As I look back on this course, I almost regret that I took it -- over the summer. It is packed full of so much great information, I hope I don't forget it. In some ways, spreading it out over the course of a semester might be more beneficial. Who knows? I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to complete this over the summer and online. Kudos to Fort Hays State University for that. I think that if all teachers had access to the information and resources presented in this class, we would be much more technologically advanced in classrooms. As I've written before, I think that much of this technology is available in schools, it's just not being used fully.
As far as the content of the course, the thing that sticks out in my mind is definitely podcasting. I recently went to a conference in Seattle on career development and attended a session on podcasting. I never would have done this had it not been for this class. I definitely plan to make use of podcasting in my work this year. It is much easier to do than I ever imagined and it does not REQUIRE an iPod!
I can also see myself using Quia in the future regardless of cost. There are just too many useful resources to ignore. The exam creators and activities will be particularly useful. I will also use the web page creator to organize class activities. I think this is a great accountability tool with not only teachers and students but also parents. I will invite all parents to keep up on the class website.
The most enjoyable assignment in this class was the Flickr task. I really enjoyed putting together this presentation and will make use of it when I begin teaching, if not before for personal use. It is a very user-friendly resource and I really was hooked.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
4. Edutopia
Harrison Central High School
It is fitting that this video appears on the Edutopia website because it really is as close as public education gets to perfect in regards to technology integration. I think that many of these technologies are being used in schools across the country but not on a school-wide scale like at HCHS. The piece that I found particularly interesting was the cheer squad monitoring their vitals to improve physical conditioning and then relaying that information on to math classes for interpretation. This has many implications in the area of physical education and health, which is exciting for me.
Mary Scroggs Elementary School
This school is amazing in the way that it is wired and the opportunities it gives students who are lucky enough to attend. In watching this video, I immediately recalled an article I read a few hours ago that referred to children as digital natives and us, as adults, as digital immigrants. The teachers and administrators at this school set a great example of ways to do new things in new ways. Of course, it helps that they have all of this technology at their fingertips on a daily basis.
A Product of Learning
The beginning of this video piqued my interest. The middle school featured mirrors the school in which I work: very diverse ethnically and socioeconomically. The work that these students were turning out just proves that any student can learn and be exemplary if surrounded by the right resources and caring adults. This video highlights what the majority of teachers already know, "Give me the resources and work conditions and any student can learn."
Leading with Laptops
This video highlighted a middle school in Maine in which each student has a laptop computer. The quote that really resonated with me was when a teacher was speaking about the challenge of ensuring that these laptops were "more than just a $2000 pencil." The video then goes on to show how this school is accomplishing just that, especially in the areas of science. They are finding new ways to do new things. I think idea also addresses the concern of people outside of the schools that these schools spend a lot of money to purchase all of this new technology and nothing is ever done with it. This school has incredible proof that this is not the case...
Home Visits
I chose this video because I do many home visits in my own job at the school. I can relate to what these parents were saying. I think that it is an amazing idea to invite teachers to do home visits. What better ways is there to prove that you care about your students than to visit their home? I truly believe that engaging students in learning is a result of successful personal relationships between teachers and students. This is only one way of accomplishing this goal. This is great. I had no idea this kind of information was out there.
Starting Over
Again, I chose this video because it is relevant to what I experience in my current job with the schools. It discusses a new plan in Oakland schools to change the face of education. New principals attend a new training that focuses on new and innovative strategies for accomplishing the same goal: educating every student regardless of background. I think this is great but I'd be interested to see some numbers a few years from now to assess the effectiveness of these new principals. Very interesting...
Las Vegas: Cowan Sunset High School
I chose to watch this video because it concerns another topic that really interests me: alternative school settings. This particular school begins at 2:00pm to cater to students from all walks of life. Some work morning construction jobs and others work nights at casinos. I think this idea is somewhat like intergrating new technology into our classrooms. We have to find new ways to do new things. The student we serve today is not the same student we served 100 years ago. Alternative school settings are really gaining popularity and credibility and should be respected as such.
It is fitting that this video appears on the Edutopia website because it really is as close as public education gets to perfect in regards to technology integration. I think that many of these technologies are being used in schools across the country but not on a school-wide scale like at HCHS. The piece that I found particularly interesting was the cheer squad monitoring their vitals to improve physical conditioning and then relaying that information on to math classes for interpretation. This has many implications in the area of physical education and health, which is exciting for me.
Mary Scroggs Elementary School
This school is amazing in the way that it is wired and the opportunities it gives students who are lucky enough to attend. In watching this video, I immediately recalled an article I read a few hours ago that referred to children as digital natives and us, as adults, as digital immigrants. The teachers and administrators at this school set a great example of ways to do new things in new ways. Of course, it helps that they have all of this technology at their fingertips on a daily basis.
