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mrigal

CNET Forums - 0 views

  • Our vibrant community provides a place where all members can ask for help and discuss a wide variety of technical topics. Membership is free, so sign up today and join in on the discussions!
    • mrigal
       
      This statement sums up how useful discussion forums can be…
  • Forums Categories
    • mrigal
       
      Exam all the different categories
  • Create a New Discussion
    • mrigal
       
      You can add a new trend discussion...
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    This discussion forum is about technology in all matters. This site is very informative especially if you want reviews about inquiring new technology hardware or software into the CTE or regular classroom - even for home.
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    Discussion Forums are a useful source for learning. There are forums for different types of information. Think about a subject and there will usually be a forum about it. Through my experience, discussion forums had been very helpful. For example, if I am having a technical issue about a specific computer program or hardware, discussion forum have helped me solve the issue because usually someone else had the same issue and had a solution. In the classroom student can join discussion forums pertaining to the subject matter. Students can communicate with other students and share experiences and knowledge. This link is a forum about all technology which can help CTE departments.
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    I myself like discussion forums. I find them to be very educational in learning about information you did not know. I find it to be a very successful tool in education because it unites students to have group participation. Its interesting how you learn from other students and they learn from you from the information you are discussing during the discussion forums. It is a valuable tool for everyone to use and experience because you will find that you learn a lot from a discussion forum.
natalie_cepeda

What are Discussion Forums and How do They Enhance Learning? - 21 views

In your first Diigo Group post, please summarize your understanding of the Discussion Board and discuss how you could use this in your classroom to deepen learning. From personal experience, I hav...

technology education classroom pedagogy

kjsanders

Understanding Discussion Forums and the benefits of classroom implementation - 8 views

I agree, Emmanuel. The asynchronous availability of forums is one of my favorite characteristics. Taking the time to re-read the contributions of others allows me to reflect more deeply on the topi...

Technology education classroom web2.0 computer Discussion teaching

tvisco

Understanding Discussion Forums Summary and Relevance to Education - 0 views

Discussion forums are online semi-public group discussions. They can be used to connect students to each other or to experts, learn something new, share information in a professional community, col...

Technology education classroom teaching

started by tvisco on 07 Feb 15 no follow-up yet
Maricela Gonzalez

Summary of Cavanaugh DB articles - 4 views

@Gena Jean- Overall, I think you make a good point. These discussion forums provide students with a multitude of resources that students can get from each other and from the forum itself. I have ...

Discussion board web2.0 Technology

Benjamin Caulder

Facilitating Creative Online Forums and Discussion Boards in Online Learning | The EvoL... - 3 views

  • Too often, instructors get caught up in seeing forums as a quantitative measure of how much a student has learned
    • Benjamin Caulder
       
      I actually see value in DBs as an evaulation of learning (though I am not advocating that is all they are). What do you use your boards for?
    • cinthia_sierra
       
      I use my discussion boards to generate thinking while reading. If I ask my students to read a chapter of a particular novel at home, many read without using the proper metacognitive skills to track their learning causing them to simply skim the reading without fully comprehending the text. Therefore, I post a question that can possible generate various types of discussion by all students, thus forcing them to think critically while reading which contributes to their overall comprehension.
  • Students need to feel connected to each other, and the best way of doing thatis to create forums and assignments that allow them to do more than prove they have simply done the assignment.
  • ...1 more annotation...
    • Benjamin Caulder
       
      Do you feel connected to others in this program through DBs. Yes or No? If yes, what have you discovered that draws you and another together? If no, have you found it through another means and how does it connect you where the DB does not?
    • cinthia_sierra
       
      Definitely. Online education can be difficult at times since you miss out on the face-to-face interaction that enhances the chances to collaborate. However, online forums keep the lines of communication open and after several discussions or classes, you start feeling like you know the person. 
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    Creativity in discussion boards, going beyond.
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    Getting student participation can be challenging. Thoughtful creativity can be very beneficial. This article focuses on thoughtful creativity to deepen learning, connections and thinking.
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    Creativity is key to unlocking the flow of ideas in any classroom. Once students know that they have the freedom to create, then they feel unrestricted in their learning and want to offer ideas for exchange. It is this concept that allows for the think/pair/share method of learning that we use in classrooms today. It also allows the teacher to see that each student is different in the way that they process the information and formulate a response to the prompt.
emrodriguez

Understanding Discussion Forums and Classroom Implementation - 9 views

Good start regarding discussion forums, Kimberly. These forums are definitely beneficial to the learning experience.

Technology education classroom teaching EDTC 6340

stacey perkins

Enhancing Teaching and Learning  with the Online Discussions - 5 views

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    This informative article/web page had a lot of useful information regarding Discussion Forums. It started by defining what a discussion forum is, which is basically an LMS application that allows for restricted access communication between group members on a specified topic or subject matter. Discussion boards can be very helpful in making online students feel a part of a community and giving them a voice on a variety of subjects. They are very helpful in extending learning to beyond the classroom by forcing interaction amongst not only the students, but also amongst all the resources available to the students on a particular subject matter. It can increase instruction time and allows for a more democratic exchange of ideas between the participants. It is important to make sure that if you decide to utilize a discussion forum in your class that you are properly prepared and that you make the interaction a requirement of the course, otherwise it is likely that nobody will participate. It is also very important that you provide examples and clearly state your expectations of the participants, such as how many posts and responses they are required to do in a specific amount of time, etc.. As an instructor you will want to begin with a minimal presence and give the students time to acclimate themselves to the interface and the process of using the discussion forum. You will want to maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times and make sure that you are monitoring the involvement of the students regularly. When properly utilized, Discussion Forums can be a huge benefit and positive addition to a course, but I feel that it is important to make sure that the students see the added value of completing the assignments so that they will do a quality job and not feel as if they are being forced to do "busy" work.
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    Gena, My deepest apologies...when I bookmarked the DB articles and posted my summary, my post somehow removed you as the author of your summary made it look like I authored your original post. I'm so sorry. I see that I can delete my post but I don't want to risk also deleting your summary. I am (obviously;-) new to Diigo.
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    I am not sure what causes it, but I inadvertently did the same to Elizabeth's post. Hopefully the administrators will be able to tell who the original host of a post is.
marie_lara

