In chapter 31 the electronics training jackets really interested me. We currently can not access anything about our students unless we are at school on the school drive. Therefore, all 300 IEP's, progress reports, and charting has to be completed at school. The time consuming work really puts a strain on my after school activities when I have to spend many extra hours at school instead of at home or any other place that I would be able to access the information needed to complete my tasks. Even using a smartcard would be beneficial to many of us. Either way I am very excited to hear more about the electronics training jackets.
I thought the most interesting piece of technology that we worked with this semester would be screencasting with Camtasia. I always wondered how some training programs were able to record the screen of what they were working on. Now I know, and now that I have had some time to play around with it I think it is great. It is so easy to navigate and you can make so many different screencasts. It is such an interesting way to show students how to complete tasks on the Internet or to have guided exploration of a new technology tool. All in all I can't wait to create lessons with it and show it to my administration for training uses.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Chapter 30 and Tech Review
After reading chapter 30 I have come to the understanding that visual and audio instruction has proven to be more successful in retaining knowledge than written text. Without reading this chapter I already strongly believe in this concept; however, it made me look at it from a more animated side. Being a special education teacher I use pictures and short commands to relate to everything in my instruction. Now I am wondering how I can create video and audio applications for my students to watch and recreate. Such as an exercise program that they can interact with online while they take the time to do the exercises. I would have to make them short and to the point, but it could be put on Cd's so students can take it home to work out on the weekends or after school. They could choose from different levels of workouts or even skills from different sports they are interested in could be broken down for them to watch and recreate. As in the chapter, I would still have to create the motivation to use the exercises or skills. In this maybe it would be a two person simulation were they have to watch and then perform offense and defensive skills in basketball. When they are finished they could play online against each other and earn points for correct moves choosen. It would be great to have this at the tip of your fingertips and maybe with more knowledge from this masters program I will be able to accomplish this application in the future.
I reviewed Google Documents and Phixr. Google Documents is a great free online applications. It provides everything Microsoft Office provides (at least that I can find), but with the option to publish directly to the Internet. The site is easy to navigate and resembles the look of Microsoft so if you are comfortable using this application than you should be able to easily transfer to Google Documents. It also has and quick and easy share button for you to instantly share your work with anyone you need to. You can go from one application to another with a click of a button because the Google application is organized and all connected in one. You can go from making a spreadsheet to a presentation without leaving a site. I personally like the fact that you can publish and share directly from the application. Otherwise, I find it very similar to Microsoft.
Phixr is a photo editing application that I reviewed. I found it to be a good site, but I would prefer Adobe Photo shop instead. You can change coloring, red eye, rotate, do effects, and add text. However, it does provide cutting out of your pictures or adding more to you pics. You can also upload your photos to your photo sharing account right from the application. Don't get me wrong its a good site for basic editing, but I like to get nitty gritty and do all sorts of things with my pics and this doesn't allow it.
I reviewed Google Documents and Phixr. Google Documents is a great free online applications. It provides everything Microsoft Office provides (at least that I can find), but with the option to publish directly to the Internet. The site is easy to navigate and resembles the look of Microsoft so if you are comfortable using this application than you should be able to easily transfer to Google Documents. It also has and quick and easy share button for you to instantly share your work with anyone you need to. You can go from one application to another with a click of a button because the Google application is organized and all connected in one. You can go from making a spreadsheet to a presentation without leaving a site. I personally like the fact that you can publish and share directly from the application. Otherwise, I find it very similar to Microsoft.
Phixr is a photo editing application that I reviewed. I found it to be a good site, but I would prefer Adobe Photo shop instead. You can change coloring, red eye, rotate, do effects, and add text. However, it does provide cutting out of your pictures or adding more to you pics. You can also upload your photos to your photo sharing account right from the application. Don't get me wrong its a good site for basic editing, but I like to get nitty gritty and do all sorts of things with my pics and this doesn't allow it.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Chapter 27 and Website
The three competencies I would like to strengthen are: identifying and describing the target population characteristics, select & use variety of techniques to define and sequence the instructional content and strategies, and promote collaboration and partnership among the key participants in a design project.
I would like to strengthen how I identify and describe target population characteristics throughout my school. I work with every student in my school and I am new to the area where I work. I feel if I could get a better knowledge of the characteristics of my students in this area I could relate more of my lessons to their understanding.
I would like to broaden my techniques of teaching and the content that goes in my lessons. I am a new teacher and still trying to settle down, but I feel if I keep on adding different content and find new ways to administer the knowledge that I want my students to learn then they will stay motivated to learn and it will also help my stay fresh and not get stuck in the same old routine as I here some teachers complain about.
I would also like to find the time to work with my physical therapists to combine our work so we are collaboratively working on similar objectives. Also sharing ideas that I know they have a different knowledge of. This will be my hardest competency to strengthen because there isn't enough time in the day to have to add another meeting to the unending list of meetings we already have. I think if I just plan it and do it we can finally get going instead of procrastinating. Sometimes I think procrastinating is one of my greatest strengths, not saying that it gets me anywhere though!!
