Friday, May 30, 2008
Wrap up for week 2
I thought last night went well as a group and as a group we will strive forth to over come, achieve, and take what it ours as we continue on our own never ending quest to be the very best that we can be. I know some of this may all sound so cliche, but we are fortunate to be this group and we feed off of one another like the machine we are and believe me our end product will prove everything that we have accomplished!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Discover Information Literacy
While I was watching this video on Discover Information Literacy I really thought I was watching a video on how to use credible information. I thought I was back in elementary school when we were assigned our first report. We had to learn to use sources that were credible for our projects. While I was watching this I thought the same thing. The word that the video focused on was discover:
D: Define
I: Inquire
S: Search
C: Collect
O: Organize
V:Verifying
E: Express
R: Reflect
While reading about what each word meant in the acronym it made me think of how to effectively use research methods without being fooled of spam. I have taken a couple of Information Technology class in culinary school and one of our first assignments was to find out what websites were credible and why they either were or were not. We spent the first two classes discussing such a topic. I thought it was a pretty easy concept to understand, however some of my classmates did not and I was shocked by such a notion from them. The video also discusses how workers need to: locate, evaluate, and organize in the process. I also thought I was viewing a video on the problem solving process as well. We need to be critical, analytical, and thought invoking: listeners, readers, and writers to be successful in this day and age with one another. I do understand why the video was presented. I also liked the state whether it was something to the effect of: let the students use a tool before they become the tool. I thought there was a truth to that. Students need to know how to effectively sift through what the junk may be on the Internet and what is not junk too.
D: Define
I: Inquire
S: Search
C: Collect
O: Organize
V:Verifying
E: Express
R: Reflect
While reading about what each word meant in the acronym it made me think of how to effectively use research methods without being fooled of spam. I have taken a couple of Information Technology class in culinary school and one of our first assignments was to find out what websites were credible and why they either were or were not. We spent the first two classes discussing such a topic. I thought it was a pretty easy concept to understand, however some of my classmates did not and I was shocked by such a notion from them. The video also discusses how workers need to: locate, evaluate, and organize in the process. I also thought I was viewing a video on the problem solving process as well. We need to be critical, analytical, and thought invoking: listeners, readers, and writers to be successful in this day and age with one another. I do understand why the video was presented. I also liked the state whether it was something to the effect of: let the students use a tool before they become the tool. I thought there was a truth to that. Students need to know how to effectively sift through what the junk may be on the Internet and what is not junk too.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Getting Tapped In
I like using Tapped In for a source of information. Tapped In reminds me of when AOL came out with chat rooms with very specific ideas, places, and concepts to talk about. One could discuss anything and everything in a chat room. I find Tapped In to be same way as AOL. Tapped In is an educational concept and a place where we can express, absorb, and reflect our own ideas for our educational usage. Tapped In is nice, but it's not the coolest thing since sliced bread. One will find a link for AOL's chat room:http://peopleconnection.aol.com/main/. I mean I could talk to death about how cool Tapped In is but I grew up on chat rooms in my teenage years, so it does not have that "WOW" factor. This might be really cool to older people, however they did not grow up on this kind of technology.
Blog Highlights to dicuss
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Computer literacy is the ability to use the basics of a computer. The basics of a computer is using: word, excel, Internet, how to print from a notebook, or how to print from a PC. Computer literacy to me is the basic no how of completing a necessary task for something. Information literacy is the ability to understand the practical use and the tools of current technology in referring to technology. Literacy of the future will be the way to transform information from one place to another. At this point I do not think that any of us will be able to coin what the future may entail indeed. Reading for the future: http://www.readingforfuture.com/
The Net generation are people who excel with technology. For example, My Space, Face book, instant message and cell phones are a big percentage of that group. I think that we have made too much out of it to be honest. Lets face it, change or get changed in the world we know it. Digital students do not have the ability to have a long attention span (seven seconds) and then they need something else. Hearing a fact like that is very discouraging. We no longer have the ability to sit in our own chairs and view the world around us. With the inability to focus and sit still it will have a negative effect on reading, writing, and math scores. As a society we have become to dependent on technology. We have almost lost the ability to think for ourselves in this day and age. I don't think teachers need to change instruction, however they do need to be aware of how they will deliver their points in an engaging way. Presentation is everything!!
