6 Jobs that Enable Students to Make Valuable Contributions to their Learning Community

In his article “The Digital Learning Farm” Alan November explains that we can restore the dignity and integrity of the child as a contributor. Explaining across the country, pioneering teachers are providing students with new roles that have students making contributions to their learning communities with powerful easy-to-use tools such as screencasting and podcasting that give students opportunities to contribute content to the class. He describes six jobs that outline creative ways that your students can make valuable contributions to their learning community.

6 Innovative Jobs for Learners

Tutorial Designers
Let students document their learning and in turn demonstrate mastery and teach others.

• Resources: Screencasting, podcasting, videos
• Example: Eric Marcos http://www.mathtrain.tv

Official Scribes
Give your class the opportunity to collaboratively build one set of perfect notes.

• Resources: http://ietherpad.com, http://docs.google.com
• Example: Darren Kuropatwa’s “scribe of the day” program http://tinyurl.com/68djoz

Researchers
When questions come up during class assign one student the responsibility to search out the correct answer.

• Resources: Google’s Custom Search Engine creator

Collaboration Coordinators
In an ever-shrinking world, we finally have free access to connect with other classes and subject experts around the world.

• Resources: http://www.skype.com or any video chat client
• Example: Andrea Trudeau’s student interviews with experts about globalization at http://dps109.wikispaces.com/Skype

Contributing to Society
You class can join others in making the world a better place.

• Resources: http://www.kiva.org

Curriculum Reviewers
The curriculum review team creates material that can be used for continuous review.
Tools: Phonecasting with your cell phone.
Example: Bob Sprankle’s Room 208 Podcasts

Alan November explains that if our children are to grow up to make important contributions to our society, it is essential that we provide them with powerful tools and experiences across the curriculum and this will require a new culture of teaching and learning that engages students as contributors.

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