These are just a few competencies that I would love to grow on, but I feel that being a teacher you will never stop growing and learning new things.
Some of my strengths in the competencies are conducting a needs assesment, design a curriculum, and communicating in visual, oral, and written forms. I developed an assessment that I use at the beginning, middle, and end of the year to test what levels each student is at. With that assesment I design the lesson plans to follow what the class is in need of. With this I have started redesigning the curriculum we have for our school. It is in the beginning process, but I feel it has become one of my greatest strengths. For each lesson I creat picture strips, visual signs, and oral commands for the main directions throughout my lessons. This is geared toward my visually and hearing impaired students and students that need structure and visual reminders to keep them on track. I have started a great collection that will hopefully continue to grow with each new developing idea.
My website is a resourse website. It is located on the lower right side of my blog. My website is titled the Bovenschen Special Olympics. It is a site that I will keep updated for staff, students, and parents to use for information about our schools Special Olympics Program.
I would like to strengthen how I identify and describe target population characteristics throughout my school. I work with every student in my school and I am new to the area where I work. I feel if I could get a better knowledge of the characteristics of my students in this area I could relate more of my lessons to their understanding.
I would like to broaden my techniques of teaching and the content that goes in my lessons. I am a new teacher and still trying to settle down, but I feel if I keep on adding different content and find new ways to administer the knowledge that I want my students to learn then they will stay motivated to learn and it will also help my stay fresh and not get stuck in the same old routine as I here some teachers complain about.
I would also like to find the time to work with my physical therapists to combine our work so we are collaboratively working on similar objectives. Also sharing ideas that I know they have a different knowledge of. This will be my hardest competency to strengthen because there isn't enough time in the day to have to add another meeting to the unending list of meetings we already have. I think if I just plan it and do it we can finally get going instead of procrastinating. Sometimes I think procrastinating is one of my greatest strengths, not saying that it gets me anywhere though!!
These are just a few competencies that I would love to grow on, but I feel that being a teacher you will never stop growing and learning new things.
Some of my strengths in the competencies are conducting a needs assesment, design a curriculum, and communicating in visual, oral, and written forms. I developed an assessment that I use at the beginning, middle, and end of the year to test what levels each student is at. With that assesment I design the lesson plans to follow what the class is in need of. With this I have started redesigning the curriculum we have for our school. It is in the beginning process, but I feel it has become one of my greatest strengths. For each lesson I creat picture strips, visual signs, and oral commands for the main directions throughout my lessons. This is geared toward my visually and hearing impaired students and students that need structure and visual reminders to keep them on track. I have started a great collection that will hopefully continue to grow with each new developing idea.
My website is a resourse website. It is located on the lower right side of my blog. My website is titled the Bovenschen Special Olympics. It is a site that I will keep updated for staff, students, and parents to use for information about our schools Special Olympics Program.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Screencasting and Ch. 18, 21, & 22
I can see myself using Camtasia to introduce my students to our class Wiki. It would be a beginning piece in our class that would kick off by describing what Camtasia is and what a Wiki is. Then it would go into a recorded tutorial that will show them how to access the wiki, set up pages, edit, and communicate throughout the semester. It will then discuss what is to be expected of students while working on a Wiki. Future lessons that will be recorded by Camtasia will be related to health and fitness items that students will have to explore and then complete their assignments from. Then their finished assignments will be posted into the Wiki. Also group project examples can be shown through Camtasia. I love Camtasia, I have always wondered how they implemented the screen you are looking at into their programs. Now the long lost question has been answered. From viewing the tutorials, navigating the program doesn’t seem to be that difficult and the editing features remind me of working with Windows Movie Maker and how they do their editing. All in all it seems to be a great program, and I can’t wait to get the time to fully explore making a program.
In reading the last three chapters in Trends and Issues I have realized that business, P-12, or higher education can continue to exist without the use of technology. Each group has slowly but surely come around to see that technology is a must. Some, like the business category, did it faster than education, but education is now making leaps and bounds. Another item I noticed throughout the chapters is how each has handled issues especially with change. Some have the distinct systems like the GSTE and others started right in on training through technology. For example the Camtasia, is a great training tool that education and business is using. I think some changes take longer, especially in education, due to the money that is involved to create the change. Businesses can move faster with implementing new changes because they have more control over their money. Being educators we have to wait for the trickle down effect. One thing I think my professional environment could take from this is that technology and continuing training are a necessity. I feel that some of the “seasoned” teachers that I work with have dropped of the side of the earth just because they are tenured and a few years from retirement. I feel if our staff could find good training programs that can keep them updated and introduce them or further enhance their knowledge in technology then we would all be better off. Jack Dempsey said “Full professors are the journeymen and journeywomen of academia.” (p.231) I believe anyone involved in education are the journeymen or women. When we short ourselves we are hurting our students not ourselves, and some of the staff I work with need to fully understand this.
