Skip to main content

Home/ technology in education PK-20/ Group items tagged computer

Rss Feed Group items tagged

Filter: All | Bookmarks | Topics Simple Middle
bhanak

What Schools Hope to Achieve by Making Computer Science Widespread - 6 views

ww2.kqed.org/...ng-computer-science-widespread

technology education classroom teaching computer

shared by bhanak on 16 Jul 15 - No Cached
Gladys Suarez liked it
  • bhanak on 16 Jul 15
     
    I loved the direction that San Francisco's school district is going with their Computer Science pilot program. I worked with my 5th graders on coding this year and saw how the students were applying problem solving skills at a high level to complete many of the tasks. Do you think a Computer Science course should be a mandatory class for graduation?
  • ...9 more comments...
  • bhanak on 16 Jul 15
     
    Do you think by making Computer Science course mandatory that it will influence minorities to remain in the field?
  • bhanak on 16 Jul 15
     
    How do you think this would work at your campus? What would the teacher and student response be like at your campus?
  • juancalvarez on 16 Jul 15
     
    Brandy, I think it is amazing that you worked with your 5th graders on coding. It opens the students' minds to new possibilities and they learn to value working hard to achieve an outcome. 1. Yes, I think that Computer Science should be a mandatory course for graduation, because almost all jobs need interaction with computers. 2. Not necessarily. A few years ago I read a report where they mention that, in the case of Hispanics, a high percentage didn't go to college because of ideology. Most Hispanics believe in making their kids find a job after High School and this is why there are 4, 5 or even 6 Hispanic generations in the United States, and yet they do not send their kids to college. In the other hand, people that come or their ancestors came from Asia, now a days they send most of their kids to learn medicine, computer science, engineering, and any career that will give them a better life. I think that a Computer Science class will open up doors to all students, but we would have to work on their group ideology for them to have be able to really move forward. 3. My campus and my district is all about technology. This year we will receive more mini iPads for students and I heard that they were seeking for the financial means to give each High School student a laptop. But, there is one thing we have to consider as a society or civilization. There are many kinds of jobs, and we need all for the city to keep on functioning. Amazingly, companies are having an extremely hard time finding truck drivers. Their salaries in certain areas have gone so high that they are making more than a teacher with less hours of work. No matter how many people want to learn Computer Science, there will only be so many jobs in the field, and there will be spaces in others. What should we do as a civilization if at some point our products cannot find their way to the customers? Food, computers, furniture? I don't have a solution for this, but I think everyone deserves a chan
  • bhanak on 16 Jul 15
     
    I think your comment about the ideology of Hispanics is something to consider. I taught in a Title I campus for many years, I did see a large family of hard workers with many of the Hispanic families. Not every child is going to go into the field of Computer Science but hopefully they will be proficient with computer skills. And yes, "The world needs ditch diggers too." Thanks for sharing! I had my student work on Code.org, where each level they have to complete a task before moving on and they provide video clips of people in the field. They loved it!
  • asuarez1 on 17 Jul 15
     
    I do think that all students should get a "taste" of coding. There are great sites like code.org where students can see if they like it. Last school year, I found that some students moved ahead to harder levels quickly, while others stayed on the beginning levels. Some students went on to register for summer classes that taught them more. It was very exciting to see their interest sparked. At the very least, students should be exposed to the many facets of STEM and see where it may lead them.
  • bhanak on 17 Jul 15
     
    I also saw that for some students the tasks were very easy while others needed more time and practice before completing the task. It was great to open their eyes to the way the games they use are created. I will look into more sites for my students to use this year.
  • Marie Evans on 18 Jul 15
     
    Our country needs to "up its game" in STEM! We are definitely lagging in this area compared to many other countries. Offering opportunities to learn skills in coding may teach the critical thinking skills we need to reinforce to move toward a challenging learning environment.
  • jfaguilar on 18 Jul 15
     
    I believe computer science is taking an important role in our future. I agree with code.org to promote coding or computer science in the early stages of elementary will spark the interest in students to learn coding, robotics and other computer science tools that will be beneficial for them as they go onto higher areas of education.
  • Gladys Suarez on 18 Jul 15
     
    1. Yes, I do believe it should be mandatory for graduation, since jobs require people to be digital literate. Computer science is taking a high role in our future! 2. I don't think it will make a difference. But it will spark motivation on students. 3. My campus is not updated! We might be lost, but I think that everyone would collaborate to make it work and have us update.
  • bhanak on 19 Jul 15
     
    I think many campuses in the state are like yours, not updated. The article stated that the program was funded by companies not the district. The district reached out for support. I would love for my district to do the same for the benefit of your students.
  • Joanna Villarreal on 19 Jul 15
     
    YES!!! I think it should be a requirement. College readiness is heard of more and more these days. First, district must have that "vision" and understanding the importance of technology. Door must be opened. It would be amazing if more and more districts follow the steps of San Francisco-USD and introduce to their preschools-high schools.
Brenda Wohlfeil

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

www.theatlantic.com/...306868

google technology reading

shared by Brenda Wohlfeil on 17 Mar 14 - No Cached
  • 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
      eeverett3 on 17 Mar 14
       
      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
      Jose Escobedo on 18 Mar 14
       
      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
      Brenda Wohlfeil on 22 Mar 14
       
      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
      eeverett3 on 24 Mar 14
       
      I actually have a student this year who cannot use the computer at all because it causes seizures for her! Scary!
    • Olivia Basham
      Olivia Basham on 31 Mar 14
       
      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
      eeverett3 on 17 Mar 14
       
      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
      Araceli Gracia on 17 Mar 14
       
      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
      Merrill Redfern on 18 Mar 14
       
      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
      Eric Folks on 18 Mar 14
       
      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
      Stephen Simon on 21 Mar 14
       
      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
      Don Martin on 25 Mar 14
       
      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
      Olivia Basham on 31 Mar 14
       
      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
      eeverett3 on 17 Mar 14
       
      I wonder if reading habits are changing and if this is good or bad...how will it affect students and educators?
    • Araceli Gracia
      Araceli Gracia on 17 Mar 14
       
      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
      Merrill Redfern on 18 Mar 14
       
      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
      Eric Folks on 18 Mar 14
       
      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
      Don Martin on 21 Mar 14
       
      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
      eeverett3 on 21 Mar 14
       
      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
      Stephen Simon on 21 Mar 14
       
      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
      Brenda Wohlfeil on 22 Mar 14
       
      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
      Olivia Basham on 31 Mar 14
       
      Brenda, thank you for sharing this! Eye strain and visual fatigue are really big problems for me and other persons with dyslexia.
  • eeverett3 on 17 Mar 14
     
    Here is an article that discusses the use of current technology and how it may affect the brain.
  • ...5 more comments...
  • eeverett3 on 17 Mar 14
     
    I hope that everyone had a great Spring Break! Here is the article that I would like to discuss in Diigo that week. :) EE
  • lbanuelos on 17 Mar 14
     
    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.
  • Araceli Gracia on 20 Mar 14
     
    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.
  • Don Martin on 21 Mar 14
     
    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?
  • Stephen Simon on 21 Mar 14
     
    Here is an article that discusses the use of current technology and how it may affect the brain.
  • lbanuelos on 24 Mar 14
     
    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.
  • lbanuelos on 24 Mar 14
     
    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.
Lucretia Human

5 Tips to Help Teachers Who Struggle with Technology | Edutopia - 17 views

www.edutopia.org/...ling-with-technology-josh-work

technology classroom struggle teachers

shared by Lucretia Human on 09 Jun 14 - No Cached
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 09 Jun 14
       
      As the gap formed by the use of technology and those resistant to its use widens, so does the feelings of separation, loneliness, frustration and sometimes superiority among faculty. What has been your experience dealing with faculty, who has undergone these types of emotions when confronted with the use of technology in the classroom?
    • hillaryparrish
      hillaryparrish on 10 Jun 14
       
      First, I will say I am the Business teacher, so I have no responsibilities to any teachers in my district regarding technology. Second, I will say that I love helping people, so if I know how to help someone, I will! My perception on this is going to be really skewed. I will give you some background, and I will try to keep it short. In Oct. 2012, our entire server for the entire school crashed. It had not been backed up since May 2012. Many people lost everything; many people lost a lot of things. It was bad. The IT Coordinator (we only have one) for our district pretty much did nothing all of the 2012-2013 school year. They fired him in July 2013. In August 2013 (one week before school started), my classroom was in shambles (the high school computer lab) as a result of a remodel and they hired a new IT Coordinator. 2013-2014 has been better. However, we still have multiple teachers without teacher computers or student computers in their classrooms. That is the short story. So, teachers come to me with all types of emotions. Although I have nothing to do with IT, I am the computer teacher. Until December 2013, our internet worked about 60% of the time. Frustration about technology was an understatement. No one wants to learn new technology, they just want to be able to take roll. It is getting better though. If I were to imagine what it would be like if everything would have been normal with bumps in the road rather than catastrophes over the last two years, this is what I would say. Mr./Mrs./Miss Teacher, I would be glad to come in early or stay late to work with you to help you with that new technology that you would like to learn. Or, if I were in charge of instructional technology, I would like to have built in times to do PD. There is a larger, neighboring district that has students go in one hour late once a week so teachers can do PD. I think this would work nicely.
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 11 Jun 14
       
      I am a reading teacher, and like Hillary, I have no responsibilities teaching teachers about technology. All teachers in my campus know how to use a computer, add attachments, send emails, schedule meeting through outlook email since we are assigned a computer at the beginning of the year. Teachers throughout the school year send, receive emails and attachments. Now we do use Google Docs (per grade level) to keep information on one centralized location, yet not trained on it. I am willing to help, and have helped many teachers that had never been exposed to Google Docs. I give them a quick run through and make sure they understand how to create, add, edit, and view data on a Google Doc. Teachers are very thankful when I assist them with this because they feel frustrated that they need to use the Google Doc but have not been taught or given a PD on it.
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 11 Jun 14
       
