Looking back, and Looking Forward June 20, 2010

Wow, it truly feels like yesterday that I sat down for the first elluminate session in ecmp 455. Although that was only 3 short weeks ago, the amount of learning and discovering that took place seems far beyond a 3 week course. I took Ecmp 355 2 years ago in the exact same setup, however, the experience was completely different for me this time around. In ecmp 355 this concept was very new to me, and I felt as though it only gave me a small taste. Now I leave feeling like I got the full meal deal. I have learned a lot about myself, about my beliefs, and where I see myself using technology in the classroom. It now seems to be more of a natural part of a classroom, and far less frightening than it originally seemed. One of the greatest pieces I have gained which will be my biggest aid in the future is my PLN. The network I have just started to create is absolutely amazing. I look forward to it’s growth, and what I can both contribute and gain from it.

I absolutely loved the blogging experience. In the midst of an extremely busy time for me, blogging seemed to be the only calm I had in regards to “doing homework”. It felt very stress free, and  rewarding to learn and discover myself and through my classmates. One of my goals for internship is to create a classroom blog. I attempted this in my pre-internship, but never went through with it. I have much more knowledge now as to how, why and when I will use a blog that it will be a much more meaningful experience. For my own personal blog, I do hope to continue blogging, however, I want it to be about whatever is going on in my life. Internship will be a very busy and interesting time in my  life, and to be able to blog, will help document that experience, as well will help me in my reflections.

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to take part in such a jam-packed, course that actually felt relevant and purposeful to my future as an educator. Finding purpose in this has actually allowed me to enjoy school and learning (and this doesn’t always happen in other courses!). It has been a great ride, but there is soooo much more to come. It truly is a never ending journey!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mkrigsman/2852232536/

Twitter Dress June 18, 2010

Hmm never thought the words twitter and dress would ever come together. However, can you expect anything less at the Grammy’s? Music artist Imogen Heap had a dress designed specially to allow for fans to “accompany” her that night. It had it’s own twitterfeed where her fans could use the hashtag #twitdress.

Wowsers what next hey!  When I first heard about twitter, it was always associated with celebrities. A lot of people use twitter for that purpose (to see what celebrities are up to). However, the reason why I think this story is kind of interesting, is that maybe as educators, we could use this concept of bringing people with us, to all of the places we go. We don’t necessarily need clothes made to make this happen, instead mobile phones etc. make that possible. For me, twitter is just an at home thing, but I would like to challenge myself more, (once I get a little bit more connected) to use it in other places, for the benefit of others ex. conferences, guest speakers etc.)

Just for some laughs- the article  in which I found this story, had a note on the bottom about what might we see next- Lady Gaga facebook shoes?? haha!

Fodey June 16, 2010

I would love to share with everyone my new find of the day..  Fodey.com. This is such a great tool to use and show in your classrooms, as it is the most user friendly website that generates the following:

.. a newspaper

.. ninja text

.. a clapper board

.. wizard text

.. talking squirrels

.. talking flowers

.. a cigarette packet

.. talking tomatoes

.. talking cats

.. talking owls

DO you know how many countless hours I spent in elementary and highschool attempting to make a newspaper article, and it always ended up looking pathetic. Wow this site would have been very useful!!

Another great aspect about this website is that it’s free to use and you don’t have to sign up or have a username.. all you have to do is type in the words and TA DA!

The oh so popular cell phone June 15, 2010

I came across a very interesting blog post titled: “Does banning cell phones in school cause more problems than integrating them?  Liz Kolb who created this post mentioned that one of her students had been reading her blog, and argued that when students are not allowed to have their cellphones, they go out of their way to hide and sneak them, which in turn distracts them from their learning. If they were able to openly have them and use them in classrooms, there would be less of a want to use them, and less distraction.

An individual who read this blog commented to her post with the following: As an educator, I find it hypocritical when I attend professional training and see most teachers texting or playing games on their cell phones during the training. The worst offending teachers are usually the ones who are the most militant about punishing students for cell phone use during class time. Educators need to wise up and find ways to use cell phones as teaching and learning tools. Cell phones are everywhere, parents allow them, educators and school systems need to embrace them and find ways to use cell phones to enhance teaching and learning.

