Tools for the Mind
There is a lot of validity to what the author of this article is saying. For example the idea that most of the computer use by students is limited to research based projects. There is definitely an abundance of going to the computer lab, and just finding some information on something, and using Word to write about it. And then, of course, there is plenty cutting and pasting going on too. I’m coming from a language arts base so there will always be more research type computer use in language arts.
The author is right on about this lower level thinking process that is going on with computer use, and I think she is right in saying that we need to move beyond that to developing some high order processes with computer use. But there are some big steps to take to get there.
Reference Points:
• It’s true that most computer use in schools requires only lower order thinking.
• Higher level activities for computer use will take much more time and energy than the lower order activities.
• Critics should start offering solutions instead of just pointing to our panoply of problems.
I think this article would have greater impact if the author would give us more of the “how to,” instead of “where to.” She has astutely recognized the problem, but it would be nice to see some more details on how to get where we need to be. The really tough part is mentioned, but somewhat brushed aside. The author mentions that the higher order tools are not as user friendly, and they are time intensive to use and to learn, and this is a major factor contributing to the stuck in the muck of the lower order thinking levels with computers. In the end, I have to completely agree that it’s time for more analytic skills to be brought into the computer room. I guess I just didn’t want somebody to remind me that there is even more work to do.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Power Point Presentation on Energy
Self Critique
One of the first things I noticed while watching my video was that I managed to break the Cardinal Rule of talking in front of a group, and that was chewing gum, yuk, at least the video is a little bit dark so you can’t see it too much, because it is a little embarrassing. Also I think it would have been nice to have some kind of a pointer instead of using the video remote as a pointer. Also I need to work on voice projection, maybe if I didn’t have that big wad of gum in my mouth I would have sounded better.
Another big thing is that I was not as prepared as I should have been to actually give a presentation. I knew the material, but when you get up to do a presentation just knowing the material isn’t good enough, at least not for me, I know I’m not any good at “winging it”. I thought I could follow along with the PowerPoint and it would all go smoothly. It did go all right, but it wasn’t good. It actually makes interesting material boring if all you do is follow along with the presentation without making those interesting interjections that you should be doing as a presenter.
Valuable Lessons Learned:
• Don’t speak dumb – get rid of the gum (I just now made that up, I kind of like it)
• Follow the Boy Scout motto: Always be prepared
Click here to see this PowerPoint presentation on Teacher Tube.
Self Critique
One of the first things I noticed while watching my video was that I managed to break the Cardinal Rule of talking in front of a group, and that was chewing gum, yuk, at least the video is a little bit dark so you can’t see it too much, because it is a little embarrassing. Also I think it would have been nice to have some kind of a pointer instead of using the video remote as a pointer. Also I need to work on voice projection, maybe if I didn’t have that big wad of gum in my mouth I would have sounded better.
Another big thing is that I was not as prepared as I should have been to actually give a presentation. I knew the material, but when you get up to do a presentation just knowing the material isn’t good enough, at least not for me, I know I’m not any good at “winging it”. I thought I could follow along with the PowerPoint and it would all go smoothly. It did go all right, but it wasn’t good. It actually makes interesting material boring if all you do is follow along with the presentation without making those interesting interjections that you should be doing as a presenter.
Valuable Lessons Learned:
• Don’t speak dumb – get rid of the gum (I just now made that up, I kind of like it)
• Follow the Boy Scout motto: Always be prepared
Click here to see this PowerPoint presentation on Teacher Tube.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
I have been living in Sitka for four months now and I pretty much drive everywhere. I sprinkle in an occasional walk, if you know Sitka you know what I mean by sprinkle. All of this driving makes me feel a little guilty,because this is a bicycle and pedestrian friendly community.
The price of gas is not the main motivation for changing my driving habits,there are several factors in play here:
*the idea that Americans need to start thinking about change,and it starts with each individual.
