I was at outdoor education with my fifth graders this week and had no cell phone for an entire week. The computer connections were very slow and there was very little access to technology. The computers at the site were about five years old and there was no cell coverage. It was like traveling back in time, but I appreciated the naturalistic aspect of the location. Our outdoor education was at the YMCA San Mateo Outdoor Education in La Honda. The students and I had a blast, but I would have liked some of that mobile technology that Paul Kim spoke about. However, it was good for the kids to be away from video games, phones, and computers for the week. They were outside for so much time and enjoyed themselves. It was nice to see them getting exercise, hiking, and gardening. There is life without technology, but I can't wait to get back to my working phone and computer.
Paul Kim participated through elluminate and demonstrated this site: http://ldt.stanford.edu/~educ39108/paulk/SFSU.htm which was interesting. He proceeded to demonstrate further projects on mobile education that he was working on. The mobile learning solutions for African children was fascinating. Teachermate seems like a great project that would be fun to build activities. They have several different devices for game-based learning. Teachermate is not a networkable device because the places they take them to, do not have all the capabilities as we do here. They are self-sufficient devices. I would love to see those devices and "play" with them!
The design group had a great video clip and outlined the concept very well. Hung, Yana, and Miles gathered a lot of excellent information and communicated well.
I will put up some of my videos to my YouTube when I have better access to technology.
My YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/mtaylorsalvador
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Can you tell I like giraffes?
You asked and I'm responding. Okay, so here's the scoop on the giraffes:
Eugene Lee was a guest speaker who spoke about a noteworthy tool known as Socialtext. I enjoyed the way he explained through the use of analogies and gave us some great background information. He has had experience with start-up companies and transitioned to new technology. The focus on business is on people and some forget that the goal of software is for people to get their job done. The widgets are similar to igoogle and some are taken directly from igoogle. It is focused on work related networking. This seems like a nice tool for large corporations, which is Socialtext's intended audience. The idea is to make more meaningful ties within networks.
Craig presented on Mashups, a web application hybrid. It combines data from multiple sources to an integrated tool. He gave a great example of combining youtube and googlemaps to create new content. It is gathered from other sites through an API to use programs within programs. I really liked how Craig spoke about avoiding code and using RSS feeds for Mashup. The video tutorial was very helpful and I think Ubiquity is something I will definitely use. Thanks for sharing your presentation on the wiki!
Our group was researching the history of ITEC for our story presentation. We found that there is a rich history behind the department. I enjoyed the remainder of the Pink's book and looked at the essential questions he ponders.
1. Can a computer complete the work faster?
2. Are the skills I'm offering in demand in an age of abundance?
3. Can someone overseas perform these tasks cheaper?
Story, empathy, play, design, symphony, and meaning are competitive skills in the era of our Conceptual Age.
Eugene Lee was a guest speaker who spoke about a noteworthy tool known as Socialtext. I enjoyed the way he explained through the use of analogies and gave us some great background information. He has had experience with start-up companies and transitioned to new technology. The focus on business is on people and some forget that the goal of software is for people to get their job done. The widgets are similar to igoogle and some are taken directly from igoogle. It is focused on work related networking. This seems like a nice tool for large corporations, which is Socialtext's intended audience. The idea is to make more meaningful ties within networks.
Craig presented on Mashups, a web application hybrid. It combines data from multiple sources to an integrated tool. He gave a great example of combining youtube and googlemaps to create new content. It is gathered from other sites through an API to use programs within programs. I really liked how Craig spoke about avoiding code and using RSS feeds for Mashup. The video tutorial was very helpful and I think Ubiquity is something I will definitely use. Thanks for sharing your presentation on the wiki!
Our group was researching the history of ITEC for our story presentation. We found that there is a rich history behind the department. I enjoyed the remainder of the Pink's book and looked at the essential questions he ponders.
1. Can a computer complete the work faster?
2. Are the skills I'm offering in demand in an age of abundance?
3. Can someone overseas perform these tasks cheaper?
Story, empathy, play, design, symphony, and meaning are competitive skills in the era of our Conceptual Age.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
What's Your Favorite Part of the Brain?
