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Stephen Simon

Lawmakers: Terrorists May Tap Same Web 2.0 Tools as Military - Scientific American - 4 views

www.scientificamerican.com/...virtual-reality-military

shared by Stephen Simon on 17 Feb 14 - No Cached
  • The Congressional Research Service (CSR) recently released a report warning that enemies may be using the same Web-based, collaborative technology to prepare for future strikes that the U.S. uses to train soldiers and gather intelligence.
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 17 Feb 14
       
      In 2009, over 7,000 terrorist sites were active. Terrorist also have used social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to target prospective recruits.
    • eeverett3
      eeverett3 on 21 Feb 14
       
      I believe we have to assume that worldwide, people are learning to use and adapt technology for their own purposes. The military is correct to be looking at how to protect American assets from hacking. Recent events (i.e. the Black Friday incident) show that our credit card purchases are certainly not safe!
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 25 Feb 14
       
      The Somali terrorist group Al-Shabaab has used Twitter to recruit U.S. youths especially in the state of Minnesota.
    • Stephen Simon
      Stephen Simon on 25 Feb 14
       
      That our enemies use the same tools as we do should come no more a surprise than the new Chinese jet fighter looks almost identical to our F-35. A foundational premise of the US cyber-command recognizes that the next battlefield is digital. It is there we will meet some faction of the enemy.
    • Don Martin
      Don Martin on 26 Feb 14
       
      Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites can be a very effective tool for communication as well as a channel for harm. We have used Facebook as a base for a discussion community for the students and faculty in the our allied health programs here at El Centro as well as the surgical technology program I headed at Collin College. It gives the students an opportunity to communicate with each other and their instructors in an orderly asynchronous manner (much better than e-mail. Unfortunately it requires that someone be responsible to monitor the chatter. Sometimes information is conveyed that is inappropriate or it is communicated in an inappropriate manner.
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 27 Feb 14
       
      You are right in regards to Twitter and Facebook as effective tools of communication but many times we have seen everything from students, teachers, parents, etc. who upload inappropriate pictures or comments and then face the negative consequences.
    • Olivia Basham
      Olivia Basham on 01 Mar 14
       
      Seems to me like this is to be expected and even advantageous. I mean a) terrorists are usually only effective if they are smart and it would be stupid for them to not take advantage of all forms of communication and recruitment available to them, and b) since these site are often not well secured and are well know by our own intelligence community it actually helps all peace-loving governments if terrorists DO use them as it makes their plans and colleagues more vulnerable to observation and counterintelligence. I find sites like Facebook and Twitter to be the low hanging fruit of communication and we should be lucky that terrorists aren't using more sophisticated methods more often.
  • The CRS reports that the U.S. military plans to build a virtual world called Sentient Worldwide Simulation that would include highly detailed digital renderings of different real-life cities worldwide, much the same way the Second Life virtual world is filled with banks, stores and other landmarks that give a more realistic feel.
  • The goal is to use it, among other things, to help train medics and National Guard members to respond during emergencies.
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 17 Feb 14
       
      Three years ago the Department of Defense decided to establish 10 Homeland Response Force Units known as HRFs in order to focus on Chemical, Biological, Radiological,Nuclear and High Explosive (CBRNE) incidents due to natural disasters or terrorist attacks.
    • eeverett3
      eeverett3 on 21 Feb 14
       
      As I am reading this, I am thinking about how advanced VR simulations have become and how can we use this in education? The obvious cost savings on teachers, materials, etc would be phenominal if we had a virtual chemistry lab, physics lab, etc. Then I searched virtual chemistry lab and found several websites with just that!
    • Eric Folks
      Eric Folks on 03 Mar 14
       
      I see VR contributing to the ability of technology to blur the line between digital and real, but I don't believe VR will have to have the "V" in it for very much longer. Let me explain. There are many tools that blend digital and real. In the last two weeks I've read stories on two of them: this one highlights how smartphones can be controlled by human gestures (http://goo.gl/zzexlT), and this one, the capability of some modern game systems to be also controlled by gestures (http://goo.gl/C0viR8). In both cases our physical reality is helping shape and form a digital reality. Then consider Aurasma (www.aurasma.com/), a site that enables users to associate digital "overlays" over real life images, or "triggers." This technology enables us to bring the digital into reali life. We cannot know what will happen, but my guess is that digital immersion via VR is less likely to take off as quickly as digital integration into real life. When they come up with a VR machine that can replicate smells, tastes and micro sensations like the wind or water against my skin, I may have to reconsider this prediction!
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  • For the past three years the Pentagon has also been testing the potential of virtual reality in treating veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. In essence, therapists immerse victims in a virtual world complete with visual and sound effects that recreate the source of their fears and flashbacks from Iraq, Afghanistan and other war zones, according to Defense Update, an online site that covers military issues.
    • eeverett3
      eeverett3 on 24 Feb 14
       
      PTSD is such an interesting application for virtual reality.
    • Stephen Simon
      Stephen Simon on 25 Feb 14
       
      Us VR as a tool for exposure therapy is an excellent application of the technology. It is interesting that researcher combines smells with the tool.
    • Olivia Basham
      Olivia Basham on 01 Mar 14
       
      Exposure therapy has changed many peoples' lives. Never before has the concept of "facing your fear" seemed more possible as virtual realty allows individuals to work through deeply rooted and even quite rational psychological responses in a safe and controlled environment. If people can overcome a fear of flying using VR, (http://www.vrphobia.com/Clinical/Fears/flying.htm) why not veterans using the same simulations uses to train new soldiers before entering the battle field? In fact, I would be interesting to see a study that investigated if soldiers who have had extensive VR simulation training BEFORE going to war zones experienced more or less (or the same) instances of PTSD.
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 17 Feb 14
       
      The goal is to help veterans with PTSD in reducing their anxiety and fear. Virtual reality can be programmed to help combat veterans confront feared situations.
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 19 Feb 14
       
      http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20131110/NEWS/131119944 The above link details how Virtual Reality is offered at the University of Central Florida for veterans who suffer with PTSD. The Department of Defense awarded UCF a $5.1 million grant to offer the treatment.
    • Eric Folks
      Eric Folks on 19 Feb 14
       
      Jose this is an interesting application of virtual reality technology. I see real value in using it as a form of therapy for PTSD (and there's certainmly a need!), but any virtual world based on the real world used for military applications makes me a bit uneasy. I guess this is a lot like those Germans throwing the Google Street View van out of their neighborhood a few years back...sometimes there is TMI with technology. Honestly, I'm not sure that I trust either the military or Google with anything approaching real-time satellite feeds (which is what we're approaching) for "training purposes." It approaches the surveillence state I hope we never have to face as a society.
    • Jose Escobedo
      Jose Escobedo on 20 Feb 14
       
      With the recent scandal of Eric Snowden's leak of classified information about the global surveillance by the NSA, I understand the concern when the military or any other agency wants to use Virtual Reality but there are good benefits. For example, some units use the virtual reality system EST 2000 where soldiers are able to work on markmanship skills, collective squad level training and judgmental use of force scenarios.
    • Don Martin
      Don Martin on 26 Feb 14
       
