What ...
This week we did a few things. First, we continued on using google sites. Since I missed class I never received the instruction in the first place. I am grateful to see that the original assignment of creating a lesson/unit plan wasn't to prepare the google doc as its own final website (as was my understanding) but instead to be a part of a larger google site. Then we quickly took a glance at our upcoming assignment which is to begin the short film/slide show project.
So What ...
So -- obviously we learned how to begin attaching multiple pages and projects to a singular google doc (which would be very helpful in creating class websites, assignments, links and so forth). Yes it is a lot of regurgitation from the UEN assignment, but google docs are easier to use and manage (so long as the web is working). It would be feasible to create sites for multiple classes and sessions and readily update them using such a simple tool (especially if I create my lesson plans in google docs in the first place).
Now What ...
I apologize for the redundancy in text, but now I can use these ideas to formulate the beginnings of unit and year plans. I can create templates and pages that later I will be able to formulate according to the needs of my current students. After doing my TWS assignment for the curriculum, instruction and assessment course, I used the website the teacher had. Unfortunately this fell flat. The students weren't accustomed to being referred to the web even though they all said they had access to the internet and personal computers at home. It let me see that to use the web as an effective learning tool; I would need to begin at day 1. Also, many of the teachers I spoke with rarely used technology in their own classrooms because they had not received enough group and individual training in the materials offered them in the first place. I don't want this to be me. I need to be able to frame reference and support work on the web, have my students create assignments that are multi-model in nature. It is one way to try to stay current and build on a foundation that will only continue to engage young minds.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Weekly Reflection - Google Tools
-
What?
This week we have been focusing on creating websites via the venue of a Google doc. The idea is simplicity in form and innercontextuality. We also spent some time with iGoogle, creating a personalized page for our own use and reference.
So What?
This means that those who are computer illiterate or who can only handle the basics can create a website. I still think using Google sites (self made templates) would be more beneficial for teachers, but you could easily translate a Google doc based website into a classroom wiki (when wiki’s have traditionally been difficult to set up). The share functionality of a simple Google doc is great. Its design application is iffy, the tables are bad, and it doesn’t marry enough with programs like excel to be fully worthwhile, yet. But I believe it will get there.
Beyond just the website builder, the time with iGoogle was interesting. I personally haven’t used it much. I can see where if I allowed myself, it would be very useful. Of course the time it would take to become entrenched one might argue the why’s of it all. But I have always been an individual who likes the streamlined aspect of one product commitment. Google is doing this for me in a manner in which no other company (even Apple) has yet to match.
Now What?
For my students, this is the beginning of making homework and group work truly group accessible. It’s easier on the environment and makes type work streamlined. Because of my personal background, I don’t see me going about creating a course website in this manner, so I doubt I will use it like this in the future. I will and do support the idea of using Google docs as a way of paper submission. I have been using this function for awhile now and love it. If this is where we are heading and know that it will only improve with time, I can’t fathom what it will be even in a few years. Perhaps creating a website this route will be obsolete and perhaps it will be perfected.
Using this Google tool however, does enable greater collaboration. That truly is the key in moments like this. Open communication can be increased when the access to information is universal. Programs like this one engage and unify.
Video Reflection
The first link posted sent me to the video created in 2007 about web 2.0. I have seen it many times. I remember when I first saw it and was impressed with the editing. Aside from that, I find its personal agenda towards paranoia to be a bit much. Sadly it is also out of date, but nonetheless interesting. I would like to learn more about the ethnographic study this was intended for. What were the final conclusions or are they still gathering? Gratefully there is a Google search for that! The second link we were sent to was the same information you had posted on the class site. I really do like the idea of reverse phone look up. I also appreciate the links for privacy. Many people become hyper-phobic when it comes to the web. I find myself using it all the time to try to look people up. It has become an increasingly important networking tool and I only expect it to become more prevalent as technology increases.
What?
This week we have been focusing on creating websites via the venue of a Google doc. The idea is simplicity in form and innercontextuality. We also spent some time with iGoogle, creating a personalized page for our own use and reference.
So What?
