My first Lit Review was a long (36 page) scientific study about encorporating computers into daily lessons in middle school. In addition, I have been reading other classmates blogs and their articles, and I wanted to do something very different. This time I chose to do a review of blackboard technology from Pearson.
Product Review: Pearson digits
By MaryAnn Karre
http://www.techlearning.com/article/37616
I found this review on the Tech and Learning website which is designed to be an informative publication on integrating technology into the classroom.
Digitsmath.com is a IWB programed developed around the Common Core State Standards for middle school math. It offers dozens of subjects for each grade level. The author feels as though this is great tool for math teachers offering them classroom lessons as well as individual online homework assignments allowing the teacher to provide extra practice for some students and more challenging work for others.
One teacher actually posted a comment that they spend so much time preparing IWB plans, that they are really looking forward to using this tool and alleviating some of their burden.
My thoughts are that this tool seems like a great way for schools to assist teachers in introducing technology in the classroom, especially for those teachers who are skeptical or just new to it. It allows the teacher to encorporate the technology into their lesson without leaving them to figure out how to do it. It will each teacher to determine how much to use it. At a cost of $12 a student, one would hope that they find it to be a great program and use it to it's fullest.
In addition, I thought new teachers like myself would benefit from having this "canned" program in their arsenal to start my teaching career. I know that I want to use this kind of tool in my classroom but I may not be ready to create such an interactive program on my first day!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Final Thoughts of "Technology in the Classroom"
How has your opinion changed (or why has it stayed the same) over the past 11 weeks regarding Technology Integration?
This is the first class of my masters program, and I have to say that I hadn't given much thought about technology in the classroom. My vision of teaching elementary students stems from my days in K-6. Let's just say that is has been more than 20 years since I was in elementary school and much has changed; computers for students and teachers, new technology including whiteboards, new subjects, new expectations, etc.
When I walked into the classroom, I don't think I expected to be exposed to really anything that I don't encounter in my every day life. It would be an understatement to say that I was very wrong. In this class, I have been exposed to tools, concepts and was of approaching lessons that I have never considered.
My paradigm has definitely been changed. I would have said that my role as a teacher was to help my students master the material in the lesson and inspire them to love to learn. Now, I realize that it is not about what my students learn, but the means in which they learn it.
This is the first class of my masters program, and I have to say that I hadn't given much thought about technology in the classroom. My vision of teaching elementary students stems from my days in K-6. Let's just say that is has been more than 20 years since I was in elementary school and much has changed; computers for students and teachers, new technology including whiteboards, new subjects, new expectations, etc.
When I walked into the classroom, I don't think I expected to be exposed to really anything that I don't encounter in my every day life. It would be an understatement to say that I was very wrong. In this class, I have been exposed to tools, concepts and was of approaching lessons that I have never considered.
My paradigm has definitely been changed. I would have said that my role as a teacher was to help my students master the material in the lesson and inspire them to love to learn. Now, I realize that it is not about what my students learn, but the means in which they learn it.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Chapter 6 Thoughts...
Coming from the Corporate world, I can't help but think that this chapter spent a great deal of time encouraging administrators and people in leadership roles to be patient and gentle with teachers who were apprehensive about introducing technology into their classroom. Personally I struggled with this concept: although I appreciate that each person has different comfort levels with technology and each person learns in different ways and time frames, in the corporate world, you are expected to quickly adapt and get on board or get out.
I am sure that there are some great teachers who are hesitant with learning and utilizing technology in their lessons. But that being said, I find it disturbing that we would allow teachers to not get on board. How do teachers create 21st century thinkers without using 21st century tools?
I find myself a little wary about my personal abilities with including technology in my classroom. Despite my occasional personal embarrassment, I tend to be a outspoken leader. I am wondering if and how I am going to be a leader in the change going forward when I am just learning about these tools myself. I guess I am very thankful that I am learning it as I develop my own methods and style.
I am sure that there are some great teachers who are hesitant with learning and utilizing technology in their lessons. But that being said, I find it disturbing that we would allow teachers to not get on board. How do teachers create 21st century thinkers without using 21st century tools?
