Thursday, February 18, 2010
Just Finished My EdTech Profile
Overall Proficiency Level Avg. Score
Proficient 2.94
Skills Inventory
Score Overall Proficiency Level
General computer knowledge and skills 3.0 Proficient
Internet skills 3.0 Proficient
Email skills 3.0 Proficient
Word processing skills 3.0 Proficient
Presentation software skills 3.0 Proficient
Spreadsheet software skills 3.0 Proficient
Database software skills 3.0 Proficient
Monday, February 8, 2010
21st Century Educational Technology
21st Century Skills: - http://ultibase.rmit.edu.au/Articles/sept02/lambert1.htm
"Many districts are so overwhelmed and concerned about the NCLB requirements and potential financial repercussions of not complying, that for lots of them the safest route is the 'back-to-basics' approach-focusing entirely on 20th century skills at the expense of 21st century ones."
This is so tell tale of districts today. It seems that the easiest way to recapture American hegemony is to focus on what we do best: create. 21CT is what can take us there. For example, why do we focus on spelling past the 6th grade? It is an inefficient use of teacher time since our students have spell check. That is like asking someone to use a lug wrench when they have an air impact wrench. Like they also said in the article, it seems to me that test scores go up when we focus on core competencies via tech (students preferred mode of communication) as opposed to using 20th century methods that are vastly outdated. \
21st Century Learners- http://ultibase.rmit.edu.au/Articles/sept02/lambert1.htm
"Our 21st century environment is one of rapid communication, action, mobility and change, of intricate social activity and a huge potential for new knowledge."
"As we move from teaching to learning-centred provision, the learner is more central to the higher education process, indeed to education as a whole (Winkley, 2000). The emphasis is shifting ‘from the activities of the teacher or trainer towards development of the student’ (Ball, 1996, p.2)."
This shows how indeed we are moving away from the model of teacher-disseminated information to purveyors of the skill necessary to access such knowledge. For example, we should not teach students about history from a lectern but instead should teach them via project based learning to access the knowledge they need. We must teach them to be discerning and critical. Like the article said, there is more information available to students via the web and intranets than can ever be taught in front of the class. Thus we need to develop students in their true form instead of creating receptacles for knowledge.
"Many districts are so overwhelmed and concerned about the NCLB requirements and potential financial repercussions of not complying, that for lots of them the safest route is the 'back-to-basics' approach-focusing entirely on 20th century skills at the expense of 21st century ones."
This is so tell tale of districts today. It seems that the easiest way to recapture American hegemony is to focus on what we do best: create. 21CT is what can take us there. For example, why do we focus on spelling past the 6th grade? It is an inefficient use of teacher time since our students have spell check. That is like asking someone to use a lug wrench when they have an air impact wrench. Like they also said in the article, it seems to me that test scores go up when we focus on core competencies via tech (students preferred mode of communication) as opposed to using 20th century methods that are vastly outdated. \
21st Century Learners- http://ultibase.rmit.edu.au/Articles/sept02/lambert1.htm
"Our 21st century environment is one of rapid communication, action, mobility and change, of intricate social activity and a huge potential for new knowledge."
"As we move from teaching to learning-centred provision, the learner is more central to the higher education process, indeed to education as a whole (Winkley, 2000). The emphasis is shifting ‘from the activities of the teacher or trainer towards development of the student’ (Ball, 1996, p.2)."
This shows how indeed we are moving away from the model of teacher-disseminated information to purveyors of the skill necessary to access such knowledge. For example, we should not teach students about history from a lectern but instead should teach them via project based learning to access the knowledge they need. We must teach them to be discerning and critical. Like the article said, there is more information available to students via the web and intranets than can ever be taught in front of the class. Thus we need to develop students in their true form instead of creating receptacles for knowledge.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Thoughts on blogging
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6135OH20100204?type=technologyNews
This is an article that states that students are moving quickly away from blogging for texting and social networking. I can see that social networking provides a vast array of interpersonal interactions that allows us to connect our lives via the web. In a way, social networking is a form of blogging super-sized. Facebook allows us to post ourselves and our thoughts as well as connect blogs easily via pictures instead of links. It seems to me that this vast diversity is more enticing than a standard blog. Some would say that Twitter fits the need of quick and concise communication but what does twitter do that texting and Facebook cannot? It seems that we are in the middle of a cold format war much like blu-ray and hd-dvd but without the media coverage. It seems texting and Facebook will emerge as the winners. Even now I question if what I am devoting time to right now will be remembered or whether it will be condemned to oblivion. Even more, I see that historical data is being replaced by constant streaming of information. Soon, history will be irrelevant except to those who are eccentric. Tech is about to jet us into the future and we are only beginning the journey. How can we prepare students for a future when we are unaware of where this rocket ship to the future is taking us?
This is an article that states that students are moving quickly away from blogging for texting and social networking. I can see that social networking provides a vast array of interpersonal interactions that allows us to connect our lives via the web. In a way, social networking is a form of blogging super-sized. Facebook allows us to post ourselves and our thoughts as well as connect blogs easily via pictures instead of links. It seems to me that this vast diversity is more enticing than a standard blog. Some would say that Twitter fits the need of quick and concise communication but what does twitter do that texting and Facebook cannot? It seems that we are in the middle of a cold format war much like blu-ray and hd-dvd but without the media coverage. It seems texting and Facebook will emerge as the winners. Even now I question if what I am devoting time to right now will be remembered or whether it will be condemned to oblivion. Even more, I see that historical data is being replaced by constant streaming of information. Soon, history will be irrelevant except to those who are eccentric. Tech is about to jet us into the future and we are only beginning the journey. How can we prepare students for a future when we are unaware of where this rocket ship to the future is taking us?
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