Chris Riedel, "Create, Collaborate, Communicate: Empowering Students With 21st Century Skills," T.H.E. Journal, 1/27/2009, http://www.thejournal.com/articles/23872
Riedel writes about a recent presentation given by Howie Diblasi at the FETC 2009 addressing the importance for teachers to integrate technology into lesson planning. Diblasi is calling for education to step up to incorporating 21st century skills into today's classroom and notes that U.S. education is far behind in technology skill inclusion than other industries. He explains that the existing education system is not providing our youth with the skills employers are looking for in potential candidates; "creative problem solving, critical and analytical thinking skills, and information gathering and evaluating." In today's society, these skill sets are based in the world of online collaboration and technological tools. As a solution, Diblasi proposes 16 different tools and concepts teachers can use as support through this 21st century endeavor. Googledocs is an application students can use to word process and collaborate with peers online, and it is free! Epals is a networking tool that connects students and teachers to other education communities around the world. Skype is a tool that can virtually take students on field trips from the convenience of their classroom. These tools, among many others, are out there and easily available. Diblasi says that at least one technology concept should be integrated with each lesson plan. This will make sure education is providing students with the foundations to be successful in years to come.
Question 1: What is Google docs and what are some benefits in introducing it to your students?
Answer 1: Googledocs is an online tool accessed through igoogle and gmail. Students are able to create and save documents in this online application which acts as a word processor. Many families may not be able to afford programs that word process and googledocs gives everyone an equal playing field. Another benefit would be that students could share their work with each other, offer feedback, or work in groups online.
Question 2: How does the need for including technology in the classroom impact a teacher's job?
Answer 2: The impact on teacher duties is huge. It sounds to me that many teachers may need to change what they have been doing for several years in order to adapt to this cultural shift. Education should never be stagnant. The way we educate and the content we implement in our schools should be looked at and revised as our society changes. This is an essential responsibility or educators, to be current, adept to change, and in touch with the needs of newer generations.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Classroom Newsletter - NETS 1
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My sample newsletter was created using Microsoft Word to model creative and innovative thinking (NETS 1) using technology. This document brings inspiration, learning, and creativity to both students and parents by using word processing. Proficiency skills were demonstrated by creating a masthead and 2 column document, incorporating line art and scanned images, importing clip art from the web, using drop caps and color for visual appeal, and writing original articles.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Journal 3: "Keep them Chatting" (NETS 1, 3, and 5)
Cole, Jeanie (Feb 09). Keep them Chatting. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36, Retrieved 2/15/09, from http://www.learningandleading/- digital.com/learning_leading/200902/
"Keep them Chatting" is an article addressing student engagement and participation levels in online k-12 classes. The author suggests four instruction strategies she has found useful to facilitate learning and good energy inside her online classrooms. These four strategies are described as high-level-open ended questions, the inquiry method, the discrepant event inquiry method, and using illogical comparisons. By asking the group very open ended questions and choosing assignments that require a more thoughtful process to complete, students are encouraged to think beyond what they may be able to copy and paste from online resources.
My fiancé is currently taking a few business technology classes through the University of Phoenix online. It's a great way for working adults to add to their education and scope of skills directly from the convenience of home. I have been impressed so far by the types of assignments his classes are requiring, however I did observe one very counterproductive experience. The students are asked to make daily comments to each other's postings, opinions, reading responses, and assignments. In theory this is valuable, however we noticed how quickly constructive criticism in the online forum can be construed as very negative and almost rude. The online student thread became quite heated and students were feeling defensive. The instructor needed to step in and address the peer response objectives so that a positive learning environment could be recovered. After reading this article it is clear that online classes need to be carefully constructed and the teaching techniques are extremely different than those you would encounter face to face in the traditional classroom.
Question 1: In regards to technology, how would your elementary school education have been different if you were going to school now instead of in the 80's?
Answer 1: Wow, it would have been incredibly different because we didn't even have computers in class when I went to school. We had a computer lab in the library and they were huge. We worked with real floppy disks and had to type in codes to get in and work. We would go to the library and play "Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?"
