Weekly TwT Update

Learning it online

As I read the article Learn it Online I was intrigued by the distinctions between computer literacy, information literacy and integration literacy. Computer litearacy in my opinion is how well one knows how to effectively use either a computer or similar technologies, that is whether one performs the tasks necessary to achieve a goal. Information literacy is knowing how to find, sort, analyse and use information to achieve a goal. Integration literacy I believe is an marriage of these two. One having the ability to use technology combined with various strategies already posses or have just learned to achieve the end goal. I think the literacy of the future will have much more emphasis on integration literacy which to me is a combination of the old fashioned way of thinking and learning combined with the new technology which enables us to collect information easier and faster so that more time can be spent on higher level learning.

Digital Students

The video on the next generation of students was very interesting indeed. The younger students of today are definitely digitial natives. They have many technological tools at their disposal to rely on so they do not have to rely too much on their own devices to discover who, what, how, why, where and when. Older students and the majority of teachers probably fall more into the category of digital immigrants. Because these two different groups view and use technology differently it is easy to see how this could have negative implicaions for teachers. At the very least teachers need to learn what the technology is, what it can be used for and how it is used so that they can better relate to their students. No one expects digital immigrants to learn and utilize all of the technology available but just like the generation of immigrants that came to America in the 1900's (approximately) the ones that were most successful were the ones that tried to learn about all the new things around themselves.


National Educational Technology Standards

The six national educational technology standards are as follows:
1. creativity and innovation
2. communication and collaboration
3. research and information fluency
4. critical thinking, problem solving and decision making
5. digital citizenship
6. technology operations and concepts

The first 3 standards are the ones that I believe are probably most utilized today in the public school system. I think that number 4 is the ultimate goal trying to be reached by all. Numbers 5 and 6 are being implemented more and more now because of the advances in technology but they are still out of reach for many due to the prohibitive cost of technology for many. I know that I definitely emphasize the first 3 standards in my classroom with the intent that my students will reach number 4. I am still a novice when it comes to the technology I myself use in the classroom but I am constantly looking for new and innovative ways to utilize what I have (smartboard). Our school district does have a very nice computer lab however 2200 students and 150 teachers must share one lab with 30 computers. The numbers just don't allow too much time to use the technology available. I am confident that in the future there will be more access for all to the technology and that there will definitely be a shift from the old fashioned way of paper and pencil teaching that is mostly teacher driven to a more student driven model where technology will be an integral part of the education process, not just in school but life long as well.

Delicious

I must say that I was impressed by what the del.icio.us web site can do. I am willing to try it to see if it will be useful to me. I admit I am a pencil and paper type of person and I do things in the shortest, most consise way possible. I have created my own way of doing things but I am excited about being able to store things I find on web sites so that I can easily share them with my students and colleagues. It just will take time for me to learn how to do things and become familiar and comfortable enough with the process before I actually use it.

Teaching With Technology

I am definitely a novice with all the newer technology. I went to school during the paper and pencil era when the only technology we had were manual typewriters and the first hand held calculators. I am very excited to learn how all the new technology works because this is the world we live in. In order for me to better help my students learn all they are capable of I need to be able to relate to the technology they have available to them. However, students won't achieve higher level thinking skills and more indepth knowledge acquisition just because they use technology. The technology can be another tool that for investigating and communicating information that needs to be mastered in the learning process. I am not convinced that technology is more of a help than a hinderance (or distraction) in the learning process. Students often seem to be more distracted by all the things going on around them than they are focused on the content they are trying to master. Could this 'stimulation overload' be causing a decrease in learning success?

Tapped in Adventure

I was having a bit of difficulty navigating this site so I'm hoping someone has some advice for me. I had difficulty finding our group but I did find it and joined up but I'm not so sure I'll be successful the next time I go there. Any suggestions on how to navigate the site?

First group meeting

I was a bit apprehensive about joining our first online session. I had visions of not being able to connect to the class as well as a host of other technology nightmares. Overall I think things went well for the first time. I had some technological problems: my microphone didn't work, things seemed to work very slowly, I was bumped out of my group discusssions several times but I didn't lose my internet connection. I am looking forward to being more comfortable with our online sessions as time continues forward. I guess things are so slow because there are so many of us joined together in these sessions. Hopefully our technical difficulties will decrease drastically as the sessions continue and we all become more comfortable with what we are doing.

My Educational Philosophy

My educational philosophy leans toward the Humanism with Information Processing a close second. This means that I believe that people can control the destiny of their own learning. To this end I do all that I can to help my students achieve their fullest potential. I encourage them to see the possibilities and to not be satisfied until they have all their questions and concerns answered. Our brains are wonderful organs that can take us to many levels of understanding as long as we are willing to utilize it to its full potential.

Blogging for TwT

This is my first attempt at blogging. I am taking a graduate course entitled Teaching with Technology which is why I am now blogging. I am not comfortable with putting all my personal information out on the internet. The school district I work in has emphasized that we teachers must behave professionally at all times - especially online - so I am trying to medium ground between my personal feelings and the requirements for my graduate class.