Sunday, July 27, 2008
Assignment vs. HA experiences!
In some cases, I found the HA assignments easier, so I would complete them first, I found a great crossword program that provided a trial time of 30 days called Crossword Weaver. This program took the task of making a crossword puzzle and made it simple! I tried a few other web tools at first but all were either complicated or charged to publish. I definitely enjoyed using Voice Thread to make the movie for the HA 7 assignment. Before class officially began, I actually completed what I thought was going to be HA 1 using Microsoft Publisher but then discovered, it wasn't assigned anymore, it is on my website if anyone is interested in seeing it anyway!
The HA assignments were a great way to take what we learned through doing the assignments (and in some cases vice versa) and apply it to creating a new project. This is a great way to use the higher level thinking skills of Blooms Taxonomy. I have to say out of all of the assignments I think the crossword puzzle was most difficult using Excel. I enjoyed using the engrade system. The podcast was easy to make but nerve racking to try and record over and over. Great assignment experience overall!
experiences with sites!
The mindmapping tool I used was Mind Meister. I thought was a great online program to create a mind map. I enjoyed the experience with the program, and thought it had some great templates. The one I used I found particularly great for a match to my personality. It was an easy program to navigate. The biggest headache was trying to post it on my website but that was more of a size issue on my website. Mind Meister is definitely a program worth trying!
Del.icio.us has been a great tool to use in order to bookmark links from this class and allows me to tag it with terms to make it easy to search for something. Del.icio.us provides students and teachers with an interactive way to show sites they find to be useful and share with others. I enjoyed using del.icio.us.
I didn't have much luck with diigo. It seems like a great concept being able to highlight information and bookmark it for later. However, once I signed up there were several times I tried to access diigo and was sent to a server is too busy page. I do hope to use diigo in the future to help with making notes without writing things down and being able to find them later.
Classroom changes
Classroom 2.0 is a whole new world. Technology is used in ways that people still teaching today would never think of. Students are able to use technology through several mediums such as computers, laptops, Smart Boards, I-pods, even cell phones in some cases. Students are encouraged to use higher level thinking skills such as application, synthesis, and evaluation as opposed basic knowledge and comprehension. Students interact with each other and the teacher to learn. They learn from each other. Teachers are the guide on the side. Technology is implemented in a way that helps students learn how use technology while learning a curriculum area, for instance using Microsoft Excel to make a crossword puzzle based on vocabulary terms.
Classroom 2.0 is also a great concept because it asks for student reflection. When students are learning, the best way to enhance or transfer learning to long term from short term is by thinking about what they learned and how they learned it. Another part of classroom 2.0 that is incredible is the constructivist idea that students learn by doing. Classroom 2.0 is an improvement for students and teachers, even those who are hesitant to make the change!
Net Standards
1. Creativity and Innovation
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Research and Information Fluency
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Decision Making
5. Digital Citizenship
6. Technology Operations and Concepts
Looking at these standards just by name is very vague. Within these standards there are several ideas that make them easier to implement. I found a great website that provided the standards: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm
I think that all of the standards can be implemented if we work hard enough, however, some such as creativity and research are certainly easier than digital citizenship. Although we try hard to keep our children safe from internet dangers such as using instant messaging or social networks such as myspace.com for inappropriate things such as meeting people, nothing is fail proof. Working with students on staying safe while uisng the internet is very important but we all know that some will test the limits and go beyond. Another part of digital citizenship that is difficult is emphasizing that learning is ongoing even if working with familiar games and programs. Many students feel once they learn a program they "know" it. They don't understand the concept that we all learn and relearn.
I think that the other most difficult standard is number 6, Technology Operations and Concepts. I think it is very difficult for teachers to try and not only have students use new technology but also choose a program with productive reasoning. Students and adults tend to get comfortable with the familiar. So a student that is used to working with Microsoft Word, may not be willing to try something more effective for presentations like Microsoft Power Point. I also think it is difficult for teachers to work on students being able to effectively troubleshoot computer program issues.
