On a monthly basis we get an updated Technology Newsletter from our head tech coordinator. This month the major focus of his discussion is PODCASTING. He mentions several schools that are currently involved in Podcasting (as he references the Ed Tech Magazine), and he mentions how great that can be when used in school. He tries to portray that this can allow the students to record speeches, conduct interviews, present information, create songs along with the stories they read, etc, etc. He recommends teaching important review lessons as they are being recorded and allow them to be uploaded so that there can be 24/7 learning on demand with our students. He also recommended recording special events in the classroom or school, so that it can be uploaded and student families and friends can watch these podcasts whenever and wherever they may be.
We'll soon see how many teachers are going to jump on the chance to have him help us create such podcasts and load them for viewing. I have a few teachers in mind that would do this in a heart beat or atleast try it, me being one of them. Most of these teachers are younger, and can relate to the technology aspect of teaching.
Let's see where technology will take us next :)
Monday, May 7, 2007
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Plagerizing
I went back and looked at the copyright article, and it got me thinking about a recent discussion that took place with my fellow fifth grade teachers as well as with my fifth grade class.
We assigned a group project that goes along with our Annual Nifty 50 Convention in which the students need to create a trifold of information about the state in which they were assigned. One of the main ideas that they had to portray 4 - 6 places in which people should visit within their state. They had to show a picture and a description of this place. After assigning this project, and getting the final outcomes from the 7 state groups that were assigned in my class, it soon became apparent to me, that these students used the internet to find this information. That was great, they did searches, and found numerous websites that would give them the information that they needed. The other thing that became apparent to me (and the other fifth grade teachers), is that they also cut, copied and pasted the information from the internet right onto their project, without even rewriting it into their own words. We discussed this among the teachers during our team meeting and realized that they had no idea that what they were doing was wrong. This then stemmed into a complete lesson on teaching the students on information access, and determining what plagerizism really is. We required each of the states to re-do thier tri-folds so that the state information was re created into their own words.
This lesson has taught me as well. Children don't realize that if the words aren't in a book, then it wasn't plagerizing to them. That amazed me. We often have discussed this with the students and I often find myself reminding them what plagerizing is, and how to avoid the consequences of being caught.
We assigned a group project that goes along with our Annual Nifty 50 Convention in which the students need to create a trifold of information about the state in which they were assigned. One of the main ideas that they had to portray 4 - 6 places in which people should visit within their state. They had to show a picture and a description of this place. After assigning this project, and getting the final outcomes from the 7 state groups that were assigned in my class, it soon became apparent to me, that these students used the internet to find this information. That was great, they did searches, and found numerous websites that would give them the information that they needed. The other thing that became apparent to me (and the other fifth grade teachers), is that they also cut, copied and pasted the information from the internet right onto their project, without even rewriting it into their own words. We discussed this among the teachers during our team meeting and realized that they had no idea that what they were doing was wrong. This then stemmed into a complete lesson on teaching the students on information access, and determining what plagerizism really is. We required each of the states to re-do thier tri-folds so that the state information was re created into their own words.
This lesson has taught me as well. Children don't realize that if the words aren't in a book, then it wasn't plagerizing to them. That amazed me. We often have discussed this with the students and I often find myself reminding them what plagerizing is, and how to avoid the consequences of being caught.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Articles on Technology
I read parts of the articles about Technology. We discussed some of them in class on Tuesday. The one thing that got brought up was the fact that there were very few people onboard of the study of software that were educators. If they are going to do a FEDERAL study on reading and math software why aren't they asking teachers for input, help, and suggestions with this study. The No Child Left Behind Act has caused some stir among educators, superintendents and the board of education, and now Congress is implementing this study to help with the No Child Left Behind Act. Millions of dollars are being spent on this study, yet there are still school districts all over the United States that are no up to date on books, supplies or technology. Sometime I wonder if political people actually know what is going on in the "real world".
I also enjoyed reading how YouTube is one of the new technology trends in 2007. After discussing it in class on several occasions, I have actually used YouTUbe videos for several class discussions in class. I find it amazing what you can find on YouTube from the hilarious to the education to the completely stupid (as well as inappropriate). I also liked looking at the Teacher Tube lessons, and wonder if I would ever have enough guts to do something like that (not really!). There are so many technological advances taking place in 2007 and I am sure it is only going to continue on this fast track. I can't even imagine what education will be like in the next 10 years with technology.
I remember writing once about what I though like would be like in the year 2020, and I thought about flying cars and living in space and such. Okay, so maybe no flying cars or living in space, but for certain there will be reality technology that will allow you to think you are flying your cars or allow you to feel as if you are living in space.
