-
Who doesn't like a good story? There is always a why to make digital story telling useful in a classroom. It doesn't matter what the content area is because story are creative learning devices. Digital story telling is no different from any other story telling just got a fancy new look to it. Again I don't have a classroom or students so I'm just going to wing it and make up an example. An digital story idea I have been playing with for a while in my head goes something like this...Broke the students up into groups because cooperative learning is great for students. Each group now will create a blog (going digital) and they will create the first page of a story. It's a collaborative story and it can be down with any web 2.0 tool. Depending on the content area the stories will vary, but lets focus something like math. Students create a story about someone or something trying to solve something with math using one of the many formulas (preferably one the are working on in class). The groups will set up the scene. After the first post is done the groups reply to another groups blog and continue the story keeping in mind the core component of solving the problem at the end. The last group will end the story and solve the problem. Simple enough right?This will engage students in developing technology literacy, writing skills and improve their reading comprehension. Students can achieve good fluency when reading aloud, rereading, and one-on-one feedback. They are cooperative learning by delegating authority and sharing responsibility for learning. They can identify the structure and sequencing in their own writing as well as others and work on feedback. Imagery will help them recall and understand information and text. This all boils down to improving reading and writing skills.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Digital Story Telling
Monday, August 5, 2013
Web 2.0 Tools
Article to Read
Web 2.0 tools
Wordle
Abcya
Tagxedo
Blabberize
Voki
A cool little Link
Web 2.0 tools
Wordle
Abcya
Tagxedo
Blabberize
Voki
A cool little Link
I tried to look at something new, something I haven't explored before which lead me to Sync.in. It took a bit of playing around in order to get a free trail because there is no longer a free edition. It was fun to play around with but its your standard collaborative tool. You get live chat with members using the application, take notes, collaborate notes and all that business. Its pretty looking but in all honesty with free application like Google Docs and the many extensions you can download for it not the best choice. If I had to use it or something similar in a class I would use it more or less for creative projects, give students a chance to work together outside class. An application like this is good for something like a group story. Where one starts a line then another one continues then another till the story is complete. You can save the information and only select people can access the collaborative work.
The second thing I wanted to look at was LiveBinders. Why? Its nice to be organized. Personally I can use this for my eportfolio, come to think about it that isn't a bad idea. Some students use eportfolio to showcase their knowledge and learning over the years, LiveBinder can help students organize information. You can also have students organize information for final projects or research papers to show their process and progress. It works on many different OS and is easy to use and organize like a physical binder. You can share your binder with others via social media. One last idea would be to use LiveBinder for students to upload assignments.
My eportfolio!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Week 10 - Topic 1 : KWL
What did you know
I believe I stated in an earlier post about what I knew when it came to integrated technology in a classroom setting, this being simple things like Moodle, Blackboard, wiki-spaces and basic email interactions. Thinking about it I also had a small idea what blogging was and new a few tools that exist out there, nothing fancy. Most of my knowledge was based on more hardcore programs used mostly for computers classes and almost only for computer classes.
what did you want to know
Although I have never really liked the idea of blogging I was curious to see how it can be used in a classroom along with what else is out there. I've known about Twitter, YouTube Google Docs and a few other sites they can be used in an integrated classroom, but I need to know more. I wanted to learn about new tools, and just how exactly you can use tools in the classroom. A big idea I thought about was how can you combine tools to make a richer learning environment.
what did you learn (or not?)
The biggest lesson I will note first is that I didn't know nearly as much as I thought I did. I state this mostly about blogging and some of the other tools which I thought I knew. I learned a great deal about Google Docs/Drive like hangouts, you can install different application to the drive, some are very helpful and even the fact that you can link the Google plus account to blogs and so many other tools just makes it a wonderful management device. I've become I little bit obsessive with it, using it for almost everything.
I learned a lot about blogging and the many different types of blogging. Macro to micro, photos and more, it is a big wide world of blogging. I may not like it personally but I can see the merit of using it in a classroom, assignments, and lessons. I learned the advantages of using social bookmarking and how it can be useful for many things like research and group work.
How will you use what you have learned in this course to further your technology integration into your own classroom?
Still don't have a classroom so this questions a bit hard to answer in a specific situation but I do have some ideas. I liked the idea of using a blog for reflective homework assignments. I like the idea of using Google Drive as a place to help students work through problems and questions from different locations and times. Social bookmarking is great for research and getting up to date. I think one thing I want to do when I get a classroom is have the students do social bookmarking to find articles, Ted-talks or blogs to keep them up to date with technology, they would then review and reflect on a blog about what they learned. Its simple weekly assignment but a lot of computer science classes don't have reflective aspects thus this introduces something different for student to experience.
How far have you come?
Bring it all together what did I accomplish this semester, well for starters I created, maintained, update a blog which gave me a chance to experience digital etiquette and responsible social interactions in an online setting. I learned about many useful tools and got to play around and integrate those tools into my professional learning and social interactions. I got to look at and learn about new technologies and the issues or not issues that surround those technologies and share those issue with classmates and the internet as a whole. In the process of all this I started creating my own personal learning network, which is not complete and there is plenty of ways I can improve it and continue to evolve it. Lastly I had plenty of time to reflect on every issue, technology and concepts that I learned.
This may be my last post for this class, but its just the start of learning and integrating technology.
I believe I stated in an earlier post about what I knew when it came to integrated technology in a classroom setting, this being simple things like Moodle, Blackboard, wiki-spaces and basic email interactions. Thinking about it I also had a small idea what blogging was and new a few tools that exist out there, nothing fancy. Most of my knowledge was based on more hardcore programs used mostly for computers classes and almost only for computer classes.
what did you want to know
Although I have never really liked the idea of blogging I was curious to see how it can be used in a classroom along with what else is out there. I've known about Twitter, YouTube Google Docs and a few other sites they can be used in an integrated classroom, but I need to know more. I wanted to learn about new tools, and just how exactly you can use tools in the classroom. A big idea I thought about was how can you combine tools to make a richer learning environment.
what did you learn (or not?)
