What I knew—how to email, use Facebook, how to blog, send photo attachments to email, and how to use the new grading software Infinite Campus.
What I wanted to know—what was out there, what students knew that I hadn’t yet heard of, what kinds of resources were out there that would add variety to my teaching.
What I learned since 1st week of class—this isn’t even a fair question! How can I possibly explain what I have spent nine weeks and over 100 hours learning? Instead of a list I would just like to offer some comments about the journey—please prepare yourself for stream-of-consciousness writing below.
I remember how excited I was about RSS feeds. Now this seems like a good place to start with my students. Then there was Social Bookmarking, where I kept to Delicious because Diigo looked too much like Facebook. Then I found out how to put YouTube videos on my blog. SO cool. And then podcasting was awesome. Heck I could make tracks all day long about whatever comes to mind! Then when my brain started filling up to critical mass, we took a break to focus on edublogs and listening to podcasts. Really it has been a roller coaster of uncharted territory for me.
I remember having a couple of meltdowns early on because I didn’t know what I was doing, and my husband (whom I go to for all minor and major crises) couldn’t help me because he has never been exposed to any of this Web 2.0 business. In that small way, I found an area where I have more expertise! I can be the expert here—my husband is very smart and well read so I often feel that he knows more about so many topics. He is a great resource to have around and he always answers my questions no matter how obscure, but this time I had to figure it all out by myself. Hence the meltdown. I had to learn to calm down and sit at my computer and figure it out. He didn’t even know about my webcam because he had never had one. Luckily I didn’t encounter too many computer glitches, or if I did along the way, I worked them out and put them out of mind.
This class has made me want to become a leader in my department. Now that I am forth from the top (in seniority) because of many retirements last year, I really want to be seen as a resource. I want to help the new teachers find these online resources. I will be a mentor for one new teacher this year so this might be a good opportunity for that, but I really want to finally be considered a wealth of knowledge in some area. Since no one that I have talked to had ever mentioned Web 2.0 maybe this is my chance.
What I would like to do is start two Wikis (one for American Lit. and one for Newswriting and Photography) and I’m a little scared about that. So far I am avoiding it because I don’t know how much work it will be. Where do I start? How do I make mine to look half as cool as Lena’s? What would be the easiest program to use? I want to be a part of this technology; I am looking for the right door to open. If anyone has any pointers about this I would love to know where to get started. I still have a week before school starts (granted it is filled up with last minute appointments and to-dos but nonetheless, it is still a week).
I want to thank our teacher Kim and all of you for being such an inspiring community of learners and wonderful resources. I look forward to reading your blogs in the years ahead, and I hope that I will update mine from time to time as well. I guess I’m not ready for all of this to end, and I’m happy that it doesn’t really have to; we will still be out there together and able to communicate.
So I guess I will say “adieu” with hopes to continue what we started here.
I wish you good lessons and good times in the year ahead.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Week 8 Blog 2 free choice
This is the first time I’ve used a stamp all summer. Okay, so I was late to the whole “online bill paying” idea. I was convinced that something would happen if I didn’t write checks, lick envelopes, and place stamps on all of my bills. But since June when I finally converted, and as I have been more entrenched in online tools, using my computer for almost everything, I actually forgot what my life used to be like. Today when I had to print out the Student Evaluation of Instructor and Course I got a little perturbed but then thought, uh oh—is this why the USPS is doing so poorly financially?
I am conflicted. The USPS provides amazing services, but the reason I started using online bill payments was because stamps just kept getting more expensive and I was sick of having stamps around that did not have the correct postage on their face. Even the Forever Stamp had its price raised. That was the final straw.
So how spoiled have I become that I am annoyed to WRITE instead of type? I know that I type faster than I write. Grrr. Before I got too agitated, I realized that I should live in the moment and appreciate that this is a chance to dust off that pen that has been lonely, since its only use is now grocery lists. I got the chance to dig through a drawer to find a stamp, and luckily it was a Forever Stamp. And maybe I should do this more often so that my post office does not go out of business.
Is this a sign of the times? It seems the more paperless we become, the more services will eventually change. Like the way online news has caused many print newspapers to close. Hey, as we all learned in this class, Shift Happens!
I am conflicted. The USPS provides amazing services, but the reason I started using online bill payments was because stamps just kept getting more expensive and I was sick of having stamps around that did not have the correct postage on their face. Even the Forever Stamp had its price raised. That was the final straw.
So how spoiled have I become that I am annoyed to WRITE instead of type? I know that I type faster than I write. Grrr. Before I got too agitated, I realized that I should live in the moment and appreciate that this is a chance to dust off that pen that has been lonely, since its only use is now grocery lists. I got the chance to dig through a drawer to find a stamp, and luckily it was a Forever Stamp. And maybe I should do this more often so that my post office does not go out of business.
Is this a sign of the times? It seems the more paperless we become, the more services will eventually change. Like the way online news has caused many print newspapers to close. Hey, as we all learned in this class, Shift Happens!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Week 8 Blog One
How flat am I?
I would have to say much more flat, hopefully getting flatter by the day (if only this were a metaphor for my abs). Before this class I only vaguely knew what a blog was, but now with RSS feeds and Google Reader I have literally been at my computer reading and absorbing information for 2 hours when I finally realized I should probably start writing this entry. I sat at my computer and went through dozens of resources at powerpoint-search.com scribbling notes about which ones I would use during the study of the American literature novels I teach. I am running through my brain all the ways that this new information could help my journalism students.
I quickly added the PBS Teachers site to my bookmarks so that I can return to it frequently during the school year, and with my Google Reader, the information is all set to come to me. I am hopeful that fresh ideas will just arrive in my “mailbox” and these will keep me invigorated throughout the year.
Take a look at just a few that I found today…
Bubbl.us—a tool to help brainstorming and mapping
animated and narrated glossary of grammar terms—anything that will make grammar more interactive is great in my book
Grammar Ninja
Writing in the 21st Century
And a little inspiration for why we teach…
Making Learning Whole - How Seven Principles of Teaching Can Transform Education
I guess I do feel much flatter because I am better able to find and use tools that will help me be more successful. I hope that this new knowledge will help me to stay inspired because I will from now on be SO connected.