This means that those who are computer illiterate or who can only handle the basics can create a website. I still think using Google sites (self made templates) would be more beneficial for teachers, but you could easily translate a Google doc based website into a classroom wiki (when wiki’s have traditionally been difficult to set up). The share functionality of a simple Google doc is great. Its design application is iffy, the tables are bad, and it doesn’t marry enough with programs like excel to be fully worthwhile, yet. But I believe it will get there.
Beyond just the website builder, the time with iGoogle was interesting. I personally haven’t used it much. I can see where if I allowed myself, it would be very useful. Of course the time it would take to become entrenched one might argue the why’s of it all. But I have always been an individual who likes the streamlined aspect of one product commitment. Google is doing this for me in a manner in which no other company (even Apple) has yet to match.
Now What?
For my students, this is the beginning of making homework and group work truly group accessible. It’s easier on the environment and makes type work streamlined. Because of my personal background, I don’t see me going about creating a course website in this manner, so I doubt I will use it like this in the future. I will and do support the idea of using Google docs as a way of paper submission. I have been using this function for awhile now and love it. If this is where we are heading and know that it will only improve with time, I can’t fathom what it will be even in a few years. Perhaps creating a website this route will be obsolete and perhaps it will be perfected.
Using this Google tool however, does enable greater collaboration. That truly is the key in moments like this. Open communication can be increased when the access to information is universal. Programs like this one engage and unify.
Video Reflection
The first link posted sent me to the video created in 2007 about web 2.0. I have seen it many times. I remember when I first saw it and was impressed with the editing. Aside from that, I find its personal agenda towards paranoia to be a bit much. Sadly it is also out of date, but nonetheless interesting. I would like to learn more about the ethnographic study this was intended for. What were the final conclusions or are they still gathering? Gratefully there is a Google search for that! The second link we were sent to was the same information you had posted on the class site. I really do like the idea of reverse phone look up. I also appreciate the links for privacy. Many people become hyper-phobic when it comes to the web. I find myself using it all the time to try to look people up. It has become an increasingly important networking tool and I only expect it to become more prevalent as technology increases.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
UEN Reflection
UEN and Pioneer are really interesting programs. I use the word ‘interesting’ because it is loosely connected to my field and only helpful for a very narrow genre of classes. If I were in the sciences or math departments, it would be an incredible tool with access to fantastic information. As it stands, there is little to know art content that is not geared towards elementary students. This doesn’t make it totally unhelpful, but almost so. Even searching in Pioneer, they don’t have credible research and links to current theatre journals.
My favorite aspect to the program is the Ebscohost access. Even though Ebsco itself is not full or art references, it does have many other articles and journals that are worthwhile in using in coursework as well as teaching my students how to use peer-reviewed references.
On one hand, it is amazing that teachers can build course sites via UEN, but on the other hand, they are hard to manipulate and rather picky. It takes doing steps frequently in triplicate to post images/video and content. If the format were cleaner, if there were more options and even an aspect to program basics in html or css, it would be a stronger system.
Over-all I won’t be using it much in my classroom. But I am grateful it exists and I know it will continue to become more than what it is today. I can’t wait to keep on top of what is out there.
My favorite aspect to the program is the Ebscohost access. Even though Ebsco itself is not full or art references, it does have many other articles and journals that are worthwhile in using in coursework as well as teaching my students how to use peer-reviewed references.
On one hand, it is amazing that teachers can build course sites via UEN, but on the other hand, they are hard to manipulate and rather picky. It takes doing steps frequently in triplicate to post images/video and content. If the format were cleaner, if there were more options and even an aspect to program basics in html or css, it would be a stronger system.
Over-all I won’t be using it much in my classroom. But I am grateful it exists and I know it will continue to become more than what it is today. I can’t wait to keep on top of what is out there.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Module 2 Week 2
What?
This week we are continuing out UEN assignment. We had added EBSCO host to the list of our sites as well.
So What?
This technology isn’t particularly different from what I already use. It has just been frustrating that I am a part of a minority of teachers where there is little viable information around. I realize that the arts and theater are small on the scale of importance to most educators, but I wish there were more articles, links and references to the arts. I will still attempt to use the resources given to us, but unfortunately I cannot fully sign their praises and many other disciplines can. Very sad.