In reading the last three chapters in Trends and Issues I have realized that business, P-12, or higher education can continue to exist without the use of technology. Each group has slowly but surely come around to see that technology is a must. Some, like the business category, did it faster than education, but education is now making leaps and bounds. Another item I noticed throughout the chapters is how each has handled issues especially with change. Some have the distinct systems like the GSTE and others started right in on training through technology. For example the Camtasia, is a great training tool that education and business is using. I think some changes take longer, especially in education, due to the money that is involved to create the change. Businesses can move faster with implementing new changes because they have more control over their money. Being educators we have to wait for the trickle down effect. One thing I think my professional environment could take from this is that technology and continuing training are a necessity. I feel that some of the “seasoned” teachers that I work with have dropped of the side of the earth just because they are tenured and a few years from retirement. I feel if our staff could find good training programs that can keep them updated and introduce them or further enhance their knowledge in technology then we would all be better off. Jack Dempsey said “Full professors are the journeymen and journeywomen of academia.” (p.231) I believe anyone involved in education are the journeymen or women. When we short ourselves we are hurting our students not ourselves, and some of the staff I work with need to fully understand this.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Week 10 - Ch. 21
One thing I like in chapter 21 is the breakdown of committees. Right now I feel that every other day we have a new committee forming and for the most there is a handful of some of the same teachers volunteering for each one. Our school is in the middle of a lot of change, but I feel that we are trying to do it all at once and way to fast. Another problem is that some of our superiors delegate to the committees and then change or do not use the information that the committee has worked hard on. So wasted time. I feel if we had a better breakdown like Step Up To Excellence (SUTE) has and everyone agrees on what they are supposed to do and it is their responsibility to cover the changes, than our time will be spent more efficiently.
I also enjoyed reading about the Guided System for Transforming Education (GSTE). I have not been educated a lot on how the district is actually run and hurdles they would have to cross. The GSTE gives great events to go by for the change and/improvements for districts to follow. I am interested to see what our district uses or if it is this process, how has it worked in the past. I am guess a masters in administration would come in handy for this info.
The ecological systemic change definition kind of had my head spinning in words. However, after I read it a few times it really made sense to how some changes that are made in and environment can have a huge domino effect on the rest of the environment. The best way to make sure this doesn't happen is to prepare for the changes that could happen in other systems of the environment. We send out a lot of surveys for opinions on change, and it does get a little out of hand. But if we look at all the input we received back from everyone it helped us pin point areas that would be greatly affected in good and/or bad ways and can be resolved before the main changes are implemented. Saving us plenty of grief if we wouldn't have done it in the beginning. Over all I think Chapter 21 was one of the better chapters for me.
I also enjoyed reading about the Guided System for Transforming Education (GSTE). I have not been educated a lot on how the district is actually run and hurdles they would have to cross. The GSTE gives great events to go by for the change and/improvements for districts to follow. I am interested to see what our district uses or if it is this process, how has it worked in the past. I am guess a masters in administration would come in handy for this info.
The ecological systemic change definition kind of had my head spinning in words. However, after I read it a few times it really made sense to how some changes that are made in and environment can have a huge domino effect on the rest of the environment. The best way to make sure this doesn't happen is to prepare for the changes that could happen in other systems of the environment. We send out a lot of surveys for opinions on change, and it does get a little out of hand. But if we look at all the input we received back from everyone it helped us pin point areas that would be greatly affected in good and/or bad ways and can be resolved before the main changes are implemented. Saving us plenty of grief if we wouldn't have done it in the beginning. Over all I think Chapter 21 was one of the better chapters for me.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Google Map Lesson
How sweet is new knowledge. I absolutely love learning new tools each week. This is not only great for education, but for planning my trips too. :) It is so simple to change the map around yet I never new until today. Anyways.....
My map is the beginning of a map that I would like my students to complete in my lesson. I am a PE teacher so of course I will try to keep it full of exercise and health. They need to edit a map to show where they go or would like to go for fun recreation. In the description area they need to add what they would do at the fun recreation area. In my map I have also included some of my favorite places to eat that offer healthy choices on the menu. Depending on what they are learning in other subjects we could use this lesson as an integrated lesson. For example with a geography class that is studing Europe, I would assign each person a part of Europe or they all could use all of Europe in their research that they would have to display on their map. However, I just picked some places around my city to use on my map. Whatever area you chose, you can get everyone to save their maps on del.icio.us or in their Google Maps for future reference.
Google Map - Exercise and Healthy Eating
Located on the right lower side of blog.
My map is the beginning of a map that I would like my students to complete in my lesson. I am a PE teacher so of course I will try to keep it full of exercise and health. They need to edit a map to show where they go or would like to go for fun recreation. In the description area they need to add what they would do at the fun recreation area. In my map I have also included some of my favorite places to eat that offer healthy choices on the menu. Depending on what they are learning in other subjects we could use this lesson as an integrated lesson. For example with a geography class that is studing Europe, I would assign each person a part of Europe or they all could use all of Europe in their research that they would have to display on their map. However, I just picked some places around my city to use on my map. Whatever area you chose, you can get everyone to save their maps on del.icio.us or in their Google Maps for future reference.