      The potential for education applications for VR are staggering. We are already beginning to use VR in the health sciences, nursing and medical education settings. There are a number of VR simulations for surgery that can be used by medical students, interns and residents as well as for nursing and surgical technology students. In the area of robotics surgery VR is often used to train surgeons how to use the system before they attempt it for the real. VR is also being used to explore procedures and treatment options to map out approaches and to anticipate patient reactions to various treatments. Unfortunately the technology is still very cumbersome, expensive and sometimes wrong in very surprising ways.
  • lbanuelos on 24 Feb 14
     
    Unfortunately this is the sad reality of today's technology. There will always be those that find ways to twist new technologies created for the good of humanity into weapons. I can see how web 2.0 and virtual worlds could be used by terrorists. For example, people could theoretically communicate on collaboration networks, meet on Second Life, and ultimately finance an operation using internet currency such as bitcoins.
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  • lbanuelos on 24 Feb 14
     
    When I first read this article, I was skeptical as to how effective Virtual Realty would be in treating PTSD. I just don't understand how reliving a traumatizing experience over and over makes it less bearable. Well according to an article I found, it seems to work. According to the Journal Cybertherapy and Rehabilitation, virtual reality exposure therapy has shown a 66 to 90 success rate. That is impressive. My only question would be what are the side effects of exposure to this type of therapy. http://www.thedailybeast.com/the-hero-project/articles/2013/09/26/virtual-reality-video-games-may-be-the-best-treatment-for-ptsd.html
  • Jeff Blackman on 24 Feb 14
     
    I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Of course, all these tools that we use for education are certainly out there and available to others who can use it in other ways.
  • Stephen Simon on 25 Feb 14
     
    One of many ways terrorists are using to plan attacks.
  • Araceli Gracia on 26 Feb 14
     
    It is scary to think that Web 2.0 tools that are supposed to be safe and helpful are being used by terrorists. After the Target hack during Black Friday, I have been very scared to use my card there. I got a new bank card and changed my pin, even though I wasn't one that was "affected" , because it made me feel a little more secure. Apparently it can happen everywhere. As far as the virtual reality therapy, I found an article that mentions several ways how it helps and the first one is how it helps with PTSD. Even though this type of therapy may not work for everyone, it certainly is a step in the right direction. http://io9.com/5288859/7-virtual-reality-technologies-that-actually-work http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-does-virtual-reality-therapy-fo/
  • lbanuelos on 28 Feb 14
     
    This article lists how terrorists can use the web to wage war. It's good to see that people are also using the internet to fight back. This article is from the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime. http://www.unodc.org/documents/frontpage/Use_of_Internet_for_Terrorist_Purposes.pdf This video discusses how terrorists are using twitter while attacking a mall. http://usat.ly/1fbIP8D
Brenda Wohlfeil

Virtual Schools Provide the Power of Choice - FamilyEducation.com - 6 views

school.familyeducation.com/...38763.html

schools homeschool choice

shared by Brenda Wohlfeil on 07 Apr 14 - No Cached
  • Virtual schools provide parents and children, from Oregon to New York and across the globe to Russia and other countries, with access to world-class curricula, myriad teachers, and support, just about anytime and anyplace. Most importantly, virtual schools provide the power of choice.
    • Brenda Wohlfeil
      Brenda Wohlfeil on 07 Apr 14
       
      As a prior home school mom, access to curricula at anytime and anyplace was very important.  I needed a curricula that I could take with me to hours of piano lessons and family trips across America. I home schooled my children year-long and took advantage of the many learning opportunities that occurred throughout the year.  Our curricula needed to be flexible and portable.
    • eeverett3
      eeverett3 on 07 Apr 14
       
      Even understanding the flexibility of online classes, I had not thought about how effective this would be for someone who travels ALL the time! The best part of this article is how virtual learning takes advantage of all the online bonuses that a traditional teacher does not have time to look for!
    • Araceli Gracia
      Araceli Gracia on 09 Apr 14
       
      Brenda, My youngest son, who is a 5th grader, always said he wanted to be home schooled, and if I could have, I would have. Giving him the opportunity to "visit" around the world and go at his own pace would suit his personality better. He has never been a big fan of school and it is not the teachers, because he likes them. I feel it is the structure of it all. If he was in a virtual school that provided the flexibility of online classes and learning, he would probably be a happier student. http://www.ehow.com/list_5965288_advantages-virtual-school.html
    • Don Martin
      Don Martin on 09 Apr 14
       
      Araceli, I think it is still possible for your son to be in a virtual school so long as he has the resources and motivation to do it. The virtual schools are not quite the same as home schooling, they are more like the distance learning programs here at UTB. They have dedicated instructors with state approved curricula and a wide variety of choices in classes, instructors and educational experiences (including field trips). If I had this option when I still had children at home I might have considered this option. Our youngest daughter was never really connected to anything in school except for extra-curricular activities. She was "bored" with it and this offers opportunities and experiences that might have been beneficial to her.
    • Brenda Wohlfeil
      Brenda Wohlfeil on 11 Apr 14
       
      Araceli and Don, Some virtual programs are self-paced. For example, my daughter took classes from Texas Tech ISD for high school. They were all self-paced classes She could start a new class whenever she wanted, and she had a good amount of time to complete each classes. Extensions were also granted with an extra fee, of course. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/uc/k-12/ In a homeschool, parents are really facilitators, especially as the kids get older. (I can't imagine ever giving my kids a lecture. They would have just tuned me out completely. :) Most of my kids learning came from project based learning, although at the time I didn't know there was a name for it.) Homeschool kids take classes at co-ops, on the internet, through distant-learning, using a box curriculum, or using a curriculum parents put together. The parent facilitates the learning by providing the tools needed for the kids to learn and the expectations. It is amazing how these kids learn.
    • Brenda Wohlfeil
      Brenda Wohlfeil on 07 Apr 14
       
      Deciding which method best serves their child's unique needs and talents is key here.  Children learn in so many different ways.  If virtual classes focus on only reading passages and answering questions, they will fall short of reaching so many children.  How can virtual classrooms cater to the needs and talents of so many children?
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  • Families facing educational choices need to research all options thoroughly. They must examine their educational priorities in order to determine which features best support their goals. Most importantly, they must decide which method best serves their child's unique needs and talents.
  • Are Virtual Schools a Type of Homeschooling? The answer to this question depends on the virtual school. While most of the learning happens in the home with virtual schools, many of them are public schools without doors. Students who register with a public virtual school are counted as public-school students, not homeschoolers, in their state. These public virtual schools collect ADA (average daily attendance), just like the neighborhood brick-and-mortar school. They offer a standards-based curriculum; require attendance keeping, frequent assessments, and progress reports; and comply with mandated state testing.
    • Brenda Wohlfeil
      Brenda Wohlfeil on 07 Apr 14
       