I find myself a little wary about my personal abilities with including technology in my classroom. Despite my occasional personal embarrassment, I tend to be a outspoken leader. I am wondering if and how I am going to be a leader in the change going forward when I am just learning about these tools myself. I guess I am very thankful that I am learning it as I develop my own methods and style.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Lit Review #1
Randy Yerrick
and Joseph JohnsonState University of New York at Buffalohttp://www.citejournal.org/articles/v9i3science1.pdf
This is a research paper presented from a project out of New York. The goal of the project was to provide middle school teachers with access to training and technology and to incorporate this technology into their science curriculm over the course of a school year in order to evaluate its effectiveness of learning.
2 of 10 science teachers in a local high school in the Buffalo area choose to participate in this project. In return for participating, the teachers received hands on training and support in the summmer to build a curriculm that supported technology in the classroom as well as no less than 5 hours of communication (brainstorming, suggestions, learning) weekly during the calendar year. I found it interesting that only two teachers agreed to participate in the project. Although the article doesn't mention why the other teacher may not have been willing to sign up, it is astonishing to me that teachers wouldn't welcome the support and training to encorporate new tools in the science classroom. So much of the science curriculum requires equipment that schools may not have access to that this offer would provide them access to tools that they may not have access to otherwise.
With eight teachers choosing to not participate, it provided a "quasicontrol" group in order measure data against at the end of the year. What the data showed was a measurable gain in knowledge transfer to the students whose teachers participated. Gains were showed after each unit by testing the gained knowledge of the unit of those with technology to those students not using technology as part of their learning. It also showed in standardized testing at the end of the year. Students of participating teachers did significantly better on the NY standardized test and they had what was estimated to be 5 fewer weeks of review for the NY test.
In addition to the strong results being represented in this paper, the authors also suggest that introducing technology into the classroom without attention to the learning styles of the students and proper preparation and training by the instructor will not yield the same results. Students in debriefing interviews stated that they learned better with the technology being used because they felt connected to it. Had the technology not been a fit for the class, the technology may not have fosted such a strong connection with the lesson and could have had completely different results.
I choose this article because I think that science is a critical area instruction that I would like to teach in. I love that it can open so many doors for students and that it can be such a hands on area of instruction. Though is was much longer than I had anticipated, this article really provided me with some insight into bringing technology into the science classroom ~ what actual technology they used and how it was able to advance the learning of the students and what it took to bring it to the classroom.
A good read for those who are questioning "why technology in the classroom."
Meeting the Needs of Middle Grade Science
Learners Through Pedagogical and Technological
Intervention
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Self-driven and Classroom-based: Professional Development in the 21st Century
http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=504
The basic premise of this 30 minute presentation is think about how we continue to develop as a teacher in this digital age. The first is using the digital tools we do have access to in a way that is most beneficial to our personal growth and the second part is about using the tools we have within to grow and learn.
We have access to blogs and webinars that we can use create networks that can aide us in becoming a stronger, more diverse teacher. However, the preseneter, Konrad Glogowski, challenges that social networks can only provide with a passive learning experience, learning through what others have done successfully and what challenges they came up against.We can only read or hear about their experience through their eyes. It does not take into effect our individual challenges, styles, classrooms, etc. Glogowski contends that by identifying a select few individuals that we can actually disect tools, processes, material with and discuss our own situations with, can we actively learn and grow professionally. These select few may be from across the country or world and not just in our backyard or school system, but they must make a committment to part of your active growth and you in turn commit to be part of theirs.
The second part of the presentation asserts that dispite the information accessible through the social networks in play in our culture now, we have the strongest tool within ourselves. Through systemic evaluation of ourselves outside the classroom and inside the classroom, we are able to reflect upon what pre programed beliefs we bring to our classroom and how it effects our teaching. Through evaluating our classroom, our learners, our materials we can create a stronger lesson plan to help students can become life long learners.
The premise that we can become stronger teachers through a reflective processes has merit but has to be only a part of my teaching career. I think it is important for you to evaluate what you should stop doing, what you should keep doing and what you need to start doing. Self Evaluation is part of any private sector annual review process. In this case, you can't wait until the end of the year to do this evaluation. There is too much at risk. It is important to evaluate ourselves both personally and professionaly. Our world is constantly evolving and if we don't evolve with it than we are going to be left behind.
The basic premise of this 30 minute presentation is think about how we continue to develop as a teacher in this digital age. The first is using the digital tools we do have access to in a way that is most beneficial to our personal growth and the second part is about using the tools we have within to grow and learn.