In the technology standards for students:
Standard 7 – Interdisciplinary Problem Solving
Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.
I believe that this standard is the best out of the six of them because students are using real problems and concepts that they will need to use in their own lives. Students need to know that school has some real implications towards their own lives and school is not simply about some stupid test. Students also need the ability to fall on their face, learn and get back up again. I think this standard should be well implemented in the classroom so that we can have some interconnectedness between teacher and students. I do not think that students are ready once they have left high school simply because the state drove the students to learn too much for a test that will not benefit them at all.
Standard 7 – Interdisciplinary Problem Solving
Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.
I also think that this standard should be right up in the ranks as the standard that I have put before it. Students need to address their own real life problems and have the ability to make their own decisions. If a student can not make their own decisions then what good will they be for themselves down the road?
I really like classroom 2.0. Many teachers seem as if they have few ways to communicate to other teachers especially in high school. The disconnect lies as the classroom gets larger and as the large amount of teachers become in the secondary level and the shelteredness that they have from one another. Teachers spend many times in the day being loners and going, going, and going. At least a 2.0 network will give teachers an outlet and help them express themselves for solutions that when a problem will arise instead of feeling like a scrambled egg. I think teachers lack support, and consistency from their peers and it hurts their own performances on a day to day basis. We all need someone or something to sound off to and to look upon. We quest because that is what we do. We seek, search, desire, enhance, and embrace new challenges in the education world around us.
As for del.icio.us. I thought it was okay. I did not find it to be too helpful. Yes, it is cool to be able to bookmark all of one's favorites, but is it really necessary or just some more stuff for us to learn about? I was not blown away by it by any means. I don't think it will come close to comparing how big it was when instant messaging came out. There was nothing like it and it changed communication in a positive way forever. Here is a link on the next step towards instant messaging:http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/01/technology/fastforward_meebo.fortune/index.htm.
I think that it will be imperative at the way we view what should be learned by our students and how it should be taught. Will we bring back the "Legacy" way of learning or will we stick to the "Future" of learning. As much as I love technology we must be able to do both. One can not exist without the other. Marc Prensky discusses, " Legacy content includes reading, writing, arithmetic, logical thinking, understanding the writings and ideas of the past, etc – all of our "traditional" curriculum. It is of course still important, but it is from a different era." Our reading scores are down and technology has a bit to do with that and I am sure there are lots of surveys out there to prove there is a correlation between the two. I like the "Future" of learning through pictures and sounds. I do understand how people fear change. Change is hard, but it must be done. I think we rely to heavily on the "theory" that technology will solve all the educational problems, it won't. I do believe the idea that everyone can learn, however remember that everyone will have their own learning point and they will stop. Not every child is going to go to college, trade school, or some other form of higher learning. We try to give each student the ability to: think, create, analyze, synthesis, express, and absorb the world in many ways. All we can do is the best we can...
The Net generation are people who excel with technology. For example, My Space, Face book, instant message and cell phones are a big percentage of that group. I think that we have made too much out of it to be honest. Lets face it, change or get changed in the world we know it. Digital students do not have the ability to have a long attention span (seven seconds) and then they need something else. Hearing a fact like that is very discouraging. We no longer have the ability to sit in our own chairs and view the world around us. With the inability to focus and sit still it will have a negative effect on reading, writing, and math scores. As a society we have become to dependent on technology. We have almost lost the ability to think for ourselves in this day and age. I don't think teachers need to change instruction, however they do need to be aware of how they will deliver their points in an engaging way. Presentation is everything!!
In the technology standards for students:
Standard 7 – Interdisciplinary Problem Solving
Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.