I also enjoyed reading how YouTube is one of the new technology trends in 2007. After discussing it in class on several occasions, I have actually used YouTUbe videos for several class discussions in class. I find it amazing what you can find on YouTube from the hilarious to the education to the completely stupid (as well as inappropriate). I also liked looking at the Teacher Tube lessons, and wonder if I would ever have enough guts to do something like that (not really!). There are so many technological advances taking place in 2007 and I am sure it is only going to continue on this fast track. I can't even imagine what education will be like in the next 10 years with technology.
I remember writing once about what I though like would be like in the year 2020, and I thought about flying cars and living in space and such. Okay, so maybe no flying cars or living in space, but for certain there will be reality technology that will allow you to think you are flying your cars or allow you to feel as if you are living in space.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Technology
Through the last week there have been heavy thoughts and concerns on every one's mind. First the water came, and it just kept coming. Through technology of the television, computers and telephones we were able to realize that the rain just wasn't your typical shower. The weather men used their technology to know just how bad it would be. People were warned...people were told, but I am not sure many listened. I was the fortunate one, and didn't get any water. The only issue the water caused me was to figure out a new, and yet much longer way to work. People in the flooded areas had much more to worry about. The technology that towns have, there should have been better communication. I know that the reverse 911 would have been a quick and easy way to warn people in flood areas that they need to get out, instead of having to rescue them in the middle of the night or throughout the following day. I actually got two reverse 911 calls, one on Sunday and one on Monday, to warn me of the awful conditions of the roads, and to be aware of local and home flooding, as well as the fact that they did declare a "state of emergency" so I was asked to stay off the roads. I think that this type of technology is very useful and could be used more often to keep townspeople in the loop of things.
The other thing that of course is on everyone's mind is the horrible and tragic event at Virginia Tech. Yes, they did get an email, but was that enough, and was it quick enough. Apparently not considering that 30 other people died after the email was sent. They have discussed on tv and in several articles that I have read and seen that text messages to cell phones is an option that should be used. Of course it seems logical enough since I am sure that most college students have a cell phone. I know that I got an email from Montclair asking me to register my cell phone. As a resident of the small town of Dumont, where a VT casualty lived, a small town bonded during this harsh time, and of course technology was in the mix as well. Again, reverse 911 calls were sent out telling the town residents that the middle of town would be closed due to the wake of Matthew LaPorte, and a police sign was posted in the middle of town paying respects to Matthew LaPorte.
I think that we always seem to brag about the technology things we have, but yet at times when technology is crucial, we realize what technology we really don't have or don't know how to use.
Hopefully through these tragedies we can understand, use and implement technology in an easy and informational way.
The other thing that of course is on everyone's mind is the horrible and tragic event at Virginia Tech. Yes, they did get an email, but was that enough, and was it quick enough. Apparently not considering that 30 other people died after the email was sent. They have discussed on tv and in several articles that I have read and seen that text messages to cell phones is an option that should be used. Of course it seems logical enough since I am sure that most college students have a cell phone. I know that I got an email from Montclair asking me to register my cell phone. As a resident of the small town of Dumont, where a VT casualty lived, a small town bonded during this harsh time, and of course technology was in the mix as well. Again, reverse 911 calls were sent out telling the town residents that the middle of town would be closed due to the wake of Matthew LaPorte, and a police sign was posted in the middle of town paying respects to Matthew LaPorte.
I think that we always seem to brag about the technology things we have, but yet at times when technology is crucial, we realize what technology we really don't have or don't know how to use.
Hopefully through these tragedies we can understand, use and implement technology in an easy and informational way.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Technology - is everyone ready for it?
As I read through the chapters when I was on vacation, and I read about the various programs available, and I began to wonder how many are really out there that we don't know about. Is what we use good enough? Is there more out there that I can use? Is there something better than what I already use? It just amazes me how fast it all turns about.
I then began to discuss this technology with my mother who taught for 27 years (retired 2 years ago). As I brought up the video ipods and using them in the classroom, she wondered "what the hell is a video ipod". Then I asked her about the use of computers as more than just a typing tool (word documents). Besides emails, that really the only thing my mother uses it for. I then went off on a tangent and started to discuss the use of smartboards with my class and my geometry unit that I am doing my matrix on. She had no idea what a smartboard was, and when I started to explain it, I got to "it's similar to a touch computer screen"...and that was it, I lost her. I continued to read and discuss various technology with my mother and then my father and it was all too much for them to handle. (of course an hour later I had to help set up their new VCR and program it for them, so that should say it all!!).Programs and technology change so rapidly that as soon as I enjoy using something with a lesson or a subject, it's old news and something else is there ready to take it's place, and I have to learn something new all over again. I am used to that and I am ready to leap forward, learn more, use more, and engage in more technology as it becomes available.
