Below you can read a letter from a child I am corresponding with, He will be going to Halloween tomorrow night and is really excited. After Halloween he will post a picture so I will post it for you all to view as well.
Kimball's Friendly Letter
10/16/09
Dear friend in Wisconsin,
Halloween is coming up soon. What are you wearing for Halloween? Last year I got 600 pieces of candy counting my brother and sisters candy. Also, I can't wait to make my costume. It's going to be awesome, ugly, and scary. I don't know what my costume will look like. I am planning on getting 800 pieces of candy.
After trick or treating, I will go to a haunted house. I am not scared of haunted houses anymore because I conqered my fear last year. The haunted house I want to got to is out of town.
What will your costume look like? I bet it will look like Freddy Krueger. How many pieces of candy are you planning on getting this year. I am planning on getting 800 pieces of candy. Last year I got 600 pieces of candy counting my brother and sisters candy. The day after Halloween I will send you the picture.
Your friend,
Kimball H
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Mubasshira and Seini-Mino from Room 15
Mubasshira and Seini-MinoChildren in many countries are being allowed to take their learning to the Internet, wow it is really amazing the things students are doing these days compared to when I was in elementary school back in the 80's. We didn't even have a computer in our classroom much less the capability to talk to children around the world by skype, podcasts, email and all of the other forms of technology available. I just can't imagine where the next 10 or 20 years will take us.
These two girls really had great expression as they read, they were enthusiastic and fun to be a part of. I'm really glad that I have been made aware of all of these many options of teaching when I reach my classroom. What great fun it will be to let my middle school or high school students also keep track of a class somewhere, podcasting, videocasting or commenting.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Kaia, The Hawaiian word for Ocean
Kaia Means OceanThis video and Kaia's Blog takes this class to the next level. As a parent I really attached to this, wishing I could have had something like this from my son's childhood. In fact, it sparks my interest to try and do it now. I thought the entire process was brilliant. Her father is a brave and caring man to take this oppurtunity to document his children's lives in this way, while sharing his passion for technology.
I hope that I am able to embrace all of these applications in my classroom. How wonderful learning can be and as technology advances it is just fascinating how many possibilities when can not even dream of yet. I am so excited about the things I will hopefully be able to do in my classroom in a few years, that I did not even dream possible before taking this class.
Little Voices, Little Scholars
Kids Pix Program DrawingI have recently been keeping up with some really talented students at a Pt. England School in Auckland, New Zealand. The students of Room 5. are a class of Year 2 children. They are reading and using technology to post their blog and also using technology called Kids Pix to draw on a computer an illustration of the story. I am amazed at what these 5 and 6 year old students are doing. Their teacher is really inspiring them, I believe, opening the world of learning to them at a young age. I applaud her and this school for their hands on approach to Education!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
No Goggle is not making us stupid!
I believe that Google is the scapegoat for what is actually happening in our society, we are no longer using learning processes in the same capacity due to technology. 20 years ago a person's capacity to critically process information was much more in depth than we are required to perform today due to the advancement of technology in the workplace. So many more applications are actually performed for us today, thus clearing up time management and allowing new innovative management skills to occur.
I remember vividly when I was in high school spending hours in the library as a teenager researching information, actively reading and painstakingly reviewing material. Although I do agree that Google has changed our ability to research and put our hands on material, I do not find this to be a bad thing. I for one am thoroughly pleased with this technology advancement and enjoy surfing the web at home, not having to brave the cruel world. I also am an example of someone who knows that we are learning differently, however I know that I am not someone processing less for it! I feel in fact more informed now than ever before due to the opportunity to acquire information so readily.
I remember vividly when I was in high school spending hours in the library as a teenager researching information, actively reading and painstakingly reviewing material. Although I do agree that Google has changed our ability to research and put our hands on material, I do not find this to be a bad thing. I for one am thoroughly pleased with this technology advancement and enjoy surfing the web at home, not having to brave the cruel world. I also am an example of someone who knows that we are learning differently, however I know that I am not someone processing less for it! I feel in fact more informed now than ever before due to the opportunity to acquire information so readily.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
New Media Literacies Project
New Media Literacies Project seems to be taking the initiative that the education system has not taken on its own. Through this research it is evident that students of this generation are far surpassing adult expectation of capability. These students are producers of their world actively participating in the information stream. Many students are aware of social networking and networking skills before they are entering college. Yet, universities do not comprehend that the students of tomorrow are not learning as the students of yesterday. These students are actively ready to engage in a world of technology if only the world would allow them the capacity to experience the technology available.