      I am in a 1:1 school and despite this, there are several teachers who do not regularly use all the tools available to them. I don't know of any who refuse to use any technology, but some refuse to use the tablet they were issued; others refuse to use our LMS (Moodle); and still others refuse to use any Web 2.0 tools. I know of one who would not since she was so close to retiring, she didn't want to invest in re-learning what she already did. In her particular case, the LMS and the Web 2.0 tools were presented as nothing more than fancy pencils. As they were presented (I know since they were presented to me the exact same way) they did not deepen the learning or provide a way to authenticate the learning. Why should she change when the students didn't benefit (as far as she was taught). So what I see is that the education of the teacher can NOT be secondary or tertiary. It must be the primary goal of the Instructional Tech. Dept. to guide all teachers to the greatest benefit of the kiddos, which means that in must make the learning deeper and more relevant to their actual lives.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 12 Jun 14
       
      Hillary, First sorry to hear about your year 2012-2013. I think that most schools and districts do not realize the importance of having many IT available. I know if my any of the technology at school goes down, we are pretty much up a creek without a paddle. Fortunately, I teach in higher ed and there a many people that keep our campus technology updated and running smoothly. If it happens to goes down for some reason, they spring into action, as if they were the Justice League out to crash the bad guy. However with all the great IT people on campus, we till have so many instructors who do not come to PD dealing with the use of technology in the classroom.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 12 Jun 14
       
      Ben, I understand that the one teacher close to retiring did not want to re-learn what she already did, however she should have looked at as an opportunity to grow personally. We do not retire to die! We retire to feel less pressure, to do something else, and to not get up at 5:30 in the morning (however most older people still do), but we do not retire to stop learning. I agree wholeheartedly that it is the main job of the IT Dept of any school to make sure that the teachers know what the heck they are doing with technology because only the students suffer in the end.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 12 Jun 14
       
      Nora, You are right it is not your job to train the teachers how to use Google Docs. It is very sweet of you to do that because you understand the value of doing it for the students. I would be very frustrated and angry if they school I taught at expected me to use technology or programs that I was not familiar with without offering training! I can really see why some teachers are resistant. Like Ben pointed out if the tools are presented as "fancy pencils" and not shown how they can change students lives for the better, then teacher actually have a right to frustrated.
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 14 Jun 14
       
      Lu, I hear you. But there is so much more in the world than Technology... just saying. I know this teacher is going off to learn about more tangible things (Art, travel...). Anyway, that was an aside. I was writing from that teacher's perspective, which was that the new information did not add anything to what she was already doing. The pencil accomplished just as much as the Web 2.0 tool. It wasn't the fault of the tool, but how it was presented to her (this I know since I was presented the same thing the same way). Anyway, my point, ultimately, is that technology should be used for the sake of using it, but to provide more in a way that pencil and paper can not. There is a teacher in my school who uses Aurasma in many of her lessons. Aurasma provides a perspective the students cannot get from a book so it deepens the lesson.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 17 Jun 14
       
      For all of you out there that might not be familiar with Aurasma, like me, check out this demo video. http://youtu.be/GBKy-hSedg8
    • crystallee530
      crystallee530 on 23 Jun 14
       
      Over half of the staff at my school have been working there for over 15 years. With the recent change in administration there came a new demand for technology integration. There were teachers that were on board with this change and were willing to try to adapt and then there were a few that were not willing to adapt and complained along the way. Some of the technology challenged teachers had frustration written all over their faces anytime technology was mentioned. The best method for easing their concerns was a private tutorial lesson.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 09 Jun 14
       
      How would answer this question, if faced with it from one of your faculty?
    • hillaryparrish
      hillaryparrish on 10 Jun 14
       
      I think I would say, "Try it, you may find that it is more efficient. If you decide after a week/two weeks/etc. that it does not work for you, then go back to the old way. You might find that it is good for the students, so you will find that it is also rewarding to you."
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 11 Jun 14
       
      Everything deserves a try. Don't stay with the what if???? Technology is overwhelming and could be intimidating but there is not thing you cannot over come. Give technology a try, if you have any questions I would be glad to help you.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 09 Jun 14
       
      These are really great questions. We have all struggled at times with technology and we have all help others who were struggling. Provide some other tips that this article did not mention that you have used either when being helped or helping others.
    • hillaryparrish
      hillaryparrish on 10 Jun 14
       
      When I have to learn a new technology, I think that online sources are my best friend. As a Business teacher, I am constantly needing to teach new software. There is no way that I could have learned every software I would have ever needed to teach in college! New software is constantly coming out on the market. So, I sit down with the software and Google, and I figure it out. Of course, most specifically YouTube can be a great source. Also, you can use LinkedIn. Look to see who has been endorsed for the technology you need to learn, and contact them to see if they will help you! More than likely they will.
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 11 Jun 14
       
      Google is my best friend!!! Anytime I have questions I seek Google's help. I try the tips or suggestions given through Google's search, if they work great, but if they don't work, I try to visit the software or item's website to find out more information. I also tend to visit youtube since I am a visual person, I like to see step-by-step on how it is done, worked, or put together. This has really helped me up to now in both aspects, while being helped by others and helping others.
    • vasquezgonzalezv
      vasquezgonzalezv on 12 Jun 14
       
      Exactly:  Google and YouTube.  In fact, I was having some issues with Diigo (Diigolet, I'm on a Mac) and googled my problem.  A couple of clicks later, problem solved, and now I have the experience with this particular issue added to my tech knowledge for the future.
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • As schools around the globe begin to embed the use of technology in their learning environments, these teachers can be left feeling frustrated and marginalized by the new tools they are required to use but do not understand.
  • "Why would I try this when I've been doing just fine without it all these years?"
  • Are there any tips that you have for helping teachers in your school who struggle with technology? If you're a teacher still trying to master technology, how have others helped you?
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 11 Jun 14
       
      This is interesting and I am trying to figure out why this was their initial focus. Mind mapping is, of course, essential to students mvoing the random bit of info from the biological computer to something more tangible, like an essay. But it seems an odd place to start for teachers who can't "create a powerpoint". The general point of this bullet is a great place to start, tech team, but it seems such a weird place to set their focus. Not sure where I would start, if I were in their shoes, but I wish they had explained that point more.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 12 Jun 14
       
      Ben, Excellent observation! I don't know why they would start there either. I would probably start with the basics and make sure everyone knew how they work and then start branching out to Mind maps and other such tools. Thanks for catching that.
  • While I'm talking about PD, all educators know that extra time for PD is scarce throughout the day. I've had amazing administrators that carved out dedicated time for tech PD
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 11 Jun 14
       
      This cannot be over looked, though it seems it is the first of the "changes" tossed out. "We can't change the schedule". "We can't sacrifice XYZ". My school has 1 advisory period a day, no study hall and only 6 minutes between bells. They advocate bell to bell instruction (work time included). All this leaves no real time for PLC or PD within school hours. What do your schools do and how did they accomplish it?
    • vasquezgonzalezv
      vasquezgonzalezv on 12 Jun 14
       
      My district uses early release days for PD.  (Students get early release; teachers get a catered lunch and a relaxed environment training.  I have to say, I really enjoy it, and if I were making the decisions about how to do this, it's probably what I'd do.  They also offer after school trainings on technology, but they are having a difficult time getting teachers to participate.  
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 12 Jun 14
       
      Food always works to draw people into almost everything. Do you have to go longer in the school year to accommodate for the early releases?
  • We focused primarily on mind mapping ideas and helping teachers slowly introduce technology into their classes.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 12 Jun 14
       
      Ben, Like I said before I teach in Higher Ed so our policies are somewhat different, but mainly here is how it goes: if it is not mandatory instructors are not going. When it is mandatory it is done when students are not in school, the day before they come back, the day after they leave etc..
  • Lucretia Human on 09 Jun 14
     
    Tips to help us as Ed Techs help those not so tech savvy teachers
  • ...1 more comment...
  • Lucretia Human on 09 Jun 14
     
    Great ideas to help teachers use technology in their classrooms!
  • kdauphiney on 22 Jun 14
     
    Many veteran teachers that have been in the classroom long before widespread technology are slow to embrace a method of teaching that they were never taught in their preparation as teachers. I think because the archaic way of instruction relied heavily on effort from the learner to "sit and get" rather than effort from the teacher to "flex and adapt" to the learner. Once they see education as a ever changing spectrum that has no definite end, only then can they embraced that teacher training does not start and stop with the college classes that comprise one's degree and certificate.
  • rcepeda610 on 06 Jul 14
     
    In my very recent experiences, technology is fun, quick but not so easy at first. I must say it is very time consuming and a bit overwhelming when the gremlins, like Dr. Butler likes to call them, are up to no good. It can be very frustrating if you can't upload, download, convert a file, etc. I am very excited to all the exposure I have had in the past few weeks. The tools we have seen in the course are pretty cool and most importantly I think once I am able to navigate through them with ease, the students will be excited to see and use them in the classroom.
Fred Kaplan

Sugata Mitra shows how kids teach themselves | Video on TED.com - 0 views

www.ted.com/...how_kids_teach_themselves.html

pedagogy computer education technology

shared by Fred Kaplan on 23 Sep 10 - Cached
  • Fred Kaplan on 23 Sep 10
     
    Video detailing the results of a 5-year 'hole in the wall' experiment whereby a single computer was placed inside a wall, within a rural town where there was zero computer literacy. Documents results of the experiment, and how children taught each other NOT ONLY how to use computers, but how to speak (some) English, as well.
noramedrano

Best content in technology in education PK-20 | Diigo - Groups - 11 views

www.edutopia.org/...nternet-research-cathy-knutson

education technology classroom teaching computer google

shared by noramedrano on 11 Jun 14 - No Cached
  • Preventing Summer Slide: Why Not Try Internet Research?
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 11 Jun 14
       
