I created a powerpoint presentation that demonstrated knowledge of the 2007 ISTE NETS-S and the performance indicators (for Technologically Literate students) for the 6th through 8th grades. My presentation incorporates digital tools to promote learning and effectively comunticates information to students.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Journal Five: Let the Kids do the Work
Lindsay, J. (2010). Let the Kids do the Work. Leading and Learning with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from Bull, G. (2010). Finding students who learnd with media. Leading and Learning with Technology, 37(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D
In the article, "Let the Kids do the Work, the author explains how her students responded so well to an online assignment that they were the ones doing the teaching. After attending an educational conference the author was inspired and determined to incorporate technology into her classroom. She asked her students to read a poem on wiki and answer an essay question. She then requested them to respond to at least one other students essay. The students responded so favorably she decided to more online assignments.
Many students in this teachers classroom were reluctant to participate in class discussions. However, on line they were able to find their voices and express themselves. The teacher quickly realized many of her students possessed technical skills that exceed her own. She recruited several of them to up date her wiki page.
What gave this teacher the motivation to start using technology in her classroom?
After attending numerous workshops the teacher felt she needed to at least try and use something she learned in one of her classes. This one assignment opened the door for her and her students.
Is it bad when the students know more than the teacher?
This teacher was secure enough to admit to her students she was not an expert with the technology they were using. Rather than mock their teacher, they embraced the idea of helping her learn and improve her lessons.
In the article, "Let the Kids do the Work, the author explains how her students responded so well to an online assignment that they were the ones doing the teaching. After attending an educational conference the author was inspired and determined to incorporate technology into her classroom. She asked her students to read a poem on wiki and answer an essay question. She then requested them to respond to at least one other students essay. The students responded so favorably she decided to more online assignments.
Many students in this teachers classroom were reluctant to participate in class discussions. However, on line they were able to find their voices and express themselves. The teacher quickly realized many of her students possessed technical skills that exceed her own. She recruited several of them to up date her wiki page.
What gave this teacher the motivation to start using technology in her classroom?
After attending numerous workshops the teacher felt she needed to at least try and use something she learned in one of her classes. This one assignment opened the door for her and her students.
Is it bad when the students know more than the teacher?
This teacher was secure enough to admit to her students she was not an expert with the technology they were using. Rather than mock their teacher, they embraced the idea of helping her learn and improve her lessons.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Social Bookmarking Journal, Delicious.com NETS - 3, 4
I joined the social bookmarking site www.delicious.com. I tagged numerous accounts and added them to my account. I viewed eight sites and commented on them below. I added these tags to my blog so my colleagues can see the sites I am reviewing.
1. I reviewed the Bill of Rights exhibit on the national Archives web site and feel it would be an excellent addition to any lesson on American Government. The exhibit discussed the history of the constitution and the bill of rights. The exhibit also had transcripts of the first ten amendments and the image of the actual document. The use of primary sources in the classroom can be a tremendous value to the students. Having access to original documents and materials can give students a better view of history and help make the lesson more interesting.
2. I selected the following are three of the areas from the "Becoming a Culturally Competent Educator" article on the NEA website because I felt they were a good fit for my teaching style.
Engage school staff in discussions and activities that offer an opportunity to explore attitudes, beliefs, and values related to cultural diversity and cultural competence.
I feel it is critical for all educators and administrators to be aware of the cultural attitudes of students and teachers alike. Having group discussions and exploring each others beliefs, thoughts and attitudes is very helpful and a great start to cultural competence. I feel very comfortable initiating and participating in these kinds of discussions.
Identify and include budgetary expenditures each fiscal year to facilitate personnel development through their participation in conferences, workshops, and seminars on cultural competence.
Educators must continually work at their cultural competence. By attending workshops, seminars and conferences they can learn from other teachers and interact with people with different cultures and attitudes. I believe in coming together as a community and learning form one another.
Network with other schools that are developing and implementing culturally competent systems. Adapt the processes and information that are consistent with your school's needs and interests.
Collaborating with other schools that have succeeded in developing strong programs for cultural diversity and competence can be very beneficial. Even if a school has a great program already, it is very possible they can pick up great ideas to enhance what they are already doing. Sharing ideas and programs with other schools only makes everyone better.
3. I took the test for high school grades and received a zero score. I am not classified as a cyber bully but I have known people that would score high if they took the test. Schools have little authority to stop kids from cyberbullying if it occurs off campus on a students private time is hard for the school. Schools leave themselves open to lawsuits if they try and take disciplinary action. But they can be effect working with the parents to stop cyberbulling. Schools can also make a difference by educating all students on cyberethics and the law. Another action schools can take it to add provisions to the school's acceptable use policy reserving the right to discipline the student for actions taken off-campus if they are intended to have an effect on a student or they adversely affect the safety and well-being of student while in school.