We have access to blogs and webinars that we can use create networks that can aide us in becoming a stronger, more diverse teacher. However, the preseneter, Konrad Glogowski, challenges that social networks can only provide with a passive learning experience, learning through what others have done successfully and what challenges they came up against.We can only read or hear about their experience through their eyes. It does not take into effect our individual challenges, styles, classrooms, etc. Glogowski contends that by identifying a select few individuals that we can actually disect tools, processes, material with and discuss our own situations with, can we actively learn and grow professionally. These select few may be from across the country or world and not just in our backyard or school system, but they must make a committment to part of your active growth and you in turn commit to be part of theirs.
The second part of the presentation asserts that dispite the information accessible through the social networks in play in our culture now, we have the strongest tool within ourselves. Through systemic evaluation of ourselves outside the classroom and inside the classroom, we are able to reflect upon what pre programed beliefs we bring to our classroom and how it effects our teaching. Through evaluating our classroom, our learners, our materials we can create a stronger lesson plan to help students can become life long learners.
The premise that we can become stronger teachers through a reflective processes has merit but has to be only a part of my teaching career. I think it is important for you to evaluate what you should stop doing, what you should keep doing and what you need to start doing. Self Evaluation is part of any private sector annual review process. In this case, you can't wait until the end of the year to do this evaluation. There is too much at risk. It is important to evaluate ourselves both personally and professionaly. Our world is constantly evolving and if we don't evolve with it than we are going to be left behind.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Blog sparks debate of online issues
Article about Teacher in trouble for blog
I logged on to check my e-mail this morning and saw a link about a teacher in PA that was in trouble with her district for things she wrote on her blog. I immediately clicked on the link to read more about it.
At the heart of the issue is that she is a public employee using the web to share her personal feelings on her job and her students. She does not identify anyone specifically but apparently it was clear she was and who she was talking about. Does she have the right to share her opinions about her classroom in a public forum? I think she is legally correct. She can share whatever she wants as long as she understands that anything she says could have legal implications is she names specific people. With that said, ethically I don't believe it is in her best interest to share her thoughts in such a public forum.You need to know your audience when sharing information that people could use to judge you as a person or as an employee. At the very least she should have done more to hide her identity - somehow someone found out it was her or we wouldn't be hearing about this.
What difference is it when people share stories about coworkers or subordinates that do stupid things at work or share how frustrated they are with people.
For example, a family friend posted on facebook how he hates when people complicate work by doing stupid things and made a clear reference to that "stupid" person was his boss. Now, he isn't legally liable, but if his facebook is public and his boss were to check his facebook acct. he would see this comment and may not be so happy with my friend. Probably not the best idea.
The ACLU has taken her case and it will be interesting to watch what happens. For now, she is on paid suspension until the matter is resolved.
~
I logged on to check my e-mail this morning and saw a link about a teacher in PA that was in trouble with her district for things she wrote on her blog. I immediately clicked on the link to read more about it.
At the heart of the issue is that she is a public employee using the web to share her personal feelings on her job and her students. She does not identify anyone specifically but apparently it was clear she was and who she was talking about. Does she have the right to share her opinions about her classroom in a public forum? I think she is legally correct. She can share whatever she wants as long as she understands that anything she says could have legal implications is she names specific people. With that said, ethically I don't believe it is in her best interest to share her thoughts in such a public forum.You need to know your audience when sharing information that people could use to judge you as a person or as an employee. At the very least she should have done more to hide her identity - somehow someone found out it was her or we wouldn't be hearing about this.
What difference is it when people share stories about coworkers or subordinates that do stupid things at work or share how frustrated they are with people.
For example, a family friend posted on facebook how he hates when people complicate work by doing stupid things and made a clear reference to that "stupid" person was his boss. Now, he isn't legally liable, but if his facebook is public and his boss were to check his facebook acct. he would see this comment and may not be so happy with my friend. Probably not the best idea.
The ACLU has taken her case and it will be interesting to watch what happens. For now, she is on paid suspension until the matter is resolved.
~
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tech Talk
Sunday night I tried to join the conversation on Techtalk. I logged in but I was not able to hear the program. Dave (not sure if this was our professor or not) apologized for the audio but I am not sure if this was just operator error or if there was a problem with the program. Anyone else have this problem?
Equal Access
It is the responsibility of the teacher to provide equal access to the digital world to all learners. What does this mean? How does one accomplish it?
The first time I read this statement, I read it as a question: "Is it the responsibility of the teacher to provide equal access to the digital world to all learners?" My answer is No. It is not my responsibility as the teacher, however, I believe it is each individual community's responsibility to create a learning environment where everyone has equal access to the the digital world.
