I'm a big percussion fan (I used to play back in the day...)Man, there are so many websites out there. How does one track down things they can use? I feel like I need to hire a secretary to surf the web and find tools to help simplify my life and improve my teaching.
Here is the app/site that I am really looking for: Extend Your Day 2.0 This app allows you to add more hours to your day so that you are able to spend time checking out the latest and greatest sites, work on your lesson plans and grading, spend time with your family and the latest version even finds time for you to exercise! Make it a great day! DG There are so many different sites and products and services out there that can help you do pretty much whatever it is you need. In the end it can be time consuming and pretty overwhelming to find and try new things. At least that is how I feel when surfing through the sites offering all kinds of new options for all kinds of new things!
One would have to weigh the pros and cons of adding another login and password and bookmarking another new site that you would have to learn how to use. Obviously they are set up to help you, but sometimes I think it can be more work than it is worth. Seeings as how I am not really a 'tryer of new things" I tend to be skeptical when viewing new sites that are supposed to help me simplify my already hectic world! Maybe it's like gambling - I could possible 'win it all' if I just sign up for one more website! Then all would be right with the world. Make it a great day! DG Over the first couple of weeks in my graduate program I have looked at and researched several different technologies, some of which I am very familiar with and some I have never heard of or tried.
Three things that I have done through this course that I think I would use as a teacher (that I wouldn't have used before) are creating your own personal website through weebly.com, starting and maintaining a blog post, and podcasting. If you would have told me two months ago that I would be doing all three of these things I may have given you a wedgie. I guess I can put some tape around the middle of my glasses because right now I'm digging all this 'tech stuff' and have thoroughly enjoyed experimenting and exploring the different sites and options. All computer nerd references aside, I am finding that the thought of including some of these items in my curriculum wouldn't be as hard as I may have thought it would be and I look forward to the challenge! I could see students creating websites that explore and promote the positive qualities and characteristics that they represent - a lesson on developing their personal strengths and values. I could also see a fitness class designing a website for a fitness center they would like to own, one focusing on activities that they enjoy doing. Designing cool projects that would help them explore different avenues in a way that is very different from traditional posters or power point presentations that tend to take place in classrooms. If I were to display a prompt in the form of a blog, students would have some time to formulate their thoughts and ideas and as a result respond more confidently with a well-thought out answer. This may allow a topic to 'trend' in class for over a week while students respond back and forth. As for podcasting, one example might be to have students and parents could view all course information and school rules and expectations at home in the form of a podcast. There really are so many ways these new technologies could be used in our classrooms. We just have to find the ones that will enhance the things we do and work on those! Make it a great day! DG I have always heard about podcasts and I have seen them on iTunes, but I have never paid much attention to them nor was I really all that interested in checking them out. After a little reading, research and creating a podcast of my own, I now possess a better understanding of how creating and using podcasts could be a very valuable tool for education.
Several interesting points can be found in Deborah L. Vess' article, History to Go: Why iTeach with iPods. In the article college students were required to use an iPod as an integral part of the classroom learning environment. In evaluations at the end of the semester, students noted that "the iPod helped develop greater confidence in their oral skills" (Vess, 2006). Students all liked the portability of the iPod and felt that their academic skills were developed as a result of using the device (Vess, 2006). The idea that students record what they write in an effort to review and revise is a great one. I think too many students finish up their writing and turn in their work often times failing to find mistakes or make corrections. Recording yourself as you read will give you an idea on the flow of your work and help any errors stand out. The idea that a student could record their teacher or download the lecture if they were gone is also a great idea. With the demands placed on teachers now days it is hard to find the time to catch students up if they miss several days. With the portability of an iPod, students could listen to the info in their bedrooms, on the road or even at the gym! Of course there will be learning curves for both students and teachers if a project like this is used. But the benefits should far out weigh any negatives that may come up. Make it a great day! DG Vess, D. L. (2006). History to Go: Why iTeach with iPods. History Teacher, 39(4), 479-492. Those dang kids! Always dialed in to the latest gadgets! That's generation AO - Always On!