I would have to say much more flat, hopefully getting flatter by the day (if only this were a metaphor for my abs). Before this class I only vaguely knew what a blog was, but now with RSS feeds and Google Reader I have literally been at my computer reading and absorbing information for 2 hours when I finally realized I should probably start writing this entry. I sat at my computer and went through dozens of resources at powerpoint-search.com scribbling notes about which ones I would use during the study of the American literature novels I teach. I am running through my brain all the ways that this new information could help my journalism students.
I quickly added the PBS Teachers site to my bookmarks so that I can return to it frequently during the school year, and with my Google Reader, the information is all set to come to me. I am hopeful that fresh ideas will just arrive in my “mailbox” and these will keep me invigorated throughout the year.
Take a look at just a few that I found today…
Bubbl.us—a tool to help brainstorming and mapping
animated and narrated glossary of grammar terms—anything that will make grammar more interactive is great in my book
Grammar Ninja
Writing in the 21st Century
And a little inspiration for why we teach…
Making Learning Whole - How Seven Principles of Teaching Can Transform Education
I guess I do feel much flatter because I am better able to find and use tools that will help me be more successful. I hope that this new knowledge will help me to stay inspired because I will from now on be SO connected.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Week 7 Blog 3
Free Choice
Where does the summer go?
I always get a little melancholy about this time of year, thinking that the summer has gone too fast, but this year I really feel it. So much of every summer feels like a “to do list.” Places to go and people to see that somehow I don’t have time to squeeze in during the school year. It is August 13th already and we are nearing the end of this class. Some of our classmates are finishing up next week’s blogs, and the final evaluation so it makes me realize that school really is right around the corner. I feel like I need more time with this new world of technology I have discovered. I need more time to read and prepare before I am ready to go in the halls of SHS and get back to my classroom. There is nothing so constant as change. So I guess I must try to slow down my thoughts a little more and really savor these last days. Go see those places I haven’t visited yet this summer, body surf the waves in Ogunquit, eat more steamers and butter. Maybe one or two more twist ice cream cones with sprinkles.
Ah summer, how I love thee.
Where does the summer go?
I always get a little melancholy about this time of year, thinking that the summer has gone too fast, but this year I really feel it. So much of every summer feels like a “to do list.” Places to go and people to see that somehow I don’t have time to squeeze in during the school year. It is August 13th already and we are nearing the end of this class. Some of our classmates are finishing up next week’s blogs, and the final evaluation so it makes me realize that school really is right around the corner. I feel like I need more time with this new world of technology I have discovered. I need more time to read and prepare before I am ready to go in the halls of SHS and get back to my classroom. There is nothing so constant as change. So I guess I must try to slow down my thoughts a little more and really savor these last days. Go see those places I haven’t visited yet this summer, body surf the waves in Ogunquit, eat more steamers and butter. Maybe one or two more twist ice cream cones with sprinkles.
Ah summer, how I love thee.
Week 7 Blog 2
Assessing Technology
I came across Unlocking the Toolkit in my earlier web searches for this course so when I saw it again this week, it made me realize the challenges I will face when I return to school at the end of the month. I am actually quite worried about being able to use any of the tools we’ve learned about because at my school downloads of any kind require an “administrative password” and well, you might as well be asking for classified documents at the White House. I can’t even download an update for Adobe Reader for crying out loud. But I digress…
How do we assess technology?
Usually I evaluate the technology in terms of:
How easy is it to use?
Will it contribute to my intelligence?
Does it make my experience with the computer more positive?
Does it save me time?
Does it enhance my learning?
I just don’t think my school has invested any time into evaluating the technology we have vs. what we need. I found this great article, Emerging from the Smog: Making Technology Assessment Work for Schools and realized that there are people out there thinking the same thoughts I have. We need to assess what technologies are working for us and which ones should be left behind because they do not improve learning in a significant way. Now I feel like I need to find the technology committee at our school (we must have one) and be a vocal member.
Happily for us, students are usually tech-savvy and will pick up a lesson on technology and be up and running by the end of the block. They are truly sponges and I believe they should be soaking up as much technology as they can. So we need to do a lot of advance planning and research in order to find out what is valuable to teach them. Seems fair, right?
This is a topic of discussion for which there are no conclusi0ns for me. I get more confused the more I think about it. Brain is cramping...must take a break.
I came across Unlocking the Toolkit in my earlier web searches for this course so when I saw it again this week, it made me realize the challenges I will face when I return to school at the end of the month. I am actually quite worried about being able to use any of the tools we’ve learned about because at my school downloads of any kind require an “administrative password” and well, you might as well be asking for classified documents at the White House. I can’t even download an update for Adobe Reader for crying out loud. But I digress…
How do we assess technology?
Usually I evaluate the technology in terms of:
How easy is it to use?
Will it contribute to my intelligence?
Does it make my experience with the computer more positive?
Does it save me time?
Does it enhance my learning?
I just don’t think my school has invested any time into evaluating the technology we have vs. what we need. I found this great article, Emerging from the Smog: Making Technology Assessment Work for Schools and realized that there are people out there thinking the same thoughts I have. We need to assess what technologies are working for us and which ones should be left behind because they do not improve learning in a significant way. Now I feel like I need to find the technology committee at our school (we must have one) and be a vocal member.
Happily for us, students are usually tech-savvy and will pick up a lesson on technology and be up and running by the end of the block. They are truly sponges and I believe they should be soaking up as much technology as they can. So we need to do a lot of advance planning and research in order to find out what is valuable to teach them. Seems fair, right?
This is a topic of discussion for which there are no conclusi0ns for me. I get more confused the more I think about it. Brain is cramping...must take a break.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Week 7 Blog One
Project Based Learning
So much of the literature about project based learning seems intuitive, like teachers should just know this as a part of who we are. I am trying to think about why then is there not more of this going on in schools, or rather, why are schools not structured around this concept? It seems that sometimes teaching is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. So much of what we are required to “cover” doesn’t make sense from day to day, but sometimes we luck out and are able to plan a great project. I needed a shot in the arm and set to work on finding some ideas and ways to bring more of this into the classroom. Before the internet, my life as a teacher was much harder. I can’t believe how many resources are available to teachers now; I’m just trying to soak it all in.
