I have never taken an online class before, and was really thrilled to be able to accomplish it and learn so much from Lori's class. The tutorials were especially useful. It was like Lori sitting right there talking to me. I learned about things that I didn't even know existed. It has made me feel more confident in the classrooms that I go into. Starry Night was a program that was used in an Earth Science class that I go into. I got on and was able to keep a step ahead of the kids, so I could help the ones that couldn't find things.
Being able to do the class on my own time, at my own speed was great. Some times of the year are busier, so I was able to push ahead when I knew I had the time. I would definitely recommend this class; I feel it has brought me more into the School 2.0 frame of mind. The times and technology are constantly changing and we should be open to change. Yes, I would be willing to consider taking another class. I really don't know what to propose, since I don't know about what else is out there, but it would be interesting to find out!
Thank you Lori for all the time you put into this class, your availability, answering my e mails and for the tutorials you made. They were especially helpful, as I could see and hear and follow along with you. It was clear to me how important it is to actively participate in a class; it has encouraged me to get the kids going and participate more. In Earth Science, you have to do the experiments yourself, don't let your partner do most of the work. If you participate with heart, you'll learn it. The assistants at the high school became closer as we worked on the class together and asked each other questions. This technology class was a definite benefit to me; it has kept me learning, confident and updated. Thank you for this opportunity. Kathy S.
12/20/07
Reflections 3
I have changed in how I review with students. Being a TA, I can't change how the teachers are teaching. I have to jump through the hoops with the kids with the material that they are using and help with the assignments that are handed out. I I use the computer more, going to sites that have questions and answers on them. I like to sit with them and work on side by side computers. Oh, look what I found, what did you find?
I would like to see some of this new technology taken to heart and used by the teachers. I have mentioned a couple of places where I see that a blog or a wiki would be useful and "new" for the kids to use. But change is difficult, not always a welcome thing.
I would like to see Hilton explore School 2.0 as a community. I am wondering why we haven't already? Does anyone know if we are looking at School 2.0. Maybe School 2.0could be an offering of staff development- what do you think?
I would like to see some of this new technology taken to heart and used by the teachers. I have mentioned a couple of places where I see that a blog or a wiki would be useful and "new" for the kids to use. But change is difficult, not always a welcome thing.
I would like to see Hilton explore School 2.0 as a community. I am wondering why we haven't already? Does anyone know if we are looking at School 2.0. Maybe School 2.0could be an offering of staff development- what do you think?
12/19/07
School 2.0
I just loved the School 2.0 map of the future school the most. I can't imagine what school will be like in a hundred years! A picture is worth a thousand words, in my estimation. I liked all the different, smaller buildings, smaller classes, with all the people of the community involved- citizens, parents, administrators, teachers, students. I really think that having everyone engaged and providing support will enable change.
I don't see anything that I would like to see kept from this map.I would change the campus structure to fit what we have established. Since we have a renovated school building, we certainly would have to start with the building as it is now. I would imagine that students would be learning at their own pace, so the whole school would not be filled from morning until afternoon. The possibilities are endless, but the community has to buy into changing from school as we know it. Revolution means change. A revolution would have to occur- Yikes!
I don't see anything that I would like to see kept from this map.I would change the campus structure to fit what we have established. Since we have a renovated school building, we certainly would have to start with the building as it is now. I would imagine that students would be learning at their own pace, so the whole school would not be filled from morning until afternoon. The possibilities are endless, but the community has to buy into changing from school as we know it. Revolution means change. A revolution would have to occur- Yikes!
12/18/07
Dr. Zhao - School 2.0
Wow! Dr. Zhao is telling it like it is. School, as we have traditionally known it, is not keeping up with the globalization of the world! First of all, his point is that policy makers are not ready or willing to face the problem. They are not looking to the future of the flattened world. They are trying to fix old systems the same way they have been trying for years- with more accountability- more math, more science. Technology in school is limited by the adult teachers, not the creativity of the students. We are living in a digital world, in which the children have grown up in.
He compared the U.S. and Chinese systems of education, using competition. The U.S. system is short on competition, whereas the Chinese have a lot of competition. He feels if competition is created, that it will trigger the transformation of our schools.
In his second installment of his podcast, Dr. Zhao speaks to educators needing to rethink the educational environment. They need to reevaluate and imagine what's possible. The perception of the students needs to be transformed into active contributors, powerful agents, as he speaks of them. Online learning should become a requirement of high school students, Michigan has already made it a requirement.
Part three of his podcast was directed to gaming and how game theory can be applied to curriculum. It is a cognitive and social way of living, which most students partake in daily. Why not use it to our advantage!