Our world is multicultural, multifunctional and global. Students must be taught how to become professionals in the global market place. This project discussed how these young students are able to function on their own desire in the participatory fraction of the market place. No longer are students mere consumers of products they are the producers of goods and services desired by a consumer market. This in itself is changing our global economy and shifting the business world into a frenzy of sharks. These students in many ways are more capable of maneuvering the market place than generations past. This documentation is fascinating as well as motivating for a soon to be teacher to examine. In my mind technology unlocks the potential of our youth, if the key is presented with the knowledge of ethical behavior our future can and will project far more advances than conceivable.
Our world is multicultural, multifunctional and global. Students must be taught how to become professionals in the global market place. This project discussed how these young students are able to function on their own desire in the participatory fraction of the market place. No longer are students mere consumers of products they are the producers of goods and services desired by a consumer market. This in itself is changing our global economy and shifting the business world into a frenzy of sharks. These students in many ways are more capable of maneuvering the market place than generations past. This documentation is fascinating as well as motivating for a soon to be teacher to examine. In my mind technology unlocks the potential of our youth, if the key is presented with the knowledge of ethical behavior our future can and will project far more advances than conceivable.
Media Skills of the Future
New Media Skills are needed to navigate the use of technology today. Transmedia navigation would refer to being able to use multiple types of media and move from one to another smoothly. Multitasking skills are necessary in order to use multiple technologies. Visual skills, collective intelligence, and distributed cognition all represent ways we process information. These aspects are extremely important in reference to the large amount of information we are all processing daily.
Using the web we must understand how to use good judgment on the information we are receiving. Negotiate information between contacts in ways never before available. Appropriation and play assist us in understanding the new media world around us. When we are able to use simulation we will process the information more accurately and therefore performance will increase.
I have not been aware of these media skills per say, at least I cannot remember a teacher explaining these to me. However, as an adult student, I believe I possess most of these skills due to maturity as well as the capacity of critical thought and examination. Upon considering all of these skills thoroughly I would believe my ten year old son possesses very few of these skills in reference to his ability to navigate the web alone. This thought motivates me to believe that teachers must teach these skills to their students without fail to incorporate critical analysis of all of the masses of information bombarding society. I do believe that these skills are needed and productive for appropriate processing of information. Due to the fact that our society will continue to become more reliant on technology based professions, students must be aware of these skills.
Using the web we must understand how to use good judgment on the information we are receiving. Negotiate information between contacts in ways never before available. Appropriation and play assist us in understanding the new media world around us. When we are able to use simulation we will process the information more accurately and therefore performance will increase.
I have not been aware of these media skills per say, at least I cannot remember a teacher explaining these to me. However, as an adult student, I believe I possess most of these skills due to maturity as well as the capacity of critical thought and examination. Upon considering all of these skills thoroughly I would believe my ten year old son possesses very few of these skills in reference to his ability to navigate the web alone. This thought motivates me to believe that teachers must teach these skills to their students without fail to incorporate critical analysis of all of the masses of information bombarding society. I do believe that these skills are needed and productive for appropriate processing of information. Due to the fact that our society will continue to become more reliant on technology based professions, students must be aware of these skills.
Student Networking a Great Way to Learn
The teacher of the future sure does have big shoes to fill, or perhaps we should say a big world to wrap her arms around. Well, that teacher I am referring to is me! I have learned so much already this semester in my EDM class that I realize I had not even considered as possibilities for teaching my students in this new age of advanced technologically based learning. I myself have learned to embrace the internet as my own personal world at my fingertips, no longer having to exchange the comfort of my own home with the cold unforgiving library. Many hours of research, reading, searching and questioning which I experienced in the past as a student, are now minimized to the comfort of my home surfing the web and discussing with various individuals on face book, email, twitter, etc. my thoughts and theirs. The process of learning has gone from impersonal to active. The ability to travel the world regardless of your finance has encouraged a way of experiencing life never before thought possible. This next generation of technology will no doubt release our imaginations beyond our wildest dreams. I am very interested in further developing my ability to network which I believe will assist my students to better use the web tools available to them.