Here are some links that I found to be helpful.
A sample project-planning form—Makes you think about the learning outcome before you plan activities.
Make Your Own Project-Based Lesson Plan—Wow. The steps are presented here with plenty of information about the entire process.
Project Based Learning Checklists—how to evaluate the learning.
Project-Based Learning –includes a lesson bank and sample lessons.
Is it possible that teachers have information overload and then just shut down? How do we keep the kids interested when many times as they receive too much information, they just shut down. How much of that is just being a teenager, or needing more time to process? We know that students will be motivated when they “own it” so how to we structure a classroom around that model when the traditional high school is often very different? Just thinking out loud because these are the questions my school and staff are grappling with right now.
So much of the literature about project based learning seems intuitive, like teachers should just know this as a part of who we are. I am trying to think about why then is there not more of this going on in schools, or rather, why are schools not structured around this concept? It seems that sometimes teaching is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. So much of what we are required to “cover” doesn’t make sense from day to day, but sometimes we luck out and are able to plan a great project. I needed a shot in the arm and set to work on finding some ideas and ways to bring more of this into the classroom. Before the internet, my life as a teacher was much harder. I can’t believe how many resources are available to teachers now; I’m just trying to soak it all in.
Here are some links that I found to be helpful.
A sample project-planning form—Makes you think about the learning outcome before you plan activities.
Make Your Own Project-Based Lesson Plan—Wow. The steps are presented here with plenty of information about the entire process.
Project Based Learning Checklists—how to evaluate the learning.
Project-Based Learning –includes a lesson bank and sample lessons.
Is it possible that teachers have information overload and then just shut down? How do we keep the kids interested when many times as they receive too much information, they just shut down. How much of that is just being a teenager, or needing more time to process? We know that students will be motivated when they “own it” so how to we structure a classroom around that model when the traditional high school is often very different? Just thinking out loud because these are the questions my school and staff are grappling with right now.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
IT WORKED!
Hi everyone,
I don't know if I mentioned that I love to sing. I sang in nightclubs for 12 years and don't often get to perform anymore--not unless you count the occasional karaoke night.
Hope you like my little tune.
Kim--is this long enough for a podcast? The lesson was to learn how to do it, right? If you would like me to record something more let me know. Enjoy!
I don't know if I mentioned that I love to sing. I sang in nightclubs for 12 years and don't often get to perform anymore--not unless you count the occasional karaoke night.
Hope you like my little tune.
Kim--is this long enough for a podcast? The lesson was to learn how to do it, right? If you would like me to record something more let me know. Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Week 6 Blog 3 --personal choice
I am continually amazed at the ways the internet can change the world. I would like to share with you a high school classmate of mine and his big idea.
I don’t know what my former classmate did exactly to make his millions, but from his humble beginnings in Enfield, NH he has come a long way. RunTellmanRun is an amazing work in progress. Just looking through his website alone you can see how connected he is. His enthusiasm inspires me and after I complete this blog entry I am going to go running. Today will be a 10K day. In the back of my mind I really want to run 10 with Tellman, just to say that I was a part of this big idea.
I would not have connected with Tellman had it not been for Facebook. I still laugh at the idea that I have more than 200 “friends,” but it goes to show the power of the people when we all get together. We can change the world in meaningful ways because it is so much easier to collaborate and communicate across great distances. If just one person can run barefoot across America and raise 100 million dollars to donate to homeless teenagers, it sure makes the average person wonder how they can be more active in the community.
Being teachers we have that power in the community and we shouldn’t squander it. It makes me wonder what I would like to do with my year ahead, and what amazing contribution can I make. I look forward to finding new inspirations this year.
Week 6 Blog One
Reflection on Chapter 5
The subject of teacher quality comes up when considering Chapter 5. Professional Development is a hot topic because school districts spend a lot of money in this area, and results are questionable for most. In the business world if a company is spending a large amount of money, they want results, and will evaluate the money spent. In education we don’t have a system to measure results or the impact of a workshop or presentation. And unfortunately, many of the workshops or presentations are not worth the money. I think teachers have better experiences when they have a longer amount of time to study and collaborate with other professionals. One day here and there is never enough. Teachers need to seek out meaningful learning for themselves because I just don’t think short workshops are that effective.
In my experience, teachers can be very poorly behaved at workshops because they are just not interested in being there. I do not even know where to begin to tackle that issue, but here is a cool clip I found on You Tube. I wish I was an administrator because this would be really fun to try! I like that this internet company wants to “shrink back down our world” and connect again to people.
Just one search through Google and you will find many types of Professional Development listed. ilearnUSA offers the iEARN Collaboration Center where teachers can search for collaborative projects. Teachers need time for collaboration and students need to have opportunities to experience learning outside of our town, state, country, etc. as this is what they will encounter in college, the military, or the workforce. But by the same token, perhaps school districts need to acknowledge that powerful learning experiences can be found in this way, and give teachers “workshop credits” for any online collaboration that they do.
The current system is not working, as it is made clear in Chapter 5, so perhaps we need to re-define what we consider “professional development” and then teachers could get a little more excited about “learning” again.
The subject of teacher quality comes up when considering Chapter 5. Professional Development is a hot topic because school districts spend a lot of money in this area, and results are questionable for most. In the business world if a company is spending a large amount of money, they want results, and will evaluate the money spent. In education we don’t have a system to measure results or the impact of a workshop or presentation. And unfortunately, many of the workshops or presentations are not worth the money. I think teachers have better experiences when they have a longer amount of time to study and collaborate with other professionals. One day here and there is never enough. Teachers need to seek out meaningful learning for themselves because I just don’t think short workshops are that effective.
In my experience, teachers can be very poorly behaved at workshops because they are just not interested in being there. I do not even know where to begin to tackle that issue, but here is a cool clip I found on You Tube. I wish I was an administrator because this would be really fun to try! I like that this internet company wants to “shrink back down our world” and connect again to people.
