instructional technology

The reading this week kind of extended the discussion on web 2.0 tools. It examined how some of these tools might be utilized in the subject areas. The whole idea shared how we can gain more information and engage our students better through using the 21st centurt technology being offered.

The main idea seems to be that through collaboration and project based learning we can expand the limited area of study. The students are allowed to create a social sphere in which they can share their information and obtain other opinions on their subject. This will provide input from globalization and cover many different types of sources. Solomon (2006)

At our school we are just starting to use some of these tools. these are so new to most instructors that they themselves need to use so they may be able to integrate. My own using of these tools have been helped by their usage in this course. Blogs, wikis, digital story telling, and podcasts seem to be the most common. Twitter is something new i am learning. Those my students IM ans use social websites all the time, they need to be directed in their usage.

These new tools will expand through this year and I lok forward to presenting them to my classes.

Solomon, G. ; Scrum, L. Web 2.0 new tools, new schools.(2007). International Society for Technology in Education. WashingtonDC.

It was interesting reading the discussion on Gwen Solomon’s new web 2.0 tools. No matter whether it is the open source applications or the new tools that can be used in the classroom, there is a new horizon in the direction of using technology in the classroom and education. Solomon (2007)

We are only now utilizing wikis, blogs, social bookmarks , and podcats in our studies. Most of these are so new to me and I see are only a few years old themselves. The exchange of ideas and collaborations are vital to achieving that higher level as discussed in previous blogs. Each of these tools are allowing the student to express themselves and respond or allow others to intervene and discuss their topics. Solomon (2007)

The use of aggregators and tags seems to make sense. I am not sure I can use these tools without further practice. Maybe a more efficient means of searches. Solomon (2007)

I am excited to be expanding my understanding of these tools and lok forward to expand their use into my curriculum and the lesson plans for my students. What great new ideas.

Solomon, G. ; Scrum, L. Web 2.0 new tools, new schools.(2007). International Society for Technology in Education. WashingtonDC.

In our reading this week we looked at the status of students and the new learning process of the 21st century. The general discussion of how far advanced out learners are today when it comes to technology and how far the teachers are lagging behind comes to the forefront. It was interesting to see how the students have not advanced in the areas of pdas  and higher ticketed items like laptops and video cameras.Solomon (2007)

It looks like the students are very interested in social being and not as much in informational areas like databases. I see that in class everyday. Music, videos, and just communication is where they are at. However, obtaining information seems to be at a standstill. I can understan why the readings dicuss how we are not teaching at the same capacity of where the students are learning. How do the two meet? Are we out of date by todays standards?I fully appreciate the constuctivists attitudes towards problem based learning and I see the advantages.

The comparison between Bloom’s taxonomy and the new approach depiocts some major changes. You still have to remember in problem based learning. There is still the need for information to be able to analyzed. We structure our evaluations in schools to today to the test and yet we are looking at learning today. maybe the hierarchy at the top have not been able to address this same problem. The move to digital storytelling , blogs, and podcats are evident.The results will continue to be examined. Solomon (2007)

Solomon, G. ; Scrum, L. Web 2.0 new tools, new schools.(2007). International Society for Technology in Education. WashingtonDC.

As mentioned in my previous blog this new Web2.0 brings new problems along with the positive new use and integration of technology.

New filtering and blocking devices must protect the students as per the childrens Online Privacy Protection Act. Ou reading makes us aware the needs for copyright protection and introducing us to the security solutions. It is our responsibility to make the users aware of the potential problemsthey may run into. Solomon (2007)

The need for acceptable use and ethical behavior is presented including some of the barriers. It mentions how there is a fine line between ethical and unethical. It stresses how teenagers believe that if it is there it must be okay. I know in my own classes that my students think it is okay to download somethin off the internet if it there for them. It is hard to make them aware of these infringements. Solomon ( 2007)

The reading points out that parental involvement is necessary to enlighten them of the information being provided. Most parents feel it is the schools responsibility to control these potential problems. The use of blocking by the system is one way to safeguard for problems. It also eliminates many potential useful sights. Solomon (2007)

The last area of discussion was IM ans Social networking. It seems the best way to get around this problem is to allow internal means and not go outside the system as freely. Solomon (2007)

The bottom line is it will take due diligence to overcome the many obstacles to allow for a safe experience.

Solomon, G. ; Scrum, L. Web 2.0 new tools, new schools.(2007). International Society for Technology in Education. WashingtonDC.

Throughout the technology courses we continue to gather more input into information literacy. To me it seems to put us into position to gain more knowledge through non traditional means of written text and face to face conversations. The introduction of Web 2.0 provides the oportunities to express ourselves through blogging as we are doing here or other collaborative methods such as wikis.