** On a side note, while in Arizona, it amazed me on the school systems out there. They are ranked 48th or 49th in education - basically due to the immigrant workers. A friend of the family had a 200% turn over rate from AUgust so far in her classroom (1st grade). She doesn't have any of the same students in her class that are in her class picture taken in September. I thought that was amazing. I also thought the fact that the only computers that are found in certain school districts are those donated by companies and such (which are usually out of date). And also, very hard to use a wireless laptop in the middle of the desert!
I then began to discuss this technology with my mother who taught for 27 years (retired 2 years ago). As I brought up the video ipods and using them in the classroom, she wondered "what the hell is a video ipod". Then I asked her about the use of computers as more than just a typing tool (word documents). Besides emails, that really the only thing my mother uses it for. I then went off on a tangent and started to discuss the use of smartboards with my class and my geometry unit that I am doing my matrix on. She had no idea what a smartboard was, and when I started to explain it, I got to "it's similar to a touch computer screen"...and that was it, I lost her. I continued to read and discuss various technology with my mother and then my father and it was all too much for them to handle. (of course an hour later I had to help set up their new VCR and program it for them, so that should say it all!!).Programs and technology change so rapidly that as soon as I enjoy using something with a lesson or a subject, it's old news and something else is there ready to take it's place, and I have to learn something new all over again. I am used to that and I am ready to leap forward, learn more, use more, and engage in more technology as it becomes available.
** On a side note, while in Arizona, it amazed me on the school systems out there. They are ranked 48th or 49th in education - basically due to the immigrant workers. A friend of the family had a 200% turn over rate from AUgust so far in her classroom (1st grade). She doesn't have any of the same students in her class that are in her class picture taken in September. I thought that was amazing. I also thought the fact that the only computers that are found in certain school districts are those donated by companies and such (which are usually out of date). And also, very hard to use a wireless laptop in the middle of the desert!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Technology
As I sat and read everyone's blogging, I realized that we are all on different levels of technology and understanding it, and even how we go about using it. I love being able to use technology, and I know I probably don't use it as often as I should. One of the reasons that I don't (in my eyes at least) is the fact that we have a limited supply of smartboards or projectors and it's hard to do the lessons I want without them. Share and share alike they always say, so I can't always hog the "hardware".
As I read Daniella's blog about the video iPod I was amazed on how far technology has come since I taught kindergarten (6years). I remember having my students do center time with Reading, and I thought using various games on the internet or Ready Rabbit Reader CD-Rom was cool...boy I wonder what they are using now :).
I read Tony's blog about a $100 laptop can change the world, but was unable to read the article (link was down). I think that the article could be very interesting to read and eye opener to those who think technology and learning have to be expensive.
Currently the students in our high school system each have their own laptops in which they take from class to class and have everything they need infront of them. According to "rumors" within the next few years the "laptop learning" will find it's way to our middle school. Part of me think that this is great, and part of me think that this might take away from the human interactive learning. I'm not sure though...have to wait and see I guess.
Technology is the way of the future, and I am sure we are in for a VERY interesting ride....I look forward to it :)
As I read Daniella's blog about the video iPod I was amazed on how far technology has come since I taught kindergarten (6years). I remember having my students do center time with Reading, and I thought using various games on the internet or Ready Rabbit Reader CD-Rom was cool...boy I wonder what they are using now :).
I read Tony's blog about a $100 laptop can change the world, but was unable to read the article (link was down). I think that the article could be very interesting to read and eye opener to those who think technology and learning have to be expensive.
Currently the students in our high school system each have their own laptops in which they take from class to class and have everything they need infront of them. According to "rumors" within the next few years the "laptop learning" will find it's way to our middle school. Part of me think that this is great, and part of me think that this might take away from the human interactive learning. I'm not sure though...have to wait and see I guess.
Technology is the way of the future, and I am sure we are in for a VERY interesting ride....I look forward to it :)
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
TV in the classroom
As I read the first part of chapter 5 and using TV in the classroom, I was instantly turned back to my sophmore year of high school in chemistry when every day seemed to be another video we had to watch. We would watch the video, the bell would ring, we would leave and it would happen all over again the next day. We were never held accountable for any of the information onthe videos, so after a while we started doing other homework in class, writing notes to each other, etc. This was obviously not a teaching strategy that was worthwhile.
