Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Technology and the Outdoors
As I began scrolling through all of the material this week, I was wondering if it were going to be some more stuff about technology and why we should learn it. I was surprised to see that of course it was about technology, but it was about the outdoors as well. This father and little girl Kaia, had created a video of photos that Kaia had taken, and then put into a video format where she had explained all of the pictures.
Here is the great part, the father didn't expect to get all of the responses that he had gotten, therefore opening a world of opportunities for him and his daughter.
The two of them started conversing with people all across the world about this little girl's photos, which were good by the way. I really appreciate the way that this family has reintroduced the importance of going outside and exploring your world. I hate to say this but I think it is something that today's youth are missing, spending all of their time either online or engaged in video games. Combining the past time of going outside and exploring, to creating learning environments around the world is amazing.
Some points were brought up however in the videos and comments about privacy, and the rapid growth of video technology. I tend to agree that it is very scary broadcasting yourself out to the world with no idea what or who is watching. I tend to find myself in the, scared of publishing my life, category. I also see myself slowly opening up to the new technology. Like one of the posters said, "If we do not open our self up how are we to learn together?"
As I am still hesitant to broadcast myself, I am interested in learning more and more things. I often find my self tinkering with all of the technology I have learned, to see what I am capable of doing, without being required. Regardless, I see this one post (Kaia's) as being one that has started a chain reaction of teaching and learning. The connections that people make through the use of technology will only enhance the learning process as well as society in general. The more we learn about other cultures, through the use of technology, the more our stereotypes diminish. And don't forget all the other stuff one can learn as well.
Here is the great part, the father didn't expect to get all of the responses that he had gotten, therefore opening a world of opportunities for him and his daughter.
The two of them started conversing with people all across the world about this little girl's photos, which were good by the way. I really appreciate the way that this family has reintroduced the importance of going outside and exploring your world. I hate to say this but I think it is something that today's youth are missing, spending all of their time either online or engaged in video games. Combining the past time of going outside and exploring, to creating learning environments around the world is amazing.
Some points were brought up however in the videos and comments about privacy, and the rapid growth of video technology. I tend to agree that it is very scary broadcasting yourself out to the world with no idea what or who is watching. I tend to find myself in the, scared of publishing my life, category. I also see myself slowly opening up to the new technology. Like one of the posters said, "If we do not open our self up how are we to learn together?"
As I am still hesitant to broadcast myself, I am interested in learning more and more things. I often find my self tinkering with all of the technology I have learned, to see what I am capable of doing, without being required. Regardless, I see this one post (Kaia's) as being one that has started a chain reaction of teaching and learning. The connections that people make through the use of technology will only enhance the learning process as well as society in general. The more we learn about other cultures, through the use of technology, the more our stereotypes diminish. And don't forget all the other stuff one can learn as well.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
New Media Literacies
Well this video cast presented a lot of information in a short amount of time. I think that the skills that were presented are something that we as business people already use. However, with today's technology the way information is presented is the difference. As previously stated, I do not necessarily see these ideas as 21st century ideas, just ideas that are being presented differently do to the ever changing technology. Obviously, others will have to master and successfully use this information to succeed in their field.
I see myself as knowing a majority of these skills. However using them in the context of social networking, I am still in the process of learning. I continue to make strives to succeed in the field of education, therefore I will continue to learn as much as possible to help my students. Also, with the help of my PLN, Personal Learning Network, I will be able to find my answers faster than before. As the pace of life changes, and it seems to be going faster and faster these days, it is important to find information as soon as possible. Furthermore, we as consumers, are encouraged to look at the information of others to see if our purchases will be worthwhile.
Two words that stuck out in my mind as I viewed the video was the word play and negotiations. We as individuals start off learning by the form of play. If students learn the ideas in this video early on, it is inevitable that they will only go further, and expand their minds even further. The other word was negotiations. Once a child learns to negotiate, they become more socially aware.
As they also said in the video, "Collective Intelligence is important for the World," and I couldn't agree more. Working together as a group to solve the problems, is a good idea. My only hope, is that this and other sites remain politically neutral. I have seen many sites that begin to stray to one side of the political spectrum or the other cutting off many of the former listeners or readers. Other than that, interaction between individuals, through the words described in the video are important for not only students, but also the world.
I see myself as knowing a majority of these skills. However using them in the context of social networking, I am still in the process of learning. I continue to make strives to succeed in the field of education, therefore I will continue to learn as much as possible to help my students. Also, with the help of my PLN, Personal Learning Network, I will be able to find my answers faster than before. As the pace of life changes, and it seems to be going faster and faster these days, it is important to find information as soon as possible. Furthermore, we as consumers, are encouraged to look at the information of others to see if our purchases will be worthwhile.
