Blog Assignment #6

The Networked Student

In Wendy Drexler's video, "The Networked Student", a typical school day in the life of a 21st century student is featured.  Instead of carrying an over-sized book  bag filled with outdated textbooks, this student utilizes the internet to leverage the power of social media tools.  These tools in turn shape the learning path and process for the student.

This process is powered by connectivism, a learning theory that suggests knowledge is distributed across connections.  In the digital age, social media found on the internet provides teachers and students to connect with one another and help shape society's collective learning experience.

A continuing theme is seen in this video as well.  It would seem to me that in order to assist students in making their own connections, teachers need to be connected as well.  A teacher's role will not become obsolete because of the increasing use of PLNs by students, but rather they must take on and fulfill a variety of new modern and contemporary roles. Students must still have resources available to them to learn how to assess and validate information they find to ensure their own reliability.

A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment

Upon watching this bright young lady's video, I feel that she is more than just a few steps ahead of me in enhancing her education.  I never would have thought it possible to interact with a scientist from the United States let alone one from another country.  This has been a dream of mine!  My problem is time,   as soon as I have a little bit of extra time to sit down and devote my attention to something other than kids or schoolwork, something almost always tears me away.  After seeing how organized this student is, and I LOVE organization, I have been motivated to make a resolution to devote at least thirty minutes a day into developing my own PLN.  

Blog Assignment #5

Don't teach Your Kids This Stuff Please

Dr. Mcleod, an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Kentucky, discusses in a highly satirical poem the stereotypical criticisms technology receives today.  For many different reasons, people are unwelcoming to the introduction of technology to students and the changes this brings about.  Parents fear the exposure their children will have access to; while educational professionals worry the traditional methods of teaching will become extinct.  Although I advocate the use of technology in the classrooms, I do not feel it is time for students to put down their pen and paper.  The incorporation of technology in the class room should be just that, incorporation.  This should be done in moderation and not taken overboard by allowing technology to consume every aspect of education.  In the event of a worldwide catastrophe that could disable communications, humans must still have the capability to communicate without the assistance of technology.   Parents should be concerned about the materials their children have access to on the internet, which makes it all the more important to allow them monitored access.   By allowing access, children learn to make healthy decisions regarding the content they choose to view on the internet.  It is the parent’s responsibility to stay vigilant and informed on exactly what this content is.  

iSchool Initiative

No books?  No paper?  No pencils? No copy machine?  This sounds like an Alice Cooper song and every school boy and girl’s dreams come true.  There is no argument that our school system desperately needs reform, beginning with budget cuts issues.  Travis Allen believes he has the answer to solve this problem.  Apple’s iTouch technology already possesses applications, such as graphing calculators, periodic tables,  and access to textbooks along with boundless other resources that can be valuable to all subject areas taught in school.  With slight modifications, Allen has a vision for schools to use iTouch through a new innovative iSchool.  With the assistance of customizable applications that allow teachers and students to score and track assignments, among many others; a better line of communication will be established between teacher, students, and parents.  Assignments are also turned in and completed on these devices.  Allen’s thought behind this use of iTouch technology is that it will save school districts approximately $600 dollars a student each year.  This all sounds wonderful, until thought of more.   As previously stated, I do not feel it is time to put pen and paper down.   Why can’t children be technologically literate and use technology as a tool in their academic career without  completely phasing out the older traditional methods of learning?

In Ergonomics' November 2009 Issue, the principles for the wise use of computers by children were deeply discussed.  Among the many implications that were discovered among children who have had extended exposure to digitalized print media, the two that concern me the most is the potential for adverse vision development and musculoskeletal problems.  These are potential hazards are ones  parents or teachers cannot shield their children from.  As they can monitor the content children view, they cannot control what effects will take place physiologically.  While the iSchool initiative is a wonderful idea, it should be used carefully and in moderation.  

Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir

Viewing Eric Whitacre’s virtual choir perform ‘Lux Aurumque’ was absolutely amazing and a treat.  Even more amazing was viewing a subsequent performance which took place in 2011.  Rather than the 158 individuals from 15 different countries seen in his original production; Whitacre surpassed his own achievement and assembled 1,752 vocalists from 58 different countries to perform 'Sleep'.  This type of collaborative work is a good step in the direction for world peace.  The language of music is the same worldwide leaving no barriers to overcome.   Having this number of people from a large array of backgrounds come together in one similar interest to give life to one composition proves mankind has the capability to live in harmony with one another.  I hope that other pieces such as these two can be made possible to move toward a more peaceful world.  