Understanding the Discussion Board - 4 views

You ask that we "summarize your understanding of the Discussion Board and discuss how you could use this in your classroom to deepen learning" in our initial post. In the link "Enhancing Teaching a...

education classroom Discussion computer teaching Technology initial post

started by marie_lara on 09 Feb 15 no follow-up yet
sharonmahabir

Project Share "A professional online learning community" http://www.projectsharetexa... - 5 views

This is a very interesting site. I think it is very important to continue to collaborate with other teachers. Unfortunately, it is increasingly hard to do this face to face, with the demands that w...

http:__www.projectsharetexas.org_

mmcavazos

Understanding Discussion Forums - 4 views

First of all, I think it is great that we are all getting a better understanding of what discussion forums are so that we can use them correctly not only in this class but in all of our other class...

Technology education classroom teaching computer Discussion web2.0 share

started by mmcavazos on 06 Feb 15 no follow-up yet
Maricela Gonzalez

Enhancing Teaching and Learning with the On-line Discussion Forum - 6 views

@Karla Fabiola Garcia- Students will definitely run with the idea of the discussion threads and help each other, all the while providing their own insight and responses to certain embedded hyperl...

Technology classroom computer Discussion web2.0 education

vasquezgonzalezv

Discussion boards and their use in my classroom - 7 views

In your first Diigo Group post, please summarize your understanding of the Discussion Board and discuss how you could use this in your classroom to deepen learning. My experience with discussion f...

education classroom public school band fine arts music

started by vasquezgonzalezv on 10 Jun 14 no follow-up yet
Benjamin Caulder

15 Rules of Netiquette for Online Discussion Boards [INFOGRAPHIC] | Online Education Bl... - 12 views

    • Benjamin Caulder
       
      Cannot highlight text in an infographic :). I prticularly like this "bullet" (not in bullet form). Tone is absolutely one of the hardest things to communicate and only great writers communicate accurately every time, and they do after many many edits and re-writes. Being overly polite is the best course of action. Personaly, I alomost lost a dear friend because she didn't understand my sarcasm in a Facebook post. It was the last time I tired to be sarcastic online.
    • Lucretia Human
       
      When I talk to my sons, especilaly when they are in college, I always call them if I ask them something of importance. Their text can lie, their voice, pitch and tone never could!
    • hillaryparrish
       
      Ben, I am sure that I do not follow this rule very well and need to work on it! When I speak, I use a lot of voice inflection so people understand my intentions. I have even noticed that when speaking on Collaborate, tone does not transfer well there either, and I have been misunderstood. However, it is funny because sometimes I will write and re-write an email worried that someone will take me the wrong way. I never mean harm. For example, with someone that has unfair working conditions, I naturally have the tone, "Bless your heart." But, it is not always taken that way! I do wonder if it is a cultural thing?
    • Benjamin Caulder
       
      Long replies, or posts, are not detrimental. They just aren't read. Giving away quite a bit here, but this is my confession. In previous classes that had discussion questions or boards, I rarely read posts over 200 words. That may seem rediculous, but I have prefer posts that get the heart of the matter quickly and effectively as apposed to excessive posts. Therefore, this is a great point to keep in mind.
    • Lucretia Human
       
      Ben, Unfortunately I have been in classes that have a minimum requirement of words written! I have a class right now that has a 250-500 word minimum requirement on almost every initial post! So all I do is read and write!
    • hillaryparrish
       
      Ben, As Lu mentioned, I too, have been in classes that required a certain number of words. I enjoy writing, and sometimes, to be clear as I mentioned in the above post, I require a few more words! Not only do I want to be understood, but I want to fulfill the requirements of my classes. If it means I do extra research, give more of my opinion, or write more, I do!
    • Benjamin Caulder
       
      Nothing in our society erodes people's confidence in someone else's intelligence as quickly as bad grammar and poor spelling. There are, of course, exceptions... like when the whole tone of the DB is very casual or is filled with a certain vernacular or jargon. On the whole, a few seconds of editing is always worth it.
    • Lucretia Human
       
      Ben, I am very guilty of not using spell check as often as I should in discussion boards. It is nice when the discussion forum platform underlines misspellings and at least you can correct spelling.
    • hillaryparrish
       
      Ben, This reminds me of students who translate their texting speech to formal typing. Unfortunately, I used to spell well, but now I have used spell check way too much. I agree that unless the forum is casual, words should be spelled correctly.
  • ...1 more annotation...
    • Benjamin Caulder
       
      These do not appear to be in a heirarchical order. It would seem to be a fun and natural class activity to order them rank of importance. My top 5, in order, are: 1. #4 2. #9 3. #2 4. #15 5. #7 What are you top 5?
    • Lucretia Human
       
      Intersting Ben! First let me apologize if I have been sarcastic in anyway to you over the course of this program, becauseI tend to be. My top 5 are: #9 #5 #2 #11 #15
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    Nice infographic of 15 good rules all discussion board posters should follow.
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    From touro.edu, Touro College on Long Island. These 15 tips are not overly complex, but they do get the heart of best practices for online postings. Point in fact, if all of our face to face interaction mirrored these 15 rules, our society as a whole would be changed for the better.
Stephen Simon

