My Aha's!
Prior to this class I was scared of not knowing how to utilize technology in the classroom. I felt I was a fairly computer literate person, but had no clue how to incorporate that into a classroom or which programs could be used for educational purposes other than typing up notes, quizzes, and tests.
After completing this class I feel much more comfortable. In no way do I think I am an expert after one short class, but the fear has greatly diminished and I feel like I have a good head start.
I see the purpose of blogs, but feel that personally I will probably accomplish the same results by utilizing a regularly updated website. The ideas behind a blog will be very helpful though. Such as providing the assignment in case a student loses it and having a summary of the class for parents to follow along and actively engage their children in conversations about school.
I like developing an educational philosophy. Prior to this class my opinions on teaching and students was a fairly jumbled mess in my head. Now my thoughts and opinions are organized and written down for myself and others to see. I hope to continue updating my philosophy as my experiences grow and my opinions develop.
Overall I was very happy with the class, what I feel I gained from the class, and how I feel I developed as a future teacher due to the class. :D
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
My Blog My Vision 4/24
Throughout the textbook Romano has showed us his great vision for education and his ultimate goal of technology dependent curriculum. In these last three chapters he discusses several potential problems with the implementation of this curriculum as well as ways he thinks we can overcome these problems and an intermediate he called the technology enhanced curriculum.
What stands out to me the most is his discussion about standardized curriculum. How is it that something fairly standard in most other major countries is so foreign and terrifying for our educational system? Is it really that terrible to expect students to learn certain materials in a specific grade? Do our teachers not already do this in an informal aspect? I know my teachers always have. Nothing was set in stone, but they usually expected you to have learned certain things the previous year. More than likely they interact with the other teachers and know what you should have learned, but in my mind this is the start of standardization. If teachers can communicate within a school and know what is expected from year to year is it really that horrible and scary for them to group together among a school district, county, state, or even country? We are seeing a start with this with the current state testing systems, but as one of my classmates pointed out in her blog its difficult for the teachers when students transfer from a different state just before the big test. How can that student be expected to do well and is it fair that that students scores (which may or may not be good) are counted in the school's performance numbers?
Is Romano realistic in his ideas? I believe so. No one can argue that things change. There is no stopping change, it happens every day around us in nature and culture and schools, etc. The key thing I looked at when deciding if his ideals are realistic was time line and implementation. First, Romano talks about an intermediate plan of technology enhanced. He understands that most changes must happen in small increments. The other main point for me was that he does not place a time limit on how quickly he believes this will happen. I guess my point is that it will happen we just do not know when. It may be in our lifetime it may not, but I do believe eventually we will be a technology dependent education system.
What stands out to me the most is his discussion about standardized curriculum. How is it that something fairly standard in most other major countries is so foreign and terrifying for our educational system? Is it really that terrible to expect students to learn certain materials in a specific grade? Do our teachers not already do this in an informal aspect? I know my teachers always have. Nothing was set in stone, but they usually expected you to have learned certain things the previous year. More than likely they interact with the other teachers and know what you should have learned, but in my mind this is the start of standardization. If teachers can communicate within a school and know what is expected from year to year is it really that horrible and scary for them to group together among a school district, county, state, or even country? We are seeing a start with this with the current state testing systems, but as one of my classmates pointed out in her blog its difficult for the teachers when students transfer from a different state just before the big test. How can that student be expected to do well and is it fair that that students scores (which may or may not be good) are counted in the school's performance numbers?
Is Romano realistic in his ideas? I believe so. No one can argue that things change. There is no stopping change, it happens every day around us in nature and culture and schools, etc. The key thing I looked at when deciding if his ideals are realistic was time line and implementation. First, Romano talks about an intermediate plan of technology enhanced. He understands that most changes must happen in small increments. The other main point for me was that he does not place a time limit on how quickly he believes this will happen. I guess my point is that it will happen we just do not know when. It may be in our lifetime it may not, but I do believe eventually we will be a technology dependent education system.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
My Blog My Vision 4/17 (cont)
I forgot to comment on Second Life. Sadly my pc wont run second life. It keeps crashing after logon which according to their help section seems to mean I do not have a good enough graphics card. I will attempt to get online at school tuesday morning as this will be my first chance at a different pc.
