I had to add this one too. Educators need to build skills to to keep learning relevant.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I had to add this!
I had to add this video because I think it falls in line with my class reflection. It is the reason why I took this course. It is the reason why I am committed to being a life long learner. The reason I want to continue to learn with my students.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Week #9 Class Reflection
Teaching and Learning in a Networked Classroom is a class that all teachers should take.Now I know how students feel when they are in a class that is relevant to what is going on in the world. You get excited about learning! A three credit class should be a 45 hour commitment. I can honestly say that I have more than 100 hours of exciting searches, experimenting, problem solving, communicating, collaborating etc. The classroom text was also relevant and current to the trends and issues in technology and education. Relevant information for both inside and outside of the classroom. By relevant, I am actually excited to take the tools and information and integrate them into my curriculum. Not to mention, I am excited to share some of these with other colleagues.
One example of how I am going to utilize the tools in this class is that I spent the better part of last week building an online networked classroom on Wet Paint. Check out the image above. I can apply all the information into the real world. This has empowered and enabled me to post announcements, class outlines, weekly assignments, project ideas, resources etc. I was so excited; I transformed two of my classes into an online Wiki environment. Both my Web Design class and my Media Presentations class will function completely online. I am excited for my students. I am even more excited because I will no longer “HOG” all the space on the school server. When you run classes that utilize technology, you need more space. I would often times experience guilt when I knew my students just submitted their projects. It wouldn't take long before the calls would start coming in. The calls and complaints would occur because there was no more space left on the server. The technology coordinator would kindly ask everyone to delete, or move something. Now, I can now run my class guilt free!
I am also realizing that my blog can be transformed into a very powerful tool to share information and connect to resources. Teachers are always searching for fun activities to add to their classroom. I can transform my blog as a tool for teachers. With Jing, I now can include video tutorials, I love JING! This tool will empower me in so many ways. I can design my own web tutorials, I can add resources to the portfolio process. Instead of showing teachers and students the same thing a thousand times, I can put a video into a blog and students can watch it as many times as they like. Teachers can watch it too! So, when students want a reminder on how to resize images, I can send them to my blog! So many exciting tools!
I am having students create their own blogs and I hope to integrate class reflection activities. Each day I will pose an essential question, quote or something that will require a reflective response. I hope blogging will be a fun way to get students engaged by thinking, reading, typing and learning. I recently came across an article by Jeff Utecht that claimed Wet Paint is making improvements for educators. I have so many exciting ideas for utilizing Wet Paint. Utecht claims that they are even removing ads on the educational wikis. This is something I have to look into. I hope it is not too late; I’ve already converted my classes. I subscribed to his blog to be sure I can stay up to date with the changes! (RSS, Gotta Love IT!!)
Some other things I am grateful for….
GOOGLE DOCS! I am already integrating GOOGLE docs. I have to track seniors and portfolios with five other people. This gives me the opportunity to set up a shared document where we can log in and record a pass/fail comments for the guidance department. This solves so many problems. Oh yea! Check out my Wordle….. I made a poster for my classroom. I created a great sub plan for students to create a wordle of their favorite teacher. Imagine a student handing their favorite Teacher a poster with kind words. That is why I love this class. I believe it is current and relevant to what is going on with the world. I am excited about blogs, wikis, RSS, google docs, audacity etc.
Week #8- Teaching in a Networked World
Teaching in a networked world gives teachers the opportunity to integrate tools and technologies that can make learning more relevant. I am excited to be involved in education when there are so many exciting new challenges. Not just for educators, but for students as well. I believe these times are an example of a paradigm shift between old school and new aged learning. At no time, have I ever considered (or imagined) connecting students all over the world. For the first time, I believe that the classroom can be an environment that is relevant to what is actually going on in the world. The world is demanding 21st Century Skills. I agree with Catherine Hiltz when she states that we are educating students for jobs that no longer exist.
This made me think of a time (years ago), I was an aide in an Algebra class. I remember students being frustrated. So many students asked “why do I have to learn this?” I remember being in turmoil because I couldn’t respond. I really couldn’t see why all students had to learn how to manipulate complicated formulas. Students were introduced to complicated formulas, which only the teacher and maybe one other student in the class would ever really understand. My response would take the focus off of the math and focus on the importance of thinking critically. I thought maybe the manipulation of formulas had nothing to do with the math. I would tell students that it was very important to learn to think critically. Wouldn't it be more relevant to teach students how to manipulat technology to solve problems?
