We recently had a presentation by the director of technology at Rio Schools. His talk was very interesting and informative. He talked to us about the importance of teaching our students to collaborate, and solve problems. This is what he called teaching 21st Century skills. I've heard this analogy before, but he went on to mention that we are preparing student for jobs that have yet been discovered. He spoke about how textbooks are pretty much obsolete, and we should be preparing students for real world skills that they can carry for a life time. As teachers we can teach these so called 21st Century skills by integrating technology into the classroom.
I think the notion of teaching children based on what kind of career or field is a good thing. Yes, our children need basic math, reading, writing and socialization skills but in order to keep our children engaged we must teach them based on their interests. Instead of us trying to perfect the 19th century educational model we need to teach students based on the skills necessary for success when they are adults.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Multimedia Presentation
Last class, we discussed technical tools that can help engage our students in learning. We also started on working on a multimedia group project. For the group project we are to work with 1-2 other classmates on a multimedia presentation using collaborative software to share expertise on technology tool and strategies that are aligned to Mazano's Instructional strategies.
One of my favorite technical tools i learned about was goanimate.com. This is a website that allows you to created your own animated short video. What i enjoyed the most about this tool was that it has a text to voice tool which allows you to type your script and then choose a voice to speak the text. I think that the text to voice feature is super cool! So, for my presentation i have decided to use this tool to create a video. Once my presentation is complete i will post the finished product.
One of my favorite technical tools i learned about was goanimate.com. This is a website that allows you to created your own animated short video. What i enjoyed the most about this tool was that it has a text to voice tool which allows you to type your script and then choose a voice to speak the text. I think that the text to voice feature is super cool! So, for my presentation i have decided to use this tool to create a video. Once my presentation is complete i will post the finished product.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Social Media's Place in The Classroom
Is there a place for social media in the classroom?
The article that i read is titled, "Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom." Some of the cons that this article brought up about utilizing social media in the classroom are definitely concerns of mine and reasons why myself as an educator many choose not to use social media in the classroom. One of the cons the article presented was that social media can be a distraction, and can divert students attention from what's happening in class. Another con that this article presented was that social media discourages face to face communication. One of the most powerful skills a student can have is social skills. I know people who had absolutely no education, but because they have great social skills they have become very successful. The article brings up the point that without proper social skills students may find themselves at a disadvantage during college admission or job interviews when they need to command attention and deliver a coherent message. At social gatherings and in personal relationships, they need to be able to effectively express themselves and connect with others.
I have mixed feelings about social media and think it depends on how the teacher utilizes the social media and what sites the teacher uses. First, if a teacher wants to use social media in the classroom, they definitely need to come up with general rules and guidelines for their student's use. Teachers also need to be in line with the district and school rules about the use of social media. Social media can be a powerful tool if used in a proper way. Also, social media must serve a purpose in the classroom. Hopefully, if a teacher decides the use social media there will be a lot of though put into how they will integrate these tools.
The article that i read is titled, "Pros and Cons of Social Media in the Classroom." Some of the cons that this article brought up about utilizing social media in the classroom are definitely concerns of mine and reasons why myself as an educator many choose not to use social media in the classroom. One of the cons the article presented was that social media can be a distraction, and can divert students attention from what's happening in class. Another con that this article presented was that social media discourages face to face communication. One of the most powerful skills a student can have is social skills. I know people who had absolutely no education, but because they have great social skills they have become very successful. The article brings up the point that without proper social skills students may find themselves at a disadvantage during college admission or job interviews when they need to command attention and deliver a coherent message. At social gatherings and in personal relationships, they need to be able to effectively express themselves and connect with others.
I have mixed feelings about social media and think it depends on how the teacher utilizes the social media and what sites the teacher uses. First, if a teacher wants to use social media in the classroom, they definitely need to come up with general rules and guidelines for their student's use. Teachers also need to be in line with the district and school rules about the use of social media. Social media can be a powerful tool if used in a proper way. Also, social media must serve a purpose in the classroom. Hopefully, if a teacher decides the use social media there will be a lot of though put into how they will integrate these tools.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Technology, Research, Strategies...Oh My!
There are many technological resources for teachers to integrate into the classroom.
Well...Many, may be an understatement. There are TONS of resources out there to help educators integrate technology into the classroom. The main issue is trying to figure out which ones are the best for your classroom structure and the most user friendly.
Today, in class we discussed the many resources that educators can use along with strategies to keep students engaged. One of the tools we discussed were Podcasts and the way we can use them in the classroom. A podcast is a type of digital media consisting of an episodic series of audio radio, video, PDF, or ePub files subscribed to and downloaded through web syndication or streamed online to a computer or mobile device. A way that teachers can possibly use Podcasts in the classroom is to have students do recorded presentations via Podcast instead of live presentations. For example, if i were a history teacher and assigned a project of some sort for my students to compete and present to the class, i could have them do a Podcast recording instead. Then i can have my students view their classmates Podcast for homework instead of taking precious instuctional time to sit through days of presentations. This method will also allow teachers more flexibility in grading presentations.