MapSkip - Places Have Stories! - 6 views

  • MapSkip makes the world a canvas for our stories and photos.
  • It is an ancient human instinct to share our life stories with others, as the paintings and hand prints in stone-age caves show.
    • Stephen Simon
       
      Storytelling is part of being a great teacher. Making it relevant is part of being a great mentor. This is not always as easy as some think it is but for those who invest in the art of storytelling realize that that is how lasting memories are made. Think of going camping and sitting around the fire telling stories; what was it that made those memorable to you?
    • Janice Wilson Butler
       
      And charting your own adventures - I keep having trouble remembering where I ate a great food or saw a play, etc. I like when a tool can be powerful for personal reasons as well as for educational reasons.
    • Joe Pedraza
       
      This would be good for my 9 year old to track our summer vacation. He can take photos, videos and add the stories to the map. The MapSkip can even be linked to your twitter account allowing the user to tweet as you post stories. I think this for me would be a little too time consuming but overall great for users with time on their hands.
    • Don Martin
       
      I could see something like this being used in combination with a interactive timeline. You could put your history on the timeline and then use the map locations to tell the stories behind the events.
  • ...3 more annotations...
    • Stephen Simon
       
      I do not agree that it is human instinct to share our life stories. The reason being that if everyone wanted to do that, no story would ever be heard. Do you agree with the premise that we, as homo sapiens, instinctually want to share our stories?
    • Merrill Redfern
       
      People share life stories for various reasons. They share stories in an effort to connect themselves or others with someone or something. To feel a belonging to something significant that will define or confirm their characteristics, attributes or identity. I do agree in that not every person instinctively wants to spill the beans about their life and does not need to share stories for fulfillment. Introverts have a difficult time telling stories and find it challenging or exhausting. However, I believe technology has set a forum for some introverts to "safely" tell stories in an environment in which protects them from the world they may find challenging.
    • Jeff Blackman
       
      Yes, I do think there is an instinct to share stories. Not necessarily to the whole world but at least to one other person. For example, our kids, spouses, families. People we are comfortable with - we want to share our stories - even the mundane ones like "how was work today?" It fills a need.
    • Jose Escobedo
       
      I try to find ways to keep in touch or share my experiences with my kids back home and MapSkip offers that opportunity. I can share my experiences with my little girl especially when she has a school project due. Instead of sending pictures and or trying to explain a place via email or text, she can access my stories with her tablet at school.
    • Stephen Simon
       
      Using a tool like this one can lend itself to sharing with family as Jose has pointed out. Usually these stories are somewhat private and so long as you know that they are public, fine with me. If more people did this then perhaps some stories which are usually isolated to an individual could possible be cross-indexed to someone else. This would certainly give you some perspective on the story itself when told by different individuals.
    • eeverett3
       
      I believe that humans have a need to share their stories. That is how we make connections with each other and how we work out our differences in opinion. We are always trying to explain, share, and teach.
    • Joe Pedraza
       
      I believe that we as homo sapiens do want to share our stories, not necessarily instinctively but more subconsciously. Our subconscious is the storage of our knowledge and prior experiences. When we meet others that we have something in common with like an idea, or something that triggers an emotion, we feel a connection that triggers our subconscious to share this information.
    • Eric Folks
       
      OK people, I can't believe we're debating whether or not ppl like/need/want to share stories. Let's leave it at storytelling has been a part the human culture creation process since the beginning, but sharing stories is an individual choice. More importantly, so is the means by which we do it! Does MapSkip offer tools and services other sites don't? Maybe. But from what I can tell, this doesn't offer much more than Google Maps Engine (https://mapsengine.google.com/map/?pli=1)...other than another site we need to create, manage, and curate content on. Another option is Dr. Alice Christie's GoogleTreks (http://googletreks.org/). MapSkip seems cumbersome to me in comparison to some mobile options out there, like location-based posts in Twitter, G+, FB, and my favorite for this type of thing, Instagram. Here are some other apps for location-based maps/activity etc. http://www.slideshare.net/matteoroversi/beyond-foursquare-overview-on-the-best-location-based-apps
    • Brenda Wohlfeil
       
      Digital Stories were foreign to me. I appreciate the video that Simon posted, although it was a bit advanced for me. I have since found a website that gives a basic overview of digital stories with information on how to map them. http://maps.playingwithmedia.com/digital-story/
    • Olivia Basham
       
      I agree that story telling is what forms the basis for human culture. This tool looks like a fun and interesting way to do just that. Gosh it would be a fun way to share travel stories or even share reviews or tips for particular locations or venues for others on their travels.
    • Don Martin
       
      Brenda, Thanks for the link that clarifies the digital story possibilities. I agree that it can be a bit confusing and overwhelming at times. I think the key is having a good plan before you start. If you have a story plan then you can go and find the "places" you want to use to tell your story.
  • - Our Partners
    • Stephen Simon
       
      Check out this teacher resource who partnered with MapSkip.
    • Stephen Simon
       
      Capturing family history through stories was pretty much the only way to keep the story alive. Now you have new tools to make it live on. Investing in a flip-cam is great for impromptu video capture of a story. Many times my kids tell me that not everyone wants to be on video so I am more cautious when I take it and film. But what you get as a product is priceless as I look back at video of my father and realize how much I miss his stories.
    • Janice Wilson Butler
       
      This looks like a very interesting tool. I can see it being of great benefit for students who are learning English - a way to connect the English language to their own culture. It should be a cool tool for social studies as well - the discovery of the United States, the Pilgrims, etc. Or battles of the Civil War - so many uses!
    • Eric Folks
       