Teaching In The 21st Century

In this video, perhaps the most powerful statement Kevin Robert’s asserts is that educator who are teaching in the 21^st century are no longer the main source of information, but rather act as a filter to the information children have access to.  With the many different avenues found on the internet which students have access to find information; they must be taught about responsibility, reliability and integrity as it pertains to the internet.  This, Robert’s feels, can be obtained through using these internet tools by engaging students to solve problems and think critically with their assistance rather than just using them as means for entertainment.  The damaging label the internet has accrued over the years was a result of it being used as a source of pure entertainment and nothing else.   The need to train students to become self-sufficient on the internet and to make responsible decisions meets the objectives of all three domains, along with their categories,  found in Bloom's Taxonomy.

Though contrived in the 1950’s, in a time the thought of computers being used on such a wide scale was near non-existent; the committee members who proposed these guidelines wrote them in a malleable way that they can pertain to any time period’s demands from education.   Perhaps the greatest reason technology needs to be incorporated and taught how to be used properly in schools is simply the entire foundation upon which it has been structured upon calls for this need.

When And Where I Have Lived

Blog Post #4

Eagle's Nest Radio

After listening to a variety of the podcasts Mrs. Edmison's class has produced, I have a whole new appreciation for the art of podcasting.  The students in this class pose as reporters interviewing other students in character in the role of important historical figures.  This is an excellent way to teach history.  The act of role playing places the students in the particular time period they are addressing forcing them to imagine and visually experience the history being taught.  Additionally, the students are placed in the position of teaching others the information they have already gained further ingraining this knowledge ensuring it shall never be forgotten.

Langwitches

  

Prior to listening to first grader's podcast read along to "Dinosaurs Before Dark", the steps these students took to make this story book come to life are highlighted.  During the course of production, it is noted how the children become aware of their own voices.  The students began to play around with the pitch, emotions and volume of speed among other qualities.  They would also insist on  re-recording if they were not happy with the way their voices sounded during a particular clip.  This is an extraordinary activity for students to participate in to promote their self development and boost self- esteem.  Children involved in podcasting are conditioned to be a more self-confident, outgoing individual who will grow to succeed in every aspect of life.

The Benefits of Podcasting in the Classroom

In this vodcast (a podcast with video), Joe Dale distinguishes the usefulness of having podcasts in the class room.  This particular podcast goes hand in hand with the podcast our group, The Music Notes, will soon be publishing.  Focusing on the millenial generation, it is found that youth, ages 8-18, are increasingly being exposed to what the various media devises have to offer; this is time more spent than reading a book or other print sources. This list of media devices inlcudes ipod/mp3 players, computers, television and cell phones.  Upon initial examination, the results of this data is concerning and bothersome.  After listening to Joe Dale and his thoughts on podcasting in the classroom, I am looking at these numbers with a very speculative mind.  The polls used to obtain these numbers do not ask the question what these children are in fact doing while they are spending time on media devices.  According to Dale, podcasts allow students to interact with one another outside of the classroom.  Educators who provide their lesson plans via podcasts open up options to their students on days they are sick or have other engagements preventing them from attending class.  The same idea applies to teachers, students miss out so much when their teachers are unavailable for class and a substitute is required to sit in.  Podcasts allow students to still have interactions with their teachers when they cannot be there.  While the amount of time students are spending on media devises can be concerning, it is a rush to judgement to assume the time is being spent on nonsense.  It is up to educators to provide quality material for students consume and the parents to monitor what their children are exposed to in order to make these staggering numbers a positive entity. 

Google Presentation

This Is My Sentence

Blog Post #3

"It's Not About The Technology"

In times when it is so difficult to find just the right balance in life, Kelly Hines offers some insight to teachers facing the challenge of integrating technology into classes.  Many scenarios may take place when presenting these contemporary ideas into classrooms.  Hines speaks of most teacher's either inability or unwillingness to learn and adapt to this new technology.  Educators must be willing to become the educated in this sense in order to keep up with the times and blend the new technology in with their lesson plans.  Hines also outlines an idea that is very close to my heart, learning and teaching are not the same thing.  Not all students learn in the same manner as everyone else does.  One technique will work for maybe a few, but not for the others.    Once a teacher takes the time to learn each individual's style of learning, he or she can then apply the technology at their disposal to conform to these varieties of learning methods.

