Tuesday, September 21, 2010

21st Century Educators


1) Any struggles/challenges in completing your Google Presentation powerpoint?

2) What resonated most with you regarding the article you were selected to read this week? The term resonated does not mean that you agree or disagree with the statement but it did have an impact upon you of some kind.

3) Pose one question that you have from your article. Please do not answer it. Just write one question or wondering that may have come up during your reading. Thanks!

19 comments:

  1. 1.)My only struggle with the Google Docs presentation actually occured BEFORE attempting to do it--I was sure it would be laborious. I surreptitiously pondered calling my group members to physically convene in secret so we could work together to REAL way. After relunctantly clicking on the link, you can imagine my surprise at how easy it really was to work with. I loved it!

    2.) What struck me from my article "Children’s “Future Requests” for Computers and the Internet"
    http://www.life-connected.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Latitude-Research-42-KidsTech-Study-Summary.pdf
    was the key finding that students reported wanting computers to produce physical objects. This struck me not because I found it proposterous, but because I submited the very same idea to my 4th grade science fair! I was given an incomplete by the teacher and told that I had to do something that was at least plausible. Turns out, I was just way ahead of my time. Ha, take Ms. Jepson!

    3.)My question: Since children are so good at conceptualizing realistic progressions for technology, have any of the big companies tapped into this resource by compiling thought groups of 12 and unders?

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  2. 1. Google Docs Presentation is amazing!! I never knew this was available! Just last week I had to meet with a classmate to complete a powerpoint on a specific reading and I had no idea we could have done it through this. I am amazed by how easy it is, if you know how to use Powerpoint then you can easily do this.
    2. Something from my article, "Ed Tech Experts Choose Top Tools", that struck me was the part in my section regarding School Fusion. Last year when I was working in a Kindergarten class, I kept facing the same problem. We send all notices home in the students backpacks, well...we had a few students who had split families and the parents were not communicating. The lack of communication between parents created a problem when we had a field trip and the other parent sent the kid to school in wrong attire and no sack lunch. Anyway, If we would have had a classroom website available for the parents to check that would have been a LOT easier. It would be SO easy to update the site every few days and that way the parents can check that rather than calling or stopping by ALL the time.
    3. My question is this: If I were to create a classroom website via School Fusion, could that create a problem with families that don't have access to a computer? Would that be considered unfair that only the middle-high income families could check their student's progress?

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  3. I really enjoy using the Google Docs Presentation. I've used this program a lot in Undergrad and find it really helpful when working in a group with 4 or 5 people all with different schedules. It really helps to have a venue to create a quality presentation, that everyone can contribute to on their own time. It is a very self-explanatory program, so no struggles!

    What resonated with me from the article "Ed Tech Experts Choose Top Tools" was simply the fact that I feel as though these tools are not as widely known or used as they should be. Reading through all of the benefits of all these programs I was astounded. I minored in Instructional Technology in Undergrad and even I didn't hear of some of these tools. If teachers had exposure to these programs, in addition to the confidence to implement these tools, I think that students would greatly benefit. These tools are what teachers need in order to teach 21st century skills.

    My question is: How can we make all of these awesome tools seem less "scary" to teachers and more accessible in the classrooms? How can we expose teachers to these tools in a way that will motivate them to use them in the classroom, thus promoting a culture of collaboration among students?

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  4. 1) I am always excited about learning and using something new. Google Docs was very user friendly. The fact that Professor Kane set the assignment up was very helpful. Like most technology I found Google Docs to be "cool" and useful. I like the "work in progress" approach and the Google Docs "updating/saving" automatic mechanism. No need for a flash drive!
    2) Blocked websites and no access into specific websites on school campuses like YouTube really frustrate me. Technology also costs $$$$. Some of it does not. I am new to technology and feel intimidated by it at times. How can I personally overcome all of these elements? I am still thinking about the answer to that question. I have a lot of questions and it seems to me as though technology is not slowing down enough for me to answer them. What to do.
    3) How can I effectively implement Ed Tech into my classroom?