      Take a look at this website for just a short list of online classes for home school familieshttp://a2zhomeschooling.com/home_school_programs/online_homeschooling_programs/
    • Merrill Redfern
      Merrill Redfern on 08 Apr 14
       
      I'm impressed with the diverse list of classes available to home school families seen on this website. Also, an interest-based curricula for students is an awesome way, I think, to help ensure student engagement. Some of the "fun/creative" courses for students in traditional public schools, at least in the elementary level where I teach, are in the form of clubs or additional after school programs. The flexible schedule of online classes leaves room for the management of a more stress-free existence as long as online classes are appropriate for the family. I found this article (or something similar to it) back when I was considering home schooling our daughter. #3 and #6 were our obstacles from moving forward into homeschooling. http://homeschooling.about.com/od/gettingstarted/a/homeschool4you.htm
    • Don Martin
      Don Martin on 09 Apr 14
       
      In the allied health education setting at the college level we are moving more and more towards an integrated curriculum. Soon that approach will be bleeding down into the high school allied health programs. The model originally comes from the integrated approaches now being employed at many medical schools and nursing programs across the country. This might be a form of "interest based currcicula". If a student has an interest in a particular area then wouldn't it make sense to approach the areas they don't have as much interest in but still have need for through their area of interest? We are now offering Developmental Reading, Developmental Writing, and Developmental Math courses in a format that approaches those areas using information and examples from the allied health arena. Students read articles and writings related to allied health, they write papers on allied health subjects and they do math problems (pre-algebra and algebra) with information related to allied health concepts. I think we will see a greater degree of this in the virtual school system as we look for new and innovative ways to connect with students that just don't thrive in the traditional setting or don't have access to the kinds of content they are interested in because their school can't offer it due to lack of funds or the size of the school.
  • Eric Folks on 11 Apr 14
     
    As much as I like the idea of teaching from home, I do hesitate to jump on board with virtual schools, especially after reading stories like this: http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2014/01/15_months_in_virtual_charter_h.html I think a blended approach with both face to face (for experiments and activities that have to be hands on) and online (for PBL and the potential for students to own their learning more, possible with objective based goal setting and self paced facilitated approach) would be ideal. Honestly, if I had a chance to teach my teachers virtually, and home school my kids using an online virtual curriculum to help provide structure (while working in much PBL and experiential learning), I'd be all over it!
  • ...2 more comments...
  • Olivia Basham on 13 Apr 14
     
    Eric, I had a friend who worked for K12 and when she started and was so excited to follow her experience as I imagined it would be an excellent way to reach students and I imagined that perhaps one day I could follow her. As her year unfolded and she shared what it was like for her, I quickly lost interest (at least in that particular school). She had much the same experience described in the article, except her principal was even more abusive than what was described. She was overloaded, had almost constant meetings, did 15-16 ARDs and 504 meetings a weeks (she she was one of few certified teachers, she received the majority of these students who enrolled) and felt impotent to actually help the students she was trying to teach. Worst of all she took a 40% pay cut to do it. No thanks. Nobody becomes a teacher to get rich, but I can't imagine feeling like my students were being under served while also just barely getting by financially.
  • Don Martin on 13 Apr 14
     
    Eric and Olivia, I don't believe that this type of problem is unique to the virtual school environment. Abusive administrators, overloaded instructional staff and feelings of helplessness unfortunately are more common than they should be at any level and in every format. The solution is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of virtual schools, emphasize the strengths, find ways to minimize the weaknesses and subject the process to a continuous Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). QEP, if properly developed and employed can lead to the same type of success in a virtual learning environment as is seen in a face-to-face setting. In fact there are many instances in which the quality of the online education is as good or better than what the students are getting in the face-to-face setting. The potential benefits of VLE and virtual schools should not be overlooked or simply discarded because there may be some issues. Progress is made by doing, evaluating, planning, doing again and evaluating to start the cycle over. VLE has not been around long enough for us to have had the opportunity to work out all the bugs. Look at how long we have been practicing face-to-face education and the improvements that we continue to make today in the way we deliver education in that arena, not to mention the continuous research aimed at understanding how to make it even better. Perhaps a blended approach at first is best, it gives us an opportunity to explore the potential of VLE while developing the standards, guidelines and techniques necessary to make it a successful learning experience while using the support of the familiar face-to-face environment. However, it is my opinion that this approach should be used to help us develop the best possible VLE experience for the future. Not as a replacement for face-to-face learning (I believe there will be a place for that for many years to come) but as an effective alternative for those who would benefit from it.
  • Brenda Wohlfeil on 14 Apr 14
     
    I agree with Don. I think from a teacher's perspective, possibly Dr. Butler can give us some insight as to the validity of the problems stated by this teacher with regards to VLE in general.
  • lbanuelos on 14 Apr 14
     
    I too believe that a hybrid approach to instruction is the best way. Although virtual schools sounds like the way of the future, like all new technology it may not be simply for everyone. http://neatoday.org/2012/07/25/virtual-schools-not-passing-the-test/
cinthia_sierra

Five Ways To Bring Technology into the Classroom Without the Gadgets | Alisa ... - 7 views

www.huffingtonpost.com/...without-gadgets_b_5324611.html

education technology classroom

shared by cinthia_sierra on 15 Jun 14 - No Cached
  • Technology was originally idealized as the panacea for our nation's "failing schools"
  • The reality is in the middle: Technology is not a panacea, but used effectively and implemented purposefully, it can help transform how our children experience school.
  • For us, having our students engage in real-world learning experiences is a priority, so we utilized technologies like video-conferencing that enabled making those connections.
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  • at the iSchool we leveraged teachers' strengths by having some focus more on planning and curriculum development, some focus more on online course design, some on facilitating our challenge-based courses and some supporting struggling students.
  • Schools can combine resources to offer more Advanced Placement or credit recovery courses.
    • cinthia_sierra
      cinthia_sierra on 15 Jun 14
       
      This quote almost relates to the quality for quantity conception in education; it is not enough to use random technology without a purpose. Think about classes you've observed or reflect on your own: is technology use productive?
    • Cynthia Rios
      Cynthia Rios on 16 Jun 14
       
      There have been some classes which I have observed where the teacher is using technology but not the students. Technology is sometimes being used for the sake of using it and is not enhancing the students learning.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 17 Jun 14
       
      True integration happens when technology supports the learning outcome goals. It must aid in the 4 key components of learning: active engagement, group collaboration, frequent interaction and feedback, and a conncetion to the real-world. Watch the following video to see how one school integrateds technology into every facet of learning. http://youtu.be/xCcwOmFF0HM
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 17 Jun 14
       
      True integration happens when technology supports the learning outcome goals. It must aid in the 4 key components of learning: active engagement, group collaboration, frequent interaction and feedback, and a connection to the real-world. Watch the following video to see how one school integrated technology into every facet of learning. http://youtu.be/xCcwOmFF0HM">http://youtu.be/xCcwOmFF0HM">http://youtu.be/xCcwOmFF0HM
    • cinthia_sierra
      cinthia_sierra on 15 Jun 14
       