Reflecting on my own educational experience, I tried to relate to what students were learning. I remember clearly feeling that what we were expecting students to know and be able to do, was irrelevant to what is going on in the world. I could not relate and connect the two. So, what does this mean when we think of education? What are we training students for? For me, creating a networked classroom gives students the opportunity to be prepared for both worlds. I believe connecting students to the outside world makes learning more appropriate. While learning content, students can learn new technologies that will help them function in post secondary planning. This provides an opportunity to take old school practices into the real world and make learning more relavant.
Positive Student Profiles
Relevant learning is not complete without a lesson on creating a positive student profile. We spend a great deal of class time creating a positive student profile for their digital portfolio. What makes a profile positive? What makes a profile negative? How can an online profile impact a student? We also cover learning to target an audience. Students need to understand who their audience is. They may think they are communicating with peers in a fun social network. It is important for students to realize that they may be communicating with potential employers and college admissions board. They might also be communicating with a phsychopath. We discuss the positive and negative aspects of an online communication. We discuss the illusions behind private settings. We discuss how schools, colleges, parents and potential employees utilize this information to make decisions about each other.
Students actually write thier "positive student profile". Their first edit includes crossing out negative information, views, opinions and images of self etc. It often amazes me that most students are confident mentioning their pitfalls, weaknesses and personality flaws. They actually have a more difficult time accentuating the positive. We practice this. Their second edit requires them to make two positive statements for every one negative. I believe this helps students recognize the many audiences their profiles address. They need to work actively in creating a profile that pleases the right audiences. Or, they otherwise attract a dangerous audience that will demand more. They have to be careful not to attract the wrong audience.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Week #7- Project Based Learning, Individualized Instruction & Assessments
My Web Design class is a Project Based Learning environment. I completed the curriculum for Special Education and would consider myself to be very in tuned to the fact that students learn in different ways. Teaching Strategies I, II and III taught me to integrate technology in creative ways to meet the needs of students that find learning difficult. Because of this, I believe Web 2.0 gives a wide variety of options that help teachers be creative with the delivery of instruction. Students can also demonstrate proficiency in creative ways. Learning Styles of the Next Generation describes a world of multi tasking. How do we learn to teach these students effectively? I used to believe that Inclusion of all students in one classroom was impossible. Not only is it possible, advances in technology make it possible for a teacher to take a back seat and facilitate learning by giving students the tools they need to take charge of and document experiencs in their own way.
Technology provides me the tools to give students a wide variety of options to meet their needs. I run everything out of a network server. What I like about project based learning is that you can provide students with a rubric and they know before they begin what the expectations are. They are required to do self assessments during the learning process. I believe this relieves anxiety about what students should know and be able to do. You can align rubrics with standards and add your own expectations at the same time. Although I do believe in some standards based learning, I do not believe the standards change as quickly as they need to. Keeping up with the times and what is going on in the world has to be a priority to people that decides what our students need to know. So, teachers need to be given some leeway to make decisions, add tools and make learning current and relevant. There are great resources out there to help build personalized rubrics Rubistar and Teachnology are two great ways to utilize technology and enhanced assessments. A proper assessment that is relevent only if provides and outlines clear vision of what you want students neet know and be able to do. More importantly it should define how will know they will be able to do it?
Assessments & Data Driven Decisions
Performance pathways is an amazing tool for teachers. I took a one week intensive class that taught us how to access NECAP and NWEA test results and use the data to improve learning. You can access student scores, target the individual questions and determine how and why students struggle. The question assessment will give you verbs that help determine where students may have difficulty learning in your classroom. For instance if you are requiring students to analyze something in your lesson and this is a trouble area, you can provide them additional samples, tools and revised units to help them through something that you have predetermined would be difficult. Blooms Taxonomy is a great resource to help determine what higher order thinking skills are required in your lesson plans and activities. I found six students struggled with reading and writing and are scheduled to take Web Design in the fall. I attached the way I broke down the data, analyzed their difficulties and plan to adapt my lessons to meet the needs of the individual.
