The article , : A Global Challenge" by David Gibson and Susan Grasso starts off with a high expectation of technology. Two college students collaborate via Internet across the world to develop a global business plan. Using collaborative technology to research and explore a common global problem is very much a reality. I really enjoyed this article because it has to do with a very serious environment problem, and this is proof that people care. After reading this article I discovered ideas I had never been aware of before to help solve our world's challenging dilemmas. I was excited that high school students around the globe are all thinking of ways to help out our world. It also allows the students to expand their social network with people around the world. Global teamwork learning is a great experience for any student to participate in. Hopefully someday working as a team with this integration of technology will find a cure for cancer! A very detailed application process is required for this particular contest learning experience that gives away a scholarship.
1.) Why is A Global Challenge a positive program?
In addition to the participates/students receiving a real-world experience to solve a global problem, they are able to socialize with diversity. Team member dynamics is an important part in moving forward with their education and life goals. With such a structured, advanced program, nothing but recognition is presented for students who choose to use the opportunity as a global outreach. It is an opportunity to reach out to people just like us across the world and collaborate ideas and solve an issue.
2.) How can you make the Global Challenge award part of your curriculum?
First and foremost would be to have your students look at the website. A scholarship is at stake so it should be promoted and also gain students interest. You can incorporate real challenges into your lessons, but without the pressure of entering the actual contest. It promotes ideas and encourages teamwork among classmates. Reaching a goal and solving a problem is a great part of working together as a team. Children are full of new ideas and can commit to different level of connecting with the world and solving a real global issue with this program. Knowing that they make a difference and can communicate with children across the world is motivation for this beneficial project.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Journal 9-My Space or Yours
This article was written by Joanne Barrett, and presents a number of issues with social networking, and how technology is creating safety concerns in the classroom. Social networking has been a great bonus to our world wide web because it typically connects people. Shared interests are joined together and allowed for viewing by any number of individuals. Some are exclusive memberships and cost money, others are free and have no restraints. As the latest technology fads come and go, we learn more and more about how to protect ourselves in an ever changing world. Children nowadays have to deal with exposure to many more poisons.
Among the younger generations, getting a MySpace or Friendster name is the same as exchanging phone numbers. I personally never had time to get into the MySpace era...although I have many friends who "check it" all the time. It allows one to post information that may or may not be true. One has to acknowledge that these sites cannot be reliable. Many people pose as others, such as famous people, sports players, etc. With regard to school, it has been on the news across the country for numerous reasons. Teachers with explicit pictures, drug use, or even messages to other students. Teenage students writing and posting mean things about peers at their school, and causing harm. Although it doesn't happen directly on campus, educators need to be aware of the harm it can pose. There also should be off site online regulated behavior. Overall the article says that some social networking sites can backfire. The responsibility has to be taught, learned and put into effect as to stop the negativity, and otherwise false or personal information.
1.) What are some safety measures to take when considering social networking?
All future educators and parents are advised to check out wiredsafety.org for a complete list of precautions. In general, be smart about what others can find out about you. Listing where you live or work, even the name of a school can give anyone too much information. Keep in mind that if you wouldn't want a future employer or your parents to see something you posted or wrote, then it is not a good idea.
2.) How can you use social networking in a positive way?
You can use social networking to keep in touch with old schoolmates, far friends and family. Once you can be sure of the authnenticy of a user, and allow them into "your group" then staying more private is possible. You can also view social networking for advice or shared experiences. I have found it helpful for traveling and cooking ideas or recipes. In the classroom, social networking can be limited.
Among the younger generations, getting a MySpace or Friendster name is the same as exchanging phone numbers. I personally never had time to get into the MySpace era...although I have many friends who "check it" all the time. It allows one to post information that may or may not be true. One has to acknowledge that these sites cannot be reliable. Many people pose as others, such as famous people, sports players, etc. With regard to school, it has been on the news across the country for numerous reasons. Teachers with explicit pictures, drug use, or even messages to other students. Teenage students writing and posting mean things about peers at their school, and causing harm. Although it doesn't happen directly on campus, educators need to be aware of the harm it can pose. There also should be off site online regulated behavior. Overall the article says that some social networking sites can backfire. The responsibility has to be taught, learned and put into effect as to stop the negativity, and otherwise false or personal information.