I laughed as i read this, simply because I thought back to every single class I have taken in University and the amount of texting, and browsing, and so on that went on every class by about 80% of students. Does the phrase “practice what you preach come to mind? I truly agree with the response in which the individual said teachers are often the most hypocritical. I personally agree that cell phones are so common in our society, that it’s time we find positive ways to utilize them in schools, and embrace what our students find relevant to their lives. Afterall students are using cell phones forr everything else, why not for learning?

In saying this, I came across an article and video that shows just how teachers can embrace cell phones as a tool rather than a toy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47379357@N02/4342961323/

Technology Integration Is Like Swimming.. June 14, 2010

I’m not sure if it’s because I have been thinking about it for the past few days since our last online lecture, and Miss Kiefer’s post about jumping in, but I was extremely engaged by a blog that I happened to stumble upon. Kristin Hokanson created a post titled: Supporting Reluctant Swimmers-or letting them drown. I enjoyed this blog soo much for many reasons. First of all Kristin described integration of technology into a classroom in one of the neatest ways possible, she compared it to swimming. Not everybody likes swimming, not everybody is a good swimmer, there are a lot of fears and reluctants to even stepping close to water. Sometimes we like swimming but don’t feel comfortable on our own, so we take lessons, or use support devices. Some people are confident and comfortable in the water, and they like to be the lifeguards and supporters to those of whom do not like water or are not strong swimmers. Now if that doesn’t translate exactly to the scenarios school’s are facing everyday in regars to technology in classrooms. (I strongly advise you to read Kristin’s blog however, she does a wonderful job of detailing this analogy)

The next thing I loved about this blog was Kristins outlook on what needs to be done to get those nervous/ reluctant swimmers in the water. I strongly agree with her that major component in a smooth transition is the administrators. She says “administrators must make technology a priority if we are to get teachers to “take the time” to explore new things- it is one of the things that is driving me to complete my administrative certification. Provide opportunities for teachers to see what is possible (take them to the pool), Give them the skills they need (the swim lessons). Provide support for them and swim along side the teachers. Only then will you have competent swimmers.”

I think back to Gill’s post about jumping in, and feel like now I’m starting to understand that you don’t just have to do that. You can start by “getting your feet wet”. Eventually a desirable vision for schools in the future is to have technology in classrooms like AIR coming from Marcie Hull who said it’s like it is just always present and you don’t even recognize it exists.

Think You Know Cyber Cafe June 13, 2010

I recently attended a live Tech Talk event presented by Julie Lindsay. She talked about her Flat Classroom project, and how important it is to create global and digital citizens. However, there is actually a lot more to creating digital citizens, than just giving them free reigns to explore. The first step is to make them aware of the norms of behaviour in regards to appropriate use. I thought this was a very interesting concept, simply because I was never given that information as a kid. However, as we are beginning to see a lot more global collaboration and connecting happening between classrooms, it is so imperative that kids know how to be smart digital citizens.  Julie Lindsay noted things like: affection, gender, language awareness, cultural sensitivity, how to respond to others etc. all neeeds to be addressed.

As i did my daily browse and readings, I came across a really neat virtual website for children called Think You know Cafe. This website is designed for students to practice and learn about online safety in regards to email, texting, instant messaging, web browsing, creating an online personal space, and chatting in a chat room. One of my favourite parts about the site is that it gives students different scenarios to think about, and respond to. I think this would be a great tool that a teacher could share with the whole class prior to really jumping in.

Hole in the Wall June 11, 2010

                                                                      http://www.flickr.com/photos/ext504/3388547187/

What would happen if you stuck a computer in a wall, and gave free access to it.. Watch this video

“Today’s children need not only basic education, but also the ability to deal with an increasingly complex and connected world. We need to create inclusive educational solutions that address all sections of society and help transform them. ” – This statement resembles the mission and drive behind the incredibly inspirational project called The Hole-in-the-wall.

So the central idea revolves around a style of learning known as minimally invasive education:

“Minimally Invasive Education is defined as a pedagogic method that uses the learning environment to generate an adequate level of motivation to induce learning in groups of children, with minimal, or no, intervention by a teacher.”

In order to achieve this method of learning in children, they placed a single computer in a wall in India, where children had zero computer use or knowledge. As children gathered, they began to explore and teach themselves how to use the computer.