Question 2: When grading student assignments in online forums, what type of things could a teacher look for that would suggest original work?
Answer 2: A teacher would want to create assignments similar to those described in the article. Encouraging thinking beyond what a student may read online requires one's interpretation of research and a process of learning beyond reiterating facts.
"Keep them Chatting" is an article addressing student engagement and participation levels in online k-12 classes. The author suggests four instruction strategies she has found useful to facilitate learning and good energy inside her online classrooms. These four strategies are described as high-level-open ended questions, the inquiry method, the discrepant event inquiry method, and using illogical comparisons. By asking the group very open ended questions and choosing assignments that require a more thoughtful process to complete, students are encouraged to think beyond what they may be able to copy and paste from online resources.
My fiancé is currently taking a few business technology classes through the University of Phoenix online. It's a great way for working adults to add to their education and scope of skills directly from the convenience of home. I have been impressed so far by the types of assignments his classes are requiring, however I did observe one very counterproductive experience. The students are asked to make daily comments to each other's postings, opinions, reading responses, and assignments. In theory this is valuable, however we noticed how quickly constructive criticism in the online forum can be construed as very negative and almost rude. The online student thread became quite heated and students were feeling defensive. The instructor needed to step in and address the peer response objectives so that a positive learning environment could be recovered. After reading this article it is clear that online classes need to be carefully constructed and the teaching techniques are extremely different than those you would encounter face to face in the traditional classroom.
Question 1: In regards to technology, how would your elementary school education have been different if you were going to school now instead of in the 80's?
Answer 1: Wow, it would have been incredibly different because we didn't even have computers in class when I went to school. We had a computer lab in the library and they were huge. We worked with real floppy disks and had to type in codes to get in and work. We would go to the library and play "Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?"
Question 2: When grading student assignments in online forums, what type of things could a teacher look for that would suggest original work?
Answer 2: A teacher would want to create assignments similar to those described in the article. Encouraging thinking beyond what a student may read online requires one's interpretation of research and a process of learning beyond reiterating facts.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Social Bookmarking - NETS 2
1) On the National Archive site, I chose a link with information on how posters, film, and other types of propaganda influenced thinking during wartime. Using primary sources in the classroom gives students the opportunity to see artifacts, examples, and history right before their eyes.
2) From the list of "places to start" to become a "Culturally Competent Educator" I could see myself doing several of the actions listed. I would assist in gathering information and resource materials related to culturally diverse groups so that our school staff would have these references at their finger tips. I could also create a network of individuals at school and from the community who have the knowledge of the cultural, linguistic, racial, and ethnical diverse groups at our school. Having credible references to speak knowledgably about the issues would help the students and staff understand each other better. Lastly, I could see myself engaging in staff discussions and activities that would allow us all to better understand "the attitudes, beliefs, and values related to cultural diversity and cultural competence." Creating a safe climate to discuss the cultural diversity at the school would allow for staff to share the best ways to reach every individual in their classrooms. It is all about communication!
3) The site I bookmarked was found directly on Kids Click under the category Vocabulary. I chose the link for grade level 3-6 and the link is called "Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day." Each day a new word is defined so kids can click on this site daily to learn new vocabulary. In addition to word's definition, the site provides an auditory example to assist in pronunciation, an example sentence and a short reading on an interesting fact related to the word.
4) Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators is a resource I know I will use during my first years of teaching. I can see myself definitely referencing the lesson planning outlines and curriculum resources. I also like the creative bulletin board ideas and will access this site for inspiration and guidance.
5) This research is wonderful because it provides a foundation for moving away from the "one size fits all" philosophy of education. It places more responsibility on the educator to meet individual needs in the classroom so that all students can meet his/her full potential. It requires the skill of "effective listening," in which everything from the spoken word to non-verbal gestures, from cultural diversity and the climate in the room at any given moment must be heard and adjusted for. Reaching each student in this way will assist in keeping individuals engaged.
