Rebora, A. (2010, Ocotober 11). Change agent. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/tsb/articles/2010/10/12/01richardson.h04.html?cmp=clp-edweek&intc=bs&sms_ss=delicious&at_xt=4cb7dc75d0303b73,0
Summary
Will Richardson is a former teacher and now a technology expert. He seeks to find new ways to bring technology into the classroom and then use his knowledge to influence and help other teachers do the same. The interviewer asked many questions and I'll make point of the most important ones. Richardson credits teachers to not using technology very often/enough to the fact that it's a culture shift. People are very stuck in their ways of teaching and don't like change. He brought up a very good argument to those who say kids are born "tech savvy", explaining that kids have less of a fear of technology then adults but they know more of the social advances of technology and less about how to use technology to learn. Richardson also shows a little bit of concern when he talks about how technology implementation is really an uphill battle. With the budget being as bad as it is, teachers don't even get the basic utensils for a classroom, let alone computers.
Q#1- With public school systems being in such poor conditions, in terms of finances, how can I still manage to teach my students using the web?
Just because every student does not have a computer in front of them does not mean we cannot teach them or show them what is out there. People cannot use tools if they do not know they exist. A very simple example could be an instance where I have students working on a research project. In an effort to show them better ways to reasearch more narrowly or simply to have another outlet as a search engine I could introduce delicious.com. I could show the students how it works how to tag, bookmark, and share with others. What they chose to take from that is all individual but at least they know it's there and I am giving them access to an instrument they would otherwise not even know was available.
Q#2- How can I change the way of thinking and convert other teachers to using more technology?
I would do as Richardson suggested and make sure that I am constantly modeling the use of technology. Reminding the other faculty that the computer has so much value. I would also try to be an advocate of technology by maybe not only modeling the use of technology in the classroom but sharing it with others. Send others emails about new ways of using technology so they can implement it at their own pace and it doesn't feel too forced.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Classroom Newsletter: NETS-T III
Newsletter
This newsletter is a basic, one page summary used to inform students and their parents about what they can expect from my class. It's an easy way to introduce myself to them and also give parents and students the most efficient ways to communicate with me. I made it using Microsoft word and really utilized many of the features word has to offer.
This newsletter is a basic, one page summary used to inform students and their parents about what they can expect from my class. It's an easy way to introduce myself to them and also give parents and students the most efficient ways to communicate with me. I made it using Microsoft word and really utilized many of the features word has to offer.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Journal #4 "Commuting in the Clouds" NETS-T II
Johnson, D. (2010, January/February). Commuting in the clouds. Learning and Leading with Technology,37(4), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200912#pg20
Summary
"Commuting in the Clouds" is an article regarding how to use web-based programs versus the software programs we are so use to today. The author, Doug Johnson, brings up numerous valid points as to why it is more beneficial and, at the top of the list, is that it is free! Along with the benefit of no cost, web-based programs are also more convenient because you can access them from any computer in the world, there are no concerns about whether or not you saved the document in the right version, and it allows others to work together collaboratively. Using the web-based programs also, in terms of education, would allow schools to use less powerful computers that are less expensive; again saving the school systems money. Johnson explains that he converted to a netbook (the less powerful computers) for a few months to see if the whole idea was really doable. Converting for Johnson worked smoothly and nicely. He justifies cloud commuting saying that the internet, email, word processing and presentation programs all worked just as well as a normal computer. His final thought is basically, what are we all waiting for?
Q#1- How do schools get started?
I think that right now schools should start familiarizing their teachers, staff, and students with the google docs and other web-based programs. Even if Microsoft office is still on the computers at the schools currently, teachers and students should stop using them and just migrate towards the clouds. As computers die and schools look into getting new ones they should seriously consider buying netbooks. Netbooks are clearly less expensive and by that point the students and all other staff members would be "cloud savvy" and ready to make the adjustment.
Q#2- What is one way I could use it in the classroom?
To start I would have all students compose their work on google docs. It is advantageous for students to actually use google docs at school so that when they go to their homes they have the option of working on their assignments. That is to say, they are not limited to fixing things and making progress when they are only at school. I would also like to form some kind of group project or group report where the students would have to use google docs, for example, to work together when they are not together in the classroom. Both of these ideas of introducing web-based programs to the students allows them to become familiar with all the perks that web-based programs have to offer and hopefully encourage them to use it in the future.