      Consider your content area and former lessons and discuss how video conferencing can be utilized to maximize learning.
    • Cynthia Rios
      Cynthia Rios on 16 Jun 14
       
      I teach 8th ELAR, and we read Night by Elie Wiesel as part of a Holocaust unit.  It would have been amazing for my students to video conference with a actual Holocaust survivor.  This would have given them even deeper knowledge on the Holocaust.
    • cinthia_sierra
      cinthia_sierra on 15 Jun 14
       
      Would this even be possible at your district/school? Elaborate
    • Cynthia Rios
      Cynthia Rios on 16 Jun 14
       
      I don't know if this would be possible at my school.  Unfortunately, many veteran teachers are not as open to change.
    • cinthia_sierra
      cinthia_sierra on 15 Jun 14
       
      This would prepare students for online classes at the post-secondary level.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 17 Jun 14
       
      I think that students would be helped by experiencing different teachers and teaching styles in order to have a well rounded learning experience. Sometimes students get very comfortable in a school with familiar surroundings and prior knowledge of teachers. When placed in this kind of atmosphere, the student will need to adjust and focus on the material being presented and the presenter.
    • Lucretia Human
      Lucretia Human on 17 Jun 14
       
      I think that students would be helped by experiencing different teachers and teaching styles in order to have a well rounded learning experience. Sometimes students get very comfortable in a school with familiar surroundings and prior knowledge of teachers. When placed in this kind of atmosphere, the student will need to adjust and focus on the material being presented and the presenter.
  • cinthia_sierra on 15 Jun 14
     
    Using technology wisely in order to improve instruction
Benjamin Caulder

Jane McGonigal: Gaming can make a better world | Talk Video | TED.com - 7 views

www.ted.com/...transcript

technology teaching Web2.0 gamification education

shared by Benjamin Caulder on 12 Jun 14 - No Cached
  • So, the first thing is whenever you show up in one of these online games, especially in World of Warcraft, there are lots and lots of different characters who are willing to trust you with a world-saving mission, right away.
    • vasquezgonzalezv
      vasquezgonzalezv on 12 Jun 14
       
      Why do you think this is?  Is it your experience that everyone you work with is ready to trust your expertise and help you?  Why would it be any different in gaming?
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 14 Jun 14
       
      It is a team mentality... team athletes have a goal and they know that they cannot get alone. Whatever they do to help their teamate get better gets them closer to their goal. It is exactly the same. I was an avid WoW player from 2005 to 2009 and I saw it daily.
  • Malcolm Gladwell's new book "Outliers." So, you would have heard of his theory of success, the 10,000 hour theory of success. It's based on this great cognitive science research that if we can master 10,000 hours of effortful study
    • vasquezgonzalezv
      vasquezgonzalezv on 12 Jun 14
       
      Do you have any skill in your life that you have had 10,000 hours of practice in?  Do you feel you've achieved a level of mastery in it?  Why or why not?
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 14 Jun 14
       
      1. Gaming (haha) in that 1 game, I was a virtuoso. 2. Communicating. I am a pretty good communicator. 3. Driving. I am an excellent driver.
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 14 Jun 14
       
      Personally, I think the 10,000 hour is a generality for typical person. But we are all A Typical is something. My mom also has 10000 hours + driving but her eyesight is terrible. She is not an excellent driver. It follows the Mastery Learning model: Anyone can master anything is given enough time. Time is a variable, thus 10000 to one is 50000 to another.
  • we will be virtuosos at it.
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • And gamers are willing to work hard all the time, if they're given the right work.
  • If we want to solve problems like hunger, poverty, climate change, global conflict, obesity, I believe that we need to aspire to play games online for at least 21 billion hours a week, by the end of the next decade.
    • vasquezgonzalezv
      vasquezgonzalezv on 12 Jun 14
       
      Do you believe there can be an actual transfer of "game skills" to "real world" living?
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 14 Jun 14
       
      Yes, her book outlines it (Reality is Broken). Fear of failure is not real in games, we just reset. We try different avenues to find unthought of solutions. The game just has to address a real world problem.
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 14 Jun 14
       
      I met her at ISTE 2013 in San Antonio. I bought her book Reality is Broken and got her to sign it. I had a question I wanted an answer to... where did she find the diminishing returns (I wanted to ask her this because it would establish my cred. as a gamer (world of warcraft) and because gaming caused a lot of problem in my life and marriage). Her Keynote there was about this very subject... the real world problems gaming solves. Her answer to me was 21 hours a week... per person. Wow!!! She advocates up to 3 hours per day of gaming. The social change required for this is nearly unmeasurable.
    • vasquezgonzalezv
      vasquezgonzalezv on 17 Jun 14
       
      Ben, can you expound on that a little more? I'm not sure I got the 21hrs/wk part.
  • But I also mean good as in motivated to do something that matters, inspired to collaborate and to cooperate
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 14 Jun 14
       
      Does anyone else see this in their students. Card games a very popular in my school. A kid takes out a deck and they have no trouble find playing partners (collaboration). I give them an assignment, group work, and not so much...
    • vasquezgonzalezv
      vasquezgonzalezv on 17 Jun 14
       
      Games aren't work. I've also seen kids turn up their nose at a game that attempts to gamify a topic or subject. They want more fantasy.
  • And then we get all this positive feedback. You guys have heard of leveling up and plus-one strength, and plus-one intelligence. We don't get that kind of constant feedback in real life. When I get off this stage I'm not going to have plus-one speaking, and plus-one crazy idea, plus-20 crazy idea. I don't get that feedback in real life.
  • So, consider this really interesting statistic; it was recently published by a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University: The average young person today in a country with a strong gamer culture will have spent 10,000 hours playing online games by the age of 21. Now 10,000 hours is a really interesting number for two reasons. First of all, for children in the United States 10,080 hours is the exact amount of time you will spend in school from fifth grade to high school graduation if you have perfect attendance.
    • Benjamin Caulder
      Benjamin Caulder on 14 Jun 14
       
      and which did they enjoy more?
  • vasquezgonzalezv on 12 Jun 14
     
    Gamification in education is a hot topic right now.  This is the transcript of a recent TEDtalk.
Maria Ing

Mixing it Up with Mangahigh: Using Games to Differentiate Instruction | Edutopia - 8 views

www.edutopia.org/...te-instruction-kristof-mueller

instruction differentiation games web2.0

shared by Maria Ing on 22 Jul 14 - No Cached
  • Tip #1: Pre-Assessment - Know What Your Students Know and Can Do
  • While the students are playing, I will note which ones are struggling with the prior knowledge, and which ones quickly master it and are ready to move on. Using my notes and Mangahigh's teacher reports, I'm ready to plan lessons that precisely target the needs of the majority of students. I can also plan interventions for those who need them, and challenges for those who are ready.
    • Maria Ing
      Maria Ing on 22 Jul 14
       
      Pre-Assessments are great tools to help identify strong and weak areas for students. Do you feel that online games could better assess student abilities and allow for more differentiated instruction than a paper and pencil pre-test or a "KWL" chart? Please explain your answer.
    • textraveller
      textraveller on 28 Jul 14
       
