Now to finish #5 - not the Short Circuit robot #5! :)
I have to agree with MsBrownie - I was expecting a cool computer program I could use with my students. Little did I know it was LOTS of computer programs...a movement of sorts toward a more technology-related future in the classroom and out.
School 2.0 means to me the future of education. I envision every student with a laptop and all the time they need to gather information, categorize it, develop products with it...basically the same thing we ask of them today but without the use and ease of technology. Blogging with students and parents not only gives open pathways of interaction, but also provides students with daily, practical experience reading and writing. Keeping students engaged has always been a problem...imagine a classroom full of students actively pounding away on the keyboard, researching and following the writing process and enjoying it.
Library 2.0 - I haven't made up my mind. As long as the traditional library does not disappear I think the concept of more written material available online is a great idea and should be one of the goals of dispensers of knowledge. However, I still see the value of traditional books, maps, documents, libraries and librarians.
I never want to wake up to a virtual world as a reality. Let people play their pretend SecondLife games...I still want real people in a real world doing real things - like reading books. :)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wow! Web 2.0 is the Future of Education
This was such a powerful article I couldn't read another one until I commented on it. I was enthralled as I read the trends in technology and education. Phrases like "flood of information" and "platform for creativity" made an impact which almost overwhelmed me. At the same time I could feel the excitement about the potential building up from deep inside. Suddenly I was able to see what actually lies ahead for our students and for education. What potential!!
I loved when he said the consumers will become the producers - creators of content. Rather than just searching for information, students can become participants in the dissemination of content. His reference to the "hallway" learning just reinforced a belief I've always had - that one learns best when teaching others. Study groups, whether in person or in blogs, would enable students to affirm their knowledge, add to it, share it. His practical suggestions to educators make a lot of sense to me. I wish more teachers would take his challenge.
One thing that did disturb me was a comment made in response to his article. One person shared the reaction received by administrators when presented with a proposal to pilot a classroom blog for her students writing. They were astounded that she would think of such a thing and even suggested that students' writings should be confined to the refrigerator door! He even wanted to know if there were studies to show that such a program would raise test scores.
True, with NCLB barking at our heels it would be difficult to devote time to such pursuits, but in the long run who will suffer? Do our students plod away in tutoring groups, acceleration groups and constant test preparation? Or do we teach them as much as we can and prepare them for a future that will in all probability involve technology and knowledge of software to which they have never been exposed? Do we continue with paper and pencil work, losing many students along the way? Or get them involved in regular classroom use of computers that will keep them interested and engaged in learning?
I loved when he said the consumers will become the producers - creators of content. Rather than just searching for information, students can become participants in the dissemination of content. His reference to the "hallway" learning just reinforced a belief I've always had - that one learns best when teaching others. Study groups, whether in person or in blogs, would enable students to affirm their knowledge, add to it, share it. His practical suggestions to educators make a lot of sense to me. I wish more teachers would take his challenge.
One thing that did disturb me was a comment made in response to his article. One person shared the reaction received by administrators when presented with a proposal to pilot a classroom blog for her students writing. They were astounded that she would think of such a thing and even suggested that students' writings should be confined to the refrigerator door! He even wanted to know if there were studies to show that such a program would raise test scores.
True, with NCLB barking at our heels it would be difficult to devote time to such pursuits, but in the long run who will suffer? Do our students plod away in tutoring groups, acceleration groups and constant test preparation? Or do we teach them as much as we can and prepare them for a future that will in all probability involve technology and knowledge of software to which they have never been exposed? Do we continue with paper and pencil work, losing many students along the way? Or get them involved in regular classroom use of computers that will keep them interested and engaged in learning?
Another one!
I began reading Dr. Schultz' "To a Temporary Place in Time" and had to go back and read it again. I couldn't decide if it was a tongue-in-cheek article or a supportive one. Her analogy based on the economy's shift from commodity to product to service to experience was interesting. She did a masterful job of equating the stages of the library to each stage of the shift. I just can't decide if that's what she sees coming or if it's a "what if it becomes this" article.
Either way, I don't see the traditional brick and mortar library becoming extinct. Most large libraries utilize technology to locate information and books; but I don't see the books themselves becoming obsolete in the near or far future. Some books just need to be handled and people like me who like to go to bed with a good book - well, I just don't see it!
Too often I've seen mistakes in transcription from printed sources to electronic that I believe the actual input and checking for accuracy would preclude any kind of move to all things electronic.
I do agree that there is a preponderance of information on the Internet that makes trips to the library unnecessary. But there are still massive amounts of information not available; and I, for one, hope it never comes to that. I grew up in the library and still enjoy spending time browsing, researching and selecting books to take home to the comfort of my living room.