 A teacher must have the passion and drive to be able to help a student learn using even the most primitive technology before the latest advances can be put to good use.  One idea Hines did not cover that I feel has become a problem in the classroom is some teachers use the technology placed in their classrooms as a crutch and allow it to replace them becoming impersonal and detached from the students.  As Kathy Hines says, with the use of a little technology as a tool, a whole lot of heart and the willingness to innovate, teachers have the power to prepare students with the capacity to be creative, think critically and solve problems with the assistance of whatever new technology the future brings.  It really is not about the technology, instead it is more important how we as educators choose to balance technology with the skills we should already possess.  

"Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?"

As Karl Fisch calls attention to the critical need for technologically literate teachers, I feel this is done in an extreme fashion.  While his philosophy that if a teacher today is

not technologically literate-and is unwilling to make the effort to learn more-it's equivalent to a teacher 30 years who didn't know how to read or write could not be agreed with more, there should be some disclaimers to this idea.  There are numerous teachers without technical savvy that have much more to offer students than the skills to survive in a technically enhanced society.  I do not feel these teachers need to be shut out and cast away because of their lack of tech smarts nor their unwillingness to gain more knowledge in this area.  The thought of technology to those who did grow up in the cutting edge world most new teachers entering the field today did is overwhelming and scary.  Much like the way learning anything is overwhelming and scary to kids who have learning disabilities or have trouble understanding what is being taught.  The teacher of this child does not give up on them and throw them in a corner to make their lives easier, instead they find new approaches and different steps to work with this child to help them understand the material. This same principle can be applied to help the process to become technologically literate a smooth transition.  It is human nature to be obstinate when one is told what they "need" to do.  When told they "need" to learn how to be technologically literate, a person almost automatically goes on the defensive and resists.  Steps should be taken by the school systems to reassure these precarious teachers that technology is in fact a good thing and is profoundly beneficial for students and teachers alike to become intimate with in order to ensure success in the future instead of demanding technology workshop attendance and threatening ones job if participation is not executed.  Like everything else in life, the manner in which something is approached makes all the difference.

Gary's Social Media Count

The rate at which the number of items being shared in a single minute worldwide is staggering and difficult to even comprehend a number this large.  The first question that comes to mind is, how much of this information traveling the globe is actually useful material?  Much of what is posted on the various social media outlets is empty and often times ill conceived.  As future educators, the astounding rate at which these numbers change should not just open our eyes to the possible resources at our expense, how fast these resources are evolving and the importance to keep up with the changes; but also to understand the importance of learning to navigate these sites without having to drudge through any futile time consuming nonsense.  It is also important to realize not only as educators but as parents as well to realize that anybody can post anything and at such a high rate of this information being shared, it is vital to monitor what sites our students and children have access to and be involved in any communication they participate in on the internet.  Censorship has always been a touchy subject, but in order to prevent students from seeing or reading  something that is not appropriate that could possibly have an adverse influence, this is necessary.

A Vision of Students Today

Mike Wesch's video "A Vision of Students Today" is a haunting account of how technology has impacted how students interact not only the classroom, but also in their everyday lives.  Many ideas come to mind after viewing this video, first of which is how technology has taken over just about every aspect life.  The statistics shown display that students spend a quantifying amount of time on their computers performing tasks the average person are incapable of.  If these individuals are smart enough to operate complex technological devises, they should also have the wits to excel in courses in which they are enrolled.  The problem being faced is most are applying these intellects elsewhere.  Technology has served as a distraction rather than a means to facilitate learning.  The cost of books have risen because of a lower demand as a result of so many colleges and universities publishing materials online for students to access rather than having to purchase a textbook.  While this is useful, not all courses and instructors wish to participate and still require a book, in the end the same amount of money is still being spent.  As future elementary educators, we should be aware of the example being set to young minds and provide a good model of how technology can be used within reason. This video should also bring an awareness to what activities students are engaging in while they are not in class so as teachers we can search for opportunities to utilize these activities in the classroom to guarantee interest and overall success of the student.

C4T #1

Post Game Analysis 

High school physics teacher John Burke has implemented a new policy in his classroom that has given students the power to take control of their own education.  In spirit of football season, this innovative teacher has taken inspiration from the customary viewing of film teams do after a game to analyze ways to improve, win or lose.  In the days following students assessments, the graded papers are returned to the students along with an assessment post game analysis.  Much like what occurs in the locker room, students are to answer questions such as what things did you do well on the assignment, identify areas you wish to improve upon, devising a plan on how to improve in those areas, and pointers you would give yourself for mastering these ideas for success.  The students then collaborate on problems missed and figure out the correct answer together.  Even if a perfect score is achieved, it is still expected that student participate and ponder ways to ensure they can continue to achieve that level of success.  I thought this was an excellent way to engage students in taking control of their education.  The knowledge learned will be much more valued and cherished when a students own blood, sweat and tears are put forth.  This activity requires students to deeply self-reflect upon themselves and getting in touch with themselves on a much more deeper level than just succeeding in school.  