8. I scored 10 out of 10 on the quiz. The information on the test was very basic but extremely important to know. Students need to know how to communicate and interact on the internet. If they are unaware of proper etiquette they will be constantly be annoying others. Just like interacting in person, students have to know how to be sensitive to others and practice good manners. Developing and maintaining relationships is just as important on-line. Netetiquette needs to be taught at an early age.
:^D
1. I reviewed the Bill of Rights exhibit on the national Archives web site and feel it would be an excellent addition to any lesson on American Government. The exhibit discussed the history of the constitution and the bill of rights. The exhibit also had transcripts of the first ten amendments and the image of the actual document. The use of primary sources in the classroom can be a tremendous value to the students. Having access to original documents and materials can give students a better view of history and help make the lesson more interesting.
2. I selected the following are three of the areas from the "Becoming a Culturally Competent Educator" article on the NEA website because I felt they were a good fit for my teaching style.
Engage school staff in discussions and activities that offer an opportunity to explore attitudes, beliefs, and values related to cultural diversity and cultural competence.
I feel it is critical for all educators and administrators to be aware of the cultural attitudes of students and teachers alike. Having group discussions and exploring each others beliefs, thoughts and attitudes is very helpful and a great start to cultural competence. I feel very comfortable initiating and participating in these kinds of discussions.
Identify and include budgetary expenditures each fiscal year to facilitate personnel development through their participation in conferences, workshops, and seminars on cultural competence.
Educators must continually work at their cultural competence. By attending workshops, seminars and conferences they can learn from other teachers and interact with people with different cultures and attitudes. I believe in coming together as a community and learning form one another.
Network with other schools that are developing and implementing culturally competent systems. Adapt the processes and information that are consistent with your school's needs and interests.
Collaborating with other schools that have succeeded in developing strong programs for cultural diversity and competence can be very beneficial. Even if a school has a great program already, it is very possible they can pick up great ideas to enhance what they are already doing. Sharing ideas and programs with other schools only makes everyone better.
3. I took the test for high school grades and received a zero score. I am not classified as a cyber bully but I have known people that would score high if they took the test. Schools have little authority to stop kids from cyberbullying if it occurs off campus on a students private time is hard for the school. Schools leave themselves open to lawsuits if they try and take disciplinary action. But they can be effect working with the parents to stop cyberbulling. Schools can also make a difference by educating all students on cyberethics and the law. Another action schools can take it to add provisions to the school's acceptable use policy reserving the right to discipline the student for actions taken off-campus if they are intended to have an effect on a student or they adversely affect the safety and well-being of student while in school.
4, Algebra LAB is an online learning environment that helps high school students focus on topics and skills from mathematics classes that are needed in their introductory science courses. It has often been said mathematics is the language of science. Students that have not mastered basic algebra skills have difficulty solving science problems because they can't recognize when particular mathematics procedures are applicable. AlgebraLABs work on building the connections between science and the basic mathematics required. These labs utilize lessons on topic/skill combination, practice pages for each topic/skill combination word-problem mini-lessons, and interpretations of science graphs that integrate reading and math skills and hands-on science activities to support the use of mathematics in science occupations.
As an educator I would try and incorporate tools like Algebra LABs as much as possible to enhance my lessons. I think it is important to incorporate science material as well as other materials that bring real life applications to math classes. Many students find math difficult and boring. They do not realize how math plays a key role in our every day lives.Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators offers many tools for teachers. One tool that I would use my classrooms is the guide to WebQuest. On her web site there are links to sites that help the teacher develop WebQuests as well as other learning activities. One site by Bernie Dodge and Tom March offers a a huge selection of WebQuest links and materials in addition to articles that let the teacher stay up on the latest thinking about WebQuests and Working the Web for Education.
5. After taking the multiple intelligence test I scored an 88% logical-mathematical, a 69% on intrapersonal and a 56% on interpersonal.
I was impressed and a little surprised at the results Smartville had with such a different teaching style. The more I thought about the Multiple Intelligences (MI)and how kids learn in different ways it seemed much more logical. Offering students a menu of activities to perform not only empowers them but also increases the chances the lesson will be taught in a way they can understand and process. I would like to see more schools embrace MI and start educating their faculty staff so they can tailor their lessons to their students strengths.6. I chose a lesson geared for grades 9 through 12 from the subject of math and technology. The lesson I picked was called Wealth Matters. It looks at the causes and meaning of poverty in our own nation and offers students tools for change, and new ways to interpret the world around them. Students will learn about income distribution in a market economy, prepare and follow a budget, will engage in problem solving and do reflective writing. They will also learn to how finances affect access to education, health care and other factors. I would introduce this lesson to my students and have them divide into small groups. I would assign the groups different family profiles. Each group would be responsible for meeting the family's basic needs, providing education for the children, health care, entertainment, etc. After they mastered the skill of maintaining a budget they would be given an unexpected change which would require them to make financial adjustments and redo their budget.