Just one search through Google and you will find many types of Professional Development listed. ilearnUSA offers the iEARN Collaboration Center where teachers can search for collaborative projects. Teachers need time for collaboration and students need to have opportunities to experience learning outside of our town, state, country, etc. as this is what they will encounter in college, the military, or the workforce. But by the same token, perhaps school districts need to acknowledge that powerful learning experiences can be found in this way, and give teachers “workshop credits” for any online collaboration that they do.
The current system is not working, as it is made clear in Chapter 5, so perhaps we need to re-define what we consider “professional development” and then teachers could get a little more excited about “learning” again.
Week 6 Blog 2
Personal Learning Networks
I feel like I have become a part of a learning group already but I often get overwhelmed by how much I do not know, or how much time I don’t have, etc. But when I came to this link, I knew that I wasn’t alone. Classroom 2.0 Beginner Group! There are teachers out there who are really trying. It is a lot to process. I can think of so many teachers who wouldn’t even want to take this course because it would expand their comfort zone too much. Some people just could not handle it because they are phobic of learning that may challenge their authority in the classroom.
100 Best Blogs for Teachers of the Future seems to be a non-threatening way to start for some teachers. Looking for new ideas and connecting with others has to be part of your role as a teacher, or else you are just stagnant.
As for how this will all impact my teaching practice, I have never felt comfortable being the “sage on stage.” I have always wanted to be a guide, or a resource for students, but felt insignificant because I couldn’t lecture for 90 minutes the way some teachers make look so easy. By showing students how to be learners, we are creating life skills that they will need for years to come. I am really thinking that instead of a boring old book project that half of my students never really do, I will teach them about RSS feeds and have them become active learners throughout the semester, finding information for themselves and then sharing it in some way with the class. I haven’t fully figured out how to do this yet, but I am turning it over in my thoughts.
P.S. I also found a new search engine named Collecta. It looks strange to me. Does anyone know how to use it? Do you think it will become popular?
I feel like I have become a part of a learning group already but I often get overwhelmed by how much I do not know, or how much time I don’t have, etc. But when I came to this link, I knew that I wasn’t alone. Classroom 2.0 Beginner Group! There are teachers out there who are really trying. It is a lot to process. I can think of so many teachers who wouldn’t even want to take this course because it would expand their comfort zone too much. Some people just could not handle it because they are phobic of learning that may challenge their authority in the classroom.
100 Best Blogs for Teachers of the Future seems to be a non-threatening way to start for some teachers. Looking for new ideas and connecting with others has to be part of your role as a teacher, or else you are just stagnant.
As for how this will all impact my teaching practice, I have never felt comfortable being the “sage on stage.” I have always wanted to be a guide, or a resource for students, but felt insignificant because I couldn’t lecture for 90 minutes the way some teachers make look so easy. By showing students how to be learners, we are creating life skills that they will need for years to come. I am really thinking that instead of a boring old book project that half of my students never really do, I will teach them about RSS feeds and have them become active learners throughout the semester, finding information for themselves and then sharing it in some way with the class. I haven’t fully figured out how to do this yet, but I am turning it over in my thoughts.
P.S. I also found a new search engine named Collecta. It looks strange to me. Does anyone know how to use it? Do you think it will become popular?
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Week 5 Bonus blog
Watching this made me very sad because it reminded me of so many teachers I know. And their attitude is contagious. So unfortunate for so many children. Why does this happen to teachers?
Thankfully I found the "Remix" from Glenwood School. I feel a little better now about my profession.
Thankfully I found the "Remix" from Glenwood School. I feel a little better now about my profession.
Week 5 Blog Two
Podcasting
Wow. It used to be that I would have to be on a long car ride to enjoy an entire episode of an NPR program. How psyched was I when I started looking up podcasts and was able to download and listen to NPR programming from the comfort of my computer. Once again, I have found another addicting technology.
I can’t wait to create my first podcast. I think I will interview my husband about his awesome career of lighting design. Hopefully you listeners will enjoy that. I plan on checking out these pages for the “how to” of this undertaking.
MyPodcast.com
Pod Bean
Blubrry detailed guide for first-time podcasters like ourselves.
With podcasts, the world is literally at my fingertips. I could even pursue some Yale quality education. Experts are everywhere online and if I had more hours in the day I could be learning constantly. Maybe I should get a USB line from my computer’s RSS feeds and link it directly into my brain at night while I sleep. It would be like re-charging my battery with an information upload. Don’t scientists claim that we only use 10% of our brain’s capacity? It’s time to step it up people! Let’s get learning.
Open Culture's collection of free college courses and lectures—courses from YALE offered here!
100 Awesome Open CoursesAcademic Earth - Videos of Top Scholars Teaching
Wow. It used to be that I would have to be on a long car ride to enjoy an entire episode of an NPR program. How psyched was I when I started looking up podcasts and was able to download and listen to NPR programming from the comfort of my computer. Once again, I have found another addicting technology.
I can’t wait to create my first podcast. I think I will interview my husband about his awesome career of lighting design. Hopefully you listeners will enjoy that. I plan on checking out these pages for the “how to” of this undertaking.
MyPodcast.com
Pod Bean
Blubrry detailed guide for first-time podcasters like ourselves.
With podcasts, the world is literally at my fingertips. I could even pursue some Yale quality education. Experts are everywhere online and if I had more hours in the day I could be learning constantly. Maybe I should get a USB line from my computer’s RSS feeds and link it directly into my brain at night while I sleep. It would be like re-charging my battery with an information upload. Don’t scientists claim that we only use 10% of our brain’s capacity? It’s time to step it up people! Let’s get learning.
Open Culture's collection of free college courses and lectures—courses from YALE offered here!
100 Awesome Open CoursesAcademic Earth - Videos of Top Scholars Teaching
Week 5 Blog Three
Blogging
I started a blog about 6 years ago as an online journal for my friends to keep up with what I was doing. I have no idea how many people read it, but it was a quick and easy way to write and share. Now I have learned that there are so many blogs out there, I could subscribe to a new one each day and expand my learning exponentially.
