It's another "blog about whatever you want" week, so I'm hoping to be clever this time. I was really interested in the website Nate posted about using blogs to facilitate learning. Since I am not really very good at blogging yet, the information on the website helped me understand more about their educational value. I liked what it said about good writing habits, as well as good reading habits. I think that is one of the biggest benefits to blogs - there is always new stuff being added, so students have to check them regularly to see what's new. This definitely promotes good habits in that the students set aside time every so often to check the blogs they follow regularly. It's kind of like reading the paper, which is something teachers have been encouraging students to do for years. So, since we are supposed to blog in a different format this week, I think I'll go with "list" format, and make a list of different technologies that I know of, or am learning about, that can benefit students in some way
1. cell phones
2. iPods
3. laptops
4. blogs
5. wikis
6. e-book reading devices
7. PLNs
8. bookmarking sites like Delicious
9. social networking sites like Twitter
10. GPS devices
Feel free to share any others I'm missing. This exercise was just sort of a "brain dump" and an experiment in using a different blogging style, which was kind of fun.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Oops - late blog
I might as well just get it out there - this blog is late. I can't believe I forgot to blog! It just goes to show how someone who doesn't usually use this sort of stuff can easily blow it off in favor of bad television (which is, sadly, what happened). I wish we had a specific topic to blog about. All this freedom is just too much for me. My brain is sort of an overcrowded wasteland, and if not properly directed, can get away from me. So, I think I'll piggy back on Erin's topic, if she doesn't mind (thank you, Erin!) http://techtechgoose.blogspot.com/. She mentioned how teachers will use rap or other "cool" teaching tactics, and their reasons behind it. The fact is, that stuff really works! I know when my teachers busted out with a rap song about the Constitution or something, it was always so lame I couldn't help but remember it. So maybe the teacher's plans of being cool backfired, but if it makes the kids laugh, then they're not likely to forget it. It's a win-win situation. It's the same with technology. If we at least make an effort to reach them on their level, they will probably appreciate it more than if we use an overhead projector simply because we know how it works.
I'm all for the idea of using cell phones and other portable devices in schools. Why not? In today's society, it's really all about finding the answer - not necessarily retrieving it from memory. So what if the kids don't have all the historical dates memorized? If they can do a quick search and find them, isn't that all that matters? They use Google all the time anyway to search for Britney Spears and gosh knows what else, so let them apply the same methods to their schoolwork, and they'll probably surprise us with how much great information they can find. Chances are, if they are forced to memorize a bunch of people and places and dates, they'll forget them all after the test anyway (I did). So why not teach them effective searching skills they'll end up using most of their lives instead?
I'm all for the idea of using cell phones and other portable devices in schools. Why not? In today's society, it's really all about finding the answer - not necessarily retrieving it from memory. So what if the kids don't have all the historical dates memorized? If they can do a quick search and find them, isn't that all that matters? They use Google all the time anyway to search for Britney Spears and gosh knows what else, so let them apply the same methods to their schoolwork, and they'll probably surprise us with how much great information they can find. Chances are, if they are forced to memorize a bunch of people and places and dates, they'll forget them all after the test anyway (I did). So why not teach them effective searching skills they'll end up using most of their lives instead?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Global Opportunities Availble to Learners
I think the biggest factor in global educational opportunities is technology. It has broken down many barriers, and has allowed us to communicate with others all over the world. With current technology, students are able to email, chat, and even use video conferencing to communicate. Before these technologies became widely available, most people had to communicate with others overseas by letter-writing or telephone, or by traveling. And while foreign exchange programs are still cool and a great opportunity for any student, it is not the only way to become immersed in other cultures. Technology has allowed us to practically visit another country without actually going there.
One major benefit of the globalization of education is that it has helped students to respect other cultures and celebrate diversity. Cultural practices and beliefs that may be different from theirs don’t seem “weird” when the students are frequently exposed to them, and can actually talk with students from other countries and cultures. Globalized education helps not only increase awareness and tolerance, but also to spark curiosity. Students are more likely to want to learn about other places when the information is readily available, and is presented in new and exciting ways. I read an interesting article (can’t remember where, or I’d post it) about how computers with Internet access are being donated to developing countries without electricity. From what I gather, the computers have a crank on them, and you can wind it up to get it to work (kind of like those flashlights that don’t need batteries). The article didn’t go into a lot of detail, but I think this sounds like a really valuable resource and will allow people access to information like they’ve never had before.
One major benefit of the globalization of education is that it has helped students to respect other cultures and celebrate diversity. Cultural practices and beliefs that may be different from theirs don’t seem “weird” when the students are frequently exposed to them, and can actually talk with students from other countries and cultures. Globalized education helps not only increase awareness and tolerance, but also to spark curiosity. Students are more likely to want to learn about other places when the information is readily available, and is presented in new and exciting ways. I read an interesting article (can’t remember where, or I’d post it) about how computers with Internet access are being donated to developing countries without electricity. From what I gather, the computers have a crank on them, and you can wind it up to get it to work (kind of like those flashlights that don’t need batteries). The article didn’t go into a lot of detail, but I think this sounds like a really valuable resource and will allow people access to information like they’ve never had before.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Social Networking in Education
I am about as eager to admit that I don’t use social networking as I would be to admit that I live in mortal terror of being crushed to death by space junk. Neither is a very flattering proclamation. But, since I would probably look like a bigger idiot for singing the praises of “My Face” or “Spacebook,” I had probably better be honest about my ignorance. I am sure there are a lot of practical uses for social networking. Like my classmates have mentioned, it’s a great way to keep in touch with long-distance friends. For educational purposes, I suppose students could have discussions with classmates and stay on top of assignments. For me, though, I have yet to develop a need for it. The few friends with whom I interact on a regular basis are local, and if I have a question, I tend to use the phone or send a quick email. Is this a terrible way to be?
