Reflection 3: Teaching Practices

I am so glad I signed up for this class! This course has given me more than new tools to try this year, but also a different way to look at how I utilize technology with students. Lori, do you think there would be available times to use the lab or sign out lap tops once a week? I was thinking if this were possible, I would make this one of my professional goals. The first thing I would like to do is to create a wiki where they could work collaboratively together on reading and writing activities. I am also going to show my colleagues how to use del.icio.us so that we can share information. Maybe we could add another study group so that we could keep each other going and get us past the difficulties we encounter along the way.

Lesson 11: School 2.0

There were many positive things I viewed from the School 2.0 model. For example I love the idea of having more online assessment and evaluation. This would provide educators with such important data to help us better know what our students' needs our and what our next course of action should be. It shouldn't take until fifth or sixth grade for a student to be brought up to an IST meeting. I also like the differentiation and flexible exploration it provided students with. We all know that students learn differently and at different rates. With that being said, I had some concerns that maybe it was too much of a shift. For example, on the map it stated that textbook money would need to be shifted to digital resources. Again, I have to put my reading teacher hat on and say that this is frightening to me. I know that there are several wonderful sites where you can listen and read books online, but that experience is not the same as buddy reading with a peer, hearing your teacher read a picture book by your favorite author, or participating in a small guided reading group. We want our children to grow up to be competitive in an ever changing world, but we don't want to sacrifice the positive learning experiences that are already in place. Also I am still confused about who was making these major decisions? What I can agree upon is that we need great teachers integrating great tools of technology.

Lesson 10: Dr. Zhao's podcast

I loved Dr. Zhao's idea of virtual gaming to learn a foreign language. I know I would have enjoyed the four years I took of Spanish a lot more if we had a tool like that. I agree that the difference between the United States and other countries is our capacity to accept change. We have to stop viewing ourselves as the best and start working together. If we want to stay competitive, our educational system does have to become more global, virtual, and digital. However after listening to the podcast, I also strongly believe that there needs to be a balance between the social interaction and nurturing a child can receive from a teacher and the impending demand of the virtual world. I don't believe that we can do without either one. As Dr. Zhao consistently pointed out, our educational system today is outdated and not competitive. Being the mother of two young children, that scares me to death because of course as parents we worry constantly about our child's future. After listening and going through a short bout of depression, I guess all we can do is be receptive and try to make a positive change. After all we wouldn't have signed up for this course if we didn't feel it were important to our students.
I imagine our first step would be to follow the last three major points of Dr. Zhao which were to 1. Recognize our virtual environment 2. Develop some exchange or communication between countries and 3. to help each other as educators to see the important relationship between teaching and technology. Side note to Lori- Can you believe these words are coming out of the person who a few months ago didn't know how to type in a URL address in the correct spot? Scary huh? I guess if that doesn't prove change is possible, what does?

Lesson 9: Learning in the 21st Century

My favorite quote from Kevin Honeycutt's podcast that really stuck with me was, "We need to stop teaching technology and begin teaching with technology." That got me thinking of ways I can help students to make connections between what I am teaching and the use of technology so that the learning for them can be richer. As a reading specialist, this is no small task. I was thinking of maybe the creation of a newspaper where each group could be responsible for a different section of the paper. I think if we involved all three elementary buildings, the kids would really get excited and motivated to write more. Of course we all know, when they write more, they read more. Yeah!!! The fifth graders take the DBQ exam in November so I spend the first couple of months teaching reading through social studies curriculum. I did like the idea of the Oregon journals, and could certainly incorportate something similar. We could have a presidential election from candidates from three different schools and each school has to develop campaigns etc.. Another possible idea would be to have a group of my sixth graders write a picture book and have an art class from another building create the illustrations. A third group could be the editors/publishers. Any feedback on these three ideas from my fellow classmates would be appreciated.
I tooked at Kevin's Model T project and thought it was creative and an excellent problem solving activity where students collaborated to create something authentic. However I was surprised when I went to the Model T blog and there were no comments posted on any part of the project. It makes me wonder how many schools have actually begun to give kids these type of choices in their classroom? It will be no small task and it really involves designing curriculum in a different way, but as he said, we have to challenge our kids so that they are prepared for the job market in the future. Maybe as a tech. study group for next year we could share our ideas and help one another get started. I know I would be excited about giving it a try.

Reflection 2: My Favorite Tool!

I loved learning about Wikis and del.icio.us. I am certain that next year I will be using both a great deal. If I had to choose between the two, my vote would be for creating a wiki. I think there are so many benefits for students, especially the collaborative aspect of it. My students could actually have back and forth discussions about literature and their writing samples. As I wrote in my comment to Denise, I noticed that someone actually began a book review wiki on the Village Wiki and would love to team up with them. Think of all the great books our students would have to choose from. I am also going to help the other reading specialists register on del.icio.us so that we can all share bookmarks throughout the year. I remember being hesitant about signing up for this online course because as you know the use of technology is not my strongest point, but I am so glad I did. I have learned about so many tools that will not only be time saving and beneficial to me, but will also help the students I work with. Thanks!!!

Wacky about Wikis

I really enjoyed lesson 6. I learned so much about wikis and now I don't know which I want to create more, a reading blog or wiki? What I like about a wiki is that it is collaborative and that it seems easy to use and edit. The woman on the PBwiki said, "Reflection is at the heart of learning." I think this is very true, and therefore like that aspect of creating a wiki. I also like that it is secure and requires a password to get in so that you are able to control who is adding information. I viewed several links, many of which used wikis for their college syllabus, but I liked Mr. Lindsay's wiki for his sixth grade class. What is the difference between PBwiki and Wikispaces? I noticed that Wikispaces cost $5-20 per month but PBwiki is free. Why is that?

Lesson 5: Video Resources Sites

I was truly amazed after listening to Wesley Fryer's podcast. I couldn't wait to view Next Vista, and thought the idea of using short 5 minute educational clips for students who were still unsure of a concept was fabulous. I listened to a few, the one on teaching theme was interesting. The only disappointing aspect (of course coming from a reading teacher's perspective) was that most of the videos dealt with math concepts. There were very few reading and writing lessons. This is probably because many of them would be difficult to teach within the five minute confinements.
I think it might be a fun concept to attempt in our district, maybe at first just at one grade level. I think parents would really like it too because I know I hear from many of them how sometimes they have a difficult time helping their children with their homework because they haven't practiced it in awhile. I know a few years ago I created a similar video with Monica Cosgrove on helping parents and students on how to select a "just right" book. We could have our own little "Village Tube."
I didn't really like the You Tube or Clip Blast site, although I know that kids really like both. Also I wondered how well these two sites were monitored. They definitely seemed more commercial than educational.