http://www.tolerance.org/activity/wealth-matters7. I too the Multicultural Education and Equity Awareness Quiz and recieved a score of 3 out of 15. I was pretty supprised by how low my score was. I was also shocked by the answers when I went back and reread the questions. I was surprised that coming from a privilidged back ground could add as much as 160 points on the SAT score. Affirmitive action is constantly in the news and constantly challenged. Yet, I never hear or read about the legacy advantage that many from weathly backgrounds recieve. It is obviously not fair. But what can be done about it? How can the playing field be leveled for all students who are striving to get into good colleges. I was also shocked to see there are over 2,600,000 millionares in this country. That is almost one out of every 100 men, women and children in this country. Considering the average annual income in this country is around $40,000, it makes me wonder if there is a growing gap between the rich and poor.
8. I scored 10 out of 10 on the quiz. The information on the test was very basic but extremely important to know. Students need to know how to communicate and interact on the internet. If they are unaware of proper etiquette they will be constantly be annoying others. Just like interacting in person, students have to know how to be sensitive to others and practice good manners. Developing and maintaining relationships is just as important on-line. Netetiquette needs to be taught at an early age.
:^D
Journal Three: Navigate the Digital Rapids
Lindsay, J. (2010). Navigate the digital rapids. Leading and Learning with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from Bull, G. (2010). Finding students who learnd with media. Leading and Learning with Technology, 37(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D
The article “Navigate the Digital Rapids”, by Lindsay and Davis discusses what it means to be a digital teacher and offers advice for teachers as they try to incorporate this new technology. Digital teachers need to encourage students to engage in global collaborative environments and teach them about digital citizenship. Teachers need to overcome the fear of global collaborative environments and emphasize student-centered learning in an attempt to create interesting and engaging learning projects.
The article suggest allowing students to customize their tools such as mobile technology and learning environments will help them stay engaged and lead to richer learning. The first step for teachers is become connected and start using the technology for their own personal professional learning networks. An educational network is a group of people coming together to share experiences and learn. Using the technology to develop a social network to connect with friends and family is not the same.
Teachers must coach students about being responsible and sensitive while engaging in global collaborative environments. They also must moderate all online networking sites for membership and content. When inappropriate or offensive material is discovered it needs to be removed and the teacher decides what actions, if any, need to be taken.
At what age should teachers begin education students on digital citizenship?
Students are ready to learn about digital citizenship as soon as they start using digital tools for communication, collaboration and educational networking.
Is this kind of education safe for students?
While it is true there are risks associated with the internet, it is better that students are educated and the dangers and risks, rather than have them avoid the internet all together.
Journal Four: Playing with Skype
Weller, T. (2010). Playing with skype. Leading and Learning with Technology, 36(7), Retrieved from Lindsay, J. (2010). Navigate the digital rapids. Leading and Learning with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from Bull, G. (2010). Finding students who learnd with media. Leading and Learning with Technology, 37(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D
Logistics makes it very difficult for composures of school band music to interact with the students that actually play the music and the audience that hears that music. With the help of technology, that bridge can be crossed. Using Skype a composer in
The equipment needed to such interaction is minimal. An internet connection, computer, microphones, a data projector and some adapters are all it takes to hook up Skype. Composers could also be connected to the students in the band during concerts as well. While appearing live via Skype composers can make the introduction for their pieces or have an interactive discussion with the students and audience prior to the band playing.
Skype is very user friendly and allows teaches to connect with experts in their field and invite them into their classroom. This obviously has significant benefits for the students.
Does it cost to use Skype?
There is a free version of Skype that can be used from the www.skype.com web site. It just takes a few steps to signup and a few minutes to install the software and then you are ready to go.
Why isn’t this technology being used more by teachers?
Many teachers are either unaware of the benefits of this technology or are afraid to use it. With time more and more teachers will become more comfortable with the technology that is at their finger tips.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Journal Two: Finding Students Who Learned with Media
Bull, G. (2010). Finding Students Who Learned With Media. Leading and Learning with Technology, 37(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D
Primary Access MovieMaker is an online tool that allows students to create a short online documentary film by adding primary source images, audio narration and text. Tools like this can greatly enhance student engagement and learning. The
Students that used the Primary Access software spent considerably more time on the storyboard task compared to students who wrote essays. The student activities from the web based tools were compared to the classroom assessment scoring system and four profiles were noted; students that were engaged with high technology/ high content, students engaged with high technology / low content, students engaged with low technology/ high content, students engaged with low technology/ low content.
