Sunday, November 25, 2012
Progress Report on Final Project
Monday, November 12, 2012
Blog Post #12
QR Codes in the Classroom
- View Karen Ogen's QR Codes and Ideas for Using Them in the Classroom Presentation. Ms. Ogen created this presentation for the Reading Council of South Carolina to show educators how to use QR codes in the media center and with literacy. The presentation has been updated to include examples of using QR codes with all curriculum areas.
- Pick 1 idea from the presentation for your area of specialty to create in Google Drive and embed to your blog.
- Send Ms. Ogen (@karenogen) a thank you Tweet. Include #edm310 in the Tweet so I will see it.
Now Do It!
I am specializing in history, so I chose to do the QR Calendar from Slide 16 using Google Spreadsheet.
- Put QR codes on a calendar to make an interactive "this day in history" calendar
Scan the QR codes with your smartphone to view what happened on that day in history.
If you do not have a QR code reader app on your smartphone:
- iPhone or iPad - Download this free QR reader app
- Android - Download this free QR reader app
- Windows Phone - Download this free QR reader app
If you do not have a smartphone, download QuickMark for your PC or Mac
- PC - Download QuickMark for PC (free)
- Mac - Download QuickMark for Mac ($)
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Blog Post #11
I was in shock when I watched the Little Kids... Big Potential video by Ms. Cassidy's first grade class in Moose Jaw, Canada. These students have so much knowledge about the technology they are using in the video. I enjoyed watching the video of Dr. Strange interviewing Ms. Cassidy in 2010. I know that the technology has progressed so much since the interview and I would love to see how she is incorporating new technology in her classroom. I love how Ms. Cassidy is using technology in her classroom. It is a great way for parents to see progress and see examples of their students work. Ms. Cassidy is doing a great job protecting her students' identities through only using first names and not matching pictures with the names of the students. I also think that she is practicing ethically through getting parent/guardian consent before allowing them to post on their blogs. I love that Ms. Cassidy is allowing her students to write on a blog and learn how to write for an audience. This is a concept that many students do not grasp until late in their education. This gives the students a purpose for writing because the students can see that there are people from all over the world reading and responding to their blog posts. Ms. Cassidy also uses Skype to interact with other classrooms all over the world. In her interview, Ms. Cassidy discussed using Skype to do Reader's Theater with a 1st grade classroom in Gadsden, Alabama. This helps the students see where they are academically compared to other students in different territories and countries. I think that it will be good, in my classroom, to meet my students' interests through their assignments. I could give a project assignment that allows them to choose which kind of technology they want to use for their assignment based on their personal interests.
In high school, I like the idea of posting information about assignments to a class blog and/or sending a text message to all students to inform them of a change in due date or reminder about an assignment. Facebook/Twitter is also a great way to communicate with students who are caught up in the current technology. Ms. Cassidy suggested that the students create a separate Facebook/Twitter account to be used for school and it would be wise for the teachers to do the same. I had a teacher that used Facebook to communicate when I was in high school and I found it effective and a great way to communicate with her and other classmates about an assignment. I would like to incorporate Skype into my high school class to conduct interviews and help prepare students for the real world. This would be great education on communicating with adults in job/college interviews that they will have in the near future. I would also encourage my students to follow professionals on Twitter in the field that they plan to go into as an adult. This would broaden their PLN and give them references for future jobs.
I know that I will face many challenges when incorporating technology into the classroom. Not all students will be able to work on the computer every day in a high school classroom. I can't expect all of my students to own a laptop, iPhone, and/or iPad. I know that it will be years before the school system provides technology for all students to use without having to visit the school computer lab. So, I know that I will be able to assign online assignments, but I will have to give my students plenty of time to complete the assignment in case they need to visit a library to get access to a computer. I can request to get a set of computers for my classroom, but I know that it would be unlikely with all the budget cuts in education. Another problem that I may face in the classroom is a website, such as Blogger, Facebook and Twitter, being blocked by the school system on all computers to keep students on track with their classwork. In order to have access to these websites, I would need a password to override the websites, which I could obtain through the school system after showing them what I intend to use the websites for in my classroom. I could enter the password onto all of my computers to allow access to these sites in my classroom.
