As I went through the Flickr applications and several of the web tools, that were linked through this site, it clarifies why our students are mesmerized by technology. It IS fun!
One thing that this experience brought to mind is the fact that along with that fun, comes a LOT of responsibility... we,as educators, MUST constantly reinforce appropriate uses, healthy boundaries, and ethics in creating and publishing work on the web. I can see where someone with an axe to grind could use some of these applications to really hurt someone's feelings....a form of internet "payback", if you will. I think the latest buzz word is "Cyber-Bullying". Once this kind of bell has been rung...there really is no taking it back.
On a more positive note, the Montagr in Smilebox.com would be a GREAT way to activley engage children in their learning. I could see how these applications can be used in a history class, to teach kids about specific eras in history. They could scavage photos from a topic they are studying, add captions to the photos to support their study, and even search for music clips from that era and play it in the background of their presentation. Or in a science class, they could pick a biome and post pictures, graphs, maps, captions, etc. and play sounds from that biome and animal calls from creatures that thrive, in that environment. The more senses we stimulate as we teach, the more likely the students are to internalize what we wish for them to learn....and we all know that sometimes the best way to really learn something is to teach about it.
As for personal application: Since I teach PE, it's a little harder for me to get the technology funded. The fact that so many of these applications are free, helps motivate me to get out of my box and try some of it. My biggest fear is in protecting the investment of the hardware I would need to bring it into my space. I feel vulnerable because my teaching space is so open and so big, things could just walk out and disappear forever. I also worry that one mis-thrown ball could smash a piece of equipment to the floor in a nano-second. Protecting whatever investment I make will be paramount...getting children to respect it and take ownership in protecting it too, will be crucial.
Getting hardware and equipment would also imply grant writing. I've not done much of that...so again, I've got to get out of my own comfort zone and dig a bit....assuming that I really am serious about getting myself AND my students into the world of digital citizenry.
I think it's time for me to get beyond pedometers and stopwatches and think MP3's with pre-recorded warm up exercises counted out in my voice or a student's voice; small DVD players showing critical elements of a sport skill, I want them to learn... with instant replays of professionals doing the skill so that they see excellence performed by personalities they watch on TV.
Better yet, wouldn't it be interesting to get some footage of today's popstars exercising to give added interest and motivation to get my students moving?
I think I can get out of the box....finding the time to invest, in order to hone the desire into a useable product, will be my obstacle.
The more I contemplate the notion of turning technological dreams into a real teaching tool, the more I realize that I have to continue to explore and strive to be the lifelong learner I'm encouraging the children to be. Postitive modeling...now there's a timeless element from old school thoughts!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Activity #5 I've been playing on Smilebox--Colors of my Vacation
I made a quick little slideshow by dragging and dropping photos into the appropriate window. Then I had three songs to pick from to jazz up my show. Click on this link and admire what a good camera and great software can do!
Okay, I've had time to play around with a couple of new applications through Flickr and I have to say, the funniest one offers a chance for you to Chia-tize a picture. You can grow green "Chia Pet" hair on the subject of your chosen pictures. I may just have to do this to one of my brothers-in-law, and put it in a frame to use during our family's annual Dirty Santa event at Christmas. I'm NOT sure that I'd sign the card, though. What a hoot.
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Okay, I've had time to play around with a couple of new applications through Flickr and I have to say, the funniest one offers a chance for you to Chia-tize a picture. You can grow green "Chia Pet" hair on the subject of your chosen pictures. I may just have to do this to one of my brothers-in-law, and put it in a frame to use during our family's annual Dirty Santa event at Christmas. I'm NOT sure that I'd sign the card, though. What a hoot.
Using Flickr
Setting up the Flickr account was simple. I didn't like having to give out my URL and password in order to link Flickr to my blog, so I'm going to try to use the Blogger applications first.
Choosing my buddy icon for Flickr took quite a bit a time...not because the process was difficult, but because I got bogged down reminiscing over scads of photos on my computer.
I think the idea of tagging makes complete sense. By linking each picture with certain key words or comments, I can pull them all up very easily for future reference. I sort of have my email accounts at work set up that way, so the notion transposes easily within my mind.
I was a bit leary of putting my pictures on display for anybody and everybody. I think it's because I don't feel like I have control over them once they are out there in the public web. I guess I have to keep telling myself to "think globally."
