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natalie_cepeda

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

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

technology education classroom pedagogy

juancalvarez

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

  • 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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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?
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    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!
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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 :)
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    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!
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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!
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    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.
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    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.
cinthia_sierra

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

  • 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.
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • 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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      Consider your content area and former lessons and discuss how video conferencing can be utilized to maximize learning.
    • Cynthia Rios
       
      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
       
      Would this even be possible at your district/school? Elaborate
    • Cynthia Rios
       
      I don't know if this would be possible at my school.  Unfortunately, many veteran teachers are not as open to change.
    • cinthia_sierra
       
      This would prepare students for online classes at the post-secondary level.
    • Lucretia Human
       
      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
       
      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.
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    Using technology wisely in order to improve instruction
Don Martin

Collaborative Problem Based Learning in a VLE - 4 views

  •  
    Critical thinking skills are among the most important and most difficult skills to develop for student success. Here's an example of how Web 2.0, VLE and PBL come together in a singularity. How could this use of technology benefit your students?
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    The main advantage to this virtual learning experience seems to.be the ability to collaborate! As the author states, access and records are also advantages...but for grade school students, access can still be very limited!
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    I agree that access for grade school students can be limited and probably should be limited. But consider the possibilities if we use this technology in the classroom in collaborative efforts where we connect with other classes studying the same information. What might happen if we were able to connect students from one classroom with students in another classroom in different part of the country or even another country? We could potentially create VLE experiences where the access was limited to those participating in the learning experience and incorporate problem based learning across the internet. What would a class like that look like? What could we expect for outcomes? Is it possible that we might be surprised by the results?
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    Don, I think that classroom would look like what most teachers dream that their classroom COULD be. However, the courses that need it most: core classes, especially STEM classes, already have overloaded curriculums due to state testing. Until some of those extensive requirements let up, I don't see many teachers (except maybe honors and AP level) being willing to give class time to these kinds of learning experiences, which are often time consuming and unrelated (at least directly anyway) to testing. Sigh...
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    I think a limited version of a VLE could be an effective tool for grade level GT students. GT students regularly search for new ways to gain more knowledge and in addition, teachers are searching for effective ways to keep those students engaged. VLE would be a positive solution for this. I can image the knowledge they could gain from other students around the country. Students could use their new found knowledge in their required projects and presentations.
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    With all that I am learning in my UTB classes this year, I assigned a PrBL lesson to my students and had them collaborate in class, Edmodo and Google Docs. I presented a Three Acts math problem from Dan Meyer (http://blog.mrmeyer.com) to the students in class. I also posted it to Edmodo. Then I allowed the students class time to work on the problem. I also added information that they requested on Edmodo. The students then used Edmodo and Google presentation to further collaborate on their work and presentation. Finally, each group presented their presentation to the class. This was a great solution to a problem we have been having at school - absenteeism. Student who were absent, were still able to participate in the group project from home. I think blended classes are a must for the future. However, until all students have adequate internet access at home, it will be a slow process.
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    I agree Don that using VLE and web 2.0 technologies as tools for collaboration among geographically separated learning environments is an exciting idea. Giving learners the opportunity to collaborate with other students from around the world provides a richer learning experience than the typical brick and mortar classroom.
Stephen Simon

MapSkip - Places Have Stories! - 6 views

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

The Backchannel: Giving Every Student a Voice in the Blended Mobile Classroom | Edutopia - 7 views

  • Backchannels give all of these students a voice. They create a blended environment where teachers and students engage in both physical and online conversations so that learning is no longer confined to a single means of communication or even an arbitrary class period. Backchannels don't replace class discussions -- they extend them.
    • hillaryparrish
       
      As the article will address later, Backchannels give a voice to students that may not speak in a group setting.  Sometimes the shy students that will never raise their hand or answer very quietly when they are called on actually flourish when given the chance to "talk" on a Backchannel.  Students are able to begin with an idea and add to those ideas based on what other students wrote which helps take the pressure off each student.  
  • However, by incorporating a backchannel, all of her students could contribute their questions both in their small groups as well as to the entire class. With the inquiries documented, Meghan could then let the students drive their scientific investigations for a unit on objects in the sky.
    • hillaryparrish
       