What effect does adding media to the learning process have on the students?
Students that were engaged in both the content and the media making demonstrated greater higher order thinking and creativity in their work.
Is this approach suited for every student?
Some students were not engaged my adding media to the glass and would have preferred a more traditional assignment like writhing an essay. Teachers will need to assign instruction and tasks that best meet the students’ needs.
Journal One: The Beginners Guide
Zanetis, Jan. (2010). The Beginners guide to interactive virtual field trips. Leading and Learning with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25443&DirectListComboInd=D
In the article "The Beginners Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips" the author points out how field trips can be used as a break from the day to day classroom activities and offer real world experiences relating to the curriculum being taught. Unfortunately, even local field trips are rarely used do to escalating travel costs. Virtual field trips (VFTs) can offer the same benefits as traditional field trips but without the costs. They utilize the Internet to bring students closer to remote locations and experts in many different areas. There are two kinds of VFTs; asynchronous and interactive synchronous.
Asynchronous are not delivered in real time. They include text, audio or video resources about specific topics and content. Because they are not in real time the quality and educational value can vary. Interactive VFTs take place take place "live", where students in one location learn form instructors from a different location. This kind kind of VFT requires video conferencing equipment that many schools already have.
VFTs give teachers the chance to expose their students to a world beyond their school limits. Students are allowed to interact with curators, wildlife naturalists, scientists, historians and other students from around the globe. VFTs also make learning the material more interesting and enjoyable.
What grade levels are VFTs geared towards?
VFTs are targeted to the students area and grades so they can be used K-12. There are VFT aggregator sites that have VFT programs for all levels. Teachers can obtain materials and activities for the students to use before and after the VFT.
What if my school doesn't have a the necessary video conferencing equipment?
Some videoconferencing equipment vendors may be willing to bring in the equipment and let the school use it as part of a demonstration for the school. There are also grants ans assistance programs available for purchasing this equipment.
In the article "The Beginners Guide to Interactive Virtual Field Trips" the author points out how field trips can be used as a break from the day to day classroom activities and offer real world experiences relating to the curriculum being taught. Unfortunately, even local field trips are rarely used do to escalating travel costs. Virtual field trips (VFTs) can offer the same benefits as traditional field trips but without the costs. They utilize the Internet to bring students closer to remote locations and experts in many different areas. There are two kinds of VFTs; asynchronous and interactive synchronous.
Asynchronous are not delivered in real time. They include text, audio or video resources about specific topics and content. Because they are not in real time the quality and educational value can vary. Interactive VFTs take place take place "live", where students in one location learn form instructors from a different location. This kind kind of VFT requires video conferencing equipment that many schools already have.
VFTs give teachers the chance to expose their students to a world beyond their school limits. Students are allowed to interact with curators, wildlife naturalists, scientists, historians and other students from around the globe. VFTs also make learning the material more interesting and enjoyable.
What grade levels are VFTs geared towards?
VFTs are targeted to the students area and grades so they can be used K-12. There are VFT aggregator sites that have VFT programs for all levels. Teachers can obtain materials and activities for the students to use before and after the VFT.
What if my school doesn't have a the necessary video conferencing equipment?
Some videoconferencing equipment vendors may be willing to bring in the equipment and let the school use it as part of a demonstration for the school. There are also grants ans assistance programs available for purchasing this equipment.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Introduction Letter
My name is Patrick O'Rourke. I was born 60 miles north of NYC, in a small rural town. After I graduated high school I attended Penn State and earn a BS in Mechanical Engineering. The job prospects at the time were limited because of a recession so I decided to join the navy. I received a commission though Aviation Officer Candidate School and attend fly school in Pensacola, Florida. My first squadron was located at NAS North Island, San Diego. I fell in love with the area and knew I never wanted to leave. After three years was sent back to Florida to be a flight instructor. I completed my naval obligation and resigned my commission. I moved to New Orleans and flew helicopters to the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. On my off days I flew small airplanes for the Navy Reserves. After a couple years I moved back to San Diego to put down roots. I worked in several different industries as an engineer, manager and sales rep. I also have two daughters and numerous pets.
I have been a PC user for years and feel comfortable with most of the MS software programs. I often wished I had bought a Mac for my first computer. Apple seems much easier and intuitive. I did take a couple programing courses in college( basic and FORTRAN) but I don't have a clue about programming, code or trouble shooting problems with my PC. I like technology and would like to incorporate it into my classroom.
I really liked the Department of Education's mission statement, especially their commitment to to "student centered education, diversity, collaboration, professionalism, and shared governance." I think that distinguishes this university from the other credentially programs in San Diego. To me collaboration and shared governance is very important in general but even more so in education.
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