Category Archives: Thoughts

So a year later..where am I?

Posted on May 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

After working on this course for the past year, I felt it was crucial to take a look at what programs and web 2.0 tools are an important part of my teaching and learning. Over the past year I have read many blogs, followed lots of tweets and thought about how technology impacts my teaching. I have broken down my ideas into daily, weekly, and monthly.

On a daily basis I am using:

Diigio to keep track of the cool websites and articles I come across. I also receive weekly updates from different diigo groups I follow. (Classroom 2.0, Project Based Learning, Global Education Conference, Coetail, Online Tools, Interactive WhiteBoards in the Classroom. and many more) My students also used diigo to keep track of their bookmarks, and in an upcoming unit we are explicating using this for the kids to look at a unit through the lens of different stakeholders (a detailed post on this to come)

Dropbox- Always using it to save files, and share folders with my co workers

Email updates from Larry Ferlazzo - He sends out the best websites of the day. Very useful stuff from this guy!

Year Level blogs at our school. Year 8 and Year 7 

Aslo each student has a personal blog, which I follow using netvibes.

Utube: Always searching for cool videos, and uploading my students work to our school account. Teacher Tube is also a great addition.

Vimeo- Another great source for video footage

Onenote program to share and plan notes with my students

Veracross- to communicate homework and assessments to students online.

Weekly I am using:

Reading my RSS feed from Blogs like Langwitches,Teaching Sagitarian , 21 Century Presentation.These blogs are really the main ones that I read on a weekly basis, but do scan others from our suggested RSS feeds.

Portal Page- Our school keeps curriculum and units accessible to students on a portal page. Each course has its own portal page. Weekly I updating these pages

Dyknow- To send my students work and receive work, also at time to screen share.

Weekly updates from my Diigo Groups, TedTalks, TedED

Monthly

Podcasts from Live Web 2.0, passed Coetail course discussions.

Occasion Tweets @jhortop

GoogleDocs, video editing, In Plain English, glogster, voice thread, flickr, compfight, powerpoints, many website links, prezi, google maps, google earth, screenr, sound cloud, Radio Lab, creative commons search tools, brain pop videos, linkendin, flocabulary.

For me this is not an overload of resources, and I find it quite manageable. I also am always on the look out for new ideas and new tools that will enhance student learning!

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Technology Terminal

Posted on May 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

Yes, well we all love technology! Yes we love learning about new ways to integrate  technology in our classroom, follow RSS feeds,  tweet out new ideas, develop our PLN. For the past year I have been totally emerged in these new ideas. I have discovered lots, implemented lots and reflected on the process. However, over Songkran I stopped. I travelled to my long lost home in a village,  in Kimundo Tanzania. This home has little hot water, let alone a solid internet connection. Peace Matunda  For the second year in a row, I travelled with a fellow co-worker to this small rural village, with 18 student.

Typical Classroom at Peace Matunda School - Techo Free

 

It was so nice to totally disconnect from technology. No RSS feeds to follow, no tweets to be sent, and only reflection through writing occurred. However, the expectation from  parents was that emails be sent on a daily basis to update them on our daily activities and most importantly ensure the safety of their children. B

Before leaving for the trip, I asked all students to leave their technology at home! Embrace the laptop free environment, and enjoy the fresh air! Despite having lots of assignments to complete over their holidays, the kids agreed, and were happy to have some time away from the demands placed on them, and thus the importance of having a computer at their fingertips.

Days were spent working in classrooms, classrooms very different then mine. Blackboards, no electricity, a few books, and teacher directed learning. There was no computers, smart boards, front row, speakers, air con, lights. The computers that have been donated to the school were sitting collecting dust in a cement room. As I pointed out, without electricity, there is no use for computers. Nonetheless, there was learning, and engaged students. 

It was a great experience for our students to see how kids are interested in learning without even the possibility of using technology. It was also great for me as a teacher to watch kids and teachers share ideas using the traditional methods of several years ago. It made me realize that I am living in a technology tunnel, where my life revolves around technology, and using technology. It was a pleasant reminder that life without technology is something that, in my opinion, we need to shut off and take a breath of fresh air.