Dr. Zhao's three predictions were very interesting also. He feels virtual environments have the potential to impact education. Education is headed toward outsourcing with other countries and curriculums. Lastly, we will be changing our mindset of teachers vs. technology as teaching agents. I am thinking how necessary will teachers be if they don't change and welcome technology into their classrooms.
"More Food for Thought" really drove home all of Dr. Zhao's points. I think it holds a very powerful message for us all. Will our students always be ready to learn? Have they learned how to learn?
He compared the U.S. and Chinese systems of education, using competition. The U.S. system is short on competition, whereas the Chinese have a lot of competition. He feels if competition is created, that it will trigger the transformation of our schools.
In his second installment of his podcast, Dr. Zhao speaks to educators needing to rethink the educational environment. They need to reevaluate and imagine what's possible. The perception of the students needs to be transformed into active contributors, powerful agents, as he speaks of them. Online learning should become a requirement of high school students, Michigan has already made it a requirement.
Part three of his podcast was directed to gaming and how game theory can be applied to curriculum. It is a cognitive and social way of living, which most students partake in daily. Why not use it to our advantage!
Dr. Zhao's three predictions were very interesting also. He feels virtual environments have the potential to impact education. Education is headed toward outsourcing with other countries and curriculums. Lastly, we will be changing our mindset of teachers vs. technology as teaching agents. I am thinking how necessary will teachers be if they don't change and welcome technology into their classrooms.
"More Food for Thought" really drove home all of Dr. Zhao's points. I think it holds a very powerful message for us all. Will our students always be ready to learn? Have they learned how to learn?
21st Century skills- Collaboration project
Well, since this is a collaborative project, I think I would have to establish a Wiki for them to use.
We are currently studying earthquakes in Earth Science. I would pair the students up and assign each pair a focus about earthquakes- where past earthquakes have occurred, ring of fire, where potential quakes will happen, plate tectonics, how they are measured, causes, effects. Since our Earth Science teachers seem to work in pairs, the Wiki would be a collaborative effort with the other class. Primary and Secondary waves would definately fall under the problem solving category.
Cooperative learning addressing the P and S wave chart in their reference tables might help. Making up their own examples and having the other class do the problems would be fun. Practice practice, show someone else how to use the chart, answer questions. Explanation from a peer might help "the light go on". Because once you "get" the P and S wave chart, you instinctively want to share the knowledge and to feel the accomplishment! The students would be true" educational artists", as Kevin Honeycutt phrases it, not part of the "new illiterates".
We are currently studying earthquakes in Earth Science. I would pair the students up and assign each pair a focus about earthquakes- where past earthquakes have occurred, ring of fire, where potential quakes will happen, plate tectonics, how they are measured, causes, effects. Since our Earth Science teachers seem to work in pairs, the Wiki would be a collaborative effort with the other class. Primary and Secondary waves would definately fall under the problem solving category.
Cooperative learning addressing the P and S wave chart in their reference tables might help. Making up their own examples and having the other class do the problems would be fun. Practice practice, show someone else how to use the chart, answer questions. Explanation from a peer might help "the light go on". Because once you "get" the P and S wave chart, you instinctively want to share the knowledge and to feel the accomplishment! The students would be true" educational artists", as Kevin Honeycutt phrases it, not part of the "new illiterates".
11/27/07
Reflections 2
It still amazes me that there is so much technology available for teachers to use. I keep thinking that the way we are teaching school is somewhat antiquated; I have only seen some of the things I have learned about in one classroom that I support. I think it is difficult for teachers to change the way they operate. I look forward to more teachers taking this class and implementing what they have learned. Just think of the paper we could save!
In Resource, I am busy helping to complete the traditional paper and pencil assignments. As an assistant, I am particularly enjoying using my del.icio.us account. I can now have many more sites on hand, catagorized. It was also interesting to view other sites of interest, and take them for my own. I like to keep photos of the Adirondacks close for mini visual vacations. It is a stress reliever.
In Resource, I am busy helping to complete the traditional paper and pencil assignments. As an assistant, I am particularly enjoying using my del.icio.us account. I can now have many more sites on hand, catagorized. It was also interesting to view other sites of interest, and take them for my own. I like to keep photos of the Adirondacks close for mini visual vacations. It is a stress reliever.
11/25/07
Wikis in Education
Wikis are a very new idea that the students would love, because they enjoy using computers. I think it would be very useful for group projects- they all can collaborate; their homework is even time stamped. Team work is always good for them to learn, as that is how the real world works. There is password protection, so they the students are safe while they learn how to post on the site. Wikis are a modern, valuable classroom tool.