*The general world situation is crazy right now and it is all because of oil greed and need
So I decided to see what the numbers would look like if I made a small change in my driving habits.Not only to see how much money I would save but,how much less gas I would consume, and then run some numbers to see if a lot of people made this small change, how much overall gas would be saved, and then see what that would mean for overall oil consumption.You can see the rest of the basic premise at this link
To see the Excel spreadsheet with all the numbers on this project click here.
The price of gas is not the main motivation for changing my driving habits,there are several factors in play here:
*the idea that Americans need to start thinking about change,and it starts with each individual.
*The general world situation is crazy right now and it is all because of oil greed and need
So I decided to see what the numbers would look like if I made a small change in my driving habits.Not only to see how much money I would save but,how much less gas I would consume, and then run some numbers to see if a lot of people made this small change, how much overall gas would be saved, and then see what that would mean for overall oil consumption.You can see the rest of the basic premise at this link
To see the Excel spreadsheet with all the numbers on this project click here.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Read/Write Web Article
If you are looking at this site you probably know about something about blogging. Even though my spell check doesn’t seem to recognize the word, most people have at least heard the word. But what are the implications of writing on the web for education? The simple answer is that teachers can use writing on the web to motivate students to do a little writing and maybe, since the whole world can potentially look at what they are saying, students might also do some thinking about what they are writing. I like what they are doing at Hunterdon High School where the students collaborate online with authors of the books that they are reading. And then there is the communal wiki process that is really pretty neat, and very successful in terms of self regulation, because everybody can edit text on the site.
This Educators Guide to the Read Write Web is a well thought out article. I say this because the author takes a serious look at the crucial idea of students learning how to question, differentiate, and evaluate published information. In some ways it is similar to people learning to figure out what is true in the news, or what is real on TV and what is make believe.
Reference Points and Concerns:
• How do we rethink the concept of literacy?
• Are writing styles like text messaging going to become a literate language?
• How does the role of the teacher change as technology like web writing becomes more prevalent?
• With technology does the teacher become more of a guide or monitor?
• Finally, is student online anonymity a concern?
The point is that now students have a new sounding board. I say let them have at it and see what they can do. Teachers have to think about the future and where this is all headed. If you think there isn’t going to be big changes from the “paper to teacher, to grade concept,” then I think you’re filling your tank with the wrong fuel. It’s time to look for alternative sources of energy.
If you are looking at this site you probably know about something about blogging. Even though my spell check doesn’t seem to recognize the word, most people have at least heard the word. But what are the implications of writing on the web for education? The simple answer is that teachers can use writing on the web to motivate students to do a little writing and maybe, since the whole world can potentially look at what they are saying, students might also do some thinking about what they are writing. I like what they are doing at Hunterdon High School where the students collaborate online with authors of the books that they are reading. And then there is the communal wiki process that is really pretty neat, and very successful in terms of self regulation, because everybody can edit text on the site.
This Educators Guide to the Read Write Web is a well thought out article. I say this because the author takes a serious look at the crucial idea of students learning how to question, differentiate, and evaluate published information. In some ways it is similar to people learning to figure out what is true in the news, or what is real on TV and what is make believe.
Reference Points and Concerns:
• How do we rethink the concept of literacy?
• Are writing styles like text messaging going to become a literate language?
• How does the role of the teacher change as technology like web writing becomes more prevalent?
• With technology does the teacher become more of a guide or monitor?
• Finally, is student online anonymity a concern?
The point is that now students have a new sounding board. I say let them have at it and see what they can do. Teachers have to think about the future and where this is all headed. If you think there isn’t going to be big changes from the “paper to teacher, to grade concept,” then I think you’re filling your tank with the wrong fuel. It’s time to look for alternative sources of energy.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Energy Project
1. How much fuel would I save if I ride my bicycle to Sitka High School for just three days a week? I’m using three days a week because for me this is a reasonable proposition.
