Final Reflection

This week has been full of learning for me. Thanks for bringing to life the Web 2.0 tools using Google apps, docs, sites, reader etc. I learned how to set-up a blog, post and comment on various blogs. I enjoyed using Diigo and RSS. I have started using Google sites for a class at SHS that will use a blog to report/ react to current events in the world of business.

Thanks

Project Progress

I have started working on a Google Site for one of my classes. At this point it is a work-in progress, it does have a syllabus linked ( needs more work/ updates) an RSS feed, a few pictures and a couples files for students to view/ download.

Writing in the 21st Century

I agree with the notion that we must help students "compose"often and well. In order to do this, however, we must make use of all tools provided. Historically, writing has been associated with labor- what a chore. Whereas reading has been is is still associated with pleasure/ comfort.
Children were expected to read, listen as the teacher/parent read to them, but writing took a back seat. Today, with digital technology and Web 2.0 tools, everyone is a "composer." I prefer the word composer to writer.
I also agree that writing should be taught as a process and not a subject. I have not had a successful experience with writing and continue to express my thought in written form. Thankfully we have more tools to assist us all in the the process of composing.
Keep composing, everyone, using any tool.

Final Project

At this point, I am thinking of creating a Google Site for my Entrepreneurship class. This will have an RSS feed of daily updates from business articles, a file cabinet for file downloads, perhaps a calendar etc. I also want to use a class blog, maybe a blog of the day/week type of activity where students post and comment.

101 Resources- Techlearning

I enjoy reading the articles in these postings. I have used and will continue to use this site in class for current events as well as for myself to keep current on technology issues.

101 Resources- Stumbleupon.com

I was recently introduced to this site by my nephew. After signing up, I found myself lost in the site as time just flew by. It makes it easy to bring content of interest directly to you for review. I like reading through the different topics - just be careful not to spent too much time on this site.

Blogs Are Not the Enemy

Several good points are made in the article written by Jeff Utecht regarding commenting on blogs. As a new user, I found it helpful to be made aware of the purpose of comments; to extend the conversation. We should be adding meaning to the conversation and reinforce opinions using real examples. It gives us the opportunity to share information/ knowledge about ideas, subjects, etc, and receive comments in return. I was unaware of the web site cocomment and may use this site to track comments. It was also helpful in that it pointed out some proper ways to share comments.
Thanks for the info.

Technology-Transformed Learning Environments by David Warlick

David Warlick brings up some great points in his article. I especially like the last line of the article, "and that responsibility will not be based on a measure of their learning (how much or how well), but on what they have learned and what they can do with what they’ve learned.". I believe, we were just discussing this in class today and I brought up a similar point, grades vs learning.
I really like the "personalized learning" aspect. What a great classroom environment! One that I would want my child to be a part of and one that we as teachers all can strive to emulate.
The five points were well taken 1. Fueled by questions 2. Provokes conversation 3. Responsive. 4. Personal investment and 5. Safely make mistakes. ( it's ok to make mistakes). I believe more learning come from mistakes we make.

I will certainly be asking myself and the students the following
What will the students be able to do with what they have learned?

I cannot think of any additional components that s/b in a tech infused classroom.

Adopt and Adapt by Marc Prensky

Of course we could all benefit with one-to-one computing! Tell me something I don't know. Why does he not assist us with adopting and adapting? As a game designer, why not let us ALL in on the best simulations to use for our learners? Why not demonstrate them for us and show us the way.Perhaps the author could tell us in what classroom students are allowed to use all personal devices, and what lesson plans have been created to use these and how are things going?

After all, we do have the internet and we should be sharing this information, if and when it does indeed exist.

"The number-one technology request of today's students is to have email and instant messaging always available and part of school." Why do they want these? I don't recall seeing that answer in this article. To use Google docs blogs etc, it is necessary to have an email account. This could be done at home. Not needed in school, in my opinion, unless and until we incorporate a GOOD use for these applications. Let's ask the students.

At SHS, students are not allowed to use cell phones during the school day. One-on-one computing is not happening this fall, but perhaps in the near future. Teachers continue to better themselves on using technology in the classroom, we have screens with LCD projectors in all classrooms, many teachers have Moodle sites, Wikispaces etc. We are using staff development time to learn and share technology ideas. This is an ongoing process and the support of administration and the community is vital.

Posting of my pic from photobooth

Four Important Practices- Turning on the Lights

How you I could use the "Four Important Practices ?"

We must make learning relevant, interesting, challenging and engaging. That's the issue all educators face. I love the idea of having students produce short videos on school related issues. I could also see students using technology to prepare/ produce
"how to videos" on technology related topics. These could include using various software products and could then be saved into a "library" for all to access. It would be engaging, fun, team building, and while of course using technology to show how to use technology. My thought last year was to have students prepare " how to" use Excel videos but ran into a road block when we did not have the software to capture screen shots we are not" one-to-one laptops yet at SHS. I would like to see if I could try it in the near future.
Talking to students as a way to understand how they like to be taught and how they learn is critical. I spend some time doing this each semester, but could and will try to spend more time in this area. I tend to ask them to write in the form of an assignment/ get to know them. This allows for the quiet students to express their thoughts in writing.

I also have been working with the Partnership for 21st century skills in learning and using technology and will continue to strive to use technology to have students be as prepared as possible for the future. This is a challenge as we don't know what that future is yet.

discussing the two blog posts "must read"

I read the following two blogs posts

1. Tech & Learning

2. Readwriteweb

Both are of interest to me for learning, keeping up-to-date and using in the classroom with my students. I have students report on technology related issues and these blogs will be utilized. Yes, I am interested and would like to follow and subscribe to these blogs.

The Tech and Learning blog is also great for ideas to share with colleagues.

They cover current events and issues of interest to me, my students, and colleagues. Thanks for making them known to me.

What I want to learn

I have not used my MacBook nearly enough. I have used my PC/ Window almost exclusively. I am hoping to get more comfortable using it to use in the classroom. Keyboard shortcuts, applications etc. Everything I can absorb.

Looking forward to the learning this week and to use in the future.