A-ha!!!

I had a number of A-ha moments during this class. The biggest was probably the use of Wikis. I have known about Wikis for a long time and have used them to find information but I had no idea how useful they would be in the classroom. After using the Wiki we used in this class, I am working hard to come up with a way to use them in my classes. I have talked to several teachers on my campus and they are excited about the ways they can use it.

This class has really opened my eyes to a lot of thing that can be used on my campus and in my classroom. I have really enjoyed it and look forward to what I can do with this new-found experience.

Where have you been all my life?

I have learned a lot about instruction in this class. There are so many ways technology can be integrated into teaching and learning. Besides using things in my classroom or in the integration aspect of my job, I have found other ways of using technology.

My favorite tool I have learned about from this class is jingproject.com. This is awesome. I do a lot of trainings and for different reasons and I used to spend hours making instructional sheets with screenshots and instructions. Know I can make a video with Jing and save myself SO MUCH TIME!!! I can even make videos for my family members, since I am their tech support and save us all time and frustration.

I LOVE JING!!!

It's really not scary

I think there is a problem with online learning communities and podcasts… people are scared. You hear so much about the bad element that exists online and Dateline keeps finding all these bad people that people are afraid of interacting on the internet. I know it seems like that on the school level. I admit that thereare some bad people out there and people do need to have their guard up, but at what cost? If you are smart and well prepared, the internet is not scary.

I have learned in another class this semester that there is a misconception about podcasts. People assume that can only get a podcast or use it if the have an iPod and that is simply not true. You can listen to any podcast through iTunes and most have a basic mp3 version that can be put on any mp3 player.

If I could wave a magic wand I would use it to educate everyone about the proper use of the internet and open their minds to its possibilities.

Wiki Wiki

This week we studied wikis. The wiki I am working on, which is still in VERY early stages, is a tech tips wiki for my campus. It will be a place to discuss the tech used on campus. It will contain setup and usage tips as well as a troubleshooting guide.

I think wikis are a great idea. There are plenty of great ways it can be used. Being updated by the intended audience is a great way to collaborate. It does, however, lead to inaccurate information. There are ways to prevent this, but it is important to monitor the updates to make sure that it only contains the proper information.

I visited a wiki called eLearning Tools that explores various Web 2.0 technologies for teaching. Two things that are discussed are audio and video podcasts. I think this is a brilliant way to deliver instruction. I am actually working on a podcasting lesson for another class.

Reflection #4

This week we discussed assessment for learning (AFL). Of the tenants presented for AFL, I focused on two.

1) AFL develops learners’ capacity for self-assessment so that they can become reflective and self-managing

And

2) Learners should receive constructive guidance about how to improve

I chose these because they go right along with the way I conduct assessment in my classes. I use rubrics in my classes as a method of self-assessment. The students know going in what is expected of them on each project. They have told me a number of times that they like knowing how I am going to grade and what will be graded going in. I also like to give feedback during the project. I like to do pre-assessments and let them know what they would receive if I graded the project right then and give them feedback on what to fix. You can’t fix something if you do not know it is broken.

I think that self-assessment is good because it gives you the opportunity to take charge of your learning and make sure that what you are learning is what you need to know.

ETEC 524 Portfolio

Here is a link to my portfolio for this class.

Blog Reflection #3

I am very familiar with many of the searching techniques discussed on the MAPing Information exercise. I think because I do web design and I know how the web works, I know a lot more about URLs and such. I teach my classes about how to validate their data and findings and use many of these strategies to teach them. We do not do much research in my class, but my students do a lot for their other classes and part of my class is to prepare them for such assignments and help get them familiar with the web and the good, bad, and ugly that is out there.

I have had a delicious account for a long time, but do not really use it much. I do see the advantages though. If a class has a research project that is done in groups, this is a very easy way to share your findings with your group members. I use Goolge Reader daily and share postings I find on there with several people. I think this could be a very useful tool as well in the classroom, much in the same manner. My district blocks so much stuff, however, that it is difficult to really make use of it on my campus.

