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.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
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.
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