1.) What are some safety measures to take when considering social networking?
All future educators and parents are advised to check out wiredsafety.org for a complete list of precautions. In general, be smart about what others can find out about you. Listing where you live or work, even the name of a school can give anyone too much information. Keep in mind that if you wouldn't want a future employer or your parents to see something you posted or wrote, then it is not a good idea.
2.) How can you use social networking in a positive way?
You can use social networking to keep in touch with old schoolmates, far friends and family. Once you can be sure of the authnenticy of a user, and allow them into "your group" then staying more private is possible. You can also view social networking for advice or shared experiences. I have found it helpful for traveling and cooking ideas or recipes. In the classroom, social networking can be limited.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Journal 8-"A Day in the Life of Web 2.0"
A Day in the Life of Web 2.0
This article was written by David Warwick. Having just experienced Web 2.0 on my own, I could relate to this article. The resources that are offered are so incredible because it is all trial and error. Through Web 2.0 you are able to access information that can help develop many areas of teaching. Everything from cultural diversity to the main course content is at your fingertips. It also can help with collaborating with other classes and relating knowledge to other areas of life. You will find many tips and lots of advice for implementing these new ideas into your teaching style. Depending on where you can find employment will depend on how often you can use this type of technology. The ideas are very helpful in any subject matter, only a simple search is necessary. I hope to contribute to Web 2.0 when I become a more experienced teacher. It can be very applicable for any classroom situation.
This article was written by David Warwick. Having just experienced Web 2.0 on my own, I could relate to this article. The resources that are offered are so incredible because it is all trial and error. Through Web 2.0 you are able to access information that can help develop many areas of teaching. Everything from cultural diversity to the main course content is at your fingertips. It also can help with collaborating with other classes and relating knowledge to other areas of life. You will find many tips and lots of advice for implementing these new ideas into your teaching style. Depending on where you can find employment will depend on how often you can use this type of technology. The ideas are very helpful in any subject matter, only a simple search is necessary. I hope to contribute to Web 2.0 when I become a more experienced teacher. It can be very applicable for any classroom situation.
Journal 7- Kidspiration/iMovie
Becoming involved with Kidspiration has been a positive learning experience. I found it very useful for the grades that I aim to teach, which is Elementary. It also can assist a great deal with English Learners. Kidspiration uses animated graphics to promote learning. Everything from creating games and lessons, to creating beliefs and acknowledgment. They are so many aspects that Kidspiration can keep a child engaged for a while, and therefore should be incorporated n class. It is an interactive site that allows students to learn on their own from a lesson a teacher created. Students would like it because it can be applied to all subjects. Having Kidspiration as a learning tool is a huge asset. I will use it for my own children.
I had the experience to create an iMovie from the Mac computers at CSUSM. Mr. Heil had taken digital pictures and we were able to build a film with images we liked. I learned so much about how to edit and transition the still frames. I can use this in all areas of my life. The educational future I see is full of many imovies. However, it does take up MASS storage space and I now have even more respect for movie editors! I feel very privileged to have a MAC in my household, this experience has been a tutorial of Some sort. With all the features and tricks that I learned from a MAC, making iPhotos and iMovies, the iCAL, I don't think I will buy anything other than a MAC!
I had the experience to create an iMovie from the Mac computers at CSUSM. Mr. Heil had taken digital pictures and we were able to build a film with images we liked. I learned so much about how to edit and transition the still frames. I can use this in all areas of my life. The educational future I see is full of many imovies. However, it does take up MASS storage space and I now have even more respect for movie editors! I feel very privileged to have a MAC in my household, this experience has been a tutorial of Some sort. With all the features and tricks that I learned from a MAC, making iPhotos and iMovies, the iCAL, I don't think I will buy anything other than a MAC!
