add a few more weeks!!!!!

AHA!!!!

I enjoyed this course so much!!!!! What I enjoyed most was the technologies that I had heard about and read about but not experienced yet. I have wanted to try blogging – now I have. I wanted to try using a wiki – now I have. I wanted to work some with avatars – now I have. These experiences are priceless. I am actually heading to a meeting with faculty to discuss the possible usage of e-portfolios for our psychology majors as a degree requirement in an upper level course. I am soooooo excited to go and share my knowledge and experiences with it.


I really could go on and on about the fun and knowledge I have gained. Oh, I almost forgot – my new favorite thing is the delicious bookmarking page!!! LOVE IT!! I have a bad habit of forgetting my USB and between delicious and googledocs I am working to not have to need it to do work from home. Most recently I saved some videos to delicious to use in class. I would have wasted time looking them up on YouTube had this wonderful bit of technology not been introduced to me in this class!!!

I was excited when I realized this was an 8 week course but not that it is over I actually wish we could do a few more. Call me crazy!!!!

Collecting weapons and tools for mass distribution of knowledge

Well, I currently teach this subject matter and I am always looking for ways to incorporate technology. The classes I teach are face to face with online components OR completely online. I love working with technology. Just this week I met with students doing a project for another topic and they are all using Googledocs!! I didn’t even tell them too. I was so happy. It served as a reminder not to be afraid to try out all because many times, these younger generations, know how to use the applications better that I. My expectations are always that not only will me students learn the course material but that they will also learn to use various forms of technology that will make them a better student, future teacher, psychologist or just a more knowledgeable individual.
For several years now I have viewed my teaching much differently. I spend lots of time trying to figure out what I can use, how I can use and training on different types of technologies that I can incorporate into the classroom. In a week or so I will be going to a faculty training session on using SoftChalk in Blackboard. I am VERY excited.
Having a teenage son who is VERY good with a computer and all other technology gadgets made me realize that if I wanted to continue to be an effective teacher when his generation came to college the I better step up my game!!! He is only 16 but his generation is already here. So far I think I am keeping up fairly well and thanks to the ETEC classes I have taken I feel like I’m ready for war, so to speak. I have all kinds of tools and weapons to use and they will never know what hit them. :)

Lecture to me Podcast style!!!!

OH WOW!! I see soooo much potential here. I would love to set up podcasts of lectures for students. Most of my students would rather watch a lecture on their own time if needed and use class to do more group or individual learning activities. The traditional lecture in many places is gradually being replaced by technology applications such as the podcasts. However, it is that tradition that is preventing many professors from making changes. We are in a comfort zone with it and fearful of something new or there are always those who just don’t want to learn to do something new.

If I could wave my magic wand I would have all my lectures on podcasts so that I could spend more time applying material in the classroom with activities. I would have students do group and individual projects with the use of podcasts. I really like changing my techniques and methods when it comes to incorporating technology. By having my lectures on podcasts not only would it allow me to use class time more effectively but I can also have an opportunity to get to know my students better. Instead of standing in front of them lecturing I can go from group to group during an activity and get to know them better. Now that would make me a happy camper!!! J

WEB 2.0 MADNESS!!

I tend to have lots of lists of things and sticky notes laying around everywhere and putting everything on a wiki of some sort might be a better idea. I really like the idea of using them for classes. A place where students can share notes can add to the learning experience in the classroom. I have a rather large group of friends from high school and college that like to get together periodically for trips and get togethers. A wiki would be a great central location to plan a trip and a get together. Right now we are still ancient and using email and text messages. I think it is time we step up to better Web 2.0 technology!!

I am absolutely overwhelmed with the number of Web 2.0 technologies that are available. I want to try them all!!!! The problem is I start one and then decide to try another and another and never really stick with one technology. My method to madness has its pros and cons. I have stuck with only one social networking site. I only Facebook. I don’t Twitter!! I have already used Jing and love it. Works great for instructional videos. I have a few students who have told me I am a technology genius by making a video on how to include a link on their discussion postings and some other ones that I did for class. I will let them keep thinking that for now!! J If I get asked “How do I ____________” more than two or three times I will just make a Jing video and upload it to the course management system for all students to watch and use if needed. I am especially eager to try Skype and would someday like to incorporate that as a requirement in my online classes for meetings.

