My last post

It's hard to believe that five weeks have gone by. They were the longest yet the fastest and most intense weeks of any course I have taken so far. When I started this course I had a basic knowledge of technology and what can be done with it. Of course, I send and receive emails, use Google, and browse through websites when I am looking for information, but I never realized how much technology and Web 2.0 tools can be used in a classroom. From this course I learned how to use a website, blog, and wiki and how to incorporate them in the classroom. My favorite of these three is the website. I like the idea that homework, tests, class and school activities can all be shown in one place on the teacher's site rather than jumping around a district site. I also like that newsletters can be made on programs such as letterpop and distributed however the teacher wants and that they can be linked to the website also. Making videos can be a fun activity for students and safe if done correctly by the teacher and with the permission of the parents. It was great to learn about the many free sites that are available using Web 2.0 technology that create crossword puzzles and mind maps among other things. Del.icio.us and diigo were great. They allow you to bookmark and save your favorite websites without creating a huge list of favorites. I have learned so much. Before this class I did not know what a hyperlink was or what it did. I never made a powerpoint before let alone one with sound and then to use a Web 2.0 tool, slideboom, to publish it. I even created a video and put it on Youtube. I have discovered that there is no reason to fear computers and technology if you use it correctly. It can be fun and educational for all, not just students. As far as teaching and technology I never knew they could be fun and important in the classroom. There are so many ways that technology and Web 2.0 tools can be used it is amazing. I did not have a chance to explore all of the sites in the last week or two, but have made notes and bookmarked them for future reference and reading. I have come a long way in the five weeks of this course, but still have a long way to go.

Half way done already

Wow! I cannot believe the course is half over already and what a long way we have come. This week our groups worked on a Constructivism webquest assignment. My group discussed the assignment and how we wanted to handle the different parts. We decided that two people each would work on the history and the lesson plan and I volunteered that I would do the graphic organizer. We based this model on the 5 E's of learning-engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate. Our webquest topic was on minerals which is part of the sixth grade curriculum. This assignment was a challenge at first because we did not know how to start or what the 5E lesson plan design was. One of the people in our group came through with experiences from another class and got the ball rolling for us. Once we figured things out we had the webquest done in no time. It wound up being easier than we thought and we had fun doing it. To go along with this assignment was the instructional systems design models. These models according to the Saskatchewan Education article are "used to select and to structure teaching strategies, methods, skills, and student activities for a particular instructional emphasis." Based on these models a teacher can assess or reassess as needed the strategies, skills, and methods that they use in the classroom. They can help to determine the approach a teacher will take, creation of learning environments, and instructional techniques such as discussion, demonstration, and questioning. The BM model is more widely used because it uses direct instruction. Most teachers have learned through this method and like to use what they learned. It provides mastery learning and computer-assisted instruction. In other words the teacher has total control of the class and the lesson. The IPM and SIM models are not used as much because they use indirect instruction. By using indirect instruction some teachers feel that they do not have control of the class and as a result do not feel secure in their environment. The IPM, SIM, and PM models use the Web 1.0 features since they require project-based learning and inquiry learning. The BM model uses computer-assisted instruction and therefore uses Web 2.0 tools. The first three require students to research, not communicate. The 5E lesson plan design aligns with the inquiry process because students are required to explore, explain, and elaborate. These processes make the students "inquire" and think about what they are doing and using. As a principle I would most likely have my teachers use the 5E design in their teaching. Today's students are more technology literate and by incorporating this lesson design would allow students to use their prior knowledge of technology to explore something educational. This would be a way for the teachers to keep up with their students and technology while teaching them the curriculum.