You could use an iMovie for a science class dissection! Students would have a great time taking photos and reiterating steps through this type of learning. I am not really into movies, but see how many little tricks can be applied to create a great show. Having an iMac in the classroom with this feature would have high student praise! When i used the tutorial on atomic, I learned many transitions and features of editing. It would be very easy to incorporate this software with school field trips, etc. I did enjoy.
Journal 6- Online Meetings
Online meetings is defined as having monthly faculty, or even parent/teacher meetings held online. There are many education circumstances that fall under this category of online meetings. It can have to do with any sort of communication online that represents solving an issue. There were other ways that teachers have used online meetings to their advantage. I saw both a positive and negative response on Classroom 2.0. Some teachers felt that this could be helpful because it seems meetings held once a month waste time. It seems as though whether or not it was help in person, or online, many teachers still felt they were held back from speaking. Faculty meetings can be more productive. What I noticed most after reading numerous entries is that the overall goal is a solution to the content of the meeting. If they are held online and an outcome is reached, then online meetings would be successful. When they are held face to face and P.E. teachers are having to attend meaningless meetings where no outcome is reached, online seems more productive. All in all, online meetings are a useful tool for educators. If a school can agree on an online meeting and the results are solutions, then online meetings would assist with a better school. However, if no one participates, and takes advantage of the situation, then the end result is poor. There needs to be a goal for any meeting, face to face or collaborative.
1.) Would you as a teacher participate in online meetings?
When I become a teacher, I hope to participate in online meetings. I am not sure how common they are right now, but it is something that I think will happen more in the future. It may be most helpful for more distant meetings, where many more people can be connected. Sort of a huge open forum, discussion. Many people would benefit from this, and therefore would be encouraged to join online meetings. They may be used with parent and teachers, and be more convenient. In addition, they save time. I still like the face-to-face interaction. That communication dynamic is important for meetings as well. There are certain circumstances that would fit for online meetings, and maybe some that still need the tone set to be effective.
2.) Do you think online meetings should be mandatory?
There is no question that some teachers may take advantage of online meetings. You can be watching television in the background without anyone knowing. There would need to be an ethic policy reminder to try and keep productivity in check. Staff meetings online should not be mandatory. Staff meetings should be held in person, because that personal interaction within communication can sometimes promote participation. When you can see body language or hear tones of voices, or other factors that come into play when discussing important matters. Often times though, a room full of people can not achieve their goal, due to interruptions etc. I believe a good balance should kept, using online meetings when convenient, or brainstorming ideas, reports, etc. But, then also still continue regular meetings to have the co-worker inter-action.
I read Asha's blog regarding "photo sharing". I like the fact that you can share so much with photos. I am a very social person and love to share photos with family and friends. It is a very easy way to stay connected. It can also be a good tool in the classroom for students to be interested in sharing photos and learning. Video streamlining is a very useful tool because you are able to have so much information at your fingertips. Students are able to be creative and have fun while expanding their knowledge.
After reading Tawn's blog about Wiki, and using it in class, I finally felt familiar with the Classroom 2.0. The "blog" can be useful for any learning situation. It is so great that educators have these useful resources to support each other. Without these collaborative findings, we would be without common knowledge.
I also read Laura's blog on "Shared Calendars". I am a huge fan of organization as well, and this is a great tool all around. It sounds like it saves a great deal of time and planning. With the view of every one's calendar, each person can stay on top of activities. When you have so many teacher's trying to coordinate, it makes sense to all be on one schedule. I have experienced the ical on MAC and it is very user friendly. In today's day and age, each school should have this free software included and mandatory!
1.) Would you as a teacher participate in online meetings?
When I become a teacher, I hope to participate in online meetings. I am not sure how common they are right now, but it is something that I think will happen more in the future. It may be most helpful for more distant meetings, where many more people can be connected. Sort of a huge open forum, discussion. Many people would benefit from this, and therefore would be encouraged to join online meetings. They may be used with parent and teachers, and be more convenient. In addition, they save time. I still like the face-to-face interaction. That communication dynamic is important for meetings as well. There are certain circumstances that would fit for online meetings, and maybe some that still need the tone set to be effective.
