Podcasts - Another interesting and worthwhile technology project this week. It's hard to believe that only a few short weeks ago, I would get nervous and stressed about doing the assigned week's project. Now, I no longer have fear. I look forward to jumping into the unknown realm of technology and tackling the assignment. My husband was amazed at the ease in which I was able to navigate Jing and Screencast, and the relatively short period of time I made my podcast. He plans to start using podcasts in his classroom.
This activity ties into my second journal article presentation I explored a few weeks ago. Science teachers were using vodcasts (video podcasts) to present the lecture to their students outside of the classroom. Under this vodcast model, the teachers had an additional 50-65 minutes of a 90-minute class period to assist students understand the content. The teachers used class time to conduct more hands-on learning and directly help students with assignments and labs. By allowing students to learn by using different modes of instruction and technology allows more opportunities in pursuing higher education. The experience in learning with podcasts and other Web 2.0 technologies teaches students accountability and discipline, which in turn makes on-line courses a good option for them.
Fear, ignorance and being stagnat is what prevents change in anything. I unfortunately fell into all three categories. A half-day, or even a full-day staff development will not change persons' teaching practices and/or habits. A person needs time to evolve. I had not realized how much technology and the classroom enviroment has changed since I graduated from college. I only wish that I had returned to school sooner. Education is important and should be on-going for life. Therefore if I had a wand and could make a change, I would make it possible for teachers to return to college at least once a year to take a technology course at the expense of their district. Real-life education is life transforming. At least, it has been for me.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Reflective Blog #5
Wikis - I am new to wikis. I had attended a staff development on them a couple of years ago but I never made one and had forgotten what one entailed. Through blogs and posts, I read how some of the students in ETEC 524 were using wikis in their classes, libraries and personal life. I was nervous about creating one but the information and resources that Dr. W. provided were very helpful.
It was nice to have an option of creating an educational or personal wiki. I decided to incorporate the two buy doing an instructional wiki on Zumba Fitness; something I do in my personal time. I think it is a great way to inform people about Zumba but also, it can help other Zumba instructors so they can post and give input on new songs, routines, instructor training courses, etc. My wiki is still in development but I think I was able to include everything that someone new to Zumba would like to know.
The advantages is that everyone has a "voice", can give input, and edit in a wiki site. This helps when clear, concise instructions and directions are needed. I already know I would like to make a wiki for a camping trip my coworkers, our families, and I are planning to Garner State Park on Easter weekend. There are four lists going around and the girls keep wanting to have meetings to update and be clear on what has been done so far. With my busy schedule, I have not been able to either add to a list or make a meeting. I would also like to make a wiki for our teacher meeting potlucks. We are currently just sending emails to each other and the information can get overwhelming and tedious to read through. Especially when someone continues to add the entire text of the previous email.
The biggest disadvantages I see in wikis (coming from someone who has OCD tendancies) is the equal opportunity editing rights that everyone has. I am someone who needs to have a control in large projects. It took every ounce of power not to go into the class wiki and try to organize it and make it easier on the eyes. However, as a class project I think the experience of making it fun for the students is by letting them create and give input the way they want.
It was nice to have an option of creating an educational or personal wiki. I decided to incorporate the two buy doing an instructional wiki on Zumba Fitness; something I do in my personal time. I think it is a great way to inform people about Zumba but also, it can help other Zumba instructors so they can post and give input on new songs, routines, instructor training courses, etc. My wiki is still in development but I think I was able to include everything that someone new to Zumba would like to know.
The advantages is that everyone has a "voice", can give input, and edit in a wiki site. This helps when clear, concise instructions and directions are needed. I already know I would like to make a wiki for a camping trip my coworkers, our families, and I are planning to Garner State Park on Easter weekend. There are four lists going around and the girls keep wanting to have meetings to update and be clear on what has been done so far. With my busy schedule, I have not been able to either add to a list or make a meeting. I would also like to make a wiki for our teacher meeting potlucks. We are currently just sending emails to each other and the information can get overwhelming and tedious to read through. Especially when someone continues to add the entire text of the previous email.
The biggest disadvantages I see in wikis (coming from someone who has OCD tendancies) is the equal opportunity editing rights that everyone has. I am someone who needs to have a control in large projects. It took every ounce of power not to go into the class wiki and try to organize it and make it easier on the eyes. However, as a class project I think the experience of making it fun for the students is by letting them create and give input the way they want.
I like the animation in the eLearning Tools for Wiki. Every time I was allowed to create one I made one; for my blog and wiki. These features are something I know the students would like as well.
This technology project so far has been my favorite!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Reflective Blog #4
Assessment for Learning - My journal article presentation and this week's technology project narrowed my focus to the following assessments:
~ Be part of effective planning of teaching and learning.
~ Focus on how students learn.
~ Promote commitment of learning goals and a shared understanding of the criteria by which they are assessed.
~ Recognize the full range of achievements of all learners.
~ Develops learner's capacity for self-assessment so that they can become reflective and self-managing.
