Sunday, November 23, 2008

Tools for the Mind

THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY

OVERVIEW
Mary Burns in the article,
"Tools for the Mind" addresses what the use of computers in education has brought to society. She begins by reviewing articles in the 1990's. In these articles is was hoped that computers would have a much more intellectual value in education today. The way computers are used in education today does not allow them to be utilized to their full potential. It is often thought computers are more for visual pleasure than deeper intellectual thought.

In the typical classroom the computer is often used only to show animations or presentations, as Mary Burns puts it, "show and tell". Computers can be used for much more complicated and in depth tasks but are often not. They are typically not used for such because they are not as appealing and appear to be much more confusing. The reason they are much more confusing is that many are not computer literate in that area, such as spreadsheets. A solution to this illiteracy is allowing students to create and analyze the information being entered.

REFERENCE POINTS
  • Technology was thought to bring more intellectual value to schools today than what is available.
  • Classroom computers are more often or not used for visual presentation that true interaction or technology.
  • Computers are not used to full capacity.
  • Usually not used to full capacity due to lack of educator ability.
  • Technology is found to be confusing.

REFLECTION
The ability of instant, anonymous participation using clickers is amazing.  Being able to ask a question where all students have to respond with their clicker allows an instant reading of understanding or comfort levels of the information. The classroom I am in this year uses allot of technology. This technology also creates games that allow the students to challenge each other during test reviews.  I have to say I am all for technology. Today's students are natives to technology. If we want to communicate effectively with students we should do what can to engage them..

Monday, November 10, 2008

Conservation Presentation

VISUAL CRITIQUE
THOUGHTS....
Talk about a time consuming project for such a short video presentation. This project was very informational.It definitely taught me new technology skills.  Was it worth all the time that was put into it?....I hope so. I actually know so the first time is always harder.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
When watching yourself give a presentation it is hard to focus on anything but your faults. I feel that the person that is hardest on you is yourself.


WEAKNESSES
The first weakness is my visual presence. I look akward.I find myself looking at my unfit body. Rather than listening to the presentation. The second weakness was that I found that not presenting to an audience is difficult. I really like having the one-on-on discussions and interaction. Without an audience there I seem to rush through. I also have more of a tendancy to say, so and um instead of just pausing. Without questions I don't explain things in as much detail. Third weakness, I found that having a cordless advance for PowerPoint's on a projector is great but looks a little weird. Especially when you are trying to advance the screen. It seemed to break the flow of the presentation. Fifth and final weakness, I have a tendency to rock back and forth.  I think this comes from having an infant. Either way rocking back and forth can be distracting.

STRENGTHS
I have very few strengths when it comes to recorded presentations. Actually presenting in general or so I feel now. The video recording of our project has turned me off inclined me to say no to giving recorded only presentations. I usually feel comfortable standing in front of a class. Now after watching myself I am uncomfortably self conscious. I however still love talking to my students. I really enjoy giving them bits of information and watching them put the piece together to create a whole. A strength from watching the video is that my voice projects fairly well and I work well with others, I found listening and collaborating to be a very valuable trait (thank you Amy).
To view the video footage of the presentation go to: Conservation Presentation

To access the PowerPoint presentation go to: PowerPoint Presentation
Publish Post


To access the excel spreadsheet that was used to calculate the kilowatts used go to: Conservation Excel Spreadsheet

Monday, November 3, 2008

Energy Conservation Powerpoint

FLORESCENT vs. INCANDESCENT
This project was very INFORMATIVE and ENLIGHTENING. I discovered that the push to use fluorescent light bulbs in place of incandescent light bulbs is not all it's cracked up to be. In many cases you will save kWh and therefore save money except, in places like Sitka. In Sitka oil is the main source of heating. It isn't very GREEN or cost effective so the use of incandescent lights is better. Incandescent lights actually help to heat the house and are less expensive than oil since they are electric. In Sitka the electric is actually GREENER since we have a hydroelectric plant. I also realized that you aren't simply charged per kWh hours it actually depends on how many hours you use. For example, up to 200 kWh is 14.7 cents, 201 to 1,000 kWh is 8.01 cents and then over 1,000 is 9.18 cents.

In many places the switch from incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent light bulbs may actually be GREENER. You may save some money but that isn't always the case. So before you run out and buy fluorescent bulbs to replace your incandescent light bulbs find out a few facts:
  • Is your main source of heating for oil?
  •  is your electric generated from a hydroelectric plant?
If you answered yes to any of the previous questions switching from incandescent to fluorescent may actually not be conserving energy.

You can view the PowerPoint at the following link: Energy Conservation Presentation

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

THE EDUCATOR'S GUIDE TO THE READ/WRITE WEB

GUIDING EDUCATORS TO INTERNET OPTIONS

OVERVIEW
The article The Educator's Guide to the Read/Write Web written by Will Richardson addresses the many different ways in which students can work together collaboratively using today's technology such as blogs, pod casting and RSS.