      How can you use the internet to avoid pitfalls for students during summer?
    • hillaryparrish
      hillaryparrish on 11 Jun 14
       
      This is difficult to answer as a teacher. Unless a student is in a program that requires them to do certain projects over the summer, we can encourage, we can show them the way, but ultimately the student or the parents are in charge once students leave for the summer. As the article mentioned, research is a good way to avoid pitfalls. In the summer, it is up to the student to be self motivated or up to the parent to motivate them in some way. I like the idea of research during the summer because not only are they answering questions they may have had, but they are also reading. Children really need to keep reading during the summer. I love the idea of having students create the map. I realize that this lesson is about the internet, but I would strongly suggest having the student map the trip on both Google Maps and a real map. What if the internet goes down? You never know. Both skills are good skills.
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 13 Jun 14
       
      Hillary, I agree. We should always have plan B, and allowing the child to use both ways to map a trip will not hurt them. I believe that parents like you say are the ones to motivate the student once they leave school. In the district that I work at, we are having a summer slide program. It is a little different because instead of researching they read book and test (AR). They are using the Internet to test because they are able to do it form home. I like this idea of summer slide programs.
  • Does this website answer my specific question? How do a variety of websites answer the same question? (We are comparing and contrasting without the Venn diagram!) Are all web resources equal and accurate, and if not, how can I tell?
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 11 Jun 14
       
      The highlighted area is important because when we research anything on the web it is important to follow these search results.
    • hillaryparrish
      hillaryparrish on 11 Jun 14
       
      I agree. These questions as well as others such as, "When was the last time this website was updated?" help a person know whether the site is real or not. This makes me think of the first time I came across a story by the site, The Onion. I kept thinking how it looked legitimate, but did not sound legitimate. This probably makes me sound pretty unintelligent, but many students believe whatever they read on the internet. There needs to be a thought process that students go through that helps them compare and contrast the different aspects of the site to a real site, and these questions help them do that. It is great learning experience, and would be an excellent activity for the summer.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 12 Jun 14
       
      Nora, This reminds me of the AllState commerical with the girl waiting outside for a guy who she met on the Internet. She tells the AllState guy about some other insuracne company and adds, It is on the Interneet so it must be true." Her date walks up and is very very unappealing and definitely not a French model. Our students believe if it is on TV or the Internet then it is the truth. That is why commericals has such a huge impact on our students. As for the Internet, ther should be a much needed simply way for students to really check the creditability of a source. Wow sounds like a new apps to me.
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 13 Jun 14
       
      Hillary, YES!!!! (caps because I agree 100%) Students at times are gullible and they will believe anything they read online and what people say. It is important to teach children that another importance or safety of online researching is how reliable the source is. That is a great idea that I had not thought about.
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 13 Jun 14
       
      Lucretia, I have seen this commercial and it is funny. Commercials are powerful because they make a child want the product and ask their parents. The greatness of commercials. are we on to something here?
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • How to Engage Children in Research at Home
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 11 Jun 14
       
      The following are some examples on how parents can engage students via internet usage. 
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 12 Jun 14
       
      When I was researching trying to find an article for this discussion, I ran across an article that had 7 apps for summer adventures for kids. The article had apps from birding guides to how to tie knots and some pretty cool stuff inbetween. Check out the website http://www.edutopia.org/blog/ipad-apps-for-outdoor-adventures-monica-burns
  • The ability for children to ask and answer their own questions is one of the most fundamental learning objectives for life. This informal research, with children seeking to answer their own questions, is engaging, motivating and empowering. A cyclic pattern of research is established -- curiosity leading to research and back again to curiosity and follow-up questions.
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 11 Jun 14
       
      Children are not always engaged and are usually only interested in what they are curious about. Why not allow that curiosity to turn into research. Allowing the students to use the internet is fun and they will be learning at the same time. 
    • hillaryparrish
      hillaryparrish on 11 Jun 14
       
      Children are definitely curious. I find that my own children ask me so many questions that I do not know the answer to. I am constantly saying, "Google it." At first, they were scared to use the computer to Google anything. However, once they realized that you type it in and it will give you answer. Sometimes the answer is what you are looking for and sometimes it is not, they were ok. It is funny when they are looking something up and I hear, "Mom, this doesn't make any sense for what I am asking." It is a learning moment that maybe you cannot type it into the computer exactly how you would speak it. I agree that allowing students to use the computer is fun and they are learning. Students are empowered when they can answer their own questions and contribute to conversations. Last year, I had one student that had listened to countless Ted Talks. As a result, he could discuss topics that many other students had never heard of.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 12 Jun 14
       
      Nora, It is true that the Internet brings information right to us in a flash. The hard part about that is getting our students to take that information and apply it to the particular problem they are trying to solve or simply retaining the information they have Goggled. That is where good teachers come in. For most of our students using the computer, Smartphone or tablet is as second nature as walking, but to getting them to incorporate that tool into critcal thinking, solving problems and engagement has to be done by well trained and dedicted teachers.
  • noramedrano on 11 Jun 14
     
    This article will allow parents to be aware of activities to engage students during summer time in order not to fall into pitfalls.
juancalvarez

A Web 2.0 Class: Students Learn 21st Century Skills, Collaboration, and Digital Citizen... - 9 views

www.edutopia.org/...laboration-digital-citizenship

web2.0 collaboration digital_citizenship technology education

shared by juancalvarez on 16 Jul 15 - No Cached
  • The students in all three of these classes have never met in person; however, they have all connected via Skype and their class blogs. They have also had many professionals come and speak to them via Skype.
    • juancalvarez
      juancalvarez on 16 Jul 15
       
      Using Skype to bring professionals to the classroom allows for important connections and knowledge. Do you think that companies would allow their employees to Skype and give speeches about their field?
  • "You have to adapt to the world around you or progress can never happen. That is the ultimate goal of education, right? Progress. Continuous progress."
    • juancalvarez
      juancalvarez on 16 Jul 15
       
      Adaptation is what humans have done since inventing the first tool, since inventing the wheel. We pass that knowledge to the next generation who in time develop better ways to adapt to their environment.
  • Principal Patrick Larkin comments, "I am amazed at how little the students actually know about connecting with others for educational purposes. They use social networking solely for socializing. It has been great to see the lightbulb start to go on in regards to them seeing these tools as a resource."
    • juancalvarez
      juancalvarez on 16 Jul 15
       
      It is a fact that most students use communication tools just for social interaction and not for educational purposes. Most students, even 4 year olds, will know how to turn on the phone, tablet or iPad and go through the steps to play the games they like or type something to someone, but that doesn't mean that the media is being used for education or that the user is tech savvy. What do you think?
  • asuarez1 on 16 Jul 15
     
    I agree that because a student knows how to play games on a tablet, does not mean that he/she knows how to use it at a learning tool. Using Skype or other tools to integrate technology into the learning process is taking it to another level. It is great that students are learning how to collaborate with others for something more than socializing. Safety is such a big issue for me, but in the classroom, we can use these connectivity capabilities in order to expand the learning. Although many teachers fear this, it is great when one person is not the entire knowledge base in the classroom. Lets show our students how to search safely, and how to integrate the knowledge into their lives and give it purpose!
  • ...9 more comments...
  • bhanak on 16 Jul 15
     
    I think that providing a "flat classroom" gives the learners of the 21st century a better outlook of what the internet and "connecting" looks like outside of social purposes. This helps set the students up for more success as the move into higher education and into their careers. Having these skills will be extremely beneficial for the students in the future. Skype for learn purposes has come a long way in the past years. Similar to virtual field trips, a presenter through Skype is bringing opportunities to students that is cost effective and influential for students. I think companies are more willing to allow their employee to visit through Skype than in person. It also allows the ability to meet with others that are not in the immediate area to connect.
  • juancalvarez on 16 Jul 15
     
    Ana Suarez: You are totally right, safety is the most important. In fact, at the beginning of the year what I say to my new students' parents is, before learning, safety first. I thought that the best way to ensure that students stay on task is for them to record their Skype educational interactions. Skype doesn't have a tool to record, but there are software like SuperTintin Skype Recorder that is used by many people. Download.com is a rating website I have known for almost 20 years, and they rate it with 4 stars. http://download.cnet.com/SuperTintin-Skype-Recorder/3000-2150_4-10656468.html This is the direct link to it http://www.supertintin.com/ It is true that teachers fear not being the knowledge center, but I think this is because students value more a teacher when they see him/her as someone they can look for explanations, solutions, and knowledge. Still, we have to evolve and let the students interact and discover the world too.
  • juancalvarez on 16 Jul 15
     
    Brandy Hanak: You are right, these tools will be very important for the students' to identify and learn that they can be used for professional purposes and not just for socializing. You mention a very important point. Skype allows students to connect with people that are far and could be impossible for them to come. The cost for a face to face presentation is so high that most companies do not invest in it. Being able to present at a distant opens doors to benefit everyone.
  • summerloeffler on 17 Jul 15
     
    I was thinking about all the various uses of video web 2.0 technologies that is used for e-learning. While I recognize that Skype is an excellent way for students to "interact" and learn together- I am aware that Skype doesn't allow more than 10 students to meet at once. I recognize that this article was written in 2010 and I know that there is a great improvement and more video web 2.0 tech/apps out there that allows for virtual collaborative learning beyond a one-to-one interaction. We have Blackboard Collaborate, Fuze Meeting, appear.in, Google HangOut, and many more that does give more of a "classroom" feel. Incidental learning is also very important (students to get more than just one opinion, but comments, backgrounds, reactions from rest of their peers.) Hmm. just my thoughts :)
  • juanrubenromero on 17 Jul 15
     