Google Map - Exercise and Healthy Eating
Located on the right lower side of blog.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Week 8: Ch 18 and Reflection
I think if we could use localization and internationalization in our teaching, it would make our teachers jobs so much easier. Imagine if we had Specialists to convert and/or incorporate our lessons to fit different cultures, races, languages, religions, and any other barriers that we need to adjust to. Or just make our lessons culturally free. We could concentrate on the main idea and let them go to work. What a dream! I thought the idea of having a specialist that makes products culture free or adapts the product to fit local cultures all over the world is awesome. I never realized how much a color on a product would make a difference to some cultures or the cursor on a computer. Not saying anything is wrong with that, but just little differences you don’t always think about and sometimes don’t even/ever realize you are doing it. It made me rethink about some of the things I do in my teachings. It is also a topic that I would love to do more research on now that I have read about how much of an effect it can have.
I think technology based training has taken business and industry to another level and I feel it would be a great time saver for education. I have to recertify in CPR, First Aide, AED, etc. every year. I know they still need to do hands on observation for some of the certification; however, I feel the rest of the information could be put into simulations or online training and go from there. It would free up time on instructors (since they are short instructors anyway) and it would allow for more easily accessible classes, save money on transportation, and less time for all staff to take the full certifications. I know there are more scenarios that can go with this information, but it is just a little of what I thought is a great idea for educators.
So far I have loved discovering all the new technology tools that you have assigned us. They have pretty easy to navigate, and if I did have trouble I usually kicked myself afterwards with a “duh” expression because I just missed something. When I did have questions I would try to contact someone that is online which didn’t always work but I love that option or I would email the instructor. Either way I quickly received help for anything that ailed me. I am excited to use the information. Some info (like the del.icio.us) I would have loved to have years ago. Working on so many different computers it becomes annoying emailing and compiling all your favorite sites. Social book marking is awesome. As for the course, I think it is a great opener to the program. It gives you a little of everything to get warmed up, but isn’t to difficult to were you get scared away. I am excited to incorporate some of the new technology into our school website and my department website.
I think technology based training has taken business and industry to another level and I feel it would be a great time saver for education. I have to recertify in CPR, First Aide, AED, etc. every year. I know they still need to do hands on observation for some of the certification; however, I feel the rest of the information could be put into simulations or online training and go from there. It would free up time on instructors (since they are short instructors anyway) and it would allow for more easily accessible classes, save money on transportation, and less time for all staff to take the full certifications. I know there are more scenarios that can go with this information, but it is just a little of what I thought is a great idea for educators.
So far I have loved discovering all the new technology tools that you have assigned us. They have pretty easy to navigate, and if I did have trouble I usually kicked myself afterwards with a “duh” expression because I just missed something. When I did have questions I would try to contact someone that is online which didn’t always work but I love that option or I would email the instructor. Either way I quickly received help for anything that ailed me. I am excited to use the information. Some info (like the del.icio.us) I would have loved to have years ago. Working on so many different computers it becomes annoying emailing and compiling all your favorite sites. Social book marking is awesome. As for the course, I think it is a great opener to the program. It gives you a little of everything to get warmed up, but isn’t to difficult to were you get scared away. I am excited to incorporate some of the new technology into our school website and my department website.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Week 7- HPI and Podcasting
This Week In Technology - TWIT
TWIT is about former TechTV hosts Leo Laporte, Kevin Rose, Patrick Norton, Robert Heron, John C. Dvorak and many others in a roundtable discussion of the week’s big tech stories. It is not only entertaining but it also holds a lot of information. They talk about what is out there today and what tech tools are better than others...or what is going on with certain tech companies. A great site to keep you updated on all that is technology, especially if you do not have a lot of time to research all that they offer.
I have the RSS feed located on the bottom right side of my blog or here is the website: http://leoville.tv/podcasts/twit.xml
I feel podcasting is a great addition to educational curriculum. Once you find information that is factual and on target with the lesson you are teaching, than you can integrate it into your teachings. Students will find it intriguing and it is one more way to reach students. I should say it is a different way to reach students also. Not only can staff incorporate this new piece of technology, but students have just as much access. As I learned searching and subscribing to the podcast is fairly easy and could be done with little training for staff or student. Students could do more research through podcasts and develop more knowledgeable and creative reports. There is no extra cost to students or staff to use podcasts and there are so many already available not including the podcast that the staff or student can create. Students can create podcasts in relation to the lesson and the staff can have future use of all of the top quality podcasts. Teachers can also produce there lessons, unit lessons, or just homework pieces on podcasts that students can access from home or school.