I think that taking Ms. Cassidy's approaches in my History class will make learning much more interactive and enjoyable for the students. I always dreaded having to write a paper for class, but writing a blog post would give the students a reason to post. They would do their best work knowing that they have an audience from around the world reading their assignment. They can incorporate pictures, videos, and links into their paper. Students at the high school level would also benefit from using technology because it improves their typing skills, interview skills, and communication skills. There is so many ways that students and teachers can benefit from using technology in the classroom.
I know that I will face many challenges when incorporating technology into the classroom. Not all students will be able to work on the computer every day in a high school classroom. I can't expect all of my students to own a laptop, iPhone, and/or iPad. I know that it will be years before the school system provides technology for all students to use without having to visit the school computer lab. So, I know that I will be able to assign online assignments, but I will have to give my students plenty of time to complete the assignment in case they need to visit a library to get access to a computer. I can request to get a set of computers for my classroom, but I know that it would be unlikely with all the budget cuts in education. Another problem that I may face in the classroom is a website, such as Blogger, Facebook and Twitter, being blocked by the school system on all computers to keep students on track with their classwork. In order to have access to these websites, I would need a password to override the websites, which I could obtain through the school system after showing them what I intend to use the websites for in my classroom. I could enter the password onto all of my computers to allow access to these sites in my classroom.
I think that taking Ms. Cassidy's approaches in my History class will make learning much more interactive and enjoyable for the students. I always dreaded having to write a paper for class, but writing a blog post would give the students a reason to post. They would do their best work knowing that they have an audience from around the world reading their assignment. They can incorporate pictures, videos, and links into their paper. Students at the high school level would also benefit from using technology because it improves their typing skills, interview skills, and communication skills. There is so many ways that students and teachers can benefit from using technology in the classroom.
C4K Summary for Month of October
C4K #3
I was assigned to comment on Sammy's blog for C4K #3. She wrote a nice short story about Ella the Egg. Ella and her friend Sammy Shake went on an adventure and Ella slipped and fell off the edge of a cliff, but managed to hang on to the edge. Sammy was able to help pull Ella back up on the trail. It was a really cute story and a great picture to go with it.
Here's the comment I left Sammy:
That was a great story! I loved the part where you wrote “She would have certainly been scrambled.” Haha! Make sure to keep up with your writing. I hope you do make this in to a series because I’m sure it will get a lot of readers.
Here's the comment I left Lisa:
Very nice post! You bring up a very good point about how not all people have exchange students come to their school, because that’s how it was at my school. Being globally connected is an awesome idea and doing it by blogging and using social media can really bring our worlds closer together. Keep up with the posts! You’re off to a great start!
Here's the comment I left Kailin:
Kailin, you did a great job on your poem! It was very creative and humorous. I agree with what Mr. Capps said about punctuation, but I think it is a great poem nonetheless. What other kind of sports do you like to play? Do they have any cheers like this one? Keep up the good work!
(This comment was never approved and so is not shown on her blog. I do not know why.)
C4K #6
For my sixth C4K, I was assigned to comment on Ehtan's blog. Ethan is from Alberta, Canada and was assigned to make a glog by his teacher. He created his about the foothills region, which is located in Southwest Alberta.
Here's the comment I left Ethan:
Hey Ethan! My name is Michael Morris and I'm from Mobile, Alabama in the United States. I currently attend the University of South Alabama and I was assigned to your blog. You did an awesome job on your glog that you created. Glogs are really neat and a great way to organize material. What website did you use to create your glog? I'm familiar with the glogster website. Keep up the good work!
Here's the comment I left Sammy:
That was a great story! I loved the part where you wrote “She would have certainly been scrambled.” Haha! Make sure to keep up with your writing. I hope you do make this in to a series because I’m sure it will get a lot of readers.