 

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My Place Planning

Posted on March 3, 2012 | 1 Comment

In year 7 humanities we have unit of inquiry called My Place throughout the passed two years we have used a variety of web 2.o tools, but just as small components. This time, not only is our unit interdisciplinary with English, it is based around web 2.0 tools, which without the unit would not succeed.

My Place Novel Unit Planner – Humanities

As you can see we are using tools like voice thread in order to have an exchange between a country in Sweden. Looking at their lives compared to ours. The students are going to take photos of their houses, and describe them using voice thread, and be able to receive feedback within 12 hours of their initial sharing.

In addition to the activities listed in the unit, we are also going to create a flight stimulation using google earth.(inspired by the video made below)

The kids are going to pick a place in the world they want to go, and using google earth street view they are going to describe the aspects of the city. We will publish these videos to u tube, then our year 7 blog, and then finally share them with another school in that area to see if the kids impression of the city was correct.

 

As our significant concept points out, our connections to place shapes who were are and the choices we have available to us. Instead of the kids just finding out about a city and telling me about it, they are going to pick a place, and explain it to someone from that place, and see if their interpretations are correct. This will provide the kids with a much larger audience.

Since using google earth street they are creating their own representation of something! This unit is what my final project is going to be based around. I did not want one lesson based around technology, but a series of lessons that are linked to unit I am currently teaching. I am looking forward to seeing how it goes!

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Digitally Distracted

Posted on March 3, 2012 | 1 Comment

With the implementation of one to one laptops in my school, the question arose of what do with kids who are distracted by computers. How will they ever pay attention now? They will always be on social networks, and not listening? Where concerns I heard from teachers, and also concerns many would have.

First I will explain my management strategies with laptops, in middle school.

Not always, but often my classes will begin without laptops, in order for the kids to get an idea of what the class objectives are.

Often when explaining a concept the kids will come and sit on the floor, and then return to their seats to use their laptops to show their understanding of what was just explained.

When the students are working on their and I need to get their attention, I will ask the kids to put their tables at “half screen”.

We also have a program at school Dyknow that monitors kids screen, among other digitally savey things, explained in the video.

Some teachers use Dyknow as a way to catch kids messing around on the computer, but I am not sure that was the sole reason the technology was created. However when researching the software the short description of the tool is “DyKnow has been developing and delivering the best classroom management and interactive learning software for teachers around the world..” Notice what is emphasized first.

That is basically it. Rarely have I encountered serious behavior issues with laptops.

However, on the occasion that a student is distracted or playing games on their computer, I talk to them about the situation. Often the discovery is made that they are board in class, and needed a distraction. Now as much as I know the kids probably should have been doing their work; if I am honest with myself, I know that when I have been in a conference, and not interested in the topic of discussion or assignment, I will be doing something on my computer, that does not directly link with the task at hand. Is that bad? Is it really the computers fault that I am day dreaming? Would I still be distracted and board without the computer at the touch of my fingers? Probably.

I really do not think that we should hold computers to blame for distracting kids, we need to think about how to change our teaching or lessons in order to keep the kids engaged in the activity. We also need to recognize that sometimes kids need a break and a short distraction is really no big deal, and is a normal occurrence in a kids life.

I did appreciate some of the tips on the 23 Things with classroom lap tops, but would point out many of these things are important in a classroom with or without computers.

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Flickr @ ASP

Posted on February 24, 2012 | 1 Comment

A conference on technology integration in Bombay India. Again so many different definitions of what 1 to 1 is, and what true technology integration means.

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Reverse Reviewed

Posted on February 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

With my diigio updates via email, I am across this new post blog on the Emerging EdTech Blog regarding reverse instruction. They have presented several ways to get started-programs like slideshare, wikispaces, googledocs.  All programs that we have talked about and are comfortable using.In my opinion you can create a reversed classroom, without having always to use these tools. Other simple ways of creating a reverse classroom is on kids personal blogs or on a school blog. Often in my class I will ask the kids to find out about a topic prior to the class, so they have an understanding of the topic. For example, in my year 7 Humanities class we are inquiring into the unit question “What forces create change?” For homework the kids found out what the Industrial Revolution was and created their own definitions to share the following lesson.  Check out Varun’s idea.