I think the idea of Human Performance Improvement (HPI) is needed in every school/company. It could help pin point problem area and give solutions on how to fix them. Now who can honestly say that you have never had problems at any job you have had? I can’t. There are always obstacles to figure out and you might be doing an awesome job, but because of someone or something else you still fail or fall short in the end. We have recently implanted a Positive Behavior Support System in our school and students and staff are rewarded for having positive behavior. On the staff side of the issue I personally think there is a lack of consequences in our program, but we decided to try positive reinforcement. There is a teacher of the month chosen and they get to spin the wheel for goodies (comp. time, longer lunch, free lunch from principle, etc.) We finally came up with this idea after everyone was sick to death of all the negativity throughout our school. We did not use the HPI system, but we did use some what of a breakdown to figure out how to solve our issue. Now it has helped, but it has not cured our ailments. Maybe if we fully implement the HPI System we can figure out to the T what we should do to accomplish our goals.
TWIT is about former TechTV hosts Leo Laporte, Kevin Rose, Patrick Norton, Robert Heron, John C. Dvorak and many others in a roundtable discussion of the week’s big tech stories. It is not only entertaining but it also holds a lot of information. They talk about what is out there today and what tech tools are better than others...or what is going on with certain tech companies. A great site to keep you updated on all that is technology, especially if you do not have a lot of time to research all that they offer.
I have the RSS feed located on the bottom right side of my blog or here is the website: http://leoville.tv/podcasts/twit.xml
I feel podcasting is a great addition to educational curriculum. Once you find information that is factual and on target with the lesson you are teaching, than you can integrate it into your teachings. Students will find it intriguing and it is one more way to reach students. I should say it is a different way to reach students also. Not only can staff incorporate this new piece of technology, but students have just as much access. As I learned searching and subscribing to the podcast is fairly easy and could be done with little training for staff or student. Students could do more research through podcasts and develop more knowledgeable and creative reports. There is no extra cost to students or staff to use podcasts and there are so many already available not including the podcast that the staff or student can create. Students can create podcasts in relation to the lesson and the staff can have future use of all of the top quality podcasts. Teachers can also produce there lessons, unit lessons, or just homework pieces on podcasts that students can access from home or school.
I think the idea of Human Performance Improvement (HPI) is needed in every school/company. It could help pin point problem area and give solutions on how to fix them. Now who can honestly say that you have never had problems at any job you have had? I can’t. There are always obstacles to figure out and you might be doing an awesome job, but because of someone or something else you still fail or fall short in the end. We have recently implanted a Positive Behavior Support System in our school and students and staff are rewarded for having positive behavior. On the staff side of the issue I personally think there is a lack of consequences in our program, but we decided to try positive reinforcement. There is a teacher of the month chosen and they get to spin the wheel for goodies (comp. time, longer lunch, free lunch from principle, etc.) We finally came up with this idea after everyone was sick to death of all the negativity throughout our school. We did not use the HPI system, but we did use some what of a breakdown to figure out how to solve our issue. Now it has helped, but it has not cured our ailments. Maybe if we fully implement the HPI System we can figure out to the T what we should do to accomplish our goals.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Week 6 - Chapter 3 Trends and Issues
From what I know and what I have discovered in reading Chapter 3 of Trends and Issues, I believe that the Internet and the World Wide Web will have a major influence on the way instruction is presented to learners. The past has already shown the influence that technology innovations have had on our businesses and entertainment. It has also shown its affect on instruction and education, even though it hasn’t been as quick and whole heartedly affected. It has been affected.
Adult education in business, government, and military has shown its increase in the past with retaining knowledge from video trainings instead regular lecture learning. “Most training directors reported that the films reduced training time without having a negative impact on training effectiveness, and that the films were more interesting and resulted in less absenteeism than traditional training programs” (Trends and Issue). It also helped train effectively and efficiently large numbers of individuals with diverse background. “In recent years, rapid advances in computer and other digital technology, including the internet, have led to a rapidly increasing interest in, and use of, these media for instructional purposes, particularly in training in business and industry.” In 2003, instruction presented via technology rose from 10% in 1999 to 24%, and in 2004 up to 25%. The numbers even show the increase in instruction that is being provided in businesses.
As for higher education, this class EDT 5410 shows the increase in education via internet or the World Wide Web. In the past, colleges had no online classes. In 2002, 83% of colleges offered online courses and degrees. Now in 2004-2005, nearly all colleges support online learning through WebCT or Blackboard. However, in the past (1920’s) McCluskey indicates that while the field continued to grow, the educational community at large was not greatly affected by that growth. He also states that by 1930, commercial interests in the visual instruction movement had invested and lost more than $50 million, only part of which was due to the Great Depression, which began in 1929. These statements show that not only did education grow slowly with technology, but business had its up and downs with lots of cost in money. I wonder if that’s the main reason districts are so slow to jump into technology. When we know the best thing for each student would be a 1:1 ratio, districts are thinking what is going to come up next that we are going to maybe or maybe not waste all this money on computers.
I think technology is going to influence its path on its own pace. Businesses seem to be able to front the money more easily then educational systems, so this might have a reason to why they have initially gained more and gained it faster than the educational systems.