Having reread the statement, I guess I need to rethink my original answer.
As the teacher I don't have to provide laptops to each student or ensure that everyone has high speed internet at home, but I do need to create an environment where I introduce the technology that I do have access to, and allow all of them to experiment and become proficient.
One way to do this is the incorporate technology into the daily plans. When I was a student, Oregon Trail was one of the programs our Social Science teacher used as a tool to talk about the expansion out West. However, it was for only a select few ~ mostly her favorite.Not everyone got to use the one computer in the room and it was a game, not an opportunity to expand our understanding of technology or strengthen our computer skills. Technology can't be a treat or for just a select . It has to be part of the daily lesson plan. Kids shouldn't be excited to use as a distraction from a lesson, it should just be part of how they do their learning.
The first time I read this statement, I read it as a question: "Is it the responsibility of the teacher to provide equal access to the digital world to all learners?" My answer is No. It is not my responsibility as the teacher, however, I believe it is each individual community's responsibility to create a learning environment where everyone has equal access to the the digital world.
Having reread the statement, I guess I need to rethink my original answer.
As the teacher I don't have to provide laptops to each student or ensure that everyone has high speed internet at home, but I do need to create an environment where I introduce the technology that I do have access to, and allow all of them to experiment and become proficient.
One way to do this is the incorporate technology into the daily plans. When I was a student, Oregon Trail was one of the programs our Social Science teacher used as a tool to talk about the expansion out West. However, it was for only a select few ~ mostly her favorite.Not everyone got to use the one computer in the room and it was a game, not an opportunity to expand our understanding of technology or strengthen our computer skills. Technology can't be a treat or for just a select . It has to be part of the daily lesson plan. Kids shouldn't be excited to use as a distraction from a lesson, it should just be part of how they do their learning.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Digital Nation Complete
I just completed watching the PBS video Digital Nation.I have to say that I am blown away with the material in the video. I am left with one overwhelming thought: Balance. Gosh technology really seems to be changing so much of what we do and on one hand it seems to be offering so much; creating a level playing field, but on the other, there is the question of what are we giving up becoming a digital nation. What is the "Price of Gain?"
One take away from that video is the impression that the older the children get in school, the more abused the technology is. For example, they talked about games in the classroom or using Ning to build a community for a classroom. The impression that I was left with is that these media's are mostly being used in a positive way - enhancing the learning experience. As opposed to older students, high school and college, being overly connected and unable to "create a linear thought process." Students who are on social media sites or google during class - and also doing their class work. Then there is the question of whether or not our brains are actually able to multitask? Seriously - I never stopped to think of whether or not our brains were built to multitask - is this part of our evolutionary evolvement (gosh, I have been a stay at home mom for a couple years now, and it feels so good to have the opportunity to turn my brain back on)?
Another striking moment was "Bubbe" the 83 year old woman who runs a cooking show on line. Seriously, my parents don't even have an ATM card. I think it is amazing to see someone be able to embrace technology at her age, but I wonder if it a geographic/cultural change. My parents have spent their entire lives in Maine. As I said earlier, they don't have an ATM card and don't feel as though they need one. However, my in-laws live in Boston. They both received ipads for Christmas and have embraced the technological changes - even if they are not very good with them.
The chapter on Gaming reminded me of the creation of Soap Operas during the 1930's (as I write this, I am opening another page to verify my facts on google...standby please... Okay, I'm back after reading an e-mail from Pottery Barn kids - they know too much about what I look at on their website) as a way to allow people to escape their own lives and momentarily live a new, more exciting or less difficult life.
I am also intrigued that IBM has adopted Second Life as a business tool to bring people back together who are working remotely. Having recently left the working world, I was using IM on a regular basis even with people who sat 15 feet from me, interesting that IBM has gone so far as to offering classes to their employees to teach them how to use Second Life in their business life. Now we are looking for employees who have two totally different sets of skills, one set used to do the job they were hired for, and another set on being able to use digital media.
My final thought was how advanced the US Military is becoming in their recruitment tactics and operations. Pretty freakin' amazing! Regardless of how you feel ethically, you have to be pretty impressed with their ability to change direction and introduce technology in their operations. Now for all of the money they spend on the military, you expect them to be at the cutting edge of technology. Imagine if they spent an equal amount on education? However, would we be able to quickly integrate technology as quickly into our education system even if we had the money?
