Watch the full episode. See more Digital Media - New Learners Of The 21st Century.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Are you FOR or AGAINST Digital Learning?
View the following video from PBS and you decide...Are you for or against this type of teaching and learning?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Online Staff Development Module
Staff development can take on many different characteristics and can be held in a multitude of settings but why not do staff development online?
Advantages to online staff development:
*Staff can pace themselves and complete when needed and available
*The module and materials can be accessed from many locations
*Module can be accessed for a period of time rather than one specific time
*Module can be easily updated
*Statistics and reports can be done online instantly
*Staff can view the module multiple times and review material when needed
I created an online staff development module for my colleagues here at West Stanly High School. I have found that very few teachers know about and/or use Web 2.0 tools so I decided to introduce them to blogs, prezi presentations, and wordles. I created this module using Blogger; there are specific pages dedicated to each of the web tools and a page for summary and assessment. The quiz included in the module was created using ProProfs.
WSHS Staff Development: Web 2.0 Tools
Advantages to online staff development:
*Staff can pace themselves and complete when needed and available
*The module and materials can be accessed from many locations
*Module can be accessed for a period of time rather than one specific time
*Module can be easily updated
*Statistics and reports can be done online instantly
*Staff can view the module multiple times and review material when needed
I created an online staff development module for my colleagues here at West Stanly High School. I have found that very few teachers know about and/or use Web 2.0 tools so I decided to introduce them to blogs, prezi presentations, and wordles. I created this module using Blogger; there are specific pages dedicated to each of the web tools and a page for summary and assessment. The quiz included in the module was created using ProProfs.
WSHS Staff Development: Web 2.0 Tools
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Research Models
Research models for instructional technology and education are vital to the success of learning new things; they guide our research by helping us frame our questions and build a foundation of knowledge to support the research topic. Research is important in technology and education because new devices and methods to support their integration require much research and analysis. Three popular models are listed below:
The Big 6
I Search
DIF Model
The Big 6
I Search
DIF Model
Friday, April 1, 2011
Peer Teaching
Peer teaching is a method for small group learning and peer teaching. It is designed for older students but could easily be adapted to use for younger students.
For an assignment in EDTC6070, our small group chose among the roles of "predictor, summarizer, clarifier, and questioner." Each person was responsbile for completing their role in an appropriate manner while the entire group benefited from the process. In this particular assignment, I was a summarizer. The summary I posted to our discussion board is given below. This type of learning strategy definitely supports online learning experiences through Blackboard, google docs, Wiki and others.
*Note: This particular article provides insight on "digital literacy"
Summary: “Writing in the Digital Age” by Guy Merchant
The purpose of the paper was to examine the meaning of digital literacy and how this term and its meaning are different from traditional “literacy.” The author also gives suggestions on how to promote digital literacy in education.
The work of Lankshear and Knobel (2003) has provided a foundation for identifying the new literacies and gives us a new take on literacy and what it means to education: “changing was of producing, exchanging, and receiving text by electronic means” certainly plays a role in digital communication and literacy.
Leu (2000) points out that digital communication leads to major shifts in the way literacy is used; new methods, new teaching, and new pedagogies will be required.
Harris (2000) suggests that new technology blurs the lines which treat iconic symbols as non words. The author also argues though that it is still important to place written representation at the heart of any definition of digital literacy; one key characteristic of digital literacy is the way in which it readily combines with other modes of communication.
The author points out that because digital literacy involves different ways of producing and distributing text, it creates new possibilities of how we might operate in and construct the educational environment. Synchronous and Asynchronous types of communication need to be considered: one to one, one-to many, and many-to-many types of communication. This would include email, text messaging, blogging, web-pages, wikis, discussion boards, photo-sharing and others. In the educational setting, teachers must also consider other factors that must be addressed: social issues, power relationships, and prejudices. One new issue that is also arising due to digital literacy is the way writing is incorporated in learning. New teaching strategies “may well provide us with templates for a new interactive literacy that reaches well beyond the classroom walls.” The future of writing is closely related to the future of digital technology and therefore, literacy. There are current trends or tendencies that are emerging: convergence, portability, pervasiveness, and transparency. These trends suggest that the devices we use to communicate will take on new forms and incorporate new functions.
To support literacy and its pedagogy, teachers should:
*Provide sustained use of new technology in all curricula for all age groups
*Develop classroom approaches to literacy that support writing/written representation
*Rethink ways to incorporate the role of technology in early writing for young students
*Provide a wide range of online experiences
*Develop models and approaches for critical digital literacy
*Use alternative approaches to new technology in teaching literacy
*Develop case studies for the use of social software and virtual worlds in the classroom context
*Evaluate and rethink how writing as a curriculum is taught, developed, and assessed
These suggested strategies will help bridge the gap between real-world uses of technology and ICT in the classroom (Burnett et. Al., 2006). This will help students to play an active and critical role in the digital future.