      Of course the answer isn't going to be back and white, but my answer would is "Maybe." Online games definitely address the issue of student motivation more effectively than KWL charts. I find KWL charts get old really quickly for students, just like anything you do over and over. So as teachers we try to switch it up, add variety, etc. An effectively designed online game could be a great change of pace. It seems like there would be a learning curve for the teacher as well, though. The teacher would have to get used to being able to quickly assess student progress on the screen. Depending on the game, that may or may not be possible. - C Hilgeman
    • ksspurgin
      ksspurgin on 30 Jul 14
       
      Does anyone else ever feel like pre-assessment (I mean the kind that really gives you valuable data), takes more time than you have to give it? I always feel pressured by the amount of content that must be covered before the STAAR test. Pre-assessments and differentiating instruction are things I do but I don't think I do them all that well simply due to a lack of time. This online game might be a helpful tool and yes, I do believe it would probably give more accurate information than a KWL chart. With the KWL charts students share too much information with each other.
    • Maria Ing
      Maria Ing on 03 Aug 14
       
      Thank you C. Hilgeman, I think you make a good point. No matter what you do, if you do it over and over, it gets boring. I think even if they played the same games repeatedly they would get bored. If the program that they are talking about in this article allows for a variety of games and continues to challenge, then maybe it would prevent the mundaneness of doing the same thing all the time. ksspurgin, I think the pre-assessment does take a lot of time. I know that I don't give one because in order to cover all my material required by testing I really need to start my material on the second day of class. That leaves no time for pre-assessment. I think if I had an electronic pre-assessment like the game, it would be much easier because it could process the data for me versus me having to take time to do it when I needed to be preparing materials for the six weeks.
  • Tip #2: Formative Assessment - Know Your Curriculum
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • Prodigi quiz engine satisfies my hunger for data, allowing me to collect data during class, as well as review it later through reports and a gradebook. And by circulating during class, I can support students with targeted feedback. After class, I can check their high scores and the amount of time spent on task, and see which math problems were causing the most confusion -- which helps me plan better lessons in future.
    • Maria Ing
      Maria Ing on 22 Jul 14
       
      Formative assessment allows teacher to informally "test" students on their understanding of concepts. It also allows for the identification of misconceptions or misunderstandings. Please share a formative assessment strategy you are familiar with. Do you think that using a educational game such as the one in the article would be more, less or have the same benefit to the teacher and students as "traditional" formative assessments?
  • In my classroom, the difficult goal of differentiated instruction is made easier by games and data. While a new generation of classroom tools, like Mangahigh's games and adaptive quiz technology, give me both of these ingredients in one place, it's all about how the teacher uses games and data to effectively differentiate instruction.
    • Maria Ing
      Maria Ing on 22 Jul 14
       
      Differentiated instruction is not a new term, it has been around awhile. I think most teachers still struggle with differentiating instruction enough to reach all levels of learners in their classrooms. I hope that as technology progresses and becomes more readily available, especially in the educational realm, it will be a problem that won't be so difficult to solve.
  • When students are in the Goldilocks zone, the game keeps them there, progressing at just the right pace to keep them challenged and engaged.
    • Maria Ing
      Maria Ing on 22 Jul 14
       
      I love this term, "Goldilocks zone" to describe what they call the "sweet spot." It is a challenge in every class to find this pace for each student. I always seem to have some students who breeze through the material, which makes me feel it may not have been challenging enough. On the same token, I have students in the same class that are struggling and expressing that I am going to fast. I think if I could have a educational game that challenged each student at their proficiency level and allowed me to be sure each of them got the attention and support they needed to obtain the knowledge needed, I would be ecstatic!
  • Tip #3: Goldilocks Principle - Find the Sweet Spot
    • Maria Ing
      Maria Ing on 22 Jul 14
       
      Watch this video about using online math games to differentiate instruction.  Educators in K-12 are expected to vary instruction based on a students needs and abilities.  What are some ways that you have successfully differentiated instruction in your classroom?  If you are not a teacher, give an idea of how you think instruction could be differentiated.  
  • mrigal on 27 Jul 14
     
    Many digital natives, which are today's students, play video games. They are many supporting facts that video games can enhance student learning. Of course the learning will depend on the design of the game. As the video shows, video games can be designed by the teacher that is linked towards learning goals. To add, video games can be a strategic which may be challenging to the mind - increasing mind power and learning.
  • Maria Ing on 03 Aug 14
     
    I fully agree, games are only as useful as much as they connect to the content that we are trying to teach. If the game is designed well, students can learn a lot from it because it caused repetitive practice of concepts.
textraveller

5 Real Benefits of Using Animation in the Classroom - 5 views

diigo.com/021jcq

education web2.0

shared by textraveller on 27 Jul 14 - No Cached
  • textraveller on 27 Jul 14
     
    I've highlighted a few parts of this article that I thought summed up the gist of the material. Click on the link above to see the highlighted/annotated parts. Overall, interesting food for thought. I can see animation being helpful for motivation and inter-disciplinary skills in ways that normal lessons wouldn't be. Given the fact that there are an increasing number of web 2.0 tools available to remove the difficulty from animation, what are ways that you can forsee animation being used in various classrooms and disciplines? - C Hilgeman
  • ...7 more comments...
  • textraveller on 27 Jul 14
     
    Regarding a summary of Discussion Boards and their helpfulness... Discussion boards have been around for awhile and I've found that, for many, are the first thing that come to mind when hearing someone announce, "I'm taking an online class." They have been a staple of e-learning since its early days. The fact that they are still used in online education suggests that they are a useful tool for students. However, as with most tools, there are positives and negatives to using discussion boards for class. Here are a few positives: 1. They allow for collaboration between all students, not just the outspoken ones. 2. They provide a flexible way for students to interact. This is not only schedule-wise but also, for lack of a better term, circadian-rhythm-wise. Students who may not be fully awake and contributing at 8:00 a.m. in a traditional classroom may be much more likely to provide quality content at 11 p.m. if they are night owls. 3. Allows for increased interaction between professor/professionals and students. Discussion boards keep physical distance from being a hindrance between a subject-matter expert in Florida and a class in Seattle. A few negatives: 1. They allow for laziness. The fact that students won't be directly "confronted" about a minimal effort or faulty logic, or will only interact electronically can lessen motivation for excellence. 2. Cheating is easier. (If you have a friend who knows the material.) These are my initial thoughts regarding discussion boards. - C Hilgeman
  • kbanda on 28 Jul 14
     
    Discussion boards do have their pros and cons to them. I agree with you about the collaboration and integration between the students and teachers. The con that I agree with is that it allows for laziness. The students who are having to contact each other electronically tend to get used to this method and refrain from even trying to have a face to face interaction.
  • textraveller on 29 Jul 14
     
    That's an interesting observation - I haven't seen students using electronic over face-to-face when f2f would be easier. That may be b/c I'm usually in international schools or schools where phones aren't allowed to be used during the school day.
  • Jose Davila on 29 Jul 14
     