2.) Do you think online meetings should be mandatory?
There is no question that some teachers may take advantage of online meetings. You can be watching television in the background without anyone knowing. There would need to be an ethic policy reminder to try and keep productivity in check. Staff meetings online should not be mandatory. Staff meetings should be held in person, because that personal interaction within communication can sometimes promote participation. When you can see body language or hear tones of voices, or other factors that come into play when discussing important matters. Often times though, a room full of people can not achieve their goal, due to interruptions etc. I believe a good balance should kept, using online meetings when convenient, or brainstorming ideas, reports, etc. But, then also still continue regular meetings to have the co-worker inter-action.
I read Asha's blog regarding "photo sharing". I like the fact that you can share so much with photos. I am a very social person and love to share photos with family and friends. It is a very easy way to stay connected. It can also be a good tool in the classroom for students to be interested in sharing photos and learning. Video streamlining is a very useful tool because you are able to have so much information at your fingertips. Students are able to be creative and have fun while expanding their knowledge.
After reading Tawn's blog about Wiki, and using it in class, I finally felt familiar with the Classroom 2.0. The "blog" can be useful for any learning situation. It is so great that educators have these useful resources to support each other. Without these collaborative findings, we would be without common knowledge.
I also read Laura's blog on "Shared Calendars". I am a huge fan of organization as well, and this is a great tool all around. It sounds like it saves a great deal of time and planning. With the view of every one's calendar, each person can stay on top of activities. When you have so many teacher's trying to coordinate, it makes sense to all be on one schedule. I have experienced the ical on MAC and it is very user friendly. In today's day and age, each school should have this free software included and mandatory!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Journal 5- The ABCs of Privacy Practices for Educators
After reading the article by Melissa J. Dark, Clewin McPherson, and Joanne Troutner, I became nervous about the complicated issue of private records. With identity theft so common, it is no wonder for concern when student private information is not protected. If this confidential information is released, administrators and teachers could be held liable. This article talked specifically how educators should handle matters of privacy. I was unaware of how many sensitive issues must be confidential. For example, the free lunch lists in addition to grades, is information that needs to be protected from others view.
Having worked in an office environment, I was familiar with authentication and access controls. This could be used in a school for entering personal information. Only one person can change it, and several others can view only. I am sure there are files at schools that allow only administrators etc. The use of passwords must be treated very carefully so that users can verify access to files. I have had certain websites tell me if a password was strong or not. There are many password tricks that make it hard for someone to "crack." One that the book mentioned was not using words that are in the dictionary. I have never understood the Cryptography, but after the article explained it as a key for certain users I now see it as a security tool.
1.) What are two important ways schools can ensure privacy of records?
One of my ideas is to not use social security numbers as a school identification number. This could be misused if care is not taken. With a social security number and a birth date, it would be possible to open credit cards etc. Also, records must be in top notch security programs and software so that the information cannot be viewed by just any administrator. If a teacher accidentally left a screen open with private information, and a student came along and viewed it, many people could be in trouble. Even nowadays with addresses and phone numbers, that is info that many want to be protected.
2.) How can privacy technologies be applied to classrooms?
It would depend on the school district and what was available. One would hope for the best protection for files on students, including passwods, access control and even third-party encryption. Even though there are appropriate privacy technologies in place, technology has been knwn to accidentially allow a non-user to come across private findings. As a teacher you can never be too careful, and must put all applications in use.
Having worked in an office environment, I was familiar with authentication and access controls. This could be used in a school for entering personal information. Only one person can change it, and several others can view only. I am sure there are files at schools that allow only administrators etc. The use of passwords must be treated very carefully so that users can verify access to files. I have had certain websites tell me if a password was strong or not. There are many password tricks that make it hard for someone to "crack." One that the book mentioned was not using words that are in the dictionary. I have never understood the Cryptography, but after the article explained it as a key for certain users I now see it as a security tool.
