher response to student involvement in ABEL projects: “[I] was highly pleased to see students who “were once in a competitive mode now working in a collaborative mode…”

© York University 2003 The ABEL Project: First Interim Evaluation Report, June 2003 “ABEL teachers consider the opportunity to build relationships with their colleagues as the primary strength of the project.” “Students have been exposed in presentations and dialog to expert thinking in different disciplines, and have had opportunities not to simply learn new facts but understand patterns and interconnections on a deeper level.”

© York University 2003 “The professional learning model is amazing. This affords our teachers and faculty with many opportunities for accreditation.” Principal “I’m so impressed with what you have achieved the past year. Good luck in the year ahead.” Robert Lebans, Accreditation Consultant

© York University 2003 Implementation Strategy “Design, Develop, Deliver, Evaluate” Strategies and services that are adaptable to various communities –Schools –Boards –Provinces Model for Private/Public sector collaboration and support Model is adaptable to business and health care sectors Business models for sustainability

© York University 2003

Teaching, Learning, Collaboration! Teacher skills and confidence using technology “..we are beginning to use a common language and becoming comfortable with the equipment. I am getting a sense of community developing…”

© York University 2003 Teaching, Learning, Collaboration! Pre-service programs in Faculties of Education “Through the ABEL Project we have had a taste of how to use technology in the classroom and some insight as to how limitless it can be.”

© York University 2003 Teaching Learning Collaboration! Our ultimate goal- Improved student success

© York University 2003 Teaching, Learning, Collaborating Changing cultures in institutions-cooperation "Listening in to the Social team videoconference and online chat session today, I was so elated to hear one of our Ontario champion teachers say that "thanks to the ABEL tools and collaboration she was able to do so much really exciting curriculum development work…”

© York University 2003 * May –June Projected

© York University 2003 *June Projected

Administrative Environment  Integrated  Flexible  Accessible  Adaptable  Cost-Effective Learning Environment  Accesses Technology  Networked  Internet Enabled  Multi-media Rich Community Environment  Informed  Connected  Interactive  Involved Instructional Environment  Student-centred  Project-based  Skill-focused  Skilled use of Technology  Access to a wide variety of information  Communicate in a variety of ways  Collect, manipulate, analyze, evaluate,  report and present information  Use computer networks to share  and communicate with others The Connected Student / Staff / Community  Actively participating in the learning process  Social and group learning and interaction skills  Appropriate use of technology as receptive and expressive media  Develops and uses knowledge, skill, and attitudes to succeed in a technology oriented society

© York University 2003 "I can't teach without ABEL." We are changing schools. We are changing education as it can be delivered to our students. That is an amazing task.” “Using the technology to leverage the power of collaboration… as teachers shared their ideas and other teachers/partners built on them and provided resources.”..we are beginning to use a common language and becoming comfortable with the equipment. I am getting a sense of community developing… “Through the ABEL Project we have had a taste of how to use technology in the classroom and some insight as to how limitless it can be.” Possibilities

© York University 2003 One Final Word – ABEL Teacher Dee Elder – Brief Introduction Student Results Concluding Remarks

© York University 2003 ABEL Plug into Learning! “ABEL is gaining recognition across Canada for its innovation in teaching and learning. The strong collaboration among ABEL teachers, school administrators, researchers and private sector is a model for Canada’s innovation agenda. ABEL is branded as Canada’s #1 source for Broadband Enabled Learning.” Dr. Stan Shapson, Vice President Research and Innovation, York U

© York University 2003 Thank you Janet Murphy Obadiah George