This is a powerful video that makes you think.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Week 4 - Blog Posting #7 -Second Life
My thoughts on Second Life are very limited. I’ve had an avatar for a couple of years and have tried it out numbers of times. I don’t understand how to do anything but look at things. I’ve traveled to a number of sites such as the Alamo and ISTE Island that I liked, but once again I don’t understand what to do there other than look.
I’m carrying a house, but I don’t know what to do with it. I’ve looked up how to make money and finding land, but that costs money and I don’t see that it’s worth it. On ISTE Island they have a number of free items like clothes, boats, building textures and several other things.
I’m not impressed by the graphics at all. I’ve shown it to my own three teenagers who are very much involved in using the Internet, and they aren’t interested in something with such poor graphics.
On the positive, having been involved in a meeting on Second Life, I can see how it would be useful for companies that have employees scattered around the world to meet. This would be a great tool for them. For education grades 7-12 and college it would be a great place to hold meetings as I see a number of colleges have done such as Ball State. North Carolina has an online virtual high school with a meeting room.
I can see Teen Second Life as a better tool because it doesn’t have the mature content. At this point our filters block these sites, so using them is out of the question.
I know this has been a rather negative blog on Second Life because I’m not sold on what I’ve seen. I’m not against virtual worlds. I spent a year doing Runescape and made it to level 89. I’ve watched my one son play on World of War Craft. I can see in these worlds a lot of creative learning, critical thinking, and decision-making. I look forward to getting involved with Quest Atlantis. The graphics on these sites are far better and they draw the students.
I’m sure there is excellent learning taking place on Second Life in meetings, but I don’t understand the rest.
I’m carrying a house, but I don’t know what to do with it. I’ve looked up how to make money and finding land, but that costs money and I don’t see that it’s worth it. On ISTE Island they have a number of free items like clothes, boats, building textures and several other things.
I’m not impressed by the graphics at all. I’ve shown it to my own three teenagers who are very much involved in using the Internet, and they aren’t interested in something with such poor graphics.
On the positive, having been involved in a meeting on Second Life, I can see how it would be useful for companies that have employees scattered around the world to meet. This would be a great tool for them. For education grades 7-12 and college it would be a great place to hold meetings as I see a number of colleges have done such as Ball State. North Carolina has an online virtual high school with a meeting room.
I can see Teen Second Life as a better tool because it doesn’t have the mature content. At this point our filters block these sites, so using them is out of the question.
I know this has been a rather negative blog on Second Life because I’m not sold on what I’ve seen. I’m not against virtual worlds. I spent a year doing Runescape and made it to level 89. I’ve watched my one son play on World of War Craft. I can see in these worlds a lot of creative learning, critical thinking, and decision-making. I look forward to getting involved with Quest Atlantis. The graphics on these sites are far better and they draw the students.
I’m sure there is excellent learning taking place on Second Life in meetings, but I don’t understand the rest.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Week 3 - Blog Posting #6 -Communities of Practice
Let’s start off by defining Communities of Practice. This video gives a good explanation of what it is, taken from Second Life:
To start off, you don’t find it at my school. I know that sounds a bit negative, but I think it reflects education today in too many places. I listened to a speaker one time that talked about speaking to the many professions and the differences. He talked about when you went into the bathroom during a break with doctors and lawyers you heard them comparing notes and talking about their professions. But when he talked to educators, and in the same circumstances, found they were talking about anything but their profession. In the environment of education it seems many of the teachers around me don’t want to get into a conversation of best practices and what works or doesn’t work.
In the article: “Communities of Practice Learning as a Social System” by Etienne Wenger I found that I agreed with the fact that is how it should be, and depending on the administration, it definitely could be set up and supported. I would love to work in a system like that, but as stated in the previous paragraph I don’t. I believe one of the contributing factors is the fact that in my state everything is about the union, and that doesn’t encourage change or growth.
Where are there communities of practice? I belong to a great group. Here is my badge:
Visit Classroom 2.0
You can find this community of practice at http://www.classroom20.com. It’s made up of teachers and administrators from around the world. You can post questions on any area of education and will get great conversation that continues on for months. I’ve started some conversations on math and joined in on conversations. You can also follow people you are interested in and they will follow you. It has over 30,000 members. This is a community that strives after best practices.
Another community is located at: http://teachertube.com. Although this site hasn’t been around very long, it is developing into a community of practice. Teachers share videos, documents, audio, photos for others to use. It has a community set up with groups, bulletins, and forums. It also has a place for blogging, to help others share what they are learning.