      The students could not only use Backchannels individually, but in groups if they wish.  As the article mentions, the questions would be documented.  Students that were absent could get a record of questions and answers that were asked during class that day.  This could be very beneficial since that student may have the same questions as other students' that were in the class.  
    • Lucretia Human
       
      I feel like when students are absent they miss more than just the assignments, but the whole dymanics of the class. This can lead to decrease understanding. However, through backchannels students can get the dynamics of the class through questions and answers from their peers. I found this intersting article about Backchannels and some examples on how they can be use. http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/04/10-ways-to-use-backchannels-in-your.html
    • hillaryparrish
       
      Lu, Great point! I agree that students do miss more than just the material when they are absent. Thank you for sharing the article! To this point, I have not used Backchannels a lot for several reasons, but I like the ideas given in the article suggested. My favorite is to assess prior knowledge. What an engaging way to find out what students already know about a topic!
  • However, by typing their thoughts, all students contributed their ideas while each having the autonomy to work at his or her own pace.
    • hillaryparrish
       
      Depending on what type of Backchannel is used, students could be typing their ideas in or out of class so they would have the opportunity to think about their answers and post them as long as they posted them before the due date or discussion date.  By having more students participation to the conversation, other students as well as the teacher may see different perspectives on concepts that they may have never thought of before.  Something that was not mentioned in this article is that students need good up front rules about Backchannels before beginning the activity to prevent them from thinking they can use it to speak to each other like they do in social networking.
    • Lucretia Human
       
      I really think that Backchanneling is a great idea for deepen students knowledge of the topic, however I have a few questions: With multiple conversations occuring simultaneously during the main presenation of material, couldn't that cause a diversion of the student's focus, especially if the topic requires intense focus or reflective thought? Also how will the privacy of the student's comments be protected when archive?
    • hillaryparrish
       
      Lu, I have used Backchanneling during a presentation (I used Google Sites), and literally had to make it part of my students' grade that they ask the presenter a question during the presentation in order to get them to type in it! I teach high school in a rural East Texas school. My students told me it would be rude to type while the presenter was talking! While that may have been unusual, I think the key is to set boundaries up front with the class for what is to be discussed during a presentation. In my opinion, multiple conversations should not really be occurring during the presentation. We used to to communicate a question to the presenter while he/she was presenting. Sometimes, when students hold questions to the end, they forget their question. The presenter can choose to answer immediately or answer all questions at the end, but the presenter has all the questions typed out. On the privacy of the students' comments, my initial thought was that their comments would be saved securely on the school's server and only shared with that class. However, I could see where that could go awry so I looked up a some sites that spoke about archiving. Backchannel Chat indicates the teacher should have students use "appropriate" display names (http://backchannelchat.com/Benefits). However, on sites such as Google Sites, students log in so names would need to be changed if the conversation was going to be archived.
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  • Across the curriculum, backchannels lead to better outcomes as learning no longer becomes confined to a desk, or a room, or even the school day.
    • hillaryparrish
       
      Think of a lesson in which you could use a Backchannel in your classroom.  Briefly describe how you would implement it. 
kdauphiney

Discussion Boards and their use in the classroom - 2 views

The Diigo Discussion Board is a great software for collaborative learning in which the students of the class can share ideas about a particular topic in order to further understand the knowledge of...

classroom

started by kdauphiney on 22 Jun 14 no follow-up yet
candacejames07

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

  • 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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      How are you improving your technology deficiencies?
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  • I lack the experience of being a daily instructor in the classroom.
    • candacejames07
       
      How many years of experience do you have as an educator? 
  • Establish a vision for technology.
    • candacejames07
       
      What is your vision for technology for your campus or district?
  •  
    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.
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    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.
  •  
    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!
  •  
    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.
  •  
    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?
  •  
    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?
  •  
    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.
asuarez1