Now, as a fifth grade teacher, I find that I use videos in my lessons and also as a culmination to my lessons, but I always hold my students accountable for the information. I will have worksheets that they have to answer, vocabulary that they need to define, questions that they must answer, or a journal assignment that they must respond to. Either way they must watch and pay attention to what they are watching, what they are being taught, and the meaning behind the movie may be.
One example was watching the movie of "Ruby Bridges" during Black History month. Ruby was the first black girl to go to an all white elementary school. Before the movie began we talked about segregation and how people were treated. We talked about name calling, and how inappropriate this behavior would be considered now adays. After watching the movie, the students responded to some of my thoughts in their journals. Showing them this and asking them to respond to it in their own words was a way I could see how much they really learned from it, and it was truly enlightening, for me and them.
Television, shows and videos can be a true asset to teaching, but only if it is done in an academic way and for academic reasons.
Now, as a fifth grade teacher, I find that I use videos in my lessons and also as a culmination to my lessons, but I always hold my students accountable for the information. I will have worksheets that they have to answer, vocabulary that they need to define, questions that they must answer, or a journal assignment that they must respond to. Either way they must watch and pay attention to what they are watching, what they are being taught, and the meaning behind the movie may be.
One example was watching the movie of "Ruby Bridges" during Black History month. Ruby was the first black girl to go to an all white elementary school. Before the movie began we talked about segregation and how people were treated. We talked about name calling, and how inappropriate this behavior would be considered now adays. After watching the movie, the students responded to some of my thoughts in their journals. Showing them this and asking them to respond to it in their own words was a way I could see how much they really learned from it, and it was truly enlightening, for me and them.
Television, shows and videos can be a true asset to teaching, but only if it is done in an academic way and for academic reasons.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
As I have been working on my strands and my tech list I find myself more confused than ever. I am also working on the websites that I use on a semi daily basis for teaching and such, and not sure how to organize all of this. So many fit into more than one category...is that ok? I am looking at my adjectives as well, and they all seem to overlap into my various teachings depending on the subject or lesson at hand. I wonder how many things do I really do at once while teaching...and how often do I really use the technology that I hace access to? So overwhelming...am I the only one?
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Well, I have just been on youtube for about an hour searching various things and found some weird and wacky videos as well as some really cool and creative and must see videos so check them out. Go onto www.youtube.com and search for the following
The Coolest Thing You've Probably Seen Recently (actually REALLY cool!)
Dance Evolution ( brought back memories)
and you can't forget the Bride Wig Out (which had been proven that it is a phony and she is a Canadian woman wanting to be an actress, but it is still pretty funny).
I also had my first run in with MySpace this week at work. I don't have a MySpace ad, and I think I am one of very few at my job but maybe someday soon I'll get one. Anyway, Thursday, I was called into the office during my break and was told they needed to discuss a MySpace "blog"....I was made aware that some children in our school posted a myspace ad making very derogatory remarks about several teachers in my school and when I heard them I nearly fell on the floor. Luckily I wasn't one of the teachers mentioned (I can only imagine what they might have said about me!) but the teachers were made aware of this in case anything was said in the halls or by parents about this situation. The police I believe are actually getting involved, but nothing has been done to the students about it, and more that anything, that is what burns me up the most. I know for a fact atleast half of my class had myspace ads and I truly think it is not appropriate for younger "tweens" to be a part of. It's just amazing to me what some of the kids post, display and say on thier ads. And what is more amazing to me is that the parents either don't know, don't care or don't realize how serious this all can truly become.
For now, I'll stick to emails and IM's.
The Coolest Thing You've Probably Seen Recently (actually REALLY cool!)
Dance Evolution ( brought back memories)
and you can't forget the Bride Wig Out (which had been proven that it is a phony and she is a Canadian woman wanting to be an actress, but it is still pretty funny).
I also had my first run in with MySpace this week at work. I don't have a MySpace ad, and I think I am one of very few at my job but maybe someday soon I'll get one. Anyway, Thursday, I was called into the office during my break and was told they needed to discuss a MySpace "blog"....I was made aware that some children in our school posted a myspace ad making very derogatory remarks about several teachers in my school and when I heard them I nearly fell on the floor. Luckily I wasn't one of the teachers mentioned (I can only imagine what they might have said about me!) but the teachers were made aware of this in case anything was said in the halls or by parents about this situation. The police I believe are actually getting involved, but nothing has been done to the students about it, and more that anything, that is what burns me up the most. I know for a fact atleast half of my class had myspace ads and I truly think it is not appropriate for younger "tweens" to be a part of. It's just amazing to me what some of the kids post, display and say on thier ads. And what is more amazing to me is that the parents either don't know, don't care or don't realize how serious this all can truly become.