So as I venture on this journey and become digitally savvy both personally and professionally, I am keenly aware that I must find a way to balance technology - control it, as opposed to IT controlling me. I must find a way to embrace the new techniques it offers in teaching a generation of students while not loosing those skills that we have held in such high regard until now.
One take away from that video is the impression that the older the children get in school, the more abused the technology is. For example, they talked about games in the classroom or using Ning to build a community for a classroom. The impression that I was left with is that these media's are mostly being used in a positive way - enhancing the learning experience. As opposed to older students, high school and college, being overly connected and unable to "create a linear thought process." Students who are on social media sites or google during class - and also doing their class work. Then there is the question of whether or not our brains are actually able to multitask? Seriously - I never stopped to think of whether or not our brains were built to multitask - is this part of our evolutionary evolvement (gosh, I have been a stay at home mom for a couple years now, and it feels so good to have the opportunity to turn my brain back on)?
Another striking moment was "Bubbe" the 83 year old woman who runs a cooking show on line. Seriously, my parents don't even have an ATM card. I think it is amazing to see someone be able to embrace technology at her age, but I wonder if it a geographic/cultural change. My parents have spent their entire lives in Maine. As I said earlier, they don't have an ATM card and don't feel as though they need one. However, my in-laws live in Boston. They both received ipads for Christmas and have embraced the technological changes - even if they are not very good with them.
The chapter on Gaming reminded me of the creation of Soap Operas during the 1930's (as I write this, I am opening another page to verify my facts on google...standby please... Okay, I'm back after reading an e-mail from Pottery Barn kids - they know too much about what I look at on their website) as a way to allow people to escape their own lives and momentarily live a new, more exciting or less difficult life.
I am also intrigued that IBM has adopted Second Life as a business tool to bring people back together who are working remotely. Having recently left the working world, I was using IM on a regular basis even with people who sat 15 feet from me, interesting that IBM has gone so far as to offering classes to their employees to teach them how to use Second Life in their business life. Now we are looking for employees who have two totally different sets of skills, one set used to do the job they were hired for, and another set on being able to use digital media.
My final thought was how advanced the US Military is becoming in their recruitment tactics and operations. Pretty freakin' amazing! Regardless of how you feel ethically, you have to be pretty impressed with their ability to change direction and introduce technology in their operations. Now for all of the money they spend on the military, you expect them to be at the cutting edge of technology. Imagine if they spent an equal amount on education? However, would we be able to quickly integrate technology as quickly into our education system even if we had the money?
So as I venture on this journey and become digitally savvy both personally and professionally, I am keenly aware that I must find a way to balance technology - control it, as opposed to IT controlling me. I must find a way to embrace the new techniques it offers in teaching a generation of students while not loosing those skills that we have held in such high regard until now.
Digital Nation
I am half way through Digital Nation and I am compelled to push the pause button and blog about my thoughts. Up until now, I have been able to stay away from social media sites despite the number of family members and friends who are using it. This week my mother went into surgery for something very severe. I determined the best way to keep everyone posted with her progress was to create a facebook account. So in addition to creating this blog, a twitter account, I am now on facebook. I lost the social media battle. It was amazing to me to see how many people used this as their lifeline. They were on constantly. However, I also found out the conversations I was missing. I know so much more about my immediate family's daily lives than I did a short 48 hours ago. For now, I am not sure how much facebook will be part of my life after my mom is done recovering. We are anticipating a 6 month recovery so maybe I will be so addicted, my use won't change?
By the way, I quickly learned how to shut off the alerts to my e-mail when someone posted something on my facebook page. It was overwhelming me. I think I got more facebook related e-mail in an hour than I usually do in a whole day!!
Back to the movie ~
By the way, I quickly learned how to shut off the alerts to my e-mail when someone posted something on my facebook page. It was overwhelming me. I think I got more facebook related e-mail in an hour than I usually do in a whole day!!
Back to the movie ~
Monday, January 17, 2011
First Post
Although I am very familiar with blogs, up until now, I have not felt as though I had a voice on any particular issue. Now, I have begun my first class in my graduate program at SNHU for Education, I am excited to share my views on going back to school, being a stay at home mom and finding a place for myself in my life. My first class is about using technology in the classroom. What a great way to start off!
Stay with me as I journey through going back to school, beginning a new career, and become a true techi~
Stay with me as I journey through going back to school, beginning a new career, and become a true techi~
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