Since I already have a facebook account, I am familiar with some of its basic features. It was relatively simple for me to join the class created group, upload a picture with accompanying comment, and adding a comment to a wall post. They were also pretty user friendly. To upload a picture, you click on the picture icon. To comment on a post, you type in the "write a comment.." box. There is a lot of content on one page so you do have to look and search for the prompts and icons.
It was a little more confusing to add and edit the document. When we were all trying to add and edit the document around the same time in class, it appeared to create a problem. It appeared some of our edits were not appearing on everyone's document. If this was a real project, I would be concerned about student's edits and work being lost or not accounted for. The document feature on facebook also appears similar to google docs. However, it is nice to have the features of the document within facebook so students who are collaborating on a project on facebook can access and edit the document without having to open a new window and go through another platform.
About Me
- Amy's Blog
- Welcome to my blog! I am excited to share my journey with you towards completing my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at NDNU. I am hoping to become a Kindergarten teacher in the near future.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Facebook & Privacy
I refused to open a facebook account when my friends had requested me to. Eventually my husband created a facebook account for me. I slowly warmed up to it and I'll go on it from time to time. I always thought of facebook as just a social network. It was interesting to learn that facebook can also be used in the classroom and for professional uses.
I think facebook could be another tool or option for teachers and students to use in the classroom. A class or project group can be created so the work doesn't get mixed in with other content. Facebook is somewhat interactive by allowing students to contribute content, upload pictures, and comment on each others' work. Students can also work and add on to the group project without having to be in the same room. Teachers and students can monitor each others' progress and contribution to the project page. Additionally, most students will be familiar with facebook and would have at least heard of it. For those who are not familiar with it will probably be excited and interested in working with it.
One challenge I perceive is the organization of all the information that is put on facebook. If a lot of students are contributing a lot of content on the page, some information may get lost or overlooked. Another challenge is that some students may not have access to a computer and therefore cannot access facebook. This may be the case for home and in the classroom. Many of the classrooms I visited only had 1-3 computers in the class. Futhermore, parents may not want or allow their children to have a facebook account, especially younger students. Yet another challenge may be keeping students focused on the project and not getting distracted by other content on the page. I find myself easily distracted by looking at friend's photos and postings while on facebook. I also feel that if students are just sitting behind a computer and working on their part of the project, it takes away from group discussions and coming up with ideas together.
A facebook page can also be created for parents to communicate with each other and the teachers. A community could be built on facebook. Parents can also view their children's work if he or she completed and posted their assignment and project on facebook. Parents can overcome the challenge of asking their child what they did or learned in school today, and getting the "nothing" or "I don't remember" response. They can go on their class facebook page and see for themselves what they are doing and learning in school. Parents also don't have to wait for conferences that only occur 2-3 times a year. They can get regular updates on their child's progress and work. There can also be a parents page or school community page to promote events and fundraisers. Facebook can be a great way to keep the neighborhood community updated about what's going on in the school community.
Again, I think facebook could be another tool or option for teachers and students to use in the classroom; and for teachers, students and parents to build a bridge with each other and their community. It may not be for all grades, classrooms, or neighborhood, but it could be great for some.
I think facebook could be another tool or option for teachers and students to use in the classroom. A class or project group can be created so the work doesn't get mixed in with other content. Facebook is somewhat interactive by allowing students to contribute content, upload pictures, and comment on each others' work. Students can also work and add on to the group project without having to be in the same room. Teachers and students can monitor each others' progress and contribution to the project page. Additionally, most students will be familiar with facebook and would have at least heard of it. For those who are not familiar with it will probably be excited and interested in working with it.
One challenge I perceive is the organization of all the information that is put on facebook. If a lot of students are contributing a lot of content on the page, some information may get lost or overlooked. Another challenge is that some students may not have access to a computer and therefore cannot access facebook. This may be the case for home and in the classroom. Many of the classrooms I visited only had 1-3 computers in the class. Futhermore, parents may not want or allow their children to have a facebook account, especially younger students. Yet another challenge may be keeping students focused on the project and not getting distracted by other content on the page. I find myself easily distracted by looking at friend's photos and postings while on facebook. I also feel that if students are just sitting behind a computer and working on their part of the project, it takes away from group discussions and coming up with ideas together.
A facebook page can also be created for parents to communicate with each other and the teachers. A community could be built on facebook. Parents can also view their children's work if he or she completed and posted their assignment and project on facebook. Parents can overcome the challenge of asking their child what they did or learned in school today, and getting the "nothing" or "I don't remember" response. They can go on their class facebook page and see for themselves what they are doing and learning in school. Parents also don't have to wait for conferences that only occur 2-3 times a year. They can get regular updates on their child's progress and work. There can also be a parents page or school community page to promote events and fundraisers. Facebook can be a great way to keep the neighborhood community updated about what's going on in the school community.
