Monday, October 6, 2008
Web 2.0
This class has given me a lot of useful information which I cannot wait to use with my students. However I must be patient as there is so much to do and so little time. I would love to play with sightspeed with my 7th graders, I am just not sure I can in the lab. I think I will introduce them to these wonderful email video gadgets and then let them explore at home. Currently I am creating webpages with them using HTML. I plan to show them shareware webpage software. But I felt having some knowledge of HTMl would be beneficial before introducing the easier stuff. Once I show them RSS feeds, blogs, wikis, video email and conferencing, they will want to add it all to their websites. Now if I could just get the CMS up and running I would have it made! A secure place to host all their websites and all their new found web 2.0 places.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Social Networking
Wow, is an understatement when it comes to the variety of social networking places on the Internet. To be able to connect in so many ways, through blogs, wiki's, bookmarking, RSS feeds, and with so many sites available to do it all with. It is a bit overwhelming. There's a word I am getting a lot use from lately. I know to just take it slow and use what I can with my classes. But I want to use it all!
If the day was 32 hours long and I only required 4 hours of sleep that might be feasible, but it isn't and I can't. Gathering information and sharing it with my students is very rewarding. However, not possible due to the amount of information I am gathering and I only get to see my students once a week for 45 minutes. But what I am able to pass on to them is beneficial to their growth and I must focus in the good in that.
We were introduced to Ning at the beginning of this program and I am impressed with the ease of use for the classroom. However I find it would probably work best in higher education. I can see it's potential in the jr. high as well. The social bookmarking sites also can make research much easier for students 7-12th grade and I think at least introducing this information to my jr. high kids will be time well spent. But I can't see how I would have the time to monitor a ning site along with all the other sites I have set up right now.
More lessons to write!
If the day was 32 hours long and I only required 4 hours of sleep that might be feasible, but it isn't and I can't. Gathering information and sharing it with my students is very rewarding. However, not possible due to the amount of information I am gathering and I only get to see my students once a week for 45 minutes. But what I am able to pass on to them is beneficial to their growth and I must focus in the good in that.
We were introduced to Ning at the beginning of this program and I am impressed with the ease of use for the classroom. However I find it would probably work best in higher education. I can see it's potential in the jr. high as well. The social bookmarking sites also can make research much easier for students 7-12th grade and I think at least introducing this information to my jr. high kids will be time well spent. But I can't see how I would have the time to monitor a ning site along with all the other sites I have set up right now.
More lessons to write!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Class Wiki
Having the opportunity to look at other wikis and blogs has helped me to decide to stay with what I am already use to. Too many of a good thing can be a bad thing. I already have 3 wikis so adding another is going to be a challenge, but one I am prepared to take. Since the 7th and 8th graders already are using wikis and blogs in their classes I think I will create mine for the 6th grade. I have a strong feeling the 6th grade teacher will be open to that and may even incorporate it into her own curriculum.
I will explore my options on how to use the wiki that will best work for both the students and myself. Opening another forum for them to write is my main goal. Any time I can get them to use a keyboard and computer for educational purposed is a step in the right directions. I think keeping it basic in the beginning is the best. The wiki can grow as the students become accustom to using it. They are still actually 5th graders and I need to keep that in mind as I create this new avenue for creativity.
I will explore my options on how to use the wiki that will best work for both the students and myself. Opening another forum for them to write is my main goal. Any time I can get them to use a keyboard and computer for educational purposed is a step in the right directions. I think keeping it basic in the beginning is the best. The wiki can grow as the students become accustom to using it. They are still actually 5th graders and I need to keep that in mind as I create this new avenue for creativity.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wikis, Blogs, and Education
I was going to title this "wikis, blogs, and kids" but my main focus with the wiki in the beginning of this school year is to encourage our faculty to start using the computer, particularly the Internet more. So I created a staff wiki. I know, I am only asking for abuse but I have got to keep trying. Our communication (or more appropriately- lack of) over the past few years as a staff has just about crippled our school. I am hopeful that by having a one stop for all things discussed and decided we will be better informed of the happenings at STAA. One can dream right?
Last night's class touched on some old and some new. The Technorati website hosting all the really cool free stuff is just one example of how far technology has come and if we can get our educators to use all these fun toys, think of the motivation we will provide for our students. They love all the creative avenues technology has to offer. At the end of last school year I introduced my students to HTML, which is actually old technology, but they loved learning how to write computer language and to program so that the computer could respond to the language. They are so eager to try it again. It makes my job so much fun. I just wish I could get all the faculty on board and use these inventive tools for collaboration, integration, and education.
I do see that some of our Jr high teachers plan to use blogging in their classes and more teachers are hosting websites for their classrooms. I want them to become comfortable with the wiki as that is more of a communication tool between home and school and the students can do the editing. The possibilities and ease in the classroom with a wiki are endless. As I stated in class I am embarking on trying to get moodle running on my server at school. I know it will be a work in progress all year, but in the end I know it will all be worth it. So much to do, so much to learn, so much to teach!
I have 3 wiki's and think by the end of the week I will have a 4th. It gets a bit much to keep track of. One of my wiki's is for my family-the big one. Every year I plan a huge camping trip up at our cabin for about 70 of our closest siblings and their families. This year was a piece of cake as everything was posted on the wiki and we did not have 100 emails to decipher.
Keeping the lines of communication open in education is very important and the new tools on the Internet have greatly improved those lines. It is imperative that educators get on board with the information age and use technology in their courses every day.