Parent Pow

As a parent it is very important to have an open relationship with your child and get into the habit of talking about your child's day at school.  From this parents are involved and have an active approach in their child's education and KNOW what their kids are being taught.  An avid fan of education reform, John Burke came across a website designed to encourage this activity of talking to one's children.  Only problem is, there is no talking occurring.  After logging in to this website, children are supposed to answer questions rating them 1-10.  The parents then log in to this same website and answer a different set of questions themselves.  The parents can then print out "scales" based on the questions answered to give parents an idea of what their children are doing in school.  Mr. Burke, as well as I, thought that this was an absolutely horrible idea!  As a parent, John Burke would rather drop whatever it was he is doing at the time and have a face-to-face conversation with his child getting to know her.  Having these interactions through a website does not allow a relationship between parent and child to be cultivated.  In this case I feel children will grow accustom to hiding behind a computer to tell their parents what they would be afraid to tell their parents in fear of what they would say.  This will only diminish society's ability to stand up and take responsibility for actions taken.  This falls into the mind frame all too many people have begun to have, taking shortcuts when it comes to raising their children.
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Blog Assignment #3

Did You Know? 3.0
By: Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod

It is often wondered by scientists and theologians alike how it is mankind came to evolve at a considerably slow rate for hundreds of thousands of years then suddenly began a process of rapid advancement that transformed us from the primitive wandering groups of people to the complex technologically endowed beings we are today. Many of these scientists and theologians argue this process has been facilitated by Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection, which is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the preferential survival and reproduction of organisms better adapted to their environment.  In their video, Did You Know? 3.0, Karl Fisch and Scott Mcleod feature examples of how technology has furthered this rapid progress in a relatively short period of time considering the long history of organic life on Earth.  This expansion of human being's technological assets has begun to grow exponentially in time spans before now were unfathomable.  It is predicted in the year 2013 a supercomputer will be built that exceeds the computational capabilities of the human brain and in 2049 one that exceeds that of the entire human  species.  This is a dangerous idea to me.

 Giving what we are taught in science classes about natural selection, nature also eliminates anatomical structures no longer needed or used for survival rendering them a vestigial structure.  Our appendix and wisdom teeth are two among many examples of these organs that were once required for survival whose functions dissipated, some not even born possessing them,  with the technological advances seen in the human race.  If it is true a super computer will have the computational capabilities of the entire human race, I have to wonder what will become of the human brain. The more and more we rely on computers, the less brain power we possess will be exerted.  Over time our brains will regress and no longer be able to function without the assistance of a computer.While this premise is wildly exaggerated, it is one to consider a possibility.  While computers and the technology that is brought with them is valued in the world, they should be used with in reason.  

Mr. Winkle Wakes

In 1819 Washington Irving published the classic short story Rip Van Winkle.  In this piece of literature a beloved townsman living just years before The American Revolutionary War, wanders into the mountains escaping his wife who constantly chastises him for his laziness.  On his stroll through the woods, Rip Van Winkle comes upon a group of men dressed in antique clothing bowling and drinking liquor.  Upon consuming the beverage, Winkle falls asleep and awakens what is seemingly the next morning.  Upon his arrival to town he discovers his wife and dear friends have demised; the buildings and structures were much larger and more abundant; and, having not known about the war with England, Rip is apprehended when he proclaims his loyalty to King George III who has since been replaced by President George Washington.  Though familiarity of land marks and old towns men, It is eventually discovered Rip had been asleep for twenty-years and is taken in my his daughter.  His tale begins to be shared by other men henpecked by their wives wishing they had Winkle's good fortune.  Analogous to this short story is a modern day spin on the tale in the video "Mr. Winkle Wakes".  Having slept for a hundred years, the Mr. Winkle in this correlation awakes to become bombarded with scenes of the latest technology being used.  Confused and scared by all the changes that had occurred, he finds something that is familiar to him, a school building.  He was comforted to find that inside the building the children were using paper and pencils while a computer sat dusty in a corner.  This video's resemblance to the short story continues a theme of change with continuity and preservation of tradition.  When first viewed, it is thought the purpose behind this video is to illustrate the short comings of the American educational system.  With images of a dusty computer in the corner and the children writing rather than typing gives one the idea that schools either are not advanced enough for this technology or do not have the funding.  Upon a second viewing, it is seen that the rationale behind "Mr. Winkle Wakes" is that our use of technology needs to be balanced.  Although wrenching radical changes are sometimes necessary in order to move society forward, such changes should not eradicate old ways and traditions entirely.