      Stephen, we invested in Flipcams a while back, about 5 per campus for check out via library. They discontinued support for them right after we bought them :( but they've nevertheless been useful for long recordings. Since so many now have smart phones, and the shorter the video clips often the better, the flip cameras are not used as much... I am curious how difficult (or easy) the workflow would be to add video resources to your MapSkip post. Might give it a try and let you know!
    • Eric Folks
       
      OK, so you can't upload a video (only add a YouTube video, which is easy enough to upload yourself), add a jpg image, and even upload a sound file (mp3), which I thought particularly nice. After exploring the features a bit more, I've got to say it's more capable and less cumbersome than I orginally thought!
    • Stephen Simon
       
      I thought that the capacity to narrate (mp3) was perfect for this type of We 2.0 tool. That way the story is not lost in all the extraneous material a video brings. But the youTube capacity adds an element of commercialization to the artifact which I don't like; especially in the classroom.
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    This is an ambitious method of story-sharing using integrated GoogleMaps with pins to denote where a story, with and without photos, can be posted and accessed.
  • ...5 more comments...
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    Here is a video on Digital Storytelling from a lecture in SecondLife. I found it informative and an sharing it with you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XRS-45wKWk
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    I love storytelling as a means to teach. I always try to weave stories into my training as I think it helps people connect to the material better.
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    Storytelling is a natural way to create meaningful and sometimes emotionally rich connections. When my grandfather would sit me down and talk about all the various places he had traveled to though out his life, I couldn't help but feel connected to those places. It also gave me deeper insight as to what those places must have been like. I believe that because storytelling forces our minds to envision the situations, it keeps learners interested and assists in information retention.
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    When I make a connection to a lesson, I love to tell my students my personal stories or experiences especially traveling to different places. My students are so attentive and if I bring pictures, they can appreciate the story and lesson even more. Of course this leads to some students making their own connections and wanting to share their stories and experiences. And although not all students may have many opportunities to travel, they all have something to say and listening to their classmates tell a story makes everything very meaningful.
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    I don't know if I would tell every story and detail of my life, but if the situation called for it, I probably would share. I know some people, like my stepfather, who is not shy will share his stories about the past, but maybe because he is older and has nothing to hid. However, I will share my stories with my students if I feel it will make a lesson more meaningful.
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    I see this a good tool for students to map places they have explored that have personal value to them. For example, as a former boy scout, I would map places where we setup camp and document the skills I learned. This would later be used to reflect upon. I agree with Eric that they are other tools that are somewhat easier to use but for me it works fine.
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    It has occurred to me after reading all the comments, Dipity and MapSkip combined together could turn a student autobiography into one neat project! What a way to engage students to reflect upon the on the places and events of their lives.
Brenda Wohlfeil

Is Google Making Us Stupid? - Nicholas Carr - The Atlantic - 8 views

  • My mind isn’t going—so far as I can tell—but it’s changing. I’m not thinking the way I used to think. I can feel it most strongly when I’m reading. Immersing myself in a book or a lengthy article used to be easy. My mind would get caught up in the narrative or the turns of the argument, and I’d spend hours strolling through long stretches of prose. That’s rarely the case anymore. Now my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages. I get fidgety, lose the thread, begin looking for something else to do. I feel as if I’m always dragging my wayward brain back to the text. The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle.
    • eeverett3
       
      The first question this article raises in my mind is...are other people feeling like this? that books and long articles are becoming too difficult to read?
    • Jose Escobedo
       
      When I am sent off to training and I know I will have limited connectivity, my laptop stays in my bag. I use this time to read articles which I print out or just simply read a book. If I have connectivity, my concentration to simply read articles or a textbook would be lost because I want to get to other class assignments or simply surf the net. To me its just a mind over matter.
    • Brenda Wohlfeil
       
      After reading/working on the computer for long periods of time, I noticed I get jittery.  I was concerned about it, so I searched the internet for answers.  I came across Linda Stone's video and website.  She has studied attention, health and technology.  In the video she talks about continuous partial attention, which is a form of multi-tasking.  Ms. Stone's research has shown that we have become hyper alert to scan for every possible input and opportunity.  In another words, we don't want to miss anything.  And this puts us in an artificial state of constant crisis.  Amongst many physical changes from this artificial state, including jitteriness, our minds find it hard to focus. (Linda Stone-May I Have Your Attention Please?, http://internoobs.wonderhowto.com/inspiration/linda-stone-may-have-your-attention-please-0128197/) So I have to wonder, is it that we just don't have the patience for reading long books, or are we in an artificial state of constant crisis that makes it impossible for us to focus?
    • eeverett3
       
      I actually have a student this year who cannot use the computer at all because it causes seizures for her! Scary!
    • Olivia Basham
       
      This particular quote reminds me of an Aristotle quote: "We are what we constantly do, excellence isn't an act then, but a habit." It seems that Mr Carr is mistaking habits for permanent brain changes.
  • And what the Net seems to be doing is chipping away my capacity for concentration and contemplation. My mind now expects to take in information the way the Net distributes it: in a swiftly moving stream of particles. Once I was a scuba diver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a guy on a Jet Ski.
    • eeverett3
       
      I really like this analogy of finding information online. I often feel like this and in my library, I see students seraching so rapidly that I wonder if their research is effective.
    • Araceli Gracia
       
      I know that I am guilty of telling my children to "Google It" when I don't know something right away. It is quick way of getting answers to what we are not sure about. But how else would students get their information. Unless they have a set of encyclopedias, it would prove difficult to search. Long articles are more tedious to read than difficult I think. Its a matter of time that doesn't allow for reading so they are just being glanced at rather than being fully understood.
    • Merrill Redfern
       