Two words that stuck out in my mind as I viewed the video was the word play and negotiations. We as individuals start off learning by the form of play. If students learn the ideas in this video early on, it is inevitable that they will only go further, and expand their minds even further. The other word was negotiations. Once a child learns to negotiate, they become more socially aware.
As they also said in the video, "Collective Intelligence is important for the World," and I couldn't agree more. Working together as a group to solve the problems, is a good idea. My only hope, is that this and other sites remain politically neutral. I have seen many sites that begin to stray to one side of the political spectrum or the other cutting off many of the former listeners or readers. Other than that, interaction between individuals, through the words described in the video are important for not only students, but also the world.
Wendy Drexler
I actually love the idea of students having their own PLN, Personal Learning Network. I think that this will take a huge burden off of teachers. Not that the teacher will do any less, but can you imagine that one day students will possibly be able to go online and search and collaborate with other students to come up with answers on their own. Also they will be able to elaborate on subjects that their teachers were unable to expand on due to time constraints. The idea of connectivism between students thrills me, something that is informative and not socially tied, like FaceBook. Please understand that I too am a FaceBook user, but only to the extent to keep up with friends and family, and games.
Obviously the sooner that students learn this form of information out there, it will give them an advantage that others do not have. I am unfortunately learning this later in life, but fortunately I am still learning this in its somewhat of an infancy stage. The PLN connects teachers with teachers, classes with classes, and information to individuals and others who are having a hard time finding it.
So is it necessary to have teachers? The answer is, Of course it is still necessary for teachers and instructors. Just because the students may have the information at their fingertips, it would be the job of the teacher to teach the student how to learn how to use the information provided. They must also teach the student how to use the PLN. The teacher must also maintain the network, and like she said creatively, working together people can solve problems. This technology, is in my opinion, some of the better ideas to come along.
Obviously the sooner that students learn this form of information out there, it will give them an advantage that others do not have. I am unfortunately learning this later in life, but fortunately I am still learning this in its somewhat of an infancy stage. The PLN connects teachers with teachers, classes with classes, and information to individuals and others who are having a hard time finding it.
So is it necessary to have teachers? The answer is, Of course it is still necessary for teachers and instructors. Just because the students may have the information at their fingertips, it would be the job of the teacher to teach the student how to learn how to use the information provided. They must also teach the student how to use the PLN. The teacher must also maintain the network, and like she said creatively, working together people can solve problems. This technology, is in my opinion, some of the better ideas to come along.
Richard Miller's This is How We Dream, Part 1 and 2
After listening to the Youtube broadcast, I tend to agree that the world is changing and so is learning. Mr. Miller's dream is coming true slowly, but inevitably faster then what I think he even dreams. Over the past few decades I have seen technology advance at such exponential rates that I can not even imaging what the children of tomorrow will be doing. He is correct in saying that it is going to be a financial burden for the school system to implement these ideas, but it is something that I feel will be done eventually. I am not saying that I want all children to become graphic designers and computer engineers, but to influence them with hands on computer skills will only enhance their knowledge of the subject being presented.
Am I prepared to write with multimedia? Not yet but it is the intention of this student to learn all that is out there, not for mastery but for the sake of just using this technology to positively influence my future students. Like I previously stated, technology is rapidly growing and who knows what is going to be coming down the pipeline next, but with the basic understanding of other versions and current technology, it is possible to proceed and pass on to the younger generation.
I am sure that by the time I graduate, the students of tomorrow will have already mastered a new skill in technology, if it is given to them in the form of a game, such as Wii or Nintendo, unfortunately. Children tend to focus on these items, and are learning new skills without them even knowing.It will be up to us as teachers to use this knowledge and build on it, to present the technology in a form that will be useful in life not only academically, but socially as well.
Am I prepared to write with multimedia? Not yet but it is the intention of this student to learn all that is out there, not for mastery but for the sake of just using this technology to positively influence my future students. Like I previously stated, technology is rapidly growing and who knows what is going to be coming down the pipeline next, but with the basic understanding of other versions and current technology, it is possible to proceed and pass on to the younger generation.
I am sure that by the time I graduate, the students of tomorrow will have already mastered a new skill in technology, if it is given to them in the form of a game, such as Wii or Nintendo, unfortunately. Children tend to focus on these items, and are learning new skills without them even knowing.It will be up to us as teachers to use this knowledge and build on it, to present the technology in a form that will be useful in life not only academically, but socially as well.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
IPods in the Classroom?