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

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

morgantucker

A Computational Knowledge Engine- What is that Anyways? - 5 views

  •  
    If you thought that a search engine could be helpful to learning, just wait until you give Wolfram Alpha a try. Look at the examples and then put it to the test. How do you see this being beneficial in education?
  •  
    This search engine is awesome and I could see it being used in hs and college classes or just by learners looking to learn. I found the Examples by Topic page to be helpful on how to use the search engine. http://www.wolframalpha.com/examples/ The one thing that I worry a bit about is that students could use it to solve problems without ever knowing how the problems were solved. Brook
  •  
    Yes- Brook. You are not the only one with this concern. There is a place in learning for showing basic problems and learning the basics of a new concept (in which this could be used to solve) but I am also a strong believer that on a regular basis, we need to be giving our students problems where the answers cannot be easy searched. Such as tweeting a picture of a popcorn container before the movie starts and asking them to create an equation involving volume. This checks for understanding at a higher level, forces them to generalize the knowledge and then provides them the opportunity to teach.
Maria Ing

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

  • 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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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.  
  •  
    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.
  •  
    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.
Stephen Simon

Learnist | Share what you know - 6 views

  • Interested in teaching and learning, especially inclusive and digitally-mediated aspects thereof
  • Deeply thinking about how students perform on assessments, not just with student aggregate scores, but rather with individual question analysis is critical in the reflective practitioner.
    • Stephen Simon
       
      testing the basic interface
  •  
    testing my bookmark
  •  
    this is a web20 site used for testing
  •  
    i think i got the hang of diigo
Stephen Simon

Home | JOG THE WEB - 5 views

  • synchronous guide to a series of web sites
  • allowing the author to annotate
  • ask guiding questions for each page
  • ...3 more annotations...
    • Stephen Simon
       
      This is a great way to supplement your discussions but it has one drawback: if your URL changes in your stored Jogs, the link is essentially broken and will not display. This creates overhead for the teacher which most of us don't need.
    • Don Martin
       
      I have seen something similar to this done with a Prezi presentation where the links are embedded in the slides and the presentation is uploaded to a cloud or other website.
    • Stephen Simon
       
      It is nice that one can post annotations (sticky notes) and keep the discussion synchronous. Most paradigms of this nature place the impetus back on the teacher instead of shifting it to the student. Do you agree?
    • Stephen Simon
       
      This try-it feature is nice because you do not have to join anything to take it out for a spin. Does this way of getting you to test drive something make you wary?
  •  
    This is a great tool for displaying specific web pages in Powerpoint-like sequence with annotations. Virtual sharing during a lecture might be another way of describing it.
Lucretia Human

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

    • Lucretia Human
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      How would answer this question, if faced with it from one of your faculty?
    • hillaryparrish
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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
       
      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..
  •  
    Tips to help us as Ed Techs help those not so tech savvy teachers
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  •  
    Great ideas to help teachers use technology in their classrooms!
  •  
    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.
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    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.
bradlampton

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

    • marie_lara
       
      I have noticed that! & It makes so many things easier if someone else has already created a video.
    • gracehernandez13
       
      It is a way to take control what you feel needs to be shared or learned...it is a great tool to enhance learning and creativity. GHernandez (alwzgrace13).
  • Using Skype to bring professionals to the classroom allows for important connections and knowledge. Do you think that companies would allow their employees to Skype and give speeches about their field?
    • bradlampton
       
      Skype is very much important for businesses nowadays because it has many good points which directly helps in improving the workplace efficiency. Check this link out : http://smallbusiness.chron.com/can-businesses-use-skype-58302.html
  • If virtual worlds are being used by employers, shouldn't we be incorporating this technology into our K-12 instruction?
    • bradlampton
       
      The advantages of virtual worlds include cost, location and engagement. Why engagement? If you are a teacher then you are probably only too familiar with the problem of trying to keep a class of lively youngsters interested in a subject long enough for them to understand it. Their attention span is limited and boredom threshold is high so you have two issues to content with. Great post! Check this site out: http://www.avatarstorytellers.com/default.asp?iId=HILHG
  •  
    This article really clarified the differentiation concept for me. I've learned that differentiation involves a lot more than finding a different purpose for a given activity to serve. For example, while a lesson in ceramics could be a foundation for a geological lesson on erosion, or a chance to provide physical therapy for fine motor development, choosing different deliverables such as making a model of an anatomically correct turtle or a scaled model of a combustion engine are also types of differentiation. Thanks!
bradlampton