Here's a link to my photo stream on Flickr. The photos that I have posted are from my August, 2009 trip to Bermuda. We've been four times and it just keeps getting better...more expensive, too.
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Choosing my buddy icon for Flickr took quite a bit a time...not because the process was difficult, but because I got bogged down reminiscing over scads of photos on my computer.
I think the idea of tagging makes complete sense. By linking each picture with certain key words or comments, I can pull them all up very easily for future reference. I sort of have my email accounts at work set up that way, so the notion transposes easily within my mind.
I was a bit leary of putting my pictures on display for anybody and everybody. I think it's because I don't feel like I have control over them once they are out there in the public web. I guess I have to keep telling myself to "think globally."
Here's a link to my photo stream on Flickr. The photos that I have posted are from my August, 2009 trip to Bermuda. We've been four times and it just keeps getting better...more expensive, too.
My husband and I went snorkeling at one of the top beaches on the island, Smith's Bay. I found this underwater hole in the rock formations and submerged so that Rodger could get a photo of me peeping through. It took us 5 or 6 attempts because I kept floating back up. I finally just grabbed onto the rock and held myself in place, just long enough for him to snap the shot.
The 2-3" long Silversides (a minnow-like bait fish) made a huge, swirling tornado around me. It was so thick that I couldn't see the bottom or straight ahead. It was one of my favorite adventures despite the fact that it was unnerving and disorienting, at the time. I had to wait until they cleared away, before proceeding out to the reef. The whole time I was in there, I kept thinking, "Man, I hope nothing decides to eat them for lunch; because he'll get more than he bargained for, when he finds me in the middle."
Please go check out my other photos that offer just a hint of the glorious colors from God's own pallet, on the beautiful island of Bermuda!
7 and 1/2 Habits of a Lifelong Learner-Comments
I was very encouraged by what I saw during this video. I think I saw a lot of myself reflected in my attitudes and personal teaching style. But also see that I have such a long way to go. The more I learn, the more I feel like I know so little.
The easiest habit for me was #5 Tool Box and Resources. I love to find them, and I love to share them. With the storage capabilities of computers, it is so easy to download ideas and put them in files for easy retrieval, when my teachable moments pop up. Although, I can't put my BEST resource in my computer....that would be people....people who have walked the path before me and were willing to share their expertise, time, and ideas. What a powerful resource others can be...if just given the chance to share, in a non-judgmental and nonthreatening environment.
As for the hardest goal: I believe that would be #1. Goal setting is often hard for me, because I get bogged down in the details. I often over anticipate and over plan to the point that, I miss the spontaneous moments that arise in class. Sometimes the children spot a better route to take or one that interests them more and I have gotten so "married to the plan" or task at hand, that I don't relinquish control to their desire to learn a different way. Awareness is half the battle in becoming better, eh? I guess that goes along with the comment made in the movie about "learners first." Guess that means my pride needs to come second. I need more wisdom and discernment as I make my plans and be more willing to tweak them once I set them.
The easiest habit for me was #5 Tool Box and Resources. I love to find them, and I love to share them. With the storage capabilities of computers, it is so easy to download ideas and put them in files for easy retrieval, when my teachable moments pop up. Although, I can't put my BEST resource in my computer....that would be people....people who have walked the path before me and were willing to share their expertise, time, and ideas. What a powerful resource others can be...if just given the chance to share, in a non-judgmental and nonthreatening environment.
As for the hardest goal: I believe that would be #1. Goal setting is often hard for me, because I get bogged down in the details. I often over anticipate and over plan to the point that, I miss the spontaneous moments that arise in class. Sometimes the children spot a better route to take or one that interests them more and I have gotten so "married to the plan" or task at hand, that I don't relinquish control to their desire to learn a different way. Awareness is half the battle in becoming better, eh? I guess that goes along with the comment made in the movie about "learners first." Guess that means my pride needs to come second. I need more wisdom and discernment as I make my plans and be more willing to tweak them once I set them.
Comments on Video: K-12 Students Today
After 20 years of teaching, I've seen a lot of faces come and go through my teaching space. As I watched this video, the students all looked so sad....not bored....not disinterested...not emotionless...definitely, sad. I couldn't help wonder, if they were coached by the video's director to make themselves look so sorrowful.
When I considered what makes me sad about education, the first thing that popped in my mind was the lack of physical engagement in most classes...frontal teaching is a huge loss of potential for learners. If our students want to create, manipulate and experience what they are learning, educators will certainly have to move away from pencil and paper pushing activities, and adopt and provide more hands on learning experiences. Hmmmmm...does this mean that we may need to reconsider all this test, test and more tests mentality? I would give a HUGE "yes" response to that notion.