I have looked at people’s Facebook pages from time to time out of curiosity, but I just don’t see the point in making a habit out of it. It seems, as Deb http://djbloomie.blogspot.com/ pointed out, that many of them contain questionnaire results and random stream-of-consciousness ramblings. I don’t have time to care about which Star Wars character Sally most resembles, or what Bambi thinks about fall lipstick colors. I barely have time to keep track of my own work and school duties. But, the awesome thing about this class is that I will get the opportunity to dink around with these technologies, and have it count as “schoolwork.” I love it! Perhaps I’ll fare better in my “Second Life” than I have in this one!
I know we’re supposed to refer to another blogger here, but I am having trouble finding blogs of value. I tried doing a “blog search” but just came up with random people whose credibility on the subject matter was questionable. I subscribed to Anderson Cooper’s blog http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/blog/ , but I don’t think that was really the point of the assignment. So, rather than rambling about Afghanistan, I think I’ll just ask anyone reading this: How does one find blogs about emerging instructional technologies by reputable authors?
I have looked at people’s Facebook pages from time to time out of curiosity, but I just don’t see the point in making a habit out of it. It seems, as Deb http://djbloomie.blogspot.com/ pointed out, that many of them contain questionnaire results and random stream-of-consciousness ramblings. I don’t have time to care about which Star Wars character Sally most resembles, or what Bambi thinks about fall lipstick colors. I barely have time to keep track of my own work and school duties. But, the awesome thing about this class is that I will get the opportunity to dink around with these technologies, and have it count as “schoolwork.” I love it! Perhaps I’ll fare better in my “Second Life” than I have in this one!
I know we’re supposed to refer to another blogger here, but I am having trouble finding blogs of value. I tried doing a “blog search” but just came up with random people whose credibility on the subject matter was questionable. I subscribed to Anderson Cooper’s blog http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/blog/ , but I don’t think that was really the point of the assignment. So, rather than rambling about Afghanistan, I think I’ll just ask anyone reading this: How does one find blogs about emerging instructional technologies by reputable authors?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Role of Blogging in Education
I liked what Vicki Davis http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com said about blogging in education, and think that she made very good points about how it should and should not be used. Blogging is a good way for students to become more engaged in the subject material and share their thoughts and opinions. If students think their ideas on the subjects being taught to them matter both to the teacher and to other students, they will be more likely to participate.
I didn’t realize that teachers used blogs as a way of turning in papers. I guess that makes sense, but it probably shouldn’t replace turning assignments in either on paper or through email. The thing that bugs me is the lack of privacy in blogging. From what I gather (and I’m far from an avid blogger), everyone can see what you post on a blog, and if a student isn’t confident in his or her writing ability, he or she might be embarrassed to post a paper for everyone to see. Also, there are times when the subject matter of a paper might be personal or private. I have had teachers assign papers before that I wouldn’t want to share with the entire class, due to a sensitive or controversial topic.
I think blogs should definitely be used in education to help facilitate interaction and conversation, but only on a voluntary basis. Students should be asked to post their thoughts and responses to questions that they are willing to share with the whole group. But, like Vicki Davis said, blogs should be kept free of negative remarks. I noticed that even on her blog, the people who commented didn’t exactly have the nicest things to say about her ideas. That is basically why I don’t blog, or have My Space, Facebook, or any of that other stuff. People have a tendency to pick things apart, and I don’t like putting myself out there to be publicly eviscerated. I’m not saying that I think these things are bad, rather that I don’t have the guts to use them.
I didn’t realize that teachers used blogs as a way of turning in papers. I guess that makes sense, but it probably shouldn’t replace turning assignments in either on paper or through email. The thing that bugs me is the lack of privacy in blogging. From what I gather (and I’m far from an avid blogger), everyone can see what you post on a blog, and if a student isn’t confident in his or her writing ability, he or she might be embarrassed to post a paper for everyone to see. Also, there are times when the subject matter of a paper might be personal or private. I have had teachers assign papers before that I wouldn’t want to share with the entire class, due to a sensitive or controversial topic.
I think blogs should definitely be used in education to help facilitate interaction and conversation, but only on a voluntary basis. Students should be asked to post their thoughts and responses to questions that they are willing to share with the whole group. But, like Vicki Davis said, blogs should be kept free of negative remarks. I noticed that even on her blog, the people who commented didn’t exactly have the nicest things to say about her ideas. That is basically why I don’t blog, or have My Space, Facebook, or any of that other stuff. People have a tendency to pick things apart, and I don’t like putting myself out there to be publicly eviscerated. I’m not saying that I think these things are bad, rather that I don’t have the guts to use them.
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