It's not coolness factor that counts, by Don Hall

In this article, Don Hall talks about the emphasis on what is "cool," in particular with technology. He says that there is too much focus on what's cool, when in fact we should be concentrating on the actual tool. He gives the definition of what is cool, by saying that it is a reflection of the opinion of a subgroup's value. Don also says that "cool" will not last. As soon as you figure out what is cool you move on to the next thing. So in fact nothing is really ever "cool." He believes that tools have actually fallen by the waist side and needs to be looked at as the priority. He also states that certain tools are overlooked because school districts don't fully understand them. For example, cell phones, MP3 players, and even laptops are forbidden in some school districts. I was a little bit lost when reading this article, because it seemed that he was talking about two separate issues. On one hand he felt that things should be considered cool because by the time you think it is cool it's no longer cool. On the other hand he feels that the tools are not being appreciated enough. He feels that school districts should embrace certain tools and take initiative to understand something they are not familiar with.

When it comes to what is cool I will allow my class to decide what that is. I do not want to take away from the tools my students want to use in the classroom. I feel that as long as my students like what they are using as tools then everything should be fine. I do believe some school districts are being hypocritical when they expect their students to be technologically savvy, but do not allow certain tools that the students like.

This Rock 'n'Roll Video Teaches Math by, Margaret L . Niess and Janet M. Walker

This blog discusses the importance of using technology when teaching math. The author tells us that visualization is an important tool for problem solving. She believes that students need a multiple visualization opportunities in order to master this skill. Like watching, analyzing and creating digital videos.  Video clips can be used to make students go from passive to active exploration. The example she used was a movie called In the Navy where Castello is explaining to Abbott that he has 28 donuts to share among seven people. Castello believes that he can evenly distribute the donuts to these seven people, but Abbott disagrees. The teacher will then stop the movie and ask her students why was Castello methods of adding, subtracting and dividing correct and incorrect. You could also ask your students would would be the correct method if Castello is wrong. I really think that this is a very good way to have your students involve with their learning, especially math. There are many ways to make math fun and this seems to be able to not only get the that aspect across, but it also makes the students want to learn more about math.

I could see myself using this method in my classroom in many different ways. One way i could use it would be like the example the author gave using a movie clip. I really like how she made students analyze and problem solves using a movie clip. Another way i could see myself using this technique in my classroom would be by making the students make their own clips on how they problem solve in their everyday lives.

Is it Really All That Testing, or is it You? by, Diana Fingal

On this bloggers beat, Diana writes about who is really to blame for school being boring.  For many years people have given that blame to No Child Left Behind and Standardized Testing. Many different views points were expressed in this beat. Some teachers believed that in fact it is these methods why children to do not like school. One teacher says she feels that the push of business mentality is the real cause. She later states that we do not control the input of our education "business," so we can't expect the output to be the same. Most of the bloggers agreed that it was the teacher’s faults that education was considered boring. Many of them went on to say if they would just come up with creative ways to educate things would be fine. Another teacher said if all students were graduating with the skills to be successful standardized testing would not be a concern. The problem with that though is, that not all students are graduated with the necessary skills to be successful in the real world.  I agree with all the bloggers, because they all have valid points. I do feel that children are being set up for failure when their education is being based on these tests. There are too many factors to narrow it down to tests. On the other hand I do feel, as educators it’s our responsibility to make sure are students are engaged in the material and it’s relatable to them. How else are they going to make the connection when it is time to use it on a test or in their own personal lives?

 

I plan on making my classroom a place where my students will want to learn. I will engage my students by making the curriculum relevant to them and how it affects their lives. One main factor that always should be incorporated is making education fun. If our students come to school knowing they are going to be educated in a manner that they would be stimulated and enjoy it they will want to learn more.

When is Virtual Real enough? by, Kate Conley

In her article she talks about her experience in school, though many did not understand the methods of how they were learning or how this new way of learning would get them into college. She later states that, not only did college welcome this new way of learning, but her high school experience prepared her more for her career then college did. The author also writes, that we should not look at online classes as a less real form of education, but rather, one that has the potential to expand teaching and learning experiences farther than a traditional school.  I kind of agree with the author, one hand we can’t expel something because we are not used to doing it that and we don’t know the success it could really have. On the other hand I still think people need real contact when it comes to education. I don’t feel that as a student we should just have one way of learning, so actually for online learning. There are many pros to having online classes, for example, you can go at your own pace, have direct help when you needed, etc. I do think that many students could benefit from having online courses as long as they are coupled with actual interaction.

 

I don’t honestly see mylself teaching an online class for elementary students, but I could do projects with them using a virtual class. I could set it up where they could ask their classmate’s questions, or me and also make it interactive where they get to not only learn but also have fun.

Bloggers Beat by, Diana Fingal

This article was about tweeting. What is tweeting you ask? It's a service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author's profile page and delivered to the author's subscribers who are known as followers.  The author explains how useful twitter is and could be beneficial to almost everyone. One of the examples she gives, is when you need help with something and you don't know the answer, you could tweet something in hopes that someone would either have the answer or point you in the right direction. You could also keep people informed of what you do throughout your day. It doesn’t necessarily have to be people you know that can follow you. I myself said I would never get a twitter account unfortunately; I had to get one for this class. I find twitter to be very similar to facebook in the fact that you post updates on what you are doing. I myself feel that twitter could be beneficial to many people, it can keep you in touch with people you know, that you might not have the time to actually talk to all the time and vice versa.