    Skype would definitely be a great way to get professionals to "come" and talk to students. I don't see why employers would have a problem with this, they already allow employees to attend the in person career days. This would be a great idea for those employers that are not in the area. I can see this being a great tool for science and technology, to get professionals from the fields to give workshops to students. This is one of things I tell my students. They may know how to use their devices for socializing or gaming, but they have no idea how to use them for educational purposes. With how technologically advanced we are, you'd think students would know how to use their resources. The biggest downfall of students not knowing how to use their technology as an educational resource, tells me that they do now know how to use it to problem solve. I think this is where our focus needs to be with our students. Ensuring that the technology we use in our classroom is not something just for fun, but a tool that we are going to teach to them to use to problem solve. And problem solving can mean finding answers, collaborating, communicating, etc. I like what they talk about at the end of the article about digital citizenship. It is obvious that students are not aware of how to behave and the consequences of their posts on social media. I tell them once you post it on the net it is out there forever. Not only that but with the rise of Snapchat, teachers are becoming targets of video capture and without notice a video of them is up on social media. Students definitely need a course in high school relating to digital citizenship. Great article!
  • juancalvarez on 17 Jul 15
     
    Summer, I think you right, there are other collaborative learning applications that have been developed but we also have to consider that we don't always need the capabilities of a BB and sometimes teams just need to talk. Skype is a technology that can be used in any electronic device with not to many computer resources. Students' home computers or phone does not always have the applications to run some programs or the internet connection. I have found Skype to be really easy and most people know it. It is just one more application to consider. Plus, we need media specialist that can show and teach the new resources.
  • juancalvarez on 17 Jul 15
     
    Juan, as you say, we have to teach our students to use technology to find solutions, collaborate and have better communication. Students need to learn to use technology to become better at what they like to do.
  • candacejames07 on 17 Jul 15
     
    When I read the through comments you posted Juan about this article I was reminded of this article from Dr. Corbeil's blog. http://edtc.blogspot.com/2015/06/does-not-compute-millennials-arent-tech.html. The article talks about how students use technology all the time, but lack problem solving skills and completing educational based task using technology. Skype is great tool and can be used to reach people that specialist in many different fields including writers, scientist, and business people. We have to embrace technology and learn how to help our students use the social networking to benefit their education and develop problem solving skills.
  • Marie Evans on 18 Jul 15
     
    With today's technology this is a great instructional opportunity! Research shows and teachers know that students learn best from each other! Getting another perspective from a different area of the country/world provides extended learning opportunities that are boundless!
  • bradlampton on 18 Jul 15
     
    This makes perfect sense. This is how students communicate. This is how global multinationals communicate albeit with a business platform like Share point. Learning is supposed to be relevant and authentic. One way to achieve this is by giving students real world tools to accomplish learning objectives and promote collaboration. Share point provides Web 2.0 tools for wikis, blogs, and discussion threads.
  • Joanna Villarreal on 19 Jul 15
     
    Juan, great article. Just because a student, or anyone for that matter, is able to turn on devices doesn't make him/her "tech savy." I agree with Ms. Evans on how students learn best from each other. Take for instance this weeks Diggo assignment. We have to read and comment on classmates posts. Well, I admit sometimes the article it makes even more sense after reading the feedback in the comment section of the article or my classmates comments here on Diggo.
Charles Rich

PortableApps.com - Portable software for USB drives - 0 views

portableapps.com

portable USB flash windows

shared by Charles Rich on 14 Jun 09 - Cached
  • Charles Rich on 14 Jun 09
     
    Have you ever used someone else's computer and wished that they had your favorite application, like Firefox web browser or VLC media player? Now you can carry compressed versions of dozens of useful programs on your flash drive and use them on any Windows computer without having to install them first.
mmcavazos

Integrating Tech: More Than Just Having Computers - 9 views

diigo.com/07bbg0

Technology education classroom web2.0 teaching computer Discussion share

shared by mmcavazos on 06 Feb 15 - No Cached
  • mmcavazos on 06 Feb 15
     
    This is an awesome article about just some different tips to integrate technology in the classroom slowly. What are your thoughts and how do you integrate technology into the classroom ?
  • ...2 more comments...
  • kjsanders on 07 Feb 15
     
    This is a great article. All the sites will help keep my eleven-year-old busy. Technology is an everyday part of my home schooler's life, but she get tired of the same old sites. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of options, but this list will save time finding some that are worth while.
  • tvisco on 07 Feb 15
     
    I love the ideas in this article. Thanks for sharing. I took a class a few years ago where each student was assigned a date to bring in a news article relevant to the class topic. Only one student brought in a newspaper clipping - the rest brought in videos from TedTalks and Youtube to share. These current events warmups and subsequent discussion were the best part of the class.
  • emrodriguez on 09 Feb 15
     
    I think this article provides good ways to get teachers used to incorporating technology into their classroom. If they are to technology themselves, the article offers tips and even websites that the teacher can use in class. I am not a teacher, but can appreciate the positive impact that technology can have on the classroom. I like the idea of a teacher visiting "Today in Science History" website and just providing his/her students information on what's going on in the world regarding science. This article would make a useful read for a teacher who wants to integrate technology into their instruction.
  • Rosalyn Martinez on 09 Feb 15
     
    Thank you for sharing this article. What a wonderful resource! It's a great way to get teachers to warm up to technology. It's a nice, slow start. I am going to share the article with my colleagues and hope that they try at least 2 of the suggestions offered. Teachers need to realize that technology is a tool that not only helps and engages students, but it can help them with lesson planning, teaching and much more. It most definitely fosters learning in today's technologically savvy students.
Fred Kaplan

How Not to Use Computers to Teach Kids : Stager-to-Go - 0 views

stager.tv/blog

computer classroom pedagogy lesson plan howto

shared by Fred Kaplan on 18 Aug 10 - Cached
  • Fred Kaplan on 18 Aug 10
     
    This presentation is VERY biased and VERY flawed and VERY laden with personal (irrelevant) commentary on the part of the presenter (Dr. Harvey). That said, his points on the lesson plan, and the electronic tools used, and the lack of communication between the teacher and the tech lab manager are spot-on.
Merrill Redfern

How Technology Trends Have Influenced the Classroom | MindShift - 8 views

blogs.kqed.org/...-inflitrated-change-classrooms

shared by Merrill Redfern on 26 Mar 14 - No Cached
  • let’s examine which features of society (and media) have changed and then consider what we can do in education to use it as an advantage for learning.
    • Merrill Redfern
      Merrill Redfern on 26 Mar 14
       
      I like the author's approach to this article. Bringing the two worlds together (society and education) with a commonality is an example of thinking forward.
  • As students, we learned to play the game of “know your audience” when it came to writing a paper for a certain professor. Our purpose was writing for writing’s sake. Now we no longer have to limit ourselves to one recipient. Our students have access to a global audience and don’t have to write just to please one teacher. They can write based on what they see and believe to be true.
  • One of the greatest challenges to the classrooms of today is mobile technology. Do we fund a 1:1 program? Allow a Bring Your Own Device policy? Won’t this just add the distraction of the outside world into a classroom?
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 28 Mar 14
       
      As a parent, I would not oppose for my daughter to take her tablet to school. She carrys her tablet everywhere and is always reading. This has helped increase her reading skills. I am not saying this works with every child but its time we left the "seat time" concept behind.
    • Merrill Redfern
      Merrill Redfern on 29 Mar 14
       
      Jose - I agree. My 10 year old daughter also carries an Ipad around with her. I would not be against a "bring your own device" policy to school if the proper policies and procedures were in place, even for the elementary level. In a lot of cases, bringing in the outside world into education could be of significant benefit. While working with our school Ipads yesterday, I took a poll in two of my kinder classes on who had some kind of tech device at home (not mom or dads, but their own). More than 1/2 the class raised their hands and proved their skills with a library Ipad. The poll provoked some thought, it is more important than ever to provide 21st Century learning opportunities for the younger grade levels as well.
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 30 Mar 14
       
      At first, I had mixed feelings about the "bring your own device" concept until I started learning how to use a digital device in a classroom with the help of my EDTC graduate courses. I had an old school mentality until last semester when my flip phone gave up and I made the transition to a smart phone. This transition made me realize it was time to allow technology in the classroom.
    • Olivia Basham
      Olivia Basham on 31 Mar 14
       
      While I find 1:1 policies laughable (I have yet to see a school district not lose millions of dollars on these kinds of programs), I think that BYOT policies are great, as long as the teacher has some technology (I have a set of netbooks) that students who are without their own device can use. I DO think this brings the outside world into the classroom, but I also think that this is a good thing. And those teachers who find the outside world to be a distraction can still use technology; they just need to use closed systems like Edmodo.
    • Don Martin
      Don Martin on 20 Apr 14
       
      While my students are older than what we are typically talking about here I have tried to incorporate the use of personal electronic devices in the classroom for some time now. For example, I have on occasion sent my students on an internet scavenger hunt for items or information related to the content of lecture. One of the impediments to using personal electronic devices is the disparity of quality and capability based upon cost. To get around that I try to have the students work in groups using whatever devices they have available to them in their respective groups. This also creates an opportunity for collaboration.
  • Araceli Gracia on 27 Mar 14
     
    Merrill, I like the idea of Flipped Teaching, where lessons are recorded and then viewed later in the classroom. I am not sure how I would feel hearing myself give the lesson, but the kids would love it. I am sure my students get tired of hearing me give a lesson, but if I was recorded, they would possibly be more engaged with the lesson simply because I am on the computer. It is very noticeable when we do online activites, compared to just lecture, that they are more attentive. As far as the 1:1 program, I teach 3rd grade, so our district does not "allow" that type of technology in the classroom. Students bring cell phones anyways, but to use them in the classroom is not ok. Budget is always a concern on my campus, so we do not have enough technology, such as kindles and iPads, for every student. We can request them ahead of time, but that is only for the day. I can understand how it may be a distraction in the classroom, like being on other programs or texting with others. However, for the most part, students would do what the lesson call for. They would much rather do the lesson on their phone, kindle, iPad, etc, than on paper. http://www.usnews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2011/07/14/study-emerging-technology-has-positive-impact-in-classroom
  • ...1 more comment...
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 28 Mar 14
     