      The analogy provides an excellent mental picture of what searching online looks like in the 21st century. This analogy also reminds me of times in my library, while locating a book for a student, by the time I have tracked down the book a student can't absolutely live without they have already changed their minds on what they are interested in. Amazes me on how fast students can "switch gears," which is what (among other things) the Internet searching is creating in our student population.
    • Eric Folks
       
      I've got mixed feelings on this. It seems counterintuitive that we should take advantage of the resources we have at hand, be it Google or some mobile device, and that we should teach our kids to do the same. How many technologies and advances in the past have changed the way we find, process, and share information? Each was met with resistance and criticism and also a bit of excitement, but eventually, they came to be seen as valuable tools for learning. While I think the same can be said of modern technologies, I do have some reservations about the concentration and scale of control companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook and the like have over society's day to day interactions. "Big data" and the way it's being used should give everyone pause, as they really boil down to refining the manipulation process. If we spent as much time teaching digital literacy and critical thinking (helping young to old be more aware of forms of manipulation, propaganda, and logical fallacies), I would be more likely to say (with some checks and balances and oversight), it's ok for these companies to provide us with goods and services specific to our needs and wants. The problem is we are witnessing both the growth of big data and the growth of technology dependence at the same time. Is technology becoming the modern day "opiate of the masses?" It just may be... More and more parents are using technology to babysit their children, enough so that pediatricians are pointing out the writing on the wall: this overuse of technology is excacerbating ADD, ADHD, childhood obeisity, and more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/10-reasons-why-handheld-devices-should-be-banned_b_4899218.html Personally, I have my kids complete a technology challenge every day before they're able to get on technology for gaming and entertainment (which we are now limiting to 1 hour). Most of these technology challenges involve them using technology as a creation tool, and I've got to say, it's working!
    • Stephen Simon
       
      The Net does chip away at your capacity for concentration, contemplation, and criticial thinking because we let it. The information on the Net is only that; you still have to decide if what you are reading can how water. I think it is important to approach search engines, like Google, by learning to structure a query followed by what storehouses of data we know to have veracity.
    • Don Martin
       
      It may well be that the problems we are seeing as being created by the internet and the accessibility of information are actually caused by us as instructors and not by the medium itself. As instructors it is our job to find appropriate resources and appropriate uses for the information that is so readily available today. Through the use of Web 2.0 Technologies we need to find ways to create depth of information by inspiring our students to dig deeper and helping them in the development of their critical thinking skills.
    • Olivia Basham
       
      While I love Mr. Carr's use of metaphor (scuba vs jet ski) this kind of argument via analogy is fallacious at best. You know what else challenges concentration and contemplation? Sports. They are just the same kind of rapid-fire informational experiences as "surfing the net" can be. No one would challenge the value of sports to a child's mind (or an adults for that matter) because it brings it's own skills and rewards. I think we confuse the situation when we try to compare un-like things.
  • It is clear that users are not reading online in the traditional sense; indeed there are signs that new forms of “reading” are emerging as users “power browse” horizontally through titles, contents pages and abstracts going for quick wins. It almost seems that they go online to avoid reading in the traditional sense.
    • eeverett3
       
      I wonder if reading habits are changing and if this is good or bad...how will it affect students and educators?
    • Araceli Gracia
       
      In the article, it mentions how texting has made it more important about being efficient and immediate which then weakens our capacity for reading. This stood out to me because this past weekend I went to help my mother send a text message. My mother does not text, she believes in the old fashion ways of speaking with people. So my 10 year old said he would help her create the text. Of course my mother wants to put capital letters, punctuation, and proper grammar. He was telling her, you don't have to do that, just put in "u" for "you". She was so shocked that he was telling her that, she was like no I have to have my name with a capital letter.
    • Merrill Redfern
       
      In my experience, many students are obtaining just enough information to get by and not digging deeper into a subject where it could be meaningful. The internet provides the perfect forum for this. The "grab and go" mentality. Some would argue the amount of time placed on educators is a determining factor for teachers to "power browse" information. I believe there is some truth to that but above all, the internet has significantly changed the way we search, think, communicate, teach, plan and recall information.
    • Eric Folks
       
      I see power browsing and recreational reading as two different activities...when I want to relax, I read (digital or print makes no difference as long as the device is light and I can adjust the brightness). When I want to stay on the cutting edge of my chosen profession, I power browse and experiement.
    • Don Martin
       
      It seems to me that the real problem may be related to something deeper. We have been told for so long by so many that we need to be good "multitaskers" that we have spent a great deal of time and energy on trying to do just that. Recent studies show that humans don't really multitask on any effective level and that when we do try to multitask our work and thought processes suffer for it. Here is a good article from Time Magazine about multitasking and its negative effects: http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1174696-1,00.html
    • eeverett3
       
      That is a great article,Don! I am glad to see that what I am yelling at my teens all the time is backed up by research! "When people try to perform two or more related tasks either at the same time or alternating rapidly between them, errors go way up, and it takes far longer--often double the time or more--to get the jobs done than if they were done sequentially, says David E. Meyer, director of the Brain, Cognition and Action Laboratory at the University of Michigan: "The toll in terms of slowdown is extremely large--amazingly so." I worry about the multitasking all the time...has anyone seen the tv show "Brain Games"? I think that really illustrates the hazards of multitasking....
    • Stephen Simon
       
      I now have better understanding of the long view of cognition and how technology impacts it. Socrates opposition to the printed word was no different than a parent restricting internet access for their children; the capacity to properly learn the learning tool, left to its own device, is largely lost.
    • Brenda Wohlfeil
       