It’s almost like no matter where you live, you can find an expert to teach you something new, like going to professional development workshops whenever you wanted.
My head is swirling with ideas of how to use all this knowledge I am finding and bring it to students in my classes. I would like to know where they are with Web 2.0. I wish that a few teachers from my school had been required to take this course together, then we could take it back to the faculty with more power than just one individual.
Here are some useful links I found while pondering this subject.
Using Blogs and Wikis are Core Skills
Turn Your Blog Into a Newsletter With RSS to PDF
Web 2.0 and how to use it. I think this would be a fabulous way to start a discussion with my students. What an amazing power point presentation and a way to go link by link with a class discussing and discovering as we go.
Through the blogs in this class we have shared ideas and teaching tools. I had no idea how much blogs could create a community until now.
I started a blog about 6 years ago as an online journal for my friends to keep up with what I was doing. I have no idea how many people read it, but it was a quick and easy way to write and share. Now I have learned that there are so many blogs out there, I could subscribe to a new one each day and expand my learning exponentially.
It’s almost like no matter where you live, you can find an expert to teach you something new, like going to professional development workshops whenever you wanted.
My head is swirling with ideas of how to use all this knowledge I am finding and bring it to students in my classes. I would like to know where they are with Web 2.0. I wish that a few teachers from my school had been required to take this course together, then we could take it back to the faculty with more power than just one individual.
Here are some useful links I found while pondering this subject.
Using Blogs and Wikis are Core Skills
Turn Your Blog Into a Newsletter With RSS to PDF
Web 2.0 and how to use it. I think this would be a fabulous way to start a discussion with my students. What an amazing power point presentation and a way to go link by link with a class discussing and discovering as we go.
Through the blogs in this class we have shared ideas and teaching tools. I had no idea how much blogs could create a community until now.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Week Five Blog One—Free Choice
Did anyone else check out Whyville? I was thinking today that educators around my age and older are at a bit of a disadvantage because we have not grown up with the internet as second nature. My first use of the world wide web happened in college and was basically just a researching tool. Though I can be taught to understand technology, I do get overwhelmed and scared of not knowing how to use it. For example, today when I bought my new LG enV® TOUCH All Phones I was panicked. There is so much to learn that literally my day was frazzled because I was in overload. I had to (eventually) laugh at myself because of what my students would have thought to see me. They would have explained each procedure in simple terms and would have been done with it. Because they have grown up with technology they are not phobic of it. Then I read about Whyville. In an educational and fun way, younger kids learn how to chat and interact in a “virtual” world. I am convinced the earlier you expose children to challenges, the easier it will be for them to excel with those challenges. Like learning to ski, the younger you start, the less fright is involved. My husband has been skiing since he could walk, and I learned at 26 because he said I had to. Still not so fond of it—can you really teach an old dog new tricks? For me, the jury is still out.
I also checked out http://zohopolls.com/ for ideas on how to teach my journalism students about surveys. As a class we could create a survey and then have everyone take that survey and calculate our results.
Sorry this is rambling a little, but I am honestly having trouble articulating all that I have been searching through and thinking about. There is so much. Perhaps I should just take a break for today. The huge influx of learning has proved to be too much for one calendar day.
Okay—maybe one more thing—I am also turning the idea around of the power of positive thought in relation to my fears of technology. Maybe if I just believe in myself a little more, I will feel less anxiety.
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
I also checked out http://zohopolls.com/ for ideas on how to teach my journalism students about surveys. As a class we could create a survey and then have everyone take that survey and calculate our results.
Sorry this is rambling a little, but I am honestly having trouble articulating all that I have been searching through and thinking about. There is so much. Perhaps I should just take a break for today. The huge influx of learning has proved to be too much for one calendar day.
Okay—maybe one more thing—I am also turning the idea around of the power of positive thought in relation to my fears of technology. Maybe if I just believe in myself a little more, I will feel less anxiety.
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Week 4 Blog 3
Free Choice
Going through some of the discussion threads for our class, I noticed someone mentioned being very careful (for example) about what you put on Facebook since employers are searching for information about people based on what they might find on the web. As teachers I imagine that most of us are mindful of our image and reputation at all times, but how could someone read my page if it is set to private? I’m sure this is possible; the NSA is an amazing force. Now I’m not usually one for conspiracy theories, but this description of the NSA’s power deserves some pause.
From the Wikipedia link above: “NSA's eavesdropping mission includes radio broadcasting, both from various organizations and individuals, the Internet, telephone calls, and other intercepted forms of communication. Its secure communications mission includes military, diplomatic, and all other sensitive, confidential or secret government communications. It has been described as the world's largest single employer of mathematicians,[3] and the owner of the single largest group of supercomputers but it has tried to keep a low profile. For many years, its existence was not even acknowledged by the U.S. government, earning it the nickname, "No Such Agency" (NSA).”
Does anyone really have undisclosed information in this very public world? Just wondering and thinking out loud. Until I have added a person as a friend, I will pretend to think that my page is in fact private. I wonder how much digging employers actually do, but I’m guessing it is an investment of their time. Is it ethical for employers to do this? Or is it snooping?
Second thought on my brain is this Audacity program. I was able to figure out how to record with it and sang a few notes into my microphone (I love to sing) and I am psyched that I can make my own audio recordings. Unfortunately that’s where my knowledge fades. How do I upload that audio recording to my blog or facebook? I look forward to learning more about this. I am still amazed at the plethora of tools out there for FREE!!
Going through some of the discussion threads for our class, I noticed someone mentioned being very careful (for example) about what you put on Facebook since employers are searching for information about people based on what they might find on the web. As teachers I imagine that most of us are mindful of our image and reputation at all times, but how could someone read my page if it is set to private? I’m sure this is possible; the NSA is an amazing force. Now I’m not usually one for conspiracy theories, but this description of the NSA’s power deserves some pause.