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  5. #1 I had no challenges with Google Presentation and I actually loved using it!!!

    #2 What struck me from my article was the fact that some teachers think it is unimportant to use technology in the classroom because students are already comfortable with it. But in reality, that is so far from the truth. Since students are so comfortable, teachers need to teach and foster their 21st century and critical literacy skills so that they can use them in our technologically driven society and be successful.

    #3 If teaching 21st century skills and critical literacy skills is so beneficial for students' learning, how do teachers who have no access to technology teach these skills?

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  6. 1. Google docs was very easy to use. The only questions I had when using it is whether or not it just saved my work on its own or if I had to. Since I was last in my group I also wasn’t sure if I should create slides and then leave mine as the last, or just assume that the others would understand where to insert their slides. All in all, I was surprised by how easy it was to use.


    2. What resonated most with me in the article “Three Ed Tech Experts Choose Top Tools” was how virtually all internet tools can be used to in an educational setting in some way. For example, using twitter in an educational setting or other social networks. The author explains that unlike creating a blog, a social network such a twitter or facebook is more likely to have an immediate audience that your message will meet. However, with an elementary class, I feel creating a blog would be a safer tool since it is easier to control who is able to access it as the teacher.

    3. What is a cloud-based tool?

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  7. #1 Google presetation is a good tool for group work. I save lots of time and energy. One challenge I met while doing GP was how to draw. The drawing function on GP is horrible and confusing.

    #2 After reading the article "Educators, Techology and 21st century Skills: Dispelling Five Myths", I felt the need to learn educational technoloy. Incorporating technology into the classroom, is not only a new way of delivering knowledge, but also a symbol of a teacher's readiness to make changes of education to meet the needs of 21st century. Technology is a tool to break the traditional static and boring classroom teaching stereotype, to create an active and interesting learning environment and to help students get ready for 21st century.

    #3 According to the research, in secondary education, English teachers are less likely to be frequent technology users. Why?

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  8. 1. "Wow" is all I have to say. Before i use Google docs, i thought it was too difficult, but later I realized that was so easy. I loved it.

    2. What resonated with me from the article "Children’s “Future Requests” for Computers and the Internet"was the fact that children have the ability to create different ways of solving problems. They have no boundaries to create new thoughts. This fact makes the experts re-examined children's creative input to incorporate it into their innovation streams. We need as a teacher to know how can we offer opportunities for children to grow in their problem-solving abilities?.

    3) My question is: Since the Creative, critical, and logical thinking skills are essential components of problem solving, to what extent would this fact enhance teacher effectiveness and student success? and how can we help our students to enhance this ability?

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  9. Like many have said, the idea of using Google Presentation Powerpoint was much more daunting than actually doing it! I found this ironic because in my undergraduate studies I took many classes to specialize in technology in education; I used various online and computer based programs when working with my students, yet for some reason the idea of a Google Presentation scared me! I am assuming the uncomfortable feeling I was experiencing stemmed from the fact that I have not used this program before, but this is the reason we must embrace these new technologies in our classroom! I was so surprised how easy it was to collaborate with my classmates, see what they contributed, and add my own work. The only issue I encountered was when I tried to upload a video; I don’t know if the software was not supported by the presentation or I was simply doing it wrong, but I did struggle with that aspect of my slides. Other than that, I LOVED it!

    What struck me from the article “Ed Tech Experts Choose Top Tools” was the amount of resources at our fingertips that we are not embracing. I consider myself to be fairly tech-savvy, and I did not know about half the tools they suggested. This made me think about how important it is that teachers continue their own education, and constantly search for new ways to better their practice. If teachers continue to view themselves as students, they can learn about these new technologies and new trends and implement them in their classrooms. After all, the technology is not useful if no one knows about it!