6) The "Celebrating Connections" activity will allow my students to get to know and appreciate the cultural or religious traditions of others in the class. It will give us all the opportunity to acknowledge any similarities between our own traditions and those of others. This will create a feeling of connection and tolerance. I would definitely use the "Celebrating our Lives" PDF document provided in the link to involve the families and plan for partner or group discussions and presentations. This would be a good activity to do early in the year to establish an openness and comfortable environment for the kids to come to every day.
7) I couldn't believe that the answer to #4 was The United States and the U.K. The question asks which two countries scored the lowest ratings in a 2007 treatment of children survey. Several of the countries listed in the other answers have a strong sense of family within their cultures in comparison to the United States and the U.K. I would be interested in learning more about the results of this survey and what it means. It is also amazing that in comparison to this, the United States' military budget is the greatest in the world and 7 times higher that that of China's. Question #10 is also incredible. I am shocked that there is a difference in the amount of powder cocaine and crack cocaine that would sentence an individual to a jail. If they both contain the same amount of drug per gram than this law seems extremely unfair. It makes me think about the injustices in this country that may go unnoticed everyday. Until you look at the statistics, like those shown through this quiz, you tend not to recognize how real they are. This quiz forces you to think about these issues and I will need to be understanding of them as an educator.
8) My score on the Netiquette quiz was 90%. It is important to discuss the concept and social rules of "netiquette" because it is a community they will be a part of for life. Just like we learn proper etiquette in the classroom, in public, or with our friends, it is important to understand the social appropriateness of our actions in cyberspace so that it will be a pleasant experience for all those involved and the user will more likely be c correctly understood by others in cyberspace =^D
2) From the list of "places to start" to become a "Culturally Competent Educator" I could see myself doing several of the actions listed. I would assist in gathering information and resource materials related to culturally diverse groups so that our school staff would have these references at their finger tips. I could also create a network of individuals at school and from the community who have the knowledge of the cultural, linguistic, racial, and ethnical diverse groups at our school. Having credible references to speak knowledgably about the issues would help the students and staff understand each other better. Lastly, I could see myself engaging in staff discussions and activities that would allow us all to better understand "the attitudes, beliefs, and values related to cultural diversity and cultural competence." Creating a safe climate to discuss the cultural diversity at the school would allow for staff to share the best ways to reach every individual in their classrooms. It is all about communication!
3) The site I bookmarked was found directly on Kids Click under the category Vocabulary. I chose the link for grade level 3-6 and the link is called "Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day." Each day a new word is defined so kids can click on this site daily to learn new vocabulary. In addition to word's definition, the site provides an auditory example to assist in pronunciation, an example sentence and a short reading on an interesting fact related to the word.
4) Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators is a resource I know I will use during my first years of teaching. I can see myself definitely referencing the lesson planning outlines and curriculum resources. I also like the creative bulletin board ideas and will access this site for inspiration and guidance.
5) This research is wonderful because it provides a foundation for moving away from the "one size fits all" philosophy of education. It places more responsibility on the educator to meet individual needs in the classroom so that all students can meet his/her full potential. It requires the skill of "effective listening," in which everything from the spoken word to non-verbal gestures, from cultural diversity and the climate in the room at any given moment must be heard and adjusted for. Reaching each student in this way will assist in keeping individuals engaged.
6) The "Celebrating Connections" activity will allow my students to get to know and appreciate the cultural or religious traditions of others in the class. It will give us all the opportunity to acknowledge any similarities between our own traditions and those of others. This will create a feeling of connection and tolerance. I would definitely use the "Celebrating our Lives" PDF document provided in the link to involve the families and plan for partner or group discussions and presentations. This would be a good activity to do early in the year to establish an openness and comfortable environment for the kids to come to every day.
