It's been an adventure, this class, that's for sure. I've been able to acquire some time management skills as well as some fine information from (guess where!) online! This is a work in progress and will be updated frequently.
Twitter
Facebook
MySpace
iGoogle
http://joedale.typepad.com/integrating_ict_into_the_/2010/02/what-does-your-pln-mean-to-you.html
http://www.speedofcreativity.org/
http://www.wesfryer.com/default.htm
http://mrlamshedsclass.org/
http://attheteachersdesk.blogspot.com/search/label/PLN
http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2006/11/fear.html
http://www.edutopia.org/personal-learning-networks-technology
http://ow.ly/172bJ
http://wiki.powerfulingredients.com/Home/t4t
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Miller, Drexler, and Wesch... Our Future is Now
I know that I'm not as prepared as I need to be with my students, but I will be... and with all the tools available to help me learn, I will be more than happy to share with my students. When I say I'm not prepared, I'm referring to the ever updating world of technology. Although I can type pretty fast with accuracy, and typing papers has grown easier over time, and even though I have my very own blog(!) it's nerve wracking sometimes to think of all of the things I have to "be on the lookout for" and what things I'll be doing such as composing, publishing, writing, researching, and last but not least sharing. (Since, Miller points out, educators ARE in the business of sharing!)
Miller shares his ideas on how media and technology are going to enhance what we already have available to us. His thought that "the certainty of this is that it will happen again" has not only come to pass, but is quickly happening more and more. Adding sound and video, podcasts, and e-networks to the educating scene is more than an enhancement, but a means of keeping up with the expanding world of our minds and technology.
I believe my students will naturally be better than me at these various tasks, for they will have grown up using these tools and many more I can't even anticipate yet.
As far as connectivism goes, I love how Drexler's video is organized and informative. I believe networking is important and useful, and teachers advocating this type of learning should be commended as well as encouraged to maintain and update material as necessary. With the emergence of comments, daily, on countless subjects, networking provides more learning opportunities, and the purpose (for lack of a better word) of the teacher in this experience is simply to organize and pass on the information. [Information Management, if you will]. Connectivism promotes conversation and prompts debate, encourages self responsibility and accountability.
I believe it will be easier for a middle school student to do a project like this more so than a college student, or even a high school student. Already, I feel behind, and I am just beginning on this technological journey.
Michael Wesch's video was next on my to do list, and I enjoyed watching this one as well. I like the point he makes regarding the fact that we don't know who our audience is going to be at any given time, not to mention that watching ourselves in the future may be like watching another person all together. I also love how he compared broadcasting yourself online is somewhat like being in a confessional. His equations were identifiable, and with the ongoing growth, perhaps more people will respond positively to using online networking, and not apprehensive, reserving back to [only] their old pen and paper ways.
Comments4Kids
This week's comment4Kids was an article persuading us to just say no to fast food. It was thoughtful and easy to read. It's nice seeing young people being concerned about what types of food they are eating. The second was an article describing how hockey is better than soccer. He won my vote with such an incredible article.
Miller shares his ideas on how media and technology are going to enhance what we already have available to us. His thought that "the certainty of this is that it will happen again" has not only come to pass, but is quickly happening more and more. Adding sound and video, podcasts, and e-networks to the educating scene is more than an enhancement, but a means of keeping up with the expanding world of our minds and technology.
I believe my students will naturally be better than me at these various tasks, for they will have grown up using these tools and many more I can't even anticipate yet.
As far as connectivism goes, I love how Drexler's video is organized and informative. I believe networking is important and useful, and teachers advocating this type of learning should be commended as well as encouraged to maintain and update material as necessary. With the emergence of comments, daily, on countless subjects, networking provides more learning opportunities, and the purpose (for lack of a better word) of the teacher in this experience is simply to organize and pass on the information. [Information Management, if you will]. Connectivism promotes conversation and prompts debate, encourages self responsibility and accountability.
I believe it will be easier for a middle school student to do a project like this more so than a college student, or even a high school student. Already, I feel behind, and I am just beginning on this technological journey.
Michael Wesch's video was next on my to do list, and I enjoyed watching this one as well. I like the point he makes regarding the fact that we don't know who our audience is going to be at any given time, not to mention that watching ourselves in the future may be like watching another person all together. I also love how he compared broadcasting yourself online is somewhat like being in a confessional. His equations were identifiable, and with the ongoing growth, perhaps more people will respond positively to using online networking, and not apprehensive, reserving back to [only] their old pen and paper ways.
