Amy's Blog - Integrating Technology EDTC625
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Are they interested?
Have you heard of or seen TED Talks? If not, I highly recommend checking out this site. There are inspiring videos on a range of topics relating to education.
This one TED talk given by Sugata Mitra is about the power of interest as it relates to learning. Sugata Mitra conducted an experiment in an Indian slum. He built a computer into the wall of a neighborhood where children had not been exposed to computers before. He found that with no previous exposure, the children taught themselves how to use the technology based on their interest. He conducted similar experiments with comparable populations and found the same results – students taught themselves how to do things like record and share music on their own.
This powerful video made me think about the impressions and attitudes that we promote in our classrooms. Based on this video and Sugata Mitra’s research results, students are intrinsically motivated to learn. He reports that “if a child has interest, education happens” (2010). What does this mean for the field of educational technology? If we engage, motivate and foster a learning environment that promotes interest, education and learning is sure to occur. Integrating technology tools and programs into instruction can naturally instill interest which according to Sugata Mitra, education will occur. If students are not engaged and interested they are not likely going to want to learn about the concepts being taught. As a student myself, I can attest to this research – it is challenging to learn when interest is not there.
Technology not only provides endless academic implications, but on a deeper level it promote intrinsic learning which is part of being a lifelong learner.
TED (Producer). (2010). Sugata
mitra: the child-driven education. Available from http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_education.html
Friday, June 29, 2012
Embracing Facebook
Social media networks are omnipresent. Everywhere I turn I see Twitter, Facebook and
other icons for promotion purposes. With
its steady increase in use and popularity globally, social media have certainly
claimed their mark our modern lives. So,
why are they viewed as evil and taboo in the education world? Why are many districts fighting and resisting them? At least in my
school district they are banned and teachers are adamantly discouraged for having
Facebook pages.
Okay, there are those few educators that have warranted
negative press due to indiscretions on Facebook. However, I feel that my school district has
completely written social media off altogether. Like everything, there should
be set parameters for using Facebook.
Although there have been cases where educators did not use Facebook
appropriately, there are many educational implications for using it.
Facebook can be used to inform and educate staff, students,
and the community. Schools or districts
can announce events or post new initiatives that are taking place. Documents and links can also be shared via
Facebook. It’s a way for people to stay
connected to the school and/or district.
Facebook can also be used to engage staff, students, and communicate
with the on goings of the school or district.
This is a forum for people to ask questions or voice their opinions
about issues. We all have busy lives and
hectic schedules that may prevent us from attending events such as PTA
meetings. However, information that was
shared at these types of meetings can be posted on Facebook for others to view
and engage in discussion about.
Another way to use Facebook positively in the school setting
is by celebrating and sharing accomplishments.
Pictures, videos, or information showcasing positive things going on in
the school can promote school-home communication. For example, assemblies or award ceremonies
can be posted on the Facebook page for all to see and celebrate.
This is a link to the Homework Hotline Facebook page. It is a prime example of how Facebook can promote communication and learning. People can ask questions regarding the curriciclum and others can view responses and strategies. Visitors can also tune in to watch Homework Hotline being aired to ask questions or view the program. General information that pertains to the school district in which Homeworok Hotline serves also is posted for visitors.
This is a link to the Homework Hotline Facebook page. It is a prime example of how Facebook can promote communication and learning. People can ask questions regarding the curriciclum and others can view responses and strategies. Visitors can also tune in to watch Homework Hotline being aired to ask questions or view the program. General information that pertains to the school district in which Homeworok Hotline serves also is posted for visitors.
Facebook is not bad.
It’s just how you choose to use it.
I am a proponent of integrating and allowing the use of Facebook in
schools. However, as previously
mentioned there certainly should be terms by which users should abide by to
ensure that it is being used appropriately.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Preparing for the future
I strongly believe that technology education should begin
early. In this “Shift Happens” video it really conveys
how technology is advancing at exponential rates. The video states that “we are
currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist” (EvolvMyLife,
2011). This is an astounding fact which evokes questions for me such as, “how
do we prepare our students for their future?” In my district the big push in
our new curriculum is critical thinking and problem solving skills. By teaching
students these types of skills, they can be ready to learn and adapt to those
jobs that don’t yet exist. However, in terms of technology education, again I
believe it should begin through early exposure and integration. Additionally,
students come to school with a range of abilities and background experiences
with technology. For this reason I think
it is essential to provide the opportunities for students at school with
technology. We can’t predict the future, but we can aim to prepare our students
with the skills they need to be successful.
The video also addresses some astonishing statistics about
trends that are rapidly progressing. “We
are living in exponential times” (EvolvMyLife, 2011) and I feel that education policies
and standards are not reflecting these shifts.
As educators aware of these trends, what responsibilities should we
uphold to prepare our students?
EvolvMyLife (Producer). (2011). Did you know
3.0 – shift happens. Available from http://youtu.be/F9WDtQ4Ujn8
Monday, June 18, 2012
To wiki or not to wiki, that is the question!
Throughout my graduate studies, the topic of wikis
is the center of much debate.
Personally, I turn to Wikipedia frequently to find information on a
range of topics. At dinner the other
night my parents, both in their late 60’s were talking about “Googling” and
turning to Wikipedia for information.
The layout of Wikipedia and organization make accessing desired
information fairly easy and user friendly. However, in the
classroom I think using wikis such as Wikipedia really depends on the age group
of your students. In first grade, my
students research and conduct searches for information on the Internet.
However, I commonly limit their searches to predetermined websites that I have
listed within a webquest or similar a forum. However, if I taught students in
upper elementary grades such as 4th and higher I would allow my
students to use wikis – only after teaching them the importance of evaluating
sources and how to do so. I think wikis
are a great place for gathering basic information on a topic such as dates or general
facts. Overall, it can be a helpful
starting point for general information or academic research. Richardson (2010) adds, "The
early consensus among educators seems to be to tell students to use Wikipedia
as starting point for their work, but not as a sole resource. ” On that note I think that using wikis such as
Wikipedia takes practice and requires learning how to evaluate sources using
information literacy criteria such as credibility, authority, accuracy and reliability of
information. Along with the unlimited uses for wikis in the classroom they provide students with wonderful opporunities to practice the aforementioned information literacy skills.
At the end of the day I am for the use of wikis in the classroom when used for the appropriate purpose and when evaluative strategies are applied. But, this is just my opinion. Here is Michel Scott’s take on wikis!
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Welcome! Using blogger.com made setting up a blog very easy. This is the first (but not last) blog that I have created. The most challenging part of the set up was finding a domain name that was available! Once I did that, I found the settings and layout pretty intuitive for the novice blogger such as myself. Richardson (2010) explains that a "society of authorship" is being created, where "every teacher and every student - every person with access - will have the ability to contribute ideas and experiences to the larger body of knowledge that is the Internet". Richardson is supporting the idea that blogs should be used in the classroom. One way to integrate them is by having students respond to a text, experience, or question. Afterward an initial post has been made, others can respond support or critique the post. This fosters effective communication skills with is an important 21st century learner skill.
Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin
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