From the Wikipedia link above: “NSA's eavesdropping mission includes radio broadcasting, both from various organizations and individuals, the Internet, telephone calls, and other intercepted forms of communication. Its secure communications mission includes military, diplomatic, and all other sensitive, confidential or secret government communications. It has been described as the world's largest single employer of mathematicians,[3] and the owner of the single largest group of supercomputers but it has tried to keep a low profile. For many years, its existence was not even acknowledged by the U.S. government, earning it the nickname, "No Such Agency" (NSA).”
Does anyone really have undisclosed information in this very public world? Just wondering and thinking out loud. Until I have added a person as a friend, I will pretend to think that my page is in fact private. I wonder how much digging employers actually do, but I’m guessing it is an investment of their time. Is it ethical for employers to do this? Or is it snooping?
Second thought on my brain is this Audacity program. I was able to figure out how to record with it and sang a few notes into my microphone (I love to sing) and I am psyched that I can make my own audio recordings. Unfortunately that’s where my knowledge fades. How do I upload that audio recording to my blog or facebook? I look forward to learning more about this. I am still amazed at the plethora of tools out there for FREE!!
Week 4 Blog Two
I found some really great Wikis that I can use as models. Again, I love lists.
http://stevensteaches.wetpaint.com/
This site was from a teacher of American Literature. I like how he words his “Academic Dishonesty and would really like to add something like this to my syllabus. Side note—it would be so nice to not waste so much paper at the beginning of the year by handing out syllabi. We could create classroom wikis and have parents and students sign in, read and discuss, and maybe post questions and comments. Ta-da! A door opens for communication.
http://sfhsaplit.wetpaint.com/
I love how the assignments are formatted and students can find everything they will need with a click of the mouse. Now that’s easy researching!
http://www.deadliest-catch-wiki.discovery.com/
A wiki for Fans of this great Discovery Channel show. I teach The Perfect Storm and looking through this wiki with my students would provide a lot of good background information.
http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=7966
Not a wiki anymore since she changed it to a part of the school webpage. So cool; I want my own page!
http://huffenglish.pbworks.com
This is a pbworks wiki so I enjoyed reading through and analyzing the difference in formatting from Wetpaint. A pbworks page may be easier to set up because students do not need to put in their personal email addresses. I loved this page in the wiki because the project and background research was so well outlined for students. And this is one of my favorite books. http://huffenglish.pbworks.com/Project+The+Bluest+Eye
I’m sure I could go on, but I am off to give my eyes a break for a little while.
http://stevensteaches.wetpaint.com/
This site was from a teacher of American Literature. I like how he words his “Academic Dishonesty and would really like to add something like this to my syllabus. Side note—it would be so nice to not waste so much paper at the beginning of the year by handing out syllabi. We could create classroom wikis and have parents and students sign in, read and discuss, and maybe post questions and comments. Ta-da! A door opens for communication.
http://sfhsaplit.wetpaint.com/
I love how the assignments are formatted and students can find everything they will need with a click of the mouse. Now that’s easy researching!
http://www.deadliest-catch-wiki.discovery.com/
A wiki for Fans of this great Discovery Channel show. I teach The Perfect Storm and looking through this wiki with my students would provide a lot of good background information.
http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=7966
Not a wiki anymore since she changed it to a part of the school webpage. So cool; I want my own page!
http://huffenglish.pbworks.com
This is a pbworks wiki so I enjoyed reading through and analyzing the difference in formatting from Wetpaint. A pbworks page may be easier to set up because students do not need to put in their personal email addresses. I loved this page in the wiki because the project and background research was so well outlined for students. And this is one of my favorite books. http://huffenglish.pbworks.com/Project+The+Bluest+Eye
I’m sure I could go on, but I am off to give my eyes a break for a little while.
Week 4 Blog One
World Without Walls: Learning Well with Others
by Will Richardson
I am really intrigued by the possibilities of collaboration across classrooms. Using the Web 2.0 tools, it might be easier to communicate with a classroom in Alaska than a classroom on the 3rd floor of my building (I am on the second floor). This article speaks to what I know is true for education, that we need to change the status quo because it just isn’t working anymore. Why should America be less than other countries in education? It is not because our teachers are not as smart or that we don’t have as much technology available to us. The organization and business of education these days needs to shift into something more meaningful for all involved.
I often like to watch John Stossel for his unique slanted views on controversial topics. He has often attacked the education system in America and many teachers did not appreciate his criticism. I do not see his criticism as an attack, but rather a “What’s going on and how can we change it?” It is a call to action but where do we go from there?
I like that this article by Will Richardson offers some inspiration. He urges teachers to be “connectors first” not content experts. I totally agree that we need “classrooms built around deep inquiry and defining questions.” I’m not totally sure how much I can accomplish as one teacher, but with this class I feel like I have opened up my world and will be able to bring that appetite for discovery to the classroom.
by Will Richardson
I am really intrigued by the possibilities of collaboration across classrooms. Using the Web 2.0 tools, it might be easier to communicate with a classroom in Alaska than a classroom on the 3rd floor of my building (I am on the second floor). This article speaks to what I know is true for education, that we need to change the status quo because it just isn’t working anymore. Why should America be less than other countries in education? It is not because our teachers are not as smart or that we don’t have as much technology available to us. The organization and business of education these days needs to shift into something more meaningful for all involved.
I often like to watch John Stossel for his unique slanted views on controversial topics. He has often attacked the education system in America and many teachers did not appreciate his criticism. I do not see his criticism as an attack, but rather a “What’s going on and how can we change it?” It is a call to action but where do we go from there?
I like that this article by Will Richardson offers some inspiration. He urges teachers to be “connectors first” not content experts. I totally agree that we need “classrooms built around deep inquiry and defining questions.” I’m not totally sure how much I can accomplish as one teacher, but with this class I feel like I have opened up my world and will be able to bring that appetite for discovery to the classroom.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Week 3 Blog 3
Pros and Cons of Media Sharing
I have to say there are definitely some memorable You Tube videos for me. Who can forget the Numa Numa kid or The End of the World? If I really need a giggle, those get me every time. But for every good item I have found on You Tube, there have to be at least 25 useless contributions, and that’s an optimistic estimate.