    I can certainly agree with your observation on the positives and negatives on taking on line classes. I feel that you need to be ready and prepared to take on line courses if you decide to. It can hurt you if you do not follow along timely and may cause you to fall behind if you are not mature enough to handle the responsibility of taking on line courses that comes with responsibility. I feel that anyone can be lazy whether your are skipping the actual class or just not taking on line classes seriously. I feel in the end it will hurt the individual and you will have to face the consequences. I personally like it because it works with my work schedule.
  • textraveller on 29 Jul 14
     
    Jose, I agree that responsibility is a big issue for successful online learning. Of course, it is huge for traditional classroom learning as well.
  • morgantucker on 30 Jul 14
     
    This just blew my mind a bit!- collaboration and animation together. I do not know if I will need my coffee this morning. This is student engagement gold. As long as teachers can guide students in the right direction with this tool and tie it tightly to the content, we are going to see amazing things from this.
  • ksspurgin on 30 Jul 14
     
    I have sat through MANY incredibly boring presentations from my students. As much as I work to train them how to present in engaging ways, most of them, I think, are just mimicking what they see in most of their classrooms - PowerPoint bullets. I have made progress with my students but there's a lot of work to do! I had one group this past school year present using Powtoons - they actually introduced the tool to me. Every student in the class was fully engaged during that presentation. Animation works and can be a very valuable learning tool when used effectively.
  • textraveller on 02 Aug 14
     
    Morgan, you said it. The trick is to keep focused on the right direction and content. I think stuff like animation is great but can very easily devolve into entertainment. Kids (and sometimes teachers) sometimes see all the work put into an animation project and misconstrue that as achieving the educational goals. To put it another way, because hard work is involved, the participants sometimes feel like they are doing a good job on the goal, whether or not that work relates directly to the objective.
  • textraveller on 02 Aug 14
     
    Kevin, I'll have to check out Powtoons. It sounds vaguely familiar so I must have run across them at some point in time. Yeah, I'm with you on the bulleted powerpoints. I've started running my classes through the "Steal This Presentation" powerpoint that Dr. Sullivan had us go through and then including design as a small part of the grade. I don't grade very harshly, but it's enough to get kids thinking about more interesting presentations and it has helped to a certain degree.
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
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/
Sean Getchell

10 Specific Ideas To Gamify Your Classroom - - 5 views

www.teachthought.com/...how-to-gamify-your-classroom

Gamification edtech classroom gbl

shared by Sean Getchell on 15 Jun 14 - No Cached
  • Games are one motivator that almost all kids are responsive to. Many teachers have had the experience of asking students to stop playing games such as Angry Birds during class. However, it can be rationalized that games can be a very strong motivator for students when the same game elements are applied in an educational context.
    • Sean Getchell
      Sean Getchell on 15 Jun 14
       
      As a teacher, have you ever tried to incorporate any gamification techniques? If so, how were they received?
    • noramedrano
      noramedrano on 16 Jun 14
       
      As a second grade teacher, I have incorporated the ramification technique: I allow students to make corrections on their work when it has been checked. Students make corrections to their mistakes in order to learn form that and avoid it on the next assignment.
    • Cynthia Rios
      Cynthia Rios on 16 Jun 14
       
      Some gamificaiton techniques that I have incorporated in my classroom are giving students multiple opportunities and giving students a choice when it comes to demonstrating their understanding at the end of a novel. I give my students a choice board with nine different projects they can complete. Student really enjoy it when they are given autonomy.
    • crystallee530
      crystallee530 on 23 Jun 14
       
      Unknowingly and surprisingly, I have incorporated a few gamification techniques. This school year, I have given my students more voice and choices in how they show their understanding on projects. I usually give them 3-4 options such as PowerPoint presentation, Prezi, video, song, or Powtoon. I have noticed that the majority of students flock to the option they are most comfortable with and that's usually PowerPoint. For this coming up school year I plan to remove PowerPoint as an option on a few projects to encourage students to try new things. I found this article very interesting and I plan to use the techniques stated in the classroom this year.
  • Like in video games, students should be allowed second chances. When a challenge is failed in a video game, users are able to learn from their mistakes, try again, and succeed. The same concept can be applied to the classroom, as students should be able to try an assignment, either succeed or fail, and try again. Students who succeed right away have the choice to either move on to a new challenge, or try to raise their score.
    • Sean Getchell
      Sean Getchell on 15 Jun 14
       
      While I understand wanting to teach students responsibility and that they need to get their work done in a timely fashion, I can also see the benefit to giving students multiple opportunities to try certain assignments that they may have difficulty with. Do you think this is something you might try? If not, why not? I can see this from both sides of the coin, so I wanted to get your thoughts on the matter.
    • natalie_cepeda
      natalie_cepeda on 16 Jun 14
       
      I am all for giving students more opportunities to succeed in their assignments. This year, I would allow students to first try the assignment on their own. If they had difficulty, I would ask then to come in on Fridays for Study Hall. In Study Hall, I would provide one-on-one instruction to the student with the assignment and try to present the information in a different manner. If it got to the point that the student could not complete the assignment, then I would assign a modified assignment and monitor their progress.
    • Cynthia Rios
      Cynthia Rios on 16 Jun 14
       
      I give my students multiple opportunities because my main goal is for them to learn and master the objective. I do not take grades on unfinished work or work that has not been turned in because it is not an indicator of the students' progress in my class, instead I ask them to come in during their lunch period and I reteach or go over whatever has them stumped. There are teachers that might not agree with this, and I do understand the importance of teaching students responsibility, but I think giving students the opportunity to master an objective is more important.
  • In games, users usually have levels or progress bars that indicate how well they are doing in the game. Gamified classrooms can implement similar elements which indicate how far along students are, and how close they are to reaching the next level. Instead of issuing grades or percentages, teachers can either issue progress bars to students, or allow them manage their own. With each completed assignment, test, or project, a certain amount of points can be added to their progress bar, bringing them closer to reaching the next level.
    • Sean Getchell
      Sean Getchell on 15 Jun 14
       
      How do you let students know their progress in a course? Is it just a grade? Or is there a creative way you keep them interested in progression through the course? What is a gamification technique you would like to try in your own classroom?
  • Sean Getchell on 15 Jun 14
     
    How many have you have tried to incorporate gamification techniques in your classroom? Have they been successful? Please describe your experience, and how do you think you could improve your initial attempt?
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.
candacejames07

ISTE | Technology leaders: Do you have the Tech Trinity of Expertise? - 3 views

www.iste.org/...articleDetail

shared by candacejames07 on 17 Jul 15 - No Cached
Gladys Suarez liked it
  • This evolution brought about the need for a technology coordinator, a person within the district — and again, usually the teacher who knew most about computers
    • candacejames07
      candacejames07 on 17 Jul 15
       