Now What?
For me, this week just reiterated why theatre is becoming obsolete. A great many artists aren’t moving with the digital age. It is my job to demonstrate to my students the viability of both forums and how the future of the arts is dependent on our ability to maintain archival work, academic resources, footage and drive marketing towards our sites. The two can work in tandem without sacrificing. I feel like I want to champion a program that creates a network with regional theatres to record one performance of each show, have some kind of patron system where web viewers can watch seasons (with limited access of course) … so on and so forth. I could explain it in depth. But we are losing a part of our history.
On a different note, this was an interesting piece on dateline. Here is a snipit of an interview:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/
This week we are continuing out UEN assignment. We had added EBSCO host to the list of our sites as well.
So What?
This technology isn’t particularly different from what I already use. It has just been frustrating that I am a part of a minority of teachers where there is little viable information around. I realize that the arts and theater are small on the scale of importance to most educators, but I wish there were more articles, links and references to the arts. I will still attempt to use the resources given to us, but unfortunately I cannot fully sign their praises and many other disciplines can. Very sad.
Now What?
For me, this week just reiterated why theatre is becoming obsolete. A great many artists aren’t moving with the digital age. It is my job to demonstrate to my students the viability of both forums and how the future of the arts is dependent on our ability to maintain archival work, academic resources, footage and drive marketing towards our sites. The two can work in tandem without sacrificing. I feel like I want to champion a program that creates a network with regional theatres to record one performance of each show, have some kind of patron system where web viewers can watch seasons (with limited access of course) … so on and so forth. I could explain it in depth. But we are losing a part of our history.
On a different note, this was an interesting piece on dateline. Here is a snipit of an interview:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Module 2: Reflection
What?
This week we spent time in class looking at the resources UEN has so gratefully put together and created for the use of educators.
So What?
What this means in simple terms, is that without spending money or vast amounts of effort in dealing with html, a fairly inexperienced technologically focused teacher could put together a fairly basic but usable interface for themselves and the classroom. As a student in the program it gives me a chance to have a third back-up for my documents (1- computer, 2-google doc, 3- UEN document site).
Now What?
As far as for my students in the future, I likely wouldn’t rely on UEN. As a jumping off point, its great. I prefer more control on format and presentation. I will and fully plan on using a website. A course wiki, blog and website all created to help students engage in more conversation should aid in course work and in-class discussion. The ability to use the web gives more opportunities for creative learning at a lower cost (the idea of not needing a set of text books at home and in the classroom). There is only good that can come of mixing media for a better teaching format.
Video Reflection
This video brought me back to my childhood. I watched Tom Lehrer on a regular basis growing up and was pleased to be taken to a pleasant memory. That being said, and aside from the fact that the lip sync was truly well done, how true is it that we tend to make education harder than it needs to be? Presentation is so vital and if we can’t make heads or tails of our own content area, how can we expect our students to do the same? A simple pathway to the knowledge mixed with a variety of approaches needs to be incorporated for engagements sake as well as the ability to comprehend what’s is being shoved down their throats. How can we require them to hold on to what we say when they have a myriad of other courses all doing the same thing? If we come up with a cohesive and concise way of teaching, hopefully our students can at least reflect in a way that gives the ability to retain and enjoy.
This week we spent time in class looking at the resources UEN has so gratefully put together and created for the use of educators.
So What?
What this means in simple terms, is that without spending money or vast amounts of effort in dealing with html, a fairly inexperienced technologically focused teacher could put together a fairly basic but usable interface for themselves and the classroom. As a student in the program it gives me a chance to have a third back-up for my documents (1- computer, 2-google doc, 3- UEN document site).
Now What?
As far as for my students in the future, I likely wouldn’t rely on UEN. As a jumping off point, its great. I prefer more control on format and presentation. I will and fully plan on using a website. A course wiki, blog and website all created to help students engage in more conversation should aid in course work and in-class discussion. The ability to use the web gives more opportunities for creative learning at a lower cost (the idea of not needing a set of text books at home and in the classroom). There is only good that can come of mixing media for a better teaching format.