This worked out great, because the reversed instruction method allow for us to have a quick chat about what they found out and then get started with what the objective was for that day: With a group pick one of the following: ancient civilizations(which the kids already had lesson on) the industrial revolution, and the green revolution. They had 30 minutes to look at the resource on our year 7 blog and then explain: “How farming created change in that society” The final product was for them to give a 2 minute presentation to the group on their time period. This task is part of a series of lessons on forces that create change in our world. The final project is going to be for each student to pick a `force`and explain how it has created change in our society, using the Zen presentation method- to both orally present and post on their blogs.

To me, the use of blogs easily creates a reversed classroom, as the kids already have an online platform to share ideas both inside and outside the school. Yes tools like googledocs, scribed and wiki spaces work great, but I am thankful my school has created individual blogs for all of our kids.

I would say that for younger kids, grade 6 to 8, there are very few times that we “lecture them” but often provide interactive learning environments for them to discover the information during class time. I can see putting power points and lecture notes on google doc, but it is rare that I use the death by power point idea in class. As pointed out on the University of Northern Colorado the idea of reversed instruction can work great for older kids, especially in university.

However, there are videos I have found that are easily applied to younger kids, but require a bit of  additional explanation.

I really liked this example of a video made on the ancient civilizations by:

This video is a great introduction to the the idea that ancient civilizations started nearby rivers.


Next year I will use this video prior to teaching my kids and post it on the blog for them to make comments on. Words they do not understand will need to be identified in their comments on the video.

I also liked this prezi on civilizations but would need to edited the language for my 11 and 12 year old kids.

 

 

Another way I have used a flipped classroom is that one every ten days there is a scheduled lesson on global issues. The kids present any topic they,  linked to global issues. Their ideas are posted on our year level blog, where the kids share feedback to the presenter.

I liked the ideas from John Sowash, on the Principles Connected  blog about putting secret words or numbers in the text to ensure the kids read the information, or the accountability the kids need to have showing the notes they took prior to the class beginning. Also his comment that it can a while, after you have developed your lectures for the reversed classroom, to then create new hands on activities for the kids to engaged with the materials they just learned.

A new site that I enjoyed reading and have singed up for  was the vodcasting ning. Hopefully I can get connected to a few of the ideas shared with these educators. Also their real life frustrations and successes with a flipped classroom are great!

I now recognize there are times when I should put quick clip of a video easily view from students blogs, and commented on for homework instead of spending the 20 minutes watching and viewing in in class. My stance on teaching is that it is differentiated, so that the kids have a chance to access the information through a variety of ways, including strategies in a reversed classroom.

 

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Fluent or Literate?

Posted on January 31, 2012 | 2 Comments

Photo on Digital Literacy vs Digital Fluency from Social Lens site

The above photo is from a book called Digital Fluency: Building Success in the Digital Age and  links to what we have been talking about in course four, the practically of integrating technology into your classroom. They define digital fluency as “helping your organization find answers to these
questions, as well as act on them.” Or in teacher terms, helps your kids find answers to the questions they have and have ways to share the solutions they come up with. Do we want our kids to be fluent in using technology, and what exactly does it mean to be fluent in technology.

As a teacher I think that being in fluent in technology means that I should know when to use technology and what tools to use. I think that I am growing more aware of what tools are best suited for certain tasks, but that does not mean that I know all of the tools possibly available  to me,  for a specific assignment.

Does successful technology integration mean that you only use technology when it is the best possible tool for the kids to use?

For me this is dependent on who the teacher is, if a teacher is technology fluent then they would know what tools are best suited for certain tasks. But if they are not comfortable with using technology and do not always use the best tool for the task, should they stop using technology until they figure it out? I would say no!

Many teachers in the world are uncomfortable with using technology on a daily basis in their classroom, and are not sure what tools to use, but this does not mean that they should stop using and learning how technology can benefit them right?