Why then has the education system seemed slower to catch on to the idea of networking more than the computers in the building? The idea of students learning how to network for them seem to be a critical thinking skill our next generation adults will need more than ever before. As I said earlier, the information stream has sped to such an accessible rate compared to 20 years ago, that students need to be taught how to manage this process of learning and thinking. Teachers of the future are going to need to teach students how to navigate the world not just a textbook. Many teachers will need to move out of the ideology that the classroom needs to be teacher centered but rather student centered.
As I wonder about my capability to become a teacher who leads and follows my students lead, I can’t help but question my previous knowledge of the understood set up of an average classroom. Can I learn to teach my students to network outside of our classroom, our town and state? Can I engage my students In the process of learning and teaching one another with all possible available ideas? I am open to ideas and believe in education. I enjoy creativity of others as well as believe in the capacity of the human experience to influence the world for a greater good.
Thus my answer must be yes that I want to embrace the ideas of teaching and learning that foster a more complex existence than I have understood in my education. No longer can students maintain isolated learning completely separate from the availability of technology, classrooms need to expand and grow to encourage the professionals of tomorrow.
Why then has the education system seemed slower to catch on to the idea of networking more than the computers in the building? The idea of students learning how to network for them seem to be a critical thinking skill our next generation adults will need more than ever before. As I said earlier, the information stream has sped to such an accessible rate compared to 20 years ago, that students need to be taught how to manage this process of learning and thinking. Teachers of the future are going to need to teach students how to navigate the world not just a textbook. Many teachers will need to move out of the ideology that the classroom needs to be teacher centered but rather student centered.
As I wonder about my capability to become a teacher who leads and follows my students lead, I can’t help but question my previous knowledge of the understood set up of an average classroom. Can I learn to teach my students to network outside of our classroom, our town and state? Can I engage my students In the process of learning and teaching one another with all possible available ideas? I am open to ideas and believe in education. I enjoy creativity of others as well as believe in the capacity of the human experience to influence the world for a greater good.
Thus my answer must be yes that I want to embrace the ideas of teaching and learning that foster a more complex existence than I have understood in my education. No longer can students maintain isolated learning completely separate from the availability of technology, classrooms need to expand and grow to encourage the professionals of tomorrow.
How I Hope our Student's Can Dream
Mr. Richard Miller explained how the new Humanities are taking a form of fundamental learning to the next level and creatively writing with visual interpretation. I found this video fascinating and would enjoy learning how to teach in this way. I hope and pray for technology to continue on this path, to lead us to the capability of software that students can use for multiple learning styles to express themselves releasing the creativity of the next generation.
Far too long, American’s have seemed improperly focused on the aspect of numbers which mistakenly express the capabilities of the American youth to function at the same level as other countries. America is and always has been a place of free thought and ideas, so why then would our education system wish to stiffen the very uniqueness of the American Dream itself. Students of yesterday were allowed to dream impossible dreams, and image the unimaginable due to the possibilities of the unknown, yet today teachers are instructed not to encourage creative critical thought, but rather to teach students to pass standardized test in order to keep the status quo per the world. Why the same ingenious ingenuity of the old world wouldn’t, be fostered in the students of a great land full of extreme wonder and prosperity.
Mr. Miller stated that the Humanities and the Sciences needed to collaborate in order to assist in this change. I believe this to be true, as all science without creativity or vice versa can lead to a skewed view of the world. Without human thought coupled with technology what good are the advancements in themselves? We are the Human race, with great feeling, emotions and motivation. From the ancient classical Greek world and its beauty to the technology of this new millennium, we as a race need to experience knowledge in a beautiful way. This version of experiencing knowledge seems like a perfect example of how our future can encourage this generation’s ability to surpass our own awareness of what is possible, and allow them to continue to dream the dreams of childhood curiosities.