If you can Google it, why teach it? | eSchool News | eSchool News - 3 views

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    Are any of us better than Google as an instructor? Is there anything value-added vis-à-vis your classroom teaching? Might one contribute a unique understanding, or presentation, of content? Is offering a professional, high-quality, filtering of fluff and misinformation your unique contribution? Or, is there high-quality feedback that deepens and furthers learning - something arguably Google still does not do?
  • ...2 more comments...
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    I think that there is definitely a need for an instructor and many of them. With the amazing collaborative tools we have, the ability to bring experts and amazing examples into the classroom (even virtual classes) is endless. The trick here is to teach the students how to use what they Google and how to use it safely. Application is the key. Googling something does not mean you get quality information. We still need the experts to create and curate the information. Many of the students would not push themselves to learn what they are taught in a classroom. Who would conjugate the verbs and use them appropriately in a story? Although the methods of teaching have changed, the material is vast and still needs to reach the students. Google does not do that!
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    We might not be better than google as instructors that know it all and students can just ask any question and we can immediately provide it, but we are better instructors than google because we can teach the students how to use google in different ways of teaching. All students learn differently and some students need an actual person to guide them step by step and repeat if needed. As instructors we can use hands on teaching something that google can not do. A high quality feedback is and will always be best provided by an actual person rather than a machine or web tool.
  •  
    That's so true... and I remember struggling when I wanted to ask a live person (not necessarily a teacher) about how to do certain things, and they would often reply: "Google It!" Even though they know the answer or can instruct me, they just don't. I'm not sure if it's confidence (feeling maybe the internet has better answers) or just being lazy or not in the mood to explain. That's sad because we become less and less dependent on eachother for building our skills and find our answers on the web. I agree with @bradlampton about human teachers providing "high-quality feedback that deepends and furthers learning" and I want to add... I personally think that students, especially the younger ones, would become motivated to learn if it was a human (part of the psychological development, connection-trust-attraction). Yeah?
  •  
    Google is a tool that instructors can use, so I don't think that Google will ever be better than an instructor. Like Myra says in her comment, we may not have all the information that Google can search but as educators we need to be able to teach our students how to access that information and filter out reliable sources. I know that I have had classroom discussions in my science classes and when a student asks me something that I don't know or am not sure of, we Google It. I project my screen and I model how I use the search engine and search for a reliable source. I think its important for them to see the process because a lot of the times they don't know how to correctly research. When students ask me several times the same question that has been covered in lecture, labs, practice, and instructions, I tell them to Google It. I do this with information that has already been covered, to help them learn how to use the resources available to them. I always come back to check if they found their answer. Google is a tool, and just like any other tool, as instructors, it is our duty to provide students with the knowledge to correctly use these tools.
Don Martin