I mean we did not become master readers over the course of a year, and I truly believe that teachers should be life long learners who do make mistakes, but learn from them and admit when they are wrong. The English language as been the same for 100′s of years now. In comparison to technology, it has hardly changed at all.

Google created a cool video to show how much they have changed in the past 50 years and what Digital Literacy means for the “Google Generation”

As the video points out kids, totally rely on the internet to find the answers to their questions in life,  but they do struggle to figure out how to evaluate the information. The reality is it is our job to work with the means at which the kids are receiving information and help them to understand what is being told.

 

So yes, go a head those of you who are frighten by technology, embrace the idea of trying and do not worry about what the experts say is correct implementation of technology in your classroom! Learn from trying, just as you would expect the kids to do. Just keep in mind it is up to you how you define yourself and being digital literate or fluent could mean a number of different things, just as this video stragely suggests.

 

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Integration? What is it? Who decides?

Posted on January 16, 2012 | 2 Comments

Hallow Hills tech integration plan

I have been watching different videos and reading different blogs on tech integration and how people define it. So many different ideas and theories.

Turn off cell phones, and be responsible digital citizens, is a rule for tech integration in from this point of view.


Attitude and motivation are important to have new ways of learning. By some teachers are scared of technology.

The point that technology is the kids motivation and will help kids do well in the information age. Perhaps an ad for SMART technology.


Kids need to be curious, and if they are not learning that they are not having fun. Kids are not born digital natives, they are taught, and inspired. Learning outside school is an important part of created a 21 century learner. Put computers away when they are not the best tool to use.

But my trusted Langwiches blog explains what is like to be a technology integration facilitator  in a post in 2008, four year later, we are still trying to figure it out!

So far my definition of integration is to us technology to engage kids in learning.

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NETs refining or modifying learning?

Posted on January 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

Looking at the NETs standards for schools, I would say that our school is on the right track! We have created our own digital standards and have a place on our unit plan to fill in the digital standards. We have also created a new class this year for year 9 students, once in our ten day cycle. It is for the purpose to help kids develop their NET standards. However I am not sure if the kids know they are developing these specific skills, but I do think that our two teachers are quite aware of them! I also need to find where they are! I also think that some teachers in our school might need to go through this course so they are up to date with the techonolgoy they can use in their classroom.

Within the upcoming weeks we have made a connection with a school in Sweden that we can connect the students to. It is for our My Place unit. I am happy that this activity will help us to work on the NETs standard of: use(s) collaborative electronic authoring tools to explore common curriculum content from multicultural perspectives with other learners. (2,3,4,5) Our kids do use blogs to share their ideas with each other, but I would say that they need to be pushed a bit further to develop this idea.

I would say that the kids in my classes do need more opportunities to develop this standard: “Independently develop and apply strategies for identifying and solving routine hardware and software problems.” (4,6) I do think that with macs it is easier but we are using tablets. Any ideas for how English and Humanities could work to id hardware and software problems?

I also really liked the way that the standards are outlined into the five different “Nets Students” I would suggest that the standard get a bit update from when this site was published in 2007. I would suggest that these publishers use a site like edudemic to show people more clearly what web tools they can use in order to help kids achieve these standards!

 

Since I missed the in class first part of course 4, I really liked that I could listen Coetail media to what other people who were not in our cohort had to say. It was amazing to hear how different the access is to use of everyday computers. I agree that without one to one laptops like we have, it would be hard to achieve these standards. Our kids are given computers even before they are good typists. Perhaps on the model that they are problem solving and “select and use the appropriate tools and digital resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and to solve problems. (3,4,6)” or is that a stretch? The tool being their keyboard, the task being able to type?

Interesting how this video explains how they are redefining student learning communities, but it seems like they have taken their “new ideas” and wrote them all down and tapped them, yes did upload them to utube, but is this really redefining? I would say modification of how to share a point with a large group.

Many of the NETs expectations can be used as technology modification , but they can also redefine how the kids learn and which community they access.  I am excited to redefine some of the ways that I am teaching my kids, because I know that I use modification every day in my class. But I would say that technology can be integrated without redefining everything!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Think Different

Posted on January 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

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