 Bob Sprankle, educator, technology integrator (and innovator) and the 2006 Maine Technology Teacher of the Year was the special presenter for the May Nortel LearniT/National Institute of Aerospace Web Chat: Project-based Learning: Authentic Learning/Authentic Assessment. View an archive of his Web Chat.
In addition to his recent publications, Caught on Video" in the April 2008 issue of Technology & Learning and "4 Weeks to a Flatter You" in PBS Media Infusion, Bob has his own podcast and blog ("Bit by Bit") on classroom technology integration.
Bob's web chat presentation will explore "Authentic Learning / Authentic Assessment" by sharing his adventures in the classroom and examining the need for "democratizing" learning environments to prepare our students for the shifting global landscape.
Learn more about: Web Chat topics
Using the book Wikinomics as a jumping-off point, Bob's going to focus on the monumental, global shift from people being "consumers" to becoming "prosumers." From what "wikinomics" means for businesses, as "smart companies" change to allow services' "democratization", he'll then connect with how we as teachers/schools need to do the same: to engage our students by providing environments that match the rest of their reality: i.e., allowing them to be prosumers in school, just as they are becoming outside of school to prepare our students for this transformed global landscape
Bob shared personal classroom implementation from "Web 1.0 Classroom web site" to Web 2.0 blogs and podcasts. He related the success of using MIT's Scratch program in the computer lab to illustrate the benefits and successes of allowing students to create authentic products that have real purpose. He covered how the new video technology advances not only support further engagement and partnership with students, but also are an excellent tool to capture their authentic learning experiences, i.e., to name just a few, students may be "caught on video"/ catch themselves on video to:  Film students on the first day of school, asking them what their goals are for the school year.
 Ask a student to demonstrate how to solve a math problem and capture his exact process (rather than just the answer).
 Bring the outside world in: video your own experiences to share
Join the web chat and learn even more!
As a final wrap up, Bob referred to an article he wrote for PBS' Media Infusion last year called "4 Weeks to a Flatter You", a primer for teachers starting their Web 2.0 journey.
More about Bob Sprankle
Bob Sprankle has taught at Wells Elementary School in Wells, ME, for the past 12 years and recently became the Technology Integrator, serving students K-4. He was awarded Maine's Technology Teacher of the Year in 2006 from the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM). From Bob's welcome page you can link also to his school and classroom web sites. Watch for Bob's upcoming article in late June focusing on the next steps: Democratization and "Crowdsourcing". Production Checklist | 