Michael Morris
C4K #4
For my fourth C4K, I was assigned to comment on Lisa's blog. Lisa said she was new to blogging, but it was obvious she was not new to writing. She wrote a very well written post about how blogging and social media can connect people with each other throughout the world. She said that she had a foreign exchange student that came to her school, and it was very interesting learning about that students culture. Here's the comment I left Lisa:
Very nice post! You bring up a very good point about how not all people have exchange students come to their school, because that’s how it was at my school. Being globally connected is an awesome idea and doing it by blogging and using social media can really bring our worlds closer together. Keep up with the posts! You’re off to a great start!
Michael Morris
C4K #5
I was assigned to comment on Kailin's blog for my fifth C4K assignment. Kailin wrote a short poem which she titled "Kailin's Poem."
Once there was a froggy that sat up on logShe also said that she got the idea for this poem from one of the softball cheers that she does.
he cheered for the other team and had no sense at all
he fell into the water and bumped his little head
and when he got back up this is what he said
go go go go you mighty rebbles fight
fight fight fight you mighty rebbles win
win win win you mighty rebbles go fight
win until the very end.
Here's the comment I left Kailin:
Kailin, you did a great job on your poem! It was very creative and humorous. I agree with what Mr. Capps said about punctuation, but I think it is a great poem nonetheless. What other kind of sports do you like to play? Do they have any cheers like this one? Keep up the good work!
(This comment was never approved and so is not shown on her blog. I do not know why.)
C4K #6
For my sixth C4K, I was assigned to comment on Ehtan's blog. Ethan is from Alberta, Canada and was assigned to make a glog by his teacher. He created his about the foothills region, which is located in Southwest Alberta.
Here's the comment I left Ethan:
Hey Ethan! My name is Michael Morris and I'm from Mobile, Alabama in the United States. I currently attend the University of South Alabama and I was assigned to your blog. You did an awesome job on your glog that you created. Glogs are really neat and a great way to organize material. What website did you use to create your glog? I'm familiar with the glogster website. Keep up the good work!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
C4T #3
Post 1
I was assigned to Liz Davis's blog, The Power of Educational Technology, for the C4T #3 assignment. I commented on her most recent post, iPad Ideas for October 17, 2012. In her post, Ms. Davis shared two apps/websites that teachers and students can use in the classroom. The first idea was the app WritePad. WritePad is an app that allows students to take notes or write papers on the iPad in their own handwriting that will be translated into typed text as they write. The app syncs to Dropbox and Google Drive, making the document viewable from any computer and by any person of which the document is shared. The second idea was a website, learnboost.com. Learnboost.com is an online grading website that works well on the iPad. It allows teachers to post grades from the iPad and access them anywhere, anytime, as long as there is internet access.
I was assigned to Liz Davis's blog, The Power of Educational Technology, for the C4T #3 assignment. I commented on her most recent post, iPad Ideas for October 17, 2012. In her post, Ms. Davis shared two apps/websites that teachers and students can use in the classroom. The first idea was the app WritePad. WritePad is an app that allows students to take notes or write papers on the iPad in their own handwriting that will be translated into typed text as they write. The app syncs to Dropbox and Google Drive, making the document viewable from any computer and by any person of which the document is shared. The second idea was a website, learnboost.com. Learnboost.com is an online grading website that works well on the iPad. It allows teachers to post grades from the iPad and access them anywhere, anytime, as long as there is internet access.
In my comment for Ms. Davis, I mentioned my blog post on the iSchool Initiative. In that post, I mentioned how I was unsure how to incorporate the iPad into a classroom and keep emphasis on handwriting and the writing process. Ms. Davis's post showed me an app, WritePad, that can be used in the classroom to keep handwriting present. Students would still be required to use the writing process to be sure that the app correctly translated their writing to a typed document. Their handwriting must be readable for the app to translate their writing to a typed document. I could view their final work through Google Drive and post grades to a website and be able to access their work and grades from any device with internet access. The only downside to the WritePad app is the cost, $9.99, which could get pricey to download on each student's iPad.
Post 2
Liz Davis's most recent blog post, Technology is NOT just a tool, was posted on November 4, 2012. In her post, Ms. Davis shared about a recent [fabulous] conference that she attended where the Key Note speaker referred to technology as just a tool. Obviously, by the title of her post, Ms. Davis disagrees with the statement. Technology tools are used not only to impact teaching and learning, but as a status symbol and political statement (mac vs. pc). The technology we use says more about us and our schools than we may realize and we need to be sure that we are sending the right message.