Educational Technology...What it do?

Educational Technology - could be defined simply as technology used to teach someone something. I would define it as technology, period. All technology is educational technology. We learn something from everything we do. Sending a text message increases your hand-eye coordination (sometimes your not wrecking your car coordination). Video games do as well. Games improve reasoning skills and teach problem solving. Watching TV, getting on facebook, tweeting on Twitter, or watching something on YouTube all teach us something, whether we know it or not.

Our goal as educators should be to use this to our advantage and reach our students where they live. The videos posted on the ETEC blog are right about engaging students and using the technology around use. We should be using the technology they already know. It is out there if people would just realize it. Everyone seems so worried about re-inventing the wheel when there are wheels rolling around everywhere. Forget what you know and look at what is right in front of you.

Twitter - teaches writing and clearly stating a thought in 140 characters
Blogging - teaches writing and collaboration and communication
Games - Problem solving and reasoning
iPods - EXCELLENT way to delivery instruction
facebook - interation and networking and communication

Those are just a few. The world is educational technology.

My Philosophy of Education

I'm really not sure this is what I'm supposed to do, but here it is. I will be making revisions throughout the semester so hopefully this will get much better...


My philosophy for education is based on the symbiotic relationship between instruction and technology and the instructor and learner. Each depends on the other for success. The purpose of education is first to inform and then to help the learner use that information. The delivery of that information can be assisted by the use of technology and the success of the delivery depends as much upon the instructor as the learner.

The role of the instructor should be that of a leader and facilitator. I feel that students learn best when given the opportunity to work problems out themselves. An instructor should first present the basic skills and information needed to complete a task, and then allow the students to use that information in practical application. When students are allowed to reach the final objective on their own, I feel they retain the information better.

This requires the learner to take responsibility for their learning. They must use the knowledge and skills they have and apply them to the task at hand. Relying on the instructor to feed them all the information with no real practical application does not reinforce the concepts.

The role technology should play in education should be one of enhancement and assistance. Technology should never take the place of the instructor. Rather, it should assist the instructor in better-delivering the information. In many cases, technology can enhance the instruction by presenting visual, auditory, or tactile reinforcement of the information, thus increasing the students retention. When technology and instruction work together, better learning is achieved.

When the instructor and the learner work together, the quality of learning is increased. When instruction and technology work together, the quality of instruction if increased. When all work together, a superior learning experience is achieved.

Alan November Article

I read the article Creating a New Culture of Teaching and Learning. In this article November discusses some technologies on the horizon. One that stuck in my head was having live cameras in every classroom. I think this is an interesting idea. I like the idea mentioned in the article about kindergarten classes having cameras. This would allow parents who have issues letting go of their kids. I also like the idea of streaming class presentations. I think there is some great potential with this concept.

As a father of children who do not live with him, it would be great if I could see some of what my kids are doing in school. I think it will be a long time before this is come in to play because of logistical issues, but I'm intrigued by the concept.

To blog or not to blog...

Blogging in the classroom. Is it really a good idea? I say yes. There is a lot of potential for blogging if teachers and administrators will embrace its benefits. Classroom blogs give students an opportunity to hone their writing skills, helps students learn communication skills, and allows for collaboration with people all over the world, just to name a few.

For some reason, many school districts, mine included, do not seem to support blogging at school. The blogging service that provides this blog is blocked on my school's network due to inappropriate content on some of the blogs. Not only does this prevent the students from participating in the blogging process, but it also prevents them from accessing the information on blogs hosted by this service.

I understand that schools must prevent students from accessing inappropriate content, but at the cost of educational benefits? There must be a middle ground somewhere, hopefully someone can find it.

First Post

This is my first official post for my class blog. Here's hoping I can keep this more up to date than I do my personal blog.