Will Web 2.0 Technology Send Copyrights the Way of the Dinosaur? - 4 views

  •  
    Interesting that an article about Web 2.0 Technologies that suggests that copyrights might be going the way of the dinosaur will not allow you to capture or highlight using a tool like Diigo.
  • ...10 more comments...
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    Consider this statement from the article above: "The internet has made it cheaper and easier for authors and other creators to create material and make it widely available to a global audience. Critics of copyright law maintain that since it is cheaper and easier to produce a book, film, song or image, copyright protection is no longer necessary to protect and encourage creativity. They believe that by freely allowing a person to reproduce or adapt an existing work, creativity will flourish. This dichotomy is at the heart of the relationship between web 2.0 technologies and copyright. The nature of web 2.0 makes it easy for anyone to create an original work, to adapt or reproduce an existing work. Many of these creators have little knowledge or regard for copyright law. As a result many users are infringing copyright. Again, critics of copyright law argue that the law has been slow to adapt to how people are using copyright material and that the law should be changed to reflect this." Have copyrights outlived their usefulness? Why or why not?
  •  
    Don, That site was very informative about all the issues of copyright. Before this class, I never realized how serious an issue copyright laws are and how easily they can and have been broken. The one item that stood out to me was "Using Material Created by Other People." It says those people who join your social network (for me it would be Facebook) and use pictures, videos, etc. have limited provisions. So all those pictures and memes need to be copyright? Something to think about and be wary of next time I share a picture/meme and I do not know who created them. Should those images be attributed or not shared at all. http://www.nyccounsel.com/business-blogs-websites/who-owns-photos-and-videos-posted-on-facebook-or-twitter/
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    I don't have Instagram or Twitter and I rarely uppload any pictures to my Facebook account. I wonder who is worse the NSA or these social networks.
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    Web 2.0 certainly adds to copyright confusion! Especially when people are sharing lists of links that contain so much information, however, it is always the researcher's responsibility to find and credit the originL source!
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    Araceli, the article that you posted was quite interesting. I never paid attention to the terms of social media websites like Facebook. It is scary to think that anything (i.e., picture, movie) a person posts to the website now becomes the property of Facebook and they can do anything with it as owner. Yikes!
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    Brenda, It is super scary. I have lots of my friends who are no longer on this social media. I now have it in the back of my mind, if and when I do post pictures, do I really want Facebook owning that image. Something that makes you go hmm?
  •  
    The social media site doesn't "own" the content, what you are agreeing to is a license for them to use the content. The ownership stays with the creator. I find the contention by some that copyrights are no longer a valid way to handle content to be more troubling than Facebook or Twitter's licensing agreement. Just stay away from posting things to Twitter and Facebook or other social media site that you don't want other to have control over and your problem is solved. However, if we give in to the idea that copyright laws are outdated and that since it no longer is cost prohibitive to produce content we should just give up copyrights then we have a new and different issue. What happens to print, music, art, video and other media once it has been produced without copyright laws? Is there a better way to define copyrights that would be more in line with how content is shared and distributed today? Should we just bring an end to copyrights? Should we go the other way and try to rigidly enforce copyright law? Is that even possible in the social media world we live in?
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    Don, I found the site quite informative. Copyright on the web has become a complicated issue. As Araceli stated, websites can use what you post on the their sites. But what if what is posted infringes on a third party's rights. Could the owners of the website also be held liable. I know that people upload songs to Youtube. Is simply giving credit enough to avoid litigation? What if the author does not want their song upload on Youtube.
  •  
    I have noticed when I upload videos to YouTube that it scans for copyrighted music and flags those videos. I uploaded a student created video that had a song off the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack in the background. YouTube immediately noticed it and prompted me to investigate, concede, or remove the video. With too many violations your YouTube account can be suspended or revoked. As impressive as it is that YouTube can scan all the content that is uploaded to it on a second by second basis, I've got to agree, managing copyright law is a bit of a nightmare in this day and age of social media. Facebook, G+, Twitter (and others) all want us to share, and often. But our culture reinforces this sense of immediacy and urgency that seems inextricably tied to online activity...how do we balance the two. I think it's clear we have a long way to go in this area.
  •  
    Ibanuelos, very few artists don't want their music uploaded onto YouTube. That's how they make money now. For instance: If I make an educational video that used a third party song, YouTube gives me a chance to acknowledge any third party content that it flags (and it always catches it). Then, any ad money that comes from my video goes directly to that third party (all of it even though I added my own content) because their content has the preceding copyright. This is how Psy made his money. Every parody video that was uploaded to YouTube that contained his song had ads placed before it that paid him. He made 7 million in a year. "Giving credit" isn't how it works, YouTube's algorithms get the artist paid (and embeds a link where the song can be downloaded with another payment to the author). Now it's a different problem for movies...
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    Olivia and Ibanuelos make good points here even though they are on opposite sides. How do we protect those that do not want their songs uploaded on YouTube? Clearly as Olivia concedes there must be at least a "few artists" that don't want their music uploaded. It seems that most are probably happy with the licensing arrangement that YouTube has in place. The question remains though is copyrighting an archaic system that has not kept up with the innovations of technology? It is clearly very easy to get around a copyright and use the material in almost any way you choose with little or no consequences in the vast majority of cases. Would removing copyright restrictions on content produced using Web 2.0 Technology foster creativity?
  •  
    Have copyrights outlived their usefulness? Given all the exploring and talking we have done this semester on copyright, I would have to say "no". Artists and creators should have some form of protection. Now, does copyright law need to be looked at and revised to apply to all of the stuff that is out there now? Yes, I think so. The problem is, our media landscape changes faster than anyone can come up with a standard.
sharonmahabir

The Importance of Discussion Boards - 2 views

I feel that I have discovered a better understanding of the value of discussion boards from my experience in EdTech classes. The discussion boards in my classes are used efficiently to collaborate...

Technology Discussion share

started by sharonmahabir on 24 Sep 14 no follow-up yet
mrigal

CNET Forums - 0 views

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