From reading the website and listening to Dr. W. and Kai in class it does seem to be a very powerful learning tool. Maybe I can explore it myself this week :)
From reading the website and listening to Dr. W. and Kai in class it does seem to be a very powerful learning tool. Maybe I can explore it myself this week :)
My Blog My Vision 4/17
It is intriguing to me that high schoolers can do good in online classes when we have discussed many of ourselves not doing well in college online classes. I believe the difference between our failings and their successes brings up the topic again of quality.
From November's chapter is seems clear that the teachers in these online high schools know what they are doing and are really trying to make these classes quality learning experiences. I agree that these classes are not for everyone and that students should not take a full load online. We all know that not all students learn in the same way, hence it makes sense that not all students are well suited for online learning just as not all students are not suited for classroom learning. Despite saying such, the importance of face to face interactions should not be overlooked. Children need to learn how to interact with other kids in order to function well in life later on.
Overall I believe online learning is another great tool in our teaching toolbox, but do not believe that it should ever become our only tool.
From November's chapter is seems clear that the teachers in these online high schools know what they are doing and are really trying to make these classes quality learning experiences. I agree that these classes are not for everyone and that students should not take a full load online. We all know that not all students learn in the same way, hence it makes sense that not all students are well suited for online learning just as not all students are not suited for classroom learning. Despite saying such, the importance of face to face interactions should not be overlooked. Children need to learn how to interact with other kids in order to function well in life later on.
Overall I believe online learning is another great tool in our teaching toolbox, but do not believe that it should ever become our only tool.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
My Blog My Vision 4/10
I think primary sources can fit easily into a biology classroom. Students can learn about how and when different aspects of science were developed from the primary sources rather than a boring textbook that only lists off names and dates. Engaging the students with primary sources is shown in the sample stories to result in more animated education.
As more and more primary sources are available electronically this resource easily fits into my educational technology philosophy as another great "technology" driven resource.
As more and more primary sources are available electronically this resource easily fits into my educational technology philosophy as another great "technology" driven resource.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Please read-shes one of our own
Hey guys,
One of our fellow students needs our help. She is a masters student in the biology dept here at TAMU-C.
Sheree has been providing a safe home for her one lion for 17 yrs ever since he was 10weeks old with a broken leg. Recently the county has changed rules regarding registration of exotic animals and now due to the sheriff dept's errors she is not in compliance and is fighting to keep her big cat. Please read the article. If you feel inclined to lend your support you can email the journalist or contact Sheree (www.roselanekennel.com) or the sheriff's dept.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/ellis/stories/DN-kauflion_08eas.ART0.North.Edition1.442b1e2.html
One of our fellow students needs our help. She is a masters student in the biology dept here at TAMU-C.
Sheree has been providing a safe home for her one lion for 17 yrs ever since he was 10weeks old with a broken leg. Recently the county has changed rules regarding registration of exotic animals and now due to the sheriff dept's errors she is not in compliance and is fighting to keep her big cat. Please read the article. If you feel inclined to lend your support you can email the journalist or contact Sheree (www.roselanekennel.com) or the sheriff's dept.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/ellis/stories/DN-kauflion_08eas.ART0.North.Edition1.442b1e2.html
My Blog My Vision 4/3 Part2
Perceptions
1. The mind coupled with a computer infinitely amplifies its capacity to perform the basic cognitive functions. Yet, there is no configuration of microchips that replicates the intricate, vital interface between mind and emotions-a basic limitation of computers.
Very simply this perception to me means that computers have their limitations. I think everyone agrees that they have limitations, however with proper use they can be very beneficial. To me this perception is a warning to not become overly dependent and obsessed with only using computers for teaching.
2. Computer technology has been adapted to amplify the capacity of professionals in virtually every aspect of society-with the exception of the teacher. Rationalizing this reality becomes increasingly difficult, since teaching and learning is an information-intensive process.
Technology is everywhere and the younger generations are very attuned to this technology to a level that it is almost a staple in their lives. It is sad that the one aspect of society that is lacking in computer technology is the classroom. I think as the percentage of teachers who are computer literate increases we will see the integration of technology in classroom that has begun to be expected.
3. There is a generalized intuitive feeling that computers should have a vital role in teaching and learning. What is lacking is a sharply focused definition of that role and a strategy for integrating computers into education alongside books and chalkboards-in a mode that secures the teacher's central role.