Moving right along

Moving right along we are in week two of our class already. Last week we learned about some of the Web 2.0 tools available, the different levels of technology, opened several accounts, created websites, blogs, and wikis, submitted our first assignments on Moodle and so much more. The work load is a little overwhelming. I am trying to keep up, but working full time often makes it difficult to do so. I am usually up late trying to figure things out or going to the Curriculum Library for help. I still have some work to do from last week, but on to this week and a new set of learning experiences. Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 have many differences. Web 1.0 did not have the abilities to do what we do today. It gave teachers the ability to add to a direct instruction classroom. The students were given a task and they were required to practice it. There were no research tools available such as Google. I remember being able to only type and play games. If we were given an assignment in school we would need to research it using books, newspapers, encyclopedias, and so on. After that we were then able to work on the computer to type our information and make it presentable. Web 2.0 allows us so many more luxuries and accessabilities. It is available to several teaching styles and can meet the needs of students with learning disabilities that could not be met before. With Web 2.0 we can research, organize, reflect, etc. We have different means of communication available besides email. These include websites, blogs, podcasts, wikis, smartboards, digital bookmarking, and interactive whiteboards. Students can use webquests and WIP's to learn more about a particular topic. Ahhh, the net generation. Each generation seems to have a name. It started with the baby boomers, generation X, generation Y, and now the net generation. Today's digital students are different from previous generations of students because they are used to having everything at their fingertips and in lightening speed. Digital students grew up with this changing technology and have grown to rely on it. They can access several different things at once and can spend hours playing on the computer and video games, cell phones, ipods, and whatever else is out there. There is so much that I know I missed several. Previous students had to work for their information. They were required to research a topic using books and encyclopedias and to make sure that the information was accurate on their own. There was no easy way. To top it off, if someone did not have a computer with Web 1.0 technology, they were made to use an electric typewriter to type their paper or draw by hand a project to be turned in. Things have come a long way, but for us previous students, myself included, sometimes these old ways still have their merits, and old habits die hard. The net generation is often difficult for teachers to work with because they know more than the teachers. In order for the teachers to be aware of what their students are doing and what they can use to keep them interested in class is a tough task. Teachers should be made to learn about these technologies. Many teachers do not want to learn or cannot be bothered because they feel that the way they learned is just as good today. But, the times they are a changin, and so do the teacher's outlook and implementation of technology in their classrooms. Technology is so involved in schools and the curriculum that it has it's own set of standards. These include: creativity and innovation; communication and collaboration; research and information fluency; critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making; digital citizenship, and technology operations and concepts. The most implemented of these standards are: research and information fluency; critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making; and technology operations and concepts. Before taking this class I was nowhere near ready to deal with today's technology, digital students, or the above mentioned standards. Even though this is only the second week, I already feel as if I am slowly becoming prepared to face these challenges head on with the knowledge I am receiving. Classrooms are gradually changing from 1.0 to 2.0 by including some of the new technologies that are available. The most popular and used is the smartboard and/or interactive white board. These technologies keep students interactive and engaged. There should be no reason for these students to get bored. They replace a direct instruction classroom and keep students interested. Some of our assignments/activities for the week involve us having to view several sites and open accounts. These sites were del.icio.us, diigo, and slideshare. These tools were interesting and useful for today's classroom teachers. They allow you, the teacher, to bookmark websites that you can use in your classroom and see how many other people have these sites marked as well. Today, students enjoy using YouTube, but it is not always safe for them. It is unfiltered. By using slideshare you can control what your students use in the classroom. This week we also created mind maps. Most of us used Inspiration for the first assignment and then we had a choice of three for our second. These helped us to see that there are different ways to present information to the students and make it a little more interesting for them rather than using regular handouts. Internet safety is a major concern for students, teachers, and parents. As teachers we are one of the main fronts in protecting children. By evaluating websites and restricting student's access to other sites that are not safe, as teachers we can teach our students another level of technology, one that should be taught before anything else.

What is a blog?

This is my first week in Literacy and Technology. I am nervous about all of the different Web 2.0 tools that we are going to use. I have heard the term Web 2.0, but I am not really sure what it means. Guess I will be finding out soon enough. During my first week I worked with my group, the Teck Trekies, on our Powerpoint presentation. Since I joined the class a little later my group already had the presentation together, but I was able to add narration to some of the slides. This was really cool since I had never done this before. I also learned about LoTi and discussed it with my group during one of our WizIq meetings. In our discussion we came to the conclusion that technology is not used effectively in schools. WizIq is new to me also. It seems kind of strange to meet with people virtually, to hear them, but not see them. This week I started my personal website, blog, and wiki. I was concerned about all of this being on the internet, but realized that it had to be safe or we would not have been asked to do them. I am still not sure what a wiki is. Our class requires us to use Moodle. This is my first time using this as well and find it interesting that everything you could need for your class is there and that assignments are submitted through here as well. I learned the difference between Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants. Even though I was around before Web 2.0 and probably most of Web 1.0, I am still considered a Digital Immigrant because I did not really grow up with technology. Technology definately adds convenience to our lives, but sometimes can make things more difficult. We cannot afford to keep up with the ever changing technology. Most memorable for me during this first week is the abundance of resources that can be used in regards to technology and schools. To think we are only scratching the surface of this in our first week. Included in this memorable moment is the creation of my previously mentioned website, blog, and wiki. Also, to realize how important it is to evaluate websites and make sure that they are reliable, current, and safe. I think this class is going to be a rocky road. There are so many assignments, videos, readings, and activities to do that I do not know how I will ever keep up. Most of these activities are interesting and educational in regards to the course topic, but there are so many. This is completely overwhelming, but will be worth it in the end. Technology is vastly becoming important in learning and teaching. It is all around us and needs to be included in education. There are so many resources that can be used. It is important for teachers to know about this technology to keep up with and teach to their students because they come in knowing more than we do. This is empowering because teacher and student are able to learn from each other. Our blogs are supposed to be an ongoing event throughout the course. They are to be informative and educational with catchy titles, but I find this task to be daunting and will attempt the challenge.