Comments4Kids
This week's comment4Kids was an article persuading us to just say no to fast food. It was thoughtful and easy to read. It's nice seeing young people being concerned about what types of food they are eating. The second was an article describing how hockey is better than soccer. He won my vote with such an incredible article.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Dr. Alice, ITunes, IPods, and The Strange Wiki
There is so much information on Dr. Alice's page! I've already added it to my favorites! Endless information on "everything technology". I love how organized Dr. Alice's page is. It's going to be so difficult to pick just one topic to blog about, but I'll probably come back later for more... I'll keep you posted ;)
As a teacher, I will continuously be looking for new ideas to bring into my classroom/in the gym and this is an excellent spot to start. I think I most appreciated her Educational Technology section where she began with basic understanding of the internet, navigating, and how to bring technology into the classroom. I enjoyed her research links and her many suggestions on enhancing power points; the rubric examples were my favorite though. I just learned what a rubric was last year, but I think they're one of the best things our students can use to help guide/motivate themselves.
Dr. Alice's website will be useful to me as a teacher by means of helping prepare for my own lessons and it also serves as a useful guide for parents to better understand what their children are working with in school, so they're more comfortable being involved with the process.
I Tunes
You Tube
My Space
Mine...Yours... I don't think I've ever seen or heard of as much "sharing" as what's going on now. Anyone from anywhere can find out anything. Controversial, maybe sometimes, but I believe there's hardly anything but usefulness in these networking meeting places. ITunes University is an awesome tool for any student or teacher, and I plan on taking full advantage of the site.
Strange's Wiki was really cool. I liked seeing what other people had to say!
Comments4Kids
This week's comment was left for a student named Zion in Room 8 at PT England School. He and his friend PJ set goals together and worked on a podcast. It was refreshing seeing such young people in front of the camera setting an example for us older generations to "get with the program".
As a teacher, I will continuously be looking for new ideas to bring into my classroom/in the gym and this is an excellent spot to start. I think I most appreciated her Educational Technology section where she began with basic understanding of the internet, navigating, and how to bring technology into the classroom. I enjoyed her research links and her many suggestions on enhancing power points; the rubric examples were my favorite though. I just learned what a rubric was last year, but I think they're one of the best things our students can use to help guide/motivate themselves.
Dr. Alice's website will be useful to me as a teacher by means of helping prepare for my own lessons and it also serves as a useful guide for parents to better understand what their children are working with in school, so they're more comfortable being involved with the process.
I Tunes
You Tube
My Space
Mine...Yours... I don't think I've ever seen or heard of as much "sharing" as what's going on now. Anyone from anywhere can find out anything. Controversial, maybe sometimes, but I believe there's hardly anything but usefulness in these networking meeting places. ITunes University is an awesome tool for any student or teacher, and I plan on taking full advantage of the site.
Strange's Wiki was really cool. I liked seeing what other people had to say!
Comments4Kids
This week's comment was left for a student named Zion in Room 8 at PT England School. He and his friend PJ set goals together and worked on a podcast. It was refreshing seeing such young people in front of the camera setting an example for us older generations to "get with the program".
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Wiki What?
Even though I've heard of and even used wikipedia, I've never considered it to be a real viable source of information. I've known that it can be edited by whomever at anytime, and I've used it really just to find out things that I had NO idea about before. Wikipedia's great for gaining insight on some topics you might not have been familiar with at all, but I wouldn't use it as a sole resource for any reason. I think it's cool that a database has been created to monitor what's being edited and by whom. One would want wikipedia to be as factual and true as possible, but with these big corporations adding or omitting information as they see fit, our view may become misconstrued. It's nice to know there's a quick way to brush up on something, but it's also good to be able to keep an eye out for the manipulator.
Mr. McClung learned it.... why can't we?
I was so pleased when I read Mr. McClung's post. It's refreshing to hear teachers speak of their students and remember that they are the driving force that moves us. Having a connection with the students truly is the only way to be effective. Being flexible and being able to modify your lesson plans "on the fly" are of most importance. Trying to control every move will only create stress and will hinder the learning atmosphere. Being relaxed will encourage students (and other teachers) to relax as well, opening the channels for communication. Effective communication is acquired with practice and is the key to solving conflicts with students and other teachers alike. Another skill that an effective teacher has is setting reasonable goals and objectives for her students. To quote Mr. McClung: "While its fine to have lofty goals for our students, we set our students up for disappointment when a goal is not met and we scold them for not coming through. Our job as teachers is to simply pick them up after they fail, dust them off, and encourage them to try again." I agree with him when he says we must take interest in our students. They appreciate it and it's important. It also speaks volumes about the teacher who really cares what the student has to say. Lastly, leading by example, sharing my passion for learning (including about technology!!) will encourage my students to strive to be the best they can be, and that is my only hope as a teacher... that each child will recognize and strive to reach their own potential.
Comments4Kids
Mr. Lamshed sure has some great kids he works with! I've been able to see his boys shave their heads to raise money for cancer awareness, and I've enjoyed watching their progress. Click here: for Mr. Lamshed's page.