Adult education in business, government, and military has shown its increase in the past with retaining knowledge from video trainings instead regular lecture learning. “Most training directors reported that the films reduced training time without having a negative impact on training effectiveness, and that the films were more interesting and resulted in less absenteeism than traditional training programs” (Trends and Issue). It also helped train effectively and efficiently large numbers of individuals with diverse background. “In recent years, rapid advances in computer and other digital technology, including the internet, have led to a rapidly increasing interest in, and use of, these media for instructional purposes, particularly in training in business and industry.” In 2003, instruction presented via technology rose from 10% in 1999 to 24%, and in 2004 up to 25%. The numbers even show the increase in instruction that is being provided in businesses.
As for higher education, this class EDT 5410 shows the increase in education via internet or the World Wide Web. In the past, colleges had no online classes. In 2002, 83% of colleges offered online courses and degrees. Now in 2004-2005, nearly all colleges support online learning through WebCT or Blackboard. However, in the past (1920’s) McCluskey indicates that while the field continued to grow, the educational community at large was not greatly affected by that growth. He also states that by 1930, commercial interests in the visual instruction movement had invested and lost more than $50 million, only part of which was due to the Great Depression, which began in 1929. These statements show that not only did education grow slowly with technology, but business had its up and downs with lots of cost in money. I wonder if that’s the main reason districts are so slow to jump into technology. When we know the best thing for each student would be a 1:1 ratio, districts are thinking what is going to come up next that we are going to maybe or maybe not waste all this money on computers.
I think technology is going to influence its path on its own pace. Businesses seem to be able to front the money more easily then educational systems, so this might have a reason to why they have initially gained more and gained it faster than the educational systems.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Photo Sharing and Instructional Design - Week 5
To incorporate photo sharing into my lessons, I would have students take pictures of their workout programs and put them in order in a slide show to share with others. Students would be able to use different lifts and stretches for each picture and combine them to form a proper workout session. Each student would then have knowledge of 20 to 30 different workouts that they could implement into their healthy lifestyle. Problems I see in using this type of technology is students will be able to see anything that is posted. If any improper photos were put on then all would see. Also photo fraud and theft is another item of concern with anything put on the web. I feel photo sharing is great because you can show everyone and it is easily accessible to view. You can choose to have your cite set as public or private, but you would need to invite all of your classmates to view. Most photo sharing site are ease to navigate and take very little time and knowledge to manage them.
Analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) are all parts of a lesson plan. The book description is much more technical and wordy then what a general lesson plan entails. In a general lesson plan you first have to figure what the problem is (analysis), than you need objectives that will be worked on to fix the problem (design), from your objectives you will develop how you will teach these objectives and with what material (development), you will also need the correct environment to administer the lesson (implementation), and finally you need to evaluate your lesson by assessing the students with a formative and summative evaluations (evaluations). Most lesson plans are completed by one person, but in Chapter 2 they describe many people being apart of the instructional design. It says that it can be done by one person, but more than likely it is too big for one person to handle. Some of the titles they have given to people on an instructional design team are subject matter expert, and instructional designer, one or more production personnel, clerical support, and a project manager. Most of the characteristics that they give for instructional design fit my general lesson plan theory also. Instructional design and lesson design are learner centered, goal oriented, focuses on meaningful performance, assumes outcomes can be measured in a reliable and valid way, and that it is empirical, iterative, and self correcting.
Analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) are all parts of a lesson plan. The book description is much more technical and wordy then what a general lesson plan entails. In a general lesson plan you first have to figure what the problem is (analysis), than you need objectives that will be worked on to fix the problem (design), from your objectives you will develop how you will teach these objectives and with what material (development), you will also need the correct environment to administer the lesson (implementation), and finally you need to evaluate your lesson by assessing the students with a formative and summative evaluations (evaluations). Most lesson plans are completed by one person, but in Chapter 2 they describe many people being apart of the instructional design. It says that it can be done by one person, but more than likely it is too big for one person to handle. Some of the titles they have given to people on an instructional design team are subject matter expert, and instructional designer, one or more production personnel, clerical support, and a project manager. Most of the characteristics that they give for instructional design fit my general lesson plan theory also. Instructional design and lesson design are learner centered, goal oriented, focuses on meaningful performance, assumes outcomes can be measured in a reliable and valid way, and that it is empirical, iterative, and self correcting.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Week 4: Trends and Issues, Social Bookmarking
1) I think social bookmarking is Fabulous. I have always done my Favorites and added my sites to there, but being able to access those favorites anywhere and share them with anyone is great. It is an answer to my prayers. I do work on a lot of different computers and instead of trying to google the website (because I can't remember the 1,800 word url) I just pull up my del.icio.us and it is all right there at the tip of your finger. I am so excited to have this now and who knows how long it has been out there and I have had no clue. As for teacher to teacher or student to teacher or all the other endless possibilities, I feel social bookmarking is our first step in research and sharing. Instead of everyone doing their own seperate research that would take hours and hours, you can look into everyone elses research. Someone might have already weeded out the certain subject you are researching or you might be the one to do the weeding. But in the long run there will be less weeding by all since we can share our research in such an easy way.