Who Knew Making a Movie Could Be So Easy?

I just finished making my first movie. I used Windows Movie Maker and found it fairly easy to use. My movie was based on my recent trip in April to Ireland. This was the first time I traveled without my family, let alone to another country. Windows Movie Maker was fun, but I had difficulty in trying to figure out how to put music along with my narration. Everytime I tried to put the two together one took over the other. Since I do not have an ipod I also found it difficult to download music because everything required an ipod account for mp3 downloads. So, I just used narration. It will be something for me to play with another day. At first I was going to do my recent graduation from MSMC in May 2009, but later thought that Ireland might be more interesting. I also found the animations and transitions fun to play with. I could have played with them all day and added one of almost each to all of my slides, but thought it might be overkill.

Who Knew Grading Could Be So Easy

After using Engrade.com for its grading system, attendance, calendar, and some of the other features I found it rather easy to use. The only thing I did not do was print access code flyers for the students to have access to grades, etc. The students and grades I used were for a real 6th grade summer school math class which is why I used only the first initial of the last name. I based the dates of the assignments on July summer school days and used every other day for a due date. I found that I liked all of the features of the program. It took me a little while to figure out how to post a grade since I thought I had already entered the assignments, but once I did I was on a roll. The program was easy to use and the introductory tutorial was a great help and very simple to follow along with. I like that when entering grades the teacher has the option to mark the student as either missing or being exempt from the assignment. Depending on the option that is chosen could allow the student's grade to be added later. I also liked that there were several options on how the grades can be applied (percentages, tens, etc.). Having a calendar is nice for the teacher, students, and parents to keep track of work and due dates. Overall it is convenient to have access to a gradebook, class attendance, a calendar, and viewing student access in one area. I did not like that after I entered assignments while setting up the class that I later needed to reenter the information in order for it to appear in the gradebook. I thought it would be applied from the first entry. If there was one thing I would like to improve it would be creating different codes for parents and students. I feel that the parents should be able to view more than what the students do. Engrade would be useful for classroom teachers because it is nice and easy to have everything in one place rather than having to record everything in multiple areas and that the parents and students can see exactly what is going on and when. Parents and students would like this software because if a student misses school they would be able to see what work was missed and/or due. They would also be able to see when other assignments, tests, or quizzes are due. Parents would like the software because nowadays parents are not able to go to open houses or other school functions because of work and other schedule conflicts. By having access to this software parents would be able to see what their child is doing, when it is due, and if the child was absent when they thought their child was in school. This is my first time using any kind of grading system and overall I find it to be very useful. It's different areas make it easier for teachers to keep track of what the students are doing as well as when the students access their accounts. It is also convenient when talking to parents to be able to show them everything and explain to them that they can also view their child's work.

Student-Centered Class

After listening to Dr. Peggy Grant, PhD, I was surprised at how strongly she feels against student-centered classrooms. She feels that teachers are not encouraged to be risk takers and that they are scared because they do not know what will happen. Student-centered classes are an accident waiting to happen and that teachers need to feel control. I felt this was strong and harsh. Student-centered classes can be incorporated into certain parts of a lesson plan, not the whole class. By making this the focus of a whole class a teacher would certainly need to be prepared for the unexpected. This particular class format may be beneficial for some learners who need a little less structure. Dr. Grant needs to spread her wings and give her students a little freedom and creativity, but with her guidance. Perhaps then she will realize that a student-centered class is not as scary and unpredictable as she thinks.