      I find myself mostly power browsing on the Internet, but I find it is difficult to do much more because of the back lighting.  The back lighting easily tires my eyes. For long articles that I need to digest, I prefer printing them out to read.   Here is an article on computer vision syndrome: http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/computer-vision-syndrome Possibly future screen technology might alleviate eye fatigue. Eizo is a company that is already working on creating screens to help with eye fatigue.  Here is their latest product: http://www.eizo.com/global/library/basics/eyestrain/
    • Olivia Basham
       
      Brenda, thank you for sharing this! Eye strain and visual fatigue are really big problems for me and other persons with dyslexia.
  •  
    Here is an article that discusses the use of current technology and how it may affect the brain.
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  •  
    I hope that everyone had a great Spring Break! Here is the article that I would like to discuss in Diigo that week. :) EE
  •  
    The article makes several points. Technology has changed how we think and measure our abilities. For example, as a computer technician, I always tell clients that I can solve their issues even if I haven't the slightest idea how to do. I just hope that someone else around the world has posted the solution on the internet. Thank you Google. So if the internet wasn't available I don't think I would feel as confident doing my job everyday.
  •  
    Luis, I have used You Tube so many times when trying to learn how to do something. I have even used it for this course when I need that extra tutorial. For example, if Stephen had not been kind enough to post a video on how to install Java on Screenr, I would have struggled so much more. Technology comes with the good and the bad. My older son learned to play the piano from the internet while my other son just wants to watch videos. So like everything in my life, there has to be a happy medium.
  •  
    I'm inclined to believe that the problem is not with the technology but with how we adapt to it. In the past the rate of technology development has given us time to assimilate it, analyze it, and employ it. The problem with computers, the internet and all the associated electronic technology is that by the time we figure out what it is and what it is good for it's already changed. Given time we will figure out how to deal with the speed of change but in the meantime it means some struggle on our part as humans and as instructors in determining what is of value and what is not, what that value is, and how do I use it to my benefit and the benefit of my students?
  •  
    Here is an article that discusses the use of current technology and how it may affect the brain.
  •  
    Araceli, I too use YouTube for learning how to do stuff. Just last week, I needed how to embed videos into a webpage for another project. Sure enough there was a video posted on how to do that. I believe that technology affects both the learner and the teacher. Instructors expect that students use these tools and have the ability to learn how to implement.
  •  
    Google puts tremendous amounts of data at our fingertips. This data needs to be interpreted. This is a important skill that must me taught to students. Not everything posted on the net is correct. I think this teaches students to be more critical of they read.
cinthia_sierra

WPI Teaching with Technology Collaboratory - Benefits of Using Discussion Boards in You... - 4 views

  • Discussion boards are reflective in nature. They force students to read other perspectives and carefully consider a response
    • natalie_cepeda
       
      During a classroom session, not all perspectives can be heard due to time. In discussion boards, everyone has the ability to respond and reflect on the opinions of others. Reflecting is a benefical strategy because it allows for learning to occur. What strategy do you implement for reflecting?
    • Cynthia Rios
       
      In my classroom, my students keep a reflection journal in which they write everyday. The prompts have to do with the story or novel that we are reading. I stay away from cookie cutter prompts and try to give prompts in which the students really have to reflect and give their point of view on the situation. I also had my students participate in literature circles. I think implementing the reflection journals and the literature circles onto an online discussion forum would be awesome for my students. I realize that even though I try to get them all to participate in class, some students are just not as open as others when it comes to in class participation even in a small group setting like the literature circles. Using an discussion board would ensure everyone participates.
    • cinthia_sierra
       
      This past year, I used Edmodo with my students, and if they were reading a chapter for homework, I always posted a question for discussion. All students participated and generated an online discussion that carried over to the fluency of the next class.
    • natalie_cepeda
       
      Cynthia, that is a great idea to keep a reflection journal for every day use. It even allows students to go back and see any changes in their own thinking or opinions. The literature circles are a great way to involve all group members by having enough jobs for them to complete one. Even if they get the team Illustrator, the student still has to share why they drew that and what significance it has to the project.
    • natalie_cepeda
       
      Cinthia, I need to get on the ball with an online Discussion Board. My students would benefit tremendously! The use to posting their thoughts online is more engaging than just writing a summary paper on the chapter they read.
  • The social aspects of the face-to-face classroom are very intimidating for many students, especially for ESL speakers, new students, and those who are simply shy or quiet.
    • natalie_cepeda
       
      Has this experience happened to you in a previous class where you hinder your comments and ideas to everyone because you do not want to receive a negative reaction?
    • Cynthia Rios
       
      Yes, of course. This has happened to me personally. For whatever reason even when we are on a collaborate session I sometimes feel intimidated, and I get very nervous. What I've noticed though is that if I have taken the professor or classmates before, I am not as nervous, and I actually enjoy participating. I think my intimidation has to do with the fear of the unknown.
    • cinthia_sierra
       
      Absolutely. Like Cynthia says, "the fear of the unknown" is unsettling. As part of my elective requirements, I am taking this class along with EDTC 6341, and the use of a wiki was foreign to me. I'm still adjusting and asking questions is intimidating or even humiliating at times.
    • Sean Getchell
       
      I might be a little different, but I have found that the older I get, the less I care what others think. While the face-to-face environment can be slightly intimidating, the fully online experience can be equally so. I think it honestly depends on the student, and their ability to jump into the unknown, and make it a part of their "known" world. Plus, once you get a little experience under your belt, usually a person is more likely to share their thoughts, ask question, or more likely to help others if they see a fellow student struggling. Pay it forward, indeed!
    • natalie_cepeda
       