In my comment for Ms. Davis, I agreed that technology is not just a tool. I know that I am judged every day because of the type of phone I use. I am aware of the judgment and it affects my life. Each day, before I get out of my car, I make sure that I tuck my iPhone cord into my middle console. Why do I do this? I do this to avoid the possibility of my car being broken into because someone sees my iPhone cord. I am aware that people may think I am wealthy because I have an iPhone and break into my car hoping to find something nice. The truth is... I am a broke college student with a full time job. Just like my iPhone makes a statement about me, the technology we use in our classrooms makes a statement about our school and school system. While technology is a tool we use in our classrooms, it shouldn't be just a tool... it should be a way of teaching.
Post 2
Liz Davis's most recent blog post, Technology is NOT just a tool, was posted on November 4, 2012. In her post, Ms. Davis shared about a recent [fabulous] conference that she attended where the Key Note speaker referred to technology as just a tool. Obviously, by the title of her post, Ms. Davis disagrees with the statement. Technology tools are used not only to impact teaching and learning, but as a status symbol and political statement (mac vs. pc). The technology we use says more about us and our schools than we may realize and we need to be sure that we are sending the right message.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Special Blog Assignment
Summary
The USA Today article, A world where grades will get left behind, discusses changes that should be made in the very outdated education system. The education system in the United States has not used advances in technology for its benefit. Sebastian Thrun and his education company, Udacity, are working on a free online higher education program with star professors from around the world. Dr. Thrun and his team aren't the only people working towards a revolution in the education system. Dr. Thrun's friend, Sal Kahn, is another educator that has promoted revolutionizing education through inspiring teachers across the nation to "flip" the classroom, a method created by Dr. Lodge McCammon. Schools across the United States are beginning to change their curriculum to allow students to learn through interaction. For example, Charter schools in Chicago and New York have created a curriculum built around game-playing, making learning more fun for the students because they are involved in the learning process. Education is slowly moving forward and beginning to create an individualized education system with no "one size fits all" education. Students won't be forced to master information by a deadline and can learn at their own pace. Instruction in the future will be free, other than fees that will promote the learning process. Dr. Thrun has a vision of the future that just as film changed the entertainment business, the Internet will revolutionize education.
Analysis
I agree that the education system needs to change, but that isn't going to happen without a change in legislation. Currently, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 places too much emphasis on standardized tests. How does testing students who haven't had time to master the skills tested ensure that all children have a "fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and State academic assessments?" The emphasis on testing seems very unfair to the students, especially slow learners and students with severe test anxiety. I can only imagine an education system that focuses on individual students rather than an entire group of students. Online and blended education is the only way that we can emphasize individuality in education. I would prefer blended courses over completely online courses because I benefit from face-to-face meetings. This would allow me to be introduced to topics through online lectures and attend class for interactive learning. I do, however, believe that there needs to be some deadline for the course. Retention will be encouraged and will not be frowned upon if the majority of the students are spending more time in the course to master skills that they were not able to master. I'm afraid that if there is no deadline that students will spend years trying to master a skill that they are just not going to get. This would cause a social issue if the majority of their peers are moving on and certain students stay behind for too many years. Social interaction is necessary and students who are on a much higher or lower maturity level than their classmates can become problematic in both social and academic success. I am all for implementing technology into the education system, but I don't think that doing away with grades is the way to go.
