In my case, I think of a learning community as those students and teachers on my elementary campus. I see podcasts as a great way to make presentations to our students. Book reviews would be a great way to utilize podcasts. However, in order to get to the students, I have to get through the teachers. Many times the teachers have no interest at all in utilizing technology in their classrooms.
As I mentioned last week, our campus is preparing for "Read Across America Week." I have prepared a short announcement for each day this week discussing Dr. Seuss' life and highlights of his literary career. I have already had a couple of teachers comment that I should keep it short, as we already have enough announcements in the morning.
Next year, I would like to make or locate podcasts that teachers could show to their students when it is convenient for them to do so. Podcasts would certainly be more engaging for the students than just listening to an announcement over the intercom system, and more convenient for teachers because they could fit it into their schedule when it is most convenient for them.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Week 5, Reflective Blog
I must admit that I wasn't that enthused about Wikis when I began this week's assignment, but after going through this weeks activities, I can certainly see their value.
I set up a Wiki for my campus. We are currently working on Read Across America activities for the week of March 1-5, and this will make an excellent way to coordinate all our activities. After having spent the last week on the phone, and firing emails back and forth concerning our planned activities, I think a Wiki will be a very effective way to organize our materials, gather information and sources, and even delegate responsibilities.
I see great advantages to using Wikis; information is in one central place where all involved parties can utilize and manage it. However, I must admit the thought of certain teachers accidentally deleting all our information has crossed my mind. In the beginning, at least, I will probably only invite certain teachers to contribute.
I also enjoyed the eLearning Tools Wiki. I really think the animation would be something that I could use. I have also created a couple of projects using Animoto, and I REALLY enjoyed that.
I set up a Wiki for my campus. We are currently working on Read Across America activities for the week of March 1-5, and this will make an excellent way to coordinate all our activities. After having spent the last week on the phone, and firing emails back and forth concerning our planned activities, I think a Wiki will be a very effective way to organize our materials, gather information and sources, and even delegate responsibilities.
I see great advantages to using Wikis; information is in one central place where all involved parties can utilize and manage it. However, I must admit the thought of certain teachers accidentally deleting all our information has crossed my mind. In the beginning, at least, I will probably only invite certain teachers to contribute.
I also enjoyed the eLearning Tools Wiki. I really think the animation would be something that I could use. I have also created a couple of projects using Animoto, and I REALLY enjoyed that.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Week 4, Reflective Blog
This week's technology project, setting up an electronic portfolio, has been a challenge for me. Usually, I go through things like that pretty quickly, but for some reason, this assignment proved to be a challenge for me. I did finally get it set up, and managed to attach my blog address, but it certainly doesn't look like I would like it to. Fortunately, it's not due for a while, so I'll have some time to get it whipped into shape. I do think it is an excellent way to collect/demonstrate my skills and projects that I have mastered.
As for the ten principles of Assessment for Learning, I chose to focus on the sixth one, "AFL should take account of the importance of (and foster) learner motivation. I found an excellent article titled, "All Work and No Play Reconsidered: The Use of Games to Promote Motivation and Engagement in Instruction." The author, Stephen Gareau, made a great argument that while some educators see educational technology as merely "toys," the fact is that educational technology addresses many more learner intelligences than traditional instruction.
Tying these two topics togeher, electronic portfolios and learner motivation, has certainly taken place this week. I find myself already thinking of things that I could do to make my portfolio look, and work, better...partially because I am competitive and want my portfolio to look good, but also because it's fun!
As for the ten principles of Assessment for Learning, I chose to focus on the sixth one, "AFL should take account of the importance of (and foster) learner motivation. I found an excellent article titled, "All Work and No Play Reconsidered: The Use of Games to Promote Motivation and Engagement in Instruction." The author, Stephen Gareau, made a great argument that while some educators see educational technology as merely "toys," the fact is that educational technology addresses many more learner intelligences than traditional instruction.