Collaboration is a process in which two or more people work together toward a common goal. Collaboration has always been around but in today's world the technological capabilities bring collaboration to a new innovative height. With the new capabilities of technology people can collaborate by posting to blogs where people post their own writing to their blog spot. Really Simple Syndication also known as RSS is digital technology is where you subscribe to various feeds of information that is broadcast. Thus allowing students to keep up to date instantly. The other form of innovative technology allows a group of people to add their own definition to a wiki an online dictionary or encyclopedia. The wiki can be added to by anyone, so bogus information can be added but it can also be edited so the users self-regulate to ensure the information is accurate.

All of these technology options allow students to have their work viewed. Seen by millions of other viewers and classmates. This type of technology allows students to be accountable for their work.  Because of technologies variety of sources they are also accountable for their sources.Today's technology changes the face of typical collaboration. It allows student to work together without having to be in the same location. Technology today allows people to work collaboratively from anywhere.

REFERENCE POINTS

1. Blogs are a space or website where one can post their own writing for all to see. These are fairly simple and can be created by anyone and also allow the viewers to post comments to the postings.

2. RSS, pod casting and feeds are similar to home radio programs that can be distributed on the web. People can subscribe to receive various feds of information and the can be continually streamed into a file so they can have updates almost immediately.

3. Wiki's are online sources for definitions. The most famous form of a wiki today in the online encyclopedia known as Wikipedia.

4. Digital tools, the new technology tools today such as the wiki's, blogs and RSS change the face of what a write assignment may be. It's no longer simply paper and pencil assignments.

5. The read/write web challenges the traditional pedagogy by changing the traditional methods and ways of thinking. As technology becomes more advanced the old traditional methods of delivery become less relevant to real life.

6. Risks versus Benefits, the benefits of the web far out way the risks if proper use and supervision is used.

REFLECTION
This article was an eye opener. Today's students are so technology oriented that in order to make it relevant to the digital natives. Teachers must keep up with the times. We are living in a technology world and in order to keep the student engaged changes need to be made. As a teacher we must keep up. We should not only allow we should implement for students to write, post and edit with online technologyy such as blogs, wiki's and RSS. Even though the online technology poses some risks, the benefits far out way the risk especially if used properly and with supervision.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

ENERGY CONSERVATION PROJECT

A LOOK AT CONSERVING

Incandescent lights versus LED lights, how much energy do you really conserve?
In the world of rising costs and diminishing resources people are looking at trying to save money and reduce waste. One of the ways people have started trying to conserve energy is the use of LED light bulbs.  The use LED light bulbs in place of the typical incandescent light bulbs. The typical incandescent light bulb not only conserves energy but also is more pleasant to be around and can help people remain more alert, but the question is how much do you really conserve?

To answer this question I will be taking a survey of all of the light bulbs within my house and the number of hours the lights are on per day. I will then record my usage over two weeks and convert the wattage used in incandescent versus what would be used in LED lights by putting the formula in excel. I will then calculating my savings over the two weeks in both wattage usage and financial savings.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Listen to the Natives by Marc Prensky

TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY SAVVY GENERATION

OVERVIEW
This article addresses the fact that many educators have SLID INTO THE 21st CENTURY. Educators are not nearly as TECHNOLOGY SAVVY as the new generations which they are teaching.

In this article PRENSKY refers to digital natives as those who have grown up using technology and digital immigrants as those who have learned how to use technology later in life. PRENSKY makes an important point for educators today. He states that in order for educators to reach the students, the digital natives, use of 20th century technology and our guide to training is no longer sufficient.

Prensky points out that a digital immigrant can never truly become a digital native because they have not grown up with the technology such as computers, video games, cell phones and Internet. Since digital immigrants can never become digital native it is important that the natives and immigrants work together to find a way to incorporate their ' digital lives' into their education at school.

REFERENCE POINTS
  1. 21st Century, the current digital era
  2. Digital Natives are the those who have grown up in a completely digital era
  3. Digital Immigrants are the others who have not grown up in a completely digital era, they will never become digital natives
  4. Guidance abilities should be a more desired characteristic of a teacher than highly qualified in the curriculum content.
  5. Engaging today's children with "game play", using the same characteristics of a video game: interesting choices, immediate, useful feedback and immediate chances to see your improvement.
  6. Teachers need to collaborate by allowing the digitally native students to help guide and lead their learning as if they were teaching.
  7. Virtual groups supersede herds because NO ONE person is left out; there is always someone somewhere in the world that has the same interests.
  8. DIGITAL TOOLS are integrated into every aspect of today's student's lives.
REFLECTION
This article addresses ways in which we as teachers can engage today's 21st century digital native students. Technology is completely integrated into the everyday lives of today’s students.  We must find a method of engagement so that these children remain actively engaged.