The biggest lesson I will note first is that I didn't know nearly as much as I thought I did. I state this mostly about blogging and some of the other tools which I thought I knew. I learned a great deal about Google Docs/Drive like hangouts, you can install different application to the drive, some are very helpful and even the fact that you can link the Google plus account to blogs and so many other tools just makes it a wonderful management device. I've become I little bit obsessive with it, using it for almost everything.
I learned a lot about blogging and the many different types of blogging. Macro to micro, photos and more, it is a big wide world of blogging. I may not like it personally but I can see the merit of using it in a classroom, assignments, and lessons. I learned the advantages of using social bookmarking and how it can be useful for many things like research and group work.
How will you use what you have learned in this course to further your technology integration into your own classroom?
Still don't have a classroom so this questions a bit hard to answer in a specific situation but I do have some ideas. I liked the idea of using a blog for reflective homework assignments. I like the idea of using Google Drive as a place to help students work through problems and questions from different locations and times. Social bookmarking is great for research and getting up to date. I think one thing I want to do when I get a classroom is have the students do social bookmarking to find articles, Ted-talks or blogs to keep them up to date with technology, they would then review and reflect on a blog about what they learned. Its simple weekly assignment but a lot of computer science classes don't have reflective aspects thus this introduces something different for student to experience.
How far have you come?
Bring it all together what did I accomplish this semester, well for starters I created, maintained, update a blog which gave me a chance to experience digital etiquette and responsible social interactions in an online setting. I learned about many useful tools and got to play around and integrate those tools into my professional learning and social interactions. I got to look at and learn about new technologies and the issues or not issues that surround those technologies and share those issue with classmates and the internet as a whole. In the process of all this I started creating my own personal learning network, which is not complete and there is plenty of ways I can improve it and continue to evolve it. Lastly I had plenty of time to reflect on every issue, technology and concepts that I learned.
This may be my last post for this class, but its just the start of learning and integrating technology.
"Life is locomotion... if you're not moving, you're not living. But there comes a time when you've got to stop running away from things... and you've got to start running towards something, you've got to forge ahead. Keep moving. Even if your path isn't lit... trust that you'll find your way."
- Barry Allen (The Flash)
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Week 9 - Topic 2 : PLN
Before this class I didn't really have an internet presence. Without an internet presence I didn't really have a personal learning network. If I needed to know something I just Google searched it but once I was done with it changes are I lost it or bookmarked it with the browsers bookmark which got filled up easily with many different sites, blogs, wikis and more and eventually I would have to start deleting items off my bookmark. What has changed because of this course?
I have an Internet presence. We used many new tools in the class some I have come to enjoy. I now use social bookmarking sites like Diigo. I even created a second account to keep track of many different things that interest me and help me learn. It took a while to get use to using it because I was more accustomed to the old school way of bookmarking. One things I can say about Diigo is that joining groups is a good way to find articles, blogs and sources in general. I'm still learning how to use it, I can't figure out how to add things to list yet so there is still some things to learn.
I know it wasn't a requirement for the class but I created a Twitter. Granted I have no clue how to use it at all, and aside from following my friends I don't use it for anything yet. I want to learn how to use it in a classroom so I have been reading up on how others use it in a classroom, again bookmarked with Diigo. The point I am trying to make is that I'm trying new tools on my own and trying to apply them to my field of study.
I still don't like blogging, but I have started another blog. I use it mostly just to re-blog items I find interesting because I haven't really found a real reason to blog yet. It fills up some free time to just explore other blogs and you learn some fun little facts every so often. I believe blogging however will become very useful for me as a computer science educator. I like the idea of using it for homework and student peer communication. Its also a wonderful place for feedback and reflection.
I don't think its a matter of "have" or "have not" when thinking about if I have built a PLN. I can honestly say that I am building one. I'm trying new things to see what I like and what works best with my way of thinking. In regard to my PLN I can say it is still a work in progress because you can never really stop learning when you are interested in something.
I have an Internet presence. We used many new tools in the class some I have come to enjoy. I now use social bookmarking sites like Diigo. I even created a second account to keep track of many different things that interest me and help me learn. It took a while to get use to using it because I was more accustomed to the old school way of bookmarking. One things I can say about Diigo is that joining groups is a good way to find articles, blogs and sources in general. I'm still learning how to use it, I can't figure out how to add things to list yet so there is still some things to learn.
I know it wasn't a requirement for the class but I created a Twitter. Granted I have no clue how to use it at all, and aside from following my friends I don't use it for anything yet. I want to learn how to use it in a classroom so I have been reading up on how others use it in a classroom, again bookmarked with Diigo. The point I am trying to make is that I'm trying new tools on my own and trying to apply them to my field of study.
I still don't like blogging, but I have started another blog. I use it mostly just to re-blog items I find interesting because I haven't really found a real reason to blog yet. It fills up some free time to just explore other blogs and you learn some fun little facts every so often. I believe blogging however will become very useful for me as a computer science educator. I like the idea of using it for homework and student peer communication. Its also a wonderful place for feedback and reflection.
I don't think its a matter of "have" or "have not" when thinking about if I have built a PLN. I can honestly say that I am building one. I'm trying new things to see what I like and what works best with my way of thinking. In regard to my PLN I can say it is still a work in progress because you can never really stop learning when you are interested in something.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Week 9 - Topic 1 : Lesson Plan
Binary Craft
This lesson is designed as an enrichment activity to introduce students to mathematical applications in computer technology. The lesson will cover basic operations with binary numbers, Boolean gates, truth tables, and circuits. It's a light lesson which can be adjusted for more time depended on how the rest of the class is designed. It can be used in a introduction course for either computer science or computer engineering as binary representation is an important concept to learn in both. The big formal assessment is a project where students use Minecraft to create their groups own mini circuit. Its a fun way to learn and shows some real world application. Through out the lesson students will blog answers to question which get them thinking and they blog their projects.Binary Craft
Artifact
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Week 8 - Topic 2 : Project Based Learning
What is Project based learning?
