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Stephen Simon

MapSkip - Places Have Stories! - 6 views

www.mapskip.com/index.php

geography Web2.0 storytelling share knowledge

shared by Stephen Simon on 11 Feb 14 - Cached
  • MapSkip makes the world a canvas for our stories and photos.
  • It is an ancient human instinct to share our life stories with others, as the paintings and hand prints in stone-age caves show.
    • Stephen Simon
      Stephen Simon on 11 Feb 14
       
      Storytelling is part of being a great teacher. Making it relevant is part of being a great mentor. This is not always as easy as some think it is but for those who invest in the art of storytelling realize that that is how lasting memories are made. Think of going camping and sitting around the fire telling stories; what was it that made those memorable to you?
    • Janice Wilson Butler
      Janice Wilson Butler on 16 Feb 14
       
      And charting your own adventures - I keep having trouble remembering where I ate a great food or saw a play, etc. I like when a tool can be powerful for personal reasons as well as for educational reasons.
    • Joe Pedraza
      Joe Pedraza on 17 Feb 14
       
      This would be good for my 9 year old to track our summer vacation. He can take photos, videos and add the stories to the map. The MapSkip can even be linked to your twitter account allowing the user to tweet as you post stories. I think this for me would be a little too time consuming but overall great for users with time on their hands.
    • Don Martin
      Don Martin on 26 Feb 14
       
      I could see something like this being used in combination with a interactive timeline. You could put your history on the timeline and then use the map locations to tell the stories behind the events.
  • ...3 more annotations...
    • Stephen Simon
      Stephen Simon on 11 Feb 14
       
      I do not agree that it is human instinct to share our life stories. The reason being that if everyone wanted to do that, no story would ever be heard. Do you agree with the premise that we, as homo sapiens, instinctually want to share our stories?
    • Merrill Redfern
      Merrill Redfern on 12 Feb 14
       
      People share life stories for various reasons. They share stories in an effort to connect themselves or others with someone or something. To feel a belonging to something significant that will define or confirm their characteristics, attributes or identity. I do agree in that not every person instinctively wants to spill the beans about their life and does not need to share stories for fulfillment. Introverts have a difficult time telling stories and find it challenging or exhausting. However, I believe technology has set a forum for some introverts to "safely" tell stories in an environment in which protects them from the world they may find challenging.
    • Jeff Blackman
      Jeff Blackman on 12 Feb 14
       
      Yes, I do think there is an instinct to share stories. Not necessarily to the whole world but at least to one other person. For example, our kids, spouses, families. People we are comfortable with - we want to share our stories - even the mundane ones like "how was work today?" It fills a need.
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 13 Feb 14
       
      I try to find ways to keep in touch or share my experiences with my kids back home and MapSkip offers that opportunity. I can share my experiences with my little girl especially when she has a school project due. Instead of sending pictures and or trying to explain a place via email or text, she can access my stories with her tablet at school.
    • Stephen Simon
      Stephen Simon on 16 Feb 14
       
      Using a tool like this one can lend itself to sharing with family as Jose has pointed out. Usually these stories are somewhat private and so long as you know that they are public, fine with me. If more people did this then perhaps some stories which are usually isolated to an individual could possible be cross-indexed to someone else. This would certainly give you some perspective on the story itself when told by different individuals.
    • eeverett3
      eeverett3 on 17 Feb 14
       
      I believe that humans have a need to share their stories. That is how we make connections with each other and how we work out our differences in opinion. We are always trying to explain, share, and teach.
    • Joe Pedraza
      Joe Pedraza on 17 Feb 14
       
      I believe that we as homo sapiens do want to share our stories, not necessarily instinctively but more subconsciously. Our subconscious is the storage of our knowledge and prior experiences. When we meet others that we have something in common with like an idea, or something that triggers an emotion, we feel a connection that triggers our subconscious to share this information.
    • Eric Folks
      Eric Folks on 18 Feb 14
       
