“Let’s Welcome, Not Fear, Online Learning” by Anita McAnear
We can all acknowledge that people fear technology, particularly in the classroom. There are even some authors who instill fear of technology in us. Clayton M. Christensen, co-author along with Curtis W. Johnson and Michael B. Horn of Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns, has been writing about how technology will become disruptive, and create a negative affect on the way students learn. He believes in hands- on learning, and student-centric learning. On the other hand, Bill Tucker who is the author of Laboratories of Reform: Virtual High School and Innovation in Public Education, thinks just the opposite. He believes that online learning can actually have a positive affect on student learning. He doesn’t believe in making everything digitalized, but using online tools to help students. He believes that when a student is struggling with a concept, we can search online to find content, tools, or a tutor who can help. I can understand where both of these authors are coming from, but I also think it is important that we find a common ground within the two.
I would love to use technology in my classroom. But I also think that it is important to be there physically for your students. I have had my experiences with online courses, and I don’t think they are completely bad, I still prefer in class sessions. I agree with Bill Tucker when he says that we can use the internet and technology to further help our students understand material, and move forward. The internet has so many tools out there for students, and I think that we would be cheating our students if we didn’t utilize them. I also would not like to make every digitalized in my classroom either. I would like to incorporate both Tucker and Christensen’s ideas in my classroom. We need to get past the fear of technology, but also use a hands on approach in the classroom.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Learning for the Future
"Today’s Technologies, Tomorrow’s Learning", by Jennifer Groff and Jason Haas
Many people under the age of 18 are now using social networks, simulations, and digital games. Today, many students are being taught that these technologies are not welcome in the classroom. Teachers often tell their students stories of how disruptive digital games can be. What they do not realize is that there are organizations all over the world that are trying to incorporate digital games into the classroom, and creating games that help students learn. What some people do not understand is that these new technologies can actually be beneficial in the classroom. Social networking technologies can help teachers and students extend their learning into an additional space, a space for communicating, collaborating, sharing ideas, and sharing learning. A science teacher in Massachusetts has been using Starlogo: The Next Generation, a simulation. Simulations are analogies of real world situations. This has allowed students to demonstrate the principles of evolution theory or the factors in a forest fire, two concepts that would otherwise be difficult for the students to experience. The authors point out that if you bring school into the modern era, students will become more and more interested in it. Although there are technologies out there that can hinder one’s learning, there are so many new technologies designed to enhance a students learning. It is our job as teachers to pick one that interests us and engage our students in it. This will only amplify their learning experience.
I think certain types of technologies like simulations, could be extremely beneficial in the classroom, particularly in a science class. I would use them in a natural science or environment type class. Students could use simulations to experience different factors of the earth’s cycle. Simulations allow them to experience natural occurrences in our world. It allows them to really understand concepts that would be difficult otherwise. I would use social networking in my classroom as well. This is a great idea having students blog and write about what they have learned. This makes sure that learning does not end in the classroom. Learning can be an ongoing tool at home. When students are writing about it outside of class, and even get their friends and classmates involved, education can be so much more enjoyable and interesting for them. I am learning that even though technology isn’t my favorite thing in the classroom, it is necessary for me to use it for my students. It is not about me, and I need to use technology to enhance THEIR learning, not mine.
Many people under the age of 18 are now using social networks, simulations, and digital games. Today, many students are being taught that these technologies are not welcome in the classroom. Teachers often tell their students stories of how disruptive digital games can be. What they do not realize is that there are organizations all over the world that are trying to incorporate digital games into the classroom, and creating games that help students learn. What some people do not understand is that these new technologies can actually be beneficial in the classroom. Social networking technologies can help teachers and students extend their learning into an additional space, a space for communicating, collaborating, sharing ideas, and sharing learning. A science teacher in Massachusetts has been using Starlogo: The Next Generation, a simulation. Simulations are analogies of real world situations. This has allowed students to demonstrate the principles of evolution theory or the factors in a forest fire, two concepts that would otherwise be difficult for the students to experience. The authors point out that if you bring school into the modern era, students will become more and more interested in it. Although there are technologies out there that can hinder one’s learning, there are so many new technologies designed to enhance a students learning. It is our job as teachers to pick one that interests us and engage our students in it. This will only amplify their learning experience.