Far too long, American’s have seemed improperly focused on the aspect of numbers which mistakenly express the capabilities of the American youth to function at the same level as other countries. America is and always has been a place of free thought and ideas, so why then would our education system wish to stiffen the very uniqueness of the American Dream itself. Students of yesterday were allowed to dream impossible dreams, and image the unimaginable due to the possibilities of the unknown, yet today teachers are instructed not to encourage creative critical thought, but rather to teach students to pass standardized test in order to keep the status quo per the world. Why the same ingenious ingenuity of the old world wouldn’t, be fostered in the students of a great land full of extreme wonder and prosperity.
Mr. Miller stated that the Humanities and the Sciences needed to collaborate in order to assist in this change. I believe this to be true, as all science without creativity or vice versa can lead to a skewed view of the world. Without human thought coupled with technology what good are the advancements in themselves? We are the Human race, with great feeling, emotions and motivation. From the ancient classical Greek world and its beauty to the technology of this new millennium, we as a race need to experience knowledge in a beautiful way. This version of experiencing knowledge seems like a perfect example of how our future can encourage this generation’s ability to surpass our own awareness of what is possible, and allow them to continue to dream the dreams of childhood curiosities.
Friday, October 2, 2009
IPODS for Instruction
Click Here education-world.com
Learning how to use Ipods in the Classroom
I am amazed as I have said before at all of the uses availabe with technology that many educators are not aware of, or if they are, the ones I know are not using. I am excited about implementing some of these aspects of teaching into my classroom and maybe teaching my co-workers how fun and exciting their own classrooms would be if they were willing to embrace a new way of thinking and teaching. We know that students are not learning at the same rate, or by the same applications on average in everyday life so I do believe it would be beneficial to explore all options of teaching available, even the ones that may seem unconventional by others.
As I researched I found the site Education World and thought it was interested due to the fact that it immidiatly cut through the chase for me and got right to the point dealing with the topic I was searching for. It gave me a link where I could view several differnt options for using Ipod in the classroom. Apple discussed how to "spark" their learning anywhere, a discussion and link to Duke University was abailable, which was interesting to read, and several other schools or applications. Duke's unique involvement was their innitiative to give all of their freshmen Ipods to learn with. I found this interesting as I was thinking about teaching in my own classroom as well. It would be so easy to do group projects then where all students could view the same thing and then meet back next class period ready to work with ideas. From a college standpoint, I thought how neat it would be if professors gave students a class off every month, to conserve on energy at the building, and they could Podcast a lecture for all of the students to watch.
A comment was made on this site that the site was difficult to move around in unless you were familiar with technology. Since I am somewhat familiar, I did not find the site to be difficult to move around it, but I do not know if a teacher who is not technologically literate would feel overwhelmed. I enjoyed the site, and even book marked it for my own personal use at a later date. It was not only useful for this assignment, but I believe it would be very useful to me as a teacher in class.
Learning how to use Ipods in the Classroom
I am amazed as I have said before at all of the uses availabe with technology that many educators are not aware of, or if they are, the ones I know are not using. I am excited about implementing some of these aspects of teaching into my classroom and maybe teaching my co-workers how fun and exciting their own classrooms would be if they were willing to embrace a new way of thinking and teaching. We know that students are not learning at the same rate, or by the same applications on average in everyday life so I do believe it would be beneficial to explore all options of teaching available, even the ones that may seem unconventional by others.
As I researched I found the site Education World and thought it was interested due to the fact that it immidiatly cut through the chase for me and got right to the point dealing with the topic I was searching for. It gave me a link where I could view several differnt options for using Ipod in the classroom. Apple discussed how to "spark" their learning anywhere, a discussion and link to Duke University was abailable, which was interesting to read, and several other schools or applications. Duke's unique involvement was their innitiative to give all of their freshmen Ipods to learn with. I found this interesting as I was thinking about teaching in my own classroom as well. It would be so easy to do group projects then where all students could view the same thing and then meet back next class period ready to work with ideas. From a college standpoint, I thought how neat it would be if professors gave students a class off every month, to conserve on energy at the building, and they could Podcast a lecture for all of the students to watch.