Last night's class touched on some old and some new. The Technorati website hosting all the really cool free stuff is just one example of how far technology has come and if we can get our educators to use all these fun toys, think of the motivation we will provide for our students. They love all the creative avenues technology has to offer. At the end of last school year I introduced my students to HTML, which is actually old technology, but they loved learning how to write computer language and to program so that the computer could respond to the language. They are so eager to try it again. It makes my job so much fun. I just wish I could get all the faculty on board and use these inventive tools for collaboration, integration, and education.
I do see that some of our Jr high teachers plan to use blogging in their classes and more teachers are hosting websites for their classrooms. I want them to become comfortable with the wiki as that is more of a communication tool between home and school and the students can do the editing. The possibilities and ease in the classroom with a wiki are endless. As I stated in class I am embarking on trying to get moodle running on my server at school. I know it will be a work in progress all year, but in the end I know it will all be worth it. So much to do, so much to learn, so much to teach!
I have 3 wiki's and think by the end of the week I will have a 4th. It gets a bit much to keep track of. One of my wiki's is for my family-the big one. Every year I plan a huge camping trip up at our cabin for about 70 of our closest siblings and their families. This year was a piece of cake as everything was posted on the wiki and we did not have 100 emails to decipher.
Keeping the lines of communication open in education is very important and the new tools on the Internet have greatly improved those lines. It is imperative that educators get on board with the information age and use technology in their courses every day.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Simulation
Today I met with my new principal for lunch and share with her what I learned from the system thinking, changing simulation game. I know from experience how important communication and keeping all the stakeholders informed is to the forward progression of change. Our school has gone through many changes in the past 5 years and due to lack of communication and decisions being made without input from those it affects the most, our school has been on a shrinking spiral. It is time for that to change. I spoke with her regarding the importance of keeping everyone updated on the latest developments.
I am hopeful that the wiki page I intend to set up for the faculty will bridge that gap in communication. I would like to also have a content management system in place by the time school starts. The wiki will have a central page for open discussion on the current topics while the side bar will contain the on going issues that need to be worked on. That way it will all be documented and we will have one easy stop to check information. The way hard copy gets misplaced and people forget, I am encouraged that this will keep us better organized. I know there will be competition from those that dislike technology, but we must keep moving ahead and not allow them to hold us back.
I also intend to link google calendar to our wiki page to help ease the confusion we have faced in the past for planning events. If everything is on one calendar that all can view with one click, we may actually not face the issue of double booking space! That would alleviate a lot of hardship. I know I am expecting a lot from this new way of communicating, but it has worked very well in this masters program so there is hope for us too.
I am hopeful that the wiki page I intend to set up for the faculty will bridge that gap in communication. I would like to also have a content management system in place by the time school starts. The wiki will have a central page for open discussion on the current topics while the side bar will contain the on going issues that need to be worked on. That way it will all be documented and we will have one easy stop to check information. The way hard copy gets misplaced and people forget, I am encouraged that this will keep us better organized. I know there will be competition from those that dislike technology, but we must keep moving ahead and not allow them to hold us back.
I also intend to link google calendar to our wiki page to help ease the confusion we have faced in the past for planning events. If everything is on one calendar that all can view with one click, we may actually not face the issue of double booking space! That would alleviate a lot of hardship. I know I am expecting a lot from this new way of communicating, but it has worked very well in this masters program so there is hope for us too.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Change
The Beloit college Mindset List was interesting in that one does not give a lot of thought to the significance trends and history have toward making our future leaders. The Millennial generation does take a lot for granted as their world has always had the conveniences of modern technology at their finger tips. A lot of change has taken place in their short lives and they are more accustom to change than their predecessors. That is not all bad, but it is essential that we old folks realize this and make it work for the better for all in our schools.
Since our school merged 4 years ago we have seen a lot of change and it has not all been for the better. Our staff is, for the most part, older and they resist change at every turn. That has brought with it some difficult challenges. But I can't put anyone in a vacuum as the readings suggest. I find some older teachers, like myself adapt rather well to change and enjoy the challenges technology holds. It is like a mystery to discover how technology can aid learning, so I embrace it.
Change must be for the better and their must be proof that it can work. Too much of the change we have experienced has not been proven to work, in fact we have seen it fail in the schools that are now closed but the diocese is still using the same procedure to merge schools. They have no data to support the steps they have taken so we have hit many trouble spots. I am willing to work for the good of the school if we will have a school to work for.
My new picture is a change we recently received. My dear sweet mother made this beautiful hand sewn quilt for our 25th wedding anniversary. It took her 4 years to stitch the colorful floral designs together. The detail is breathtaking. It will be passed on for generations to enjoy. Now I need to get to the store and buys some pain, carpeting and window treatments so I can change my room decor to match the quilt!
Since our school merged 4 years ago we have seen a lot of change and it has not all been for the better. Our staff is, for the most part, older and they resist change at every turn. That has brought with it some difficult challenges. But I can't put anyone in a vacuum as the readings suggest. I find some older teachers, like myself adapt rather well to change and enjoy the challenges technology holds. It is like a mystery to discover how technology can aid learning, so I embrace it.
Change must be for the better and their must be proof that it can work. Too much of the change we have experienced has not been proven to work, in fact we have seen it fail in the schools that are now closed but the diocese is still using the same procedure to merge schools. They have no data to support the steps they have taken so we have hit many trouble spots. I am willing to work for the good of the school if we will have a school to work for.
My new picture is a change we recently received. My dear sweet mother made this beautiful hand sewn quilt for our 25th wedding anniversary. It took her 4 years to stitch the colorful floral designs together. The detail is breathtaking. It will be passed on for generations to enjoy. Now I need to get to the store and buys some pain, carpeting and window treatments so I can change my room decor to match the quilt!
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