I believe everyone agrees that computers should have a major role, but no one seems to know how to make it that way and how to balance traditional learning and technology. Some teachers have found a method that works for them, but most are lost and fearful and confused. The reason I am taking this class is to hopefully transition from lost and confused into understanding.
4. Interactive multimedia, stored and retrieved by computer, represents a linkage, or convergence, of print literacy, video literacy, and computer literacy. Its growing importance in contemporary society suggest it be identified by the term the new literacy. Its full potential in the classroom is significant and still to be realized.
The evidence is everywhere to suggest computer multimedia is the new thing. Newspapers published online, journals and journal databases online, even CNN online. Even back issues at your fingertips in case a friend told you about a story you missed. Sadly we point out yet again that it hasn't reached its full potential in the classroom yet.
5. There is ample evidence that after more than a quarter century of high expectations, dedicated effort, and substantial expenditures, computers have failed to improve what happens in the classroom. Additionally, it appears there has been no serious attempt to analyze and thereby learn from this failure.
The part of this perception that grabs me the most is the failure to analyze the failure. Are we not taught from a young age to "learn from our mistakes." Why then has there not been a great effort to see where we went wrong in regards to computers in the classrooms and fix it? Almost everyone sees and understands they haven't been the huge success they were predicted to be, but no one seems to want to look back and understand why.
6. The fundamental role of computers in the classroom is to extend the capacity of teachers to provide individualized tutoring to learners, thus compensating for the disparity in each individuals capacity to achieve.
Computers are one more tool in a teacher's tool belt to ensure all students are presented with a method of teaching that caters to their learning style and thus accelerates their learning.
1. The mind coupled with a computer infinitely amplifies its capacity to perform the basic cognitive functions. Yet, there is no configuration of microchips that replicates the intricate, vital interface between mind and emotions-a basic limitation of computers.
Very simply this perception to me means that computers have their limitations. I think everyone agrees that they have limitations, however with proper use they can be very beneficial. To me this perception is a warning to not become overly dependent and obsessed with only using computers for teaching.
2. Computer technology has been adapted to amplify the capacity of professionals in virtually every aspect of society-with the exception of the teacher. Rationalizing this reality becomes increasingly difficult, since teaching and learning is an information-intensive process.
Technology is everywhere and the younger generations are very attuned to this technology to a level that it is almost a staple in their lives. It is sad that the one aspect of society that is lacking in computer technology is the classroom. I think as the percentage of teachers who are computer literate increases we will see the integration of technology in classroom that has begun to be expected.
3. There is a generalized intuitive feeling that computers should have a vital role in teaching and learning. What is lacking is a sharply focused definition of that role and a strategy for integrating computers into education alongside books and chalkboards-in a mode that secures the teacher's central role.
I believe everyone agrees that computers should have a major role, but no one seems to know how to make it that way and how to balance traditional learning and technology. Some teachers have found a method that works for them, but most are lost and fearful and confused. The reason I am taking this class is to hopefully transition from lost and confused into understanding.
4. Interactive multimedia, stored and retrieved by computer, represents a linkage, or convergence, of print literacy, video literacy, and computer literacy. Its growing importance in contemporary society suggest it be identified by the term the new literacy. Its full potential in the classroom is significant and still to be realized.
The evidence is everywhere to suggest computer multimedia is the new thing. Newspapers published online, journals and journal databases online, even CNN online. Even back issues at your fingertips in case a friend told you about a story you missed. Sadly we point out yet again that it hasn't reached its full potential in the classroom yet.
5. There is ample evidence that after more than a quarter century of high expectations, dedicated effort, and substantial expenditures, computers have failed to improve what happens in the classroom. Additionally, it appears there has been no serious attempt to analyze and thereby learn from this failure.
The part of this perception that grabs me the most is the failure to analyze the failure. Are we not taught from a young age to "learn from our mistakes." Why then has there not been a great effort to see where we went wrong in regards to computers in the classrooms and fix it? Almost everyone sees and understands they haven't been the huge success they were predicted to be, but no one seems to want to look back and understand why.
6. The fundamental role of computers in the classroom is to extend the capacity of teachers to provide individualized tutoring to learners, thus compensating for the disparity in each individuals capacity to achieve.
Computers are one more tool in a teacher's tool belt to ensure all students are presented with a method of teaching that caters to their learning style and thus accelerates their learning.
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