Educators today have a much greater challenge to keep students engaged in the learning experience when they are teaching a generation of multi-taskers with shorter attention spans, and less ability to focus on one activity at a time. Ipods, texting, cell phones, YouTube and digital cameras are just a few of the technologies most students use daily.
The 21st century classroom is a place where students are actively involved in the learning process. Students use advanced technologies to create media rich projects, collaborate with other classrooms using technologies like Skype and Google docs, take virtual field trips to museums all over the world, and connect with experts in many fields.
The Apple Learning Interchange (ALI) was created to give educators a place to connect with other educators of similar interests and backgrounds. ALI is a collection of media rich classroom projects and lessons called exhibits for grades K-16. Educators from all over the world have contributed projects and lessons complete with graphics, videos, podcasts, links, printable resources, and standards that you can duplicate in your own classroom. This searchable database of thousands of projects gives you an inside look at wonderfully creative projects in every academic subject area.
In addition to lesson plans and projects, ALI features collections of exhibits that are best practice examples of 21st century learning classrooms. Schools that have achieved great success with their programs, interviews with students, teachers, and administrators sharing their insight and experiences so that all schools can benefit. Here are just a few of the collections that you should definitely visit yourself:
Tour 1 to 1 Learning Programs
Apple Distinguished Schools
iLife in the Classroom
Accessibility in Education
Instructional Technology Spotlight
IPod and ITunes in the Classroom
Contributing to ALI is easy, there is an exhibit that walks you through the process step-by-step. Exhibits are created and managed using the ALI builder that allows you to upload media and content such as sound files, graphics, videos, and PDF documents. Visit the Apple Learning Interchange today to find valuable resources and ideas for your own classroom.