Video Reflection
This video brought me back to my childhood. I watched Tom Lehrer on a regular basis growing up and was pleased to be taken to a pleasant memory. That being said, and aside from the fact that the lip sync was truly well done, how true is it that we tend to make education harder than it needs to be? Presentation is so vital and if we can’t make heads or tails of our own content area, how can we expect our students to do the same? A simple pathway to the knowledge mixed with a variety of approaches needs to be incorporated for engagements sake as well as the ability to comprehend what’s is being shoved down their throats. How can we require them to hold on to what we say when they have a myriad of other courses all doing the same thing? If we come up with a cohesive and concise way of teaching, hopefully our students can at least reflect in a way that gives the ability to retain and enjoy.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Module 1: Reflection
What?
During this time frame we read many articles about web standards, technology wants and the future of the classroom. We then took these aspects towards the bent of writing a cohesive paper that delved into how these same articles reflected and meshed within our personal beliefs.
So What?
I apologize for the redundancy between what I am saying now and what I wrote in my PDP paper. For me as a teacher, I can only say that there is a problem with how the students want to be taught and how they really are being taught. This dichotomy is where I come in to play. I am a new teacher who has been given the opportunity to learn some of this new tech that everyone is constantly babbling about. I have chances to use it so I can find out how and where it would properly apply in the classroom setting. As a student I see the need for change. You can tell a tech savvy teacher from one who is just pleased they discovered power point. At least the latter teacher was trying. Just hopefully they don’t feel they’ve done enough with that. Power point will put anyone to sleep in great length. I like technology. I think it has the potential to do a great deal of good. But I know many people who are on the fence or completely against it all. Like before, there is a balance between all things so we can try new approaches to education and give them time to succeed or fail. We can learn from each other and our students. It could make for a more unified school experience.
Now What?
Not being one of these kids so many questions are geared toward and being asked to speak for them, I will do my best to assume what they want and need. I do see this technology giving them chances at changing the way everything is done. They can have a truly international experience and learn firsthand with all the amazing software out there. This technology is where jobs are all moving to. They will be the job force to reckon with and the rest of us will be left behind hoping to try to catch up. Knowing, or at least believing this in part, I know my students need to have as much time with media as possible. They have to look at it, consume it, explain it, and rationalize it all out until they can reform it into something even more creative and ground-breaking but equally as beneficial. I think I luck out being in the arts. Media lends itself naturally to use blogs, wikis, cameras, discussion boards and social networking. I just need to make sure to incorporate this the same way we were once taught how to type up professional letters to multiple receivers. Social networking works this same way. We can help show our students that the world they will soon be entering is one of networking. And what is fantastic about this new medium is they can gain contacts and build portfolios while still in school. We already should be doing this with students but don’t. Yet now as we hold responsibility for educating on the proper use of the web, we can utilize it for that which is worthwhile and will continue to hold the same clout; networking.
Video Reflection (Week 2-16)
Forgive me, but I found the videos to be weak and uninspired. Watching the same stats being thrown at me saying how useless the American’s really are, well, it didn’t go anywhere. Tedious graphics with uninformed statistics do not inspire. They felt like fear tactics being played to get lowest common denominator responses. Yes, China will have more English speakers than the U.S. Of course they will. For one, there are more of them then us. And also, they make their students learn multiple languages from a young age. Bravo to them. But at the same time, you can constantly compare the U.S. to India and China where they only educate a select few. We could offer a same few and then have some number crunching comparisons.
What we had were simple fear tactic films telling us how useless American Education really is when we compare it other statistical data.
So What we have to do is ignore it and continue to try and create something that matters more. We educate all (which is wonderful). But we as a nation seem lost as to the goals within educating all. What is more important? Is it better to give everyone a good shot at a liberal education or do they want competitive test scores more? If they could decide and as well take on the brunt of anger for high rates of teen stress related suicide, than we as educators would know how to move on.
Now We have to take what has been given us and in conjunction with NCLB, find some way to teach what is more important than either; not the stats, not the federal interference, but the student themselves. We need to find a way to reach them.