Creating individualized instruction is possible with technological advances. Howard Gardner has spent the better part of his career teaching and learning how to address different people with different talents and skills. He refers to this as Learning Styles. Gardner is a multiple award winning Professor of Psychology Harvard and has degrees from “twenty-two colleges and universities, including institutions in Ireland, Italy, Isreal and Chili”( http://pzweb.harvard.edu/PIs/HG.htm). I agree with Gardner’s theories about the fact that everyone is intelligent and has their own way of recieving information that helps them understand and comprehend information. Project Zero studies to understand thinking, learning and creativity. Level the playing field and understand different people, from different places have different knowledge. More time should be spent teaching students how to learn as opposed to memorizing facts that will never be used.
Technology provides me the tools to give students a wide variety of options to meet their needs. I run everything out of a network server. What I like about project based learning is that you can provide students with a rubric and they know before they begin what the expectations are. They are required to do self assessments during the learning process. I believe this relieves anxiety about what students should know and be able to do. You can align rubrics with standards and add your own expectations at the same time. Although I do believe in some standards based learning, I do not believe the standards change as quickly as they need to. Keeping up with the times and what is going on in the world has to be a priority to people that decides what our students need to know. So, teachers need to be given some leeway to make decisions, add tools and make learning current and relevant. There are great resources out there to help build personalized rubrics Rubistar and Teachnology are two great ways to utilize technology and enhanced assessments. A proper assessment that is relevent only if provides and outlines clear vision of what you want students neet know and be able to do. More importantly it should define how will know they will be able to do it?
Assessments & Data Driven Decisions
Performance pathways is an amazing tool for teachers. I took a one week intensive class that taught us how to access NECAP and NWEA test results and use the data to improve learning. You can access student scores, target the individual questions and determine how and why students struggle. The question assessment will give you verbs that help determine where students may have difficulty learning in your classroom. For instance if you are requiring students to analyze something in your lesson and this is a trouble area, you can provide them additional samples, tools and revised units to help them through something that you have predetermined would be difficult. Blooms Taxonomy is a great resource to help determine what higher order thinking skills are required in your lesson plans and activities. I found six students struggled with reading and writing and are scheduled to take Web Design in the fall. I attached the way I broke down the data, analyzed their difficulties and plan to adapt my lessons to meet the needs of the individual.
Creating individualized instruction is possible with technological advances. Howard Gardner has spent the better part of his career teaching and learning how to address different people with different talents and skills. He refers to this as Learning Styles. Gardner is a multiple award winning Professor of Psychology Harvard and has degrees from “twenty-two colleges and universities, including institutions in Ireland, Italy, Isreal and Chili”( http://pzweb.harvard.edu/PIs/HG.htm). I agree with Gardner’s theories about the fact that everyone is intelligent and has their own way of recieving information that helps them understand and comprehend information. Project Zero studies to understand thinking, learning and creativity. Level the playing field and understand different people, from different places have different knowledge. More time should be spent teaching students how to learn as opposed to memorizing facts that will never be used.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Week #6- Professional Development & PLN (ch.5)
I think that a teachers Lounge, Blog for/or by teachers, and personal networks are a great way to share new tools . Personal learning networks are an innovative way to share, reflect and converse with people about things that you are passionate about. Reaching out and finding people that you have a lot in common with, is actually a lot of fun. Sometimes it can be lonely in an unchartered world of web 2.0. You are excited and want to share, but sometimes it feels like noone is listening :) Until you go out into that world and realize that you are not alone and there are hundreds of people just like you. Another term to explore is OPEN learning networks. It is exciting to be connected to people that are ready to learn, eager to share and happy to collaborate. It is refreshing to see this new world of networking. Some exciting findings when researching PLN, is GOOGLE for educators which provide an exciting opportunity to spread the love of teaching and learning. Not to mention staying on the cutting edge of what is happening in the field of tech. Learningtimes.org is another professional learning community where teachers can meet in virtual meeting rooms, chat and a wide variety of podcasts, blogs and wikis where teachers. If you register, you can share stories, resources and tools that can help in the classroom. Other websites worthy of exploration is the RETC website . Technology leadership is also a great resource because it is realistic and discusses the frustrations and roadblocks of professional development.
Topic of choice is Google Docs
The information and tools is are there and if you look hard enough, they are also free. You have to be willing to be that master learner. to participate in the numerous networks, or start your won. For instance, I took a big leap and registered for twitter! I also did some research on google docs. I love the idea that students are using google docs to work on things together. Here is how to use google docs. You can even embed google docs in your websites. Google docs can be used to utilize forms to gather information for staff development.
