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.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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.
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.
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.
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.
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