A comment was made on this site that the site was difficult to move around in unless you were familiar with technology. Since I am somewhat familiar, I did not find the site to be difficult to move around it, but I do not know if a teacher who is not technologically literate would feel overwhelmed. I enjoyed the site, and even book marked it for my own personal use at a later date. It was not only useful for this assignment, but I believe it would be very useful to me as a teacher in class.
I TUNES U
This is absolutely awesome! I really had NO idea of all of the uses of this site. My son has been subscribing to Itunes since he got a small Ipod a few years ago. My husband and I were not at all familiar with Itunes or its uses, however my son seemed to catch right on. He spent hours on the site, to the point that I was forced to become familiar with the ways he could use it, and the types of applications available. However, until this EDM class, I had no idea we could have been using Itunes U for his school work!
Tonight, I took time to look around on the site and see what all I could find. As a student I am convinced I will be using the site from now on. I looked through some of the classes I am now taking and searched for specific topics just to see what I could find. I am in West Civ I and so I decided to go and look up the Persian Wars. I was able to listen to several different Podcasts from University Professors around the world speaking on the topic. I even went and listend to some of the readings of Homer's Odyssey since we just finished discussing that in class as well. Next I went to look up some topics on Economics since that is also a class I am taking this semester. I found that I could easily pick a Chapter and a topic and listen to a professor lecture on the very topic I heard a lecture on this week. It was fascinating.
Once I begin teaching I do believe that there will be numerous ways I can use this site. If we are discussing a specific topic I can look it up and have things saved and ready to pull up in class. I can show the students pictures of the area, listen to comments made from others on the topic, or maybe find aspects of the study that are left out of our text. Again, I was pleased with the possibilities available with this site for my teaching oppurtunities.
Tonight, I took time to look around on the site and see what all I could find. As a student I am convinced I will be using the site from now on. I looked through some of the classes I am now taking and searched for specific topics just to see what I could find. I am in West Civ I and so I decided to go and look up the Persian Wars. I was able to listen to several different Podcasts from University Professors around the world speaking on the topic. I even went and listend to some of the readings of Homer's Odyssey since we just finished discussing that in class as well. Next I went to look up some topics on Economics since that is also a class I am taking this semester. I found that I could easily pick a Chapter and a topic and listen to a professor lecture on the very topic I heard a lecture on this week. It was fascinating.
Once I begin teaching I do believe that there will be numerous ways I can use this site. If we are discussing a specific topic I can look it up and have things saved and ready to pull up in class. I can show the students pictures of the area, listen to comments made from others on the topic, or maybe find aspects of the study that are left out of our text. Again, I was pleased with the possibilities available with this site for my teaching oppurtunities.
Dr. Christie's expert advice....
Dr. Christie wrote some interested facts and ideas, however considering I am studing to be a history teacher, the most interesting aspect for me was the GPS usage in class. I have so much to learn and I cannot wait to actually start teaching to continue my education process! Dr. Christie's site will be very useful for me I'm sure in several ways, but I really loved her ideas for the GPS lesson plans. She discussed some things I am aware of in reference to using GPS, however I had never thought of it being possible as part of a lesson. That is the most interesting aspect of technology to me, the more I learn about technology, the more I learn how to think outside of the box I grew up learning in.
GPS receivers and geocaching is definitely something I will look into for use in my classroom. It will be a wonderful way to connect past and present for students who are learning completely different than the way I did as a student 20 years ago. Dr. Christie explained specifically how you can use the system for lessons, experiments, or activiites. As I was reading I also was thinking how fun it would be to have group activities using the GPS system or geocaching. Also using Google Earth will enhance our class experience. I am so amazed at all of the oppurtunities technology offers now, and will offer. I am excited about all of the oppurtunities to come!
GPS receivers and geocaching is definitely something I will look into for use in my classroom. It will be a wonderful way to connect past and present for students who are learning completely different than the way I did as a student 20 years ago. Dr. Christie explained specifically how you can use the system for lessons, experiments, or activiites. As I was reading I also was thinking how fun it would be to have group activities using the GPS system or geocaching. Also using Google Earth will enhance our class experience. I am so amazed at all of the oppurtunities technology offers now, and will offer. I am excited about all of the oppurtunities to come!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