      OK people, I can't believe we're debating whether or not ppl like/need/want to share stories. Let's leave it at storytelling has been a part the human culture creation process since the beginning, but sharing stories is an individual choice. More importantly, so is the means by which we do it! Does MapSkip offer tools and services other sites don't? Maybe. But from what I can tell, this doesn't offer much more than Google Maps Engine (https://mapsengine.google.com/map/?pli=1)...other than another site we need to create, manage, and curate content on. Another option is Dr. Alice Christie's GoogleTreks (http://googletreks.org/). MapSkip seems cumbersome to me in comparison to some mobile options out there, like location-based posts in Twitter, G+, FB, and my favorite for this type of thing, Instagram. Here are some other apps for location-based maps/activity etc. http://www.slideshare.net/matteoroversi/beyond-foursquare-overview-on-the-best-location-based-apps
    • Brenda Wohlfeil
      Brenda Wohlfeil on 23 Feb 14
       
      Digital Stories were foreign to me. I appreciate the video that Simon posted, although it was a bit advanced for me. I have since found a website that gives a basic overview of digital stories with information on how to map them. http://maps.playingwithmedia.com/digital-story/
    • Olivia Basham
      Olivia Basham on 23 Feb 14
       
      I agree that story telling is what forms the basis for human culture. This tool looks like a fun and interesting way to do just that. Gosh it would be a fun way to share travel stories or even share reviews or tips for particular locations or venues for others on their travels.
    • Don Martin
      Don Martin on 04 Mar 14
       
      Brenda, Thanks for the link that clarifies the digital story possibilities. I agree that it can be a bit confusing and overwhelming at times. I think the key is having a good plan before you start. If you have a story plan then you can go and find the "places" you want to use to tell your story.
  • - Our Partners
    • Stephen Simon
      Stephen Simon on 11 Feb 14
       
      Check out this teacher resource who partnered with MapSkip.
    • Stephen Simon
      Stephen Simon on 16 Feb 14
       
      Capturing family history through stories was pretty much the only way to keep the story alive. Now you have new tools to make it live on. Investing in a flip-cam is great for impromptu video capture of a story. Many times my kids tell me that not everyone wants to be on video so I am more cautious when I take it and film. But what you get as a product is priceless as I look back at video of my father and realize how much I miss his stories.
    • Janice Wilson Butler
      Janice Wilson Butler on 16 Feb 14
       
      This looks like a very interesting tool. I can see it being of great benefit for students who are learning English - a way to connect the English language to their own culture. It should be a cool tool for social studies as well - the discovery of the United States, the Pilgrims, etc. Or battles of the Civil War - so many uses!
    • Eric Folks
      Eric Folks on 18 Feb 14
       
      Stephen, we invested in Flipcams a while back, about 5 per campus for check out via library. They discontinued support for them right after we bought them :( but they've nevertheless been useful for long recordings. Since so many now have smart phones, and the shorter the video clips often the better, the flip cameras are not used as much... I am curious how difficult (or easy) the workflow would be to add video resources to your MapSkip post. Might give it a try and let you know!
    • Eric Folks
      Eric Folks on 18 Feb 14
       
      OK, so you can't upload a video (only add a YouTube video, which is easy enough to upload yourself), add a jpg image, and even upload a sound file (mp3), which I thought particularly nice. After exploring the features a bit more, I've got to say it's more capable and less cumbersome than I orginally thought!
    • Stephen Simon
      Stephen Simon on 21 Feb 14
       
      I thought that the capacity to narrate (mp3) was perfect for this type of We 2.0 tool. That way the story is not lost in all the extraneous material a video brings. But the youTube capacity adds an element of commercialization to the artifact which I don't like; especially in the classroom.
  • Stephen Simon on 11 Feb 14
     
    This is an ambitious method of story-sharing using integrated GoogleMaps with pins to denote where a story, with and without photos, can be posted and accessed.
  • ...5 more comments...
  • Stephen Simon on 11 Feb 14
     
    Here is a video on Digital Storytelling from a lecture in SecondLife. I found it informative and an sharing it with you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XRS-45wKWk
  • Jeff Blackman on 12 Feb 14
     
    I love storytelling as a means to teach. I always try to weave stories into my training as I think it helps people connect to the material better.
  • lbanuelos on 14 Feb 14
     