I'm going to put it simply, project based learning is an approach used to engage students interest and motivation. They involve activities which are designed to solve a problem and allow students to reflect. When students are working with a project they have a chance to learn in depth. They get to encounter and work through concepts and skills. There is more then just the content the students are learning. They learn about skills that are useful in today's world, 21st century skills:
Project based learning can be done in groups of students working together toward a goal or individual students working toward a goal. Performance is assessed on the quality of the final product, the depth of content understanding, and contribution made to the process of creating the project. There is a great deal of benefits to project based learning. Students get to control their learning, get some hands on time, practice real world skills and a change of pace. Students get to control their learning, get some hands on time, practice real world skills and a change of pace. It helps students reason and think critically. Gives them a chance to be creative and artistic and can be loads of fun!
There however are some disadvantages. Students will have to initiate inquiry, they have to have a good research design, method, and find the right resources. One of the hardest things is deadlines for some students and others have difficulties with collaborating.
I'm not a teacher... yet, but I have many ideas for projects. My favorite ideas I have so far is based off the video game Minecraft. The projects would include the information on how to create logic gates using red stone and switches which the students will have to use to create anything that is appropriate. In this project students learn binary values, logic gates, how to plan a circuit and what you can use circuit to build. Its a fun little project that teaches some important concepts. Obviously the hardest part is keeping students on track with something like that, ultimately this would be an in class project. The student would be assessed on their use of the gates, binary values, creativity, process (How they plan it all out), and how well the project works.
I personally love projects, but too many projects makes them less fun. Not all projects are fun, examples being your standard research and report PowerPoint. Every class has something like this so it gets over played. Going into computer science field almost everything can be a project, the key is to keep it interesting to the students. Thus the best idea would be to take a break in between the projects to give not the students time to reset but the teacher time to plan a really good one.
I'm going to put it simply, project based learning is an approach used to engage students interest and motivation. They involve activities which are designed to solve a problem and allow students to reflect. When students are working with a project they have a chance to learn in depth. They get to encounter and work through concepts and skills. There is more then just the content the students are learning. They learn about skills that are useful in today's world, 21st century skills:
- Communication
- Presentation
- Organization
- Time management
- Research and Inquiry
- Self-assessment
- Reflection
- Group participation
- Leadership
Project based learning can be done in groups of students working together toward a goal or individual students working toward a goal. Performance is assessed on the quality of the final product, the depth of content understanding, and contribution made to the process of creating the project. There is a great deal of benefits to project based learning. Students get to control their learning, get some hands on time, practice real world skills and a change of pace. Students get to control their learning, get some hands on time, practice real world skills and a change of pace. It helps students reason and think critically. Gives them a chance to be creative and artistic and can be loads of fun!
There however are some disadvantages. Students will have to initiate inquiry, they have to have a good research design, method, and find the right resources. One of the hardest things is deadlines for some students and others have difficulties with collaborating.
I'm not a teacher... yet, but I have many ideas for projects. My favorite ideas I have so far is based off the video game Minecraft. The projects would include the information on how to create logic gates using red stone and switches which the students will have to use to create anything that is appropriate. In this project students learn binary values, logic gates, how to plan a circuit and what you can use circuit to build. Its a fun little project that teaches some important concepts. Obviously the hardest part is keeping students on track with something like that, ultimately this would be an in class project. The student would be assessed on their use of the gates, binary values, creativity, process (How they plan it all out), and how well the project works.
I personally love projects, but too many projects makes them less fun. Not all projects are fun, examples being your standard research and report PowerPoint. Every class has something like this so it gets over played. Going into computer science field almost everything can be a project, the key is to keep it interesting to the students. Thus the best idea would be to take a break in between the projects to give not the students time to reset but the teacher time to plan a really good one.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Week 8 - Topic 1 : Webinar "The Right Tools for the Right Job"
Webinars are informative if you can get into one, the live experience is a lot better then the archived type as you can ask questions and discussion the topics with other students from all kinds of geographical locations. I couldn't find a webinar in which I could join and participate in , so I picked an archived one to watch and learn from. I pick one called "The Right Tools for the Right Job".
The webinar is done by Steven Anderson. Now Steven does conferences all over the country and does a quite a bit of webinars. Obviously its a recorded webinar session that has already happened, but after they introduce who will be doing the webinar they go over some twitter options for those who were watching this live. They give a link to a discussion and note section people used in the webinar which I was able to access to view the notes, links, questions and discussions. I think that brilliant, I didn't think they saved that kind of information so it is really wonderful that they did.
They polled to see who was there during the live stream. There was a few different types of educational professional in the mix watching this webinar. The basics of this webinar is 30 tools in 50 minutes. It's using the tools when appropriate, don't use tech to just use tech and use it to enhance the curriculum. That the focus of learning is not about the tools but about the content that we have and how can we spice up the content. That there is a right tool, for the right time, for the right job, and for the right people.
He divides the tools up into seven categories to better identify what they are right for...
The webinar is done by Steven Anderson. Now Steven does conferences all over the country and does a quite a bit of webinars. Obviously its a recorded webinar session that has already happened, but after they introduce who will be doing the webinar they go over some twitter options for those who were watching this live. They give a link to a discussion and note section people used in the webinar which I was able to access to view the notes, links, questions and discussions. I think that brilliant, I didn't think they saved that kind of information so it is really wonderful that they did.
They polled to see who was there during the live stream. There was a few different types of educational professional in the mix watching this webinar. The basics of this webinar is 30 tools in 50 minutes. It's using the tools when appropriate, don't use tech to just use tech and use it to enhance the curriculum. That the focus of learning is not about the tools but about the content that we have and how can we spice up the content. That there is a right tool, for the right time, for the right job, and for the right people.
He divides the tools up into seven categories to better identify what they are right for...
- Images
- Audio/Video
- Presentation
- Essentials
- Collaboration
- Organization Thoughts
- Chat/Backchannel
When he is going over a tool he gives a description of each tool. What it does? How it can be used in a classroom? Why you'd use it in a classroom? He also goes over important notes on each tool, like useful tips and tricks about the tools. He gives the links to many of the tools with the advantages and interesting facts on the note section (Backchannel). He recaps every few tools to help remind people.
One great thing is that everything he mentions in the webinar is FREE!!
Some of the tools I thought were awesome...
