Good or Stupid?

In order to separate the good from the bad or stupid technology, I feel that simplicity is the number one factor. If a teacher cannot operate the technology without a lot of hassle and waste of time, how effective is the technology? Technology must be available and must be operated with ease. Remember, technology is suppose to make our lives a little bit easier : )

I agree that as technologies mature they become easier to use. Maybe technology will become so easy that the Geek Squad will become obsolete : ) I think it is important that technology be infused with teaching in the right way and balance so that a teacher can still guide the students.

The PLE of a Digital Native

I saw this video before, but was still amazed when I watched it again. First of all, to have a student that is in such control of her learning is encouraging. Will all (or mostly all) students be this dedicated to doing their schoolwork if we incorporate technology in this manner? I would love to run my classroom like this!

"When you are through changing, you are through." Bruce Barton

Dear Mr. Principal

Dear Mr. Principal,

I would like to introduce you to Google and the many creative and organizational applications that are within it. Google Apps brings together essential services that will help the students in my classroom and students throughout the school. Google Apps will allow me to communicate and collaborate more effectively with students, parents and other teachers. The services that Google provides are easy to set up and won't cost the school district a penny.

The benefits of Google Apps seem endless when it comes to staying connected. I think that my students and their parents will love the ease and accessibility that Google Apps provides.

Please consider allowing Google Apps in my classroom and within the school. It's a change that will benefit everyone and foster a creative environment.

Sincerely,
Sally Mankoo

NET-S - Well Implemented??? LET-S See

In reviewing the NET-S, class readings, and my knowledge of how the curriculum is implemented in schools, I would say that a very small percentage of each ISTE Standard is being implemented. Like the 21st century learner video revealed, only 14% of the teachers allow the students to create something new with technology, and 76% of teachers have NEVER used wikis, podcasts, or blogs.

I feel that I am ready to try to meet those standards. It will be hard at first to see what works, but through experimentation and results, I think that what I introduce to my students will be based on innovation and creativity. I think it is important to have the student learn by actually performing the task. Students who discuss and collaborate teach each other, as well as finely tune their own understandings.

Throughout my personal experiences here at MSMC, I have seen the shift toward peer collaboration. When you are asked to reflect on your learning, you have to "dig deep," and discover things that maybe you didn't realize about your learning process or how such experiences have shaped your learning.

Picasion Slideshow

Wow...this was harder than I thought it would be. I can't believe that I managed to put the slide show together. I've prepared slide shows before on Smilebox, but this time when I used Picasion, my screenshots would not save as a jpeg. I eventually figured out how to "save the page as" and some saved as jpeg and others saved as png?? Not quite sure why, but they were accepted as the correct format. I wasn't able to put my wiki page in because the page wouldn't save as anything other than html. If you read this and could make a suggestion, I would greatly appreciate it.

I hope you enjoy my little slide show.

I'll take a Sidewiki of Google, please!

What an amazing idea! Google has come up with a sidebar that allows you to contribute or read helpful information that you or anyone else has added to a web page. You gain expert insight, get helpful tips, background information, and added perspective on the topic you are researching. It's like having a personal advisor giving you helpful hints. I am in the process of downloading Sidewiki and I will report back on my thoughts.

Are You a 21st Century Learner?

A 21st century learner is engaged and ready to analyze, compare, evaluate and interpret. They are able to view multiple sources, including texts, photographs, artwork, and data. They create their own point of view. These learners, although already equipped with knowledge of a digital world, come to school ready to put their skills to work. Teachers must be able to infuse the 21st century skills by creating a feedback cycle wherein students are challenged to produce, publish, become part of the audience and peer review.

As I have learned in the past year, communication, collaboration and creation are a big part of learning. The first activity that comes to mind that incorporates all of these skills is Jigsaw learning. Information is gathered, communicated amongst the group members and a final product is prepared to present to the class. I really enjoyed my experience with Jigsaw learning. Each member of the group brought a little piece to share in order to obtain the goal.

21st century learners are paving the way and are actually guiding how we will teach. The future of technology cannot be predicted. It is essential to maximize a higher order of thinking so that students can obtain resources and integrate them to create a product.

Sources of Literacy

These different types of literacy can really be interrelated. Information literacy is knowing how to find, analyze, and use information; the ability to gather information from multiple sources, select relevant material, and organize it into a form that will allow the user to make decisions or take specific actions.

Computer literacy is the knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses.

Integration literacy is the ability to use computers and other technologies combined with a variety of teaching and learning strategies to enhance students' learning; matching appropriate technology to learning objectives, goals, and outcomes.

Although literacy is used and obtained in each, the manner in which each is acquired is different. 21st century literacy will be have a new look. The days of book, pencil and paper are gone because the 21st century learners lives have been digitally changed. These learners have been born into a techno age. They are knowledgeable and open to different learning modes. Now we have to find new tools to challenge them so that their learning flourishes in a whole new way! Net generation students go to school wanting to create! If students learn by doing, we have to teach by letting them do!

WebEx Experience

My WebEx experience was similar to that of the Elluminate Live on-line class. It was exciting to see everyone come together and collaborate. There are about 28 people in the class so it took quite a bit of time to iron out all the technological problems that we experienced. The first meeting of our group - Generation Text - went okay. We made our way to Google Docs to finish up and we produced a beautiful business card which incorporated our photos and images which reflect a world that is brought together through technology.

At this WebEx class, we were able to get our questions answered and also learn about netiquette. It can be difficult to go from speaking on the telephone, texting, and then being in the same online "room" with your peers and professor. It is important to keep in mind who is where, and what type of technology you are using so that you are sure to use the appropriate etiquette.