I believe that this standard is the best out of the six of them because students are using real problems and concepts that they will need to use in their own lives. Students need to know that school has some real implications towards their own lives and school is not simply about some stupid test. Students also need the ability to fall on their face, learn and get back up again. I think this standard should be well implemented in the classroom so that we can have some interconnectedness between teacher and students. I do not think that students are ready once they have left high school simply because the state drove the students to learn too much for a test that will not benefit them at all.
Standard 7 – Interdisciplinary Problem Solving
Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.
I also think that this standard should be right up in the ranks as the standard that I have put before it. Students need to address their own real life problems and have the ability to make their own decisions. If a student can not make their own decisions then what good will they be for themselves down the road?
I really like classroom 2.0. Many teachers seem as if they have few ways to communicate to other teachers especially in high school. The disconnect lies as the classroom gets larger and as the large amount of teachers become in the secondary level and the shelteredness that they have from one another. Teachers spend many times in the day being loners and going, going, and going. At least a 2.0 network will give teachers an outlet and help them express themselves for solutions that when a problem will arise instead of feeling like a scrambled egg. I think teachers lack support, and consistency from their peers and it hurts their own performances on a day to day basis. We all need someone or something to sound off to and to look upon. We quest because that is what we do. We seek, search, desire, enhance, and embrace new challenges in the education world around us.
As for del.icio.us. I thought it was okay. I did not find it to be too helpful. Yes, it is cool to be able to bookmark all of one's favorites, but is it really necessary or just some more stuff for us to learn about? I was not blown away by it by any means. I don't think it will come close to comparing how big it was when instant messaging came out. There was nothing like it and it changed communication in a positive way forever. Here is a link on the next step towards instant messaging:http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/01/technology/fastforward_meebo.fortune/index.htm.
I think that it will be imperative at the way we view what should be learned by our students and how it should be taught. Will we bring back the "Legacy" way of learning or will we stick to the "Future" of learning. As much as I love technology we must be able to do both. One can not exist without the other. Marc Prensky discusses, " Legacy content includes reading, writing, arithmetic, logical thinking, understanding the writings and ideas of the past, etc – all of our "traditional" curriculum. It is of course still important, but it is from a different era." Our reading scores are down and technology has a bit to do with that and I am sure there are lots of surveys out there to prove there is a correlation between the two. I like the "Future" of learning through pictures and sounds. I do understand how people fear change. Change is hard, but it must be done. I think we rely to heavily on the "theory" that technology will solve all the educational problems, it won't. I do believe the idea that everyone can learn, however remember that everyone will have their own learning point and they will stop. Not every child is going to go to college, trade school, or some other form of higher learning. We try to give each student the ability to: think, create, analyze, synthesis, express, and absorb the world in many ways. All we can do is the best we can...
The words we use to the words we represent
Last night in class we were asked to make an acronym out of a word that would represent technology. As a gorup we did not have any trouble coming up such words. The word we used last night was fusion. I wanted to use a culinary catchy title but my brain could not spit one out of my witty head. Below will be the word fusion and how I remember it:
F= Fluency
U= Understanding
S= Synthesis
I= Intergration
O= Opportunities
N= Network
While we worked together we put together an eye catching background, a title, and a neat clip art picutre. As a group we did a fabulous job putting together our own word and some catchy things to go along with it. We tried to think about the New York State Standards and how we could intergrate technology with them. Technology should be fused in with curriculum and not use technology in place of teaching, but as an aid. In our groups effort we did a soild job establishing ourselves last night and making the most of our progress...
F= Fluency
U= Understanding
S= Synthesis
I= Intergration
O= Opportunities
N= Network
While we worked together we put together an eye catching background, a title, and a neat clip art picutre. As a group we did a fabulous job putting together our own word and some catchy things to go along with it. We tried to think about the New York State Standards and how we could intergrate technology with them. Technology should be fused in with curriculum and not use technology in place of teaching, but as an aid. In our groups effort we did a soild job establishing ourselves last night and making the most of our progress...