A teacher does not necessarily have to include and incorporate all of the latest digital technology into their teaching. As a digital immigrant he/she must find a way to include 'gameplay' into their teaching style. This means that teachers must find a way to include, interesting choices, immediate useful feedback and the ability to immediately see if you've made improvement.

Today's students are exposed to 'the era of video games and virtual reality'. In order to completely engage the digital natives, the digital immigrants of today must seek the advice and skills of the natives and work together to create a curriculum or way of maintaining both worlds.

Friday, September 12, 2008

BEING AN ANTHROPOLOGIST

UNDERSTANDING...Blatchley Middle School's Technology Culture

While completing this assignment I realized that BLATCHLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL  (BMS) is the STEP-CHILD of the Sitka School District. ALL other schools located within the Sitka School District have more ADVANCED up to date technology than BMS with easier access. However, the teachers at the school feel the benefits that technology can bring are worth enough to spend MONEY out of their own pockets for their CLASSROOMS.
  • ALL of the technology that is found within the MIDDLE SCHOOL is shared between all the teachers.
  • No need TRADE OR BRIBE in exchange for the use of the item.
  • The LACK OF TECHNOLOGY, is made up for by the staff and teachers who have a UNIQUE sense of style, enthusiasm and creativity.  All attributes that can enhance the learning process to make it a memorable one!

I have learned from all those at BLATCHLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL that you learn to become more CREATIVE when making do with what you have. In a PERFECT WORLD there would be more time in a day and more MONEY available to the districts.  With or without the technology the teachers at Blatchley can create PRETTY COOL CLASSES!

Monday, September 8, 2008

FUTURING...

DIGITAL STORYTELLING

The objective of this assignment was to watch digital creations and then grade the creations.  When grading a piece of work where you are not the creator of the given task is difficult, even with a rubric. Each person who creates a lesson or project has different criteria (rubric) in which they use when grading.

QUESTION
A. How would you "grade" or assess Fox becomes a Better Person and School Train?

GRADING or ASSESSING
  • Grading is a very controversial issue... What really is an A? and who made it so?
  • In order to grade something accurately one must know what they are trying to access.
  • In other words what it was you wanted the student(s) to achieve?

In order to grade or assess this type of visual, technological presentations accurately you must have a rubric. Without having a specific rubric to follow. I would look at the following:

  • What is the MESSAGE that is trying to be conveyed?

  • Did they accomplish getting their MESSAGE across?

  • Was the product visually APPEALING?

  • WORK ETHIC - did they take pride in their work?
SCHOOL TRAIN
In the beginning of school train it was stated in the syllabus they were relaying the concept of a metaphor. The METAPHOR was comparing a TRAIN to SCHOOL. In each piece the MESSAGE was a metaphor. The MESSAGE conveying the metaphor was accomplished. For example, "ticket please...homework please". Visual presentation in this production was VISUALLY appealing and entertaining. Now, the hard part assessing work ethic. I was not there through out the producing of the piece. Not being part of the process  doesn't allow me to see the true work ethic of all involved. With that said the visual display and configuration of the piece appears to have had a lot of hard work put into it!

FOX BECOMES A BETTER PERSON 
This was a digital story of an example of traditional Tlingit storytelling. Again without a specific rubric I would grade on the above previously stated aspects. In this piece the MESSAGE was how FOX BECAME A BETTER PERSON. Hannah did an EXCELLENT job conveying her story about fox. I have Hannah in my class this year. It gives me a special connection to her! The visual picture presentation in the back ground along with Hannah's physical movement. It was by FAR MY FAVORITE PIECE! Knowing Hannah a lot of time an effort was put forth. It was a WONDERFUL piece of work!

QUESTION
B. What impacts could the developments portrayed in epic2015 have on your classroom, particularly with respect to things like pod casting?

This was almost UNBELIEVABLE but realistic in what the future can bring....are we really already there? I'm just getting to understand blogs!Technology really is the wave of the future. What about those who still do not have access to these types of technology. Except in school. What about schools that don't have this type of technology. Are we leaving these children BEHIND? If this type of technology was available to all students the possibilities for technology use with the content would be ENDLESS. There would be no excuse for LACK of CREATIVITY, CURRENT up to date INFORMATION or I missed class! This would also allow students to network and share thought and ideas with anyone, anywhere in the WORLD.

QUESTION
C. How might you use Sabrina's piece as a model for something you would do with your own students?
I could use Sabrina's model to help each of my 7th grade students discover HOW THEY ARE A SCIENTIST?! They could begin brainstorming on how they DIDN'T really feel themselves as a SCIENTIST. By the end of the 7th grade journey they will discover themselves as a TRUE SCIENTIST!