I think certain types of technologies like simulations, could be extremely beneficial in the classroom, particularly in a science class. I would use them in a natural science or environment type class. Students could use simulations to experience different factors of the earth’s cycle. Simulations allow them to experience natural occurrences in our world. It allows them to really understand concepts that would be difficult otherwise. I would use social networking in my classroom as well. This is a great idea having students blog and write about what they have learned. This makes sure that learning does not end in the classroom. Learning can be an ongoing tool at home. When students are writing about it outside of class, and even get their friends and classmates involved, education can be so much more enjoyable and interesting for them. I am learning that even though technology isn’t my favorite thing in the classroom, it is necessary for me to use it for my students. It is not about me, and I need to use technology to enhance THEIR learning, not mine.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tech- Savvy Students
"Creating Tech Wizards" by: Beth Breiner
The Technology Wizard Program, located in the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit, Pennsylvania, is a unique program that has been designed to help students grow in technology. This program is unlike any other program out there. It is designed to transform the delivery of professional development and change traditional instructional practice by cultivating a cadre of student leaders equipped to provide teachers with technology training and support. It was designed to not only let technology- savvy students’ thrive, but is also used as a learning resource for teachers in the classroom. In the first year of the program, only 6th and 7th graders were enrolled. This ensured growth in the program. But by the second year, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders were eligible to enroll. Each Principal in the area was asked to nominate 2 teachers from their school to be advisors to the Tech students. The teachers who were nominated were then asked to nominate students for the program. These students had to demonstrate a proclivity for technology. They also had to be willing to not only participate in the program, but also lead the program at times. This program was ready to launch in October 2007, with about 26 students enrolled. Towards the end of the program, the students were asked to make a commercial like film to show to each of their individual schools. The film was designed to persuade other teachers the benefits of using technology in the classroom. The students worked on both MAC computers, and PC’s. They were given video training for this assignment. Each student brought back to their classrooms: 3 concepts they have learned in the program, and 2 they would like to learn. This convinced teachers that the program was working, but there is still so much room for growth. By the end of the program, all of the technology wizards participated in or led at least two professional development trainings with teachers. This program has been a huge success, and I think we can learn so much from this program.
I would love to use this type of program in my classroom. I think when you give students the opportunity to become teachers, they feel a sense of importance, and become motivated to learn. I would love to have my students create video assignments based on our topics in class. I would mostly use this with older students, like junior high or high school students. They could create videos in a Political Science or Government class. They could create commercial like videos persuading their ideas. They could use this video project to express how they feel, and why they feel that way. I think this program is such a wonderful way to get kids involved and exited about technology. Technology is such a wonderful idea in the classroom, and it is becoming the future of education. When we give students the opportunity to lead these types of programs, I believe it can get everybody in education involved and motivated about learning.
The Technology Wizard Program, located in the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit, Pennsylvania, is a unique program that has been designed to help students grow in technology. This program is unlike any other program out there. It is designed to transform the delivery of professional development and change traditional instructional practice by cultivating a cadre of student leaders equipped to provide teachers with technology training and support. It was designed to not only let technology- savvy students’ thrive, but is also used as a learning resource for teachers in the classroom. In the first year of the program, only 6th and 7th graders were enrolled. This ensured growth in the program. But by the second year, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders were eligible to enroll. Each Principal in the area was asked to nominate 2 teachers from their school to be advisors to the Tech students. The teachers who were nominated were then asked to nominate students for the program. These students had to demonstrate a proclivity for technology. They also had to be willing to not only participate in the program, but also lead the program at times. This program was ready to launch in October 2007, with about 26 students enrolled. Towards the end of the program, the students were asked to make a commercial like film to show to each of their individual schools. The film was designed to persuade other teachers the benefits of using technology in the classroom. The students worked on both MAC computers, and PC’s. They were given video training for this assignment. Each student brought back to their classrooms: 3 concepts they have learned in the program, and 2 they would like to learn. This convinced teachers that the program was working, but there is still so much room for growth. By the end of the program, all of the technology wizards participated in or led at least two professional development trainings with teachers. This program has been a huge success, and I think we can learn so much from this program.
I would love to use this type of program in my classroom. I think when you give students the opportunity to become teachers, they feel a sense of importance, and become motivated to learn. I would love to have my students create video assignments based on our topics in class. I would mostly use this with older students, like junior high or high school students. They could create videos in a Political Science or Government class. They could create commercial like videos persuading their ideas. They could use this video project to express how they feel, and why they feel that way. I think this program is such a wonderful way to get kids involved and exited about technology. Technology is such a wonderful idea in the classroom, and it is becoming the future of education. When we give students the opportunity to lead these types of programs, I believe it can get everybody in education involved and motivated about learning.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Chatting It Up Online: A Unique Way to Enhance Learning
Pamela Livingston’s article “Chatting It Up Online”, puts an emphasis on how technology can provide students and schools with a much broader learning experience. Technology in the classroom helps break down barriers and can bring something unique to the classroom.