Either way, I don't see the traditional brick and mortar library becoming extinct. Most large libraries utilize technology to locate information and books; but I don't see the books themselves becoming obsolete in the near or far future. Some books just need to be handled and people like me who like to go to bed with a good book - well, I just don't see it!
Too often I've seen mistakes in transcription from printed sources to electronic that I believe the actual input and checking for accuracy would preclude any kind of move to all things electronic.
I do agree that there is a preponderance of information on the Internet that makes trips to the library unnecessary. But there are still massive amounts of information not available; and I, for one, hope it never comes to that. I grew up in the library and still enjoy spending time browsing, researching and selecting books to take home to the comfort of my living room.
Thing #4 - 30 June 2008
Well, moving right along...I decided to start "Thing 4" and come back to it as I need to later in the course.
After reading the comment blogs I realized there is more to blogging than I thought. I'm ashamed to say I'm in that 9% who comment occasionally but don't become part of the community. I frequent scrapbooking blogs; but I guess as a beginner I felt like an intruder because it seemed that everyone else knew each other. I remember reading one blog, thinking to myself, "these people must know each other pretty well," not knowing that they are part of an online community. They became "friend" through their blogging. I should have realized that since I used to belong to an online AOL group many moons ago. Now I see how and why commenting on blogs is important to creating that sense of community. The more you are seen responding, the more familiar people become, and friendships can develop.
It was with great relief that I discovered through the commenting blogs that I can actually become part of those communities just by regular comments. I do have a couple of favorites that I will put on my list of "blogs to visit for the class."
As for other points brought out in the readings, I believe the do's and don'ts of blogging are just plain common sense. It's important to consider carefully what you say so it will not be miscontrued. I like what one classmate said about the smiley face - it's a great tool, no matter what you say since people cannot hear your tone of voice. Certainly never type responses in caps since that indicates yelling. Use of inflamatory words or remarks go against all that is decent. I could go on and on, but if one uses their sense of fairness and decency, blogging will be an enjoyable experience.
I had mixed feelings with the alias vs real name argument. I feel very strongly about protecting my identity, not necessarily my privacy, but probably that too. Since one cannot see the person on the other end of a blog, it becomes a potential safety issue - especially for teens and children. I prefer to remain anonymous as far as who I am and where I'm located. Besides if you say something stupid, no one knows who you are! :) However, I do believe it's important, if one wants to belong to the community of bloggers on a particular site, that an alias is established and used regularly to identify a person.
I chose from our group:
readandgiggle, partly because the name caught my eye. I actually did read and giggle. :) But after I began reading I discovered I really enjoyed reading her comments about the various "things" she was trying. I, too, write with a sense of humor - except when I'm trying to do an assignment! :)
teachartiscool - The first page background of the blog was so interesting that I wanted to see more. As I read I discovered we have some of the same thoughts and feelings about this class and education in general. I love looking at the artwork, too!
MsBrownie's Blog -After a comment about her blog on another bloggers site, I had to check it out. She's very entertaining, and besides we are twins...check out our avatars :) The face is a little different, though. Her comment about Thing 1 and Thing 2 really had me laughing because I had thought the same thing. In addition, I want to see how her blogging idea with her students develops.
Teddy Bear Blog - Her interest in genealogy and scrapbooking resonated with me! Those are my two passions.
JJ's Summertime Fun - Her blog is an easy read and quite entertaining. I like the way she explains the "things" she has tried and I love her taste in music!
Kimberly's Corner - I enjoyed reading her blog and that's one thing I look for - something that holds my attention. Boring loses me very quickly - her's is not boring!
OK, I chose six instead of five, but I couldn't decide which one to skip. I plan to comment on these blogs regularly as well as commenting on some of the others as time permits. I had no idea this class would take so much time!!! :)
Two blogs not from this class that I frequent are Booland Designs and JulieO. These are both scrapping blogs and I love their work. They are designers for Stone Accent Studios where I get the majority of my scrapping ideas and supplies...lots of freebies. I have been a little random with my comments [part of that 9%] but I plan to change that and begin to comment regularly.
I'll post updates as I comment on the blogs I've listed, but will create a new blog with "Thing #4" in it instead of adding to this quite lengthy post. I do tend to get a little wordy...
After reading the comment blogs I realized there is more to blogging than I thought. I'm ashamed to say I'm in that 9% who comment occasionally but don't become part of the community. I frequent scrapbooking blogs; but I guess as a beginner I felt like an intruder because it seemed that everyone else knew each other. I remember reading one blog, thinking to myself, "these people must know each other pretty well," not knowing that they are part of an online community. They became "friend" through their blogging. I should have realized that since I used to belong to an online AOL group many moons ago. Now I see how and why commenting on blogs is important to creating that sense of community. The more you are seen responding, the more familiar people become, and friendships can develop.