The vision for vodcasts is that of guided independent study, individualized education, and inquiry-based education. Students watch the podcast lecture, conduct lab experiments, finish projects and take assessments at their own pace. Benchmarks are in place for students interested in meeting minimum requirements and allows for gifted students to get ahead. This article addressed both AFL and my philosophy that not all students learn the same. I believe a multiple learning approach should be used to effectively reach all students.
E-Portfolios - Before this activity and from the course notes, I had an idea of what an electronic portfolio was but I had never seen one. As one of my graduation requirements for my education degree, I had to make one (pre-electronic days). It included my educational philosophy and the culmination of my best work, lesson plans and projects. I was told it would be a great tool to have at interviews and to get a job. In truth, no one ever requested to see it. In retrospect, I feel the portfolio was not successful because I didn't believe in it. The portfolio was a just another project and once completed, I would not have had any problems leaving it with the university.
However, I feel differently about e-portfolios. I find that I am excited about the process, believe in its value and already feeling ownership of the work I am including in mine. It's exciting to know that I will be able to share it with others and that others will be able to give input and feedback. I like the fact that I can continously update the artificats and mostly, it will be an important assessment tool I can use for personal reflection on my growth in technology.
~ Be part of effective planning of teaching and learning.
~ Focus on how students learn.
~ Promote commitment of learning goals and a shared understanding of the criteria by which they are assessed.
~ Recognize the full range of achievements of all learners.
~ Develops learner's capacity for self-assessment so that they can become reflective and self-managing.
The vision for vodcasts is that of guided independent study, individualized education, and inquiry-based education. Students watch the podcast lecture, conduct lab experiments, finish projects and take assessments at their own pace. Benchmarks are in place for students interested in meeting minimum requirements and allows for gifted students to get ahead. This article addressed both AFL and my philosophy that not all students learn the same. I believe a multiple learning approach should be used to effectively reach all students.
E-Portfolios - Before this activity and from the course notes, I had an idea of what an electronic portfolio was but I had never seen one. As one of my graduation requirements for my education degree, I had to make one (pre-electronic days). It included my educational philosophy and the culmination of my best work, lesson plans and projects. I was told it would be a great tool to have at interviews and to get a job. In truth, no one ever requested to see it. In retrospect, I feel the portfolio was not successful because I didn't believe in it. The portfolio was a just another project and once completed, I would not have had any problems leaving it with the university.
However, I feel differently about e-portfolios. I find that I am excited about the process, believe in its value and already feeling ownership of the work I am including in mine. It's exciting to know that I will be able to share it with others and that others will be able to give input and feedback. I like the fact that I can continously update the artificats and mostly, it will be an important assessment tool I can use for personal reflection on my growth in technology.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Reflective Blog #3
MAPping Information Activity - This activity opened my eyes to the fact that some of the ways I looked for and got information on the Internet is not as reliable as I believed. I admit that I am a creature of habit. If it works, I don't change it. I have held fast to websites like Google and Wikipedia when looking for information. I would not necessarily take the first hit as fact but if I found a couple of other sites that collaborated with what I'd find I would stop there. Through this exercise I learned what makes up a URL and how each link can give clues to its credibility. I am fairly confident of the information I have used in the past but after this week I will definitely look for information differently. For starters I will look at the URL first and break it down for realiability before reading the article. I believe this is a very important skill to know and learn. Students should be taught MAPping first before we let them loose to search for information on the web. Think of all the frustration we could spare them and their teachers if they learned to research websites correctly. It's hard to undo learning so getting it right the first time is best.
Del.icio.us Activity - I had not heard of Del.icio.us before doing this activity. Up until now, I had used 'favorites' as my way to bookmark the sites I most frequented. I can see advantages such as organization, utilization of time, and being able to locate information from any place and computer in using an account like this. As I was setting up my account and on step 2, I was unexpectly kicked out of the site. So I don't know if I properly installed the browser buttons. I never saw a confirmation page but I was able to add a contact and bookmarks so I think I did this activity correctly. I really didn't have many bookmarks to begin with so I started with some from my favorites list. As I continue to learn and grow, I plan on adding websites that are more pertinent to what I am doing in school and at work. This is a good way to help students be organized and start tasks quickly and efficiently.
Del.icio.us Activity - I had not heard of Del.icio.us before doing this activity. Up until now, I had used 'favorites' as my way to bookmark the sites I most frequented. I can see advantages such as organization, utilization of time, and being able to locate information from any place and computer in using an account like this. As I was setting up my account and on step 2, I was unexpectly kicked out of the site. So I don't know if I properly installed the browser buttons. I never saw a confirmation page but I was able to add a contact and bookmarks so I think I did this activity correctly. I really didn't have many bookmarks to begin with so I started with some from my favorites list. As I continue to learn and grow, I plan on adding websites that are more pertinent to what I am doing in school and at work. This is a good way to help students be organized and start tasks quickly and efficiently.
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