Mr. McClung learned it.... why can't we?
I was so pleased when I read Mr. McClung's post. It's refreshing to hear teachers speak of their students and remember that they are the driving force that moves us. Having a connection with the students truly is the only way to be effective. Being flexible and being able to modify your lesson plans "on the fly" are of most importance. Trying to control every move will only create stress and will hinder the learning atmosphere. Being relaxed will encourage students (and other teachers) to relax as well, opening the channels for communication. Effective communication is acquired with practice and is the key to solving conflicts with students and other teachers alike. Another skill that an effective teacher has is setting reasonable goals and objectives for her students. To quote Mr. McClung: "While its fine to have lofty goals for our students, we set our students up for disappointment when a goal is not met and we scold them for not coming through. Our job as teachers is to simply pick them up after they fail, dust them off, and encourage them to try again." I agree with him when he says we must take interest in our students. They appreciate it and it's important. It also speaks volumes about the teacher who really cares what the student has to say. Lastly, leading by example, sharing my passion for learning (including about technology!!) will encourage my students to strive to be the best they can be, and that is my only hope as a teacher... that each child will recognize and strive to reach their own potential.
Comments4Kids
Mr. Lamshed sure has some great kids he works with! I've been able to see his boys shave their heads to raise money for cancer awareness, and I've enjoyed watching their progress. Click here: for Mr. Lamshed's page.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Technology, the Back Seat Driver
The millenia generation and technology go hand in hand, and podcasting is allowing for expansion of the classroom. students are becoming a part of the teaching process, enhancing learning. I like how the young students have positive things to say about listening to the podcasts. With the principals supporting their teachers with using technology, specifically podcasts, it has potential to serve as a basis for bringing educator and parent and student closer, with regular communication and the ease (easier?) of expression through technology.
As wonderful as it is that (very) young persons are doing everyday tasks using technology, I believe we must teach responsibility when using these tools. It might also be a good idea for schools to hold workshops for parents and invite them to learn along with the students on the benefits of the enhancements of these applications. The more involvement, the more beneficial for everyone, with the student being the center focus.
I immediately was attracted to the Brain Quest for 1st graders, because I remember when I was in 6th grade, my aunt gave me one of those in my stocking one year for Christmas... it's neat that it's on iPod now! I was thrilled to see the variety of material available. As well as academics, other topics were healthful living, dance education, and many others! It's exciting to see study guides such as spark notes available on an iPod (as opposed to downloading onto something else with text, like a kindle). The variety of training available is very broad and that will only lead to advancements across many fields.
I appreciate all of the information I've recently been exposed to since the beginning of this course. I believe it's more than relevant to me. Being new to podcasting, it's nice to be able to hear many examples, and instructions for publishing my own. For our group project, we've decided to do a vodcast, and some things that I've once dreaded, I'm looking forward to working on.
I think I honestly owe the kids for the motivation behind my want to learn now. Their creativity shines, and before my apprehension held me back, but seeing them flourish with the use of these podcasts has encouraged me to seek more knowledge about the usage of these tools and the enhancement for my students.
Comments4Kids
Twice so far I've left comments for a young man named AJ, and I've become pretty familiar with his page. It lets me relax a little for it reminds me that this "technology stuff" really isn't that hard.
As wonderful as it is that (very) young persons are doing everyday tasks using technology, I believe we must teach responsibility when using these tools. It might also be a good idea for schools to hold workshops for parents and invite them to learn along with the students on the benefits of the enhancements of these applications. The more involvement, the more beneficial for everyone, with the student being the center focus.
I immediately was attracted to the Brain Quest for 1st graders, because I remember when I was in 6th grade, my aunt gave me one of those in my stocking one year for Christmas... it's neat that it's on iPod now! I was thrilled to see the variety of material available. As well as academics, other topics were healthful living, dance education, and many others! It's exciting to see study guides such as spark notes available on an iPod (as opposed to downloading onto something else with text, like a kindle). The variety of training available is very broad and that will only lead to advancements across many fields.
I appreciate all of the information I've recently been exposed to since the beginning of this course. I believe it's more than relevant to me. Being new to podcasting, it's nice to be able to hear many examples, and instructions for publishing my own. For our group project, we've decided to do a vodcast, and some things that I've once dreaded, I'm looking forward to working on.
I think I honestly owe the kids for the motivation behind my want to learn now. Their creativity shines, and before my apprehension held me back, but seeing them flourish with the use of these podcasts has encouraged me to seek more knowledge about the usage of these tools and the enhancement for my students.
Comments4Kids
Twice so far I've left comments for a young man named AJ, and I've become pretty familiar with his page. It lets me relax a little for it reminds me that this "technology stuff" really isn't that hard.
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