During this time frame we read many articles about web standards, technology wants and the future of the classroom. We then took these aspects towards the bent of writing a cohesive paper that delved into how these same articles reflected and meshed within our personal beliefs.
So What?
I apologize for the redundancy between what I am saying now and what I wrote in my PDP paper. For me as a teacher, I can only say that there is a problem with how the students want to be taught and how they really are being taught. This dichotomy is where I come in to play. I am a new teacher who has been given the opportunity to learn some of this new tech that everyone is constantly babbling about. I have chances to use it so I can find out how and where it would properly apply in the classroom setting. As a student I see the need for change. You can tell a tech savvy teacher from one who is just pleased they discovered power point. At least the latter teacher was trying. Just hopefully they don’t feel they’ve done enough with that. Power point will put anyone to sleep in great length. I like technology. I think it has the potential to do a great deal of good. But I know many people who are on the fence or completely against it all. Like before, there is a balance between all things so we can try new approaches to education and give them time to succeed or fail. We can learn from each other and our students. It could make for a more unified school experience.
Now What?
Not being one of these kids so many questions are geared toward and being asked to speak for them, I will do my best to assume what they want and need. I do see this technology giving them chances at changing the way everything is done. They can have a truly international experience and learn firsthand with all the amazing software out there. This technology is where jobs are all moving to. They will be the job force to reckon with and the rest of us will be left behind hoping to try to catch up. Knowing, or at least believing this in part, I know my students need to have as much time with media as possible. They have to look at it, consume it, explain it, and rationalize it all out until they can reform it into something even more creative and ground-breaking but equally as beneficial. I think I luck out being in the arts. Media lends itself naturally to use blogs, wikis, cameras, discussion boards and social networking. I just need to make sure to incorporate this the same way we were once taught how to type up professional letters to multiple receivers. Social networking works this same way. We can help show our students that the world they will soon be entering is one of networking. And what is fantastic about this new medium is they can gain contacts and build portfolios while still in school. We already should be doing this with students but don’t. Yet now as we hold responsibility for educating on the proper use of the web, we can utilize it for that which is worthwhile and will continue to hold the same clout; networking.
Video Reflection (Week 2-16)
Forgive me, but I found the videos to be weak and uninspired. Watching the same stats being thrown at me saying how useless the American’s really are, well, it didn’t go anywhere. Tedious graphics with uninformed statistics do not inspire. They felt like fear tactics being played to get lowest common denominator responses. Yes, China will have more English speakers than the U.S. Of course they will. For one, there are more of them then us. And also, they make their students learn multiple languages from a young age. Bravo to them. But at the same time, you can constantly compare the U.S. to India and China where they only educate a select few. We could offer a same few and then have some number crunching comparisons.
What we had were simple fear tactic films telling us how useless American Education really is when we compare it other statistical data.
So What we have to do is ignore it and continue to try and create something that matters more. We educate all (which is wonderful). But we as a nation seem lost as to the goals within educating all. What is more important? Is it better to give everyone a good shot at a liberal education or do they want competitive test scores more? If they could decide and as well take on the brunt of anger for high rates of teen stress related suicide, than we as educators would know how to move on.
Now We have to take what has been given us and in conjunction with NCLB, find some way to teach what is more important than either; not the stats, not the federal interference, but the student themselves. We need to find a way to reach them.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Nothing like an autobiography
I am an aspiring artist, writer and strong Ken Robinson supporter. I would love to continue on his work but more along the parallel side of drama therapy, cognition and learning theory in education as a method towards emotionally healthy and focused kids. It’s vague, it’s not fleshed out, it doesn’t translate well to the written word, but somehow makes sense inside my head. To begin what I would like to do in the end, I need to teach. I need to gain experience so I can figure out where the states of things are for myself (not just from reading and most assuredly not from test scores). I am hoping to study under Howard Gardner and be a part of Project Zero. To do this I need teaching experience in the public school system. So when hoping to work on learning theory and curriculum instruction, teaching and gaining firsthand knowledge are key.
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