My Digital Portfolio contains an introduction to me and my ideas about education. It is a compilation of all of the projects we have done in this class. There is a listing of those projects on the left sidebar including this blog, photoshop, inspiration, web 2.o, digital essay, non-linear powerpoint, and podcast. It also includes a list of some of the websites that I recommend for teachers and for students.
Let me know what you think...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
IConn - Digital Equity
IConn provides all Connecticut students access to many databases and countless numbers of articles, journals, books, and information that most students otherwise would not have. Aside from the cost issue, most students wouldn't have access to, or know how to find this hidden web. Access to information like this ensures digital equity in CT. Regardless of income level, academic level, or gender, all students have the same access.
As a teacher, some of the resources I might use are the Discovery Collection, Student Resource Center-Gold, Biography Resource Center and the Kids Infobits. As a student, I wish that I had know about IConn before because it would have been a great resource for academic journal articles that are very difficult to find for free. This is a very valuable resource.
As a teacher, some of the resources I might use are the Discovery Collection, Student Resource Center-Gold, Biography Resource Center and the Kids Infobits. As a student, I wish that I had know about IConn before because it would have been a great resource for academic journal articles that are very difficult to find for free. This is a very valuable resource.
Information Problem Solving Skills
We are not born learning how to solve problems. We actually start out our lives with other people solving problems for us. Problem solving is a skill that develops over time and teaching students effective problem solving skills is very important. Learning how to handle a problem properly would alleviate a lot of the problems that adolescents, and adults for that matter, face. Poor problem solving skills are the reason many kids get into trouble. They don't know what to do!
The big 6 strategy is extremely useful and it provides students with a clear plan that they can follow step by step. With students, you can't just tell them to figure things out without imparting how to figure it out. We don't do it with academics but we do it with behavior and that doesn't make sense. We don't tell students to just figure out a math problem without giving them step by step instructions to do so but we expect them to solve problems in life without instruction.
It is extremely important to provide our students with problem solving skills. It is a lesson that they can use for all of their lives.
The big 6 strategy is extremely useful and it provides students with a clear plan that they can follow step by step. With students, you can't just tell them to figure things out without imparting how to figure it out. We don't do it with academics but we do it with behavior and that doesn't make sense. We don't tell students to just figure out a math problem without giving them step by step instructions to do so but we expect them to solve problems in life without instruction.
It is extremely important to provide our students with problem solving skills. It is a lesson that they can use for all of their lives.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Computer Delusion
The Computer Delusion suggests that computers are much like the other technological advances of the past. There is always lots of buzz about new advances in technology and how they will "change the world". Computers got great buzz. The difference with this technology is that people bought the buzz and the public, including teachers and schools, saw computers as necessary. Many school districts believed that computers were so important, in fact, that in order to afford them, they took the drastic measure of cutting other programs, like music and art.
The computer delusion is that people jumped on the computer bandwagon with no evidence that computers would do what they were told. The delusion is that people were putting all of their faith in students' success on the new technology. They dismissed other options for students that were perhaps not inclined to go to college and pursue careers in academic areas. The delusion was that computer's would make their children smarter when there was no clear evidence that computers would increase student achievement.
Computers and technology are extremely valuable, and it is necessary to expose our children to it and educate them using these technologies, but computers and technology alone will not increase student achievement and success. We need to keep art, music and other programs in our schools. We need to keep programs available for all types of students and keep their options open. Computers alone will not encourage success nor will they encourage students to work harder and strive greater. On the contrary, computers alone can create lazy, underachievers because not everything about computers is great.
There needs to be a balance within all academic areas. Technology should be integrated with academics and should add value to the curriculum. To think otherwise is delusional.
The computer delusion is that people jumped on the computer bandwagon with no evidence that computers would do what they were told. The delusion is that people were putting all of their faith in students' success on the new technology. They dismissed other options for students that were perhaps not inclined to go to college and pursue careers in academic areas. The delusion was that computer's would make their children smarter when there was no clear evidence that computers would increase student achievement.
Computers and technology are extremely valuable, and it is necessary to expose our children to it and educate them using these technologies, but computers and technology alone will not increase student achievement and success. We need to keep art, music and other programs in our schools. We need to keep programs available for all types of students and keep their options open. Computers alone will not encourage success nor will they encourage students to work harder and strive greater. On the contrary, computers alone can create lazy, underachievers because not everything about computers is great.
There needs to be a balance within all academic areas. Technology should be integrated with academics and should add value to the curriculum. To think otherwise is delusional.
Digital Divide
I believe that there is a digital divide, especially between the social and economic classes. I also believe that there is a digital divide between genders, but I believe that it is derived from social divides between male and female and the different ways that boys and girls learn, since they are such different social creatures.