Tying these two topics togeher, electronic portfolios and learner motivation, has certainly taken place this week. I find myself already thinking of things that I could do to make my portfolio look, and work, better...partially because I am competitive and want my portfolio to look good, but also because it's fun!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Week 3, Reflective Blog
I must admit that I am a creature of habit; whenever I'm searching for information, I go to the first few results that pop up. They're quick, they're easy, and they are the first ones, so they must be right, right? However, after completing this week's MAPping activity, I will look closer at the sites that I am getting information from. I have also already shown my two oldest daughters this activity as well. It seems they are constantly having to look up information on the internet; maybe this will help them find the most reliable information available.
As for my Delicious account, I have had that for almost a year now, and I find it very helpful. With five of us using our home computer, it is a nice place to bookmark sites, articles, etc., that is A PLACE OF MY OWN. I don't have to scan through the NUMEROUS sites we have in "My Favorites" on our computer; I just go there and look at my personal stuff. And somehow, it gives me peace of mind knowing that no one else is going to touch it. Except now, I have networked with Dr. W....hmmm, sort of shoots a hole in the "PLACE OF MY OWN" theory, but it is nice to network. In fact, I've already picked up a tidbit on adding video/music to my blogs. Maybe I'll use that in the near future...who knows?
As for my Delicious account, I have had that for almost a year now, and I find it very helpful. With five of us using our home computer, it is a nice place to bookmark sites, articles, etc., that is A PLACE OF MY OWN. I don't have to scan through the NUMEROUS sites we have in "My Favorites" on our computer; I just go there and look at my personal stuff. And somehow, it gives me peace of mind knowing that no one else is going to touch it. Except now, I have networked with Dr. W....hmmm, sort of shoots a hole in the "PLACE OF MY OWN" theory, but it is nice to network. In fact, I've already picked up a tidbit on adding video/music to my blogs. Maybe I'll use that in the near future...who knows?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Week 2, Reflective Blog
To paraphrase that old expression, "The more I learn about educational technology, the more I learn how much I have to learn."
I guess I always looked at technology education as a two part process; first, students must be taught how to use the specific technology, and then taught how to utilize/apply it for any given educational objective. After viewing the two videos regarding "Digital Natives," I see that learners are well-prepared to utilize technology for education. The burden falls squarely on educators to "power-up" our instruction to fit 21st Century learning styles. If you look at it that way, it's not the students that need to get going, it's the educators.
For my library specifically, I would dearly love to use more technology. Monday through Thursday, I have one group each of third, fourth, and fifth grade students that visit the library for enrichment time. After taking a literature class last summer, I went back to school excited and full of ideas of how I could use Animoto to interest students in all the books I'd read over the summer, and wordle as a great way for students to create summaries of books they had read. I was shut down completely by our technology department. I was told that neither of these programs would be accessible on the student computers in our library, and that I could use the program only on my teacher computer. I have concluded that our District's technology plan is not one of how we can provide learners with a rich educational experience, but more a way to manage hardware.
I guess I always looked at technology education as a two part process; first, students must be taught how to use the specific technology, and then taught how to utilize/apply it for any given educational objective. After viewing the two videos regarding "Digital Natives," I see that learners are well-prepared to utilize technology for education. The burden falls squarely on educators to "power-up" our instruction to fit 21st Century learning styles. If you look at it that way, it's not the students that need to get going, it's the educators.
For my library specifically, I would dearly love to use more technology. Monday through Thursday, I have one group each of third, fourth, and fifth grade students that visit the library for enrichment time. After taking a literature class last summer, I went back to school excited and full of ideas of how I could use Animoto to interest students in all the books I'd read over the summer, and wordle as a great way for students to create summaries of books they had read. I was shut down completely by our technology department. I was told that neither of these programs would be accessible on the student computers in our library, and that I could use the program only on my teacher computer. I have concluded that our District's technology plan is not one of how we can provide learners with a rich educational experience, but more a way to manage hardware.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Week 1, Reflective Blog
My Educational Technology Philosophy:
In today’s world, with so much more information at our fingertips, the role of educator has new requirements and responsibilities. We can no longer expect our students to become well-rounded, informed individuals by simply utilizing paper and pen activities.