7) I couldn't believe that the answer to #4 was The United States and the U.K. The question asks which two countries scored the lowest ratings in a 2007 treatment of children survey. Several of the countries listed in the other answers have a strong sense of family within their cultures in comparison to the United States and the U.K. I would be interested in learning more about the results of this survey and what it means. It is also amazing that in comparison to this, the United States' military budget is the greatest in the world and 7 times higher that that of China's. Question #10 is also incredible. I am shocked that there is a difference in the amount of powder cocaine and crack cocaine that would sentence an individual to a jail. If they both contain the same amount of drug per gram than this law seems extremely unfair. It makes me think about the injustices in this country that may go unnoticed everyday. Until you look at the statistics, like those shown through this quiz, you tend not to recognize how real they are. This quiz forces you to think about these issues and I will need to be understanding of them as an educator.
8) My score on the Netiquette quiz was 90%. It is important to discuss the concept and social rules of "netiquette" because it is a community they will be a part of for life. Just like we learn proper etiquette in the classroom, in public, or with our friends, it is important to understand the social appropriateness of our actions in cyberspace so that it will be a pleasant experience for all those involved and the user will more likely be c correctly understood by others in cyberspace =^D
Journal 2: "Museums in the Classroom" (NETS 1, 3, and 5)
Reissman, Rose (Feb 09). Museums in the Classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36, Retrieved 2/10/09, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200902/
This week's article inspired thinking around how the internet could be used in classrooms for kids to explore museums online. Whether students are physically taking a field trip to a specific museum or exploring the online versions of museums too far to travel, using the internet to explore them opens a world of interactive activities and knowledge for all to share. This article provides several links to online resources helpful to both students, teachers, and parents. These links include a list of museums all around the world, teacher references for planning and classroom exhibit ideas, and help with how to incorporate the concept of museums into the curriculum. It is wonderful that museums all around the world have created such great websites for the public to explore. Museums hold so many stories and we can't possibly get to them all. It is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to students and others who are interested in learning but may not be physically able to experience the museums in person.
Question 1: In planning for a lesson on Art History, how could a teacher encourage the student's to utilize these online resources?
Answer 1: This would be a wonderful opportunity for students to explore the various Art History Museums world wide on the internet. Students could explore different online exhibits right from the classroom while also strengthening their use of technology and online research abilities. It is also a great opportunity for students to share this knowledge with their families if they have access to a computer and the internet at home. A teacher could encourage the students to create an exhibit of their own either online or with art supplies, depending on the age group, or write up what they learned.
Question 2: How could this technology have changed my experience while in school?
Answer 2: If this technology was available to me while in elementary school it would have opened the door to a different way of learning, more creative exploration and new knowledge. It would have nicely balanced the use of text books against real life examples and artifacts. Any school has limited access to museums due to location and funding and these types of online resources give access to everyone. I think it is a wonderful opportunity and really spreads knowledge far.
This week's article inspired thinking around how the internet could be used in classrooms for kids to explore museums online. Whether students are physically taking a field trip to a specific museum or exploring the online versions of museums too far to travel, using the internet to explore them opens a world of interactive activities and knowledge for all to share. This article provides several links to online resources helpful to both students, teachers, and parents. These links include a list of museums all around the world, teacher references for planning and classroom exhibit ideas, and help with how to incorporate the concept of museums into the curriculum. It is wonderful that museums all around the world have created such great websites for the public to explore. Museums hold so many stories and we can't possibly get to them all. It is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to students and others who are interested in learning but may not be physically able to experience the museums in person.
Question 1: In planning for a lesson on Art History, how could a teacher encourage the student's to utilize these online resources?
Answer 1: This would be a wonderful opportunity for students to explore the various Art History Museums world wide on the internet. Students could explore different online exhibits right from the classroom while also strengthening their use of technology and online research abilities. It is also a great opportunity for students to share this knowledge with their families if they have access to a computer and the internet at home. A teacher could encourage the students to create an exhibit of their own either online or with art supplies, depending on the age group, or write up what they learned.
Question 2: How could this technology have changed my experience while in school?
Answer 2: If this technology was available to me while in elementary school it would have opened the door to a different way of learning, more creative exploration and new knowledge. It would have nicely balanced the use of text books against real life examples and artifacts. Any school has limited access to museums due to location and funding and these types of online resources give access to everyone. I think it is a wonderful opportunity and really spreads knowledge far.
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