- Big Huge Labs (I played around on this one, and I really liked that comic book page feature)
- Screencast-o-matic
- Linoit
- Live Binders
- Spicynodes
The webinar promoted and demonstrated effective use of digital tools and resources by pointing out that the focus of the tools themselves isn't the goal, but on the content of what is being taught. The tools themselves are pretty cool and can do some amazing things, but if the tool itself becomes the focus, the reason for the lesson is lost and the task at hand will not be accomplished. The webinar familiarized students with Web2.0 tools that may be used professionally or within the classroom environment to establish deeper learning experiences through proper curricular standard driven development by introducing students to a well rounded list of web2.0 tools along with stating what they should be used to accomplish in a classroom setting. He stated that doing too much with these tools can be overwhelming and not effective. Using tools is not always the right choice in every situation.
What I am trying to say really is that I meet 2 Course Objectives by watching this video...
- Provide instruction and modeling regarding digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.
- Promote and demonstrate effective use of digital tools and resources. Familiarize students with Web2.0 tools that may be used professionally or within the classroom environment to establish deeper learning experiences through proper curricular standard driven development.
See I played around quite a bit on some of the sites, gave me some ideas for some lesson plans! Check some of those tools out, especially any you haven't heard of before because you might like what you find.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Week 7 : Topic 2 - Reflection of the Week
Born in this generation called the "Digital Natives" and that term isn't wasted on me. I have been in and out of computer science classes since the fifth grade. I'm talking more then just how to type classes. I was in programming classes, network classes, and general desktop publishing classes. When your in so many classes of a particular type you have a good chance in running into ethical courses. I hate ethical courses, especially ones related to technology. Why? The terminology may have changed but the content hasn't and that includes digital citizenship. Wasn't always called that either, but like all concepts it changed to keep up with the times, again not so much the content.
Back in my day, yeah I just typed that, certain elements of digital citizenship weren't defined. Its not that they didn't exist because they did, it was more of you knew about it but ignored giving it a name. Not saying I'm an expert on digital citizenship but at the same time I have a really, really good understand of it. Now you good things like the NETS. They come in a variety, students, teachers, CS teachers, and administrators. Oh my! Not really rules like other standards, more like guidelines to help students and staff understand technology and it's place in education and life. Sound familiar good because it's like the elements of a good digital citizen just boiled down to an academic sense. All the NETS help make individuals more efficient and safe when using digital technology. Praise be the Internet, that is a wise crack at the concept of good digital citizenship is like something out of the Bible, I know terrible joke.
Took forever to watch those videos. Watched them back to back, needed to do something in the background to keep me sane. The first video was boring, melodramatic and obviously out dated. It reminded me of the fire and brimstone way of preaching. Technology is bad, watch your children and the old ways are best. The second one is also melodramatic but not all fire and brimstone. The second one presents evidence and arguments better and from different perspectives. I agree with certain facts like multitasking isn't that great for you and that technology is addictive. I enjoyed the old women with a podcast cooking show, thought that was funny and awesome. I disagree with things like the "dumbest generation" It is great to see that some of the perspectives from the first video changed over the years.
My own digital footprint isn't surprising in any way. Again I'm use to this whole digital citizenship concept and virtual world. Over the years I have improve how I interact but like in traditional life there is always ways to make mistakes. Not the end of the world, and if something I said on Facebook two years ago keeps me from having a job then oh well, there are plenty of other ways to make money.
My personal feelings on digital citizenship is that it should be taught whenever you use technology in the classroom or at least some aspect of it. Its one of those things you need to drive into young minds to help them understand just like teaching kids right from wrong. I also think you need to start early. Parents start things off and teachers reinforce just like traditional life, simple enough. How I would do the elements of a digital citizen is like this:
K - 12 ( no matter what you should teach and reinforce these things)
These are important things for everyone to know and should always be considered when dealing with technology. Obviously there is a difference in the grade levels when you consider each one, and mostly that difference is just depth. Your not going to teach a child in K - 5 about security on Facebook because hopefully they aren't using Facebook, but you can teach them not to share personal information in a video game of via email or chat service.
6 - 12 grade you will see many different ways level of these:
Kids start getting cell phones and other tech, more then you can count on one hand maybe even both (don't laugh I have a niece who is 6 years old and has 2 iPods, and iPad, XBox, Playstation 3, a laptop, a desktop, an iPhone, handheld games, and other things that make me jealous). This is where you start getting into talking about the access they have to technology, how it used, how to use it and what is right and wrong when using technology. You don't need to break this things down to a few in one course, you can get them in one course and then some, even better work it into your everyday classes and it won't be an issue. I don't want to be more specific because it depends on the class and the person teaching it, in truth I wouldn't even use any of these terms because you don't need a title for something like this just the understanding.
Back in my day, yeah I just typed that, certain elements of digital citizenship weren't defined. Its not that they didn't exist because they did, it was more of you knew about it but ignored giving it a name. Not saying I'm an expert on digital citizenship but at the same time I have a really, really good understand of it. Now you good things like the NETS. They come in a variety, students, teachers, CS teachers, and administrators. Oh my! Not really rules like other standards, more like guidelines to help students and staff understand technology and it's place in education and life. Sound familiar good because it's like the elements of a good digital citizen just boiled down to an academic sense. All the NETS help make individuals more efficient and safe when using digital technology. Praise be the Internet, that is a wise crack at the concept of good digital citizenship is like something out of the Bible, I know terrible joke.
Took forever to watch those videos. Watched them back to back, needed to do something in the background to keep me sane. The first video was boring, melodramatic and obviously out dated. It reminded me of the fire and brimstone way of preaching. Technology is bad, watch your children and the old ways are best. The second one is also melodramatic but not all fire and brimstone. The second one presents evidence and arguments better and from different perspectives. I agree with certain facts like multitasking isn't that great for you and that technology is addictive. I enjoyed the old women with a podcast cooking show, thought that was funny and awesome. I disagree with things like the "dumbest generation" It is great to see that some of the perspectives from the first video changed over the years.
My own digital footprint isn't surprising in any way. Again I'm use to this whole digital citizenship concept and virtual world. Over the years I have improve how I interact but like in traditional life there is always ways to make mistakes. Not the end of the world, and if something I said on Facebook two years ago keeps me from having a job then oh well, there are plenty of other ways to make money.
