Each week we will share brief reflections highlighting your discoveries of the week. Each participant will be expected to comment every week in designated posts prior to our next meeting so that we continue to collaborate, share and learn from one another by socially networking using our course blog.
Your comment posts may range anywhere from 30 words to 300.
*Feel free to also use weekly post sections to ask questions if you are having any trouble at home with finding or creating with our digital tools.
Please be sure to continue to follow the directions for each weeks reflection.
9/23/09 Individual Technology Biography Directions:
1. Please comment and share with your peers your background in technology and what you currently use computers for to support your teaching. Feel free to highlight some everyday technology tools you may use.
2. Comment on how you use technology to help your students learn.
3. Include the subject and grade(s) you teach in Dover-Sherborn.
4. From the 4 videos below this post, please comment which one had the most impact on you and why.
5. Respond to at least 2 of your classmates. Should you receive a response, please feel free to comment in return.
6. Please be sure to post your comment by 9/29/09.
(To begin posting your comment, please select the work "comments" directly below this post. We will review this in class week 1.)
I am looking forward to staying connected during the week. Happy Blogging!
34 comments:
I currently use computers for email, my wiki, some on-line physics models and data collection devices in my classroom.
I teach 8th grade science.
I think the video of the students was most interesting to me. Last year I surveyed my students and they listed "online activities" as one of their LEAST favorite activities in class. That surprised me. I wonder if technology itself is not always the answer -- perhaps I need to change how I use it?
just testing
Hey, great start! Thanks Sandra! I use computers for email, wikis, ineteractive websites and powerpoints on my smartboard. We also use laptops frequently for writing and research in class.
Good Morning All!
I use computers for email, website/wiki (thanks Sandra & Cathy Simino!), midi and music manuscript writing software. My 7th Period 7th Grade Music Class is currently getting started with the Midi Lab (room #203). We will be starting our composition project next week. Please come on by to check it out if you like.
Lastly, so you all know, my wife calls me "The Virus" because it seems even the simplest computer task takes me to uncharted cyber-lands (you can also ask Cathy S --- we laughed pretty hard setting up my Aspen Gradebook). I'm hoping I can break through this wall via this class (it did take me a solid 30 minutes to find this site, and now I seem to be having trouble publishing this comment --- so here we go!).
TD
The videos are very good. I always have trouble being bombarded with statistics. Not because they're overwhelming and ahhhh inspiring, but because I wonder about the "complete" statistic. Looking at statistics at face-value and not discussing and thinking about them deeper is not a good idea. Someone told me once to not let statistics think for you, and I always heed this advice. We're always blasted with them - commercials, news, etc.
Why do I bring this up, because I feel that in-person discussion should never be replaced. Not that these videos suggest that at all, but while opening world-wide discussion is incredible, intimacy seems to be lost somehow. I guess that's what blogs are for now, but I do enjoy a face-to-face, in-person discussion. I hope that 21st Century Learning includes some of this intimacy too.
TD
Mary,
Very inspiring to hear that online activities are one of the students LEAST favorite activities in class. I wonder if that's the same for home/free-time?
TD
Tom, thank you for sharing your feedback regarding face-to-face discussions vs. online discussions. Clearly, there are pros and cons to both as we are learning by way of our own experiences as teachers. I would never hope that an online discussion or reflection would ever "replace" the impact a face-to-face one.
However, I was once told by a professor that when you learn or research online it can be referred to as "discovery learning". She followed with a comment that has remained with me as I continue to teach, "If you don't discover it, you won't learn it."
Therefore, I always hope to teach, learn, discover and SHARE via any platform or as many as possible....
Sandra,
I agree, and I discover SO MUCH on the net as well. I guess that's why I'm taking your course --- I want to tip the scale to all the positives about this cyber world of ours and our children's --- our future.