Livingston takes us through the process of a 2nd/ 3rd grade all boys classroom and their experience with an online chat with one of their favorite authors. These boys are avid readers, and their librarian was always on the lookout for ways to increase their learning experience. When she heard the offer of an online author chat, she reacted immediately. The class registered for the chat by submitting simple information about the school, and grade levels online. They received a confirmation a few days before the chat would begin. They did not get a confirmation as soon as they hoped for. As they waited, the boys were very anxious to see if they would be able to chat with one of their favorite authors. After receiving the confirmation, they read a list of suggestions on how to chat online. They made sure they read the list a few times so they would be as prepared as possible. They then reserved the computer lab for a certain time period, and made sure that the firewall was eliminated for the time being. This ensured a faster connection, and so every question and answer would be received on both ends. The boys had written out their questions, and were reviewed by the teacher to make sure they were valid questions. When it came time for the chat itself, the boys had a blast, and it seemed to be very successful. The boys were so exited that their questions were being answered almost instantly. Livingston points out that the boys had written to an author the previous year and waited months for an answer. With online chatting, these students can get answers right away.
Technology is such an amazing way to broaden a students’ learning. I would love to incorporate this type of program into my classroom. I would make sure that the author or person we are talking to can be tied directly to the curriculum. An example would be similar to the case in the article. If we are reading a certain book as a class whole, we could contact that author and let the students ask them questions they found interesting about the book or the author. This makes it fun for the students to learn about the authors’ ideas. If we are focusing on a certain topic, such as biology, we could try and contact a professional biologist. I think there is an excitement factor for students when they get the opportunity to interact with a professional, especially when it pertains to what they are doing in the classroom. Incorporating technology into the classroom is a great way to get students exited about learning.
ISTE Nets for Students Link-- http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007_Standards.pdf
ISTE Nets for Teachers Link--http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf
Livingston takes us through the process of a 2nd/ 3rd grade all boys classroom and their experience with an online chat with one of their favorite authors. These boys are avid readers, and their librarian was always on the lookout for ways to increase their learning experience. When she heard the offer of an online author chat, she reacted immediately. The class registered for the chat by submitting simple information about the school, and grade levels online. They received a confirmation a few days before the chat would begin. They did not get a confirmation as soon as they hoped for. As they waited, the boys were very anxious to see if they would be able to chat with one of their favorite authors. After receiving the confirmation, they read a list of suggestions on how to chat online. They made sure they read the list a few times so they would be as prepared as possible. They then reserved the computer lab for a certain time period, and made sure that the firewall was eliminated for the time being. This ensured a faster connection, and so every question and answer would be received on both ends. The boys had written out their questions, and were reviewed by the teacher to make sure they were valid questions. When it came time for the chat itself, the boys had a blast, and it seemed to be very successful. The boys were so exited that their questions were being answered almost instantly. Livingston points out that the boys had written to an author the previous year and waited months for an answer. With online chatting, these students can get answers right away.
Technology is such an amazing way to broaden a students’ learning. I would love to incorporate this type of program into my classroom. I would make sure that the author or person we are talking to can be tied directly to the curriculum. An example would be similar to the case in the article. If we are reading a certain book as a class whole, we could contact that author and let the students ask them questions they found interesting about the book or the author. This makes it fun for the students to learn about the authors’ ideas. If we are focusing on a certain topic, such as biology, we could try and contact a professional biologist. I think there is an excitement factor for students when they get the opportunity to interact with a professional, especially when it pertains to what they are doing in the classroom. Incorporating technology into the classroom is a great way to get students exited about learning.
ISTE Nets for Students Link-- http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007_Standards.pdf
ISTE Nets for Teachers Link--http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf
My future as an educator
I have such a passion for children and youth. I want to be positive role model for my students and their peers. I am still debating on whether to get into teaching, where I would love to teach 5th grade (upper el.)… or become a speech and language pathologist. Wherever the Lord takes me is where my heart will be. I’m just not sure where that place is yet. But He has definitely given me a passion for children. I know that being a teacher is a completely self-less profession, and I am ready for the ride. This profession is not about me, it is about my students, their needs, and their future.
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