Some other standards like creativity, collaboration, and research all seem like standards should be easy to implement, but know that not everyone is. I think that teachers that are stuck in the old fashioned 20th century textbook learning need to dive into the technologically savvy world. It is a disservice to their students and themselves to not keep up on all of the latest educational trends including technology. Students need to know that they are being taught or guided by adults that are able to work with technology on the same level as they are.
I feel that for the most part I am ready to deal with implementing technology in the classroom. I know that I would have to develop my skills in the fifth and sixth standards in order to implement all of the net standards to the best of my ability. I think I can readily use the standards to infuse technology in class rather than just use it to have it.
Grading systems worth trying!
I used engrade.com in order to experience electronic grading. I found this website to be a great back up tool for teachers who are worried about keeping records. I enjoyed that this program allowed me to set up a classroom and decide how the grades would be displayed. The other great feature is that it allows you to choose to either have weighted grades or not. I think having certain things such as projects weigh a lot is important in order to help students who may not be the best test takers.
This system is a great tool for any teacher looking to have a back up system for keeping track of both grades and attendance. I liked also how easy it was to keep track of what assignments are excused or missed. Another great feature is that you can also keep attendance. I also like that this grade book can be easily exported to Microsoft Excel.
The students also have an advantage if they have access to the site the teacher uses. If a teacher really works with this site it is easy for students to always have access to assignments and descriptions which is similar to our own class Moodle site. I think the students are at an advantage at seeing the calendar and what assignments are expected. Overall this program is an excellent source and I couldn't find much if anything I didn't like! Below is what the print screen of the set up looks like for my grade book.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Net Generation, the rage that should happen!
Watching the video on Moodle was a great experience for me. Kids know so much about technology, they don't understand why we don't have them use it. We try to teach the students that we want to see what they know how to do. Yet, in the classroom technology is used minimally and in some cases discouraged. Digital students are different from the older generations because they are for the most part, more advanced than the adults teaching them. Students know how to do things like create ppts, use excel and access. They probably even know there are times when using excel or access makes sense when doing a certain project, yet when they ask there are times when they are told not to use computers. These students need to be prepared because as they grow, technology will only become more important, especially when it comes time for them to find a career.
What does this mean for teachers? Teachers need to step up into the world that has podcasts, youtube, and Smart Boards in the classroom. The other implication is that technology can't be used just because it is there. The students have to see there is a purpose to the technology they are using in the classroom or it just seems like they are working to work (busy work). In short teachers need to learn technology in order to at least be at level with their students, if not take it a level up in order to stay ahead!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Web 1.0, our past, Web 2.0, now and the future
Web 2.0 is a whole new world when it comes to the internet. Web 2.0 changes how users can research and socialize. Web 2.0 is the web in which people can interact with the internet rather than simply use it. Blogging is a prime example. Blogging is a great way for people to share their lives' with others and allow for the readers to comment. Web 2.0 allows for instant response. Socialization changes through the use of Web 2.0. People are more liable for the things they post. Websites allow users to edit information. Web 2.0 is a great tool for the students of the 21st century.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Coming Soon: Natives Vs. Immigrants...Who will win the digital war?
Friday, July 4, 2008
Who am I as an educator?
When thinking about this question and reading the statements, I have to admit that I didn't think the results would end up as the following:
Humanism
Humanist educators consider learning from the perspective of the human potential for growth, becoming the best one can be. The shift is to the study of affective as well as cognitive dimensions of learning. Beliefs include: human beings can control their own destiny; people are inherently good and will strive for a better world; people are free to act but must be responsible; behavior is the consequence of human choice; and people possess unlimited potential for growth and development. There is a natural tendency for people to learn, which will flourish if nourishing, encouraging environments are provided.
I do however, feel that humanism is part of my educational philosophy. Working with special needs students every day I realize how important it is to understand that each student is an individual with his or her own needs rather than a group with all the same goals or expectations. Students also need to become responsible for their own actions and belongings. Very often we find in our class that students are constantly losing things from pens and pencils to textbooks, lunches, and expensive items such as I-pods. These students need to learn how to care for their things. We try to help them develop a sense of responsibility for their own things.