    Storytelling is a natural way to create meaningful and sometimes emotionally rich connections. When my grandfather would sit me down and talk about all the various places he had traveled to though out his life, I couldn't help but feel connected to those places. It also gave me deeper insight as to what those places must have been like. I believe that because storytelling forces our minds to envision the situations, it keeps learners interested and assists in information retention.
  • Araceli Gracia on 17 Feb 14
     
    When I make a connection to a lesson, I love to tell my students my personal stories or experiences especially traveling to different places. My students are so attentive and if I bring pictures, they can appreciate the story and lesson even more. Of course this leads to some students making their own connections and wanting to share their stories and experiences. And although not all students may have many opportunities to travel, they all have something to say and listening to their classmates tell a story makes everything very meaningful.
  • Araceli Gracia on 18 Feb 14
     
    I don't know if I would tell every story and detail of my life, but if the situation called for it, I probably would share. I know some people, like my stepfather, who is not shy will share his stories about the past, but maybe because he is older and has nothing to hid. However, I will share my stories with my students if I feel it will make a lesson more meaningful.
  • lbanuelos on 20 Feb 14
     
    I see this a good tool for students to map places they have explored that have personal value to them. For example, as a former boy scout, I would map places where we setup camp and document the skills I learned. This would later be used to reflect upon. I agree with Eric that they are other tools that are somewhat easier to use but for me it works fine.
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 23 Feb 14
     
    It has occurred to me after reading all the comments, Dipity and MapSkip combined together could turn a student autobiography into one neat project! What a way to engage students to reflect upon the on the places and events of their lives.
Brenda Wohlfeil

Virtual Learning: A Different Approach to Home Schooling - 4 views

www.kolotv.com/...-to-Home-School-218112471.html

learning approach homeschooling

shared by Brenda Wohlfeil on 07 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 07 Apr 14
     
    Learning at home and using virtual learning for this family was chosen so that their son could learn without all the distractions at school. What kind of children do you think would also benefit from this option?
  • ...4 more comments...
  • Eric Folks on 11 Apr 14
     
    Some kids need more social interaction than others...my oldest is one of them. My younger would probably be just fine without all the k12 drama and testing mania. Face to face instruction may provide students with the structure and extrinsic motivation they need to get through a course, but that might be all it does...help the child "get through." Though transitioning to to a home school or virtual school scenario would no doubt be tough, in the long run I think it would produce more capable, independent, intrinsically motivated people.
  • Olivia Basham on 13 Apr 14
     
    I had a student last year who suffered from severe social anxiety and missed far too much school to get her year's credits. She did well in my class as I was able to send her assignments to her electronically and she was able to do them at home, but she fell behind in others, as few teachers at my school do any kind of online interacting with their students. Ultimately she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and failed all but two of her classes. I think she would have been a perfect candidate for this kind of program and perhaps would have been able to graduate on-time while receiving treatment (she now attends an online high school and it doing well).
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 14 Apr 14
     
    Eric, it is interesting that you are bringing up social interaction. In my experience, many homeschool students are over socialized (if there is such a thing). Because homeschool students can get their work done in much less time than sitting in classes all day long, they have the opportunity to get involved in social activities much more than someone sitting in school all day long. When they were younger, by noon we were done with school work and meeting other families at parks, museums, and various other outings. And this does not include the sports/music/dance/4-H activities we were involved in. Socialization or lack of it was never a problem. Olivia, I know a lot of parents who pulled their kids out of schools because the were diagnosed with ADHD. At home, they thrived in school work. And as I just mentioned above, once they had their work done, they had extra time to use their energy in other ways.
  • Jose Escobedo on 14 Apr 14
     
    This type of instruction could be helpful for students who might be hospitalized due to an illness or injury. For example, my daughter spent three weeks at home due to a surgery and was instructed to avoid any leg movement. Now, imagine if she would have been unable to return to school. As a parent, I would support a like program like this.
  • Jeff Blackman on 14 Apr 14
     
    I think this could be a very beneficial approach for a lot of students. Heck, I would have loved this myself when I was in high school. My particular school didn't have a lot in the way of activities that appealed to me. Most of my socializing was done outside of school in various things like volunteering, Boy Scouts and theater. So, having this type of flexibility would have been great for me.
  • Don Martin on 20 Apr 14
     