      Does your campus or district have a technology coordinator? I have just taken the role as the technology coordinator for our campus.
  • 1. Technical. This type of expertise refers to working knowledge of the systems, networks, security, software and devices used throughout the district. 2. Administrative. These skills include the ability to gain consensus, collaborate, plan projects, manage staff (internal and/or external), budget and address procurement. 3. Instructional. This is the understanding of the curricular, instructional and assessment needs of the classroom, as well as the professional learning needs of educators. This is the top of the trinity and arguably the most difficult to find in technology leaders with strong technical and administrative skills.
    • candacejames07
      candacejames07 on 17 Jul 15
       
      As an educational technologist or Master Technology Teacher, which one of these skills do you believe to be your strength? weakness?
  • The point of the tech trinity is not that all technology leaders are masters of all three areas of expertise, but rather that districts and technology leaders recognize the significance of this trinity and work to improve their deficiencies.
    • candacejames07
      candacejames07 on 17 Jul 15
       
      How are you improving your technology deficiencies?
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • I lack the experience of being a daily instructor in the classroom.
    • candacejames07
      candacejames07 on 17 Jul 15
       
      How many years of experience do you have as an educator? 
  • Establish a vision for technology.
    • candacejames07
      candacejames07 on 17 Jul 15
       
      What is your vision for technology for your campus or district?
  • Marie Evans on 18 Jul 15
     
    Very good annotations! Sadly, this is the area where K-12 usually falls short. They all understand the importance of technical, making everything work. The issue is in staff development and continued support for administration and faculty. It is not enough to provide a campus technology position but the need for a coordinated plan throughout the district is imperative.
  • ...4 more comments...
  • Lauren Simpson on 18 Jul 15
     
    I am my campus's technology coordinator, which is challenging since I am also a classroom teacher. I feel that my strengths are the technical and instructional aspects of the trinity. Since I am only at the campus level, I really just facilitate the admin portion that is centrally controlled by my district.
  • asuarez1 on 19 Jul 15
     
    Lauren, a campus technology coordinator is a full time job. How do you balance that and teach in the classroom? Our campus has a technology coordinator and a tech center where someone is there to help the students and teachers before, during, and after school. We could not live without them!
  • candacejames07 on 19 Jul 15
     
    Maria - Yes, staff development is very important, but admin neglect to see technology professional development as a priority. With that being said, our campus has found that one of the most valuable resources are our teachers. Our teachers have attended many trainings and programs on their own time, therefore, they are very knowledgeable. If admins would coordinate a time and place then those teachers could share what they have learned with the rest of the campus about technology. Maria, just this week I tried to communicate with the district person and ask her about district goals and initiatives and communicate with me. The coordinator turned my question into something completely different and never answered the question. I am hoping we can form some type of communication between the district level and campus levels.
  • candacejames07 on 19 Jul 15
     
    Lauren - Wow! How do you manage to do both jobs? I bet you have great leadership skills, even though you feel like your hands are tied. How many years have you been the technology coordinator? Any tips for someone like me since this will be my first year?
  • candacejames07 on 19 Jul 15
     
    Ana - Does the technology coordinator work specifically with teachers at one time then students at a different time? What are some tools that the coordinator teaches you during the lab sessions?
  • Lauren Simpson on 19 Jul 15
     
    This will be my second full year being the tech coordinator. I balance it very carefully, thankfully my school is small (9 teachers and 4 office staff). Part of balancing is that I get time during our staff meetings to do some refreshers and other teaching points for the staff which helps tremendously. The rest I just find a way to do it. Some tips are be explicit in instructions, and provide visual documentation to help the less tech savy people and always go slow when presenting new tech, just like you would when presenting a new topic to students.
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.
Fred Kaplan

The Differentiator - 0 views

www.byrdseed.com/differentiator

education technology classroom learning goal differentiation

shared by Fred Kaplan on 05 Aug 09 - Cached
  • Fred Kaplan on 05 Aug 09
     
    A great and simple site for quick and easy differentiation of content, processes, and products for instruction.
Maricela Gonzalez

Professional Learning Communities - 6 views

@ Jessica Garcia- Professional Learning Communities (PLC's) have become the norm at school districts around the country. The first time that I ever was a part of an actual required PLC was about t...

started by Jessica Garcia on 27 Sep 14 3 follow-ups, last by Maricela Gonzalez on 28 Sep 14
gracehernandez13

Students discuss pros and cons of BYOD initiative at high school | www.lincolnjournalon... - 0 views

www.lincolnjournalonline.com/..._cons_of_BYOD_initiative_.html

technology education classroom teaching web2.0 Discussion computer share pedagogy

shared by gracehernandez13 on 24 Feb 15 - No Cached
  • gracehernandez13 on 24 Feb 15
     
    Students discuss pros and cons of BYOD initiative at high school The Lincoln County "Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)" initiative has been in full swing this year at all three schools in the system. The goal of the program is to teach students how to integrate technology (cell phones, iPhones, iPads, laptops, mobile web cams, digital cameras, Netbooks, Kindles, flip cameras, etc.)
  • tvisco on 01 Mar 15
     
    I keep hearing of districts adopting this policy. I like that the article asks kids what they think. It certainly requires a lot of latitude and trust amongst teachers, students, admin...etc. At workplaces, things have changed over the last 5 years - I remember when you wouldn't dare send a personal email or take a break and check Facebook but now nobody cares much as long as you aren't doing it all day long. They seem to understand that it's a quick break like getting up for coffee or chatting with a coworker. I think the same "humane" treatment should be afforded kids. Then they also learn self-control. If they abuse the privilege they get in trouble but sending a text or two or checking something personal every once in awhile should not be the end of the world.
Rosalyn Martinez

Differentiation Meets Digital Technology | literacy beat - 12 views

literacybeat.com/...differentiation-tech

differentiation technology education

shared by Rosalyn Martinez on 09 Feb 15 - No Cached
  • Differentiation is an elegant mindset that suggests to teachers a framework that permits them to engage students while focusing on learning results, and digital technologies offer many opportunities to differentiate instruction in meaningful ways.
  • three-phase approach to planning differentiated instruction: Where do we start planning for differentiated instruction with technology, What are considerations for who we teach, what we teach, and how we plan? How do I put it all together?
  • Planning differentiated instruction enhanced by technology is a perfect fit for the principles of understanding by design (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005) in which teachers plan instruction based on the results they intend for their students.
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  • This means that before any digital tools are chosen, before a single activity is determined, before assessment instruments are designed, the intended results must be decided.
  • It will be tempting to think something like, “I really love Prezi and Glogster” so I’ll design my activity around those two tools.” An analogy might be helpful here as a kind of caution about choosing the technology before moving forward with other aspects of instruction.
  • Once we have a firm grasp on what results we expect based on standards and objectives, we can begin to think about the best ways to challenge our students.
  • Curricular elements we can differentiate commonly include the processes of learning, the products of learning, and the content on which learning is based (Tomlinson, 2001).
  • High-quality differentiation typically means different students doing different things that lead to achievement of a common learning goal.  Developing options is an effective way to put differentiation into effect.
  • Teachers develop options that meet identified learner needs while keeping key attributes of the target concepts and results in mind.
  • They can be simple tinkering (or micro-differentiation, as Tomlinson, 2001, asserts) or those digital tools can vastly improve how students learn and how they interact in our digital world.
  • How digital technologies are embedded in the learning tasks is vitally important
  • In the following example tasks, notice how the tools enhance the learning rather than restrict it; at the same time students are encouraged to use new literacy skills in learning as they complete the tasks.
  • In your classroom, what successful tasks have you designed with the end in mind that were built on solid principles of differentiation and use of digital technologies?
    • Rosalyn Martinez
      Rosalyn Martinez on 09 Feb 15
       