Tom
I've been pretty "techie" since I got out of college (a looooonnnnngggg time ago :-):--1977 - worked in records management and learned about a new technology called "microfiche" Took a computer course which included learning ASCII--1981-1994 Worked for GTE (including Telenet/BBN who invented email. Sent to European HQ to teach sales staff how to market email. Worked with international satellite communications division explaining/marketing digital satellite communications throughout Latin America and Carribean. Utilized all Word Office programs including PPT, video conferencing, email, etc.--1994-2002: Career Ed /Counseling including being "web mistress" for on-line career development course for 200 students and their professors. (Got carpel tunnel from all the hours of updates, etc. :-)-2002 - Present: Teacher (Spanish)All classes are on PPT, use Easy Teach (not enough), present Music Videos every Friday (wish You Tube was easier to access in the classrooms!), created a website now use a wiki for all classroom info., no longer use a paper grade book or Lesson planner - do virtually everything directly on either 1st Class or Aspen, have video taped using Keith's mini-recorder (plan to do regularly - posted to wiki), have learning Turning Point clicker technology plan to use Diane M.'s recently developed lesson next week.I thought the video with all the teachers talking was very thought provoking in conjunction with the one with all the kids holding signs. I use alot of technology in preparing my classes and in teaching them but not so much when it comes to their projects. (I have them voicemail me to practice speaking but should probably figure out how to let them use their computer cameras to record/leave assignments for me. (My daughter is downstairs now "skyping" (sp??) with her older sister at college ie. they are talking to each other a-la the Jetsons.)Just a comment - I find this "Leave a comment" very cumbersome since I can't read the directions for what I'm supposed to be commenting on unless I scroll down...Is there any way to get them side by side with this frame?That's all from me (more than you wanted to know I'm sure)--Christine (FYI - got a cold and on meds so sorry about the rambling message)
I'm a little confused about how to respond to 2 other students comments but will do it here and hope it is sufficient.Mary - Verrrry interesting about the technology "least favorite" survey results. It may indeed be that we don't know what THEY think is a productive/engaging use of technology. Sandy - I'll be interested to work on figuring out how much the students can absorb via technology...wonder if it might be hard for them to prioritize.
Christine,
To view the original post or instructions for post, simply click the option to the left of the "Comment Box-Leave Your Comment", you will see the Post Title in orange, click on the blue text directly below this, "Show Original Post".
I am not sure if there is a specific amount that our students can absorb when using technology.
I believe that each individual student is different, however I am seeing that our digital generation of students are very good multi-taskers when it comes to doing more than one task on their computers.
To respond to a fellow students "offline" comment -- Andrea Merritt and I had a chance to discuss why students might report that on-line activities were their least favorite -- she had an interesting observation -- the laptops at school are often excrutiatingly slow to load the programs I use in class -- students who are used to better resources at home may just find the school technology frustrating. It does definitely make access to the activities difficult.
And to respond to Tom -- I'm also a big believer in face-to-face interaction. But I would also love to see my classes use a lot less paper (save trees!) and wikis and blogs could be the way out of the copy room. . .
So it's not their least fav because of content, it's a simple case of being impatient!
TD
Right with you! My website (wiki) has already saved a lot of paper, time, etc. This would be yet another thing I'd like to get out of the class --- communication w/out all the paper.
TD
I am excited to take this 21st Century course offering. I feel like every class, workshop, in-service training I attend helps me adjust my teaching to new technology. Last year in my 7th grade health class, I introduced the option of using a classroom blog to document their personal health projects. About half of my students opted to use the blog. It was a great springboard for me to integrate this technology further this year. I like the blog platform and look forward to learning more about blogging in our class.
As part of a Web 2.0 course that I took through the TEC center 2 summers ago, I learnied how to set up a Delicious account. That has been a good tool for bookmarking and tagging sites. We learned about aggregators(?) so I'm looking forward to increasing my understand and use of RSS feeds. Overall, I'd say that my use of this new technology is cursory...and I'd like to get to a point where my use of tools like blogging and the wiki are fluid and time-saving.
I teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Health.
Oh Yeah! I think the blog format will be super for post concert reflections/debriefing as well.
TD
I liked watching all the videos posted for us to view. I am very interested in how to find and post video threads that will compliment my curriculum. I liked the video we watched as a fculty during in-service. I am a reluctant leaner and I think this video helps those of us who are living in the age of hard-copy resources and teacher-centered intstruction models, face the world our students are already integrated into. I know that I have so much to learn from the students. I want to maximize my skills as a teacher in a way that is engaging for the kids.
It has been great reading everyone's comments. Tom, I have to believe there is a very critical need for us to hold on to the face-to-face time with our students. Nothing can replace the joy of seeing a smile or empathy created in a classroom where someone is struggling. Glad to hear other teachers want to learn how to balance all these elements.
Christine,
You have done some amazing things with technology over the years. Wow. Can't wait to see what we all can learn together through our shared course time.
Christine,
This has nothing to do with our class, but I loved reading your bio and learning more about your past experiences. I'm also super impressed with all the activities you do in spanish class.
Tammy (can't figure out how to get rid of "The Lorax" signature)
This is Tammy. I teach 7th grade life science. My 5th year at DSMS. My first computer was an Apple IIGS when I was 12 or 13. I was the first one among my friends to be on AOL instant messenger. Have always used e-mail, internet throughout my college and graduate years. Although I did have a pretty cool typewriter in high school.