For an assignment in EDTC6070, our small group chose among the roles of "predictor, summarizer, clarifier, and questioner." Each person was responsbile for completing their role in an appropriate manner while the entire group benefited from the process. In this particular assignment, I was a summarizer. The summary I posted to our discussion board is given below. This type of learning strategy definitely supports online learning experiences through Blackboard, google docs, Wiki and others.
*Note: This particular article provides insight on "digital literacy"
Summary: “Writing in the Digital Age” by Guy Merchant
The purpose of the paper was to examine the meaning of digital literacy and how this term and its meaning are different from traditional “literacy.” The author also gives suggestions on how to promote digital literacy in education.
The work of Lankshear and Knobel (2003) has provided a foundation for identifying the new literacies and gives us a new take on literacy and what it means to education: “changing was of producing, exchanging, and receiving text by electronic means” certainly plays a role in digital communication and literacy.
Leu (2000) points out that digital communication leads to major shifts in the way literacy is used; new methods, new teaching, and new pedagogies will be required.
Harris (2000) suggests that new technology blurs the lines which treat iconic symbols as non words. The author also argues though that it is still important to place written representation at the heart of any definition of digital literacy; one key characteristic of digital literacy is the way in which it readily combines with other modes of communication.
The author points out that because digital literacy involves different ways of producing and distributing text, it creates new possibilities of how we might operate in and construct the educational environment. Synchronous and Asynchronous types of communication need to be considered: one to one, one-to many, and many-to-many types of communication. This would include email, text messaging, blogging, web-pages, wikis, discussion boards, photo-sharing and others. In the educational setting, teachers must also consider other factors that must be addressed: social issues, power relationships, and prejudices. One new issue that is also arising due to digital literacy is the way writing is incorporated in learning. New teaching strategies “may well provide us with templates for a new interactive literacy that reaches well beyond the classroom walls.” The future of writing is closely related to the future of digital technology and therefore, literacy. There are current trends or tendencies that are emerging: convergence, portability, pervasiveness, and transparency. These trends suggest that the devices we use to communicate will take on new forms and incorporate new functions.
To support literacy and its pedagogy, teachers should:
*Provide sustained use of new technology in all curricula for all age groups
*Develop classroom approaches to literacy that support writing/written representation
*Rethink ways to incorporate the role of technology in early writing for young students
*Provide a wide range of online experiences
*Develop models and approaches for critical digital literacy
*Use alternative approaches to new technology in teaching literacy
*Develop case studies for the use of social software and virtual worlds in the classroom context
*Evaluate and rethink how writing as a curriculum is taught, developed, and assessed
These suggested strategies will help bridge the gap between real-world uses of technology and ICT in the classroom (Burnett et. Al., 2006). This will help students to play an active and critical role in the digital future.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Presentation Software
Prezi is just one of many types of presentation software that can be used in a multitude of settings. I have used Prezi a few times but this is the first full presentation that I have completed. I would used discussion and higher-order, guided questions to direct students' learning while using this Prezi. This is an example of how Prezi is good for introducting or reviewing a concept such as triangles.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Social Networking
Social networking is an excellent way to share information among people and get connected around the world. Facebook is just one example of a social networking platform.
Benefits using Social Networking in Schools:Students are comfortable with Facebook
Inviting atmosphere
Shared place to provide ownership to everyone
Promotes collaboration
Keeps students engaged in learning/school outside of the school day
Disadvantages of using Social Networking in schools:
Security
Responsibility of an outside link to the classroom
Bullying/Using appropriate language
Privacy Settings
Friends added to group
OnlineCollege.org offers this list of 100 ways that Teachers Should be Using Facebook in the classroom! What an excellent resource!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
My Own Digital Video
I created this video to be used in a high school physics class. Students would be familiar with general terms mentioned in the video but this could serve as an introduction to a more detailed study of mechanics. I took this videos myself and I see a strong connection between mechanics and physics; that is exactly what I want my students to get out of this video. I used PowerPoint slides saved as pictures and the videos I already had to create this is MovieMaker. This is only the second time I have used MovieMaker and I really like it! It is easy to use! I can see endless benefits to using a program like this in the classroom. Students could easily do digital narratives or any activity and upload thier videos to a class blog. I love this idea!
Audio by Collective Soul "Heavy"
I also uploaded this video to YouTube. You can view it here.
Audio by Collective Soul "Heavy"
I also uploaded this video to YouTube. You can view it here.
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