Go Green!

Here is another really interesting aspect of using technology in classrooms. It isn't discussed too much but it really tied to the overwhelming Green (big G as in environmental, not political party) movement that is happening right now. I came across this blog the other day...I think it's a really great idea and it can definitely be aided by using things like online documents and resources. Many university classes are now paperless for the most part due to budget costs, but it doesn't seem to be embraced as much by grade school classes.

GoogleDocs

I've always really liked the idea of peer editing and collaboration. As a teacher, I plan on having my students complete writing assignments fairly often. I am aware that they are more time consuming than tests for them and for me but I personally think there is a lot more to be gained from writing than from multiple choice exams. I think peer editing is a really beneficial way to get students reading and thinking critically about each others works. By sharing ideas and analysis, they can strengthen their own argument or potentially think about a topic in a different way than they saw it originally.
GoogleDocs is a really interesting tool that can be used to take peer editing to a new level. As long as everyone involved has access to a computer and a Gmail account (which can be made for this purpose) all of the students can become collaborators. This opens up a lot of opportunity for new types of homework assignments. Students can upload their own work and have it edited or critiqued by peers, or they can use it for group projects and brainstorming. Another aspect of GoogleDocs that is useful in the classroom is that, as a teacher, I would be able to see each part that an individual student contributed to a project. This would help with accountability and equality of work.

Classroom Encounters

I am slowly getting more and more used to the idea of blogging about things that happen to me. It is luckily becoming less of a chore as long as I remind myself to fit it into my routine. Recently I was talking to a friend of mine and we ran into a tech problem that fit nicely into what I've been talking and thinking about lately. In the process of making a lesson plan about subliminal messages in advertising, he came upon a video that he wanted to show his class. The problem was that it was in a format such that we couldn't figure out how to make it full screen (or any larger for that matter). I found the exact same video on YouTube and thought I had saved the day! As it turns out, YouTube is blocked on all of the classroom computers at his school.

A couple things about this occurrence struck me. First of all, I was excited to be able to find what I was looking for and know that I was legally able to use it. Second, I was shocked that a resource as simple and well-known as YouTube would be blocked. I understand that there are less than desirable things available on the internet, but it seems like there would be better ways around this that banning the entire site. There is such a wealth of information that teachers could use in class that is being denied to them. It's difficult to think about integrating more complicated technology if some classrooms aren't even allowed to use YouTube. Lastly, this brought up the question of what to do now. A different acquaintance suggested ripping it from the website and using it in a different player. After doing some research, I found that there is in fact software available to do just that - but didn't want to wrestle with the legality of doing so. So, back to square one - a teacher with a perfect example of tech that he is unable to use.
Photo Credit: Flickr

Progress...

On a side note, I'm really excited that I was able to figure out how to embed that video. I'm finally feeling like I am getting the hang of a few of these things!

Go World!

I just saw this commercial on TV while watching the Olympics and I think the idea is adorable. It kind of makes me wonder how all of the sports dads feel who had to sit through hours of practice and competitions too, but cute nonetheless. Enjoy!

Tweet Tweet

So far I have really enjoyed using Twitter in a professional capacity. I was so apprehensive about getting an account because I had such a negative feeling towards Twitter. It seemed like a completely unneccessary tool. I had no idea why anyone would want to read what I was doing all the time. Before this course, I hadn't considered using it in any other way than to tell people where I was or what I was wearing (because that was how many of my friends used it). Now that I am networking with other teachers, following several friends, getting instant news, and keeping track of other resources (politicians, organizations, museums) I am finding it more and more interesting everyday. I don't think something like Twitter will ever replace full websites or social networking sites because the amount of information is so limited, but I do think it is a really interesting and effecient concept for quick news. I think it is really intriguing how many news outlets and journalists keep a Twitter because it seems to take away from more substantial forms of journalism, but I suppose it is just a sign of the times. I'm still haven't completely gotten the hang of using my TweetDeck but I think that will begin to come more naturally as I follow more people. (photo found on Flickr)

TPACK Exploration

As I've mentioned before, I am pretty overwhelmed with amount of information I have access to through the internet. Although it is fraught with complications from human and technology error, the internet gives us ways to view resources that we could never have imagined several decades ago. As a teacher, this prospect is incredibly exciting. With limited funds and the practicality of numerous field trips, we are able to share things with our students in a much smaller time frame with much less planning. Recently, I've been exploring the world of virtual museums and the opportunities that they present for a classroom. These are websites that have been developed in conjunction with an actual museum that allows access to the information displayed in permanent exhibits, traveling displays, and from their research or records. The wonderful part about museums (in any form) is the wealth of information they make available to the public. The purpose of them is to share in the education process and to spread knowledge to as many people as possible.

The idea of TPACK is to integrate Technological, Pedagogical, and Content knowledge into interesting, and useful lessons with a classroom. The emphasis of this theory is that all three are very important but that these types of learning and knowledge can all interact really successfully, and sometimes better than when used on their own.

Two of the websites I explored were from the Smithsonian (http://www.si.edu/) and the Library of Congress (http://www.americaslibrary.gov/) From the technological knowledge standpoint, these sites are fairly easy to use. As long as one has computer and internet access, these websites are available. Although it is an advanced idea, and the sites themselves are complex, they are easy to navigate and search for both myself and potential students. These types of resources can employ aspects of my personal pedagogy because it can assist me in creating engaging lessons. Although I would love to take every single one of my students to the Smithsonian in person, realistically I will be unable to, so I want to be able to offer the next best thing. The content of these sites is geared mostly towards social studies classrooms. Because the SI is home to so much information, it can really be used across many disciplines - or possibly in some type of cross curriculum activites. The LoC site specifically deals more with American history and has a lot of interactive features that would be interesting to incorporate.