A Product of Learning
The beginning of this video piqued my interest. The middle school featured mirrors the school in which I work: very diverse ethnically and socioeconomically. The work that these students were turning out just proves that any student can learn and be exemplary if surrounded by the right resources and caring adults. This video highlights what the majority of teachers already know, "Give me the resources and work conditions and any student can learn."
Leading with Laptops
This video highlighted a middle school in Maine in which each student has a laptop computer. The quote that really resonated with me was when a teacher was speaking about the challenge of ensuring that these laptops were "more than just a $2000 pencil." The video then goes on to show how this school is accomplishing just that, especially in the areas of science. They are finding new ways to do new things. I think idea also addresses the concern of people outside of the schools that these schools spend a lot of money to purchase all of this new technology and nothing is ever done with it. This school has incredible proof that this is not the case...
Home Visits
I chose this video because I do many home visits in my own job at the school. I can relate to what these parents were saying. I think that it is an amazing idea to invite teachers to do home visits. What better ways is there to prove that you care about your students than to visit their home? I truly believe that engaging students in learning is a result of successful personal relationships between teachers and students. This is only one way of accomplishing this goal. This is great. I had no idea this kind of information was out there.
Starting Over
Again, I chose this video because it is relevant to what I experience in my current job with the schools. It discusses a new plan in Oakland schools to change the face of education. New principals attend a new training that focuses on new and innovative strategies for accomplishing the same goal: educating every student regardless of background. I think this is great but I'd be interested to see some numbers a few years from now to assess the effectiveness of these new principals. Very interesting...
Las Vegas: Cowan Sunset High School
I chose to watch this video because it concerns another topic that really interests me: alternative school settings. This particular school begins at 2:00pm to cater to students from all walks of life. Some work morning construction jobs and others work nights at casinos. I think this idea is somewhat like intergrating new technology into our classrooms. We have to find new ways to do new things. The student we serve today is not the same student we served 100 years ago. Alternative school settings are really gaining popularity and credibility and should be respected as such.
3. ALTEC
Of all of the resources available on the web that I've research thus far in this class, ALTEC has to be up there with the top 3 in terms of usefullness. This is kind of a "one-stop-shop" for saving time as a teacher, which is important for all teachers. I explored at least 5-6 of the resources and I was really impressed.
The first one that caught my eye was Arcademic Games. I played a few math games and instantly was taken back to my grade school days and I'm jealous that students today have these fun games to play and learn at the same time. I thought they might be kinda corny but I found myself progressing through the levels and finally had to cut myself off!
The second one that I check out was Teacher Tacklebox. I was truly impressed with this resource. I am going into Physical Education and it is hit-and-miss with many of these resources when it comes to PE. Not only did this site have PE resources, it had resources on dozens if not hundreds of topics. For example, I dug deep and found probably more than 20 variations of the chasing game, "tag." What an awesome teacher tool...
I shared this resource with Mrs. Borden, teacher at Abe Hubert Middle School. She works with at-risk students in a character education curriculum so she is always looking for new and exciting ways to engage her students. She was particularly interested in the Arcademic Games resource.
As for myself, I will definitely use the Teacher Tacklebox in the future. As a PE teacher, I think it will be important for me to come up with fresh ideas and games to encourage students to be healthy and active not only while in class, but at home as well. This resource will really make me more efficient in doing so.
The first one that caught my eye was Arcademic Games. I played a few math games and instantly was taken back to my grade school days and I'm jealous that students today have these fun games to play and learn at the same time. I thought they might be kinda corny but I found myself progressing through the levels and finally had to cut myself off!
The second one that I check out was Teacher Tacklebox. I was truly impressed with this resource. I am going into Physical Education and it is hit-and-miss with many of these resources when it comes to PE. Not only did this site have PE resources, it had resources on dozens if not hundreds of topics. For example, I dug deep and found probably more than 20 variations of the chasing game, "tag." What an awesome teacher tool...
I shared this resource with Mrs. Borden, teacher at Abe Hubert Middle School. She works with at-risk students in a character education curriculum so she is always looking for new and exciting ways to engage her students. She was particularly interested in the Arcademic Games resource.
As for myself, I will definitely use the Teacher Tacklebox in the future. As a PE teacher, I think it will be important for me to come up with fresh ideas and games to encourage students to be healthy and active not only while in class, but at home as well. This resource will really make me more efficient in doing so.