My personal feelings on digital citizenship is that it should be taught whenever you use technology in the classroom or at least some aspect of it. Its one of those things you need to drive into young minds to help them understand just like teaching kids right from wrong. I also think you need to start early. Parents start things off and teachers reinforce just like traditional life, simple enough. How I would do the elements of a digital citizen is like this:
K - 12 ( no matter what you should teach and reinforce these things)
- Etiquette
- Health & Wellness
- Security (self-protection)
These are important things for everyone to know and should always be considered when dealing with technology. Obviously there is a difference in the grade levels when you consider each one, and mostly that difference is just depth. Your not going to teach a child in K - 5 about security on Facebook because hopefully they aren't using Facebook, but you can teach them not to share personal information in a video game of via email or chat service.
6 - 12 grade you will see many different ways level of these:
- Access
- Commerce
- Communication
- Literacy
- Law
- Rights & Responsibilities
Kids start getting cell phones and other tech, more then you can count on one hand maybe even both (don't laugh I have a niece who is 6 years old and has 2 iPods, and iPad, XBox, Playstation 3, a laptop, a desktop, an iPhone, handheld games, and other things that make me jealous). This is where you start getting into talking about the access they have to technology, how it used, how to use it and what is right and wrong when using technology. You don't need to break this things down to a few in one course, you can get them in one course and then some, even better work it into your everyday classes and it won't be an issue. I don't want to be more specific because it depends on the class and the person teaching it, in truth I wouldn't even use any of these terms because you don't need a title for something like this just the understanding.
Week 7 : Topic 1 - Prezi that Digital Citizenship!
Hope you enjoy. I don't really like Prezi, so there is nothing fancy in there, it's more like a PowerPoint that is how simple I kept it. Personally I'm tired of hearing about Digital Citizenship because I have been spoon fed ethics and the Internet since fifth grade, but what are you going to do when your a digital native in computer science field, oh well. I came across some awesome sources on Digital Citizenship so if you get a chance check those out.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Week 6 Topic: Animoto - The Viking Prince
The Viking Prince
This is a link to a little Animoto video for class. I was going to do the poem Jabberwocky at first but after I drew the first 6 images I got tired and didn't really like the way it was coming together. I just did a simple little story I came up with, drew some silly little pictures and picked a good song... couldn't get the timing just right, but it is still pretty good. Animoto is OK, but its no Adobe Flash.
This is a link to a little Animoto video for class. I was going to do the poem Jabberwocky at first but after I drew the first 6 images I got tired and didn't really like the way it was coming together. I just did a simple little story I came up with, drew some silly little pictures and picked a good song... couldn't get the timing just right, but it is still pretty good. Animoto is OK, but its no Adobe Flash.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Week 5 : Topic 2 - Reflection Podcast
I had a bit to say I guess as I needed three audioboo to reflect on this classes essential questions and my experiences with the class thus far. I think I am becoming more accustomed to blogging and I really enjoyed making a podcast and I think I want to play around a little bit more with pod-casting. My first step is to find something better then audioboo, so I can maybe talk a bit longer before being cut short. If anyone knows some good pod-casting sites let me know please!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Week 5: Topic 1 - Connected Educator
Since we already posted our thoughts on the first two chapters, I'm not going to really go over them again because there is plenty of things to go over in the other three chapters we have read thus far in our books. Keeping things simple and easy by going in order I'll start with chapter three.
The young always seem to have their own little culture about them. One driven by technology and instant communication. Not a bad thing to have in a culture. Chapter four is all about the collaborative culture. The authors put forth two idea in the beginning of the chapter Congeniality and Collegiality, the latter being the more focused on in a collaborative online learning environment. In order to have either you need to have good standing relationships which are built on trust. Trust isn't impossible to find in online communities but you have to willing to do trust. Once you got trust you can start working together. The chapter also goes over phases of collaboration, but I really didn't like that section because it all depends on the community and how they function together. Its possible for some communities to just fore go some of their phases.
The fifth chapter is about using tools to support connect learning. This chapter was a bit more fun to go through. There was some fun little places to visit. We use Diigo in class, and I have found it wonderful tool for many different learning experiences and just general bookmarking. I also had a look at delicious but it reminded me of tumblr which uses tags to find things which I find a little to distracting. Blogs, microblogs, wikispaces, RSS feeds and all those fun things we use in class. We get to do a podcast this week which should be interesting because I have never done one before. I have used teachertube for some of my other classes and it was really useful. I think I might have spent more time playing with the tools then reading the chapter, but that isn't a bad thing.
"Connect learning is a process of learning, unlearning, and then relearning as we participate in networks and communities" - Just like this line from the book.A major point to this chapter is the idea of construct knowledge for, in, and of practice. My take on the three my be a little skewed but I like things simple and no all fluffed up for academic purpose. Knowledge for practice is the passive learning by reading studies, blogs, articles, books and other resources which can further your knowledge in a field. Knowledge in practice is easy enough to understand because its all about trying things out that you learned and learning from it. Knowledge of practice is something everyone should do, reflect. You reflect on what you learned, how you applied it and how you can change things for the better. Connect learners take charge of their own learning and collaboration helps in reflection and practice thus those construct are put into good use.
The young always seem to have their own little culture about them. One driven by technology and instant communication. Not a bad thing to have in a culture. Chapter four is all about the collaborative culture. The authors put forth two idea in the beginning of the chapter Congeniality and Collegiality, the latter being the more focused on in a collaborative online learning environment. In order to have either you need to have good standing relationships which are built on trust. Trust isn't impossible to find in online communities but you have to willing to do trust. Once you got trust you can start working together. The chapter also goes over phases of collaboration, but I really didn't like that section because it all depends on the community and how they function together. Its possible for some communities to just fore go some of their phases.