Monday, May 26, 2008
83% of all incoming freshman are taking English 99 or 100
The digital generation has been here for awhile now and people are just starting to realize how much of an impact that they are going to have in a school setting. I must say that I was chuckling as I read this article to myself. Digital learners are changing the way instruction will be taught, however the real question remains will school conform to such a thing? School may not conform because they do not have the necessary funds to do so, and by the time they do change a new and intense wave will pick up.
As I am very much part of the digital age, I still read and take the time to sit down to appreciate literature. I was not raised on it by birth like others we read in this article. What really scares me is the fact that people do not read as much "content" as they used to. Read has the ability to stretch some one's mind. Read is the way people learn to decode new words, and learn phonics. Listening takes away from the learning and creative process. Also, when we do not have the words we see or learn, then we will not have the ability to have the written word. If we don't have the written word when we have to speak face to face we will fail to communicate to others.
What I have seen and heard is that the Digital Generation can not carry a face to face conversation because they were not forced growing up to do so. I think technology is great but it should support and not act as a means of all communication altogether. I think that educators are in trouble because students are not being literate in a certain way that will hurt them when they go to college, and the written express will be very difficult for them. College will not conform to such a thing at least what I have seen in the: English, history, math and other hardcore subjects. In many instances technology will do a disservice unless the fundamentals are learned.
I have read somewhere that 83% of all incoming freshman are taking English 99 or 100. What does this say about our society as a whole? Who is now held accountable for such actions that have occurred. As the Legacy learners dwindle and the Digital learners increase, there will be some troubling times down the road that will greatly effect the way future: schools, employers, and the way society will look at those people entirely.
As for educators we must present why we need to stay at the basics of reading, writing, and listening to others around us because it is apparent that it is what our students need. We must present why we need these things and not simply we need to do this because it is on the curriculum. Yes, students can process information, but can they demonstrate competency on their own?
As I am very much part of the digital age, I still read and take the time to sit down to appreciate literature. I was not raised on it by birth like others we read in this article. What really scares me is the fact that people do not read as much "content" as they used to. Read has the ability to stretch some one's mind. Read is the way people learn to decode new words, and learn phonics. Listening takes away from the learning and creative process. Also, when we do not have the words we see or learn, then we will not have the ability to have the written word. If we don't have the written word when we have to speak face to face we will fail to communicate to others.
What I have seen and heard is that the Digital Generation can not carry a face to face conversation because they were not forced growing up to do so. I think technology is great but it should support and not act as a means of all communication altogether. I think that educators are in trouble because students are not being literate in a certain way that will hurt them when they go to college, and the written express will be very difficult for them. College will not conform to such a thing at least what I have seen in the: English, history, math and other hardcore subjects. In many instances technology will do a disservice unless the fundamentals are learned.
I have read somewhere that 83% of all incoming freshman are taking English 99 or 100. What does this say about our society as a whole? Who is now held accountable for such actions that have occurred. As the Legacy learners dwindle and the Digital learners increase, there will be some troubling times down the road that will greatly effect the way future: schools, employers, and the way society will look at those people entirely.
As for educators we must present why we need to stay at the basics of reading, writing, and listening to others around us because it is apparent that it is what our students need. We must present why we need these things and not simply we need to do this because it is on the curriculum. Yes, students can process information, but can they demonstrate competency on their own?
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Learning Styles 2.0: Digital, Social, and Always On...
As we continue to shift our ways of teaching ideas are rapidly changing as we are moving for in the day and age about technology. I believe with the increasing usage of technology it says a lot about who we are as learners in our schools. I believe in the learning community we have become more aware that students are visual/kinesthetic learners by far. Our student's attention span has became less and less in the years that have passed with time. To engage our students in any learning experience the five things have been accomplished in digital learning. The five ideas in digital learning are: interactive, student centered, authentic, collaborative, and on-demand.
