I get to begin implementing my "plan of attack" on Monday as we begin a new trimester. I am looking forward to utilizing all of the "Things" that I've learned the past few weeks. The resources that I've discovered will be of tremendous help to me as I begin to introduce and implement Web 2.0 tools in my classroom.
Since everyone learns differently, Slideshare may be a tool that I could refer students to for clarification on a particular topic that they might not be grasping and need to hear in a different way. I also plan to use that site as a resource for myself. I cannot believe the number of "how-to" presentations.
During this course I've had my "a ha" moment as it relates to blogs. I've used them in the past but none more so than during the five weeks that I have been off from work. I've come to realize that a blog is an excellent tool for me to communicate my expectations to my students and have them respond. I've also uploaded podcasts (those must be in the next 12 things) to my blog with lectures that I've created at home during my recovery time. I'm thrilled to be using the form that I created in Thing 10 on Monday with my new classes.
At the beginning of this course I was very fearful about learning something new. I may not like change but I do love to learn new things. I am truly thankful to teach in a field demands this of me. I now have a confidence and determination that I didn't have a few weeks ago and I realize that I CAN do this.
I hope to make more time to read and comment on blogs of other technology teachers, and begin taking part in a PLN. From what I read, there is a willingness to share knowledge. To not have to reinvent the wheel because of this generousity will allow me to have more time to locate, learn, and create new projects that supports the METS and our curriculum.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
THING 9
Slideshare would be a great way for students to create presentations and upload them to the class blog or their own personal blog. It would also be a great tool for students to upload an electronic portfolio. Personally, I will be using Slideshare as a learning resource to educate myself on new Web 2.0 tools.
THING 8
This term is the first time that I've worked with Google Docs. I'm excited to dig a little deeper to find additional ways to use it in the classroom. A couple of things I've done is collaborating and peer editing with my Online Experience class. That isn't very exciting when compared to some of the video clips that I've watched recently of others' ideas related to Google Docs. I think it would be a great tool for at the beginning of the term - a getting to know you activity or even a place for them to add their blog addresses. I'd also like to use it as a tool for me to comment on their assignments. Again, I'm just looking forward to using it more!
Computing in the cloud is different and I don't now how comfortable I am with it. That, of course, can be attributed to my reluctance to change. There are plenty of advantages: real time collaboration, you can work on an assignment from anywhere you have access to a computer, and you can share a document within a group project. The negative would be if all of our work were exclusively in the cloud and the server were to go down at school, the students wouldn't have access to their work.
Computing in the cloud is different and I don't now how comfortable I am with it. That, of course, can be attributed to my reluctance to change. There are plenty of advantages: real time collaboration, you can work on an assignment from anywhere you have access to a computer, and you can share a document within a group project. The negative would be if all of our work were exclusively in the cloud and the server were to go down at school, the students wouldn't have access to their work.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
THING 7
About three years ago we discovered Delicious in our department. I've been addicted ever since! I no longer use bookmarks on my computer but directly tag them into Delicious.
We introduce Delicious during the first two weeks of the term in our classes. After they create their account, we discuss the concept of social bookmarking and tagging. We will give them a list of "tags" and they have to go and find several different sites for each. Throughout our term, we will encourage and require the students to tag various sites that we've used or they have come across. One thing that we've failed in is the social part in that we have not yet had them create a network. I will definitely be doing that during the next term.
Again, I just love Delicious and appreciate the fact that no matter where I am, I can access my favorite sites.
We introduce Delicious during the first two weeks of the term in our classes. After they create their account, we discuss the concept of social bookmarking and tagging. We will give them a list of "tags" and they have to go and find several different sites for each. Throughout our term, we will encourage and require the students to tag various sites that we've used or they have come across. One thing that we've failed in is the social part in that we have not yet had them create a network. I will definitely be doing that during the next term.
Again, I just love Delicious and appreciate the fact that no matter where I am, I can access my favorite sites.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
THING 4
As a high school business and technology teacher, I have always held tightly to the belief that one of the crucial parts of my job was my responsibility to prepare my students for the "real world." I've also felt that I brought to the classroom that knowledge of the "real world" because I worked in industry for almost 25 years before becoming a teacher. In one of our earlier videos, "Did You Know," a statement that stuck with me is "we are preparing students for jobs that haven't even been created yet." Wow. How do we do that? Even more thought provoking was are my work experiences still credible and applicable to my students?
I truly enjoyed both of Sacha Chua's slideshows - A Teacher's Guide to Web 2.0@School and The GenY Guide to Web 2.0@Work. They were very simple but the message was strong. We have the capability to grow and connect with people all over the world and to share our knowledge with others through Web 2.0 tools. Since joining this 11 Things Course, I have already come across many resources that I didn't know existed. These resources will make my life easier and I appreciate those who willingly share their ideas and resources related to technology. I hope to one day have the confidence to share my ideas as they have.
I absolutely loved the Joseph Joubert's quote - "To teach is to learn twice" - because it relates to the way that I teach my technology classes. I heard once that this generation is the first to know more about something than a previous generation and I share this with my technology classes at the beginning of the term. I ask them if they have any idea what that "thing" might be and sometimes they figure it out. If not, I ask them if they ever have to help their parents with technology. I then honestly admit to them that there will be times when they may know more than I do about a Web 2.0 tool that we will be working with. I use that admission to my advantage as we work together to figure out bumps in the road as it relates to the new Web 2.0 tools that I'm learning to use. They gain confidence in sharing their knowledge and I gain knowledge as I "learn twice."
What I often hear is that students are lacking the soft skills needed to be successful in industry (e.g., written and oral communication, teamwork, motivation, responsibility, dependability, etc.) and, I believe, this was reinforced to us in earlier "Things." Taking everything that I've mentioned into consideration, I guess I'm doing a decent job getting my students ready for the real world.
I also realize that as a technology instructor, my learning will be lifelong and I'm perfectly okay with that.
I truly enjoyed both of Sacha Chua's slideshows - A Teacher's Guide to Web 2.0@School and The GenY Guide to Web 2.0@Work. They were very simple but the message was strong. We have the capability to grow and connect with people all over the world and to share our knowledge with others through Web 2.0 tools. Since joining this 11 Things Course, I have already come across many resources that I didn't know existed. These resources will make my life easier and I appreciate those who willingly share their ideas and resources related to technology. I hope to one day have the confidence to share my ideas as they have.
I absolutely loved the Joseph Joubert's quote - "To teach is to learn twice" - because it relates to the way that I teach my technology classes. I heard once that this generation is the first to know more about something than a previous generation and I share this with my technology classes at the beginning of the term. I ask them if they have any idea what that "thing" might be and sometimes they figure it out. If not, I ask them if they ever have to help their parents with technology. I then honestly admit to them that there will be times when they may know more than I do about a Web 2.0 tool that we will be working with. I use that admission to my advantage as we work together to figure out bumps in the road as it relates to the new Web 2.0 tools that I'm learning to use. They gain confidence in sharing their knowledge and I gain knowledge as I "learn twice."
What I often hear is that students are lacking the soft skills needed to be successful in industry (e.g., written and oral communication, teamwork, motivation, responsibility, dependability, etc.) and, I believe, this was reinforced to us in earlier "Things." Taking everything that I've mentioned into consideration, I guess I'm doing a decent job getting my students ready for the real world.
I also realize that as a technology instructor, my learning will be lifelong and I'm perfectly okay with that.
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