Dear Mr. President is one project I found. As the week goes on, I will be searching for more :)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Week 5- Blogging & Conversations
Blogs
A blog, is a web log that creates an opportunity for online communication and collaboration for teachers and students. Not just teacher to student, but student to student. Blogging is a great way to keep track of learning, reflect on learning and just share information, views and opinions. Not just text, you can integrate video, podcasts, links and other digital media to demonstrate proficiency while teaching and learning. At the same time, students have an opportunity to build 21st century skills. In the classroom, students can utilize blogs to interact both in and out of the classroom. They can post public or private posts to class discussions. They can write reflections to the essential questions used to design your class. This website offers over 40+ blogging sites available for use.
Tracking activity on blogs and podcasts seemed overwhelmingly time consuming. In
fact, I thought of adding blogs to my classroom. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up. So, I didn’t do it. Now, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) makes tracking activity not only possible but doable. In fact, once you set it up so that the information comes to you! RSS can be used in the classroom to send assignments home and enhance communication between teachers and parents.
Podcasting
Podcasting in education can be used to stay connected with audio files. Podcasting in the classroom can help prepare their students for the future. Imagine students that struggle with reading. Podcasts can offer a great way to share information. What if writing was an issue? Students can now create a podcast to communicate the same information in an audio file. This gives the classroom teacher a great tool to help provide a multisensory approach to delivering and receiving information.
Multisensory Approach to Teaching and Learning
Streaming video is a great tip to adding technology in the classroom. On a regular basis, I pull videos off of you tube and put them into presentations to help students understand a topic or give further instruction. In the past I used United Streaming. Now, I use you tube. In web design, students want to explore so many aspects what they can do with their websites. We couldn’t possibly cover them all in class. So, I collect a wide variety of video tutorials that students can pick and choose from. (Example; Resizing videos in photoshop). With JING, I can create my own tutorials. There are numerous ways technology can be used to create an interactive classroom to meet the needs of all learners. I would love to connect students to other places around the world. Global Schools and Epals, offer students to get connected using tools such as blogs, podcasts and other web 2.0 tools.
A blog, is a web log that creates an opportunity for online communication and collaboration for teachers and students. Not just teacher to student, but student to student. Blogging is a great way to keep track of learning, reflect on learning and just share information, views and opinions. Not just text, you can integrate video, podcasts, links and other digital media to demonstrate proficiency while teaching and learning. At the same time, students have an opportunity to build 21st century skills. In the classroom, students can utilize blogs to interact both in and out of the classroom. They can post public or private posts to class discussions. They can write reflections to the essential questions used to design your class. This website offers over 40+ blogging sites available for use.
Tracking activity on blogs and podcasts seemed overwhelmingly time consuming. In
fact, I thought of adding blogs to my classroom. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up. So, I didn’t do it. Now, RSS (Really Simple Syndication) makes tracking activity not only possible but doable. In fact, once you set it up so that the information comes to you! RSS can be used in the classroom to send assignments home and enhance communication between teachers and parents.
Podcasting
Podcasting in education can be used to stay connected with audio files. Podcasting in the classroom can help prepare their students for the future. Imagine students that struggle with reading. Podcasts can offer a great way to share information. What if writing was an issue? Students can now create a podcast to communicate the same information in an audio file. This gives the classroom teacher a great tool to help provide a multisensory approach to delivering and receiving information.
Multisensory Approach to Teaching and Learning
Streaming video is a great tip to adding technology in the classroom. On a regular basis, I pull videos off of you tube and put them into presentations to help students understand a topic or give further instruction. In the past I used United Streaming. Now, I use you tube. In web design, students want to explore so many aspects what they can do with their websites. We couldn’t possibly cover them all in class. So, I collect a wide variety of video tutorials that students can pick and choose from. (Example; Resizing videos in photoshop). With JING, I can create my own tutorials. There are numerous ways technology can be used to create an interactive classroom to meet the needs of all learners. I would love to connect students to other places around the world. Global Schools and Epals, offer students to get connected using tools such as blogs, podcasts and other web 2.0 tools.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Week 4- Wikis, Will Richardson & Ethical, Safe and Appropriate Use of Technology
I couldn’t help but wonder whether or not it should be important for an education environment to have a shared vision aboout where and what tools to use. There are numerous tools and resources to help integrate technology and enhance student learning. The problem I am having, is knowing what to use . Not to mention, how quickly new tools are popping up. How do you decide? Will having a shared vision help? Or, will this slow the process? Is it OK to do your own thing? Can you imagine being a student and your science teacher is having you start a blog or wiki with one tool and your English teacher is having another and another teacher could be starting a third etc.? Our school will be implementing MOODLE. I am almost afraid to branch off in one direction when I know that moodle could change everything.