    Brenda, This seems like a good option for students with immuno-suppressed disorders as well. Many children struggling with leukemia and other diseases that require drugs that often affect their immune system fall behind in school since they are not allowed to be around other children. Additionally, they often suffer from depression and anxiety due to their withdrawal from the daily routine of life. If these children could participate in the classroom throught VLE's it would keep them engaged, bring a welcome diversion into their lives, provide some form of socialization with the children they know and are familiar with and keep them up to speed in the classroom to provide a smoother transition back into school when they do recover. I think virtual learning demonstrates a great potential for helping this segment of our population.
vasquezgonzalezv

Discussion boards and their use in my classroom - 7 views

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

education classroom public school band fine arts music

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

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

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

http:__www.projectsharetexas.org_

started by Jessica Garcia on 23 Sep 14 1 follow-up, last by sharonmahabir on 24 Sep 14
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.
asuarez1

Online Test-Takers Feel Anti-Cheating Software's Uneasy Glare - The New York Times - 11 views

www.nytimes.com/...ng-softwares-uneasy-glare.html

shared by asuarez1 on 16 Jul 15 - No Cached
Gladys Suarez liked it
    • asuarez1
      asuarez1 on 16 Jul 15
       
      What do you think of the use of web-based services like 'Proctortrack' to monitor remote students during tests? Is there a better way to discourage (or minimize) cheating in online courses? Can using this kind of software be justified?
  • raised questions about where to draw the line, and whether the new systems are fair and accurate.
  • I felt it was sort of excessive,
  • ...4 more annotations...
  • a new anti-cheating technology.
  • t requires students to sit upright and remain directly in front of their webcams at all times,
  • Changes in lighting can flag your test for a violation,” the guidelines say.
  • You don’t know what new norms are going to be established for what privacy is.”
  • bhanak on 16 Jul 15
     
    I think this particular tool Proctortrack is excessive. I understand that an online program limits the ability to watch students but I think the program that rates your integrity based on looks, lighting and body moves is too much. I could see the stress of this effecting the outcome of a test. Through the article there were other systems that were discussed that seem to be a bit more fair to both the student and the instructor. As an online student I would be comfortable with the accountability piece but with some limits. I do think as a university they have the right and decision to make on if they put something in place to prevent cheating and what that could be. I know with an increase in online learning that there does need to be something in place to keep students honest.
  • ...11 more comments...
  • juanrubenromero on 17 Jul 15
     
    I think that some sort of monitoring is needed, however, Proctortrack seems a bit excessive. I personally have never had to use a service like this. I do have colleagues that have been monitored during online testing through a webcam, they had to show the room was empty by moving the webcam, and their eyes couldn't stray from the screen. That was just over webcam, no monitoring software was used like Proctortrack. I also think it depends on the course and the professor. I definitely see the need to monitor what someone is looking at and accessing during an online exam, and feel that it is necessary to monitor. I don't know if their is another fair way to monitor online testing. Any one taking an online test without monitoring can easily have access to the internet to search for answers, notes, or even have someone else taking the exam for them. I think a software is needed to monitor otherwise how would you hold a person accountable? We can rely on the persons word, but not everyone is truthful. It is definitely justifiable. Online programs are trying to maintain the integrity of the course and program. By monitoring cheating they are discouraging it and catching any that are cheating. Just like in person testing, we are monitoring students taking the test to ensure they do not cheat. In person, we the teachers are the software monitoring student activity, online test also need a monitor.
  • asuarez1 on 17 Jul 15
     
    bhanak> I agree. Some modifications are fine, but it is excessive. Showing the entire room before the test does not mean that someone can not walk it. Nothing is guaranteed 100% and overdoing it doesn't make it better. It would make me very nervous to not be able to move or I would get "flagged." Then, as the teacher of the course, I would worry that the results of the test would get negative effect! I get nervous during tests without all of that, so imagine what would happen with that camera on?
  • asuarez1 on 17 Jul 15
     
    Juan> I agree with you! How did your colleague feel about being monitored?
  • asuarez1 on 17 Jul 15
     
