Alan November @ Albuquerque Academy

"Alan November is a futurist and technological visionary with one foot firmly grounded in the realities of everyday classroom life. With knowledge, wit, and insight, he inspires his audience to pack up the school bus and venture out onto the information superhighway." ~ Ellen Duecker, Teacher

Academy Faculty Blog about Alan November

• November Learning Website (About the site, Alan's Bio)
• General Resources with short descriptions
• Alan November's Blog
• Alan's Articles
• Curriculum Resources 
• Alan's Key Concepts
• Hopes and Fears - 

  Those of us who confront change in our professional or personal lives usually experience both hopes for the future and fears of what change might bring. Initiating the change process by having people list their personal hopes and fears can sometimes help individuals see they are not alone in their perspectives. It can also help any group address concerns collectively.

  Here are example comments from participants in a workshop in Oklahoma, February, 2005 when asked: What is your best hope for what technology will provide to improve learning? & What can we lose from adding technology to our schools?

  Curriculum Resources 

  Classroom and Teacher Blogs- by content area

  Vivisimo search results -- Alan November

Departmental Resources: Counseling - English - ExEd - History - Language - Library - Math - PE - Performing Arts -  PLC - Science - Visual Arts

Counseling

Brave New World revisited?
How does television effect the way students think about the world? Written by Alan November in March 1992 when he was technology consultant for the Glenbrook High Schools, Glenview/Northbrook, Illinois.

Alan November's Articles This website contains brief introductions to 18 articles in the following categories: Features, Teaching and Learning, Thinking About Technologies, Lessons from Outside the Schools, and Other Articles. 

Also see resources above

English-- 

Alan's favorite websites for teachers:  http://www.novemberlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=150 Go to Writing Sites

Writing sites

Also see resources above

"The real test of technological integration, he believes, is information. Information changes the flow and control of information. To demonstrate this contrast, he shares the example of a school that purchases a $2,000 computer and then uses it like pencil and paper to record grades or to have students write an essay, examples of automating. Information, on the other hand, would involve students, from a variety of locations, to use their computers to collaborate with other students to write a story and then publish their work on the net for a global audience." Quote from : Davis, Stephanie. November, Alan (2001) Empowering Students with Technology. Arlington Heights, IL: SkyLight Professional Development. Education Book Reviews. Retrieved February 29, 2006, from http://www.lib.msu.edu/corby/reviews/posted/november.htm 

"Writing, music, and art take on new dimensions as a result of the integration of technology. Taken individually or in combination, students  are able to reach new levels of expertise in these disciplines with the advent of technology."..."• Tools for Production: Language Arts, Music, and Art- Shows how computers have contributed to the change of relationships in language arts to student-centered, collaborative inquiry, the use of video in student writing, and the willingness on the part of students to do more writing with higher quality. Video clips  in this session illustrate the breadth of knowledge that technology allows in all forms of language acquisition." Quotes from:
PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY: CLASSROOMS OF THE FUTURE featuring: ALAN NOVEMBER. Retrieved February 29, 2006, from http://www.teachscape.com/html/ts/public/html/body_planning_for_technology__class.html

ExEd 

Alan November's Articles This website contains brief introductions to 18 articles in the following categories: Features, Teaching and Learning, Thinking About Technologies, Lessons from Outside the Schools, and Other Articles. 

These key concepts may spur some conversations in your department.

Also see resources above

History
How do we best prepare our students to compete in a global economy? http://ali.apple.com/presentation/novemberpreso.html 

The Internet Archive is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like a paper library, we provide free access to researchers, historians, scholars, and the general public. http://www.archive.org/ 

Teaching Zach to Think http://www.anovember.com/default.aspx?tabid=159&type=art&site=19&parentid=18

Also see resources above

Language 

Uzbekistan International recipe exchange http://www.connectuz.net/index.php?showtopic=81 
These key concepts may spur some conversations in your department.
http://nlcommunities.com/communities/alannovember/archive/2005/01.aspx 
Some of the posts from this site read: "I went over the list of global project sites you sent with my students. The project they chose was an international recipe exchange. The U.S. Dept of State has an international recipe exchange program with Uzbekistan , but they never worked with Elementary-age student projects before. They decided to try it for us. Check out: http://www.connectuz.net/index.php?showtopic=81 Our students exchanged introductions, then recipes. We even mailed them some of our recipe's ingredients and some measuring cups & spoons which they couldn't get in Uzbekistan . You can see by the photos on the Internet site how excited the students were to get our package right before Christmas. There was also an accompanying art contest. One of our students won in the US elementary age group. See: http://www.harrison.k12.co.us/communications/news-artcontest.html. 