Summary
"Commuting in the Clouds" is an article regarding how to use web-based programs versus the software programs we are so use to today. The author, Doug Johnson, brings up numerous valid points as to why it is more beneficial and, at the top of the list, is that it is free! Along with the benefit of no cost, web-based programs are also more convenient because you can access them from any computer in the world, there are no concerns about whether or not you saved the document in the right version, and it allows others to work together collaboratively. Using the web-based programs also, in terms of education, would allow schools to use less powerful computers that are less expensive; again saving the school systems money. Johnson explains that he converted to a netbook (the less powerful computers) for a few months to see if the whole idea was really doable. Converting for Johnson worked smoothly and nicely. He justifies cloud commuting saying that the internet, email, word processing and presentation programs all worked just as well as a normal computer. His final thought is basically, what are we all waiting for?
Q#1- How do schools get started?
I think that right now schools should start familiarizing their teachers, staff, and students with the google docs and other web-based programs. Even if Microsoft office is still on the computers at the schools currently, teachers and students should stop using them and just migrate towards the clouds. As computers die and schools look into getting new ones they should seriously consider buying netbooks. Netbooks are clearly less expensive and by that point the students and all other staff members would be "cloud savvy" and ready to make the adjustment.
Q#2- What is one way I could use it in the classroom?
To start I would have all students compose their work on google docs. It is advantageous for students to actually use google docs at school so that when they go to their homes they have the option of working on their assignments. That is to say, they are not limited to fixing things and making progress when they are only at school. I would also like to form some kind of group project or group report where the students would have to use google docs, for example, to work together when they are not together in the classroom. Both of these ideas of introducing web-based programs to the students allows them to become familiar with all the perks that web-based programs have to offer and hopefully encourage them to use it in the future.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Journal #3 "Bring The World Into Your Classroom" NETS-T 2
BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION:
McDermon, L. (2010, September/October). Bring the world into your classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(2), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100910?pg=36&search_term=bring%20the%20world%20into%20your%20classroom&search_term=bring%20the%20world%20into%20your%20classroom#pg36
Summary
The entire article was surrounded around the idea of bringing video conferencing into the classroom as a tool to teach. One of the two videoconferencing programs discussed was the "read around the planet". This program was really neat because basically two classes set up times to meet and share stories with one another. The stories could be anything from books to poems and skits--they could be published by authors or could be produced by the students. Megaconference, Jr. was the second program which sets up a twelve hour window between 7AM and 7PM where students at anytime can present to others. There is a lot of freedom in this program in that these students can devise any sort of presentation by incorporating one or many of the academic disciplines.
Q#1- The program at face value can be intimidating, how could you get started?
I think the best way to get started is by teaming up with another school specifically. Have every class that is going to participate in videoconferencing present or team up with the classes all form the same school. That way you are only experimenting with one school and the teachers could easily communicate with one another on what's working and maybe what needs improvement. It gives faculty and administrators the opportunity to perfect their skills with the program so the students can later interact with whomever they want around the globe.
Q#2- How would this program be successful globally?
This is one of my favorite articles I've read thus far. What I love about it is it gives students the opportunity to play with technology and learn in the classroom. That is to say, it's not something they need to do at home and there would, therefore, never be the case where a student who does not have access to a computer at home would never be able to participate. No student is ostracized because everyone gets to participate on campus.
McDermon, L. (2010, September/October). Bring the world into your classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(2), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100910?pg=36&search_term=bring%20the%20world%20into%20your%20classroom&search_term=bring%20the%20world%20into%20your%20classroom#pg36
Summary
The entire article was surrounded around the idea of bringing video conferencing into the classroom as a tool to teach. One of the two videoconferencing programs discussed was the "read around the planet". This program was really neat because basically two classes set up times to meet and share stories with one another. The stories could be anything from books to poems and skits--they could be published by authors or could be produced by the students. Megaconference, Jr. was the second program which sets up a twelve hour window between 7AM and 7PM where students at anytime can present to others. There is a lot of freedom in this program in that these students can devise any sort of presentation by incorporating one or many of the academic disciplines.
Q#1- The program at face value can be intimidating, how could you get started?