It was with great relief that I discovered through the commenting blogs that I can actually become part of those communities just by regular comments. I do have a couple of favorites that I will put on my list of "blogs to visit for the class."
As for other points brought out in the readings, I believe the do's and don'ts of blogging are just plain common sense. It's important to consider carefully what you say so it will not be miscontrued. I like what one classmate said about the smiley face - it's a great tool, no matter what you say since people cannot hear your tone of voice. Certainly never type responses in caps since that indicates yelling. Use of inflamatory words or remarks go against all that is decent. I could go on and on, but if one uses their sense of fairness and decency, blogging will be an enjoyable experience.
I had mixed feelings with the alias vs real name argument. I feel very strongly about protecting my identity, not necessarily my privacy, but probably that too. Since one cannot see the person on the other end of a blog, it becomes a potential safety issue - especially for teens and children. I prefer to remain anonymous as far as who I am and where I'm located. Besides if you say something stupid, no one knows who you are! :) However, I do believe it's important, if one wants to belong to the community of bloggers on a particular site, that an alias is established and used regularly to identify a person.
I chose from our group:
readandgiggle, partly because the name caught my eye. I actually did read and giggle. :) But after I began reading I discovered I really enjoyed reading her comments about the various "things" she was trying. I, too, write with a sense of humor - except when I'm trying to do an assignment! :)
teachartiscool - The first page background of the blog was so interesting that I wanted to see more. As I read I discovered we have some of the same thoughts and feelings about this class and education in general. I love looking at the artwork, too!
MsBrownie's Blog -After a comment about her blog on another bloggers site, I had to check it out. She's very entertaining, and besides we are twins...check out our avatars :) The face is a little different, though. Her comment about Thing 1 and Thing 2 really had me laughing because I had thought the same thing. In addition, I want to see how her blogging idea with her students develops.
Teddy Bear Blog - Her interest in genealogy and scrapbooking resonated with me! Those are my two passions.
JJ's Summertime Fun - Her blog is an easy read and quite entertaining. I like the way she explains the "things" she has tried and I love her taste in music!
Kimberly's Corner - I enjoyed reading her blog and that's one thing I look for - something that holds my attention. Boring loses me very quickly - her's is not boring!
OK, I chose six instead of five, but I couldn't decide which one to skip. I plan to comment on these blogs regularly as well as commenting on some of the others as time permits. I had no idea this class would take so much time!!! :)
Two blogs not from this class that I frequent are Booland Designs and JulieO. These are both scrapping blogs and I love their work. They are designers for Stone Accent Studios where I get the majority of my scrapping ideas and supplies...lots of freebies. I have been a little random with my comments [part of that 9%] but I plan to change that and begin to comment regularly.
I'll post updates as I comment on the blogs I've listed, but will create a new blog with "Thing #4" in it instead of adding to this quite lengthy post. I do tend to get a little wordy...
Thing #3 - 30 June 2008
Thanks, MMW!
Now that I'm finally official I can get down to some serious blogging. Well, almost. I just finished one online class and am about to start another one tomorrow. Not sure what I got myself into, but it should prove interesting to say the least.
I'm knee deep in genealogy research, digital scrapbooking, and online staff development! Summer will not be long enough to get everything done I planned to do!!
Now I'm off the do Thing #4 and hopefully #5 before I start the new class. Or maybe I'm just dreaming I can....
Now that I'm finally official I can get down to some serious blogging. Well, almost. I just finished one online class and am about to start another one tomorrow.
I'm knee deep in genealogy research, digital scrapbooking, and online staff development! Summer will not be long enough to get everything done I planned to do!!
Now I'm off the do Thing #4 and hopefully #5 before I start the new class. Or maybe I'm just dreaming I can....
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Thing #2
What fun! I've never created an avatar before. Someone said it was like playing dress-up. It is! Actually it reminded me of the Sims characters...the way you choose elements, just not as detailed as the Sims.
I had a difficult time coming up with a blog name. I tried to think of something definitive and finally ended up with "Our Class Journal" because that's what I hope it becomes...a journal for my class.
As I said before, creating the blog was so much easier than I expected. I don't know why I haven't done it before except that it does demand time to blog and I don't have a lot of free time right now. However, I have a blog, finally. I plan to use it this year with my students. I'll create another one for scrapping since it will require a totally different kind of content.