2. Apple Learning Interchange Reflection
Wow. I'm sure I've only touched the tip of the iceberg with this resource but it seems to be excellent. I did most of my exploring in content area looking for lesson ideas but also did some looking around in the conversations area looking for forums with teachers exchanging ideas. I came across some really cool lesson ideas and I think that it is great that Apple has created this learning community for educators wanting to share and promote their work. The thing I really liked about the lessons I found here was that they all seemed to incorporate technology in some way. This is no surprise considering that it is an Apple venture. The converstation area seemed to be somewhat underused. Most of the areas I looked at had few if any users. Maybe I could not dig deep enough or maybe it just is not being used much yet. I shared this resource with Mrs. Borden, teacher at Abe Hubert Middle School. She is a veteran teacher who fits into the category of teachers who are truly too busy to be adequately trained (in a traditional sense) to incorporate modern instructional technology effectively in her classroom. When asked, she indicated that she would probably use such a resource for lesson ideas.
1. Articles Reflection
U.S. schools lag behind in use of technology
After reading and reflecting on this article from USA Today, I was struck by a particular quote, "I think that teachers should be required to go to a technology course." I think that this statement hits the nail on the head. As the article states, technology has begun to become a priority and is being funded as such. However, what good is the technology if the teachers do not utilize it or are not trained to utilize it. That is why I think a course such as FHSU TECS290 is so important. I think young teachers are stepping up to the plate but veteran teachers need to be a training priority.
National Education Technology Plan
This US Dept. of Education plan is a no-brainer. It gives a name to and lends credibility to what we, as young teachers, already know: Our teaching methods in America are outdated and we must evolve if we are to keep pace with a globalized economy. A quote that caught my eye here was from the Secretary of Education, "Indeed, education is the only business still debating the usefulness of technology." This is a sad statement coming from a man in this position. This plan suggests steps that all schools should take to meet the learning needs of the modern student.
NETS: National Education Technology Standards: for Students, for Teachers and for Administrators
The NETS-S, Natl. Education Technology Standards for Students, is the only set of standards that has been released if I read the website correctly. It was released at the NECC 2007. I think that this is a valuable resource for teachers and administrators in thinking about how to integrate technology and which aspects are being taught. The one that I thought was particularly interesting was Digital Citizenship. This revolves around safe and ethical use of technology. I think this standard addresses the root of why so many people are scared of technology. The media bombards us with stories of technology gone wrong. This standard encourages individuals to be proactive in avoiding these issues.
Don't Just Adapt Technology, Adopt It!!
This was a cool article challenging school systems to try new things in new ways in regards to technology. I've never really thought about it but we are really doing old things in new ways in many ways. For example, my main computing uses are #1 - email, and #2 - accessing our student information database (SASI). These two things are really all about doing old things in new ways. Granted, it makes me much more efficient and effective in my job but I think I can do so much more with technology in my job as School Social Worker. One roadblock for me is sometimes resistance to change by the powers that be. For example, any URL with the word "blog" in it is banned by the school district filtering program. I find that amazing after taking this class!
High School.com
I could not locate this article.
After reading and reflecting on this article from USA Today, I was struck by a particular quote, "I think that teachers should be required to go to a technology course." I think that this statement hits the nail on the head. As the article states, technology has begun to become a priority and is being funded as such. However, what good is the technology if the teachers do not utilize it or are not trained to utilize it. That is why I think a course such as FHSU TECS290 is so important. I think young teachers are stepping up to the plate but veteran teachers need to be a training priority.
National Education Technology Plan
This US Dept. of Education plan is a no-brainer. It gives a name to and lends credibility to what we, as young teachers, already know: Our teaching methods in America are outdated and we must evolve if we are to keep pace with a globalized economy. A quote that caught my eye here was from the Secretary of Education, "Indeed, education is the only business still debating the usefulness of technology." This is a sad statement coming from a man in this position. This plan suggests steps that all schools should take to meet the learning needs of the modern student.
NETS: National Education Technology Standards: for Students, for Teachers and for Administrators
The NETS-S, Natl. Education Technology Standards for Students, is the only set of standards that has been released if I read the website correctly. It was released at the NECC 2007. I think that this is a valuable resource for teachers and administrators in thinking about how to integrate technology and which aspects are being taught. The one that I thought was particularly interesting was Digital Citizenship. This revolves around safe and ethical use of technology. I think this standard addresses the root of why so many people are scared of technology. The media bombards us with stories of technology gone wrong. This standard encourages individuals to be proactive in avoiding these issues.
Don't Just Adapt Technology, Adopt It!!
This was a cool article challenging school systems to try new things in new ways in regards to technology. I've never really thought about it but we are really doing old things in new ways in many ways. For example, my main computing uses are #1 - email, and #2 - accessing our student information database (SASI). These two things are really all about doing old things in new ways. Granted, it makes me much more efficient and effective in my job but I think I can do so much more with technology in my job as School Social Worker. One roadblock for me is sometimes resistance to change by the powers that be. For example, any URL with the word "blog" in it is banned by the school district filtering program. I find that amazing after taking this class!
High School.com
I could not locate this article.
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