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQLdprp2P0Q The link above is a news report about these Anti-cheating software programs. How do you think our program at UT is avoiding this issue all together? What can your online program do to verify student learning and not have to worry about students cheating on a test?
  • juancalvarez on 17 Jul 15
     
    It is very controversial, because universities want to ensure that their graduates do have what it is needed for the job market in order to have a better reputation. In the other hand, having someone view the inside of your home could be a security problem, especially if they have your address. In addition, some test take hours, and you need to go to the bathroom, scratch your foot, or stretch. All test centers are aware that the people taking test do this without cheating. My solutions would be to have test centers. A place where you can pay to go and use one of their computers to do the test. Of course, how many students want to pay extra fees or services? One way to ensure that the person taking the test doesn't cheat (at some degree) is by using the software they mentioned that it won't allow the person to open browsers or applications while during the test, but I would add that at any moment the person taking the test could receive a verification code in their phone. This way, you verify that the person is at the place they are saying they are. This would work because in online courses, usually you don't have classmates living close by.
  • Marie Evans on 18 Jul 15
     
    Online learning is driving the need for project based learning rather than testing as an assessment. If it is important to assess skills such as math, perhaps thinking about using a tool such as collaborate to interact with students and having students produce work in session (like going up to the chalkboard and working out a problem) may provide a better solution than a boxed quiz requiring supervision!
  • Lauren Simpson on 18 Jul 15
     
    I have taken courses online where I had to be "watched" by someone, and felt extremely nervous because someone I did not know was in a sense spying on me. I know that online programs are trying to ensure that their programs are remaining rigorous and that students are being held accountable for the material, but I also don't think that this has to be done with exams. In our program most of the course have a PBL model, like Mrs. Evans has discussed, and I find that to be much more realistic for how you will function in the workplace. I think this is a fundamental question of how educators assess students. Does a quiz/exam really assess a student's knowledge accurately?
  • asuarez1 on 18 Jul 15
     
    Juan, it is my opinion that test centers defeat the purpose of online learning. I believe that the degree I am getting proves what I have learned more through the products! It is direct proof of my learning to show that I am capable to think critically and create a product that proves my knowledge. There is no way to cheat on that and it is reliable. I remember clearly in high school that students who had a great memory to retrieve information would do fantastic on tests but this did not mean that they learned, could analyze, and apply the material they learned. As teachers, it is this critical thinking that we want our learners to leave with and I think we need to start moving away from "teaching to the test." What do you think?
  • bradlampton on 18 Jul 15
     
    Personally I feel that this is a great idea even though it goes in to the privacy life of the test takers. As a fully integrated multi factor bio-metrics behavioral application, Proctor-track provides automated remote proctoring for distance learners taking tests online. This combined solution fulfills the Department of Education's federal mandated standards for identity verification and authentication requirements for distributing Title IV funds. Proctor-track replicates the security of traditional testing centers, while giving students the flexibility to take proctored tests online, anytime, anywhere on demand, with the ease of automation and complete scale ability.
  • asuarez1 on 18 Jul 15
     
    Lauren, as you said, PBL and models like it take the learning and apply it. What could be better than that. Besides, isn't that what we want from our learners? I do not think that a quiz or test adequately proves that a student has learned. Here is a great article about "teaching to the test." It talks about test taking skills not being bad independently, however it talks about the importance of alignment. How do you think PBL aligns with the standards we teach and how can it be better than a test? http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/teaching-to-the-test/
  • jfaguilar on 19 Jul 15
     
    I believe now with so much digital technology around us, it has made it easier to retrieve answers for those tests or questions. If students rely on this technology, they essentially "cheat" themselves out of their own education. I do strongly believe that students need to understand the consequences of their actions. As educators, we are responsible to engage them in their learning to understand what they are learning and that cheating is never an alternative.
  • myraguz on 19 Jul 15
     