2)I agree with the definition proposed in the Trends and Issues text. Since I have kind of worked a little backwards, I have taken a few class in our program already and have learned a great deal. Especially, about new ed tech resources and systematic instructional design pieces. Now if you would have asked this question to me a few months ago, I probably would have had more of a blank expression of I don't know. But now I feel much more confident in the information that this definition entails. There was nothing that jumped out at me in this chapter and I am not sure if anything is missing; however, I feel this would be a great question for your graduates of this program as they look back after all they have learned and can then maybe understand what is missing or that they hit it right on the nose. So until futher notice I think the definition is great.
2)I agree with the definition proposed in the Trends and Issues text. Since I have kind of worked a little backwards, I have taken a few class in our program already and have learned a great deal. Especially, about new ed tech resources and systematic instructional design pieces. Now if you would have asked this question to me a few months ago, I probably would have had more of a blank expression of I don't know. But now I feel much more confident in the information that this definition entails. There was nothing that jumped out at me in this chapter and I am not sure if anything is missing; however, I feel this would be a great question for your graduates of this program as they look back after all they have learned and can then maybe understand what is missing or that they hit it right on the nose. So until futher notice I think the definition is great.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Wiki Reflection - Week 3
I love the Wiki, and its’ name. With the help of the tutorials, I thought the Wiki was very easy to navigate. We had a little problem with a group member not being able to access the Group Page, but I believe that was solved. It was just like setting up a page on Word with pictures and words. I also liked the simplicity of connecting the links to the site.
As for the use in a classroom setting, I feel it would be a fabulous addition to keeping communication lines open for students, staff, and parents. You could set up a Wiki for your school or as a teacher and make separate pages for each class you teach. Everyone could see your unit/lesson plans, homework, pictures of the students work or the students working, exemplary projects, helper links for homework, and activity ideas for home or even extra credit. The possibilities are endless. Students and parents could post ideas or questions. You could even have student created pages were they could upload their homework or activities they have completed. As for a school page, every teacher,administrator, and staff personnel could have their own page to highlight themselves and the work they are doing.
As for the Tim O'Reilly article, quite hard to understand all of the terms. But by using Wikipedia, I manage to get through it and gain more of an understanding to the Web 2.0. Not a full understanding but much better than when I started this class.
All in all I think it is a fairly easy educational technology tool that can be used by all.
As for the use in a classroom setting, I feel it would be a fabulous addition to keeping communication lines open for students, staff, and parents. You could set up a Wiki for your school or as a teacher and make separate pages for each class you teach. Everyone could see your unit/lesson plans, homework, pictures of the students work or the students working, exemplary projects, helper links for homework, and activity ideas for home or even extra credit. The possibilities are endless. Students and parents could post ideas or questions. You could even have student created pages were they could upload their homework or activities they have completed. As for a school page, every teacher,administrator, and staff personnel could have their own page to highlight themselves and the work they are doing.
As for the Tim O'Reilly article, quite hard to understand all of the terms. But by using Wikipedia, I manage to get through it and gain more of an understanding to the Web 2.0. Not a full understanding but much better than when I started this class.
All in all I think it is a fairly easy educational technology tool that can be used by all.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
RSS Address
Here is my RSS address at least I think it is http://www.google.com/reader/shared/05795085877500410478
Assignment 2 (5410) Cone and Compupter Imagination
I have heard all about the blogs, but have yet to try one until this class. Very easy set up. I am still playing around with it but it seems to be an easy user. The RSS is awesome. I have never heard of this and I absolutely love it. It is like research with out having to research. It is all there. I just started it so I can’t wait to play around more. It blows my mind how simple the set ups are for so many items in technology. It literally took me 5 seconds to set up the RSS. I love it.
I believe the RSS is a contrived experience because “It meaningfully summarizes and condenses a great deal of specific information, making the area of many square miles easy to see and comprehend.” (Dale, 1969) Not saying the RSS is covering square miles, but it covers the whole internet and reports to one page that you can receive all of the information you needed. Instead of spending hours searching the web, to where you would not even find a tenth of the information that the RSS has discovered.
I believe a blog is a direct, purposeful experience. You are writing it. You get to be the creator or the one experiencing whatever it is you are writing about. You get to decide what is to become of this blog, no one else but you. “Thus, our rich experiences, when they are of educational value, are not only enjoyable in themselves; they lead us purposefully to an objective, a goal. And to achieve that goal we are immediately involved in such experiences; we participate directly with responsibility for the outcome.” (Dale, 1969)
I think they could use the RSS as computer imagination because “It allows for sophisticated database searches and transactions: We can quickly find specific information.” (Siegel, 2003) Once we subscribe to certain feeds we will instantly be getting information fed back to use at a touch of a button. Again, the timeless effort to have all of the information on the internet, now streaming to you even faster then surfing the web. “It can create a community of users: Multiple people can access the same information and share ideas with no constraints on time or location.” (Siegel, 2003)
Computer imagination for a blog is that “It can disseminate information in a viral-like manner. Once someone places a catchy idea on the Web, that idea can easily and quickly spread through e-mail, instant messaging, and Web sites.” (Siegel, 2003) Once you get your information or ideas on the Web, anyone and everyone can see them and it starts a wave of other ideas from whoever reads the information. You can be in continuous contact with anyone that is on the Web.