To give an example, we use TASKSTREAM for our digital portfolio program. This program gives students a place to collect, select and reflect on learning. I like the program and it is easy to use. I like it because we can build a template to share with students. The problem is that this is outsourced and is very expensive. I believe we could accomplish the same outcome with free web 2.0 tools. How do you go about getting everyone on the same page? We most definitely need better, more secure tools. I meet with every freshman. I think it would be very effective for students to start a wiki or blog in their first year of high school. They could have more freedom and gather samples of their work by utilizing a wide variety of tools. We could certainly use it as a place to document reflections on essential questions for each class. I do worry that students would sabotage other student pages if they had access.I like the idea of having a classroom wiki to use as a conversation tool (pbwiki). I like the way pbwiki describes how it gives a group of people a place to share ideas. We use a wiki at our high school to share information and membership links to resources. I find it amazing that students can make changes to this page. To date, we have never had a problem. Chapter 2 offers a variety of wiki websites mediawiki.com, brainkeeper, wikidot and wikispaces etc. I use google sites to offer information online. I post class information, homework, research topics etc. I don’t like google sites, because I find it difficult to use and even more difficult to build and be creative. I want to find a wiki site that is fun for students that they can use and be creative. I believe this could replace our very expensive digital portfolio program. I also like the idea that they could use this as a tool to communicate and connect with others. We are meeting with technology teachers in elementary schools. We could use these collaborative tools to connect students from the elementary schools. There are so many ways to connect students locally, but more exciting is our ability to connect students all over the world.
The Will Richardson article gives a great example of this collaboration with his story of a young student communicating with her readers. It amazes me that she has people accessing and sharing ideas. I also love the stream team project. The idea of connecting kids all over the world to work collaboratively on projects is amazing. Yet, our schools block access to the tools that students are using to learn. I agree that students are developing their own networks and could use these skills to enhance their education. Unfortunately, they are so far ahead of their teachers. The fears and concerns about crime and sharing information that is dangerous is very real. I know I am fighting that battle now. A digital portfolio is full of personal information and I find a lot of resistance when recommending free tools. What would be a secure, free tool that is safe and collaborative? How do we get teachers on the same path? How can we reduce some of the fears?
Crime & Cyber bullies
Media sharing gives educators powerful tools to communicate messages and share stories about the dangers of online communication. Not to mention ethical, safe and proper use of technology. I usually use a series videos followed by writing prompts to help students reflect on their online communication habits. I usually use paper and pencil. Instead, I believe students could use their blog or wiki to share information and reflections when covering units on cyber bullying, sharing images and understanding stranger dangers.
We also share Ryan Patrick Halligan’s story. There are several powerful videos on you tube that are narrated by Ryan's his father. The students in my, class respond with disgust. Yet, I often see them bully someone the next day.
Katie Couric claims that 1 in 3 teens are victimized online.
Laurie Drew could get a whopping three misdemeanors for what she did to Megan Meyer. I don't feel the punishment fits the crime. There doesn't seem to be a standard system of response. Unfortunately, in a world of technology and communication that is changing so fast,
I do not believe we have a system in place to protect children.
One website claims that it was shut down because it targeted high school students and would spread hate and slander. It was shut down for poor computer use. I commend Maryland’s Attorney General for using his power to try to protect high school students. I believe we have to do more. Teachers should at least open communication and spend more time educating students about staying safe online. Also, how their behavior impacts others.
Media sharing gives educators powerful tools to communicate messages and share stories about the dangers of online communication. Not to mention ethical, safe and proper use of technology. I usually use a series videos followed by writing prompts to help students reflect on their online communication habits. I usually use paper and pencil. Instead, I believe students could use their blog or wiki to share information and reflections when covering units on cyber bullying, sharing images and understanding stranger dangers.
We also share Ryan Patrick Halligan’s story. There are several powerful videos on you tube that are narrated by Ryan's his father. The students in my, class respond with disgust. Yet, I often see them bully someone the next day.
Katie Couric claims that 1 in 3 teens are victimized online.
