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.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
THING 3
I watched and read with earnest interest the differences between the 20th and 21st Century learners. For me, the biggest change is technology.
I graduated in the early 80's and learned to type on a manual typewriter. As a senior, I remember taking a data processsing class where there were 8-10 computers that used giant floppy disks. At my first job, if I needed extra copies of a letter I had to use carbon paper. I always tell my students how thankful I am to have been born in an era without technology because I appreciate where we are today.
For this generation of students, they are used to having instant information and multitasking. That wasn't the case for me in school. I learned how to figure out information on my own from memorizing multiplication tables to writing out long division problems; conducting research for a paper by going to the library and using a card catalog to find books to read about my topic; and I played outside with my friends, talked with them on the phone for hours; and, wrote letters to people to stay in touch. Guess what? I grew up to be an independent thinker, who colloborates with others, and uses critical thinking skills on a daily basis.
All of that being said, I appreciate the use of technology in the classroom and in my personal life. It makes almost everything easier, faster, and more efficient - when it works. For the past week, my school and the homes in the area have been without power and I've been stymied. My thoughts have ranged from: "I could send my students a note and tell them if they were bored to get onto their online working papers," "I'd could start working on my taxes," "I'll check my email for updates." I couldn't do any of those things because the information that I needed was tied to the server that was down because of no power. I was stuck - and that's my concern for this generation.
This generation is lacking the tools that I was taught growing up to function without the aid of technology. They are unable to complete simple math without the use of a programmed calculator. Their research is "Googling" the information and grabbing the first link that appears. Their writing skills are horrible because they spell using their "text speak."
This year for the first time, my Accounting working papers are online for the students (instead of a consumable workbook). I thought that this was going to be a great tool for everyone because a) it was technology and the students would love it (aka increased numbers in classes); b) the students would receive instant feedback; c) it would do my grading for me. What I've found is that a) the 2nd and 3rd year students hate it; b) the students misuse the technology by finding out where the numbers should go instead of using critical thinking skills to figure out the what, where, and why; c) I still have to go back and review the grading done by the software. Most importantly, I've found that the students are lacking the foundational skills/knowledge necessary to be successful in Accounting. They've manipulated the technology and software to their detriment.
I think as educators it's important that we provide students with both independent thinking skills and then how to use technology to make things easier and more efficent. We are doing a great disservice to students by not providing them with the necessary tools to function without technology.
I graduated in the early 80's and learned to type on a manual typewriter. As a senior, I remember taking a data processsing class where there were 8-10 computers that used giant floppy disks. At my first job, if I needed extra copies of a letter I had to use carbon paper. I always tell my students how thankful I am to have been born in an era without technology because I appreciate where we are today.
For this generation of students, they are used to having instant information and multitasking. That wasn't the case for me in school. I learned how to figure out information on my own from memorizing multiplication tables to writing out long division problems; conducting research for a paper by going to the library and using a card catalog to find books to read about my topic; and I played outside with my friends, talked with them on the phone for hours; and, wrote letters to people to stay in touch. Guess what? I grew up to be an independent thinker, who colloborates with others, and uses critical thinking skills on a daily basis.
All of that being said, I appreciate the use of technology in the classroom and in my personal life. It makes almost everything easier, faster, and more efficient - when it works. For the past week, my school and the homes in the area have been without power and I've been stymied. My thoughts have ranged from: "I could send my students a note and tell them if they were bored to get onto their online working papers," "I'd could start working on my taxes," "I'll check my email for updates." I couldn't do any of those things because the information that I needed was tied to the server that was down because of no power. I was stuck - and that's my concern for this generation.
This generation is lacking the tools that I was taught growing up to function without the aid of technology. They are unable to complete simple math without the use of a programmed calculator. Their research is "Googling" the information and grabbing the first link that appears. Their writing skills are horrible because they spell using their "text speak."
This year for the first time, my Accounting working papers are online for the students (instead of a consumable workbook). I thought that this was going to be a great tool for everyone because a) it was technology and the students would love it (aka increased numbers in classes); b) the students would receive instant feedback; c) it would do my grading for me. What I've found is that a) the 2nd and 3rd year students hate it; b) the students misuse the technology by finding out where the numbers should go instead of using critical thinking skills to figure out the what, where, and why; c) I still have to go back and review the grading done by the software. Most importantly, I've found that the students are lacking the foundational skills/knowledge necessary to be successful in Accounting. They've manipulated the technology and software to their detriment.
I think as educators it's important that we provide students with both independent thinking skills and then how to use technology to make things easier and more efficent. We are doing a great disservice to students by not providing them with the necessary tools to function without technology.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
THING 2
I must admit, I'm overwhelmed and amazed. Amazed at the knowledge that others have related to technology in education; overwhelmed with the thought of how far behind I am when it comes to technology.
One of the requirements of the METS and CTE standards and benchmarks have been that students be exposed to blogging. In an effort to meet state requirements, those of us in my department who teach technology have created class blogs that we have our students follow. Students are required to comment on published posts - articles or videos, and upload assignments. Obviously, we are only scratching the surface of what a blog may be used for. As a side note, using the blog in the classroom has been a nuisance. It's just one more thing to add to the laundry list of things I must do.
I'm intimated by the thought of having my personal writings "out there" for the world to see. It's one thing to allow my students to have access to a class blog but to publish personal thoughts on a routine basis? I feel like I'm opening myself up to a ton of criticism and that is terrifying.
As I mentioned before I was impressed with the vast wealth of resources available to me through the blogs of educators and professionals in the technology field. I haven't read a lot of blogs in the past and, in all honesty, don't think to look to them for ideas to use in the classroom. I have a feeling that after today, all of that is about to change.
One of the requirements of the METS and CTE standards and benchmarks have been that students be exposed to blogging. In an effort to meet state requirements, those of us in my department who teach technology have created class blogs that we have our students follow. Students are required to comment on published posts - articles or videos, and upload assignments. Obviously, we are only scratching the surface of what a blog may be used for. As a side note, using the blog in the classroom has been a nuisance. It's just one more thing to add to the laundry list of things I must do.
I'm intimated by the thought of having my personal writings "out there" for the world to see. It's one thing to allow my students to have access to a class blog but to publish personal thoughts on a routine basis? I feel like I'm opening myself up to a ton of criticism and that is terrifying.
As I mentioned before I was impressed with the vast wealth of resources available to me through the blogs of educators and professionals in the technology field. I haven't read a lot of blogs in the past and, in all honesty, don't think to look to them for ideas to use in the classroom. I have a feeling that after today, all of that is about to change.
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