What kind of education do I want my future students to have? Well, 5 weeks ago I would have said I would want the students of tomorrow to have the same education as I did 10+ years ago in elementary school. I thought this because I felt that my education in the 90's was excellent and up until 5 weeks ago, I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. However, I have had two very important realizations: 1. I'm getting older and no longer living in the 90's and 2. What worked in school for me and my generation does not apply to today's learners.
Through this course, I have realized that students today must be more prepared than ever to not only think critically, read, write, add, subtract, and so on, but now they must be prepared to journey through the world of technology. Technology has evolved from my days as a 6th grader in 1997-1998 and with evolution is survival of the fittest. However this means of evolution of technology and those who can keep up first lie with the teachers. As future educators of 21st century students, I have embraced the new ways to connect to students, parents, schools, and ultimately the world by learning about wikis, blogs, podcasts, digital media for storytelling, and so much more to continue to implement the belief that students must construct their understanding of the world around them.
Today's world is technology and students are our future. But as teachers, we must equip students with the resources, tools, and exposure to new types of technology to ultimately prepare students to compete in a global society. Students need to be engaged in technology as long as educators continue to hope for a better future.
Thank you so much, Patrick. I appreciated and enjoyed your class.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Classroom 2.0
After learning about Web 2.0 a few weeks ago, I've started to appreciate the new age of technology and education after viewing and exploring Classroom 2.0 online. But first, a reminder that Classroom 2.0 is derived from the term Web 2.0, which is a new, innovative, and modern web design that facilitates our society's need for information on any subject at any point in time. Web 2.0 is centered on web-based communities that allow members of these communities to engage in a variety of web applications, social-networking sites, video-sharing sites, wikis, blogs, and a plethora of other interactive website content.
Similarly, Classroom 2.0 encompasses all of these attributes only it is geared to the world of education. Classroom 2.0 is almost like an online educational support group. It's community based, so users are able to ask for help from colleagues, talk about their problems, and offer support to those searching for answers. The best part of all, is that to become a member of Classroom 2.0, all you have to do is simply sign up--no strings attached!
When viewing the Classroom 2.0 website, notice the search bar to the right of the homepage which conveniently lists categories to guide users in their search of educational information by simply clicking on the concept that they would like to learn more about. For instance, a user may click on "Collaborative Idea Maps" and enter upon a message board of other educators asking for help and finding out answers with the assistance of the other users of Classroom 2.0.
I know that much of the technology has served a greater purpose for the benefit and efficiency for student success, but my purpose for writing about Classroom 2.0 is to give my support to educators who not only want to educate their students, but also by educating, helping, and serving the needs of those affiliated in the realm of education. Educators need resources too and just like students, benefit from collaborative experiences in person--and online.
Similarly, Classroom 2.0 encompasses all of these attributes only it is geared to the world of education. Classroom 2.0 is almost like an online educational support group. It's community based, so users are able to ask for help from colleagues, talk about their problems, and offer support to those searching for answers. The best part of all, is that to become a member of Classroom 2.0, all you have to do is simply sign up--no strings attached!
When viewing the Classroom 2.0 website, notice the search bar to the right of the homepage which conveniently lists categories to guide users in their search of educational information by simply clicking on the concept that they would like to learn more about. For instance, a user may click on "Collaborative Idea Maps" and enter upon a message board of other educators asking for help and finding out answers with the assistance of the other users of Classroom 2.0.
I know that much of the technology has served a greater purpose for the benefit and efficiency for student success, but my purpose for writing about Classroom 2.0 is to give my support to educators who not only want to educate their students, but also by educating, helping, and serving the needs of those affiliated in the realm of education. Educators need resources too and just like students, benefit from collaborative experiences in person--and online.
Friday, September 18, 2009
PhotoStory is WAY cool!
In class this week, we learned about PhotoStory for Windows and I was immediately enthralled by this awesome tool! As we went through the steps and features of PhotoStory, I couldn't help but "oooh" and "ahh"--I was very impressed and the more I experimented with this tool, the more comfortable I felt using it. I can easily imagine myself incorportating PhotoStory with students. Students and teachers alike would be able to use PhotoStory for a variety of purposes: projects, lessons, books, art, history, the list could go on and on. I thought that it was fantastic that Airforcewife got to see PhotoStory used first hand at her PDS school. Airforcewife mentioned that the librarian used PhotoStory to create an introduction to the library rather than give a long drawn out speech to the students; simply a terrific, engaging, and efficient display of all that the library has to offer to help get students get excited rather than bore them to tears by saying, "Over there is fiction and then all the way over there is nonfiction.."
Ultimately, I think I will try to first use PhotoStory first before I consider using a PowerPoint. Not to knock good ole PowerPoint, but jeez, PhotoStory seems to be the filet mignon of adding photos, narration, effects, transitions and background music for a presentation.