    I teach math, and although I don't flip my classes, I provide videos or links to videos for my students to watch at home. Videos have been a good resource for my students, especially those who miss class. My favorite sites for finding videos are Kahn Academy and LearnZillion. https://www.khanacademy.org http://learnzillion.com My school has also banned student devices due to the misuse of them in school. I find it frustrating and would love to hear how other schools have handled students using their own devices to school.
  • eeverett3 on 30 Mar 14
     
    The reason I like videos and links is so that students have access to the learning when they decide to learn it! I see way to many high school students wasting their class time and hope that they have the video or link listed somewhere when they finally see that the lesson was important not...that being said, it is crucial that the lessons we are tying to teach are important! Real world applications again...not just tests.
  • Jeff Blackman on 14 Apr 14
     
    I come from a corporate perspective and would definitely like to bring more of these types of concepts to the adult "classroom" or training situation. I think kids "get it" more, though. I notice that the adults all around our company still have trouble with just basic computing skills. So, while I'd love to adopt more mobile type learning, I wonder how it would be received. For my kids, I think they'd really accept it because they are so used to all of these devices.
emrodriguez

USING TECHNOLOGY TO PERSONALIZE LEARNING IN MATH EDUCATION - 5 views

www.seenmagazine.us/...earning-in-math-education.aspx

Technology education math learning computer web2.0

shared by emrodriguez on 28 Feb 15 - No Cached
  • Challenge One One of the most common challenges math teachers face is having a classroom full of students with varying levels of comprehension
  • Solution A:
  • Solution B
  • ...16 more annotations...
  • Challenge Two Another common challenge facing teachers, especially given the pressures of high stakes testing and large class sizes, is keeping track of each student’s areas for growth. Once again, when leveraged appropriately, math technology can support targeted and personalized instruction by enhancing a teacher’s ability to keep track of student achievement data.
  • Solution A:
  • Solution B:
  • Challenge Three The final challenge we are going to explore is absent students and teachers. When a student is absent it is very difficult to find the time to catch them up on the material they have missed. Leveraging math education technology in this instance is ideal.
  • Solution A:
  • Solution B:
    • emrodriguez
      emrodriguez on 28 Feb 15
       
      I have to agree with the fact that there will always be varying levels of comprehension and teachers must find ways to reach all students. Technology can be used to split the classroom so that those students who are behind can self pace. Technology can also be used to keep students active for those who are advancing quickly.
    • emrodriguez
      emrodriguez on 28 Feb 15
       
      Another challenge that teachers face is keeping track of each student's individual progress. Software programs can keep track of each student's progress so that the teacher can review. With this information, teachers can intervene and help students with the particular part of math they're falling behind on.
    • emrodriguez
      emrodriguez on 28 Feb 15
       
      Since it is almost for sure that either students or teachers will be absent, technology can be implemented to help instruction on these particular days. Tech can be set up so that students know what to review for the day when the teacher is out. If students are absent, the teacher can use technology to send the material through email or web 2.0 services so that students don't fall behind.
  • Solution B:
  • Solution A:
  • Solution A:
  • Solution A
  • Login Facebook Subscribe Tablet Version Blogging Newsletter Video Gallery Photo Gallery &nbsp; Issue 16.3 | Winter 2014 Southeast Education Network Current Issue Issue Archives Subscriptions Our Mission: to reinvigorate the spirit of American education Published By Other Publications: Carolina Fire Rescue EMS Journal The Griffon 108 Our Mission: to reinvigorate the spirit of American education Home Issues Current Issue Articles Archives Article Categories Resources Industry Links Advertiser Links Buyer's Guide Book Reviews Conferences Special Features Company Profiles Product Reviews Health &amp; Wellness Education Travel Job Board Contact Us General Information Advertise About SEEN Our Mission Testimonials <div id=
  • Solution B
  • Solution A
  • emrodriguez on 28 Feb 15
     
    This article is about using technology in the classroom to supplement instruction in the field of mathematics. It describes common challenges that math teachers face and solutions that can be taken to resolve these problems using technology.
  • ...3 more comments...
  • emrodriguez on 28 Feb 15
     
    This is a great article about implementing technology into a math classroom to resolve the common challenges of these particular educators. From a student's perspective, I wish these tactics would've been around when I was taking math classes.
  • Rosalyn Martinez on 04 Mar 15
     
    Great work, Emmanuel! I truly enjoyed the article. It was nice to read that there are easy solutions to 3 of the most challenges educators face daily. I liked the idea offered in Solution A to Challenge #1 - split the class into 2 groups. One meets with the teacher for direct instruction while the other group works on math activities on a device. It was also nice to know that there is software out there to keep track of data for the teacher. More importantly, I was pleased to read that there are technology programs available to students/ teachers who are absent. These programs help students learn lessons they have missed so long as they have internet access. The programs also help teachers when they are absent. Students are familiar with the programs and can use them and continue to learn when the teacher is out.
  • emrodriguez on 08 Mar 15
     
    Thanks, Rosalyn! I enjoyed the article as well. I like how all of the problems are realistic while the solutions are simplistic. I would have never thought to have students that are behind to watch math videos to catch up while the others receive direct instruction. I too thought it was convenient to have software available for students to work on when teachers are absent. Most days that teachers are absent, students lose on instruction. By having this technology in place, students could use the technology to catch up while the teacher is out or use the day to get ahead on lessons. Thanks for the response, Rosalyn.
  • tvisco on 15 Mar 15
     
    Great article - and not just for math teachers. It really spells out the three basic teaching challenges of modern classrooms. I like that that article values teaching kids how to learn independently as a skill in and of itself. I have a teacher friend who explained to me that when she used the term "independent learning" with her 7th graders they didn't know what she was talking about until she explained it to them. They were also confused by the idea of following their own interests in learning when given the chance rather than being told what to learn. They're getting it now and some, especially in her accelerated classes, love doing it!
  • emrodriguez on 15 Mar 15
     
    @ Tammy Visco. I too enjoy the aspect that students get the opportunity get the chance to learn independently whether the teacher is out or they are working on computer modules. I think the ability to learn independently is a great asset to have because it builds upon your motivation and will to want to learn without having someone tell you learn. It's similar to our educational technology degree because we are given the necessary guidance to do what we have to and we take it from there. While the article does use a math classroom as reference, I believe that the principles are universal. If a teacher is out, students can work on modules. If particular students are falling behind, they can work on modules to catch up. Just a great article and I'm glad I came across it.
marie_lara

Digital pedagogy brings technology to the classroom - 2 views

manitoumessenger.com/...gs-technology-to-the-classroom

Technology education classroom teaching web2.0 computer Discussion share pedagogy

shared by marie_lara on 09 Mar 15 - No Cached
  • marie_lara on 09 Mar 15
     
    As technology continues to improve and spread, it is only natural for it to arrive in the classroom. As computers, tablets and smartphones become more readily available, it is becoming easier and easier for students to use the Internet and to communicate with the world, especially through social media sites such as Facebook, Vine and Twitter.
Araceli Gracia

Using Google Glass to Transform Education - 3 views

teach.com/...e-glass-to-transform-education

education technology classroom teaching computer

shared by Araceli Gracia on 02 Mar 14 - No Cached
    • Araceli Gracia
      Araceli Gracia on 02 Mar 14
       
      Perhaps Google Glass could also be used for students who can not go to school due to major injuries.
    • eeverett3
      eeverett3 on 03 Mar 14
       
      Google Glass is here, whether we like it or not! So our best course of action is to use the technology to our best advantage. I am a worrier, and I work in a high school, so in addition to the privacy issues, I worry about the distraction factor of students having all that access to IM etc. while they should be learning...however, that is a student choice! On the privacy issue, we already have students videotaping everything that ever happens (staged sometimes) and uploading to YouTube so we have to watch the internet sites constantly. I personally do not want people around me to video what I am doing and saying without my consent. Another area of technology outdistancing privacy laws. In the world of education, Glass will definitely make things faster and easier to record and upload. Some of the examples that have been given are great and we already have the technology to do this but not ready to go on a voice command...so that will be an advantage. I really like the teacher created examples at STEMbite... https://www.youtube.com/user/STEMbite A Glass user was at the ISTE conference in San Antonio last year and joked about the personal hazards of wearing Google Glass and having to focus on content and walking at the same time to avoid running into things. If everyone is about to look up how/where to get one, here is a Nov 2013 article on release dates and some changes that Google made becuase of privacy issues. http://www.techradar.com/us/news/video/google-glass-what-you-need-to-know-1078114/1
    • Araceli Gracia
      Araceli Gracia on 04 Mar 14
       
      I would probably get motion sickness wearing the glasses and bump into a few walls. I'm sure over time though, people get used to them and grow to love them. The STEMbite site had great examples of what it is to experience Google glass. Thanks for sharing.
    • Don Martin
      Don Martin on 04 Mar 14
       
      Google Glass is an interesting technology system. I was especially intrigued by the idea that a teacher could go to a remote location and present their class information from that place. I could see this advantage being used in all kinds of applications. I could have used this in my classroom to go into the operating room and discuss surgical procedures with my students as they occurred. It would have been great to be able to get feedback from the surgeon on students questions and to be able to talk about small details of anatomy and the steps of the procedures as they happened.
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 05 Mar 14
       
      How many times have we heard a teacher tell us, "I wish you guys were at the conference"? Well, Google Glass can alleviate that barrier. I understand sometimes presenters do not like to be recorded due to privacy or monetary issues but prior coordination with the presenter will allow students the opportunity to hear the presentation firsthand.
    • Merrill Redfern
      Merrill Redfern on 06 Mar 14
       