How does being 'always on' affect education? In an Elon University study, several respondents were quoted as saying students of the AO generation are looking for "instant gratification, quick fixes, and a lack of deep thinking ability". I totally agree with these thoughts. I can see it in my classes every year - my kids just want everything right now (or want you to do it for them) and when things get tough, it's just easier to quit. This is unaccaptable. They need to learn how to think through problems, know how to work within a group of people who have different opinions and ideas, and be able to fight through problems when things get difficult. And while it shouldn't be my job to teach these things (parents), it is something I find I have to include in my lesson plans. In meeting with both students and athletes one-on-one, it is sometimes difficult to get eye-contact, let alone an actual answer you can understand. I look at this as the video game syndrome - a direct result of always being plugged in. Don't want to work through the different levels? Go online and find cheat codes. Don't like the way the game is going? Reset and start over. Don't want to be bothered? Throw up the hoodie and put on the ear phones. It's just a lot easier to do it that way. That being said, I must clarify that I do have students in my classes who are motivated and patient, thoughtful thinkers and who are mentally strong when facing life's challenges. But it's those at the other end of the spectrum who unfortunately absorb so much of our time. I think a big part of that is based on what happens at home. Are parents talking with their children about online education (being safe, proper netiquette, finding appropriate info)? Are parents setting time limits for online usage? Are families engaged in activities that don't involve electronics? Part of how this affects education is how it is handled at home. We have always faced issues of change where we have good and bad, pros and cons. And in these issues we have always had fears and concerns, as well as high hopes for great achievements. Students of the AO generation will be no different. We will always have a group who we are concerned about, those who are 'always on', but in a way that isn't always healthy, where they haven't quite developed the skills or work ethic necessary for success. And we will always have a group of motivated youth who are also 'always on', but who are motivated and able to adapt and overcome, utilizing the latest technologies and advances for a greater purpose. In the end I believe it starts at home with parents setting limits and having discussions about online expectations. Cell phones/laptops/tablets,etc. should be shut down at night and taken out of the bedroom so students can have uninterrupted sleep. There should be scheduled family time that does not involve technology (i.e. no phones at dinner or on your hike). When this is handled correctly at home, it can have a greater impact in how it can positively affect education. That being said, it's time to log off and unplug! Make it a great day! DG Read about the study here: Elon studies the future of "Generation Always On" http://www.elon.edu/e-net/Note.aspx?id=958393 How does one use social networking in education? Have you thought about it? How are you using it? Do you embrace it or are you avoiding it at all costs? I've been surprised by how many people are scared of using technology in their classrooms. It's coming people. There is no denying it!
As educators it seems like we are constantly battling students and their cell phones and other devises they seem to always have on them. Instead of spending our time and energy battling those issues, why can't we look for ways to embrace the technology? It doesn't have to encompass every thing that we do. In my high school we have 1-to-1 laptops and use a program called Edmodo, which is like Facebook for education. Our students were resistant at first, as no one seemed to want to embrace the sweeping, new changes that required students to use less paper and pencil and spend more time on their one-on-one laptops. It took some time for students and staff to get used to it, but it is now used daily throughout our school. While it is a great addition and adds value to our learning environment, it in no way takes the place of teaching. It simply enhances the way we can distribute and gather information while we teach. Students will now tell you they enjoy the laptops and the networking website, but still desire the one-on-one attention they receive from the teachers and the opportunity to participate in true classroom debates and discussions. It stands to reason that if we want to make true connections with our students, then we need to go where they are. That means embracing social networking and other online tools that are popular as a way to enhance the way we deliver our messages. But I also don't think it means that we abandon other methods of teaching and learning. While technology is amazing, our students still look to, and need, our personal interactions. Below is the link to the article: http://www.ijikm.org/Volume7/IJIKMv7p063-090Buzzetto611.pdf Make it a great day! DG So many photos! And everyone wants to see them right? You'd sure think so, based on the number of photos uploaded weekly to the many different photosharing sites available.
I use Instagram - mainly because I like the effects and ease of use. I enjoy taking pics of my family - especially my boys. Now days you can take high quality photos with your phone and any imperfections can be worked out through different photo tools that are readily available. Super easy and fun. Below is a recent photo manipulated through funphotobox.com. I am a superhero fan, so I found it fitting to be the main character in the X-Men Origins film. Hugh Jackman had his 15 minutes of fame... Speaking of superheros, check out this pic http://instagr.am/p/QOQqi2yc1G/ It's how we roll. Bring it. Make it a great day! DG It took me a while to figure out and understand the concept of the personal learning network and how to tie it in to a website. Still not sure I'm all there...
I did choose to use Pearltrees as my resource as I like the simplicity as well as the visual layout. In the past I have used a site called Symbaloo which I like a little better - although I wasn't sure how to tie it in to my website while keeping my info private. Of course with practice I may come to enjoy pearltrees too... Only time will tell. I linked it as a page on this website if you're interested. Make it a great day! DG The internet has become a tremendous opportunity to learn. You can search for absolutely anything - history, how-to's, shopping - it's endless.
I spend the majority of my internet time on a couple of sites. I like Yahoo as a home page for news and current events. From there I head out in whatever educational direction I need. Twitter is another site I frequently go to for my informational needs. Specifically I use it to connect with physical education teachers all over the world. What an awesome opportunity to see what everyone else is doing! I also look for motivational information as well as ways to develop and enhance leadership among my students and athletes. I follow Tony Dungy for his wisdom and insites into being an effective leader and a great man. I also follow the site he is a part of called AllProDad. An amazing site to get great, positive messages on being a dad and father figure. Great information on how to improve as a father, husband, and man. Lots of good information there. With the constant updates and up-to-minute scores and info, the internet can become a huge distraction to learning. There are many times when I am drawn away from my task because I am checking social media updates, sports scores, and the latest news events. Figuring out which information is relevant and correct can also be a challenge. There's a lot of info floating around the web that does not come from a reliable source and it's not always easy to decipher a credible source. Technology and learning go hand-in-hand. People have a lot of options now-a-days just with our smart phones. The key is trying to keep up with what's out there and figuring out a way to use it to benefit your learning environment. Even with all of the info and technology we have at our fingertips, we need to keep in mind the importance of developing those personal relationships with our students, as they will always require that human interaction. www.allprodad.com Make it a great day! DG |