Again, I think facebook could be another tool or option for teachers and students to use in the classroom; and for teachers, students and parents to build a bridge with each other and their community. It may not be for all grades, classrooms, or neighborhood, but it could be great for some.
Friday, January 28, 2011
RSS Feeds
I really like the RSS feeds. I never knew it existed until last night's class. It is a great way to streamline information from the internet into one location. It is better than trying to remember all my favorite sites or having a long list in my bookmarks. I agree with many people that there is an overwhelming amount of information on the internet. The RSS feed is a great tool to compile information from my favorite websites.
I subscribed to websites based on some personal interests and some on professional interests. "Engage in professional growth and leadership" is one of the standards in the NETS for teachers. RSS feed is a great way to stay updated on current news and research in the field. However, the information is only as good and through as what I choose to subscribe to. Therefore in order to stay on top of current and new information and research, I would still need to continually navigate through the overwhelming information and websites on the internet to add to my RSS feeds. Additionally, in order to keep it streamlined and not overwhelmed with information, I would need to be careful and not subscribe to too many sites or stay subscribed to everything. I need to unsubscribe to sites that no longer have relevant information or interest to me.
I subscribed to websites based on some personal interests and some on professional interests. "Engage in professional growth and leadership" is one of the standards in the NETS for teachers. RSS feed is a great way to stay updated on current news and research in the field. However, the information is only as good and through as what I choose to subscribe to. Therefore in order to stay on top of current and new information and research, I would still need to continually navigate through the overwhelming information and websites on the internet to add to my RSS feeds. Additionally, in order to keep it streamlined and not overwhelmed with information, I would need to be careful and not subscribe to too many sites or stay subscribed to everything. I need to unsubscribe to sites that no longer have relevant information or interest to me.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
ISTE Standards Reflection
My initial reaction to the ISTE National Education Technology Standards for Teachers was an overwhelming one. I initially felt it was a lot to put on an already very full teacher's plate. Although it sounds great, where would teacher's find the additional time to "participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology..." or "evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis..." or "design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments." I know many teacher that are already burnt out from increasing class sizes, increasing diversity to include special needs and ELL students, and working through into their weekends.
However, on further thought, I realized that although it may seem like a lot of work to satisfy all the ISTE standards in the beginning, there are great potential benefits in the long run. Once teachers become proficient in the technology, they can use it to help them tackle the larger class sizes and student diversity. Many items on the ISTE standards are things teachers should be doing anyways, such as engaging students, promoting student reflection, and customizing and personalizing activities to meet students' diverse learning styles. Technology is just another platform in which teachers can use to enhance their teaching. If a teacher is able and willing to take some time, effort and commitment to learn the technology in the beginning, it can provide another platform for them as well as improve their organization and efficiency.
The ISTE standards ideally apply to all teachers at all levels, but on varying levels. I see some of them applying less to lower grade students versus upper grade students. Also, realistically, I think the ISTE standards will be more challenging for some teachers versus others. Some people are just more technologically savvy than others. It will also be more challenging for teachers who do not have as easy of an access to the technology as others. However, I do think the ISTE standards apply to most teachers at most levels in varying degrees.
We need to accept that technology is here and is here to stay. Therefore instead of ignoring or fighting it, we need to work with it and educate ourselves with it. If teachers do not learn to embrace technology, the gap between teachers and students will increase because technology is a part of most students' life. If students are not able to use technology in school, they will figure out a way to use it elsewhere. The job of a teacher is to teach. In our modern world of technology, "Model Digital-Age Work and Learning" and "Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility" is part of teaching in the 21st century. Although it is challenging and difficult for many current teachers to learn a new skill (on top of an already very demanding job), it is important to somehow find the time and effort to do it or at least try to do it. It is a challenge that teachers should take on and not run away from. It is a part of professional growth and development. No one ever said teaching is an easy job!
As a final thought, although I believe technology can be a great tool, I would also caution on the overuse or over reliance of it. There is rarely just one way or one right answer to something. Therefore, I believe in a variety of tools and methods.
However, on further thought, I realized that although it may seem like a lot of work to satisfy all the ISTE standards in the beginning, there are great potential benefits in the long run. Once teachers become proficient in the technology, they can use it to help them tackle the larger class sizes and student diversity. Many items on the ISTE standards are things teachers should be doing anyways, such as engaging students, promoting student reflection, and customizing and personalizing activities to meet students' diverse learning styles. Technology is just another platform in which teachers can use to enhance their teaching. If a teacher is able and willing to take some time, effort and commitment to learn the technology in the beginning, it can provide another platform for them as well as improve their organization and efficiency.