      What a very interesting and fascinating technology. The first thing that I thought of when I read through the description of Google Glass is how this technology could be used in a library setting. Libraries are not really known for their technology however, I believe, efforts are being made within many districts in moving forward into the digital age especially when they are faced with the inevitable. This article lists 7 ways Google Glass can be used in a Library setting. http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/6-things-libraries-can-do-with-google-glass/ I found number 7 especially interesting in that Google Glass has Voice Translation capability. Our school has recently enrolled three children who speak only Arabic and this type of technology would be very beneficial to them as they learn English. In addition and more fascinating, the article states there is talk regarding apps that will allow two people both wearing the Glass that can view the translations on their own screen.
    • eeverett3
      eeverett3 on 06 Mar 14
       
      Great points! I had not really thought about the adaptive technology uses for special education students. Thanks!
    • Araceli Gracia
      Araceli Gracia on 06 Mar 14
       
      Using Google Glass in the library setting is awesome. I liked number 2 because many times we do have special events going on in the library and it is just impossible for every classes to participate. For example, we had a Dr. Seuss celebration with guest readers from Target. They were dressed up and reading to the students, but not everyone was able to go. Using Google Glass would have allowed more students to be part of the fun.
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 10 Mar 14
       
      The military is rolling out an equivalent protype of Google Glass for its Special Forces units in order to provide better situational awareness in a combat environment.
    • Araceli Gracia
      Araceli Gracia on 12 Mar 14
       
      Jose, I can only imagine what an advantage this would be. I didn't even think about how it could help the military. Thanks for making that point.
  • Araceli Gracia on 02 Mar 14
     
    One of the goals is to have students become 21st century learners. This type of technology will help this happen and also be a way of creating Professional Learning Communities. Below is a short video from a teacher's perspective of Google Glass. http://binged.it/1cvMKqT
  • ...5 more comments...
  • lbanuelos on 03 Mar 14
     
    Google Glass could indeed transform education in time. I don't think it's quite there yet. Once more apps are added and concerns over privacy are addressed, I feel that it can change how we communicate and learn. For example, in math students could record how they solve a particular problem is solved and then share that with struggling peers. Students would then become co-teachers. Here are a couple of sites that I found interesting on the topic. https://plus.google.com/communities/110296377171353281556 http://www.edutopia.org/blog/future-education-through-google-glass-andrew-marcinek
  • Araceli Gracia on 04 Mar 14
     
    I have to agree that privacy is the biggest issue with Google Glass but then again what really is private. Hackers are out there getting our personal information from credit cards. Everything can be recorded by cell phones at anytime. This is an issue that Google is aware of and no doubt working to improve this concern.
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 05 Mar 14
     
    Wow! After reading all the links and information on Google Glass, I am impressed. The first-person perspective gives students the opportunity to live in the shoes of others. What a great way to build empathy among students within the classroom and across the globe.
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 05 Mar 14
     
    This following link provides a graphic for 30 Ways Google Glass can Innovate the Classroom: http://mashable.com/2013/08/19/google-glass-education/ One that stood out to me was using Google Glass for facial recognition to help teachers identify students. Making connections with our audience and students is very important. At Scott Lane Elementary School in Santa Clara, California, a principal hung pictures with names of a group of kindergartners so teachers could greet them by name. After 1000 days, the reading level of 97% of these students increased. (Burmark, 2011) As a middle school teacher, I can have up to 140 students in a day. Google Glass could help me identify students thus making faster and better connections with the students and improving overall learning. Burmark, L. (2011). They snooze, you lose. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  • Araceli Gracia on 09 Mar 14
     
    Brenda, The link you provided is great. It is very easy to follow and understand the many ways Google Glass can be used in the classroom. I like how it could provide access to students and teachers with visual, auditory, & other physical handicaps. On our campus we have a student who is a home-bound student due to her severe epilepsy. So her parents come to the school, get her work, and then she has to be tutored at home. Using this type of technology would give her the opportunity to be a more active participant in the classroom.
  • lbanuelos on 09 Mar 14
     
    Araceli, as I go through the various articles, I can't help but think about how great it would be having a QR code reader app on Google Glass. Just imagine having the power to look up information on anything on the fly without voice commands or typing. School security could also use them to identify unauthorized individuals on campus. It would make them look more intimidating as well.
  • lbanuelos on 10 Mar 14
     
    Individuals with disabilities could certainly use Google Glass. Here is a video I found interesting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8GVKqGruOQ
Araceli Gracia

What is Google Glass? - 3 views

whatisgoogleglass.com

technology computer

shared by Araceli Gracia on 02 Mar 14 - No Cached
  • Araceli Gracia on 02 Mar 14
     
    This short blog about Google Glass that includes what they are, how much they cost, and how it feels behind the glasses.
Janice Wilson Butler

The Technologists' Siren Song - 3 views

chronicle.com/...145107

technology education classroom teaching computer

shared by Janice Wilson Butler on 20 Mar 14 - No Cached
  • Janice Wilson Butler on 20 Mar 14
     
    Provocative article - worth discussing!
  • ...1 more comment...
  • Eric Folks on 21 Mar 14
     
    When I was younger, I consoled myself with the belief that even though much of life and what was going on in it was beyond me and my control, at least there's someone out there, someone in power and control. As I grew up I came to question the idea that somebody somewhere knew what was going on and had the big picture and all our best interests in mind...I came to realize that society itself was moving faster and faster. But to where? Who's providing direction to this unstoppable (a human idea in and of itself) freight train we call life? This article reminds me that in the area of technology especially, we're in a big hurry to see if we can do something or control something or create something...without taking the time to ask, why should we? Why are we creating this? For what purpose? How will this further our species or quality of life? Take this article I read yesterday. They've created a drone quad copter and quipped it with a 80,000 volt stun gun (1). Brilliant! Have they not seen Terminator? Do they not know we already have military drones flying over US airspace (2)? Do we really want to outfit quad copters with stun guns? Just because we can doesn't mean we should, and that's what scares me about the increasing pervasiveness of technology in our personal lives. It's not just that Google or Apple knows my every move; it's that they sell that information (BIG DATA, BIG DATA!) and supply that information to businesses and governments I don't necessarily trust. Things are getting bigger and faster, and generally speaking from a historical perspective, that's not always a good thing. The more concentrated the power (in this case the data or tech knowhow), the more likely it's applications are to be counter to improving the human condition overall. I'm glad McCray points out the environmental impact all our neat devices have...the superfund sites and rare minerals involved in their production. We need to source our technology like we need to source
  • Jeff Blackman on 28 Mar 14
     
    Wow! Great food for thought. I admit, I tend to be in the "gee whiz" camp when it comes to technology. I get excited with the new products and innovations. McCray makes some great points, though, about the "darker side" of technology. If I really sit and focus on some of these (e.g. discarded technology, all of the data about us going who knows where...), I could really put myself in a funk! Being in the Educational Technology field, I do think it is important to keep this stuff in mind. I want to continually ask "why" about new technologies and not just jump on the bandwagon of what is considered cool.
  • Olivia Basham on 31 Mar 14
     
    While I agree with much of the opinion contained within this article, I had a strong negative reaction to the following sentence: "Unfortunately, the conversation is impoverished by the absence of a robust cadre of scholars who can engage with and critique the role of technology in society." - Ouch! While I am aware that the writer's point was that much of the debate takes place amongst those that promote Silcon Valley, like the editor of Wired, I think this particular assertion fires a shot not only at the readers of the article, but also at the writer himself. The writer bemoans the dearth of white men that dominate the debate whilst ostensibly being one and making me, a white person feel like my contribution to any discussion could be considered less than valuable.
Brenda Wohlfeil

HSLDA | Homeschooling Thru High School : Curriculum - 2 views

www.hslda.org/...curriculum.asp

shared by Brenda Wohlfeil on 07 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 07 Apr 14
     
    I know as teachers we often associate online classes with the public school system. But a market that is growing in online classes is the homeschool market. This webpage gives you an idea of how many online programs already reach the home schooled student. However, According to Brian Ray, PhD, in 2011, there are approximately 2.04 million homeschool students. (https://www.nheri.org/HomeschoolPopulationReport2010.pdf) There is a lot of potential in this market yet for new and engaging classes.
  • Jeff Blackman on 14 Apr 14
     
    This is great to know both as a parent and as a developer/designer of online content. We are strongly considering homeschooling for when my son reaches high school age. My concern is always "what would he be missing?" along with "how are we going to make sure he learns the 'right' things?" Knowing that there is already so much out there (and more to come by the time he'd be ready) is very encouraging. He is already very comfortable on the computer and loves to learn and research with it. I think these types of classes plus involvement in various extracurricular activities like he is now, could be a really great opportunity.
Olivia Basham

Social Networking in Schools - 4 views

www.huffingtonpost.com/...tworking-schools_n_840911.html

education technology classroom teaching computer Web2.0 bullying

shared by Olivia Basham on 08 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • Olivia Basham on 08 Apr 14
     
    No one doubts the value of online collaboration to students and the classroom. However, there is much controversy and debate about how and if social networking is appropriate for the classroom and beyond. Fears about sexual predators and bullying have made educators ask if perhaps the benefits don't outweigh the risk.
  • ...11 more comments...
  • Araceli Gracia on 09 Apr 14
     
    Olivia, I can understand how there would be concerns about online predators and bullying but I think that this is something that could be monitored in a control environment. I realize the situation may not always be ideal but your article explains all the good that can come of online collaboration, such as a decrease in students being absent. Students are already using I pads, kindles, laptops, etc... for other activities, why not encourage that use for something positive that will motivate them in the classroom. I http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2010/05/100-inspiring-ways-to-use-social-media-in-the-classroom/
  • Merrill Redfern on 11 Apr 14
     