      Cynthia, I understand your feeling. I once took an English class where we just sat in a circle and discussed classical literature. I honestly had no idea what was going in the play even though I would read and use resources like Spark Notes to understand what was going on. I did not like going to the class because everyone else knew what the professor was discussing and would make good points. I hardly spoke a word and would only speak when the professor called on me. The classroom environment has a lot to do with whether a student is going to feel comfortable or be shy.
    • natalie_cepeda
       
      Sean, I agree with your claim that it depends on the student. Much like the assessment on whether a student is ready for online learning. Some students feel like they can tackle online learning while others refuse. So yes, every student has their own comfort zone.
  • As students reflect upon what they want to write in a discussion board posting, they often integrate research or class readings with which they are familiar. This occurs much more frequently in discussion board postings than in face-to-face discussions, largely because of the extra time a student has to think about their response
    • natalie_cepeda
       
      In teaching, I have used a similiar strategy called the Wait-Time Response, where instead of demanding students to answer on the spot they have allotted time to actually think. The extra time that discussion boards allow is a powerful teaching tool. What is your view on the claim provided on the website?
    • Cynthia Rios
       
      I absolutely agree with this and, I too give my students sufficient wait time. In regards to discussion boards, not only is the extra time a powerful tool but so is the fact that students can read and reflect on what other students have already posted. The extra time and being able read other posts is very for students that struggle with putting their thoughts into words.
    • cinthia_sierra
       
      This is truly powerful. I had a student who rarely spoke in class, yet the minute I posted a discussion question in regard to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, he inspired many through his analysis and wowed me as well. I would have never known his insightful perspective had it not been for the power of discussion.
    • natalie_cepeda
       
      Cinthia, hearing the story of your story is music to my ears! I am glad that even though the student was not able to express vocally their thoughts were heard on Discussion Boards. Another personal testimony that Discussion Boards help students express themselves.
stacey perkins

Education Week: Proper Role of Ed-Tech in Pre-K a Rising Issue - 3 views

  • From Ms. Herman's perspective, tablet devices such as iPads are just one of many tools appropriate for early learning—when used with the understanding that they're not intended to supplant other developmentally appropriate materials.
    • sharonmahabir
       
      There has been a lot of discussion in my district about whether the use of iPads, iPods, and computer games are developmentally appropriate for the young learner. Those opposed to it bring up research that has shown how the use of these technology devices stimulates the brain in much the same way as cocaine does. What are your views on using technology devices in the PreK and early childhood classrooms?
    • stacey perkins
       
      Between console gaming and tech toys, many kids walk around on sensory overload 24/7. When bringing technology into our classrooms, we must take into account how much screen time kids have been exposed to outside of school hours.
  • the introduction of tablets and other electronic media in preschools poses tough questions for educators, among them: how to select developmentally appropriate software; what academic areas are best supported with technology; and how technology use should be balanced with other classroom activities.
    • sharonmahabir
       
      Does your district have a protocol for selecting developmentally appropriate software or apps? Or is the teacher permitted to use his/her own discretion? 
    • Maricela Gonzalez
       
      At my school district technology is extremely important and pushed. We use many programs of which are available and optional to the teacher, however- technology must be implemented in the classroom. We have access to programs such as Brain Pop, Discovery Education, Khan's Academy to teach students how to code online, and I personally use Google Docs, Edmodo, and Twitter to create discussion forums. I believe that it is important that teachers are able to choose the types of technology social media and software or apps that they think are educationally appropriate for their individual needs. However, it makes sense that certain programs not be used. For example, I am an ELAR teacher and I wanted to use Second Life in my classroom so that my students could have a different medium to go to and write. I thought they would get super excited to enter certain dimensions and learn to write. I thought that Second Life was amazing because it allows students to create their own avatars, fly in the air and ride rides. I thought it would be a program that I'd be able to use in my classroom since I used it and learned of it in one of my courses two semesters ago. However, as I quickly learned there are so many people that use Second Life and I had a lot of stalkers and heard a lot of bad words through this medium. Therefore, my point is- there should definitely be some type of protocol or a place within the school districts staff web page that encourages unknowing teachers to use appropriate software or apps to supplement their classroom courses online.
  • Consider carefully what they want an app to do, such as introduce math skills or teach children the sound of letters; gauge carefully the ease of use; check to see if the app offers support such as built-in help functions or word pronunciation; and look for adjustable options, such as volume or multilingual output.
    • sharonmahabir
       
      One of my favorite iPad apps to use with my PreK students is Book Creator. It allows students to create their own stories and the app allows them to do this without requiring reading skills. Find out more information about the Book Creator app using the following link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/book-creator-for-ipad-create/id442378070?mt=8
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  • hat while more research needs to be done, children already appear to be using devices at the expense of other important activities such as active play and hands-on exploration.
    • stacey perkins
       
      This is a valid point. In my district, some fabulous elementary teachers are reluctant to integrate technology because they see their students disengaging from the lesson unless they are nose-to-nose with a flickering screen!
celinafdz

Discussion Forums and How They Enhance Learning - 5 views

The discussion board is a great tool used to increase and ensure class communication and interaction. Among other benefits it provides all students with an opportunity to participate. Traditional c...

technology education classroom teaching web2.0 Discussion

started by celinafdz on 09 Feb 15 no follow-up yet
Gena Jean

Piazza * Ask. Answer. Explore. Whenever. - 8 views

shared by Gena Jean on 17 Sep 14 - No Cached
    • Elizabeth Rodriguez
       
      This is a short video that will give you a brief overview on what Piazza is and how it works!! Excellent way to interact with your students online!!
  • ntegrates with every major LMS and is FERPA compliant
    • Gena Jean
       
      It is amazing how complicated FERPA can be, but it is a very important part of an educator's job to know the guidelines
    • Elizabeth Rodriguez
       