Practice with Flickr

Here is a photo I licensed with Creative Commons through Flickr.

Flickr

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

I, personally, am a very hands-on learner. I always enjoyed lessons and classes that incorporated visual components such as pictures, video, or some type of activity to complete. I think in a classroom it is really important to keep everyone engaged. Although lectures may work for some, I think lessons should be planned so that they are broken up by other types of media to remain interesting. Since I plan on teaching Social Studies I think my classes will lend themselves very well to incorporating interesting visual aids.

Flickr

I think that primary documents are an awesome way to incorporate different media into a history or government class. Although all information can be summarized or retold, there is something to be said about seeing the Declaration of Independence in it's original hand writing. Many people will never be able to see documents such as these in person during their lives so technology gives us all a way to share in an experience that we otherwise not have.

State Champs!

Courtesy: Jeff Garland Photography
Hey Everyone!

I'm on the Competitive Pompon team at MSU and we had our final competition of the season yesterday. I'm happy to report that we received a first place in the Collegiate Division!! For the fourth time in a row, MSU has brought back a first place and we are all ecstatic. Ours was the first team to develop at the collegiate level but the competition is growing and getting better and better every season. I am so proud to have been part of such an amazing team and I couldn't imagine a better way to finish off my season as a senior. Congratulations to all of the other teams who competed as well, I love seeing all of the innovative ideas. Every year I am surprised by the creativeness and athleticism of the teams we compete against. GO GREEN GO WHITE GO STATE!!

Tech Fail

Yesterday I had a big presentation in my senior seminar in which I had to lead the discussion on a book we had just finished. I was excited and nervous because this is a very important class for me. I had prepared a really solid outline, with intriguing and thoughtful questions. I even incorporated some really interesting clips of video I found on coordinated nicely with my plan.

The conversation was going well, the other students were engaged, everyone (for the most part) had completed the reading. I was really satisfied so far. Half way through the class I decided to introduce the video clips. I set them up an explained the questions I wanted to be considered. There it is the moment of truth...*Click*....nothing. The links that I had created in a word document, even though I had tested them on my computer, didn't work. Quickly, I tried to find them elsewhere while the class waited but to no avail. I was so frustrated! I completely understand how difficult it is to begin integrating things like this into lessons. It wasn't even anything very complicated and it was still risky to completely trust that it would work. Of course, human error is involved. I am sure there is something I did wrong along the way, but it was still a very frustrating experience. It's so hard to not feel that technology is sometimes more trouble than it is worth.

100 People

Check This Out!

I came across this amazing project I think the whole concept is brilliant! It is so important that we begin making education and learning more globalized. The world is changing at an incredible rate and we have to do everything we can to keep up. It's essential to help my future students understand concepts on a global level. This project really shows how simultaneously large and small Earth is.

So what now?

In general, I am struggling with being able to integrate so much technology into my everyday life. In the matter of a few weeks, I have more communication and networking tools at my fingers than ever before. The initial excitement over everything being so new has begun to wear off and I am realizing how little I know about most of these resources. The amount of connections that I am able to make utilizing this blog, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and Delicious is becoming overwhelming.

My biggest concern with all of these technologies is how I will plan on utilizing them in the classroom. On an individual basis, I can definitely see how some of these things, especially blogging and Twitter, will help me to communicate with other teachers. I plan on teaching in a big city or urban setting within the next several years so I am having trouble imagining how these will be effective teaching tools for me. In many of the classrooms that I have been in, we are lucky to have enough textbooks for the students, regardless of whether or not they are up to date. So how can I ask students to make a website or access all of this information? It doesn't seem fair to assume all students I teach will have the same access to computers, cell phones, or iPods that I currently do.

Happy Groundhog's Day

Flickr

Small World

Earlier this week I attended a lecture by Leonard Slatkin, the music director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Music has always been a huge part of my life and I think the impact that being part of the arts community throughout grade school made a really significant impact on who I am today. Slatkin's lecture touched on a lot of topics including his past, quirky stories about his family and his incredibly impressive personal resume. One of the main points of his lecture was the importance that music and arts education has in schools. He spoke so passionately about the profound change that music can have on an individuals life. That music and the community that it creates gives people a sense of pride and belonging, as well as a connection to culture, history, and a creative outlet.

Everyone always says "oh it's such a small world". I truly do believe this, not just between people and relationships, but also between ideas and experiences. The beginning part of Slatkin's lecture was about how involved his family was in music (both of his parents were principal musicians for major motion picture companies)and how music has always provided a type of solace for many during tough times. He explained that right after WWII there was a huge push in the arts community to commission plays and pieces of music. It also led to the development of many local symphonies and dance companies. For some reason, our country is currently in a similar state of turmoil and financial strife, yet more and more schools and communities are cutting music and arts programs from the budget.

Parts of the lecture made me think about a lot of different things in relation to my experiences with music and how it has shaped me. It also surprisingly made me think a lot about music's interaction with technology. I know that is sounds like I am fishing for a connection but it really seemed to make sense. (On a side note, it was also one of the first times I thought "I should blog abou this" which is an altogether new experience.) Technology has had such a major influence on the way we experience and access music. From production and recording to performances, technology has completely revolutionized how we experience music, art, and performances. But has it been for the better? I think that our immediate connections to music and art on such a huge scale through the internet has made live performances more obsolete, but it has also provided these things to access a larger audience than ever though possible several decades ago. I would really like to explore this further!