1.) What are two important ways schools can ensure privacy of records?
One of my ideas is to not use social security numbers as a school identification number. This could be misused if care is not taken. With a social security number and a birth date, it would be possible to open credit cards etc. Also, records must be in top notch security programs and software so that the information cannot be viewed by just any administrator. If a teacher accidentally left a screen open with private information, and a student came along and viewed it, many people could be in trouble. Even nowadays with addresses and phone numbers, that is info that many want to be protected.
2.) How can privacy technologies be applied to classrooms?
It would depend on the school district and what was available. One would hope for the best protection for files on students, including passwods, access control and even third-party encryption. Even though there are appropriate privacy technologies in place, technology has been knwn to accidentially allow a non-user to come across private findings. As a teacher you can never be too careful, and must put all applications in use.
Journal 4-Sowing the Seeds
I enjoyed the article by Mitchel Resnick because it was all about new ideas. In today's society, creativity is not always focused on. This article is about how creativity integrated with technology can really get a child's brain spinning with ideas. It promotes creative solutions to unexpected problems. It assists with learning how to deal with problems that arise in the future lives for these children. If students are not allowed to be creative, they are less likely to be able to adapt or improvise in real life situations. Learning to figure out technology, in a sense, supports gaining the knowledge on their own.
The two imagination games mentioned were Crickets and Scratches. A Cricket is a special kit designed to activate a creative thinking spiral. You can customize your object with colored light, sounds coordinated with music and motion. Whatever ideas come to a child they can act upon and see what happens. According to the article, this development has inspired children to interact and create great learning tools. The other invention, called Scratch has to do with students making up their own stories. Learning book reports with technology can keep a child very interested. That is the goal with being creative, it keeps a child interested if they feel like they have control. Scratch also allows for playing and sharing, overall just helping peers out.
1.) What effect would cricket/scratch have if regularly used in the classroom?
The creativity devices are very high tech. They would be a great addition to any classroom because it nurtures technology advancement. Since they have lights, and music, kids want to figure out how to make them work. This way of learning creates more ideas and gains participation among classmates. They feel the power is in their hands develop new ideas on their own. Since they are having fun, playing games and learning solutions from each other, the effect on learning could be major if used regularly in the classroom, or even at home.
2.) What other ways can you develop creative thinkers as students?
I want to be prepared for when technology fails. Developing creative thinkers can be done in ways similar to the new technologies. The concept of playing and sharing to find solutions takes creativity in itself. You can look to your students for a guide to what will help them learn. Making up games or acting out book reports can stimulate participation and good ideas as well. Developing a creative thinker can take hands on, real life interaction, which ius easier with technology, but still possible without.
The two imagination games mentioned were Crickets and Scratches. A Cricket is a special kit designed to activate a creative thinking spiral. You can customize your object with colored light, sounds coordinated with music and motion. Whatever ideas come to a child they can act upon and see what happens. According to the article, this development has inspired children to interact and create great learning tools. The other invention, called Scratch has to do with students making up their own stories. Learning book reports with technology can keep a child very interested. That is the goal with being creative, it keeps a child interested if they feel like they have control. Scratch also allows for playing and sharing, overall just helping peers out.
1.) What effect would cricket/scratch have if regularly used in the classroom?
The creativity devices are very high tech. They would be a great addition to any classroom because it nurtures technology advancement. Since they have lights, and music, kids want to figure out how to make them work. This way of learning creates more ideas and gains participation among classmates. They feel the power is in their hands develop new ideas on their own. Since they are having fun, playing games and learning solutions from each other, the effect on learning could be major if used regularly in the classroom, or even at home.
2.) What other ways can you develop creative thinkers as students?
I want to be prepared for when technology fails. Developing creative thinkers can be done in ways similar to the new technologies. The concept of playing and sharing to find solutions takes creativity in itself. You can look to your students for a guide to what will help them learn. Making up games or acting out book reports can stimulate participation and good ideas as well. Developing a creative thinker can take hands on, real life interaction, which ius easier with technology, but still possible without.
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