    I have a book club that consists of 10 4th grade students. We communicate mostly through Kidblog. We do meet once a week however, the kids love posting on their blog outside of the school's four walls. I love that they are discussing book club topics outside of the classroom. They feel empowered when they have the opportunity to make decisions such as, what avatar to create and how they want their individual blog to appear. I've made our blog a very controlled environment in that it is set as private and password protected, just the members have access. In addition, posts must be approved by me before they go out in our blog world (which consists of the 11 of us, plus our principal). Other than the introduction to Kidblog, I began with an author study by providing links to author interviews via a YouTube channel for the students. We have embedded Google forms in our blog for a quick assessment. Overall, it has been successful and the students are excited and remain engaged with our activities.
  • Merrill Redfern on 11 Apr 14
  • Eric Folks on 11 Apr 14
     
    We've come along way as a district. Into thousand 10 when I arrived teacher to not have the ability to create a folder on the desktop. They have access to basically all sites, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube...and many of them are even active on these sites, uploading and sharing resources with other teachers and students. Here is a link to the guidelines we've established for use of YouTube and Facebook: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BMXrouaj67SFh-BISriU24a59c9mk8-K-9K9qeEEW4E/pub Still, the communication is primarily one-way: teachers disseminate information to their students through social media, but do not collaborate with students in real time, nor do they encourage students to collaborate with each other using social media. That may come down the road. For now, I'm happy we have continued to move away from the top-down control model to the empower the end user and give them the benefit of doubt...we don't want our students leaving a walled garden environment to fall on their face in the real world, where their aren't heavy-handed content filters in place. We need to wean them off being told what to do and educate them to make good decisions. With that in mind we moved in 2012 from an Acceptable Use Policy to a Responsible Use Policy. Here's what the student version looked like (https://www.dropbox.com/s/iwqu8kf9qmvlmuu/2012-2013%20Student%20RUP.pdf) and here's the teacher version (http://www.lampasas.k12.tx.us/files/filesystem/responsible%20use%20policy-employee.pdf). We considered opening up G+ to students as it's part of our GAFE suite of services, but tech tells me if we do, students, even younger ones, will be able to communicate with users outside our sub domain / walled garden. Thoughts? Have you found this to be true in your district? We are also looking at Office 365 and Sharepoint in terms of a training ground for safe student social networking....we will see what it can do in the coming weeks. For now, most of our teachers are comfortable using
  • Olivia Basham on 13 Apr 14
     
    Araceli, I agree that the benefits DO outweigh the risks especially when controls are put into place and certain systems are used. I try to stick to closed systems, but recently I have been hosting all my courses' book discussions via GoodReads.com, which is open. I teach high school students though, so I feel like I have an opportunity to teach intelligent internet use. For example, not only forbidding students from using actual pictures of themselves and never posting their age or location, but also teaching them why those are bad ideas through digital citizenship lessons. I honestly don't know how I would handle social networking with younger students, but I suspect I would stick only to closed systems.
  • Olivia Basham on 13 Apr 14
     
    Eric, Our district has recently decided to open up G+ to our students with good results so far. Because the students are still behind the school district Google web-mail (which provides them a kind-of "dummy" email that can't send or receive messages) their online visibility is very limited and no personal information is shared (as none exists other than their names). However, the program has just launched and many parents have expressed discomfort, especially with elementary and jr. high students. I'm taking a wait and see attitude as far as making any judgements.
  • lbanuelos on 14 Apr 14
     
    With the onset of Web 2.0 tools, collaboration between students and teachers is easier than ever before. I agree with Araceli that the risks far outweigh the risks. With apps like slideshare, slidebomb, google drive, and dropbox, students are encourage to provide feedback to fellow students with leads to increase confidence. http://www.edutopia.org/stw-collaborative-learning-college-prep
  • Jeff Blackman on 14 Apr 14
     
    As a parent, it would have to be REALLY controlled and closed for me to let my kids use it. I am appalled at some of the things I see kids posting on Facebook and other social media. Obviously, as someone in the EdTech program, I am seeing a lot of awesome ways to use technology. So, while not dead set against social media in the classroom, I would need to know what safeguards were in place and I would still be watching like a hawk.
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 17 Apr 14
     
    We have banned social networking in school except using Edmodo, which the teachers can monitor. Our school has problems with social networking without even having it in the school! Parents feel it is the school's issue because problems are occurring between students, even though it is occurring outside of school. In my honest opinion, parents need to be better educated about social networking and take responsibility for their own children. As a parent of a child who did not use social media well, I know it is tough to restrict internet/website usage. But it is possible and needed.
  • Don Martin on 20 Apr 14
     
    Olivia, I don't see any reason that we couldn't incorporate the use of social media within the closed classroom environment. There must be many opportunities for collaboration, communication and scaffolding using social media in a controlled and safe environment. There are also many social networking sites that are designed specifically with kids in mind. Among them are: 1. Scuttlepad (2010) Age 7+ Social network with training wheels is safe but limited. 2. Togetherville (2010) Age 7+ Kids' social site connects to parents' Facebook friends. 3. WhatsWhat.me (2011) Age7+ Tween social network with top-notch safety features. 4. YourSphere (2009) Age 9+ Kid-only social network promises to block dangerous adults. 5. Franktown Rocks (2009) Age 10+ Music and social networking combine in safe, cool hangout. 6. GiantHello (2010) Age 10+ Facebook-lite gets a lot right, but watch out for games. 7. GirlSense (2009) Age 10+ Safe, creative community for tween fashionistas. 8. Sweety High (2010) Age 11+ Fun, closed social network for girls is strong on privacy. 9. Imbee (2011) Age 10+ Safer social networking if parents stay involved. With proper guidance and parental involvement I don't see any reason that we can't take advantage of the opportunities that social networking could provide.
  • eeverett3 on 21 Apr 14
     
    I think that one of the main reasons that student interest and engagement increases with the use of social media tools is that these tools are familiar and easy for the students to use...it is not only teachers that are intimidated by new tools! :)
  • Araceli Gracia on 21 Apr 14
     
    Thank you Don for your list of websites. That is awesome!!
  • Stephen Simon on 22 Apr 14
     
    My perception of social media in school is that it is essential to the process of development. That it is beyond the understanding of current educators should come as no surprise; one needs a point of reference in order understand the magnitude of such technological developments. Don made an excellent point concerning proper guidance and parental involvement; the latter representing the tired and overworked. Consider that many of our fellow classmates push themselves in these Master's classes at a cost to their personal lives. Social-ability is essential to our family core values and from it comes the capacity of the new generation to take the torch to the next.
Stephen Simon

Grades are in: Digital learning gets more state attention | District Administration Mag... - 9 views

www.districtadministration.com/...ning-gets-more-state-attention

shared by Stephen Simon on 20 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • Texas
    • Stephen Simon
      Stephen Simon on 01 May 14
       
      Well we are finally improving and making progress. Now if we could just get healthcare to the rest of the uninsured children in our great state.
  • Eric Folks on 20 Apr 14
     
    Grades Are In: Digital Learning Gets More State Attention Does Texas deserve a "B" when it comes to enabling the 10 Elements of High-Quality Digital Learning?
  • ...10 more comments...
  • Eric Folks on 25 Apr 14
     
    How far is your district from enabling customized learning? I interpret this as true differentiation, and for most teachers, without technology integration it remains an elusive goal beyond modified assessments for those with IEPs. A basic prerequisitie of customized learning I believe, is that there are multiple ways the teacher provides for learning the same content...this way if students don't get it the first time, they can go to another explanation that might be more likely "to click."
  • Eric Folks on 25 Apr 14
     
    10 Elements of High-Quality Digital Learning 1. Student eligibility: All students are digital learners. 2. Student access: All students have access to high-quality digital content and online courses. 3. Personalized learning: All students can customize their education using digital content through an approved provider. 4. Advancement: Students progress based on demonstrated competency. 5. Quality content: Digital content, instructional materials, and online and blended learning courses are high quality. 6. Quality instruction: Digital instruction is high quality. 7. Quality choices: All students have access to multiple high-quality providers. 8. Assessment and accountability: Student learning is the metric for evaluating the quality of content and instruction. 9. Funding: Funding creates incentives for performance, options and innovation. 10. Delivery: Infrastructure supports digital learning.
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 25 Apr 14
     
    Interesting that many of the states' grades went up because of state regulation changes. It is no surprise to me that Utah is a front runner. I have always admired and appreciate their education website. The resources for teachers and parents, in my opinion, is the best, bar none. Utah Education Network: http://www.uen.org
  • Don Martin on 26 Apr 14
     
    I was at a conference with a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) yesterday and we talked about technology in the classroom. He is the head of the classroom technology development group at THECB and he is not convinced that we are using technology appropriately and that there might be a rush to use technology either to be the first to introduce something or just to ride the wave. I've said this before about other topics, the problem is not the technology, the problem is we don't know what to do with it yet or what we can do with it. There is always a learning curve for anything new, however, the learning curve for educational technology may be the steepest curve we have ever met as human beings. In fact if the curve gets any steeper it will be a vertical line rocketing towards the heavens! It is very difficult to climb a vertical face. So what do we do about it? I think we as instructors have to determine what our needs are in the classroom, investigate tools that can address those needs and finally focus on mastering those tools and not worry about all the other things going on around us. That is not to say that we should become static or satisfied with our approach, in fact we need to be lifetime learners. In any endeavor it is possible to become overwhelmed with information. We have all seen at one time or another the student with the deer in the headlights look because they have become overwhelmed and lost in the content. I think that many of our peers are in the same position with education technology. As a result it becomes necessary for us to help them sort through the web of Web 2.0 If we help them find 2 or 3 tools they can effectively use for collaboration and they can master that is enough in the beginning. Let's then help them identify 2 or 3 tools that can help them make better and more engaging presentations, once they have mastered those we can move on. Human's are extraordinarily adaptable but we also are easily overwhelmed
  • Araceli Gracia on 26 Apr 14
     
