Week 2 - Introduction to Learning Technologies - Blog Assignment - AIW, NETP, Triple E

What is the nature of Authentic Intellectual Work?  

(AIW Institute 2023)

Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW) is characterized as work that constructs knowledge by instituting disciplined inquiries to produce products with value beyond the schoolhouse gate (Newman 2007 p. 3).  The nature of AIW is to seek skills and knowledge that students must master to be successful in the workforce.  Newman goes on to describe that AIW includes not only the rudimentary tenets of traditional instruction, math, science, language arts and social studies, but also “provides guidelines for an education that extends beyond basic skills to more complex academic work” (p 2).  AIW focuses on preparing students for real-world intellectual demands for success in society.

When considering the AIW tenet, construction of knowledge, it is important to not only consider the subject matter but also the application.  Construction of knowledge must go beyond the “what” and include learning the "how". Critical skills such as memorization, analysis, and communication are crucial to a student’s success in society.  

Texas Education Agency Standard (TEKS) for  English Language Arts and Reading, English IV.  This standard states that students must engage in “both short-term and sustained recursive inquiry process for a variety of purposes...use an appropriate mode of delivery, whether written, oral, or multimodal, to present results” (Texas, 2017). Teaming with the 7th grade history teacher, we created a joint student project.  In this project, students were asked to that 27 major events from WWII, research and present information in an appropriate medium of their choice.  Students created hand written war journals, timelines, power points and even vintage news papers detailing these events which encompassed every major event starting with the German Occupation in 1936 through September 2, 1945 when Japan surrendered.  Not only were we presented with wonderful products from our students, but also the students were able to work on soft skills they will need to be successful as adults. (Disclaimer: The example detailed above did not actually happen - it is partly inspired by a project my son completed last year and how I might have taken it to another level, encouraging technology and collaboration - among the students and teachers. I was not sure how to describe the proposed assignment without the implication that it had taken place.)

Newman also. states that AIW must “be guided by disciplined inquiry” (p. 4). Disciplined Inquiry includes consideration of a students prior knowledge base, learning to dive deep into subjects for understanding, and to communicate not only to conduct their work but also to present results. These “soft skills” are further discussed by Liz Kolb (2020) who discusses the importance of their development in a focused and intentional way.

(Gray 2020)

How does the National Education Technology Plan (NETP) support Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW)?

The NETP was commissioned by the United States Department of Education - Office Education Technology in 2017 to encourage and guide the integration of technology in education. This plan was written for stakeholders in education including teachers, administrators and policy makers (p.4).  

(NETP 2017)

The NETP (2017) details the learning necessary to remain competitive in a global market and to “develop engaged citizens, our schools should weave 21st century competencies and expertise throughout the learning experience” (p. 10). This is not unlike the goal of the Authentic Intellectual Work Framework which is to prepare students who can not only perform tasks but to also be able to synthesize and communicate appropriately too. The NETP, buy enabling the integration of technology into education, also supports the development of “critical thinking, complex problem solving, collaborating, and adding multimedia communication into the teaching of traditional subjects” (p. 10). By integrating these skills into traditional education, the NETP supports Authentic Intellectual Work tenet of increasing the students ability to be successful beyond the schoolhouse gate.

How does the example you developed above support Engagement, Enhancement, or Extension?

(About, n.d.)

(About, n.d.)

Looking back to the joint ELAR/History project I mentioned above in relation to the principles of the Triple E Framework of Engage, Enhance and Extend.  The Triple E framework was developed by Professor Liz Kolb in 2011 to ensure that educators can "easily evaluate how to select tools to meet their learning goals, and ultimate design learning experiences so the tools have a positive impact on student achievement and learning outcomes"(About, n.d.).  Plugging this assignment into the Triple E Framework Rubric, confirms the validity of the assignment in relation to the use of technology having a positive impact on the learning outcomes.  

References

About. Triple E Framework. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19, 2023, from      https://www.tripleeframework.com/about.html 

AIW Institute. (2023). Retrieved January 15, 2023, from https://aiwinstitute.org/

Gray, P. (2020, May 21). The importance of soft skills in the workplace! Great People Solutions.

       Retrieved January 7, 2023, from

       https://greatpeoplesolutions.com.au/the-importance-of-soft-skills-in- the- workplace/

Kolb, L. (2020). Learning First, technology second in practice: New Strategies, research and          

     tools for Student Success. International Society for Technology in Education.

Newmann, F. M., King, M. B., & Carmichael, D. L. (2007). Authentic instruction and assessment:

        Common standards for rigor and relevance in teaching academic subjects. State of Iowa Department

       of Education.

Office of Educational Technology. (2017). Reimagining the role of technology in education: 2017 

National Education Technology Plan update. Retrieved from http://tech.ed.gov on Jan 15, 2023.