For keeping track of life, digital cameras, Picasa, SnapFish, and Flickr have made it easy to share new memories with people I haven’t seen since High School or stay in touch with family and friends thousands of miles away. Half of my time spent on Facebook is looking through photographs or video clips people have shared. I have had great joy looking through all those shared photos and images. It is literally a window into someone else’s life.
Unfortunately as the availability of technology has increased, rules of etiquette for how to use technology properly have not been outlined, and what appears all over the web and in pictures can often be in very poor taste. For example, almost all cell phones have cameras, and now many have video capabilities. It is now extremely easy to take a picture and send it to countless people before the other party even knows his/her picture has been taken. There are many ethical risks here. Concert performers, whose images and music are protected by copyright laws, are battling with this issue. Because of the pervasive use of cell phones, bits of a concert can be posted to the web before the concert even finishes. Many people do not think before posting indecent or compromising pictures to the web. Many people illegally download music or watch pirated movies before the “real thing” is released to theatres, like the Wolverine controversy.
Because it is so hard to keep up with new technology, it is becoming almost impossible to police what is put on the web. Employers may now Google search your name and who knows what they might find. Who knows who is out there taking a picture of you without you knowing it? I worry that there are no protections, and even though media sharing can be a wonderful tool, I fear in some ways we have opened Pandora’s box.
I have to say there are definitely some memorable You Tube videos for me. Who can forget the Numa Numa kid or The End of the World? If I really need a giggle, those get me every time. But for every good item I have found on You Tube, there have to be at least 25 useless contributions, and that’s an optimistic estimate.
For keeping track of life, digital cameras, Picasa, SnapFish, and Flickr have made it easy to share new memories with people I haven’t seen since High School or stay in touch with family and friends thousands of miles away. Half of my time spent on Facebook is looking through photographs or video clips people have shared. I have had great joy looking through all those shared photos and images. It is literally a window into someone else’s life.
Unfortunately as the availability of technology has increased, rules of etiquette for how to use technology properly have not been outlined, and what appears all over the web and in pictures can often be in very poor taste. For example, almost all cell phones have cameras, and now many have video capabilities. It is now extremely easy to take a picture and send it to countless people before the other party even knows his/her picture has been taken. There are many ethical risks here. Concert performers, whose images and music are protected by copyright laws, are battling with this issue. Because of the pervasive use of cell phones, bits of a concert can be posted to the web before the concert even finishes. Many people do not think before posting indecent or compromising pictures to the web. Many people illegally download music or watch pirated movies before the “real thing” is released to theatres, like the Wolverine controversy.
Because it is so hard to keep up with new technology, it is becoming almost impossible to police what is put on the web. Employers may now Google search your name and who knows what they might find. Who knows who is out there taking a picture of you without you knowing it? I worry that there are no protections, and even though media sharing can be a wonderful tool, I fear in some ways we have opened Pandora’s box.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Awake and Alive in Learning
I think I really am going to go cross-eyed staring at my computer for so long.
As I am navigating all of these new tools and websites, reading articles, I am trying to figure out how to get students to be active learners. The biggest challenge sometimes is to inspire intellectual curiosity. The need to “know more” is such an integral part of what it means to be an academic. Since I teach mostly juniors I often think about how best to prepare them for the college world and today it hit me.
I have to get students to a place where they are excited about learning. I just finished reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Thinking about this book and this course and subsequently, my students, I know that the most memorable people are those who never lose the love of learning. People that are constantly looking for knowledge are the ones who will succeed. I am always trying to get my young journalists in particular to really look at the world with their minds, eyes, and ears open.
RSS feeds just might be another way to allow students practice with that idea. If I taught each one of my students how to use Google Reader and sign up for subscriptions, I would be able to get them to stay current on topics of their choice. I wonder if my students have used Google News or Reader. I think students are familiar with social networks, but maybe they have not yet used them for intellectual pursuits. We could take our Current Events discussions to a whole new level if students were tracking a particular interest and reporting on all the new updates each week.
What I need to focus in on is how to present this in an organized manner so that students have limited frustration with the technology. If I am able to do that, these new Web 2.0 tools could have very satisfying results.
As I am navigating all of these new tools and websites, reading articles, I am trying to figure out how to get students to be active learners. The biggest challenge sometimes is to inspire intellectual curiosity. The need to “know more” is such an integral part of what it means to be an academic. Since I teach mostly juniors I often think about how best to prepare them for the college world and today it hit me.
I have to get students to a place where they are excited about learning. I just finished reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Thinking about this book and this course and subsequently, my students, I know that the most memorable people are those who never lose the love of learning. People that are constantly looking for knowledge are the ones who will succeed. I am always trying to get my young journalists in particular to really look at the world with their minds, eyes, and ears open.
RSS feeds just might be another way to allow students practice with that idea. If I taught each one of my students how to use Google Reader and sign up for subscriptions, I would be able to get them to stay current on topics of their choice. I wonder if my students have used Google News or Reader. I think students are familiar with social networks, but maybe they have not yet used them for intellectual pursuits. We could take our Current Events discussions to a whole new level if students were tracking a particular interest and reporting on all the new updates each week.
What I need to focus in on is how to present this in an organized manner so that students have limited frustration with the technology. If I am able to do that, these new Web 2.0 tools could have very satisfying results.
How long have I been in the dark?
Week 3 Blog One
Social Bookmarking
Why hasn’t anyone at school mentioned this before? I am beginning to feel cheated because I didn’t know all of this cool technology existed. For every unit I teach I could have bookmarked and tagged all of those sites I found useful, all those sites I used during classroom instruction. I am feeling a little stressed now that I have to go and look all of that up again and organize it in a new place. Delicious is providing an amazing cataloging tool and I am sad for teachers who don’t know that this exists. Random thought—what happens when a website is no longer available? Does Delicious update you and delete that tag? Do websites “die?” Another question, can Delicious import from Google Reader? Boy that would make life a little easier.