"Tools for Production: Language Arts, Music, and Art- Shows how computers have contributed to the change of relationships in language arts to student-centered, collaborative inquiry, the use of video in student writing, and the willingness on the part of students to do more writing with higher quality. Video clips  in this session illustrate the breadth of knowledge that technology allows in all forms of language acquisition." Quotes from:
PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY: CLASSROOMS OF THE FUTURE featuring: ALAN NOVEMBER. Retrieved February 29, 2006, from http://www.teachscape.com/html/ts/public/html/body_planning_for_technology__class.html

Also see resources above

Library - From Alan's favorite websites for teachers:  http://www.novemberlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=150 
Alan's recommended books: http://www.novemberlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=159&action=cat&lcl=2&parentID=25 
Alan's Book: Empowering Students With Technology
http://www.novemberlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=30 
Library Skills RSS Blog Feed: http://nlcommunities.com/communities/alannovember/archive/category/1982.aspx 
Information Literacy: http://www.novemberlearning.com/Default.aspx?tabid=160 

Search tools

Validating tools

Internet safety

Also see resources above

Math 
Alan's blog for his AP Calculus class http://apcalc.blogspot.com/

Quote: "Using technology in math and science areas allows previously  unimaginable research to occur. Mathematical principles and scientific studies come alive through virtual reality." ..."• Mathematics and Science- Demonstrates how simulation models and new technological instruments can awaken hidden worlds of science and how these models can actually bring students to an  understanding of mathematical principles." 
PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY: CLASSROOMS OF THE FUTURE featuring: ALAN NOVEMBER. Retrieved February 29, 2006, from http://www.teachscape.com/html/ts/public/html/body_planning_for_technology__class.html

"Information Literacy: A New Basic Skill" Live Chat with Alan November February 19th, 2002 http://teacherline.pbs.org/teacherline/community/winter02/transcript_winter02.cfm#impact
Snipit from transcript: Alan November: Middle School Math....
Alan November: My sense is that math will increasingly become taught more like a science lab than a history course on equations....
Alan November: Palm and other PDA are a wonderful tool in math to teach kids how to apply math to understand the world...
patm: Do we have an effective way to assess math when it's taught like a science lab?
lbetzer: Do you know of any good sites to use?
Alan November: With a sonar probe we can teach students to apply algebra...and even calculus
lbetzer: I'm sorry....what does Palm and PDA mean?
pvennebush: Are there good ways to assess science labs? I think we'd use the same types of assessment, looking for good thinking, correct procedures and clear results (i.e., correct answers).
Alan November: My favorite math/science website is www.concord.org
anne: Alan what tips would you offer about how to teach your students to think critically about information they find on the Internet?
honc: www.concord.org, (a bit difficult to read)
Alan November: The folks at the concord consortium have developed some wonderful applications for the Palm to help kids understand math and science....
Moderator: Hold on. I'm going to show this web site on all of your screens.
Moderator: Here's this web site. Alan will be right back.
amit: try http://www.anovember.com/articles/zack
kanders: this site helps to reinforce the fact that someday soon everything will become web based.
lcrosby: In science we often look for original thinking. It takes more time but if you approach it with the newer science lab thinking, such as SSCS, Search, Solve, Create and Share, then students can see and analyze each other

Also see resources above

PE 

Alan November's Articles This website contains brief introductions to 18 articles in the following categories: Features, Teaching and Learning, Thinking About Technologies, Lessons from Outside the Schools, and Other Articles. 

These key concepts may spur some conversations in your department.

Also see resources above

Performing Arts 
"Tools for Production: Language Arts, Music, and Art- Shows how computers have contributed to the change of relationships in language arts to student-centered, collaborative inquiry, the use of video in student writing, and the willingness on the part of students to do more writing with higher quality. Video clips  in this session illustrate the breadth of knowledge that technology allows in all forms of language acquisition." Quotes from:
PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY: CLASSROOMS OF THE FUTURE featuring: ALAN NOVEMBER. Retrieved February 29, 2006, from http://www.teachscape.com/html/ts/public/html/body_planning_for_technology__class.html

These key concepts may spur some conversations in your department.

Also see resources above

PLC 

Alan November's Articles This website contains brief introductions to 18 articles in the following categories: Features, Teaching and Learning, Thinking About Technologies, Lessons from Outside the Schools, and Other Articles. 

These key concepts may spur some conversations in your department.