All of the five ideas mentioned are important in classroom instruction. For a student to draw connections between the text of learning objectives and social media then we as educators have done our jobs in completing their ability to think and to stretch their minds as they have absorbed the knowledge they will need in their life long skills. Of course when a student learns authentic ideas that does not hurt either. Who really wants to learn something that has no application to his/her life?
In many ways the classroom has to have a quicker pace so that students are not bored while they are learning. If we avoid boredom in the classroom then we can keep our students engaged and behavior problems will decrease also. IF technology can solve these problems then why not? Maybe one problem will be solved, while another problem may still occur in the classroom. Who knows? Only time will be the judge of that one...
All of the five ideas mentioned are important in classroom instruction. For a student to draw connections between the text of learning objectives and social media then we as educators have done our jobs in completing their ability to think and to stretch their minds as they have absorbed the knowledge they will need in their life long skills. Of course when a student learns authentic ideas that does not hurt either. Who really wants to learn something that has no application to his/her life?
In many ways the classroom has to have a quicker pace so that students are not bored while they are learning. If we avoid boredom in the classroom then we can keep our students engaged and behavior problems will decrease also. IF technology can solve these problems then why not? Maybe one problem will be solved, while another problem may still occur in the classroom. Who knows? Only time will be the judge of that one...
Friday, May 23, 2008
Technology
Hi,
Here is a link to someone else who has a positive outlook on technology in the classrooms:http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=849807. I thought it would be an effective way to view someone else's idea besides someone at our schools. I think we need to see how other people in other regions: view, hope, and want to use technology in the classroom. I thought that this would be a good way to close out our opening week on technology and its use in the classroom.
Here is a link to someone else who has a positive outlook on technology in the classrooms:http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=849807. I thought it would be an effective way to view someone else's idea besides someone at our schools. I think we need to see how other people in other regions: view, hope, and want to use technology in the classroom. I thought that this would be a good way to close out our opening week on technology and its use in the classroom.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Loti, technology and our times
I think technology is really great like the Loti power point that we were all able to look at. My problem is what about the money for technology. In New York State the divison of classes such as: non-regents, regents, and advanced were done away with. Technology with students will divide the masses. If a student does not have a computer at home how will they keep up with the rest of the class? Will technology simply bring on feelings of inferiorty in those "inner city" schools that are prevelant in our own back yard? Are we already dividing the masses before the students even know it.
However we know that students are becoming more kinesthetic and visual than ever before. Using tools on any internet site will help enhance the classroom experience. Students' modalities are changing more than ever. The average student's attention span is SEVEN seconds. I know that one of the reasons school was created was to fix societies inequalities. How as an education sector keep up with mass media in a positive way and be fair to all of our students? Is there really a way to balance these things together?
I understand that while reading the 0-8 scale on Loti that most schools are at a 3. It is hard for all schools to be really high. I understand that the goal is student achievement but can that be reached at a realistic level at all schools. I hope that there are some witty and creative teachers out there who can use technology give if the resources that they have are extremely limited.
I belive that to reach level 5 "students without walls" that a lot of money will be needed to be raised for all schools to have such a concept. The real question is wherem does all this money come from? The money tree? Teachers have to be entertaining, and have their students gravitate towards them. Teachers must learn to: act, juggle, listen, comprehend and stay with the current trends with their own students so there is no a great divide in the student to teacher relationship. I also believe that we must focus on our own realtionships with our students to be successful with our classes, lessons, content, and the intergrating of technology. We have to pick and choose our battles with this.
Below are some websites that I thought would be helpful with technology.
http://www.intel.com/education/?cid=cim:ggleducation_us_brandk9E0Fs
http://www.edzone.net/~mwestern/
http://712educators.about.com/cs/technology/a/integratetech.htm
However we know that students are becoming more kinesthetic and visual than ever before. Using tools on any internet site will help enhance the classroom experience. Students' modalities are changing more than ever. The average student's attention span is SEVEN seconds. I know that one of the reasons school was created was to fix societies inequalities. How as an education sector keep up with mass media in a positive way and be fair to all of our students? Is there really a way to balance these things together?