I would like to look up when Delicious started because I am surprised I haven’t heard of all these great tools before. This sounds a little nerdy, but I need to shout all these great websites from the rooftops. How many people know about, and use these? I am one of those people that like to analyze statistics and sociology. This year I am probably going to be one of those teachers that come back from the summer bubbling about all the cool things I learned, and want to show/teach others right away. I guess I will have to learn to live with that.
Social Bookmarking
Why hasn’t anyone at school mentioned this before? I am beginning to feel cheated because I didn’t know all of this cool technology existed. For every unit I teach I could have bookmarked and tagged all of those sites I found useful, all those sites I used during classroom instruction. I am feeling a little stressed now that I have to go and look all of that up again and organize it in a new place. Delicious is providing an amazing cataloging tool and I am sad for teachers who don’t know that this exists. Random thought—what happens when a website is no longer available? Does Delicious update you and delete that tag? Do websites “die?” Another question, can Delicious import from Google Reader? Boy that would make life a little easier.
I would like to look up when Delicious started because I am surprised I haven’t heard of all these great tools before. This sounds a little nerdy, but I need to shout all these great websites from the rooftops. How many people know about, and use these? I am one of those people that like to analyze statistics and sociology. This year I am probably going to be one of those teachers that come back from the summer bubbling about all the cool things I learned, and want to show/teach others right away. I guess I will have to learn to live with that.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Week 2 blog #2
Oops. I just found out that instead of catchy titles for our blogs we should title them Week 2, Week 3 etc. for ease of reading for everyone. So “Blown Away” should now be known as Week 2: Blog #1. Sorry about that; I love writing headlines.
What do I know and what do I want to know? I like to make lists...
I know:
I am going to need more time to read all of these wonderful links and websites
Google Reader has changed my life forever
To be a better teacher I have to be more connected
I have to figure out ways to overcome technical difficulties
I have many more subscriptions to add to Google Reader
I have been on my computer all day and at least it is raining outside so I don’t feel bad
I should not get a blackberry because it is addicting to be so connected
What do I want to know?
How to convince our schools that technology is NOT the enemy
How to get my school system’s firewall to allow downloads without an act of congress
How does technology fit into the purpose of public education?
How can we get past the argument that more access leads to safety and security issues?
More thoughts about technologies like Facebook, MySpace, etc.
How can my classroom prepare students for life after HS?
How can I encourage collaborative work in the classroom?
At what point will my school system change to allow more technology?
Like any ongoing discussion, the more you know, the more you want to know.
I am very excited to see where this course takes me.
What do I know and what do I want to know? I like to make lists...
I know:
I am going to need more time to read all of these wonderful links and websites
Google Reader has changed my life forever
To be a better teacher I have to be more connected
I have to figure out ways to overcome technical difficulties
I have many more subscriptions to add to Google Reader
I have been on my computer all day and at least it is raining outside so I don’t feel bad
I should not get a blackberry because it is addicting to be so connected
What do I want to know?
How to convince our schools that technology is NOT the enemy
How to get my school system’s firewall to allow downloads without an act of congress
How does technology fit into the purpose of public education?
How can we get past the argument that more access leads to safety and security issues?
More thoughts about technologies like Facebook, MySpace, etc.
How can my classroom prepare students for life after HS?
How can I encourage collaborative work in the classroom?
At what point will my school system change to allow more technology?
Like any ongoing discussion, the more you know, the more you want to know.
I am very excited to see where this course takes me.
Blown Away 2
“Blown Away” was eaten by a Blogger monster. I was adding links to my writing, watching how it was being “auto saved” while I was typing away, then BAM tried to post and it disappeared into blankness. If I can urge you to please write in Word first, do it. I thought “It will just be a quick blog, no need to take the extra precaution.”
Seeing your beautiful blog ripped away is truly infuriating and not good for the blood pressure. Don’t do it.
Anyway…here is hopefully what I typed, to the best of my memory.
My first reactions to School 2.0 would have to be wonder and amazement. I actually stopped searching the site in order to email my school principal. I realized that (1) all teachers need to take this course and (2) schools need to stop spending so much money on textbooks and begin to invest in technology.
Just one look at the activities page on School 2.0 would be a great place to begin staff development. The list http://etoolkit.org/etoolkit/transtools/table_of_contents I'm sure would stagger most of our faculty members because they do not know about many of these tools.
I even plan on emailing the company to get a free Learning Ecosystem map for the classroom. http://etoolkit.org/etoolkit/map/poster
I also realized teachers need the time to learn this new language of technology because this is the world students will continue to grow up in. We can’t ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist. When I read Kim’s note about how students are “plugged in at all times except for when they are in school” it really walloped me. There is an entire connected world out there and a lot of disconnected people around here.
Seeing your beautiful blog ripped away is truly infuriating and not good for the blood pressure. Don’t do it.
Anyway…here is hopefully what I typed, to the best of my memory.
My first reactions to School 2.0 would have to be wonder and amazement. I actually stopped searching the site in order to email my school principal. I realized that (1) all teachers need to take this course and (2) schools need to stop spending so much money on textbooks and begin to invest in technology.
Just one look at the activities page on School 2.0 would be a great place to begin staff development. The list http://etoolkit.org/etoolkit/transtools/table_of_contents I'm sure would stagger most of our faculty members because they do not know about many of these tools.
I even plan on emailing the company to get a free Learning Ecosystem map for the classroom. http://etoolkit.org/etoolkit/map/poster
I also realized teachers need the time to learn this new language of technology because this is the world students will continue to grow up in. We can’t ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist. When I read Kim’s note about how students are “plugged in at all times except for when they are in school” it really walloped me. There is an entire connected world out there and a lot of disconnected people around here.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
First Skype Call
I just used Skype for the first time! Woot! There is so much great technology out there and I really think I need a faster connection. hmmm. I'll have to look into that. Right now I have Fairpoint and I'm not sure that they are the best, but it seems to work great for everything except YouTube videos; they start and stop, start over and stop...etc. Maddening. Any ideas on what might be going wrong? Or is it really just my connection speed?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Blog under Construction
Hello all. I am writing my first blog post for a class I have recently started, called Teaching and Learning in a Networked Classroom. Stay tuned for posts related to technology as used in my life this summer. It might get complicated.
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