    I believe the use of this web-based service to be invading privacy and unreliable. Schools that offer online courses cannot always rely on technology to asses if a student is cheating. Just as Mr. Carlton stated, if you are going to offer online learning, you need to find ways to ensure the integrity of the course including test taking. There are other web-based services that offer checking for plagiarism. There are definitely other ways to discourage cheating in online courses. All my online instructors have been doing a great job in informing of the consequences for cheating. The use of that type of software cannot be justified specially when the student feels uncomfortable.
  • Joanna Villarreal on 19 Jul 15
     
    Hi Ana, very interesting article. Being new to online courses, I have to say this is the first I hear of such software or services. I see how it may be justified, but to a certain degree. This particular software is quite excessive I must say. Ms. Choa (first student mentioned in the article) was given the option paying for the software, which she was against (and I would be too if I found myself in that situation) or paying proctor fees. I see how Juan's suggestion of having a testing center available would be another solution for that particular case. You asked if there is a better way to discourage (or minimize) cheating in online courses? It was also stated in the article how other software are being used to prevent students from opening apps or browsers during online exams. I think that would be a better method of monitoring/preventing cheating rather than having Proctotrack labeling/flagging me as a cheater for my poor posture.
bradlampton

Best content in technology in education PK-20 | Diigo - Groups - 5 views

groups.diigo.com/...technology-in-education-pk_20

shared by bradlampton on 09 Feb 15 - No Cached
Gladys Suarez liked it
    • marie_lara
      marie_lara on 09 Feb 15
       
      I have noticed that! & It makes so many things easier if someone else has already created a video.
    • gracehernandez13
      gracehernandez13 on 16 Feb 15
       
      It is a way to take control what you feel needs to be shared or learned...it is a great tool to enhance learning and creativity. GHernandez (alwzgrace13).
  • 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?
    • bradlampton
      bradlampton on 18 Jul 15
       
      Skype is very much important for businesses nowadays because it has many good points which directly helps in improving the workplace efficiency. Check this link out : http://smallbusiness.chron.com/can-businesses-use-skype-58302.html
  • If virtual worlds are being used by employers, shouldn't we be incorporating this technology into our K-12 instruction?
    • bradlampton
      bradlampton on 18 Jul 15
       
      The advantages of virtual worlds include cost, location and engagement. Why engagement? If you are a teacher then you are probably only too familiar with the problem of trying to keep a class of lively youngsters interested in a subject long enough for them to understand it. Their attention span is limited and boredom threshold is high so you have two issues to content with. Great post! Check this site out: http://www.avatarstorytellers.com/default.asp?iId=HILHG
  • kjsanders on 09 Feb 15
     
    This article really clarified the differentiation concept for me. I've learned that differentiation involves a lot more than finding a different purpose for a given activity to serve. For example, while a lesson in ceramics could be a foundation for a geological lesson on erosion, or a chance to provide physical therapy for fine motor development, choosing different deliverables such as making a model of an anatomically correct turtle or a scaled model of a combustion engine are also types of differentiation. Thanks!
celinafdz

Technology in the Classroom: Helpful or Harmful? | Education.com - 2 views

www.education.com/...tive-technology-teaching-child

technology education classroom helpful harmful

shared by celinafdz on 10 Feb 15 - No Cached
  • An interactive game is more engaging than a book, so technology often promotes more practice and review in areas requiring memorization, such as spelling, math and geography. This frees up time in the classroom so educators can focus on skills like problem solving, character development and critical thinking.
    • celinafdz
      celinafdz on 10 Feb 15
       
      Good way to provide intervention to a small group that is struggling on a specific skill. Allow those that mastered the skill to have a "personalized experience" with technology while the teacher intervenes with others. 
  • educational technology extends the school day for kids who will happily play multiplication games or review grammar on computer programs.
  • it seems like kids should be finding it easier than ever to succeed in school. However, as more classrooms invest in the latest technology, test scores remain the same, bringing its effectiveness into questio
    • celinafdz
      celinafdz on 10 Feb 15
       
      How often should digital classrooms incorporate technology into the lesson when you have a standardized test that is paper based? Won't students become too dependent on technology that it will affect their test scores? 
  • emrodriguez on 15 Feb 15
     
    Even if the test is paper based, I don't think incorporating technology into the lesson could be detrimental. As long as the instructor uses the technology to supplement his/her instruction to better get material across to students, then they are fine.
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