Sir Ken Robinson: The Importance of Creativity

Sir Ken Robinson is an international leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human potential.  Among his many accolades, Sir Robinson along with three others stood as international advisers to Singapore in their work in becoming the creative hub of South East Asia.  His lecture starts off almost poking fun at teachers, insinuating that they are boring and have a loathsome career.  He continues to demonstrate that the education field no longer needs to continue to carry this stereotype and provides ideas to allow this to happen.  He believes that intelligence is diverse, dynamic, and distinct.

 Every individual is unique, therefore the manner in which he or she is educated must be unique as well; different methods work for different people.  This is the problem Sir Robinson feels is seen in the education system world wide.  Decades ago a particular teaching method which met the demands of society for that time was mandated and made uniform in nearly every country.  School systems are now reluctant to move away from this style and continue to place demands on children who are otherwise intelligent, but learn differently than others.  As a result, children do not meet these standards and are considered to have a learning disorder.  It is this same system that views failure and being wrong is unacceptable and demands nothing less than perfection.  According to Sir Robinson, it is this ideology that has inhibited the creativity in persons of all ages.  Instead, teachers need to find creative ways that hold a child's interest in particular subjects and be flexible with each individual child.  Once a teacher unbridles his or her own creativity in themselves, they are then better armed to elicit the creativity Sir Robinson believes every child is born with.

Cecilia Gault Interviews Sir Ken Robinson

Why do other, less rich and productive countries, do so much better with education?  This question was asked by  Cecilia Gault, a student reporter from Finland for the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.  Why is it that the dropout rate in Cecilia's native country of Finland is only less than 1 percent, while that of the United State's is a soaring 25 percent?   Her question began to be answered when she interviewed Sir Ken Robinson after a panel discussion in which he participated on studying abroad. He explained to Cecilia that three myths to creativity existed.  One that only certain people are creative; second, creativity is only about certain things; and lastly, there is nothing anyone can do about the lack of creativity, you are either born with or without it.

Thoughts Sir Robinson was quick to extinguish by reassuring the young reporter that anybody could be taught to be creative despite age or background.  One other highly intuitive question Sir Robinson was asked by Cecilia was what his definition of intelligence.  While he made certain the fact many psychologists have attempted to agree on such a definition was emphasized, his own description of intelligence is the ability to solve problems and understanding other people.  The key to understanding people is putting oneself in other's shoes and experiencing life from their perspective.  While America is among the wealthier nations in the world, the poverty instance in our country is greater than other developed yet less financially stable countries.  The opportunity to travel to other countries and immerse oneself in a diverse culture is not at an abundance of people's disposal.  It is important that teachers take time to enrich their own lives by traveling and becoming familiar with a number of diverse cultures, then finding ways to incorporate their experiences into the classroom.  This way, student's world's enlarge and creativity takes over.

Harness Your Student's Digital Smarts

In a distinctive classroom setting, teacher Vicki Davis is pioneering an unconventional technique to reach students in whole new ways.  Centered in a rural community in Georgia, Davis' students are apart of a much larger classroom than the one in which they sit.  Without even leaving town, students are participating in collaborative efforts with international students.  Aside from acquiring technological expertise, students are forced to not only overcome obstacles forged by distance, but also language barriers.  By being engaged in collaborative projects with students from all over the world, the individual's lives in Vicki Davis' class are enhanced largely with an awareness of how big and diverse the world is.  Through video chats a distinct amount of a particular culture is bound to bleed through the lines and cross over into this otherwise small rural town.  The benefits are endless, communication skills, teamwork, and most importantly and ability to see past differences and respect others for those differences.  The greatest aspect of Vicki Davis' classroom is the ability students have to be responsible for their education.  This is beneficial for teacher and student alike.  Teaching is a mutual process, as Davis explained she learned from the students rather than her teaching them. I do not believe just facts or information is the sole entity to be acquired in these cases, teachers gain life lessons from their students when they take control (in a manner of speaking of course) of the class room.

Ashley's Wordle!