The USA Today article, A world where grades will get left behind, discusses changes that should be made in the very outdated education system. The education system in the United States has not used advances in technology for its benefit. Sebastian Thrun and his education company, Udacity, are working on a free online higher education program with star professors from around the world. Dr. Thrun and his team aren't the only people working towards a revolution in the education system. Dr. Thrun's friend, Sal Kahn, is another educator that has promoted revolutionizing education through inspiring teachers across the nation to "flip" the classroom, a method created by Dr. Lodge McCammon. Schools across the United States are beginning to change their curriculum to allow students to learn through interaction. For example, Charter schools in Chicago and New York have created a curriculum built around game-playing, making learning more fun for the students because they are involved in the learning process. Education is slowly moving forward and beginning to create an individualized education system with no "one size fits all" education. Students won't be forced to master information by a deadline and can learn at their own pace. Instruction in the future will be free, other than fees that will promote the learning process. Dr. Thrun has a vision of the future that just as film changed the entertainment business, the Internet will revolutionize education.Analysis
I agree that the education system needs to change, but that isn't going to happen without a change in legislation. Currently, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 places too much emphasis on standardized tests. How does testing students who haven't had time to master the skills tested ensure that all children have a "fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and State academic assessments?" The emphasis on testing seems very unfair to the students, especially slow learners and students with severe test anxiety. I can only imagine an education system that focuses on individual students rather than an entire group of students. Online and blended education is the only way that we can emphasize individuality in education. I would prefer blended courses over completely online courses because I benefit from face-to-face meetings. This would allow me to be introduced to topics through online lectures and attend class for interactive learning. I do, however, believe that there needs to be some deadline for the course. Retention will be encouraged and will not be frowned upon if the majority of the students are spending more time in the course to master skills that they were not able to master. I'm afraid that if there is no deadline that students will spend years trying to master a skill that they are just not going to get. This would cause a social issue if the majority of their peers are moving on and certain students stay behind for too many years. Social interaction is necessary and students who are on a much higher or lower maturity level than their classmates can become problematic in both social and academic success. I am all for implementing technology into the education system, but I don't think that doing away with grades is the way to go.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Blog Post #10
Why Were Your Kids Playing Games?
In this blog post by Mr. John T. Spencer, he makes a point through his dialogue with his principal that playing games in the classroom can be very helpful for students to learn. The principal argues that playing games in the classroom does not help the students learn, but he is certainly wrong. Mr. Spencer argues that by combining learning into games that students would be better at learning and memorizing the information. Dr. Strange says he wants to eliminate "burp-back" education in which students memorize and "burp-back" the correct answer and then forget. Well, what better way to eliminate this type of teaching than by having students interact with the material they are learning.
After reading Mr. Spencer's post, "Why were your kids playing games?", I was extremely confused. After about 30 minutes of clicking through different posts, reading post after post and trying to figure out what the heck he was actually writing about, I hit an "a-ha" moment. I finally got it, he wasn't talking about pencils (which I originally thought he was) but he was talking about computers! Duh! Gosh, I can't believe it was so far over my head! In order to actually "get" his writing, I began searching all over his blog. I went from his context page, to his conflict page, and all the way back to his very first post from January of 2010.In this post, he is having a conversation with Mr. Brown talking about the integration of pencils into the classroom that is filled with "slates and chalk". It is obvious now that pencils are actually computers, and "slates and chalk" are the paper and pencils. Mr. Spencer has a great writing style, and once you get used to it he is very entertaining.
Don't Teach Your Kids This Stuff. Please?
In this blog post, by Dr. Scott McLeod, he comes across as very humorous and fun. He writes a nice poem about the push back to integrating technology into the classroom that many are facing. Many people (mainly the older people who are "set in their ways") don't believe in integrating technology into the classroom. They are, in fact, afraid that students will cause more trouble than good. Older people are actually becoming scared that the younger generation knows more about technology than they do and resent it. Just like in Mr. Spencer's blog, which is based in the 1800's, change is scary to the older generation. Change, however, is not a bad thing. Teaching, traveling, and shopping are constantly progressing and need to be embraced by society rather than pushed away. If we were to push away new technology: you wouldn't be reading this blog, traveling in airplanes or automobiles, and you certainly would not be shopping for cheaper textbooks online. Teaching is not just about teaching students information, but showing the information and how to use it to the best of their abilities. When we reach this point in our society, we will finally have eliminated "burp-back" education.
Who is Dr. Scott McLeod?
Scott Mcleod is considered a expert on K-12 school technology leadership. He is the founder of CASTLE or the Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education. He is also the author of What School Leaders Need to Know About Digital Technologues and Social Media.
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