Laurie Drew could get a whopping three misdemeanors for what she did to Megan Meyer. I don't feel the punishment fits the crime. There doesn't seem to be a standard system of response. Unfortunately, in a world of technology and communication that is changing so fast,
I do not believe we have a system in place to protect children.One website claims that it was shut down because it targeted high school students and would spread hate and slander. It was shut down for poor computer use. I commend Maryland’s Attorney General for using his power to try to protect high school students. I believe we have to do more. Teachers should at least open communication and spend more time educating students about staying safe online. Also, how their behavior impacts others.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Week 3
Social Bookmarking is a way of sharing information where groups, or individuals can shared websites that they find valuable. I created my first hot list "MacLean's Hot List" on Diigo. At first, I found this a bit confusing. I totally see the benefit of high lighting, commenting and tracking reading and research materials. I think it saves a great deal of time, effort, energy and TREES. By this I mean that I would usually print valuable information and manually highlight the information I want to gather for research. I found it a bit confusing to set up. After a few hours of playing with the tags and links and installing the toolbar, I think I did get the hang of it. I can see this being valuable in departments that want to share information. I can see it being very valuable in personal research.
RSS Feeds(Really Simple Syndication) & Google Readers is something I am already seeing a benefit from. I registered every classmates blog in my reader. This is a time saver because It automatically posts changes. This saves me time, because I don't have to go in and search for information. The changes are send directly to me! I think this is fabulous. Especially with our class wiki. I know if and when there is activity without any searching. I also added several other blogs and I can see if updates were made.
Media sharing is a great way to not only teach, but students can demonstrate proficiency. I have students that do not do well in a traditional classroom setting. They hate exams and do not do well on research papers, or projects. If I give them an opportunity to collect images, sound and video they do the most impressive projects that will clearly demonstrate their understanding of the topic at hand. I took a philosophy class and I had a difficult time understanding a reading on PLATO. I went to You Tube and within a few minutes, I found a short video that clearly described the reading and I had no problem reflecting on the reading. I also use video websites to learn new tricks in technology. For instance, I wanted to learn how to build a flash slide show. Within a few minutes I found a clip that some one shared. It took a bit of time, but I was able to accomplish my goal. The best part, is that it was FREE. I think media sharing is a great tool and resource. I wish there was a better way to filter information.
In school, we cannot access you tube. This frustrates me. I do understand. Teachers can get to You Tube, but students cannot. I use a down loader to access and take a copy of the video off you tube. Students can use them in PowerPoint. I have a selection of the videos in a folder on our network drive. After this weeks reading, I plan to create a wiki to share the information with my classroom. I think media sharing is a valuable tool. It just has to be censored first.
Here are some of the resources that were mentioned in the readings.
http://streamingvideo.wikispaces.com/
http://www.schooltube.com/
http://teachertube.com/
Take a QUIZ, just for fun!
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=97
Social Bookmarking is a way of sharing information where groups, or individuals can shared websites that they find valuable. I created my first hot list "MacLean's Hot List" on Diigo. At first, I found this a bit confusing. I totally see the benefit of high lighting, commenting and tracking reading and research materials. I think it saves a great deal of time, effort, energy and TREES. By this I mean that I would usually print valuable information and manually highlight the information I want to gather for research. I found it a bit confusing to set up. After a few hours of playing with the tags and links and installing the toolbar, I think I did get the hang of it. I can see this being valuable in departments that want to share information. I can see it being very valuable in personal research.
RSS Feeds(Really Simple Syndication) & Google Readers is something I am already seeing a benefit from. I registered every classmates blog in my reader. This is a time saver because It automatically posts changes. This saves me time, because I don't have to go in and search for information. The changes are send directly to me! I think this is fabulous. Especially with our class wiki. I know if and when there is activity without any searching. I also added several other blogs and I can see if updates were made.
Media sharing is a great way to not only teach, but students can demonstrate proficiency. I have students that do not do well in a traditional classroom setting. They hate exams and do not do well on research papers, or projects. If I give them an opportunity to collect images, sound and video they do the most impressive projects that will clearly demonstrate their understanding of the topic at hand. I took a philosophy class and I had a difficult time understanding a reading on PLATO. I went to You Tube and within a few minutes, I found a short video that clearly described the reading and I had no problem reflecting on the reading. I also use video websites to learn new tricks in technology. For instance, I wanted to learn how to build a flash slide show. Within a few minutes I found a clip that some one shared. It took a bit of time, but I was able to accomplish my goal. The best part, is that it was FREE. I think media sharing is a great tool and resource. I wish there was a better way to filter information.