    My question is, how can we still monitor our students’ online collaborative tools? I love the idea of using twitter as a forum for class discussions, but how can I monitor and edit what students submit? Also, do all these tools have a way to “secure” or create a “private” site so I can protect the students?

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  10. 1. Yes, I couldn’t get the font size to change, it wasn’t a big problem, just an annoying one. On the bright side, I learned how to copy a graphic from a PDF and turn it into a picture. I will definitely have my kids use this feature.

    2. I’m surprised that the myth was that using technology is only for high achievers, I believed that teachers would have thought it an activity for the masses and used it often. To me it seems like such an easy medium to get everyone involved in no matter the technology or language skill level.

    3. Do high achieving classrooms (Honors and AP courses) use technology more?

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  11. 1. Like others have said, I was surprised by how easy Google presentations was to use. It seemed very obvious how to do basic tasks like add a slide, or add text and images to slides. One thing I attempted to play around with was the slide transitions and animations that powerpoint has. I could not figure out how to do it, so I was not sure if it was possible and I had missed it or if Google presentations just has fewer features.

    2. I really liked the fact that kids were thinking so much out of the box. like designing computers that could produce real objects. I think that kind of creativity is a venue that is often ignored, when in reality some of the best ideas come from younger people. I am always reminded of that story where the big rig truck got stuck under an overpass (because it was too tall) and it was a small child that thought of deflating the tires to get it out. None of the adults present could come up with a solution, and the child's creativity solved the problem. Why are we not taking advantage of their little brains more often?

    3. In response to the article, as well as the TED talk from week one, how do we foster the creativity in young children, so that they don't lose it?

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  12. 1. I had a problem copying and pasting the graphs from the article into the powerpoint slide. I went to the Help section in google but that didn’t help so I ended up snipping the graphs and then importing them onto the slide. Which was easy but I’m sure there was a more direct way.

    2. The myth in “Educators, Technology and 21st Century Skills: Dispelling Five Myths” that newer teachers are more apt and prepared to use technology in the classroom resonated with me. When I student taught my master teacher thought I was more technologically advance then I was and that I could incorporate technology into the lesson. It’s true that I know how to use a computer but that doesn’t mean I know how to effectively incorporate it into a lesson.

    3. The article disputed the myth that newer teachers use technology more. I wonder what the frequency of technology use is for teachers of different ethnicities and socioeconomical backgrounds. Does it make a difference?

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  13. 1. Probably one of the easiest methods of creating a collbaorative presenation. It was a little slow for me, but could just be my computer. Other then that, easy to learn and follow everyone elses slides already put in.

    2. What resonated with me most was the fact that it's not that educators are unfamiliar with technology and how to use it in the classroom, but that they think it doesn't apply to any of their lessons. I could think of at least one way to incorporate some sort of technology into every lessons I've taught. It is harder when you have limited computers in the classroom or you have to schedule time in the computer lab. It makes such a bigger impact on students though, so I feel it's definitely worth the effort to find a way to include technology.

    3. My question is: While I think it's helpful to have trainings for new technology, would it ever be possible for actual demonstrations of lessons within the classroom that use this technology to happen? I feel that while I may come out knowing a new program, I don't really know what to do once I'm in the classroom.

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  14. 1) This is really amazing! I feel Google Presentation powerpoint is easier and more convenient than the Microsoft one! I didn’t have any difficulty in making this ppt.

    2) I should say, this article arouses me of the awareness of 21st century technology use. When I taught English in China, the only “technology” I would use were at most ppt with sounds or videos. Right now I know there are much more technology skills that I can use in the classroom just as what we did. I believe the students would also have the same feeling as I did: I would love to learn more, participate more, and enjoy this learning. Then for me, a teacher, I should be aware of these technology skills and be familiar with them, in order to evaluate what students may benefit from them and apply these skills into different classes.

    3) My question is: since I'm aware of the importance and benefits to make use of 21 century technologies, how can I access to them or keep myself updated to the new technologies?