My avatar reflects my interests rather than my personality. I couldn't find a "crazy" person among the choices. I love the beach and have always wanted to go to Hawaii so that one fits my dreams and desires. I created the character with the same attributes I have - short, dark hair and dark eyes, but that's as far as it goes. I definitely do not have her body!! Furthermore, I couldn't find an old lady in there either; I am, after all, a grandmother.
As you can see, I am having fun. I guess that fits my personality more than the avatar. I like to play, make jokes, and generally have a good time; and I'm a master at understatement. I figure if I can't have fun when I work, why work. I do enjoy my vocation. [I learned that a job, a career, and a vocation are three distinct and unique activities.]
By the way, I tend to be a little wordy too!
I had a difficult time coming up with a blog name. I tried to think of something definitive and finally ended up with "Our Class Journal" because that's what I hope it becomes...a journal for my class.
As I said before, creating the blog was so much easier than I expected. I don't know why I haven't done it before except that it does demand time to blog and I don't have a lot of free time right now. However, I have a blog, finally. I plan to use it this year with my students. I'll create another one for scrapping since it will require a totally different kind of content.
My avatar reflects my interests rather than my personality. I couldn't find a "crazy" person among the choices.
As you can see, I am having fun. I guess that fits my personality more than the avatar. I like to play, make jokes, and generally have a good time; and I'm a master at understatement. I figure if I can't have fun when I work, why work. I do enjoy my vocation. [I learned that a job, a career, and a vocation are three distinct and unique activities.]
By the way, I tend to be a little wordy too!
Thing #1 - 25 June 2008
7 1/2 Habits
I think the easiest of these would be #4, confidence in myself as a competent, effective learner. I should be a career student! I love to learn. The confidence somes from years of being self-taught in a variety of areas - cooking, sewing, crafts, genealogical research, various computer programs for publishing and photo enhancing, word processing programs and other areas of technology and electronics. I know I can learn just about anything I set my mind to learn.
Probably the hardest was #3, viewing problems as challenges. I guess it depends on the problem and the time it surfaces. Some are just too overwhelming. I enjoy problem-solving as a rule; but when the problem is something out of my control or anyone else's control - that's not challenging. The hardest thing I've ever had to face was losing my son to cancer. No matter how I looked at it, I could not turn that problem into a challenge unless you consider the challenge of how to survive the grief.
Habit #7 is a rule I live by in the classroom. I've always believed that teaching is the best way to learn; therefore I often pair my students so that one can "teach" the other to reinforce the one as he/she teaches the other.
I spend a lot of time on my computer at home doing research, digital scrapbooking, genealogy and corresponding with family and friends. I hope to gain new skills with Web 2.0 tools to enhance my experience in these areas. I am creating a family history using the genealogical research combined with the scrapping so I can provide my sisters and our children with a pictorial and printed history of our family.
I also want to create a place where I can communicate with my students and their families. I hope to publish news and information about what our class is doing for the parents and give my students a safe place to communicate with me.
I discovered that setting up a blog was extremely easy! I had been wanting to do a blog for my scrapbooking but was afraid to try because I had no idea where to start. This course forced me to do just that and now I feel silly about fearing the whole thing!
I think the easiest of these would be #4, confidence in myself as a competent, effective learner. I should be a career student! I love to learn. The confidence somes from years of being self-taught in a variety of areas - cooking, sewing, crafts, genealogical research, various computer programs for publishing and photo enhancing, word processing programs and other areas of technology and electronics. I know I can learn just about anything I set my mind to learn.
Probably the hardest was #3, viewing problems as challenges. I guess it depends on the problem and the time it surfaces. Some are just too overwhelming. I enjoy problem-solving as a rule; but when the problem is something out of my control or anyone else's control - that's not challenging. The hardest thing I've ever had to face was losing my son to cancer. No matter how I looked at it, I could not turn that problem into a challenge unless you consider the challenge of how to survive the grief.
Habit #7 is a rule I live by in the classroom. I've always believed that teaching is the best way to learn; therefore I often pair my students so that one can "teach" the other to reinforce the one as he/she teaches the other.
I spend a lot of time on my computer at home doing research, digital scrapbooking, genealogy and corresponding with family and friends. I hope to gain new skills with Web 2.0 tools to enhance my experience in these areas. I am creating a family history using the genealogical research combined with the scrapping so I can provide my sisters and our children with a pictorial and printed history of our family.
I also want to create a place where I can communicate with my students and their families. I hope to publish news and information about what our class is doing for the parents and give my students a safe place to communicate with me.
I discovered that setting up a blog was extremely easy! I had been wanting to do a blog for my scrapbooking but was afraid to try because I had no idea where to start. This course forced me to do just that and now I feel silly about fearing the whole thing!
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