I believe the RSS is a contrived experience because “It meaningfully summarizes and condenses a great deal of specific information, making the area of many square miles easy to see and comprehend.” (Dale, 1969) Not saying the RSS is covering square miles, but it covers the whole internet and reports to one page that you can receive all of the information you needed. Instead of spending hours searching the web, to where you would not even find a tenth of the information that the RSS has discovered.
I believe a blog is a direct, purposeful experience. You are writing it. You get to be the creator or the one experiencing whatever it is you are writing about. You get to decide what is to become of this blog, no one else but you. “Thus, our rich experiences, when they are of educational value, are not only enjoyable in themselves; they lead us purposefully to an objective, a goal. And to achieve that goal we are immediately involved in such experiences; we participate directly with responsibility for the outcome.” (Dale, 1969)
I think they could use the RSS as computer imagination because “It allows for sophisticated database searches and transactions: We can quickly find specific information.” (Siegel, 2003) Once we subscribe to certain feeds we will instantly be getting information fed back to use at a touch of a button. Again, the timeless effort to have all of the information on the internet, now streaming to you even faster then surfing the web. “It can create a community of users: Multiple people can access the same information and share ideas with no constraints on time or location.” (Siegel, 2003)
Computer imagination for a blog is that “It can disseminate information in a viral-like manner. Once someone places a catchy idea on the Web, that idea can easily and quickly spread through e-mail, instant messaging, and Web sites.” (Siegel, 2003) Once you get your information or ideas on the Web, anyone and everyone can see them and it starts a wave of other ideas from whoever reads the information. You can be in continuous contact with anyone that is on the Web.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Assignment 1 (5410) Postman
I totally agree with Postman on how students need technology, but they also need school to teach them how to use it. I am 25 so I have been using computers my whole life. Yes they make it so easy to do research but, it took me longer to complete a project because I was not sure if the information was credible. I feel the “time saver” is a great quality of technology and being able to type in a word and find exactly what you want is great. However, what about the quality of libraries and environment like Reigeluth and Joseph speak of? Getting out of the same old environment and looking through mounds of books for one item and stumbling upon heaps of extraordinary knowledge that you might pass up by using the computer. Speaking with people from other cultures can give you such an incite to their life instead of researching it on the computer. I guess it would have to be determined by how much time I have to complete my goal to decide on technology base or library base.
It is a scary and exhilarating thought when you think about changing our system from “time-based to an attainment-based system,” it “would represent a fundamental transformation of our educational systems,” according to Reigeluth and Joseph. All that transforming!!! I have a perfect example from our first day of school this week when our administration announced that we have switched our IEP (Individualized Education Plan) System for the third year in a row now. All you heard from just about every teacher was moans and groans. Yes, I agree it will be a pain, but the only reason we would be switching is because we found something faster, better, and hopefully less paperwork. It is a new thing we have to learn and implement, but sometimes I think educators forget we are educators, and an educator is a life long student in itself. That is a piece of the definition of education is learning, and educators have been learning for years. We just get to be apart of the most difficult and most surreal advances in our history with education. We are the ones who get to mold education and technology together for years to come.
I also agree with Reigeluth and Joseph that technology is helping educators with the question “How can a teacher help 30 children to all learn different things at different rates and in different ways utilizing authentic tasks?” Personal laptops, built in projectors, school wide TV programming, and the newest software is unbelievable at how we can reach each student and what can be implemented. Yes it is going to take time for teachers to adjust but the outcome is greater then what we began with. Being able to reach the different levels of teaching is also going to be a struggle, but the more heads the better and there will be a solution in the end.
It is a scary and exhilarating thought when you think about changing our system from “time-based to an attainment-based system,” it “would represent a fundamental transformation of our educational systems,” according to Reigeluth and Joseph. All that transforming!!! I have a perfect example from our first day of school this week when our administration announced that we have switched our IEP (Individualized Education Plan) System for the third year in a row now. All you heard from just about every teacher was moans and groans. Yes, I agree it will be a pain, but the only reason we would be switching is because we found something faster, better, and hopefully less paperwork. It is a new thing we have to learn and implement, but sometimes I think educators forget we are educators, and an educator is a life long student in itself. That is a piece of the definition of education is learning, and educators have been learning for years. We just get to be apart of the most difficult and most surreal advances in our history with education. We are the ones who get to mold education and technology together for years to come.
I also agree with Reigeluth and Joseph that technology is helping educators with the question “How can a teacher help 30 children to all learn different things at different rates and in different ways utilizing authentic tasks?” Personal laptops, built in projectors, school wide TV programming, and the newest software is unbelievable at how we can reach each student and what can be implemented. Yes it is going to take time for teachers to adjust but the outcome is greater then what we began with. Being able to reach the different levels of teaching is also going to be a struggle, but the more heads the better and there will be a solution in the end.
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