 

I am not totally sold on twitter, but see its pros from having it. If I were to use this in my classroom I would have my students use it as a classroom social network where they could have study groups and help each other out with homework or even projects. Most kids are technology savvy so I could even see them helping me with new updates that twitter comes up with.

Grounded Tech Integration by Judi Harris and Mark Hofer

In this article the authors write about s successful way to integrate technology into our curriculum. Even though many people feel that technology has made a big mark in our education they feel that we have a long way to go. In order for us as future teachers to integrate technology the authors insist we follow five steps. The first is to choose learning goals. Second, is to make pedagogical decisions. This will be the parameter of the learning experience you are planning for your students. Third, you must select activities to combine with the curriculum, in order to engage your students. Fourth, is selecting assessment strategies. This will be to gauge your student’s progress in achieving the targeted goals. Lastly, you have to select tools and resources. Many make the mistake and choose this before they choose the learning goals, which then become more about the technology then, the students trying to use them. I really liked how the authors have come up with a new way to incorporate technology to our student’s. I think too many times I have seen schools that have all these fancy computers, but their students don’t really care about using them unless it’s for games or an activity. I feel that we as new teachers can easily incorporate what Judi and Mark have pointed out.

 

One of my biggest concerns about going into the teaching profession was how was I going to get my students interested in the curriculum using technology. I feel a little more confident knowing that if I follow the five steps I will have more of a blueprint of how to run a successful technological classroom.  Another I plan on integrating is focusing on my student’s standard base learning needs, rather than a particular tool or resource.

Walk, Fly, or Teleport to Learning by, Maureen brown Yoder

By 2011 over 20 million will be members of (MUVEs), multiuser virtual environments. This program already exists and currently has 8.2 million children. The purpose of this program is to get teachers to engage their students. Some of the things you get out of this program are content rich explorations, learning social, practical, and life skills. It also gives you the option to go international with other schools. When I first read the title of the article I was very intrigued after reading it though I was not so sure. I felt that this program is and could be a good thing, but should be combined with actual interaction. I was very taken back with the Second Life program designed for adults. Where you create a virtual character and travel through the virtual world sites. I understand that they are trying to get adults to love technology, but I feel this falls short of it. One of the programs that I did like was called, an organization that is trying to inspire urban youth to be successful students and global and community leaders. The way they plan on going about this is by, engaging them in socially dynamic, content rich learning experience. Which also promotes global understanding to each student.

 

The program that I would use would definitely be the Global Kids. I could see me injecting that into many of my lesson plans. Anything that can engage a child and educate them at the same time I am totally for. It could be easily used in a project that has to do with different countries and how they differ from our country.

Lead Your Team to Success, by Don Hall

In this article Don Hall writes about how to lead in a classroom. The way that he goes about this is by using acrostics. An instructional strategy that will not only engage your students but also allows for facilitating instructional dialogue or prewriting tools.  The acrostic word that he used was LEAD. Which stood for Love, Excellence, Accountability, and Direction. He felt that you as a teacher really need to Love what your doing and your students in order to be affective. Hall goes on to say that you need to expect nothing but Excellence from your students and yourself. In order to become a good leader you should always give it all you have when it comes to results, behavior and attitude. Accountability is key because it teaches us to be held to higher standards and also forces us to work as a team. To become a good leader you also have to have direction of where you are going and what you are doing. Which I believe is very vital when we talk about technology and education. I really liked Hall’s acrostic, I plan on using that in my classroom to give my students the standards of what it takes to be a LEADER! I felt that his article was very effective and straight to the point of how to go about making leaders out of yourself and your students.

 

Like I previously stated, I plan on implementing the L.E.A.D. in my classroom. I believe students don’t want to be followers and if I could give them the blueprint of how to become leaders while educating them I see it as a win-win situation. Knowing how technology driven we are in this country I think my students direction on how to improve it and how to love it will come into play.

Chatting it up Online

"Students talk to a favorite author" By Pamela Livingston 

This article was very refreshing as I learned a different technique in how to engage my students in their schoolwork with technology. Mrs. Livingston, a third grade teacher, put together a live chat for her class. They were reading a book series called "Magic Treehouse," written by Mary Pope Osbourne.  In her article Mrs. Livingston goes through all the steps of how to set up a chat room, and many if not all mishap you might endure through the process. I really was intrigued in how she managed to make her students reading more personal, by allowing them to ask question to the author who wrote the book they were so fascinated with.  Mrs. Livingston talked about how to go about finding the right chat, and the process of making sure you are properly registered for the live chat.  She also goes into detail about making sure that teachers be prepared for the chat by checking beforehand that everything is in its proper place. For example, the room she was going to use was to bright, so she made sure to have that fixed before the actual chat. She also made sure that internet connection was tested so there would be no problems later. I really appreciated how she not only gave us a new way to teach our students but also how to avoid any pitfalls along the way when dealing with live chats.

I feel that the ideas Mrs. Livingston presented are very usable to any teacher including myself. I see myself applying her advice in many different ways. The way she spoke about preparation made me realize that if you are not prepared for any situation, then you are setting yourself up for failure. I definitely want to be able to allow my students to feel that they are at arm lengths to what they are studying. A good example of that would be live chats with authors and people that you are learning about.

 

This article was from Learning and Leading with Technology (L &L) NETS 4 

This blogging stuff is from another universe!

I guess you could call me "old school" because its taking a lot for me to get the hang of blogging.