I chose the importance of learner motivation and fostering motivation to focus on. If the students are not motivated to be in class and learn then nothing is accomplished. The job of the teacher should be to find ways to get the students activated and motivated in the learning. The first place to start is by understanding our ideas of what learning means and identifying what strategies we are using and whether or not the strategies or effective.

Portfolio assessment is a fabulous idea particularly when we are getting into the technology generation of students. They would much rather put together their work in an electronic format and send in that type up, punch holes in paper, bind it in a notebook and turn it in. By starting an electronic portfolio early on they are already on their way to creating wonderful resumes for the future.

Creating my own portfolio will give me something to share with students as an example, something to show my department head and colleagues (to show off my skills J) and serve as a constant reminder of where I have been, what I am doing and the endless possibilities of where I can go with my technology knowledge.

Mapping and reviewing and critically examining

I was amazed with the mapping activity. I will most definitely be searching differently. The main thing I will do differently is really pay attention to links within the website. I have always paid attention to things like .com, .edu, and .net. However, some of these may not be as reliable as I thought. I am always searching the internet for new ideas and information to use in my classes I teach. Looking back at what I have done in the past, I definitely need to be more thorough when investigating the sites I find.

If we do not teach these skills to students then they will think everything they find is true. Although Wikipedia has improved I still have students who try to use it as the “Golden Book” of knowledge. WOW. Students may learn about important topics incorrectly or from very biased points of view.

Delicious has great potential for someone like me. I just cleaned out my favorite’s folder of website the other day. I was amazed at the number of folders and sites I had created just in the past year or two. My system of organization is not working well and I can see the benefits to using Delicious/Google Reader. The drawback is simply just learning a new technique and system of saving websites. Best thing to do is just dive right on in and learn it.

Reflective Blog #2

Reflective Blog #2

Educational Technology has many meaning for me since I am in the role of student and the role of teacher. Educational technology, very simply, is developing and using new technology to enhance teaching and learning. I think my philosophy goes along with my definition. My first sentence last week was “The purpose of education is give students opportunities to learn and understand by providing opportunities for them to reflect on and experience the world around them” and by learning as much technology and using as much technology as I can I am giving them those opportunities.

The two videos – WOW WOW WOW. I love them. They really sum up where we have been and where we are headed. I would love to see one that is updated for 2010. Actually these videos could probably be updated on a daily basis because our world is changing so quickly all the time. These two videos are saved to my favorites for future use and for a reminder of what my responsibilities are to my digital learners now and in the future.

My Philosophy, Blogging, etc

The purpose of education is give students opportunities to learn and understand by providing opportunities for them to reflect on and experience the world around them. The role of the learner is to be willing to embrace the opportunities and experiences provided by their instructors and mentors. Teachers should provide information for students to learn and opportunities to reflect and experience that information. I believe that I am one of many pathways for students to travel in order to add tools to their toolbox. I am constantly in search of new methods, techniques and current information to use in my classroom. Education, culture and the world in general are constantly changing and if I don’t change I am not doing my job in spreading knowledge and wisdom to my students. Expectations for my students and me are very high. I expect to give a 110% to making my classes a wonderful experience, full of information and opportunities. In return, I expect my students to give 110% in and outside the classroom. Just as my methodology and techniques and curriculum are always evolving I expect my philosophy of education, technology and my role within them to be always evolving.

What potential do I see for blogging? Currently, to be honest, I have been against personal blogging. My life is too busy to keep up a blog (online journal). I didn’t even take the time to keep a journal or diary as a kid. I do however see a use for it in education. Currently I have my students use blogs sites in groups to post information on their group projects. Now they can post this information for each other to see rather than email, call on phone, or make copies. They seem to be very excited about this new use of blogs in the classroom.

Many things stuck out in the Creating a New Culture of Teaching and Learning article. There is one sentence that at this particular time in the semester stuck out to me more than any statement in the article. In section five; automating vs. informating he states “I believe that every high school should require every student to take an entire course online because that’s where higher education is going.” I AGREE COMPLETELY!!! One of the things that high school does is prepare students for high school and college is supposed to prepare for real life. I have found that many of my students, of the technology generation, still do not know now to use a computer for educational purposes