2. I Googled “energy consumption,” and I got 9,050,000 results, has anybody else noticed this, and what does it mean. I clicked on the fifth entry down and looked at energy consumption for the US for the year 1997. One of the many available statistics was oil consumption for one day in the US, not the world. It was 18.92 million barrels per day. This is a stunning figure that should get you asking questions, like, where does all that oil come from? It should make a person consider how the world situation got to be the way it is. Some of these considerations would include greenhouse gasses, global warming, and various military invasions of oil producing countries, and while we are at it, we might as well throw Dick Cheney into the mix.
After I wrote this paragraph, I had to go back and double check that figure, because I just couldn't believe it, and sure enough that’s what it says.
3. Data needed will be the number of miles from home to Sitka High. Data for miles per gallon that my vehicle gets for this kind of driving will be needed.
4. The method for computing miles to Sitka High will be odometer readings. Several will be taken to insure accuracy. Miles per gallon fuel consumption will be done by filling the gas tank and writing down mileage taken from the odometer. Then I will drive a certain amount of miles, all of this driving will be the same driving style as the drive to Sitka High, basic short distance and stop and go. Then I will re-fill the gas tank writing down the total gallons put in the tank, this figure is the amount of gas consumed for this period. I will at the same time as filling the gas tank write down the new mileage on the odometer. This will give me total miles driven and amount of fuel used during this mileage period.This basic procedure will be repeated multiple times.
1. How much fuel would I save if I ride my bicycle to Sitka High School for just three days a week? I’m using three days a week because for me this is a reasonable proposition.
2. I Googled “energy consumption,” and I got 9,050,000 results, has anybody else noticed this, and what does it mean. I clicked on the fifth entry down and looked at energy consumption for the US for the year 1997. One of the many available statistics was oil consumption for one day in the US, not the world. It was 18.92 million barrels per day. This is a stunning figure that should get you asking questions, like, where does all that oil come from? It should make a person consider how the world situation got to be the way it is. Some of these considerations would include greenhouse gasses, global warming, and various military invasions of oil producing countries, and while we are at it, we might as well throw Dick Cheney into the mix.
After I wrote this paragraph, I had to go back and double check that figure, because I just couldn't believe it, and sure enough that’s what it says.
3. Data needed will be the number of miles from home to Sitka High. Data for miles per gallon that my vehicle gets for this kind of driving will be needed.
4. The method for computing miles to Sitka High will be odometer readings. Several will be taken to insure accuracy. Miles per gallon fuel consumption will be done by filling the gas tank and writing down mileage taken from the odometer. Then I will drive a certain amount of miles, all of this driving will be the same driving style as the drive to Sitka High, basic short distance and stop and go. Then I will re-fill the gas tank writing down the total gallons put in the tank, this figure is the amount of gas consumed for this period. I will at the same time as filling the gas tank write down the new mileage on the odometer. This will give me total miles driven and amount of fuel used during this mileage period.This basic procedure will be repeated multiple times.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
There is a very healthy overall attitude toward using technology at Sitka High School. Mikolas and Joe are helpful and supportive. I have taken several classes over to the computer rooms for various projects and it is easy to sign up and find an available time. Because there are ample computers available you can have an average size class in the room and if there are a few students that come in and need to use computers for a project there are usually computers available. And there are computers in the library. I think that this willingness to spend money to make sure there are enough computers available is a good sign. The only thing that could be better would be one computer at each desk. This would be handy and useful but is not necessary when access to computers is readily available.
When I take a class to work on a project I find it a little worrisome that while most students are either e-mailing their work to their homes or saving it on a flash drive to work on at home, there are still too many students that do not have this luxury.
It is a luxury for some students and the problem is that it puts them behind and stifles their ability to keep up. It also seems to do something to their attitude about the work. The other minor flaw as I see it is that while the tech support is fantastic, I find it a little random in terms of access and this is no ones fault in particular, but rather a system thing and is actually not that difficult to work with. try this link
When I take a class to work on a project I find it a little worrisome that while most students are either e-mailing their work to their homes or saving it on a flash drive to work on at home, there are still too many students that do not have this luxury.