The class brought up some great insight about A Whole New Mind and it really gave me some clarity on the reading. Brian and Erica presented podcasting, which they have been modeling for several weeks on their blogs. They gave us some excellent tips and created a fantastic demonstration. Their PowerPoint was very detailed and easy to follow and I am excited to incorporate more podcasting into my work.
Gordon spoke about Second Life, which is a program I have never used. However, I have had students who have gone on Second Life. This virtual world opens up an international component filled with fantasy. People use it for a variety of things: business, socializing, etc. I enjoyed how Gordon talked about the educational applications of the program and how collaboration takes place. Empowering students is often a fun approach to education. I like how the virtual world can replicate periods in history or works of art. Virtual field trips are a fantastic component. Personally, I would rather focus on my real life than on a second life, but can see how it would be fun for learning.
Eric presented information about Mobile Learning, which is great for collaboration tool with diverse formats. Eric reflected on the information and provided great insight and analysis. I love the idea of having education and collaboration in the palm of my hand.
Gordon spoke about Second Life, which is a program I have never used. However, I have had students who have gone on Second Life. This virtual world opens up an international component filled with fantasy. People use it for a variety of things: business, socializing, etc. I enjoyed how Gordon talked about the educational applications of the program and how collaboration takes place. Empowering students is often a fun approach to education. I like how the virtual world can replicate periods in history or works of art. Virtual field trips are a fantastic component. Personally, I would rather focus on my real life than on a second life, but can see how it would be fun for learning.
Eric presented information about Mobile Learning, which is great for collaboration tool with diverse formats. Eric reflected on the information and provided great insight and analysis. I love the idea of having education and collaboration in the palm of my hand.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Mobile Learning
Leslie Rule of KQED spoke with us about how this "gadget gal" noticed the learning tools of place-based education, and using community as text. Locative Media, location-based services, has applications for education. Android, by Google, had many of its features was location-based services. How can we make meaning in new ways with this technology? Leslie Rule spoke about one project in particular, which focused on the 1906 earthquake's 100 year anniversary. They recreated a time and a place across from City Hall; experience and place can change things. How does creating the content in place change the learning? I love the idea of getting learners outside the classroom where they can learn on so many levels. I remember how my students' perspectives changed about animals when a sanctuary brought some animals to the children. They had the opportunity to see and touch animals in person. It really reduced a lot of fears and changed some of their views of certain species.
Link:
http://www.locative-media.org/
Yana gave a presentation about Google Chrome, which is their new browser. Google started from scratch and wanted to improve browsers. It is very simple to use and the top tab works as a search and a url--now that's convenient. It is a nice tool with easy to use thumbnails. I think I still like Firefox the best, but who knows what they will do with these tools next.
A Whole New Mind was a surprisingly quick read. The book talked about how the previous decades belonged to the programmers, lawyers, and MBAs. However, times are changing and artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, and consolers are sharing in society's happiness. Pink describes the right and left parts of the brain and how they differ from each other. Society has gone through historical stages which have empowered left brain thinkers, but right brain thinkers are just as important and are becoming appreciated. The right and left brain qualities are still under research and thinking has changed. The chapters go through different ages in history: the agricultural age (farmers), industrial age (factory workers), informational age (knowledge workers), and conceptual age (creators and empathizers). It sounds like the conceptual age will work well with my thinking. However, I still think teachers will remain underrated in our American society for many years to come. Additionally, I think that our pay will still be mediocre to our credentials. The brain functions are constantly being reevaluated and we need to continue studies of the brain before more conclusions are met. If the left hemisphere is sequential and the right hemisphere is simultaneous, then both selections can work with each other and people can be successful whether the right or left dominates their thinking. I agree with Pink that we need to become proficient in right-directed thinking and higher order thinking skills. I try to encourage my students to become proficient in these skills as well.
Link:
http://www.locative-media.org/
Yana gave a presentation about Google Chrome, which is their new browser. Google started from scratch and wanted to improve browsers. It is very simple to use and the top tab works as a search and a url--now that's convenient. It is a nice tool with easy to use thumbnails. I think I still like Firefox the best, but who knows what they will do with these tools next.