The fifth chapter is about using tools to support connect learning. This chapter was a bit more fun to go through. There was some fun little places to visit. We use Diigo in class, and I have found it wonderful tool for many different learning experiences and just general bookmarking. I also had a look at delicious but it reminded me of tumblr which uses tags to find things which I find a little to distracting. Blogs, microblogs, wikispaces, RSS feeds and all those fun things we use in class. We get to do a podcast this week which should be interesting because I have never done one before. I have used teachertube for some of my other classes and it was really useful. I think I might have spent more time playing with the tools then reading the chapter, but that isn't a bad thing.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Week 4 - Topic 1: Digital Learning
Taking the time to watch New Learners of the 21st Century wasn't so hard this time around. The video was somewhat enjoyable even though it was an hour long. The first part was about a school which focused heavily on using technology in the learning environment. My initial thoughts are that the school is awesome. I would love to work there or even just learn there for a day. They use games and other forms of media to challenge the students. It isn't always fun and games however as they state that they assess the students during every phase of creation and makes perfect sense. I don't really agree with projects that just get graded on because of its final product, just seems like a waste. I like the philosophy behind video games in this video because they state:
"A game is nothing more then a problem space... all video games are a set of problems you must solve in order to win", try telling that to my parents when I was younger. It's easy to over look the educational side of something like video games. The other thing I like about this school is they are wireless and provide laptops but take the laptops away when it isn't the appropriate time for the students to be using them. This show that the school has figure out a balance of technology and learning which is hard to find in most learning environments. I also enjoy the take on addiction and how it is really a double standard nowadays especially in education. The next part of the video was about a program called Digital Youth Network.
I don't have much to say about this part. It's like an after school program which gives students the place and resources needed in order to explore learn and use technology. Its a well serving program that helps students express themselves and take better hold of their own digital world and digital citizenship. If school provide the means for students to accomplish the same things then a program like this wouldn't need to be created in the first place. Its a sign people should take to heart. The next part was about the Smithsonian Institute.
It relates back to the first part where they are using technology to create something like a game to get the attention and imagination of the younger crowds. Museums aren't always entertaining, but in recent years they have started doing more cool things using technology and digital media to spice things up. I don't really have much else to say this is where the video started to lose my interest. The next part was about location learning and using GPS to help out. I took a class at Plymouth which did something similar, it was only for a week but we had to travel around Plymouth to find certain location and information. Great for small towns but that is about it, I didn't particularly like that idea. The last part was about the Science Leadership Academy.
This last part brought my attention back a little bit. They had some good ideas for projects like the changing of history one and it was kind of a change of pace because it was more high school focused then the first program so it gave more complex idea and examples to keep in mind. Well I think my brain is fried from trying to recall all I could about the video so I don't have much else to say.
Voicethread: Comments on Social Bookmarking - Link
"A game is nothing more then a problem space... all video games are a set of problems you must solve in order to win", try telling that to my parents when I was younger. It's easy to over look the educational side of something like video games. The other thing I like about this school is they are wireless and provide laptops but take the laptops away when it isn't the appropriate time for the students to be using them. This show that the school has figure out a balance of technology and learning which is hard to find in most learning environments. I also enjoy the take on addiction and how it is really a double standard nowadays especially in education. The next part of the video was about a program called Digital Youth Network.
I don't have much to say about this part. It's like an after school program which gives students the place and resources needed in order to explore learn and use technology. Its a well serving program that helps students express themselves and take better hold of their own digital world and digital citizenship. If school provide the means for students to accomplish the same things then a program like this wouldn't need to be created in the first place. Its a sign people should take to heart. The next part was about the Smithsonian Institute.
It relates back to the first part where they are using technology to create something like a game to get the attention and imagination of the younger crowds. Museums aren't always entertaining, but in recent years they have started doing more cool things using technology and digital media to spice things up. I don't really have much else to say this is where the video started to lose my interest. The next part was about location learning and using GPS to help out. I took a class at Plymouth which did something similar, it was only for a week but we had to travel around Plymouth to find certain location and information. Great for small towns but that is about it, I didn't particularly like that idea. The last part was about the Science Leadership Academy.
This last part brought my attention back a little bit. They had some good ideas for projects like the changing of history one and it was kind of a change of pace because it was more high school focused then the first program so it gave more complex idea and examples to keep in mind. Well I think my brain is fried from trying to recall all I could about the video so I don't have much else to say.
Voicethread: Comments on Social Bookmarking - Link
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Week 3 - Topic 2: Technology Integration
Technology integration is the incorporation of technology resources and technology-based practices into the daily routines of schools. Technology resources can be anything from computers to network-based communication. Practices include collaborative work and communication, Internet-based research, remote access to instrumentation, network-based transmission and retrieval of data, and other methods. Its impossible to be completely on the ball when it comes to technology integration because of Moore's law. Soon as you get some neat new equipment its out of date. In a school setting its best to achieve the highest level of integration and allow for students to adjust before moving on. Its a continuous process of changing, learning, and improvement.
Successful technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is:
When students are not only using technology daily, but have access to a variety of tools that match the task at hand and provide them the opportunity to build a deeper understanding of content. it come s in many shapes and sizes. You got the online and blended courses, project based activities incorporating technology, game-based learning and assessment, learning with mobile or handheld devices, instructional tools like smart-boards, web-based projects, exploration and research, student-created media like podcast, videos or slideshows, collaborative online tools like wiki-pages or Google Docs, and using social media to engage students.
I think the important thing to remember when integrating technology is Moore's law. You don't want to reach out to far and bring in such a new technology that students can completely bring it into there daily routine. Then there is a reverse you don't want to bring in old technology they either don't care about or have no clue how to use because it is so out of date. Adults love email, teenager don't. One thing I noticed when in college is that most freshmen in college would rather things be sent to them via text rather then deal with email. they are accustomed to text being the normal means of communication, where older students and adults are use to the idea of email being the appropriated way to send information. Thus freshmen college students don't check their email everyday. That is just a personal observation but it serves as an example of why old technology can be over powered by a newer one.
I ultimately think that its a matter of what subject you are teaching. Its harder to incorporate technology depending with some subjects then others, but there is always a way it can be done. History class are great for project based activities, exploration and research. Math is good for smart-boards and games. English is good with videos, Google Docs and even social media. I've had the wonderful pleasure of using tons of PowerPoint's, videos, research, games and collaborative tools, and some social media. Most of them worked OK, most felt forced into place just for the sake of using which is wrong. I never want to see another PowerPoint again because it is over used. Luckily in computer science classes we always have the pleasure of incorporating technology into our everyday routine.