I have long felt that creativity was being sucked out of the classroom, due to the high emphasis on test score. We have access to more technology and creative opportunities than ever before, yet many innovative ideas are put on the back burner and unused. More is the pity that teachers feel they can no longer interject their own passions and interests into the curriculum for fear of falling behind their scope and sequence plans and assessments.
One of the cardboard messages mentioned that the majority of folks will have about 14 jobs, before turning the age of 38. I had to test that notion and began counting. I started my pursuit for the green dollar when I was 12 years old and have had eleven significant, money making positions--that's pretty close. I was always attracted to jobs that allowed me to be mobile, inside or outside; gave me opportunities to interact with others; and kept my fun factor very high. Teaching by far has been the funnest.
Most of the changes, I made from job to job, were moves I made to accommodate my progress from teen to young adult. I never thought I'd stick with any of my positions for long. They were just stepping stones that made me some bucks, until I could land a teaching position. Once I got my break into the public schools, I never looked back. Teaching has so much going on, I don't know how I could ever get bored with it....thanks to the oodles of children that plow through my gym doors ready to play and learn together!
I just pray that I don't make it boring for the 21st century learners in my classes. I don't want anyone associating sadness to what I present and my students get to do in my classroom.
When I considered what makes me sad about education, the first thing that popped in my mind was the lack of physical engagement in most classes...frontal teaching is a huge loss of potential for learners. If our students want to create, manipulate and experience what they are learning, educators will certainly have to move away from pencil and paper pushing activities, and adopt and provide more hands on learning experiences. Hmmmmm...does this mean that we may need to reconsider all this test, test and more tests mentality? I would give a HUGE "yes" response to that notion.
I have long felt that creativity was being sucked out of the classroom, due to the high emphasis on test score. We have access to more technology and creative opportunities than ever before, yet many innovative ideas are put on the back burner and unused. More is the pity that teachers feel they can no longer interject their own passions and interests into the curriculum for fear of falling behind their scope and sequence plans and assessments.
One of the cardboard messages mentioned that the majority of folks will have about 14 jobs, before turning the age of 38. I had to test that notion and began counting. I started my pursuit for the green dollar when I was 12 years old and have had eleven significant, money making positions--that's pretty close. I was always attracted to jobs that allowed me to be mobile, inside or outside; gave me opportunities to interact with others; and kept my fun factor very high. Teaching by far has been the funnest.
Most of the changes, I made from job to job, were moves I made to accommodate my progress from teen to young adult. I never thought I'd stick with any of my positions for long. They were just stepping stones that made me some bucks, until I could land a teaching position. Once I got my break into the public schools, I never looked back. Teaching has so much going on, I don't know how I could ever get bored with it....thanks to the oodles of children that plow through my gym doors ready to play and learn together!
I just pray that I don't make it boring for the 21st century learners in my classes. I don't want anyone associating sadness to what I present and my students get to do in my classroom.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Comments Regarding Video-"Did You Know?"
I watch very little television and even though I own a Wii, I rarely play it. My main draws to technology are email and FaceBook---purely to keep up with college, high school, and personal and professional friends. As I began to watch the first video entitled "Did You Know?", my failing eyesight and tired gray matter pointed to my age. I had to restart the video three or four times, because I couldn't read and process the screens, as quickly as they transitioned onto the monitor. I might catch the first couple of words that flashed up, but couldn't focus long enough, to process the ideas that popped up, on screen. I think that my mind isn't trained to respond and process such quick, visual bits of information...perhaps gaming would improve that skill/talent....or perhaps I'll just have to become extremely familiar with the pause-video button, for future viewings.
Once I got over the initial embarrassment that I couldn't keep up, I relaxed and decided to watch the video all the way through, twice, before writing anything, in my notes. The first time I watched it, I watched it for the artistic elements and sensory appeal. The second time, I watched it for content of the script. Here are a few things that caught my attention:
The opening graphic of the silhouette of the businessman, made out of zero and one combinations, was a clear testimony to the "digital citizen". I thought that was clever.