Socio-economics play a tremendous role in who gets access to technology, how much access they get, and in the quantity and quality of the instruction. Technology tends to be expensive, so for those who don't have much disposable income, acquiring it may not be possible. Their children have less exposure to using and exploring it. Sometimes the access they have is to older, out of date equipment so they will be behind the technology curve. For educators, this means that when they use technology in their classroom, students who have not had much access to technology will need more instruction than others. The teacher will have to take extra time to instruct the student before starting the actual lesson.
The solution: access to updated, quality technology and nstruction for all students...easier said than done. Schools and communities are already economically stretched so more expensive equipment and programs will not happen. One thing that works is the new free or inexpensive technology that can be downloaded from the web. Support for companies that create them is important. The other solution for teachers is to do your best to ensure that your students aare given access to technology in your class, that would be a start.
Socio-economics play a tremendous role in who gets access to technology, how much access they get, and in the quantity and quality of the instruction. Technology tends to be expensive, so for those who don't have much disposable income, acquiring it may not be possible. Their children have less exposure to using and exploring it. Sometimes the access they have is to older, out of date equipment so they will be behind the technology curve. For educators, this means that when they use technology in their classroom, students who have not had much access to technology will need more instruction than others. The teacher will have to take extra time to instruct the student before starting the actual lesson.
The solution: access to updated, quality technology and nstruction for all students...easier said than done. Schools and communities are already economically stretched so more expensive equipment and programs will not happen. One thing that works is the new free or inexpensive technology that can be downloaded from the web. Support for companies that create them is important. The other solution for teachers is to do your best to ensure that your students aare given access to technology in your class, that would be a start.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Non-Linear Power Point
I learned a lot from this program. The power point from our past is so dull and lifeless. Non-linear makes the presentation more interactive and the presenter can change the flow depending on the audience and how much they interact with the presentation. For example, in a class where a lot of discussion takes place, the teacher can easily move around the power point without going through all the slides. There can even be a quiz incorporated into it.I enjoyed it because you can incorporate websites and activities into the lesson, the power point doesn't just have to be informational.This is definately a program that I could see myself using in my classroom. You can prepare a lesson ahead of time, yet be prepared for the lesson to change along the way depending on questions the students have and the discussions that come up. It is perfect for all grade levels.
Reflections on the Class
I haven't taken a "computer class" in a long,long time. In fact, it's been so long that I don't even remember the class, although I know I had to take one. This class has been a completely new experience for me. I can generally figure my way out on a computer, although it may take me a long while sometimes. The frustration with this class is that there isn't enough time to play around with programs in order to figure them out. I would recommend taking this class over a regular semester. There is a lot of new information to learn in a very limited amount of time. Because of this, I am especially grateful for Jerome's help.
Aside from the time crunch, I think that this class has been very valuable. I was introduced to, and learned how to use programs that I can use in my classroom. I have come away with many ideas about how to usefully use technology in the classroom. I have also learned that to use technology, it should bring an added value to my lesson. I have learned about the value of technology, especially as it applies to my special education students - as another tool to apply to their learning.
I found photoshop the most frustrating and the least valuable, and the ability to create the digital story and website as the most rewarding. Blogging was my least favorite part of this class...the pressure of writing for others to see was difficult for me.
I think that all the programs can be valuable depending on the lesson and the type of student. For example, Inspiration wasn't my favorite program because I am not a fan of mapping and they do not aid my learning, but there are students of other learning styles who would greatly benefit from this program.
My hope for the rest of the semester is to complete all my work and not lose it or crash a computer! Beyond the semester, my hope is to create a family website to share with other family members and to later incorporate the things that I have learned into lessons for my students.
Aside from the time crunch, I think that this class has been very valuable. I was introduced to, and learned how to use programs that I can use in my classroom. I have come away with many ideas about how to usefully use technology in the classroom. I have also learned that to use technology, it should bring an added value to my lesson. I have learned about the value of technology, especially as it applies to my special education students - as another tool to apply to their learning.
I found photoshop the most frustrating and the least valuable, and the ability to create the digital story and website as the most rewarding. Blogging was my least favorite part of this class...the pressure of writing for others to see was difficult for me.
I think that all the programs can be valuable depending on the lesson and the type of student. For example, Inspiration wasn't my favorite program because I am not a fan of mapping and they do not aid my learning, but there are students of other learning styles who would greatly benefit from this program.
My hope for the rest of the semester is to complete all my work and not lose it or crash a computer! Beyond the semester, my hope is to create a family website to share with other family members and to later incorporate the things that I have learned into lessons for my students.
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