Another tool we discussed was Flip teaching. Flip teaching is a form of blended learning which encompasses any use of Internet technology to leverage the learning in a classroom, so a teacher can spend more time interacting with students instead of lecturing. This is most commonly being done using teacher-created videos that students view outside of class time. Flip teaching is a great tool to integrate into the classroom so that students can access information outside of the classroom to help with homework or a better understanding of the lesson. Teachers can play recorded videos about a lesson while interacting with students instead of standing in front of the room lecturing.
Hope you find some of this info useful!
To find more information about Podcasting and Flip Teaching feel free to visit the following links;
Flip Teaching: http://www.cyclesoflearning.com/page4/index.php
Podcasts: https://voicethread.com/
Well...Many, may be an understatement. There are TONS of resources out there to help educators integrate technology into the classroom. The main issue is trying to figure out which ones are the best for your classroom structure and the most user friendly.
Today, in class we discussed the many resources that educators can use along with strategies to keep students engaged. One of the tools we discussed were Podcasts and the way we can use them in the classroom. A podcast is a type of digital media consisting of an episodic series of audio radio, video, PDF, or ePub files subscribed to and downloaded through web syndication or streamed online to a computer or mobile device. A way that teachers can possibly use Podcasts in the classroom is to have students do recorded presentations via Podcast instead of live presentations. For example, if i were a history teacher and assigned a project of some sort for my students to compete and present to the class, i could have them do a Podcast recording instead. Then i can have my students view their classmates Podcast for homework instead of taking precious instuctional time to sit through days of presentations. This method will also allow teachers more flexibility in grading presentations.
Another tool we discussed was Flip teaching. Flip teaching is a form of blended learning which encompasses any use of Internet technology to leverage the learning in a classroom, so a teacher can spend more time interacting with students instead of lecturing. This is most commonly being done using teacher-created videos that students view outside of class time. Flip teaching is a great tool to integrate into the classroom so that students can access information outside of the classroom to help with homework or a better understanding of the lesson. Teachers can play recorded videos about a lesson while interacting with students instead of standing in front of the room lecturing.
Hope you find some of this info useful!
To find more information about Podcasting and Flip Teaching feel free to visit the following links;
Flip Teaching: http://www.cyclesoflearning.com/page4/index.php
Podcasts: https://voicethread.com/
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
What's Gamification?
What is Gamification?
What is gamification? Gamification is a term we discussed in my technology class this evening. Gamification typically involves applying game design thinking to non-game applications to make them more fun and engaging. A non-game application can be everyday learning at school. Educators can use certain game mechanics in classrooms to motivate students and promote reading and learning.
References:
http://gamification.org/wiki/Gamificationhttp://blog.tophatmonocle.com/2012/07/4-ways-to-gamify-learning-in-your-classroom/
http://gamification.org/wiki/Gamification_of_Education
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Digital Immigrants VS. Digital Native
Today we had a discussion in class about digital natives and digital immigrants. Digital immigrants are those who are somewhat foreign to technology, where as digital natives were born into the technologies which are available today. It is said that, there is a divide between many of those who are digital immigrants who do not understand the way the use of technology has changed the minds of our children, and the children who find technology a way of life. Today's students spend large amounts of time with technologies which are banned or prohibited in schools.
Because of technology, we are interconnected like never before...Students spend so much time playing video games, texting their friends and interacting on social networks. Our education system was built during the "manufacturing age" when people had different educational goals, aspirations and jobs to prepare for. Now educators are preparing students for jobs that do not even exist as of yet. Things are changing and they are changing quickly. Some teachers, who are digital immigrant, cannot relate to this way of life since it is so different from the way they grew up and were taught.
Most middle school and high school students have cell phones these days, which are normally banned from campus. In my experience as a teacher, cell phones and other technologies at school can cause distractions. Especially when students text or listen to music during the class period as their teachers are lecturing. Many teachers are frustrated with their students have a lack of attention and interest in conventional methods of learning.
My opinion is that the question shouldn't be how we can bring technology into the classroom, but how can we teach students to leverage technology appropriately?
Because of technology, we are interconnected like never before...Students spend so much time playing video games, texting their friends and interacting on social networks. Our education system was built during the "manufacturing age" when people had different educational goals, aspirations and jobs to prepare for. Now educators are preparing students for jobs that do not even exist as of yet. Things are changing and they are changing quickly. Some teachers, who are digital immigrant, cannot relate to this way of life since it is so different from the way they grew up and were taught.
Most middle school and high school students have cell phones these days, which are normally banned from campus. In my experience as a teacher, cell phones and other technologies at school can cause distractions. Especially when students text or listen to music during the class period as their teachers are lecturing. Many teachers are frustrated with their students have a lack of attention and interest in conventional methods of learning.
My opinion is that the question shouldn't be how we can bring technology into the classroom, but how can we teach students to leverage technology appropriately?
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