As I watched the digital landscape unfold, my mind made the connection between my childhood memories of the gray and rocky landscapes of the first lunar landings. Thoughts included : "...wow, that looks so foreign..." and "...I just don't feel like I know ANYTHING, anymore..." The whole concept of traveling to the moon way back then, absolutely filled my mind with curiosity and about possibilities. Today, I think I'm equally inquisitive about where technology may take us, next. As a 47 year old educator, there are just as many unknowns to me; as there were when I was a preteen, sitting in front of our black and white television....only now, I view my world's next frontier, in high definition on a 24-inch flat screen monitor.
Portions of the video content impacted me through shock, humor and disbelief. For instance, around the 25-second mark on the video, a number with a bunch of zeroes popped up. I had to pause the video just to get my mind around the concept of the existence of 1 Trillion web pages. That was an awful lot of zeroes in that number. I had barely gotten past that thought, when the statistic regarding how many bathrooms have a television in them....oh for heaven's sake! That's just comical...no, on second thought, it's sad, when you consider that even our most private moments in the course of a day, are cluttered with noise from the airwaves. Truly, what is SOOOOO important that it couldn't wait until we finish our shower, brushing our teeth, etc. Puh-leez!
When I saw the statistics relating to texting and that a typical teen sends 2200+ texts per month, I was stunned. I have a 13 year old and we decided not to give her a cell phone, television in her room, or unsupervised access to extended cable television, until we feel she is mature enough to set healthy boundaries regarding these intrusive technologies. If children are getting and sending this many notifications through handheld devices, when are they sleeping? Research shows that teens NEED tons of sleep, due to the developmental needs of their bodies. I can't imagine that they are cutting their phones/blackberries/etc. off at night, so when do they reach uninterrupted REM sleep patterns? When are they making time for "downtime"? How many moments are interrupted at the dinner table, because people are "that connected"?
I guess, this video brought this question to the forefront of my thoughts:
What are we sacrificing, in order to be "in touch" 24/7? Hmmmmmm?
Many things are considered "good"...... but not all things are appropriate, at all times.............everything in moderation!
Once I got over the initial embarrassment that I couldn't keep up, I relaxed and decided to watch the video all the way through, twice, before writing anything, in my notes. The first time I watched it, I watched it for the artistic elements and sensory appeal. The second time, I watched it for content of the script. Here are a few things that caught my attention:
The opening graphic of the silhouette of the businessman, made out of zero and one combinations, was a clear testimony to the "digital citizen". I thought that was clever.
As I watched the digital landscape unfold, my mind made the connection between my childhood memories of the gray and rocky landscapes of the first lunar landings. Thoughts included : "...wow, that looks so foreign..." and "...I just don't feel like I know ANYTHING, anymore..." The whole concept of traveling to the moon way back then, absolutely filled my mind with curiosity and about possibilities. Today, I think I'm equally inquisitive about where technology may take us, next. As a 47 year old educator, there are just as many unknowns to me; as there were when I was a preteen, sitting in front of our black and white television....only now, I view my world's next frontier, in high definition on a 24-inch flat screen monitor.
Portions of the video content impacted me through shock, humor and disbelief. For instance, around the 25-second mark on the video, a number with a bunch of zeroes popped up. I had to pause the video just to get my mind around the concept of the existence of 1 Trillion web pages. That was an awful lot of zeroes in that number. I had barely gotten past that thought, when the statistic regarding how many bathrooms have a television in them....oh for heaven's sake! That's just comical...no, on second thought, it's sad, when you consider that even our most private moments in the course of a day, are cluttered with noise from the airwaves. Truly, what is SOOOOO important that it couldn't wait until we finish our shower, brushing our teeth, etc. Puh-leez!
When I saw the statistics relating to texting and that a typical teen sends 2200+ texts per month, I was stunned. I have a 13 year old and we decided not to give her a cell phone, television in her room, or unsupervised access to extended cable television, until we feel she is mature enough to set healthy boundaries regarding these intrusive technologies. If children are getting and sending this many notifications through handheld devices, when are they sleeping? Research shows that teens NEED tons of sleep, due to the developmental needs of their bodies. I can't imagine that they are cutting their phones/blackberries/etc. off at night, so when do they reach uninterrupted REM sleep patterns? When are they making time for "downtime"? How many moments are interrupted at the dinner table, because people are "that connected"?
I guess, this video brought this question to the forefront of my thoughts:
What are we sacrificing, in order to be "in touch" 24/7? Hmmmmmm?
Many things are considered "good"...... but not all things are appropriate, at all times.............everything in moderation!
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