Hauna Rose is an 8th and 10th grade English teacher at an I.B. charter school in the Central Valley of California. Hauna is really excited to share her thoughts on how she is using Learnist with her class and when first asked how she is currently using Learnist she had a lot to say.
“When I read about Learnist, I found that I liked the idea of learning and teaching and Learnist provides this through it’s array of features. My first intention was to use Learnist as a way to catalog all these amazing sources I come across as I’m reading the news, blogs, and other forms of media. Learnist provides me with an easy way to collect all these materials in their digital state and non-fiction texts without having to make copies or print and then easily organize them into units of study. I can type out my brief ideas or how I’ve used them so I don’t forget and perhaps inspire another educator looking at my collection of work.”
Hauna continues to discuss her hopes for using Learnist with literature, “Since I have a great deal of access to literature at school, and I love to see a book in a student’s hand, Learnist will eventually enable me to push students to engage with non-fiction outside the classroom. This not only helps me develop critical thinking skills, independent learning, but also falls in line with the upcoming transition to Common Core Standards. Some of the texts I teach have very little curriculum, so I find myself creating and connecting much on my own. My Learnboards offer a place for other educators to find not only resources, but I hope, they become springboards for their own inquiry and curriculum development. I’ve centered most of my Learnboards around units of study so that students and educators can make evidence modern applications and also support thought and inquiry.”
“Before Learnist, I used to have a ton of bookmarks that were “out of sight, out of mind,” but Learnist holds me accountable. I find the social networking aspect helpful because I know that I have an audience for my learning. It’s authentic learning for me. As I grow as a Learner, I will continue to refine my post descriptions and grow each board to reflect what I’m learning in the here and now.”
When asked how Hauna plans on using Learnist in her International Baccalaureate world school where she teaches she says, “My favorite trait is Inquirer, but for many of my students it’s also the most challenging. Learnist helps me model and support this trait for my students and as as a learner myself. I am posting materials and offering them as support, exploration, engagement, and extension. Learnist helps me differentiate instruction and I plan on also using it to push students to develop inquiry questions, reflect on our unit essential question, post analysis projects, to teach others concepts, and even to push my more accelerated students when they are ahead of the game. For example, in the spring I teach a Mass Media unit (which I have a Learnboard for extra materials and curriculum). I plan on using Learnboard as the medium for my students summative assessments.”
Hauna goes on to say. “Last year I had students make Tumblrs and Blogs, but this year I think the Learnboard will cater to and elicit feedback in a different, more constructive way. Students will be able to answer their inquiry questions based on the media they collect and upload their analysis for all to view. Learnist provides a place to authentically publish and share/ extend research. Right now, students have access to just my Learnboards for viewing, but as this school year progresses these Learnboards will become fully incorporated. I will even begin eliciting their contributions and assistance in growing and developing what is present. ”
Hauna’s favorite feature is what Learnist is designed to do. “My favorite aspect of Learnist is the fact that it’s learning hub. I love seeing and being inspired by how others teach or educate in multiple ways by looking at other Learnboards. We live in a world with so much information. Learnist offers a way to harness this type of information, order, construct, evaluate and apply what we know and discover. There aren’t many other types of applications and networks that offer something as expansive yet focused and rich as Learnist. The feature that really enables me to explore is the re-add option. I saw a fellow Learner posting about “not having to reinvent the wheel” and I think that the re-add feature really helps me find the best information and share it easily on my boards, maybe even in different ways. It’s amazing to see the web of interconnected knowledge that happens from a few hours on Learnist. ”
You can follow Hauna and her boards on Learnist here: http://learni.st/users/hrzhrzhrz