In school, we cannot access you tube. This frustrates me. I do understand. Teachers can get to You Tube, but students cannot. I use a down loader to access and take a copy of the video off you tube. Students can use them in PowerPoint. I have a selection of the videos in a folder on our network drive. After this weeks reading, I plan to create a wiki to share the information with my classroom. I think media sharing is a valuable tool. It just has to be censored first.
Here are some of the resources that were mentioned in the readings.
http://streamingvideo.wikispaces.com/
http://www.schooltube.com/
http://teachertube.com/
Take a QUIZ, just for fun!
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=97
Friday, July 10, 2009
Week 2- Assignment
1. Create a new blog
2. Set up Google RSS reader
3. Comment on Web 2.0
4. Thoughts about this course
My thoughts on Web 2.0 tools are that our schools are not doing enough to prepare students with interactive technologies. I took a globalization and management course and was very excited to see how technology is connecting people all over the world. If this is where technology is taking us, then education and 21st century tools should be a priority. Global literacy in foreign cultures and languages should be on the forefront. Publication education is not relevant to what is going on in the world. Students are learning better skills on their own without the use of schools. What does this mean for public education? The website and Dept. of Ed. School 2.0 page made me realize that our need to control information is doing an injustice to our students. We are conditioned to protect and filter what is coming into our schools. I believe, at the same time we interfere with the interactive skills and tools necessary to compete in today's world. This should be addressed and great skills could be learned by opening some freedom in what information goes back and forth. At least lighten the control at the high school level. Globalization and people interacting and collaborating all over the world is where I see technology moving in the next ten years. I worry that the field of educational technology is behind the times. The developments will require schools to focus on teaching and learning relevant skills that promote and support literacy initiatives. According to Solomom & Gwenn in Web 2.0 new tools, new schools, the consequences of not adequately building the necessary skills in technology will cause companies to outsource jobs because our students will not be prepared for the work place.
The following resources were used to understand the topics at hand. I love the videos and resources available on the blogs and links off the class wiki. I have explored many of the links. The text is relevant, easy to read and helpful. The blogs link to endless resources for this class resources. In this short amount of time I have been learning new skills. I have a been introduced to helpful tools that I will be able to use. The following resources help describe the way I feel about Web 2.0.
1. Mr. Winkle effect
2. Inspiring Story
3. Richard Miller, presented to the Board of Governors
Solomon, Gwen, and Lynne Schrum. Web 2.0 new tools, new schools. Washington, DC: International Society for Technology in Education, 007.
1. Create a new blog
2. Set up Google RSS reader
3. Comment on Web 2.0
4. Thoughts about this course
My thoughts on Web 2.0 tools are that our schools are not doing enough to prepare students with interactive technologies. I took a globalization and management course and was very excited to see how technology is connecting people all over the world. If this is where technology is taking us, then education and 21st century tools should be a priority. Global literacy in foreign cultures and languages should be on the forefront. Publication education is not relevant to what is going on in the world. Students are learning better skills on their own without the use of schools. What does this mean for public education? The website and Dept. of Ed. School 2.0 page made me realize that our need to control information is doing an injustice to our students. We are conditioned to protect and filter what is coming into our schools. I believe, at the same time we interfere with the interactive skills and tools necessary to compete in today's world. This should be addressed and great skills could be learned by opening some freedom in what information goes back and forth. At least lighten the control at the high school level. Globalization and people interacting and collaborating all over the world is where I see technology moving in the next ten years. I worry that the field of educational technology is behind the times. The developments will require schools to focus on teaching and learning relevant skills that promote and support literacy initiatives. According to Solomom & Gwenn in Web 2.0 new tools, new schools, the consequences of not adequately building the necessary skills in technology will cause companies to outsource jobs because our students will not be prepared for the work place.
The following resources were used to understand the topics at hand. I love the videos and resources available on the blogs and links off the class wiki. I have explored many of the links. The text is relevant, easy to read and helpful. The blogs link to endless resources for this class resources. In this short amount of time I have been learning new skills. I have a been introduced to helpful tools that I will be able to use. The following resources help describe the way I feel about Web 2.0.
1. Mr. Winkle effect
2. Inspiring Story
3. Richard Miller, presented to the Board of Governors
Solomon, Gwen, and Lynne Schrum. Web 2.0 new tools, new schools. Washington, DC: International Society for Technology in Education, 007.
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