I watched teaching web 2.0 everything you need in one place by Wendy Drexler. The presentation began by stating that it's not about the tools but about student learning. What a great idea to have placed at the forefront of this video.  She then talked about technology integration and gave four steps to integration:

1. Awareness

2. Experimentation

3. Collaboration with colleagues 

4. Initiate unique projects, lessons and activities

This video was not a video that was filled with many life changing ideas but there was one thing that was included that may change the way I teach forever.  This thing was a wiki called teachweb 2.0 and it is filled with a wealth of tools and web sites for teachers to use the web and especially the interactive web. the whole wiki is geared towards teachers and education with each entry having a swot rating system to help teachers with the implementation of the tools. Swot stands for Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats. This is a great way to see if a site or tool will be what you need to accomplish learning in your class and what to highlight or what to watch for while using with your students. I can't wait to find some time to dive into this wiki further, Check it out!

teachweb2 » home

Wendy Drexler St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
Blog: http://www.teachweb2.blogspot.com

Video-Conferencing It’s Easy, Free and Powerful

I watched a presentation on video conferencing by Brian Crosby, an elementary teacher for 26 years that teaches sixth grade in Sparks, Nevada.  He stats that for technology to be effective it must be used effectively, too often technology is used for the WOW factor to grab the attention of students but once the newness wears of students become bored with technology and technology becomes nothing more than just an expensive dust collector.  Brian gives examples for using video conferencing such as for including a student that cannot attend school due to an illness, Sharing an expert of hard to schedule presenter, practicing oral language skills, to do collaborative projects which analyze, critique and provide feedback. He also gave some basic tools needed to video conference such as skype, web cam  and a mic. I really like his ending quote "remember learning is messy", this is so true when trying new things.  If you would like to see this video or visit Brian's blog they are listed below.

K12 Online Conference 2008 | Getting Started “Video-Conferencing It’s Easy, Free and Powerful”

Brian Crosby Reno, Nevada, USA

Blog: http://learningismessy.com/blog

Podcasts in the Classroom

I watch a podcast from necc that was a presentation by  Craig Nansen and Camilla Gagliodo: Podcasts in the Classroom. The presenters are apple distinguished educators from the class of 2007. Nansen states that in education most uses of podcast are not really true podcasts because podcasts are produced on a regular basis. Although these recording are not true podcasts they can be used for recording field trips, Performances, science experiments and other special projects.  Their presentation went though what a podcast is, where to find them, tools used to create them as well some other areas of podcasting.  I felt that our tech cadre sessions through buhler schools have done a good job at covering this topic.  I was hoping for a bit more or something different from this podcast.  Although this session was not for tech cadre grads it would sure be a good one for beginners.

Web 2.0

 I just completed watching a NECC session called Marzano and Web 2.0: Ed Tech That Works

by Stephanie Sandler. Most teachers feel that their plate is full and that their isno room  for anything new that will take them time to learn but this session was on using web 2.0 tools to enhance the teaching that is already taking place not adding anything new. These tools are geared towards meeting the needs of teachers and students right away.  One example of this was having students use google docs to collaborate on a research paper in stead of using tradition methods.

Sandler states that if we just view technology as just a tool instead of a way of learning and working then tools such as powerpoint and smart boards can become nothing more than an expensive chalkboard or expensive overhead.

I gained a few things from the session and found that her wiki, Http://web2thatworks.com was a wealth of information. I particularly found the Technology Integration Matrix to be interesting. I also liked the list of web 2.0 tools on the left of the page. Check them out.

A minute with Ian Jukes

I am responding to an edition of audio journal that I just finished, where Ian jukes was interviewed about digital learners.  The main premise of the interview was that students are fundamentally different than previous generations, and therefore should be taught differently. He states that students are different due to "Digital Bombardment".  This digital bombardment causes students to process the same information differently than we do.  Students have a more acute sense of visual learning with enhanced visual memory and visual processing skills.

Well just knowing students are different is know benefit if we don't teach them differently.  These digital students often times are taught in an analog world that simply moves too slowly and bores them.  The digital learner prefers a parallel quickly moving world verses a sequential orderly one. The digital learner is interested in "Just in Time Learning" with instant gratification and immediate rewards.  Often needs of constant affirmation, lots of attention and a desire to distinguish themselves from others. These learners ultimately  prefer learning that is relevant, active, instantly useful, and of course fun.

This interview was insightful and caused me to think of things I am doing in the classroom that are specifically helping digital learners and others that are hindering their learning style.  Ian jukes also recommended a book that I intend to check out, Teaching for Tomorrow by Ted McCain no relation to the presidential candidate.  

First Meeting

I am currently in class trying to master some basics for creating the digital classroom.  I am planning to try twitter but am not much on communicating or even caring what others are doing.