I understand that while reading the 0-8 scale on Loti that most schools are at a 3. It is hard for all schools to be really high. I understand that the goal is student achievement but can that be reached at a realistic level at all schools. I hope that there are some witty and creative teachers out there who can use technology give if the resources that they have are extremely limited.
I belive that to reach level 5 "students without walls" that a lot of money will be needed to be raised for all schools to have such a concept. The real question is wherem does all this money come from? The money tree? Teachers have to be entertaining, and have their students gravitate towards them. Teachers must learn to: act, juggle, listen, comprehend and stay with the current trends with their own students so there is no a great divide in the student to teacher relationship. I also believe that we must focus on our own realtionships with our students to be successful with our classes, lessons, content, and the intergrating of technology. We have to pick and choose our battles with this.
Below are some websites that I thought would be helpful with technology.
http://www.intel.com/education/?cid=cim:ggleducation_us_brandk9E0Fs
http://www.edzone.net/~mwestern/
http://712educators.about.com/cs/technology/a/integratetech.htm
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Authoritarian Educational Philosophies and Theories
When I completed my educational survey my outcome was two things. My theories were Behaviorism and Progressivism. I was not surprised by the outcomes that I had had. I whole heartedly believe that one’s behavior is determined by his or her own environment. I believe a teacher’s classroom environment will make or break how they teach and how their students learn. If a teacher can positively influence others in a classroom then the environment will be more conducive to the learning process. A teacher must establish, build, and maintain such an atmosphere so that they can greatly impact what takes place in the classroom. It would be nice if the curriculum could follow the students and not the other way around. There are so many diverse learners with different learning styles it would be any teachers dream to tailor instruction purely to the needs of the students.
Progressivism is a way in which school should actively prepare students for change. I do not necessarily agree with that statement. I think that schools should help students reform and make them productive members of society. School was created so that we could mold them into productive members of society. I am not thrilled about the scientific method of teaching and students learning at all. I think students should be able to learn and evolve among their peers and not from state testing material. We should allow for our students to grow on their own in learning.
Below is a link(s) for Educational Theories
http://www.marquette.edu/ctl/guide/EducationalTheoriesandConcepts.shtml
http://www.dcc.vccs.edu/lrc/ChildDevelopment/Theorists%20&%20Theories/eductheorists.htm
http://www.thecorner.org/it/itlink3.htm
Progressivism is a way in which school should actively prepare students for change. I do not necessarily agree with that statement. I think that schools should help students reform and make them productive members of society. School was created so that we could mold them into productive members of society. I am not thrilled about the scientific method of teaching and students learning at all. I think students should be able to learn and evolve among their peers and not from state testing material. We should allow for our students to grow on their own in learning.
Below is a link(s) for Educational Theories
http://www.marquette.edu/ctl/guide/EducationalTheoriesandConcepts.shtml
http://www.dcc.vccs.edu/lrc/ChildDevelopment/Theorists%20&%20Theories/eductheorists.htm
http://www.thecorner.org/it/itlink3.htm
First meeting with technology
Last night was our first meeting as a group with using technology. It was quite the challenge at first, but as a group we did well. We had trouble using some of the technology but as a group we were fantastic. I wish we had some more practice using elluminate so that we could demonstrate mastery of our own skills as a group. We did not have a problem working with one another we did encounter some problems working with the technology. At some instances we had our backs to the wall but we were effective in the recovery process among one another. There was no bickering amoung others we worked as a team and it was our collective efforts that got us through our hardships. It did take us a little while to acquire a group name and motto. I think we needed to just brainstorm and get used to working with one another.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Eric and the beginning of education
Education is somthing that can be painful at times to learn at any level. Technology enhances ideas and helps anyone understand what we need to learn in education. As lifelong learners it is our duty and right to grow with technology as it does. Sometimes change may be painful to anyone who is trying to change. Change is something that we must work on and try to be as effective as possible when changing. Technology can help us: shape, mold, form, and comprehend new ideas in the process.
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