I’ve been involved with a personal learning community that was a great idea, but only two of us were willing to discuss. The other three would share, but were satisfied even when it was obvious what they were doing wasn’t working. Part of the problem here was the fact that the administration wasn’t supporting it.
I think that is key to a vibrant learning community within a fixed setting. I’m not saying the administration should lead it. They need to support it, and even be an equal part of it by adding to the learning. Everyone that has a stake in the learning should be involved.
To start off, you don’t find it at my school. I know that sounds a bit negative, but I think it reflects education today in too many places. I listened to a speaker one time that talked about speaking to the many professions and the differences. He talked about when you went into the bathroom during a break with doctors and lawyers you heard them comparing notes and talking about their professions. But when he talked to educators, and in the same circumstances, found they were talking about anything but their profession. In the environment of education it seems many of the teachers around me don’t want to get into a conversation of best practices and what works or doesn’t work.
In the article: “Communities of Practice Learning as a Social System” by Etienne Wenger I found that I agreed with the fact that is how it should be, and depending on the administration, it definitely could be set up and supported. I would love to work in a system like that, but as stated in the previous paragraph I don’t. I believe one of the contributing factors is the fact that in my state everything is about the union, and that doesn’t encourage change or growth.
Where are there communities of practice? I belong to a great group. Here is my badge:
Visit Classroom 2.0
You can find this community of practice at http://www.classroom20.com. It’s made up of teachers and administrators from around the world. You can post questions on any area of education and will get great conversation that continues on for months. I’ve started some conversations on math and joined in on conversations. You can also follow people you are interested in and they will follow you. It has over 30,000 members. This is a community that strives after best practices.
Another community is located at: http://teachertube.com. Although this site hasn’t been around very long, it is developing into a community of practice. Teachers share videos, documents, audio, photos for others to use. It has a community set up with groups, bulletins, and forums. It also has a place for blogging, to help others share what they are learning.
I’ve been involved with a personal learning community that was a great idea, but only two of us were willing to discuss. The other three would share, but were satisfied even when it was obvious what they were doing wasn’t working. Part of the problem here was the fact that the administration wasn’t supporting it.
I think that is key to a vibrant learning community within a fixed setting. I’m not saying the administration should lead it. They need to support it, and even be an equal part of it by adding to the learning. Everyone that has a stake in the learning should be involved.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Week 3 - Blog Posting #5 -Social Media
What is Social Media? Wikipedia defines it as: “media designed to be disseminated through social interaction, created using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques.” In other words, it supports the human need for interaction.
In an article posted on March 3, 2008 by Claudine Ryan for ABC Science Online entitled “Blogging boasts your social life: research” they state: “that after two months of regular blogging, people felt they had better social support and friendship networks than those who did not blog.” This is exactly what social media is all about.
On the negative side, there are some psychologists who fear that social networking will contribute to the death of emotional intelligence. In a blog posted September 18, 2009, by James Gurd entitled “Does social media kill communication skills?” he responds to this idea by showing that social media merely reflects and amplifies a person’s interpersonal skill, which is a very good thing. He talks about how there is worldwide monitoring of what is said on the Internet. That when something is posted that raises people’s awareness to a topic a conversation grows through blogs and twitters that analyzes, dissects, and looks at all sides. This is conversation and learning at its best and certainly dealing with emotional intelligence. Another point made in reference to twitter is the fact that getting an idea down in only 140 characters actually helps people to focus and become better communicators.
In this following video the question is asked: Is social media a fad? It goes on to show that not only is it not a fad; it’s more like a revolution. The numbers are staggering when you look at how many people are using social media on a daily basis and it continues to grow.
This next video is said to be the number one watched video on YouTube with over 126 million views called: Evolution of Dance. Take a look at it with the question: why is it number one?
Now that you’ve watched it why do you think it’s number one? My thoughts are that it speaks across several generations. When I watched the video it brought back memories. It also encompasses so much of what social media is about. It is very visual and musical that speaks to two of our intelligences. For some that watch it, they probably attempt to imitate what he is doing while watching it. That brings in another intelligence. The bottom line is that connects to us and we connect to it.
To sum up about social media, the hardest part about communicating in text about this subject is the fact that it is so interactive. I just wanted to use videos to explain. In doing the research I also saw that social media is becoming a major topic within the business community with many websites dealing with how to use it. It is connecting from advertising in business to our everyday personal lives to changing the way politics work. That is powerful.
In an article posted on March 3, 2008 by Claudine Ryan for ABC Science Online entitled “Blogging boasts your social life: research” they state: “that after two months of regular blogging, people felt they had better social support and friendship networks than those who did not blog.” This is exactly what social media is all about.