For now, I'll stick to emails and IM's.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Technology
As I was reading this weeks pages I came across the the Five Categories of Computers...1 computer, small group of computers, computer lab, mobile cart (COW), and computers for everyone. Well, I have one in the classroom which is for me to use for work, and to set up my webpage, and connect to our Safari server for the Morning show and the VHS/DVD players in our server room. I also have access to a mobile cart (COW) which only has 14 laptops (if they all work), and we have one computer room in our school (which is MACs when the rest of our computers are DELL). The computer room is not always available for the teachers to use because of classes that she has to teach and the non-flexible schedules we both have. The COW that I use is only available to me the times I sign up for it, which you have to do atleast a week ahead of time. Rarely do I get a chance to use the computers on "a whim" or more than one set of COW's to make sure that each child has one to work on. One thing that I have been "researching" on and off is where I can write grants to gain more computers for my classroom or my gradelevel (any suggestions anyone?).
Monday, January 29, 2007
Learning and Technology
As I read through the two chapters I realized that beyong the multiple intelligences, there is a plethera of ways that humans learn. I enjoyed how chapter one talked about learning in so many different aspects and what the implications of the teachers as well as the student is in all these learning situations and environmetns. Technology teaches us, and we teach technology, so it goes around and around .
Chapter 4 dealt with many forms of learning communities and it's amazing how much is really out there that is unused by educators and students alikle. Communities all around us can provide so much knowledge and learning for teachers and students that we can learn together. I learned new technology language and many new forms of technology that can be used and atleast looked at to use in my classroom and by students to expand their horizons and their wealth of knowledge. I do agree that emails are a wonderful things, as well as online chatting, but you do tend to lose that social contact, as well as eye contact, tone, and voice pitch. Do you really know what the person is trying to say or portray as they are saying it? Are they yelling? Are they being sarcastic?
Some of the technology out there (CaMILE and Swiki) confused me, but sound quite interesting.
What a wonderful world we live in that learning every day is a valued experience and it will only grow on from there.
Chapter 4 dealt with many forms of learning communities and it's amazing how much is really out there that is unused by educators and students alikle. Communities all around us can provide so much knowledge and learning for teachers and students that we can learn together. I learned new technology language and many new forms of technology that can be used and atleast looked at to use in my classroom and by students to expand their horizons and their wealth of knowledge. I do agree that emails are a wonderful things, as well as online chatting, but you do tend to lose that social contact, as well as eye contact, tone, and voice pitch. Do you really know what the person is trying to say or portray as they are saying it? Are they yelling? Are they being sarcastic?
Some of the technology out there (CaMILE and Swiki) confused me, but sound quite interesting.
What a wonderful world we live in that learning every day is a valued experience and it will only grow on from there.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
My Tech Tale
As I read the Tech Tales in the handout, I thought about all the same things they did. Using electric typewriters and writing simple problems that allow you to see something over and over again on the screen. My biggest tech tale though has been through teaching and how technology has changed over the course of the last 10 years. It has all started when I was teaching kindergarten and the students used the computers to play on Reader Rabbit and Math Munchers and it taught and reinforced reading and math that I did in class. Then I taught third grade where they used the computers to type up essays and reports, and to take reading tests for the books they read. This was when I realized that they loved the computers and being on them, so I started to teach them how to make a power point presentation. Because we only had two computers in our classroom at the time, I assigned two students per week to work on their powerpoints during any free time that they might have had and they loved creating them and sharing them (I believe they made power points all about themselves). Then when I moved into fifth grade and had access to the COWS (computers- laptops- on wheels), I began to bring technology into some other lessons...me using powerpoints to teach a lesson, and then creating power points to reinforce lessons. Using it to create word documents, or spreadsheets, have been brought into all other subjects from social studies & current events to publishing essays, and problem solving in math. I love that fact that every year of teaching, I still have the same curriculum, but teach it in so many different ways with the help of the latest technology.
Blogging
I was playing around and noticed that my name is on some blogs and not others, and I am not sure why. I'm still not quite sure how this all works, and I hope I can play around some more and figure it out. Blogging isn't as easy as everyone makes it seem and yet people do this everyday for any reason. Hmm..I'll get it sooner or later :)
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Class
Well class was an adventure tonight. It seemed as if nothing was going right for any of the computers. Not everyone's blog account worked, so we are having a wonderful technology experience. I liked being able to set up my own blog, and I am curious as to if I could set one up for my class, or whether or not I would have issues with the children and language. I do think it would be cool if the kids could access and make a comment atleast just once a week of what they were learning or what they want to learn or discuss or do or whatever (nice run on sentence :)!)
Looking forward to more blogging :)
Looking forward to more blogging :)
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