As an avid watcher of the History Channel, I immediately recognized the the Ken Burns Effect, although I was not aware of the name of that technique until class. The Ken Burns Effect is truly the essence behind PhotoStory-in my opinion, it's what makes PhotoStory unlike any other slideshow/digital presentation. This technique involves a pan-and-scan effect used in video production from still imagery. This allows photos to be zoomed in upon and panned across so the audience can have a more intimate portrayal of people, events, and scenery in photos in a way that it feels like you're watching a movie rather than simply looking at a photograph.
I think PhotoStory is engaging on many different levels, from it's aesthetics, usefulness, efficiency, easy navigation, and features in which students can utilize their imaginations and creativity to conjure up a presentation they can be proud of but also display their knowledge to teachers and their classmates in a format that is fun and interesting.
Ultimately, I think I will try to first use PhotoStory first before I consider using a PowerPoint. Not to knock good ole PowerPoint, but jeez, PhotoStory seems to be the filet mignon of adding photos, narration, effects, transitions and background music for a presentation.
As an avid watcher of the History Channel, I immediately recognized the the Ken Burns Effect, although I was not aware of the name of that technique until class. The Ken Burns Effect is truly the essence behind PhotoStory-in my opinion, it's what makes PhotoStory unlike any other slideshow/digital presentation. This technique involves a pan-and-scan effect used in video production from still imagery. This allows photos to be zoomed in upon and panned across so the audience can have a more intimate portrayal of people, events, and scenery in photos in a way that it feels like you're watching a movie rather than simply looking at a photograph.
I think PhotoStory is engaging on many different levels, from it's aesthetics, usefulness, efficiency, easy navigation, and features in which students can utilize their imaginations and creativity to conjure up a presentation they can be proud of but also display their knowledge to teachers and their classmates in a format that is fun and interesting.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wikis serve a broader audience
I really found Wikis to be an interesting tool to use in the classroom because I like the idea of everyone having an opportunity to become a participant. I can appreciate how a Wiki is under constant revision and that no idea or comment is set in stone and thoughts, comments, ideas, resources can be improved, added upon, and even removed. In Wikis, there is no one author, yet it is a collaboration of all participants.
Wikis are a way to bring educators, schools, and classmates together by being able to collaborate on projects or by sharing things online that would benefit a wide audience including parents. This could include classroom information and photos, data, analysis and results from a research project, recommended books, school activities, among many others. Wikis would be another opportunity for educators and schools to communicate with parents about upcoming workshops, classes, and important dates at their child's school.
I think the best part about Wikis is that it is less personal than a blog created by the teacher for her class. Wikis are an open ended medium to be edited and revised, however, my only concern is if posts can immediately be modified, what ideas have been described but have never been viewed if they have immediately been edited over?
Wikis are a way to bring educators, schools, and classmates together by being able to collaborate on projects or by sharing things online that would benefit a wide audience including parents. This could include classroom information and photos, data, analysis and results from a research project, recommended books, school activities, among many others. Wikis would be another opportunity for educators and schools to communicate with parents about upcoming workshops, classes, and important dates at their child's school.
I think the best part about Wikis is that it is less personal than a blog created by the teacher for her class. Wikis are an open ended medium to be edited and revised, however, my only concern is if posts can immediately be modified, what ideas have been described but have never been viewed if they have immediately been edited over?
Friday, September 4, 2009
Teachers are like Doctors
This is my first blog! Wow, I never thought I would do this, but this is actually pretty neat. I thought I was pretty technologically advanced when I got an iPod, but I guess times have changed. Although, I must admit, technology can intimidate me sometimes. I feel as though our society relies too heavily on what is easy and accessible. I'm concerned that through the convenience of just about anything, that this generation is becoming expert Googlers rather than just simply experts.
While I have my hesitations about the use and purposes of technology in the classroom, a woman at a staff meeting at my PDS school gave a speech about how important technology is for teachers and students alike to utilize. In reference to teachers and technology, this woman said that being an educator is on the same level as being a doctor. In other words, she wouldn't go and see a doctor if he/she doesn't keep up with the latest news/information/breakthroughs regarding medical health (would you?) and she wouldn't send her child to a school where the educators didn't keep up with latest technological innovations that provide a stronger link between teachers and parents and provide an outlet for support for students who may need additional tools and references. This makes sense.
In conclusion, technology is a good thing and has a lot of potential to do great things for many people. But like Uncle Ben (from "Spiderman") said, "With great power, comes great responsibility."
While I have my hesitations about the use and purposes of technology in the classroom, a woman at a staff meeting at my PDS school gave a speech about how important technology is for teachers and students alike to utilize. In reference to teachers and technology, this woman said that being an educator is on the same level as being a doctor. In other words, she wouldn't go and see a doctor if he/she doesn't keep up with the latest news/information/breakthroughs regarding medical health (would you?) and she wouldn't send her child to a school where the educators didn't keep up with latest technological innovations that provide a stronger link between teachers and parents and provide an outlet for support for students who may need additional tools and references. This makes sense.
In conclusion, technology is a good thing and has a lot of potential to do great things for many people. But like Uncle Ben (from "Spiderman") said, "With great power, comes great responsibility."
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