It is a luxury for some students and the problem is that it puts them behind and stifles their ability to keep up. It also seems to do something to their attitude about the work. The other minor flaw as I see it is that while the tech support is fantastic, I find it a little random in terms of access and this is no ones fault in particular, but rather a system thing and is actually not that difficult to work with. try this link
Monday, September 17, 2007
listen to the natives
Jeff Glase jglase@mail.uas.alaska.edu 9-17-07
Listen to the Natives by: Marc Prensky
In the magazine piece Going Native Marc Prensky talks about today’s student being digital natives and compares them to those people who weren’t born into the digital world,he calls these people digital immigrants. It is time to shift gears and move teaching into the 21st century by starting to use tools like cell phones to do things like help students access language or vocabulary training. And maybe even have teachers deliver interactive lessons over cell phones. His idea is to compact legacy knowledge lessons to make room for 21st century learning. The idea that teachers are out of touch with student’s interest and needs in the digital world is emphasized in the quote that he uses from Henry Kelly, president of American Federation of Teachers, “the cookies on my daughter’s computer know more about her interests than her teachers do.”
REFERENCE POINTS:
1. Prensky believes that teachers must practice putting engagement before content when teaching.
2. Educators should take cues from students’ 21st century innovations and behaviors.
3. Student collaboration with teachers is important. Students should collaborate on everything including curriculum.
4. A web cam in every room to show parents what really is going on?
5. Personalized instruction, adaptive lessons geared to individual students’ abilities rate of learning would be possible with modern computers.
Not only is this a statement about how educators need to be aware of the digital world and learn how to incorporate digital technology into the classroom, but he also incorporates an education philosophy. The ideas of curriculum collaboration with students are a somewhat progressive philosophy. I think this is useful because in the digital realm the students may have a better idea of what will work for them, and so some collaboration could be a positive development. I especially like the idea of computerized adaptive lessons and testing. A computer that would instantly figure out a students learning abilities while they are using it is something I would be using right now if I had the capability and tools. This type of learning tool would fit nicely into today’s multi-cultural and multi-level classrooms. If I had access to cell phones that could help users access language or vocabulary training I would try to incorporate it into my curriculum. I know something like this would take several years to figure out and implement, but I think it could be very useful and very engaging for today’s students.
Listen to the Natives by: Marc Prensky
In the magazine piece Going Native Marc Prensky talks about today’s student being digital natives and compares them to those people who weren’t born into the digital world,he calls these people digital immigrants. It is time to shift gears and move teaching into the 21st century by starting to use tools like cell phones to do things like help students access language or vocabulary training. And maybe even have teachers deliver interactive lessons over cell phones. His idea is to compact legacy knowledge lessons to make room for 21st century learning. The idea that teachers are out of touch with student’s interest and needs in the digital world is emphasized in the quote that he uses from Henry Kelly, president of American Federation of Teachers, “the cookies on my daughter’s computer know more about her interests than her teachers do.”
REFERENCE POINTS:
1. Prensky believes that teachers must practice putting engagement before content when teaching.
2. Educators should take cues from students’ 21st century innovations and behaviors.
3. Student collaboration with teachers is important. Students should collaborate on everything including curriculum.
4. A web cam in every room to show parents what really is going on?
5. Personalized instruction, adaptive lessons geared to individual students’ abilities rate of learning would be possible with modern computers.
Not only is this a statement about how educators need to be aware of the digital world and learn how to incorporate digital technology into the classroom, but he also incorporates an education philosophy. The ideas of curriculum collaboration with students are a somewhat progressive philosophy. I think this is useful because in the digital realm the students may have a better idea of what will work for them, and so some collaboration could be a positive development. I especially like the idea of computerized adaptive lessons and testing. A computer that would instantly figure out a students learning abilities while they are using it is something I would be using right now if I had the capability and tools. This type of learning tool would fit nicely into today’s multi-cultural and multi-level classrooms. If I had access to cell phones that could help users access language or vocabulary training I would try to incorporate it into my curriculum. I know something like this would take several years to figure out and implement, but I think it could be very useful and very engaging for today’s students.
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