On the negative side, there are some psychologists who fear that social networking will contribute to the death of emotional intelligence. In a blog posted September 18, 2009, by James Gurd entitled “Does social media kill communication skills?” he responds to this idea by showing that social media merely reflects and amplifies a person’s interpersonal skill, which is a very good thing. He talks about how there is worldwide monitoring of what is said on the Internet. That when something is posted that raises people’s awareness to a topic a conversation grows through blogs and twitters that analyzes, dissects, and looks at all sides. This is conversation and learning at its best and certainly dealing with emotional intelligence. Another point made in reference to twitter is the fact that getting an idea down in only 140 characters actually helps people to focus and become better communicators.
In this following video the question is asked: Is social media a fad? It goes on to show that not only is it not a fad; it’s more like a revolution. The numbers are staggering when you look at how many people are using social media on a daily basis and it continues to grow.
This next video is said to be the number one watched video on YouTube with over 126 million views called: Evolution of Dance. Take a look at it with the question: why is it number one?
Now that you’ve watched it why do you think it’s number one? My thoughts are that it speaks across several generations. When I watched the video it brought back memories. It also encompasses so much of what social media is about. It is very visual and musical that speaks to two of our intelligences. For some that watch it, they probably attempt to imitate what he is doing while watching it. That brings in another intelligence. The bottom line is that connects to us and we connect to it.
To sum up about social media, the hardest part about communicating in text about this subject is the fact that it is so interactive. I just wanted to use videos to explain. In doing the research I also saw that social media is becoming a major topic within the business community with many websites dealing with how to use it. It is connecting from advertising in business to our everyday personal lives to changing the way politics work. That is powerful.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Week 2 - Blog Posting #4 -21st Century Skills & Lifelong Learning
I’ve been interested in 21st century skills for several years now, ever since I realized the traditional way of teaching isn’t reaching the students. In my research to learn more I came across the organization: Partnership for 21st Century Skills located at http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/. They have put together a plan that connects curriculum and 21st century skills. Just as we've heard about the 3 R's of reading, writing, and arithmetic, the 21st century skills are called the 5 C's. These are critical thinking, creative problem solving, communications, collaboration, and cross cultural relationship building. Let’s take a closer look at these skills. Critical thinking and creative problem solving are skills that we need to learn to help us understand the world around us and interact with it. Communications and collaboration are skills that help us work and interact with others in our work and learning situations. Cross-cultural relationship building is something that is important in our global economy.
I’ve been working with my students for several years using group work (collaboration), having them journal and reflect on their answers (critical thinking), and doing problem solving as individuals and partners. Last year, my class connected on ePals (cross cultural relationship building) with a South Korean class and we did video chat (Skype) with the teacher. One evening five of my students connected with students from that classroom. The time difference offered some interesting challenges.
In an article posted in the Toronto Star (Canada) on Aug. 9, 2009 called No More Pencils, Lots More Fun they take you to a school district that is changing the learning culture in their school. They have changed the pedagogy of the school. In the article a statement is made that is a great explanation of why to make this change and I quote: “Jim Greenlaw, dean of the faculty of education at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, says education is moving away from the "transmissional" – where teachers simply impart information – to transactional, or working together, and even to transformational, where it changes students' lives. "And if you are a fair teacher who gives students something interesting to do, then you can be more demanding because they are more interested," he says.”
Lifelong Learning is a very intriguing subject. I say that because so many people like to throw that term around, but have no clue what it means. As an example, my elementary school has that in its mission statement, yet it’s a traditional school, which lectures, uses mostly worksheets, and is constantly testing the students. I find that when they get to me the students think learning comes from a worksheet and I have to undo that philosophy.
Dr. Terry Paulson gives an interesting perspective on Lifelong Learning. Although his talk is more for an adult audience, his points are well made on its importance. He mixes some historical statements with an understanding of today’s changing world and how we should be as learners.
I’ve been working with my students for several years using group work (collaboration), having them journal and reflect on their answers (critical thinking), and doing problem solving as individuals and partners. Last year, my class connected on ePals (cross cultural relationship building) with a South Korean class and we did video chat (Skype) with the teacher. One evening five of my students connected with students from that classroom. The time difference offered some interesting challenges.
In an article posted in the Toronto Star (Canada) on Aug. 9, 2009 called No More Pencils, Lots More Fun they take you to a school district that is changing the learning culture in their school. They have changed the pedagogy of the school. In the article a statement is made that is a great explanation of why to make this change and I quote: “Jim Greenlaw, dean of the faculty of education at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, says education is moving away from the "transmissional" – where teachers simply impart information – to transactional, or working together, and even to transformational, where it changes students' lives. "And if you are a fair teacher who gives students something interesting to do, then you can be more demanding because they are more interested," he says.”
