In my class, emerging instructional technologies, we are doing a group 3-day unit that will incorporate technology to help the students learn deeper. We have chosen digital technology.
This podcast is an interview of Dr. Mark Ribble by Wesley Fryer. In this podcast, Dr. Ribble defines digital citizenship and discusses its importance in schools.
One thing that I liked that was mentioned was that often we give students "thou shalt nots". To correctly teach students about digital citizenship, the students need to learn how to correctly use the medias. This is also accomplished by modeling the correct use.
Mark Ribble also listed other areas of digital citizenship besides safety. While it is a part of it, there are other areas.
To read more see by Mark Ribble go to coe.ksu.edu/digitalcitizenship
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Guest Speakers
Wow today in class we had several guest speakers. The first thing that I must mention is that a few of them were not even in our classroom! They used a video conferincing called Skype and a virtual world called Second Life. I have not explored Skype yet, but I intend to. I have blogged about Second Life previously.
Bringing guest speakers to the class in this method gives students a sense of belonging to a larger world. I imagine it would also be easier to line up guest speakers since you are not limited to a location. My third graders would not be able to meet a speaker in Second Life, but could benefit from Skype. Since each classroom in my school has a projector, my students could easily be a part of the conversation. It reminds me a lot of ICN on a larger scale.
Our first guest speaker, Steve Hargadon, created the classroom 2.0 ning. He said something that really resonated with me and I believe will have the greatest, easiest impact in my teaching. He commented that in school he wrote many papers that he still has to this day, that were only viewed by his teacher, himself, and his family. Students want a broader audience for the work they do. By publishing student work on the web, then others could view it. This could be by posting to a class blog, class newsletter, or in the final step of the writing process, publish to the web instead of a nice handwritten copy.
Our other guest speakers expanded my awareness of educational uses of Second Life. I also heard about the NETS, which I suspect will be used by many schools in the future as they write their standards.
Bringing guest speakers to the class in this method gives students a sense of belonging to a larger world. I imagine it would also be easier to line up guest speakers since you are not limited to a location. My third graders would not be able to meet a speaker in Second Life, but could benefit from Skype. Since each classroom in my school has a projector, my students could easily be a part of the conversation. It reminds me a lot of ICN on a larger scale.
Our first guest speaker, Steve Hargadon, created the classroom 2.0 ning. He said something that really resonated with me and I believe will have the greatest, easiest impact in my teaching. He commented that in school he wrote many papers that he still has to this day, that were only viewed by his teacher, himself, and his family. Students want a broader audience for the work they do. By publishing student work on the web, then others could view it. This could be by posting to a class blog, class newsletter, or in the final step of the writing process, publish to the web instead of a nice handwritten copy.
Our other guest speakers expanded my awareness of educational uses of Second Life. I also heard about the NETS, which I suspect will be used by many schools in the future as they write their standards.
Monday, June 16, 2008
All Things Google
Yesterday, June 16, in my emerging instructional technologies class, we learned about different tools that Google has to offer.
The first thing I learned was how much the simple Google search has to offer. It can be used as a spellchecker, to find synonyms, and as a calculator. These would be very useful in class. Especially if each student had their own computer.
Another useful google tool was google.com/mobile. Through mobile devices, like cell phones, students can find locations and do searches. Although my elementary students may not have many uses for this, it is amazing to think of high schoolers using these tools! (Most have the tool anyway.)
I also learned how to use Google Docs, Forms and Pages. This lets you collaborate at the same time or different time as other members. Google Pages lets you create web pages. This would be great for WebQuests. It would also work to have a class newsletter that students could contribute to.
I have never explored Google before, but I am anxious to pass these ideas on to other teachers.
Blogging from e-mail
taken a photo of myself using a mac. Not the best photo, but not bad
for an 8:00 class.
We've been exploring mobile tools like Google 411 and SMS.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Other Blogs
I was researching some other blogs today. I noticed that it is hard to find a blog through the generic google search. I wondered how people find others blogs. Then, I saw that my professor had a link to a google blog search.