I really do not know how I feel about this, is this the first step for replacing teachers? Just kidding but in a way it does seem possible now. Regardless of the last comment, I do feel that Ipods are an excellent way to enhance learning. Students can download lectures or other information such as spelling words (dictated by the teacher so pronunciation would be accurate for lower grades). One site that I thought was helpful was from Education World, http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/sites/sites070.shtml, this site goes over how Ipods can be a useful tool in the classroom. This site gives instructions on how to, and why to use Ipods in the classroom. This site also references Duke University and how it is pioneering this new teaching tool.
Duke University specifically goes over how and when Ipods are used and how the students feel about it on their website, http://cit.duke.edu/tools/digital_media/ipod.html. As more and more schools catch onto this educational aide, the more students will flourish. Missing class will no longer be an excuse, students can simply download the specific material and not miss a beat. What once was banned as a nuisance in the classroom, has now become a requirement in some places. As long as people keep coming up with these interesting techniques students will never get bored. School will no longer be looked at as a burden.
My only concern is the financial aspect of this new development. There are still many families and students that are on fixed incomes. It will be these students that are going to be left out. Before this becomes the norm, one must look at what students are paying for books (which are astronomical to begin with), other mechanical devices that are used only for quizzes, and other not mentioned expenses, and that is just college students. K-12 students have it a lot worse, those students are subject to parent discretion, what is more important power bill or IPod for one of my three kids. I really like the idea of the concept of having IPods as an aide to the teacher but realistically the responsibility needs to be the schools to provide these items.
Ipod
Duke University specifically goes over how and when Ipods are used and how the students feel about it on their website, http://cit.duke.edu/tools/digital_media/ipod.html. As more and more schools catch onto this educational aide, the more students will flourish. Missing class will no longer be an excuse, students can simply download the specific material and not miss a beat. What once was banned as a nuisance in the classroom, has now become a requirement in some places. As long as people keep coming up with these interesting techniques students will never get bored. School will no longer be looked at as a burden.
My only concern is the financial aspect of this new development. There are still many families and students that are on fixed incomes. It will be these students that are going to be left out. Before this becomes the norm, one must look at what students are paying for books (which are astronomical to begin with), other mechanical devices that are used only for quizzes, and other not mentioned expenses, and that is just college students. K-12 students have it a lot worse, those students are subject to parent discretion, what is more important power bill or IPod for one of my three kids. I really like the idea of the concept of having IPods as an aide to the teacher but realistically the responsibility needs to be the schools to provide these items.
Ipod
Dr. Christie
Dr Christie has put a lot of helpful information available to anyone willing to learn, and her site covers almost everything she has accumulated over her long 40 year teaching career. From classes to workshops, Dr. Christie covers it all. I specifically like the fact that she posted reliable sites for children to search with. This sites filter out bad imagery and content that should not be seen by children. Also, her workshops cover a vast majority of topics to help teachers utilize the information available to them via the web.
Another part of her site that I enjoyed was the information regarding geocahing and GPS. These two things have become highly popular over the past few years, really changing the game hide and seek. However, I appreciate this due to the fact that last year the teacher that I worked under incorporated GPS in her PE classroom, to have the children run around and exercise without them really knowing it. It was an excellent way to incorporate technology in the PE classroom.
Apart from that, Dr Christie, focuses on constantly educating yourself to make yourself and the classroom better. This way the children are positively influenced to constantly strive to continue their education, and use "fun, technological advances that we may not have had.
Another part of her site that I enjoyed was the information regarding geocahing and GPS. These two things have become highly popular over the past few years, really changing the game hide and seek. However, I appreciate this due to the fact that last year the teacher that I worked under incorporated GPS in her PE classroom, to have the children run around and exercise without them really knowing it. It was an excellent way to incorporate technology in the PE classroom.
Apart from that, Dr Christie, focuses on constantly educating yourself to make yourself and the classroom better. This way the children are positively influenced to constantly strive to continue their education, and use "fun, technological advances that we may not have had.
iTunes University
Looking into iTunes University has peaked my interest even more. As a future educator I can see how this site could be very useful in the classroom. The search engine provides links to different universities that may help provide further knowledge to pass along to students in the classroom. Teachers can see specific sites, series of instruction, or programs, to help them expand or teach a lesson.
The easiest way to search for something is to go to the iTunes website, find the search button in the top right corner. Once you type in what your looking for, your results will be displayed. Simply click on one of the chosen search items and pull up that page. After you have done this click on the tracks button to play specific tracks. You can choose any university that participates, other institutes will soon post more.
With a majority of the classrooms now having smart boards, a teacher can easily pull them up without the need of television sets from the library. The students could listen and watch all information with the simple touch of a mouse. To find iTunes University simply go to this link www.apple.com/education/guidedtours/itunesu.html. This will help you get started with tours and download information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)