A Whole New Mind was a surprisingly quick read. The book talked about how the previous decades belonged to the programmers, lawyers, and MBAs. However, times are changing and artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, and consolers are sharing in society's happiness. Pink describes the right and left parts of the brain and how they differ from each other. Society has gone through historical stages which have empowered left brain thinkers, but right brain thinkers are just as important and are becoming appreciated. The right and left brain qualities are still under research and thinking has changed. The chapters go through different ages in history: the agricultural age (farmers), industrial age (factory workers), informational age (knowledge workers), and conceptual age (creators and empathizers). It sounds like the conceptual age will work well with my thinking. However, I still think teachers will remain underrated in our American society for many years to come. Additionally, I think that our pay will still be mediocre to our credentials. The brain functions are constantly being reevaluated and we need to continue studies of the brain before more conclusions are met. If the left hemisphere is sequential and the right hemisphere is simultaneous, then both selections can work with each other and people can be successful whether the right or left dominates their thinking. I agree with Pink that we need to become proficient in right-directed thinking and higher order thinking skills. I try to encourage my students to become proficient in these skills as well.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Learning and Skills
The Digital Media and Learning Competition is such a fantastic project and I loved seeing the media. The individuals created wonderful, creative projects that communicated their stories effectively. We had many presenters inform us of some excellent tools during the class period. Judy gave a great presentation about Google Sites and how Pages has transitioned over time. Devi talked about VoiceThread, which is a program that I love and use. She presented it very well. Rowena presented Twitter, which is a fun tool that gives updates on what is going on. Jenny spoke about Flickr, an online photo management system for people to store, sort, search, and share photos.
I enjoyed the reading about the various technological tools and how they effect education. The article about growing up with Google was very interesting and I think that going seamlessly between the digital and physical world is an important skill. Although, I often feel like some students (and I) sometimes spend a little too much time in the digital world. I want to see my friends and I want children to get out of the house and see the real world in addition to the digital world. Instant communication is a fantastic feature, but I think it also encourages impatience. I often become easily frustrated when my friends do not answer their devices or texts. Before the cell phone blast, I was definitely more patient.
Another important concept is the gaming that individuals partake and I have become increasingly interested in game-based learning. I go through cycles of favorites that I like to apply to my classroom. This year they are graphic organizers and game-based learning tools. When students are engaged and find learning fun, I believe their creativity is enhanced and they are learning more.
I enjoyed the reading about the various technological tools and how they effect education. The article about growing up with Google was very interesting and I think that going seamlessly between the digital and physical world is an important skill. Although, I often feel like some students (and I) sometimes spend a little too much time in the digital world. I want to see my friends and I want children to get out of the house and see the real world in addition to the digital world. Instant communication is a fantastic feature, but I think it also encourages impatience. I often become easily frustrated when my friends do not answer their devices or texts. Before the cell phone blast, I was definitely more patient.
Another important concept is the gaming that individuals partake and I have become increasingly interested in game-based learning. I go through cycles of favorites that I like to apply to my classroom. This year they are graphic organizers and game-based learning tools. When students are engaged and find learning fun, I believe their creativity is enhanced and they are learning more.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
21st Century Learning
Validity in education is an important consideration that teachers need to apply to their teachings. Students are using multimedia while multitasking, in their own social networks. Teachers can apply these tools to their practices. I am seeing an increasing amount of visual learners in my classroom but the 21st century skills go beyond visual leaning and involve hands-on, interactive lessons. These skills touch on kinesthetic learners as well as other multiple intelligences. I often hear that students cannot sit still but I noticed they can sit in front of a computer or a video game until all hours of the evening. Education needs to adapt to the learning needs and prepare our students for global communication and networking. I looked into Cues, Questions, and Advance Organizers which is an instructional strategy that enhances students' abilities to retrieve, use, and organize topic information. Organizing and brainstorming software can be a helpful tool in illustrating information. It can bridge the gap of information and create topic connections. Scratch is a fun tool that might incorporate game-based learning into the classroom.
Here is a web map of a reading of an article about 21st century skills:
Here is a web map of a reading of an article about 21st century skills:
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