Successful technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is:
- Routine and transparent
- Accessible and readily available for the task at hand
- Supporting the curricular goals, and helping the students to effectively reach their goals
When students are not only using technology daily, but have access to a variety of tools that match the task at hand and provide them the opportunity to build a deeper understanding of content. it come s in many shapes and sizes. You got the online and blended courses, project based activities incorporating technology, game-based learning and assessment, learning with mobile or handheld devices, instructional tools like smart-boards, web-based projects, exploration and research, student-created media like podcast, videos or slideshows, collaborative online tools like wiki-pages or Google Docs, and using social media to engage students.
I think the important thing to remember when integrating technology is Moore's law. You don't want to reach out to far and bring in such a new technology that students can completely bring it into there daily routine. Then there is a reverse you don't want to bring in old technology they either don't care about or have no clue how to use because it is so out of date. Adults love email, teenager don't. One thing I noticed when in college is that most freshmen in college would rather things be sent to them via text rather then deal with email. they are accustomed to text being the normal means of communication, where older students and adults are use to the idea of email being the appropriated way to send information. Thus freshmen college students don't check their email everyday. That is just a personal observation but it serves as an example of why old technology can be over powered by a newer one.
I ultimately think that its a matter of what subject you are teaching. Its harder to incorporate technology depending with some subjects then others, but there is always a way it can be done. History class are great for project based activities, exploration and research. Math is good for smart-boards and games. English is good with videos, Google Docs and even social media. I've had the wonderful pleasure of using tons of PowerPoint's, videos, research, games and collaborative tools, and some social media. Most of them worked OK, most felt forced into place just for the sake of using which is wrong. I never want to see another PowerPoint again because it is over used. Luckily in computer science classes we always have the pleasure of incorporating technology into our everyday routine.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Week 3 - Topic 1: Portal to Media
Way too long of a video! Grant there are a lot of interesting points he makes, within the first few minutes the speaker states that "Learning is the hallmark of Humanity" which I agree with completely. We are born with curiosity in our heart and we always want to know more. One of the issues the speaker is trying to address is why do students hate school but enjoy learning? The length of this video is one of reason I feel. It's over an hour long. I don't have a day job and was bed ridden for most of the week with food poisoning and I still found this impossible to sit through in one go. I had to break it up into section in order to watch it. If I wanted to take a lecture I would have signed up for a physical class. In the first five minutes the speaker shows pictures of students in his class holding signs that state what they do during class. I am no stranger to wandering off into cyberspace to find something more engaging. Somewhere done the line we lost our way when it comes to teaching.
".01% of information in 2008 was on paper" - That is scary and comforting at the same time.
Not all classes are going to be interesting, and chances are there will always be someone bored in the class. The next step in education needs to be interactivity and get the students brain mojo working. Easier said then done. Small steps can be taken like in the video, the speaker uses every application which are common to the younger crowds. Twitter, Facebook, and Skype are a good start but aren't anything to prefect because they give students the chance to wander off into cyberspace. You don't need technology to make a classroom more engaging for students. One thing I can say is that this video does a poor job of making a point because its an hour long. You have to sit for an hour, only listening to one man drone on. The worse part I think for students beside the droning is where a teacher drones on with big words and concept that can be simplified to one quick statement. I know I hated that in high school and college. I'm not saying txt speak it to me, but add a lot less fluff to that moon pie!
So I ranted a bit about how school can be boring, but what can I say about making it less boring? Technology is a good answer because it simple and everyone is doing it. If I haven't state it yet I am a computer scientist and I find that technology isn't the cure all of the education world. I don't believe you need the biggest and newest technology out there to be up to par, because it doesn't work like that. I'm not saying old school stone and chisel is the right way to go either. Technology is a tool and should be treated as such. If you over use a tool it becomes dull or even broken and thus no longer useful to you. Simple answer is moderation. Facebook application are going to let students stray off into Facebook land. Twitter can be useful to updating students on assignments and classwork, maybe even discussion if students can handle it. Wiki's and many other websites are great entrees but aren't the main course. You have information on them, assignments, resources, and even multiple ways to communicate between peers and the teacher. You can spice up the curriculum with brochure, videos and many other activities! Doesn't mean someone won't be bored. I take classes now where we have range of presenting material, doesn't change the subject matter thus doesn't make it any less boring.
My point is boredom comes with the territory and the best way to prevent it is to make material engaging and keep their minds moving. Don't do a straight shot of an hour of talking at them, do like 15 to 30 mins then give them an activity to do which allows them to process information and apply it. After that get them into a discussion where they can analyze and critically think about what just happened.Always switch up the media you use, throw them for a loop. One day use a whiteboard, next day use a smart-board next day use some interpretative dance! Notice how I don't throw new techno ways at you, that is because its not what makes every lesson less boring. It chances the pace and allows students to be engaged differently and even on something they may consider their "ground" or "level".
This blog has some good links on it! - Check it out!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Week 2 - Topic: Thoughts on Course
I have done the online learning thing before and in a variety of ways. I have been in classes which only use Moodle or Blackboard, classes which use wiki spaces classes which just used emails been I haven't used some of the tools that we are using in this class. This class doesn't even have a Moodle page which for most Plymouth online courses is a bit strange. That was the first glue this class would be a bit different.
The wiki page is well constructed which is saying a lot because most of the time they are poorly put together and hard to navigate. The site is easy to navigate and read. The links are useful and the fact that the articles change throughout the course is a plus because it shows that the course is up to date. The articles aren't boring and long at least not yet.
After years of public schooling crushing my spirit of speech when it comes to many topics I can say without a doubt I am not a blogger. I can't see the myself doing it much after this class, but the chance to try it is more then welcome. It difficult to do because I'm use to academic writing, or normal everyday speech/writing and not some informal academic hybrid child. Its nice, but again I worry about my words coming back to bite me or my opinions to be thrown through a shredder. One lesson I have learned so far is I am not a very good collaborative learning when it comes to being open with my thoughts. I can do the work well enough but it doesn't mean I'm completely open about my thoughts, so I'm not sure how this whole blogging thing will work out for me.