I believe my philosophy of education in general is a direct reflection of my own attitude and method of learning. I look at education from a very pragmatic point of view. I have always needed to see the value in what I was being taught or it didn’t mean much to me. I also don’t like to feel patronized by having to complete what I view as “busy work”. Just please show me the quickest way to get from point A to point B. I see that same attitude with many of my students; they must be shown the importance/application for information before it becomes valuable to them.
My philosophy of educational technology is very much the same. I don’t have any great need to sit for hours looking at a computer screen. I’m just not that person. However, if you show me a way that I can gain necessary information or ideas more readily by using technology, I’m 100% engaged. Likewise, if I can illustrate ideas or create projects more fluently by using technology , then I really enjoy expressing myself.
I feel my job as an educator of the 21st Century learner is to provide as much access as possible to educational technology, and to teach students how to use this technology to gain information and express ideas. Students who are able to access websites of favorite authors will become even more engaged in that author’s work. Those same students can be shown how to create blogs and thus be able to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas more readily.
Throughout history, teachers have worked to give students the tools needed to be successful. In today’s world, those necessary tools definitely include technology.
Having my educational philosophy in writing has forced me to actually think about what my philosophy is. Like many people, I get busy with day to day activities and can find myself not really going in a specific direction. This has given me an idea of the direction I would like to take educational technology in our school.
As I am creating my first blog, I can see how this could become a very creative outlet for me. I believe my students would benefit greatly from something like this. So many of them have no one to listen to them; this would be a great place for them to voice their opinions, thoughts, feelings, and ideas. However, at present, the technology department of our school district doesn't allow blogging, so I'm not sure how this would come to pass. In that respect, I don't believe we have met our potential in education as far as technology is concerned.
In "Creating a New Culture of Teaching and Learning", by Alan November, the author tells us not to use a technology plan as a shopping list, but rather as a way to create relationships. We should decide what technology uses would be beneficial for our students, and then make sure we have the hardware to facilitate those uses. I think in the course of planning, many of us forget this.
In today’s world, with so much more information at our fingertips, the role of educator has new requirements and responsibilities. We can no longer expect our students to become well-rounded, informed individuals by simply utilizing paper and pen activities.
I believe my philosophy of education in general is a direct reflection of my own attitude and method of learning. I look at education from a very pragmatic point of view. I have always needed to see the value in what I was being taught or it didn’t mean much to me. I also don’t like to feel patronized by having to complete what I view as “busy work”. Just please show me the quickest way to get from point A to point B. I see that same attitude with many of my students; they must be shown the importance/application for information before it becomes valuable to them.
My philosophy of educational technology is very much the same. I don’t have any great need to sit for hours looking at a computer screen. I’m just not that person. However, if you show me a way that I can gain necessary information or ideas more readily by using technology, I’m 100% engaged. Likewise, if I can illustrate ideas or create projects more fluently by using technology , then I really enjoy expressing myself.
I feel my job as an educator of the 21st Century learner is to provide as much access as possible to educational technology, and to teach students how to use this technology to gain information and express ideas. Students who are able to access websites of favorite authors will become even more engaged in that author’s work. Those same students can be shown how to create blogs and thus be able to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas more readily.
Throughout history, teachers have worked to give students the tools needed to be successful. In today’s world, those necessary tools definitely include technology.
__________________________________________
Having my educational philosophy in writing has forced me to actually think about what my philosophy is. Like many people, I get busy with day to day activities and can find myself not really going in a specific direction. This has given me an idea of the direction I would like to take educational technology in our school.
As I am creating my first blog, I can see how this could become a very creative outlet for me. I believe my students would benefit greatly from something like this. So many of them have no one to listen to them; this would be a great place for them to voice their opinions, thoughts, feelings, and ideas. However, at present, the technology department of our school district doesn't allow blogging, so I'm not sure how this would come to pass. In that respect, I don't believe we have met our potential in education as far as technology is concerned.
In "Creating a New Culture of Teaching and Learning", by Alan November, the author tells us not to use a technology plan as a shopping list, but rather as a way to create relationships. We should decide what technology uses would be beneficial for our students, and then make sure we have the hardware to facilitate those uses. I think in the course of planning, many of us forget this.
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