I think the best way to get started is by teaming up with another school specifically. Have every class that is going to participate in videoconferencing present or team up with the classes all form the same school. That way you are only experimenting with one school and the teachers could easily communicate with one another on what's working and maybe what needs improvement. It gives faculty and administrators the opportunity to perfect their skills with the program so the students can later interact with whomever they want around the globe.
Q#2- How would this program be successful globally?
This is one of my favorite articles I've read thus far. What I love about it is it gives students the opportunity to play with technology and learn in the classroom. That is to say, it's not something they need to do at home and there would, therefore, never be the case where a student who does not have access to a computer at home would never be able to participate. No student is ostracized because everyone gets to participate on campus.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
School 2.0 Reflection Tool: NETS-T V
I investigated the NETS-T: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning Through Creativity. I chose to investigate resources from this standard because I think it is one of the most important. Children's creativity is what allows them to be so unique and express themselves. As teachers, it is our job to not only encourage students to show their creative side, but to also to give them an outlet to do so. A really good resource that I found from the reflection tool was the "google group". Anyone can create a google group, it's free and easy to set up. Furthermore, you can belong to as many groups as you would like.
What I liked about the google groups is it is something that can be used as a social networking device in which students connect with certain friends who have similar interest or hobbies but it can also be used academically. It's a creative way to show students how to connect with their other classmates. As a teacher you could introduce "google groups" to students who are working on projects together. Through the program the students can email each other, group members can publish posts on the page for all the group members to see, or they can run a live discussion in a form of a chat room. The possibilities are endless and it's our job to stimulate their creativity.
Introducing programs like these to students just gives them yet another outlet to be creative. While they may use it for school, they could also use it to create their own page for personal reasons and begin the networking process. It relates to the NETS-T standard in terms of inspiring students to think outside of the box and use resources on the internet many might not know exist.
What I liked about the google groups is it is something that can be used as a social networking device in which students connect with certain friends who have similar interest or hobbies but it can also be used academically. It's a creative way to show students how to connect with their other classmates. As a teacher you could introduce "google groups" to students who are working on projects together. Through the program the students can email each other, group members can publish posts on the page for all the group members to see, or they can run a live discussion in a form of a chat room. The possibilities are endless and it's our job to stimulate their creativity.
Introducing programs like these to students just gives them yet another outlet to be creative. While they may use it for school, they could also use it to create their own page for personal reasons and begin the networking process. It relates to the NETS-T standard in terms of inspiring students to think outside of the box and use resources on the internet many might not know exist.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Journal #2 "Join The Flock"-NETS 5
BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION:
Ferguson, Hadley. (2010, June/July). Join the flock. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100607#pg14
Summary
"Join The Flock" was an article written by Hadley Ferguson about her experiences of joining twitter. She explains how at first she was apprehensive and didn't quite understand how to use the program but once she got started, she simply could not stop. Twitter has opened a whole new outlet for teachers by being able to share information with other teachers across the country--whom they have never met! Teachers post about anything from lesson plans to different communities who are holding meetings. It's a good way to stay current with things and share different pieces of information with the teacher community. The second article by Shannon McClinktock Miller was about how you can enhance your twitter experience. She talks about utilizing everything twitter has to offer in order to better your teaching style and just learn. Both articles were primarily about using twitter as a form of education for teachers to incorporate some of what they learn into their classroom.
Q#1- How can I incorporate twitter with my future students?
At first I thought this idea was a bit of a stretch but with all the technology advances we have had I think this is completely realistic. I could teach my students how to set up twitter accounts and create a PLN for our classroom. Students could use twitter as a form of instant communication. For example, perhaps they have a homework question or were unclear on the assignment, they could instantly tweet me. Or, better yet, their fellow classmates. Between all the the students and myself it could be like a constant chat room with quick feedback. Overall, it would create a very fun learning environment and I think the students would take to it very well.
Q#2- What could be some drawbacks from introducing twitter in the classroom with my future students?
Every new vision usually comes with consequences. The biggest drawback I could think of would be children you don't have internet access at home. Since the means for twitter is to communicate about academics I could also have children exchange phone numbers on the first day and emphasis that there are two ways to get in touch with their peers and myself, and that would be through telephone or the internet. Each student is bound to have one of the two. The idea is for not a single student to feel ostracize in anyway from the class. I would also stress how both are equally useful.
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