      Gena, yes FERPA is huge here on our campus. Although it has not been done since I started here, I know we are looking to make sure that all our faculty members go through a FERPA training. It's important to know as much as we can with these regulations!!!
    • Gena Jean
       
      It can be very tricky, especially when you are dealing with dual credit students. Parents feel as if they should have automatic rights to their child's information, but we have specific guidelines that we must follow that are designed to protect the students' rights.
    • Elizabeth Rodriguez
       
      That is so true Gena. We deal with dual enrollment students all the time and it's difficult when parents call and you have to tell them that you are not allowed to give out any information. Some simply do not understand. I've even had grandparents calling. Go figure.
    • Maricela Gonzalez
       
      @ Elizabeth Rodriguez- Yes, you're right on about the importance of FERPA compliance within schools. It is so important to ensure that student information is kept as confidential as possible, and sometimes as teachers- we may not know which programs comply with FERPA. Therefore, we can get in so much trouble if we violate FERPA, and student information gets released online. We run the unfortunate risk of getting sued. Therefore, after having reviewed Gena Jean's Piazza link, I am feeling much more comfortable in being able to use this medium in my classroom with my netbooks, and continue to add on to my flipped classroom.
    • Maricela Gonzalez
       
      My initial response to Gena Jean's Article Post- I like that students can ask questions, that anyone can answer and that it's in real time, much like Google Drive. It's collaborative and so thank you for sharing this with everyone Gena Jean I am definitely going to definitely start looking into this platform, because I think that my English Language Arts and Reading class will greatly benefit from it. I thought it was so neat to see that a woman is the CEO and founder of this particular online program. Actually, it's quite inspiring to see that educational tools can be used in this way, and brought to the forefront by women.
    • Pedro Rodriguez
       
      Very interesting tool. I will give it a try. I like the fact that it integrate to major LMSs such as Canvas, BlackBoard, and Moodle. Currently I am using Moodle 2.8 and I would like to see how it works. I also like that it is FERPA compliance. I will definitely bookmark this and give it a try. Thanks for the resource.
    • Elizabeth Rodriguez
       
      Since I work for a higher ed institution, this is a big one for me because we are always looking to see how we can integrate different web 2.0 tools to assist our instructors in their classroom! Especially online tools!
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    • Elizabeth Rodriguez
       
      See what others are saying about Piazza! It is a powerful tool to help student communicate and learn from each other!!
    • Pedro Rodriguez
       
      The also like the analytics it has. I can see how the classroom is doing as a whole and individual students engagement levels as well. I wonder I there is a real time chat window. I know some LMSs have chat enabled. Once again this is worth exploring and trying out.
    • Elizabeth Rodriguez
       
      How would you use this Web 2.0 tool in your classroom! I think sharing each other's thoughts is a great way to learn from each other!
    • Pedro Rodriguez
       
      I think I would use it to more for discussion as it seems to have powerful communication and notification tools. One idea comes to mind. During the lesson, I can use polls to see how students are grasping the content or to see if they are paying attention. I wonder if one can use a microphone and camera for Piazza
    • Gena Jean
       
      I find it very beneficial that this uses the familiar wiki style to make it easier to use!
    • Karla Fabiola Garcia
       
      I have never heard of this tool. I already like how similar it is in terms of style, to wiki.
    • stacey perkins
       
      I am immediately drawn to the filtering and hierarchy of importance you can apply to student questions. I love the idea of bringing order to all those posts!
    • Maricela Gonzalez
       
      @ Karla Fabiola Garcia- Yes, I had never heard of this online tool "Piazza" before either- however, it definitely seems like a great tool, as a teacher can see how many of their students are online. Students can help each other, and therefore know that they are not alone. The purpose of this program appears to me to exemplify what a true learning community should cover. Autonomy and accessibility outside of just the classroom environment. As was mentioned in the video from the website link- "a lot of it is kind of thinking through challenging problems with other people (- Pooja Nath Sankar, Piazza Founder & CEO)."
    • Maricela Gonzalez
       
      My initial response to Gena Jean's Article Post- Thanks for sharing this online tool with us all Karla. Symbaloo is a smart way to bookmark important things that educators may need to go back and reference. I tend to use Twitter to bookmark my educational resources…but that can get tiring- because sometimes frankly I don't want to share them with everyone, but I need that source to be retrievable at a later time. I'd like to have the ability to organize other things within my educational realm, such as my online modules, training videos, of which I've created throughout my pursuit of my master's degree- and this appears to be a more streamlined way to do just that.
  •  
    This is a great tool to use in the classroom! It allows for an online platform to be used by students and teachers to get questions answered!!!
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  •  
    This looks like it could be very beneficial to a higher education instructor, especially as an additional Discussion Forum activity. I found this interesting article : http://www.sicet.org/journals/ijttl/issue0801/4_1_6_Wang.pdf that discusses wiki use in education that you may find enlightening.
  •  
    Just wondering why my post states that someone else shared it. I started the post on Piazza. Can anyone tell me? I'm new to Diigo. I just want to make sure I get created for starting this discussion post. :)
  •  
    Elizabeth, apparently when people comment, it can replace the original author. Hopefully the administrator of the group will be able to tell who was the original host/author of each post. I do apologize if I inadvertently made a setting selection that caused this to happen. This is definitely your original post. I wonder if by doing a sticky note it changed it to mine?
  •  
    Thanks Gena. Hopefully Dr. Chavez will know.
  •  
    Hi Gena, As I'm going over all these great tools, I feel a bit overwhelmed with all this information. I have never heard of Piazza before. From what I have read it is used in Colleges and University but I feel that with where technology is heading in high schools and middle schools, I can see this in that setting as well. Thank you for introducing this tool.
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