    Our school is a large open campus that the biggest problem is having enough bandwidth. We only have so many ports which makes our internet slow at times. The issue of cost is the reason that they will not invest in any more throughout our campus. Not sure about the price of this investment but if they want technology to be used in the classroom this has to be taken care of first. Don, When I first started this class, I have to say I was one of those deer in headlights type of student. I am not going for my MTT like most of the students in this course, so it was an eye opener to know that I really did not know much about technology as I thought. Although I have learned so much in this class, I think that introducing teachers to a few Web 2.0 tools at a time, and letting teachers explore there potential in the classroom is something that inexperienced users would appreciate.
  • Eric Folks on 28 Apr 14
     
    Araceli, We too have been tackling the issue of ports and infrastructure in general. Fortunately, we have a very supportive superintendent and school board, and they have been very frugal leading up to this point...much of the investment dollars driving our infrastructure improvements have come from our fund balance. We're at the point where we're piloting class sets for Biology next year and a 5th grade 1:1 at one campus using IMA funds, but honestly we're all holding our breath, wondering if we have the infrastructure necessary for these efforts to be successful, at least on the technology side. This summer technology will be making lots of changes to our network, and that always makes us nervous. Last August they moved us from roaming profiles to folder redirect, and come August staff development (and Sept for that matter) we had lots of improvising to do as most users would only see partial profile loads due to the network configuration at the time. This meant users could sometimes see their drives but not access them (permission errors are so frustrating!), or they couldn't see their network drives at all. As it turned out, this really helped drive teacher and student adoption of Google Drive for file management, so in that respect it worked out. I agree with you and Don and many others, teachers need to be eased into new technology tools one or two at a time, and we as instructional (technology?) leaders need to make a compelling case for why the advantages outweigh the time investment for learning new tools.
  • lbanuelos on 28 Apr 14
     
    Our school districts are just beginning to implement newer forms of technology aimed at providing students a richer learning experience. I am certain that bandwidth will be a concern since currently we use the internet for email and submitting paperwork. Do I agree that to do for the say of doing is not the right approach with new technology. Our approach must be strategic and well thought out.
  • eeverett3 on 28 Apr 14
     
    Nice to see that Texas is as high as the "B" category...and another mention of the texas VLE that allows students to take/make up high school credits online!
  • Jose Escobedo on 29 Apr 14
     
    Is funding a major factor why some school districts don't rush in implementing new technology in schools? I am amazed how some Asian countries had no technology in schools 20 years ago and now it is a different world.
  • Stephen Simon on 01 May 14
     
    I think that it will be a slow process to bring personalized, adaptive learning to the classroom. The article is intriguing in that it brings to light the deficiencies in the public schools of America. This is a sad commentary on the institutional legacy tempered by political decisiveness impacting every individual in the country who has received an American education. Rather than investing in the future knowledgebase of our young minds, we waste our precious resources on the military industrial machine. I ponder the thought of what will happen next when we have the entire nation wired with high-speed internet access. I consider it a given that every child today has a cell phone or access to one. It is but a small transition from there to a smartphone with complete access to social media, search engines, email, and instant messaging; in short, a completely connected computer. How will the upcoming generation use this technology?
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 01 May 14
     
    I can't agree more with all of you that stated the infrastructure as being a big problem. My school bought 50 iPads only to have the infrastructure support no more than 10 at a time. What a waste! I have met with other private schools, and in every case, lack of a good infrastructure was the major obstacle. Jose, here is a link to an article on technology education in South Korea. One of the things that stuck out for me was the access that students have after school hours. http://edutechassociates.net/2012/05/14/what-can-we-learn-from-south-korea/
  • Merrill Redfern on 05 May 14
     
    Our school is also going through some technology updates/changes this summer. Currently we have several classrooms that are either having trouble keeping a connection or not making a connection at all. I always see a first grade class sitting in the hallway working with their Ipads because the connection in their classroom is non-existent. From what I understand, we have plenty of bandwidth but not enough ports to support it. We have recently bought 25 Ipads. I am eager to know if our infrastructure will support them all plus the ones we currently have. http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/technology-in-education/
Stephen Simon

My Students Don't Know How to Have a Conversation - Paul Barnwell - The Atlantic - 8 views

www.theatlantic.com/...360993

shared by Stephen Simon on 22 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • Turkle wrote, “Face-to-face conversation unfolds slowly. It teaches patience. When we communicate on our digital devices, we learn different habits … we start to expect faster answers. To get these, we ask one another simpler questions. We dumb down our communications, even on the most important matters.”&nbsp;
    • Stephen Simon
      Stephen Simon on 01 May 14
       
      Dumbing down online conversations has become the norm. To me personally, I believe that it a cautionary approach to communication since the impersonal tweet or IM is too often misinterpreted. What follows is usually personal offense since there are no other cues to communication when you are online. Therefore we dumb down our communications. Even just having a voice conversation is better than posting anyday.
  • Jeff Blackman on 22 Apr 14
     
    I thought this made a really good point about the way students are using technology and how we as educators need to be mindful of the way we allow it's use. How can we effectively combine all of these incredible technology tools with a good dose of humanity?
  • ...6 more comments...
  • eeverett3 on 23 Apr 14
     
    It would be very nice if our students learn to make eye contact with each other as well...:) I cannot tell you how many times a day, students stand at my desk waiting for me to read their minds as they converse on cell phones and listen to their earbuds...I am supposed to assume they would like to use a computer and sign them in. I like to just wait them out...and I frequently say, "Words are your friends! Use them to ask for what you want!"
  • Araceli Gracia on 23 Apr 14
     
    I went to check my 18 year old son's cell phone usage and in one month he had 3143!! What do he and his friends text about is beyond me. Texting to him is so second nature, that he could with out a doubt do it without even looking at the keys. However, even with all his texting, he can hold a conversation. I feel this has to do with experiences that he has had in his life. It also helps that he is not shy. In the elementary level this not a big issue because they all love to talk not only to each other but to their teacher. I like the idea of having students use their phones to record themselves speaking, debating, etc... This is probably a good trial and error for anyone having to do any type of public speaking. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/03/text-messaging-texting-conversation_n_1566408.html
  • Jose Escobedo on 24 Apr 14
     
    "Muzzle Memory" is what my daughter developed with her cell phone when I was trying to hold a decent conversation. Every time we had a conversation, she had to pick up her smart phone to check or send a text message. Her actions were not due to a rebellious attitude but to her muzzle memory. It's part of their life and I constantly see it here at my workplace. Many can't live without looking at their phone throughout the day even in meetings. I have to constantly call out people who are on their phone while the meeting is in progress. I find it hilarious when people get grumpy since their phone is nowhere near them for motivational support.
  • Jeff Blackman on 25 Apr 14
     
    Thanks for the comments! So, what do you all think would be some ways to engage learners using both technology and human interaction? I like the way it is handled in classes I've taken through the EdTech program. I like using the technology to learn but I also like the fact that we get together 'live" and are able to interact with the instructors and each other.
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 25 Apr 14
     
    Although texting may not teach our students how to converse well, there is a lot of technology out there that promotes the skills of a good conversationalist. Below is a link which the author talks shows how technology is helping in kindergarten. Jeff, I think there are many opportunities. For example, using Collaborate, Skype or Google Hangout with students to collaborate or giving feed back. http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/04/10/using-technology-to-enrich-kindergarten-conversations/
  • Don Martin on 04 May 14
     
    I have said it before but I think it is worth saying here again. I don't think the technology or even the format of the technology is the problem. the problem is our understanding or misundertanding of how the technology can and should be used. We have always had some form of short and to the point communication whether it was a bulletin board, an announcement or a short phone message. Short messaging and quick messaging have indeed become more prevalent but that does not mean that internet technologies can't be used to promote communication. We need to recalibrate ourselves and begin studying how best to use technology in promoting communication which in turn promotes collaboration and cooperation. It may well turn out that the communication of the future looks fundamentally different from what we have seen in the past but it doesn't mean it will somehow be inferior. In fact, if we consider just the ability to communicate information and respond to immediate concerns the communications system we have evolved (or maybe revolutionized is a better word) into today is in fact far superior to what we had available to us only 10 years ago. Often times we see something as a problem or an issue because it is not what we are used to or accept as the norm when in fact what we should be doing is looking for the opportunity that has just presented to us. I believe that as a society we are in one of those pivotal moments of paradigm shift. This is one of those periods where people will look back from the future and call it the "Age of ????" What they choose to call it will depend on their perception is of how well we handled the moment and how well we adapted to the new situation. Think back to the the bronze age and the revolution that metal working brought to mankind. Compare today to the age of steam or the industrial age. I believe the comparison is warranted and that in fact this may be a more important time in human development than some of those earlier "ages".
  • Merrill Redfern on 05 May 14
     
    At the beginning of the year, I was surprised how many devices we took up in my elementary school. We have a box in the school office designated for devices. The students, as young as 2nd grade, check them in in the morning when they come to school and check them out as the school day ends. Many of those students are still learning social skills so I can understand how devices given to children that young and used freely, can influence their social skills. On the other hand, devices are great to use in education if used properly.
  • Merrill Redfern on 05 May 14
     
    Jeff, That is a good question. What are some ways to engage learners using both technology and human interaction? The first thing that comes to my mind is the reflection process. For example, students can gain and collect their information using a device and reflect on their findings with one another through human interaction. Maybe give it a "contest" theme and allow them to "one up" each other with their information. Of course, the expectations would be adjusted per grade level but this would provide an opportunity to use a device AND talk to each other. Two things kiddos, especially little ones, already love to do :).
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

started by hillaryparrish on 05 Jun 14 7 follow-ups, last by natalie_cepeda on 14 Jun 14
1 - 20 of 56 Next › Last »
Showing 20▼ items per page