In the reading presented by Solomon ans Schrum, I especially like their comparison between web 1.0 and web 2.0. ner skills are needed as well as new ideas. Education is definitely changing.  Solomon (2007)

Their points are all backed up by Friedmans explanation of a level flat palying field and Pinks discussion of the right brainers. We are examining these new trends in introducing the new technology including open sources a swell as collaboration. Solomon (2007).

Solomon, G. ; Scrum, L. Web 2.0 new tools, new schools.(2007). International Society for Technology in Education. WashingtonDC.

There seems to be many people who want to help our educators. Due to the economy i am seeing some that are discontinuing this aid. below are three that I found interesting.

1.Avermedia was pffering a document camera. I know some feel that technology might be passing this device by. However , i still see many uses. We have many items that only come in a solid or paper from. This especially occursin the busines wrold. For this grant you  must submit a lesson plan in one of 6 areas, of course utilizing the camera. The winners receive a camera plus $1000.  www.avermedia-usa.com/presentation/promotion_lesson_plan.asp

2. The American Society for Quality issues a grant for a coomunity focused quality improvement initiative. This initiatives may include quality toools and technologies.Overall they must be a long term improvement for the community. There will be up to eight projects funded.  www.asq.org/communities/good-works/index.html

3. The sprint Foundation awards for the purchase of equipment that will be used for character improvement. Grants are for $500- 5000 for individual schools. Theyallow for much fredom as to the type project or class to be offered.  www.sprint.com/citizenship/education/sprintahead

Teaching marketing allows for me to expand into each of these areas especially since we deal with students in the workplace. Now that I have more time to examine these grants I look forward to trying to take advantage of some of these grants.

The reading on partnerships was interesting. Having come from the business world prior to teaching it is interesting to see the educators approach. Businesses can help educators and educators can help businesses.

It has to be a two way stree in your partnership. Obviously some businesses are out to sell you something. Is it wrong to introduce their products to the students? Is it wrong for the schools to use only one vendors’ software? Again, gaining assistance from the business can be helpful and the students have the right to choose later. The last school I came from was an alternative education program. We were given free cable and High speed. It saved us nealy one hundred dollars a month. That money is hard to come by. The reading mentioned Ted Turner and CNN’s project. That is great. Le Barron (2001)

How do the schools help the businesses. We prepare the students to enter the workplace. Teaching Marketing I have students that wirk as part of their grade. We try and prepare them for what they will learn on the job or before they go to the job.

I believe the main concept to grasp is to be open to all concerned. LeBarron states that you are to reinforce the learning, allow freedom in decisionsand be honest and up front with all. LeBarron (2001)

LeBaron, J.,Collier,C. Technology In Its Place. (2001) Jossey-Bass. San Fransisco.

It was suggested by my special education department to examine Read Please. www.readplease.com It consists of text to talk software. You can utilize many different voices. What is good , is that you can speed it up or slow it down. It also has uses for enlarging text and each word is highlighted as you progress through text.

It is distributed by Read Please Corporation and sales for 59.95 or there are versions for free trial.

It can be used in any class or environment. It seems to have very few drawbacks. It can be used for someone who does not like the sound of their voice in recording like the video ads in my lesson. You can type the information.

You can cut and paste anything that you might want read. Very easy to use. A great aid for those who have problems reading or speaking. It also aids those who need help in distinguishing what they are reading.

Teaching for Understanding has been a great help in examining my lesson plan. I have gathered a more thorough understanding of why I am trying to incorporate some of the information for my plan. The recent chapters we have read have made me reflecton my origional proposal.

I believe I had goals and objective met pretty well. I am going back to examine my assessments and reflections. After each use of the plans, i try to determine my successes and failures of each lesson. The wiske book has given me many new insights. I also want to look further into the issue of collaboration. I try to incorporate other subjects, but not neccessarily with another faculty member or class. Extension outside of the class would be great.Wiske (2005)

I am looking at adjusting some activites to include collaboration outside the class. I have other classes learning the same material that I might be able to utilize. This plan we are developing is easier to understand as we are adjusting to the readings.

I am also looking to expand the understanding of how this information affects the students on an every day basis. 

Wiske, M.S.,Franz, K., Breit, L.; (2005).Teaching for Understanding. Jossey-Bass. San Fransisco.

The chapter presented several key elements to technology integration. It pointed out that teachers need to employ many different learning experiences and resources including hands on exercises, interaction with software packages, examples of well designed lessons, instruction in evaluation and techniques and technologies and instruction to create new resources. LeBaron (2001)

It lookesd at four approaches to professional development. Technology mentors, student involvement, technology competancies, and inquiry action and research. I feel like my school has these four approaches in place. If we lack at all it would be in the last approach. Too many times we let things go by due to a lack of time, Le Baron (2001)

LeBaron, J.,Collier,C. Technology In Its Place. (2001) Jossey-Bass. San Fransisco.