      I like that the author gets to the point immediately. He defines "differentiation" for the reader and explains a three-phase approach to planning this type of instruction.
    • Rosalyn Martinez
      Rosalyn Martinez on 09 Feb 15
       
      The author is very helpful. He provides useful tips on getting started in the planning process of differentiated instruction.
    • Rosalyn Martinez
      Rosalyn Martinez on 09 Feb 15
       
      Check out these videos! They are extremely helpful & provide a great visual on how to plan differentiated instruction and how differentiation meets digital technology.
    • Rosalyn Martinez
      Rosalyn Martinez on 09 Feb 15
       
      The following are some great examples to help you get started on planning your differentiated instruction.
  • Rosalyn Martinez on 09 Feb 15
     
    This is a great article about differentiating instruction with the use of digital tools. Have you considered differentiating instruction? If so, please provide an example to share with the group as to how you differentiated instruction on a particular lesson and/or how you differentiated an assignment. If you haven't considered differentiation, please state how you feel about this topic now that you are better informed.
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  • marie_lara on 09 Feb 15
     
    That is a very interesting article! No, I have considered this as it is defined, or specified. Actually I suggested something like this awhile back when I was teaching a group of adult students in computer basics. Some of the drawbacks were brought up by others, such as it would require many more resources than we had available at the time.
  • Rosalyn Martinez on 11 Feb 15
     
    Thank you for your response, Marie! I'm certain there are drawbacks due to lack of resources, and I'm sure it's time consuming to set up. Still, I would really like to try this in the near future. Thanks again.
  • jnfreeman7 on 24 Feb 15
     
    Differentiation is hard to do in the first place. When you have students in your classroom that are on 4 different levels and your students are not self directed or self motivated learners there are not enough "you" to go around the room. Technology can allow you to be in more than one place at a time. My favorite way to use technology for differentiation is the flipped classroom model. It can allow for students to work at their own pace and gives the teacher more time and freedom to differentiate during class.
  • Rosalyn Martinez on 01 Mar 15
     
    I agree with you, Jeannine. Differentiation can very difficult especially when you have various levels of student learning. I was unfamiliar with the flipped classroom model. I'm glad you mentioned it. I've researched it and can see how it would help so many students. One idea mentioned in an article I read was to have students view short videos of an upcoming lesson. On the day of the lesson, students are then able to focus on the lesson itself and work on exercises & activities in the classroom. We do that in this class & it really does help. FYI - the article I read on this subject can be located at https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli7081.pdf.
tvisco

Gamification in Education - 3 views

www.edutopia.org/...ation-in-education-vicki-davis

shared by tvisco on 22 Feb 15 - No Cached
    • tvisco
      tvisco on 22 Feb 15
       
      This quiz identifies the role you like to play in games as killer, socializer, explorer, or adventurer.
    • tvisco
      tvisco on 22 Feb 15
       
      Jane McGonigal wrote "Reality is Broken," a book that proposes that we aren't utilizing the power of games to the fullest such as solving world problems like oil crisis or water shortages. She's definitely entertaining. Her TED Talk on this page is worth checking out. www.janemcgonigal.com
  • Gamifi-ED project
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    • tvisco
      tvisco on 22 Feb 15
       
      http://gamifi-ed.wikispaces.com/ This site collects "serious games" tested by students an educators. Their goal is games that really teach something but use the motivating power of games.
  • Game mechanics
    • tvisco
      tvisco on 22 Feb 15
       
      This site lists all the ways that games get people interested in playing them. It's meant for game designers but it's interesting in it's own right and taps into motivational behavior. http://badgeville.com/wiki/Game_Mechanics
  • higher ed
    • tvisco
      tvisco on 22 Feb 15
       
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeexDmpWeOQ A video on why to use games in higher education.
  • elementary ed,
    • tvisco
      tvisco on 22 Feb 15
       
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnvHdjGjfjI A video on why to use games in elementary education.
    • tvisco
      tvisco on 22 Feb 15
       
      The question I have is how to integrate the games out there into the curriculum. I think it's hard to do because with limited teaching time, taking time to play a game without having a good basis in content feels frivolous. And yet by the time students understand the content, there may not be time for games. The games out there might not match the content being taught very well.
  • Bartle's Gamer Profile Quiz
  • Jane McGonigal mentioned it in her Gaming Can Make a Better World TED Talk
  • tvisco on 22 Feb 15
     
    This article discusses the need to harness the motivational and addictive power of games in teaching. However, my question is how to integrate games into curriculum. Many games don't involve the curriculum being taught or only cover it superficially. How do you use games in the classroom? If you don't, why not?
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  • Rosalyn Martinez on 04 Mar 15
     
    Great article! At our school, we have several online reading & math games that we allow students to play. I'm all for gamification. I didn't realize there was a name for it, LOL. To answer your question, we use Everyday Math as our math curriculum. They have a wonderful website that is just a GREAT resource to teachers & students. For instance, it offers interactive teacher lessons. I use them daily & my students and I LOVE them! More importantly, it offers Everdaymath Online games. These are games that go along with our math lessons. Teachers can also assign games as homework. The website keeps track of how often students are playing the games and how they are progressing, or not, with a certain skill. From my experience, there are many ways to integrate games into curriculum but administrators must research that prior to choosing a particular curriculum. No matter what the situation, all it takes is a little research & comparison. The technology & games are out there....on the world wide web. Thanks for sharing!
  • tvisco on 15 Mar 15
     
    There's a real need for technology experts at schools to do more than reboot stalled operating systems and hook up new mice. Finding viable programs in the sea of options out there is one of them. One of my teacher friends seems to just use whatever sites, games, applications she can find willy nilly. She's happy to try anything. Her students do well but I wonder how random it is. It'd be nice to plan something that had progression to it and made more connections. I know she doesn't have time or money to spend on finding truly great programs and believes that trying them out and discarding them if need be is good enough.
  • ruthreyes on 22 Mar 15
     
    This type of interaction gets me excited because I have my students play CoolMath games on computer when they are done assignments but I am always finding games and tech 2.0 tools to incorporate for their learning. I love searching and attending workshops to help update my portfolio of tech tools. One tool that my students have found extremely engaging and they love to use is KAHOOT! This is a fun program to use for tests/assessments because it gives you the amount of correct answers and it saves you time, paper, and is a great tool to use for a test grade. https://getkahoot.com/
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