Lifelong Learning is a very intriguing subject. I say that because so many people like to throw that term around, but have no clue what it means. As an example, my elementary school has that in its mission statement, yet it’s a traditional school, which lectures, uses mostly worksheets, and is constantly testing the students. I find that when they get to me the students think learning comes from a worksheet and I have to undo that philosophy.
Dr. Terry Paulson gives an interesting perspective on Lifelong Learning. Although his talk is more for an adult audience, his points are well made on its importance. He mixes some historical statements with an understanding of today’s changing world and how we should be as learners.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Week 2 - Blog Posting #3 - Media Literacy
When it comes to 21scentury skills, media literacy is an area that needs to come to the forefront. According to Wikipedia Media Literacy is defined as: “the process of analyzing, evaluating and creating messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres and forms. It uses an inquiry-based instructional model that encourages people to ask questions about what they watch, see, and read.” Unfortunately, in my state of Michigan, as of this date we have not made it important at all.
In doing research into my state content standards I found nothing in the Language Arts section that comes close to what would be needed for media literacy. I even checked the technology standards and found nothing, considering they were from 2006. I did find plenty of literacy skills based on text, but no skills dealing with visual.
In the book: Media literacy in the information age: current perspectives, edited by Robert William Kubey, was written in 1997. He talks about how this subject is being handled across the globe. Canada has mandated the teaching of media literacy in every province. Quebec has made it a part of the curriculum from grade 1 through high school.
In my observations of my own children who are teenagers, they are bombarded with visual media on a daily basis. This is the world they live and operate in. I listen to them discuss a video and its quality. I’m not talking about how it looked as a picture, but how good the content was in the picture. When my son looks at an interactive electronic game (X-Box), he analyzes its quality and evaluates if it’s a game he likes. This is an automatic response to him when he talks with his friends.
He has set certain standards that he is looking for.
Even though this is part of their world they aren’t prepared to analyze and evaluate things like the informational media. On the Internet there is so much information our students need to learn how to wade through it all to find the truth. Much of it is presented in visual or video form.
In a YouTube video presentation by Dr. Wesch, a cultural anthropologist, he talks about the fact he has been teaching for only four years, and that every assumption about education and learning he understood was shattered within the first three years because of all the new media. He asked his students how many didn’t like school and over half their hands went up. He then asked how many do not like learning and know one raised their hands. He goes on to talk about media literacy and what it’s become in the last few years. You can find this on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4yApagnr0s.
For my classroom I always teach the students something I learned from my work with the historians at Mackinac State Historic Parks. You need to always find at least three sources to feel comfortable that it’s true. I’ve been using the book Web Literacy written by Alan November to help my students in growing in their media literacy.
In doing research into my state content standards I found nothing in the Language Arts section that comes close to what would be needed for media literacy. I even checked the technology standards and found nothing, considering they were from 2006. I did find plenty of literacy skills based on text, but no skills dealing with visual.
In the book: Media literacy in the information age: current perspectives, edited by Robert William Kubey, was written in 1997. He talks about how this subject is being handled across the globe. Canada has mandated the teaching of media literacy in every province. Quebec has made it a part of the curriculum from grade 1 through high school.
In my observations of my own children who are teenagers, they are bombarded with visual media on a daily basis. This is the world they live and operate in. I listen to them discuss a video and its quality. I’m not talking about how it looked as a picture, but how good the content was in the picture. When my son looks at an interactive electronic game (X-Box), he analyzes its quality and evaluates if it’s a game he likes. This is an automatic response to him when he talks with his friends.
He has set certain standards that he is looking for.
Even though this is part of their world they aren’t prepared to analyze and evaluate things like the informational media. On the Internet there is so much information our students need to learn how to wade through it all to find the truth. Much of it is presented in visual or video form.
In a YouTube video presentation by Dr. Wesch, a cultural anthropologist, he talks about the fact he has been teaching for only four years, and that every assumption about education and learning he understood was shattered within the first three years because of all the new media. He asked his students how many didn’t like school and over half their hands went up. He then asked how many do not like learning and know one raised their hands. He goes on to talk about media literacy and what it’s become in the last few years. You can find this on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4yApagnr0s.
For my classroom I always teach the students something I learned from my work with the historians at Mackinac State Historic Parks. You need to always find at least three sources to feel comfortable that it’s true. I’ve been using the book Web Literacy written by Alan November to help my students in growing in their media literacy.
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