Wow, now if this doesn’t prove how capable children really are, then i’m not sure what does! This incredble learning opportunity for these children was remarkable. This study expanded over a 4 year timeline, in which the following data resulted:

I think I could write and write and write, about how outstanding this project was, and there is soo much more behind it, that I encourage you all to take a look at the website!

I think this project could really spark some conversation in regards to my PD project-Teaching for social justice!

Technology makes us happy.. June 10, 2010

If I were to calculate the average hours I spend on the computer or on a cellphone, any piece of technology really, the numbers might be alarming! In fact, what’s really scary is how my life virtually revolves around it. This did not become apparent to me until last December when I went on my honeymoon to Mexico. We did not bring our cellphones, nor did we pay a single penny for the internet cafe. The second I landed back in Canada, I was desperate for my cellphone, and needed to update myself on a weeks worth of facebook. How pathetic does it sound, but yet being able to use it makes me very happy!

So what got me on this subject of: technology resulting in happiness, was a study by a research firm in the UK called BCS. They claimed that for the most part, people are happier when they have access to technology, it simply promotes and empowers autonomy. Jennifer Van Grove wrote: ..”information technology (i.e. Internet access) increases their sense of freedom by 15% and improves their overall well-being. Altogether, our life satisfaction increases by 10% when we have IT access, the study concludes.”

Just from my own technology experiences, I completely agree with the study, and feel that as a future educator, I hold a lot of power in creating those experiences and letting them happen. It seems like such a gimmie question but, we all want happiness for our students, do we not? Well giving students the opportunity to explore, connect, discover and have a voice is all a part of technology in the classroom.

So I guess the next time a parent questions why you need to be using technology (because they do)… here is just one more argument to throw at them.. It’s for their own well-being!

Netizens June 9, 2010

I believe today may have been  the first time  that I had ever heard the word Netizens. I came across a discussion that talked about China and it’s rising number of netizens. Obviously just like it sounds, netizens refers to citizens who are internet users, and in this China case, mobile net citizens. With the advancement in internet infrastructures in China, the number of users has sky-rocketed. The discussion showed some of the data as follows: By the end of 2009 the number of Chinese netizens had reached 384 million, 618 times that of 1997 and an annual increase of 31.95 million users. Of all the netizens, 346 million used broadband and 233 million used mobile phones to access the Internet.

So here are a few reasons why I found this article extremely interesting…. I had the opportunity after graduation to live in China for 6 months, and teach english. Prior to making the move, I had some pretty strong stereotypes as to what I believed things were like in their culture. I had these pre-conceived thoughts that every individual from China was a techy geek! Well I was proved quite wrong once I landed. 2 schools that I was able to work in, had next to nothing for technology, In the classrooms I taught in, there was one old computer at the front of the class for the teacher only to use (which they never did). However, once I discovered the malls in China, it was like any techy’s dream. There were stores the size of malls there just with cell phones. My friend actually bought a cell phone when she was there with me, and laughed when it came to Canada 2 years later. I also noticed that EVERYBODY had a cell phone, no word of a lie even street people carried them. So for that reason, the statistics showing that  there are 233  million netizens in China, does not surprise me. Now my only hope is that the rising number of computer users, begins to transfer into schools!

Techno Flobs June 8, 2010

Well just like I promised Dean, I just have to do a post on tonight’s technology problems, but all in a positive manner. Our asynchronous class style has become reliant on the fabulous elluminate tool! However, tonight’s class taught me a couple things in regards to technology, be very flexible, and have an open mind to trying and working with new tools. Although Dean maybe felt a little out of sorts, and things didn’t work exactly like they do in elluminate, we all had the opporunity to experience a new learning tool, and the way it runs. I believe Marley made the comment that she would have simply given up right away, after elluminate chose to be stubborn, I too may have thrown in the towel. However, I can almost guarantee that somepoint in each one of our teaching careers, wemay have some technology flaws and flobs. The key to embracing it, is using our connections and our networks. In seconds someone might have a solution to the problem, or another idea for a tool similar. Therefore, where technology can go wrong, that balance of the powerful networks we potentially can create balances is right back!

Another key component that I really enjoyed about tonight’s lecture was really seeing and understanding the power of images as opposed to text. A  picture really does speak more than words could ever say! I think this is why I am really passionate about using documentation as a means of assessment. Not only do pictures of students learning process aid me in making sense of their learning, but it also does for them. Posting pictures of their work makes their learning authentic, meaningful and important. Go Documentation!!