I tried it out and was amazed at how much easier it was. I guess when you're a novice like me, simple things can be hard!
As I was enjoying all the blogs (I happened to search a generic "grade three") I noticed one that a teacher used to inform her parents. It was a lot like a weekly newsletter. This would prevent the stuffing of the papers in the bags by students and the parents never getting those papers! You would need to make sure that all families have access to a computer. I love how this teacher also used the blog as a calendar for the parents of upcoming events.
Grade Three Blog
I tried it out and was amazed at how much easier it was. I guess when you're a novice like me, simple things can be hard!
As I was enjoying all the blogs (I happened to search a generic "grade three") I noticed one that a teacher used to inform her parents. It was a lot like a weekly newsletter. This would prevent the stuffing of the papers in the bags by students and the parents never getting those papers! You would need to make sure that all families have access to a computer. I love how this teacher also used the blog as a calendar for the parents of upcoming events.
Grade Three Blog
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Blogging Assignment about Multiplie Discussions
Before I begin my thoughts on multiple avenues for chatting, I want to send my best wishes to those affected by the floods. As someone who has loved ones that have lost their house, I am thankful for all the help and compassion being shown.
Last Thursday night, June 5, my class held a discussion. This online discussion was unique because it was being held across three venues, a chat room, mebeam, and secondlife. I found it hard to follow a linear conversation. There were several side conversations going on in each venue. Digital Natives would have an easier time with this multi-tasking. I however, am a very linear person and found myself getting confused and perhaps a little frustrated.
I do have a little pride that I was able to attempt all three. You do need the right equipment (microphones, speakers, cameras, high-speed internet, sound cards, video cards, and lots of other equipment I can't even comprehend) to make it the most successful. If you have the right equipment, I could see mebeam being benefically the most because you can have images and sound.
Deb, another student in my EIT class also tried to use all three. She saw some value in using mebeam and chat. She said in her blog, "As far as an aspect of distance learning, chatting and mebeam are a couple of venues which make it possible for individuals from a large geographical area to come together and share thoughts at one time. "
It was a great experience that encouraged me that I was more capable than I previously thought!
I am off to do more sandbagging.
Last Thursday night, June 5, my class held a discussion. This online discussion was unique because it was being held across three venues, a chat room, mebeam, and secondlife. I found it hard to follow a linear conversation. There were several side conversations going on in each venue. Digital Natives would have an easier time with this multi-tasking. I however, am a very linear person and found myself getting confused and perhaps a little frustrated.
I do have a little pride that I was able to attempt all three. You do need the right equipment (microphones, speakers, cameras, high-speed internet, sound cards, video cards, and lots of other equipment I can't even comprehend) to make it the most successful. If you have the right equipment, I could see mebeam being benefically the most because you can have images and sound.
Deb, another student in my EIT class also tried to use all three. She saw some value in using mebeam and chat. She said in her blog, "As far as an aspect of distance learning, chatting and mebeam are a couple of venues which make it possible for individuals from a large geographical area to come together and share thoughts at one time. "
It was a great experience that encouraged me that I was more capable than I previously thought!
I am off to do more sandbagging.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Changing Profession
I was talking to my students the other day about space exploration. They wanted to know more about Neil Armstrong. I did not remember much from many years ago when I was a student. However, I was able to go to my computer and search Neil Armstrong. I then put up the information on the projector so the students could see pictures of him. We learned together.
As a teacher, my role was to have all the facts and information and help the students learn those facts. Now, through technology, we can learn together. This gives them endless learning opportunities since I do not know everything! They can learn beyond my limited knowledge. I just wonder how long until others catch on and realize that learning is different for kids today, so teaching must be different as well.
As a teacher, my role was to have all the facts and information and help the students learn those facts. Now, through technology, we can learn together. This gives them endless learning opportunities since I do not know everything! They can learn beyond my limited knowledge. I just wonder how long until others catch on and realize that learning is different for kids today, so teaching must be different as well.
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