I've never taken an online course b/c if it's out of sight it's out of mind for me. So sorry if I'm always the last one to post.
I use Powerpoint a lot in my class since we installed the smartboard/projectors. I use EasyTeach with a few specific lessons, but could learn how to integrate the software more. We watch a lot of videos using United Streaming. And we'll use the laptops a few times throughout the year.
Tammy
To respond to Tom and others; I think that blogs will be well accepted. Each group of sixth graders is more tech savvy than the year before!
This is directed towards Tom,Andrea and others.I am excited by the fact that I just gave an assignment to go to an interractive site and take a quiz on cells. I asked students to print out the results and bring them to class. I did not have to chase anyone on this assignment! It was nice to get 100% submitted on the first pass. I do think this is the wave of the future!
Mr. T (Is that you Mark?) - Our textbook in Spanish has excellent on-line resources. I may have shown them to you - http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/avancemos_1a/book_home.htm?state=MA
The @Home Tutor feature allows them to do activities on -line and get immediate feedback, tips, etc.
I'd be curious is anyone else has a textbook on-line component and how they use it.
Sandra - I'm alittle disturbed. This blog takes me to a quasi racy blog via the "Blogs of Note" button. What's that all about?!?!?! Definitely want to insure that doesn't happen for my students. - Christine
Tammy here,
I think all the videos speak to my excitement and fear of the great 21st century learner. I'm excited to be like the teachers in the one video who are sharing ideas and suggesting a community of learners versus one school, but I have this hidden fear of can technology be too much. Can we get so bogged down in trying to blog, wiki, text, e-mail that we forget to teach our students how to have social (person to person) interactions that will help them throughout their life? Perhaps I am overwhelmed by the speed of technology therefore I hesitate to introduce too much technology into my curriculum.
Mark,
I'm curious to know which site you sent your kids to do the cell activity. We are using a lot of online resources in the 7th grade for our cell unit as well.
Tammy
Hi everyone,
This is Casey, 8th grade English and 7th grade media studies teacher.
My background in technology started around 8 or 9 when my father bought one of those old, dinosaur IBMs. My family was quick to adopt new technology, so like Tammy we had Prodigy, AOL etc. pretty quickly. I remember learning to navigate chatrooms, AIM, etc. in middle and high school. During college and beyond, I found skype to be an amazing tool for keeping in touch.
Currently I use my wiki for homework. I ran a blog last spring for my 8th grade students and I use the flipcams for almost every project with my media studies students.
For me, technology is about engaging students. I agree with Mark that nothing can replace an authentic face-to-face discussion among students. Still, in my blog last year, I was amazed at how quieter students opened up in their posts. What they wrote went far beyond what they were willing to say in class.
At the same time, like Mary's students, I think mine found it a bit of a pain. They didn't like having to post on top of doing their reading for that night. Fair enough. Technology in the classroom definitely involves some trial and error! I think it also involves letting the students drive what is happening more because they want to and because they can.
Out of the four, I would say the second impacted me the most. It touched upon the type of thinking that is required from 21st century learners. Specifically, that they will be required to know how to locate and synthesize information, not to regurgitate it. I would like to move beyond simply entertaining students with technology and into creating authentic learning experiences for them that mimic what they will encounter in the real world.
Is this interactive site where the quiz is yours that you made?
TD
You said this very well --- thank you.
TD
Congratulations, a great discussion online by all participants. You have all done a great job sharing some personal backgrounds that some of us may not have known about you. From what I see, you are all right where you should be with integrating and exploring technology...taking one step at a time!
Looking forward to organizing and exploring your clssroom blogs.
We will begin our discussion with an overview "face-to-face" about this week's online activity.
We will also preview, blogs vs. wikis...
My work in computers started in the "dark ages". I actually remember transitioning from a DOS operating system to Windows 3.1. I worked in the business sector supporting computer systems for close to 20 years before my career change.
I currently teach technology classes at the high school (greades 9 - 12) and I am also the tech. specialist.
I love learning everything that I can with regard to technology.
My experience with computers started in the early 80's with Apple computers. I remember learning Basic programming and a new language to use with children called LOGO. In my "at home" life I use computers for sending email and surfing the web. I've learned how to use things like Picassa and how to Instant Message. I don't use my computer for record keeping or online banking, etc. because constantly my computer has "failed" so I prefer to do anything important outside of and away from the computer. At school I use the computer to email and surf the web. As librarian I help the students conduct research tasks using electronic sources. I'm also in charge of maintaining the library website. My reason for taking this class is to learn more about emerging technologies and to be able to make decision about what's useful for education and learning.
djfklasjdlfjasdlkfjklsdjfl;ksdaf
Post a Comment