Diigo is wonderful! I find myself using it anytime I am online reading things for my classes. I use it for more then just this class too, bookmarking anything that I use for my education courses. Its like book marking except neat and more organized and doesn't kill my browser. I have even used it to look back on some links for other assignments. In truth I don't have too much of a digital footprint. I only have a few email accounts, I don't do online shopping, I don't blog, its really just Facebook and some art profiles. I know my way around art sites, forums, role-playing sites, and programming help sites. I have experience with Moodle and Blackboard and the use of wiki-spaces, and a few computer science sites along with some tools like Google Docs and other collaborative tools. Technology is always evolving so we have to get evolve with it. There is always something new tool to learn. I'm hoping I find some new tools to use and play with.
The wiki page is well constructed which is saying a lot because most of the time they are poorly put together and hard to navigate. The site is easy to navigate and read. The links are useful and the fact that the articles change throughout the course is a plus because it shows that the course is up to date. The articles aren't boring and long at least not yet.
After years of public schooling crushing my spirit of speech when it comes to many topics I can say without a doubt I am not a blogger. I can't see the myself doing it much after this class, but the chance to try it is more then welcome. It difficult to do because I'm use to academic writing, or normal everyday speech/writing and not some informal academic hybrid child. Its nice, but again I worry about my words coming back to bite me or my opinions to be thrown through a shredder. One lesson I have learned so far is I am not a very good collaborative learning when it comes to being open with my thoughts. I can do the work well enough but it doesn't mean I'm completely open about my thoughts, so I'm not sure how this whole blogging thing will work out for me.
Diigo is wonderful! I find myself using it anytime I am online reading things for my classes. I use it for more then just this class too, bookmarking anything that I use for my education courses. Its like book marking except neat and more organized and doesn't kill my browser. I have even used it to look back on some links for other assignments. In truth I don't have too much of a digital footprint. I only have a few email accounts, I don't do online shopping, I don't blog, its really just Facebook and some art profiles. I know my way around art sites, forums, role-playing sites, and programming help sites. I have experience with Moodle and Blackboard and the use of wiki-spaces, and a few computer science sites along with some tools like Google Docs and other collaborative tools. Technology is always evolving so we have to get evolve with it. There is always something new tool to learn. I'm hoping I find some new tools to use and play with.
Week 2 - Topic: Chapters 1 & 2
The reading is straight forward. Right off the back there is the quote from Cisco which says it all. In summary its all about the human aspect in the digital age. We are all connected now, everything is connected in many different ways. We find ourselves evolving as learners, escaping that traditional style with a newer modern style. The do it yourself style where the learner is placed first. Learner are becoming self-reliance and has more of a can-do-spirit. I love this style because it gives me the chance to find my own information and resources along with it the fact that it feels more natural to discover and learn for oneself then to be forced to learn something you can't seem to get interested in.
"Collaborative problem is as old as fireside chats in the cave" - from the textbook
I enjoy this line from Connected Educator because it is simple but says a lot. Collaboration isn't something new to us, but with technology we see it from a whole new light. It is all about the communication, talking, and thinking. Two heads are better than one, so clearly the more heads the better off we will be when learning. I like the idea of a human network, a place where many like mind individuals can come together to learn and help one another in the process of learning.
In the world today we need to build a community in both an online and offline using all networks available to us like our personal, professional and global networks. This ensure a meaningful flow of information from many different sources. The text in Connected Educator brings up a good problem with the common language used in our learning communities. This is more then just a language barrier because people use terms and vocabulary with differently. This happens in every community and even just general social groups take for example the term brunch, it is a term referring to a mealtime but this time is different to me then it is for some of my friends. In education terms like "Principal" or "principle" can be confused because they sound alike and it only gets worse from there when we start talking about the meaning of the words or what they imply to different people.
The three different communities professional personal and one of practice all serve different purposes. Professional is generally a community where you work in collaborative in grade-level or subject area teams, this isn't something new to educators as we do this anyways. Personal communities is where you gather information for personal knowledge or to supplement a professional community. The last community is where you collect knowledge around shared interest and goals. I make a point to summarize those communities as they are new concepts to me or at least the wording is new to me.
Ultimately I want to a computer science teacher and I want to do more then just have students create programs or anything else. I want students to interact with more then just what they are working on, and I know the need for students to learn to be self directed when it comes to subjects like computer science because you will never keep up with the world of computer if you stop learning. I diffidently want to provide a way for students to get outside peer help on assignments and projects because its important to learn from those around you, and in today world that pretty much everyone.
"Collaborative problem is as old as fireside chats in the cave" - from the textbook
I enjoy this line from Connected Educator because it is simple but says a lot. Collaboration isn't something new to us, but with technology we see it from a whole new light. It is all about the communication, talking, and thinking. Two heads are better than one, so clearly the more heads the better off we will be when learning. I like the idea of a human network, a place where many like mind individuals can come together to learn and help one another in the process of learning.
In the world today we need to build a community in both an online and offline using all networks available to us like our personal, professional and global networks. This ensure a meaningful flow of information from many different sources. The text in Connected Educator brings up a good problem with the common language used in our learning communities. This is more then just a language barrier because people use terms and vocabulary with differently. This happens in every community and even just general social groups take for example the term brunch, it is a term referring to a mealtime but this time is different to me then it is for some of my friends. In education terms like "Principal" or "principle" can be confused because they sound alike and it only gets worse from there when we start talking about the meaning of the words or what they imply to different people.
The three different communities professional personal and one of practice all serve different purposes. Professional is generally a community where you work in collaborative in grade-level or subject area teams, this isn't something new to educators as we do this anyways. Personal communities is where you gather information for personal knowledge or to supplement a professional community. The last community is where you collect knowledge around shared interest and goals. I make a point to summarize those communities as they are new concepts to me or at least the wording is new to me.
Ultimately I want to a computer science teacher and I want to do more then just have students create programs or anything else. I want students to interact with more then just what they are working on, and I know the need for students to learn to be self directed when it comes to subjects like computer science because you will never keep up with the world of computer if you stop learning. I diffidently want to provide a way for students to get outside peer help on assignments and projects because its important to learn from those around you, and in today world that pretty much everyone.
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