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  15. 1. The google powerpoint is awesome. For me, it is easier to use and make powerpoint than Microsoft office. The design is simple and the format is almost the same as Microsoft office. Thus, I did not have any difficulty while I used it.

    2. I would say that, in the 21st century, the innovations of technology totally fit into our lives. It sounds hard when you are trying to learn a new techonology. In fact, the designs of techonoloy are easily to use. For example, the blog is a good example. Most people had already known how to surf the Internet and type. The blogs offer a good space for us to write or express ourselves. On the other hand, as an educator, I can integrate the blog with my insruction and provide more opportunities for my students to describe their opinion and thoughts online.

    3. My question is that technology updates very often. All we learn new technology, including students of course, how can I make sure that I provide the proper resource for my students in order to prepare them to have a certain ability to use a new techonology?

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  16. 1) There was only one problem I experienced while completing the Google Presentation powerpoint. Since it is a group project, I needed to conform to the style that my group members had already chosen, but I did not feel like I had any opportunity to participate in such decision making.

    2) Myths 1 and 5 from my article resonated the most with me. I am currently in a "pre-service program" and have no experience working as a formal, academic teacher. Like the majority of those polled, I do not feel I have (yet) been prepared to integrate technology and 21st century skills into curriculum. I was struck by how many administrators presume new teachers are fully prepared to do such and, so, often do not facilitate the sort of ongoing collaboration between faculty that I can see myself benefiting from in the future.

    3) One of the recommendations from my article is to "try [new technologies or applications] out in your every day life or with students" (29). Is it really okay to introduce something to students if you, as the teacher, have not yet discerned its value or role in the curriculum?

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  17. #1: i didn't have any trouble with Google Docs, just hope that my slides saved

    #2: I was really surprised to see all of the different tools that could be used by educators over the internet. I am really unaware of the vast majority of tools available because of technology. Until this article, I had never heard of TypeWith.me. I was aware of google docs but did't know what it actually did or what it was really about, interesting. This article opened me up to the fact that sometimes I choose to be ignorant because I want to stick to the old rather than move forward to new.

    #3: is there a tutorial for using TypeWith.me? i looks simple but there maybe extras that I am not aware of.

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  18. 1.) I actually did not have any struggles or challenges in completing my Google presentation. It reminded me a lot of Microsoft Powerpoint, which I have become familiar with over the years. It was simple to change the font, and add information or images to each of my slides. It is a great tool. I really enjoyed using it, and it is even better that it is free!

    2.) Something from my article, ‘Ed Tech Experts Choose Top Tools’ that resonated with me was how many tools for 21st century learning are available on the web for student use. I had never even heard about tools such as SlideRocket, School Fusion, Synchronous live platforms or even Google docs. I look forward to familiarizing myself with these tools, and someday utilizing them in my classroom. I think that they could be extremely beneficial for student learning.

    3.) One question that I have from my article ‘Ed Tech Experts Choose Top Tools’ is how to educate, and influence teachers to use these tools? With everything that teachers have to complete on a day to day basis, I wonder if they will find any interest in these tools for 21st century learning. They may find them intimidating, or that they just seem like too much work.

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  19. 1.) Google Docs didn't really present any struggles for me. It seemed similiar to Microsoft and while it didn't offer a million options, it gave enough to do a good presentation and accomplish the purpose.

    2.) My article was about the technology survey and five myths surrounding it. The part of my article that impacted me the most was the statement about teachers not knowing HOW to implement the technology. I agree that in my prior degree, they made sure we knew about technology, but I didn't see it implemented. Now that I know about curriculum, I would love to spend time in classrooms and conferences to see how I could slip it in during all the lessons. Unfortunately, I also have to teach do it's hard to fit it in now. I can see why this continues to be a problem. Otherwise, the article was pretty straightforward and I felt that it simply stated the obvious. I wasn't aware that so many teachers felt administrators were against them in regards to technology.

    3.)Why do you think social studies teachers are the most popular teachers in secondary to use technology? (My original assumption would have been science)

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