Also see resources above

Science 
"He [Alan November] began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counselor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. ...." From: http://bcedonline.com/2004/keynote2.htm 

Quote: "Using technology in math and science areas allows previously  unimaginable research to occur. Mathematical principles and scientific studies come alive through virtual reality."
PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY: CLASSROOMS OF THE FUTURE featuring: ALAN NOVEMBER. Retrieved February 29, 2006, from http://www.teachscape.com/html/ts/public/html/body_planning_for_technology__class.html

Quote about Alan November's conference from: Hassard, Jack.. Tale of Two-Conferences, one for Educators, One for Newspaper Editors. Retrieved February 29, 2006, from http://artofteachingscience.org/?m=200507  "The conference was not about Mr. November (not to be confused with Mr. October) . Turns out the conference was about critical thinking (this idea ought to please those who advocated the “evolution and critical thinking stickers” on biology texts in the county) and information literacy, online community building, leadership and managing change, and transforming and designing new schools."

These key concepts may spur some conversations in your department.

Also see resources above

Visual Arts

Alan November's Articles This website contains brief introductions to 18 articles in the following categories: Features, Teaching and Learning, Thinking About Technologies, Lessons from Outside the Schools, and Other Articles. 

Quote: "Writing, music, and art take on new dimensions as a result of the integration of technology. Taken individually or in combination, students  are able to reach new levels of expertise in these disciplines with the advent of technology."
PLANNING FOR TECHNOLOGY: CLASSROOMS OF THE FUTURE featuring: ALAN NOVEMBER. Retrieved February 29, 2006, from http://www.teachscape.com/html/ts/public/html/body_planning_for_technology__class.html

http://nlcommunities.com/communities/alannovember/archive/2005/01.aspx 
Some of the posts from this site read: "I went over the list of global project sites you sent with my students. The project they chose was an international recipe exchange. The U.S. Dept of State has an international recipe exchange program with Uzbekistan , but they never worked with Elementary-age student projects before. They decided to try it for us. Check out: http://www.connectuz.net/index.php?showtopic=81 Our students exchanged introductions, then recipes. We even mailed them some of our recipe's ingredients and some measuring cups & spoons which they couldn't get in Uzbekistan . You can see by the photos on the Internet site how excited the students were to get our package right before Christmas. There was also an accompanying art contest. One of our students won in the US elementary age group. See: http://www.harrison.k12.co.us/communications/news-artcontest.html. When I told Luis he won the International Art contest he asked, "Does that mean I'm the best in the whole school?" His question illustrates the significance of our project. My students' "world" is our school. For them to reach out across the globe is truly significant in their lives. We are now expanding the project by extending it to exchanging information about our 2 communities ( Colorado Springs & rural Uzbekistan ). This has been a tremendous experience for our students. A local TV station even did a spotlight on the students. Thank you so much for your help in getting this started! It is impacting many lives positively! 
Wendy's story is not only inspiring, but also an excellent example of just how powerful global communication and collaboration can be. Congratulations to her and her students.
FYI, the sites sent to Wendy were:
1. Global schoolnet: www.gsn.org. (one of our favs 
2. Epals: www.epals.com (a keypal type site, but also has a lot of teachers looking to do collaborative global projects in a multitude of areas.)
3. TappedIn: http://ti2.sri.com/tappedin/ (an excellent resource for projects. Check out their calendar for a quick snapshot of all they have to offer:
http://ti2.sri.com/tappedin/do/CalendarAction.

These key concepts may spur some conversations in your department.

Also see resources above

Key Concepts

Curriculum Resources

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Alan November.....Teaching Zack to Think

This presentation by Instructional Technology expert Alan November "Teaching Zack to Think" focused on higher-order applications of technology, more specifically information literacy, critical thinking, and the Internet.

"Alan November is a futurist and technological visionary with one foot firmly grounded in the realities of everyday classroom life. With knowledge, wit, and insight, he inspires his audience to pack up the school bus and venture out onto the information superhighway."
~ Ellen Duecker, Teacher

What really struck me about his presentation was his message that we must teach children how to use the Internet. November challenged the crowd by asking us "At what age do you teach a child who the author of a book is?" His message was why aren't we teaching them about what is published on the Internet and how to tell who authored the information and for what purpose. Attached you will find notes from his presentation w/ links and resources he spoke about. Several of the examples he used are linked in the document back to his website w/ descriptions that will allow you to do these simple activities w/ your students. Isn't it time that we teach students how to take control of information on the web?

Posted by Michael Lackner on July 12, 2004 at 07:00 AM | ermalink http://mustangblog.typepad.com/magnolia_elementary/2004/07/alan_novemberte.html