The ISTE standards ideally apply to all teachers at all levels, but on varying levels. I see some of them applying less to lower grade students versus upper grade students. Also, realistically, I think the ISTE standards will be more challenging for some teachers versus others. Some people are just more technologically savvy than others. It will also be more challenging for teachers who do not have as easy of an access to the technology as others. However, I do think the ISTE standards apply to most teachers at most levels in varying degrees.
We need to accept that technology is here and is here to stay. Therefore instead of ignoring or fighting it, we need to work with it and educate ourselves with it. If teachers do not learn to embrace technology, the gap between teachers and students will increase because technology is a part of most students' life. If students are not able to use technology in school, they will figure out a way to use it elsewhere. The job of a teacher is to teach. In our modern world of technology, "Model Digital-Age Work and Learning" and "Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility" is part of teaching in the 21st century. Although it is challenging and difficult for many current teachers to learn a new skill (on top of an already very demanding job), it is important to somehow find the time and effort to do it or at least try to do it. It is a challenge that teachers should take on and not run away from. It is a part of professional growth and development. No one ever said teaching is an easy job!
As a final thought, although I believe technology can be a great tool, I would also caution on the overuse or over reliance of it. There is rarely just one way or one right answer to something. Therefore, I believe in a variety of tools and methods.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Essential Conditions
In the ideal world, all the essential conditions would be present in all schools. Unfortunately, I do not think it is realistically present in all schools. I also don't think they will all be present for a very long time. However, I believe it is still good to have these essential conditions to strive towards. If we don't have these essential conditions to guide us towards a goal and set the bar high, we would have no direction.
All the essential conditions are important to the success of implementing technology at schools. Without one or two of the essential conditions, there would be a significant hole in the overall success. A school may have a shared vision, implementation planning, and adequate funding but if it is lacking in skilled personnel or technical support, it will not succeed in "effectively leveraging technology for learning". It will also not be successful if schools have skilled personnel, technical support, and adequate funding, but not a shared vision. All the essential conditions rely on each other for overall success.
It is very challenging for many schools to satisfy all the essential conditions. Although it is challenging to keep up with the constant changing nature of technology, I believe technology can be very useful in the classroom and helpful with communication. Therefore, it is beneficial for schools and teachers to learn how to use technology in their classrooms. Schools should try to strive to eventually meet all the essential conditions, even if it's one at a time.
The essential conditions listed were not present at the school that I had recently visited. There is no access to emerging technologies and there isn't adequate funding. During my visits and observations, I did not witness the teacher using a lot of technology, especially emerging technology. Although the teacher has a computer, she is not skilled or educated in using and practicing it to communicate with other teachers, her students, or their parents. I also did not see any of the students using any type of technology in their class. I did see a computer table with three very old looking computers.
The teacher uses the "old fashion" overhead projectors and transparencies in her classroom. She has heard about smart boards, but her school does not have funding for them. She also doesn't believe that the school will receive enough funding for smart boards in the near future. Although the teacher is interested and thinks it would be great to have one in her classroom. At least this teacher is willing and wanting to learn and utilize new and emerging technology. It is unfortunate that she has the desires but doesn't have the resources or equipment.
All the essential conditions are important to the success of implementing technology at schools. Without one or two of the essential conditions, there would be a significant hole in the overall success. A school may have a shared vision, implementation planning, and adequate funding but if it is lacking in skilled personnel or technical support, it will not succeed in "effectively leveraging technology for learning". It will also not be successful if schools have skilled personnel, technical support, and adequate funding, but not a shared vision. All the essential conditions rely on each other for overall success.
It is very challenging for many schools to satisfy all the essential conditions. Although it is challenging to keep up with the constant changing nature of technology, I believe technology can be very useful in the classroom and helpful with communication. Therefore, it is beneficial for schools and teachers to learn how to use technology in their classrooms. Schools should try to strive to eventually meet all the essential conditions, even if it's one at a time.
The essential conditions listed were not present at the school that I had recently visited. There is no access to emerging technologies and there isn't adequate funding. During my visits and observations, I did not witness the teacher using a lot of technology, especially emerging technology. Although the teacher has a computer, she is not skilled or educated in using and practicing it to communicate with other teachers, her students, or their parents. I also did not see any of the students using any type of technology in their class. I did see a computer table with three very old looking computers.
The teacher uses the "old fashion" overhead projectors and transparencies in her classroom. She has heard about smart boards, but her school does not have funding for them. She also doesn't believe that the school will receive enough funding for smart boards in the near future. Although the teacher is interested and thinks it would be great to have one in her classroom. At least this teacher is willing and wanting to learn and utilize new and emerging technology. It is unfortunate that she has the desires but doesn't have the resources or equipment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)