I also feel that I am a constructivist. I know that for the most part, until I try something, watching doesn't always help me learn. An example of this would be working on math problems. Watching a teacher work on a problem on the board is very different from me trying to do the math problem myself. If I want to learn I know I have to try the math problem. Many if not all of my students are like me. When we worked on the Pythagorean theorem this year, it didn't sink in until they worked on several problems. Soon they were able to see that they can use the theorem when they see a right triangle. But at first, every problem they saw, they didn't know what to do.
Constructivism is a philosophy in which students learn and internalize new information through experience. I firmly believe this is the case. Students can learn basic information from reading about how to do somehthing such as create a Power point presentation, but they will only truly learn after they have tried it for themselves (I know this from experience).
I feel as a teacher, I try to always guide my students without spoon-feeding them answers. I try to encourage them to plan or seek answers to questions in ways that will not only help, but promote higher level thought after. I enjoy watching students process information and apply it to life when possible. I insist that students work on becoming responsible for his or her own actions. Students must acknowledge when they have acted in a way that is harmful to themselves or others in order to learn that those actions should not be repeated.
It is very important to me to show students that they can and will learn from me as the teacher but also help them understand that they can be in charge of their own learning, while I facilitate and guide them to deeper and higher levels of thinking. As an educator, I feel with my course work and teaching experiences my philosophy is developing more and more everyday. Each time I work, I learn as I teach. It is important for teachers to understand that they are at school to learn also.
Online Fun begins! (Our first Moodle Class)
It was clear that people were struggling to get on using tapped in, but that was the purpose of the class; to "iron the wrinkles". I was nervous about our first chat, but overall I thought it went well. Before the class was over, while in groups I used my microphone/headset for the first time and it went well. Dr. S was very helpful to the class in setting up microphones, and reminding people of Nettiquette rules. We discussed as a class that groups would meet using whatever chat server was preferred as long as it had a log to keep track of time and group discussions. My group now consisting of, Colleen, Christy, and Danielle agreed to meet on Monday at 6:00. I am looking forward to our meeting already.
There was some confusion with assignments, but overall I think the class went very well. Christy was our facilitator for the evening. I am glad she volunteered so that I could get a better understanding of the facilitator's job before I take a turn. Christy's job was to "focus" our group conversation and be our representative during the class discussion. She explained our group name the Technology Rockstars and our motto: Building bridges to close the gaps. We chose this name and motto because we are all excited about technology and look forward to using technology in the classroom to help students succeed in the 21st century. I felt Christy did a great job with representing our group for the first night.
Our group meeting took place on Elluminate, which was quite an experience. I like elluminate because along with the chat rooms there is an interactive Whiteboard which is a great example of using Web 2.0. During our group discussion, we communicated well. When it was time to return to class everything went great. I know that my group is responsible for the first Power point presentation, and look forward to working with the others to create it.
By the end of the class, I felt more confident using Moodle and my microphone/headset. I look forward to actively participating in class using the microphone. Just today, I invested in a webcam to help me further my technological development (and complete HA 2). I can't wait to set up the cam and start learning how I can use it for myself and in the classroom! Look for my next blog describing who I am as an educator!
One & Only face to face meeting!
Tonight, was our first and only in person meeting for Literacy & Technology. This class was very informative. It provided me with several web sources, and I look forward into learning from them. This class was a fun learning experience because we are all trying out Moodle (most of us for the first time).
Dr. S as always was very reassuring and positive about the new technological experiences we are going to have in class. I am looking forward to working on a new website, blog, and wiki. Although this site seems very different from Web CT, I think it will be a great opportunity to develop my technology skills, in order to better serve students in this new century.
I am looking forward to working in my group with Christy, Colleen, & Jim. I think that our group already communicates well. We will work together to help improve our own skills as well as each others. I look forward to the next class already!
Here is a link to my General Methods website:
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