10/24/07
Video Resource Review
I reviewed the sites- Next Vista, Teacher Tube, You Tube and Clip Blast.
Personally, I would only use Next Vista. Next Vista is the only one that is vetted- videos are reviewed before being posted on the site. They have four rules that they follow to ensure the videos contain accurate information and have nothing objectionable for children. It is definately more educationally orientated than the others. Next Vista is a non-profit site which has sections of "lightbulb" ideas, global views for people around the world to show their cultures, and seeing service which teaches the value of service to our fellow man. I think this really is healthy for the world that is so self absorbed. I think the site is easy to use and would be a benefit to me with Global students. I watched a video about Shintoism and Buddhism in Japan.
You Tube and Clip Blast, to me, seemed more like an entertainment venue, than an educational one, almost like the tabloids. Their videos are not reviewed by anyone before being posted, so objectionable content exists. Clip Blast addressed "adventure", "sports", "auto racing", "arts". I did like that You Tube had a section to compare the Presidential candidates. You could "search" for any educational content. They both have ads. Both sites were easy to use, but I really didn't find anything that I could use.
Teacher Tube does have educational content on it, for which you have to search. Their videos are not preapproved, so objectionable content could be lurking.There is a great variety- including NCAA stats, quotes, challenges and technology; it seemed to me more of a personal forum. It also has ads on it. The site is easy to use, must search for your educational content. I saw some interesting science ideas.
Personally, I would only use Next Vista. Next Vista is the only one that is vetted- videos are reviewed before being posted on the site. They have four rules that they follow to ensure the videos contain accurate information and have nothing objectionable for children. It is definately more educationally orientated than the others. Next Vista is a non-profit site which has sections of "lightbulb" ideas, global views for people around the world to show their cultures, and seeing service which teaches the value of service to our fellow man. I think this really is healthy for the world that is so self absorbed. I think the site is easy to use and would be a benefit to me with Global students. I watched a video about Shintoism and Buddhism in Japan.
You Tube and Clip Blast, to me, seemed more like an entertainment venue, than an educational one, almost like the tabloids. Their videos are not reviewed by anyone before being posted, so objectionable content exists. Clip Blast addressed "adventure", "sports", "auto racing", "arts". I did like that You Tube had a section to compare the Presidential candidates. You could "search" for any educational content. They both have ads. Both sites were easy to use, but I really didn't find anything that I could use.
Teacher Tube does have educational content on it, for which you have to search. Their videos are not preapproved, so objectionable content could be lurking.There is a great variety- including NCAA stats, quotes, challenges and technology; it seemed to me more of a personal forum. It also has ads on it. The site is easy to use, must search for your educational content. I saw some interesting science ideas.
Classroom Blogging
My feelings on classroom blogging are mostly positive. I think that classroom blogging is a way to involve the students with current new technology. Classroom blogs can be controlled by the teacher, so that she permits the postings or not. Also, there is danger in opening the classroom blog to the world; it can be limited to just the class participants. Reading and writing in the 21st century is moving away from books, and onto finding, sorting, reading, relevant information on the web. We all have become globalized citizens, we have to learn and solve problems in new ways.
A benefit of classroom blogging is that new ideas can be shared, everyone helping each other on an assignment. A specific way to use blogging in the classroom is peer editing in the course of an English or Social Studies essay. For instance, an English 10 class I am in, is doing a Critical Lens Essay in conjunction with finishing the play Macbeth. I think one of the most difficult parts of this essay is interpreting the quote correctly and applying it to a work of literature you have read in class. It is a fairly daunting task for many. Literary elements within the work are always an issue to remember. Peer editing would give suggestions/corrections/ideas to the students.
A benefit of classroom blogging is that new ideas can be shared, everyone helping each other on an assignment. A specific way to use blogging in the classroom is peer editing in the course of an English or Social Studies essay. For instance, an English 10 class I am in, is doing a Critical Lens Essay in conjunction with finishing the play Macbeth. I think one of the most difficult parts of this essay is interpreting the quote correctly and applying it to a work of literature you have read in class. It is a fairly daunting task for many. Literary elements within the work are always an issue to remember. Peer editing would give suggestions/corrections/ideas to the students.
10/23/07
10/15/07
Welcome to my first blog.
The reason I have created this blog is to learn more about new technologies and how I can use them in a high school setting, especially with special education students. The various students are enrolled in Earth Science, Living Environment, Global I and Global II, English 9 and 10.
Does anyone have any ideas? Kathy S.
Does anyone have any ideas? Kathy S.
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