| Burma Shave Slogans |
Peddiwell's The Saber Tooth Curriculum: Learn--As this book was written in 1939, it could have been written today. An allegory of the educational system. The progress of our educational system vs. the needs of the community is not being met. Not in 1939 and clearly not today. Thematically, it revolves around how the "educational system" lags behind the environmental needs of the students in the community. Potentially, it could be bogged down forever until a major "rethinking" occurs on how we deliver educational services to meet the needs of students. Know--culture is difficult to change--not only in a business environment, as I have noted previously, but also in the educational culture where there are so many stakeholders involved (teachers, administration, politicians, teachers, curriculum, technology advocates). Very few will agree on an overall direction to take to serve the needs of students. That many people with little common vision or will, make for a difficult road to change. Act--Although this book made me feel more frustrated, I am going to borrow a page from Dr. Norton's play book: "Be an army of one. If you can change just one person, you are a successful educator." I have employed this since the class started on a fellow keyboarding teacher who does not use projects. I use them extensively (over 5 in the first quarter).After explaining to her how they reinforce concepts and develop creativity in students, she opted to give them a try. More on that later..... |
| Victorian
Internet Lessons Victorian Internet Generalizations |
Standage's The Victorian Internet: Learn--Technologies, as they are developed over time, are adopted and adapted by a wide variety of consumers. It parallels so many of the ways our current Internet has affected us: increasing communication, adoption of new "language," potential for greed, money and power. Know--Technology, like any new invention, has its stages of adoption and use. It also requires an incredible sense of perseverance and the ability to "sell" the concept to nay sayers and doubters that this has positive benefits--not only for the immediate users--but for society, in general. Act--From my perspective, just be cautious that history can repeat itself. Rarely are "revolutionary" technologies developed but they are more "evolutionary" and based on a previous idea or concept. From my educational perspective, I hope to foster a personal sense to continually research new technologies and integrate, where applicable, in my designer’s bag. |
| Reading Theater
Artifact Picture |
Toffler's Revolutionary Wealth: Learn--So many concepts and areas were covered in this from technology, agricultural, school systems to science and health insurance ideas. From my perspective, I tried to distill it down to one primary umbrella concept: our ability to use information to our advantage; to bring us wealth (either knowledge or monetarily). Know--Reflecting on that central concept, the ability of user information (in all its various ways) to our advantage. Finding the relevancy and building on that to ensure success. Act--This will influence my practice to be more innovative in my projects on HOW students will search and utilize various types of information to get their critical thinking skills improved. This is emerging in my "Designer's Bag," so I cannot offer specifics but I do know that it will be put to good use.
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| Poster/Picture Artifact |
Learn--Those
individuals born after 1977 have different ways and modes of learning
and sharing information. They are technology based, adept and are
actively participating in the dissemination of data and
information. This will be the model of the future learner for
some time to come. They have changed to way people act and learn. Know--The guidelines that emerged for me as a learner were those 8 foundations that Tapscott noted: Speed, freedom, customization, scrutiny, integrity, collaboration, entertainment, and innovation. Act--Re-engineer my ways of delivering content and information in class. Try to make use of those foundations (not all at once) in lessons plans and activities. My goal will be to keep these in mind while planning and interacting with students. To be prepared and credible in all that I do in the classroom.
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| Essay Response |
Cuban's Oversold and Underused: Learn--No matter how much money school systems (K-12 or secondary), it does not guarantee that the educator themselves will integrate them into daily classroom activities. It was particularly interesting that event those teachers with a strong background in technology and computers, still failed to use computers/technology in classroom.Know--Just because technologies are available in classrooms, does not mean the teachers have the educational training on HOW to use the technology to the benefit of the students. To keep them engaged and to be a credible, authentic educator. Act--It is my goal here to use technology at every possible moment. I will also step up to advanced technology training to keep up with emerging tools and how to APPLY them in the classroom. I am currently signing up for the Microsoft Academy IT training that is being rolled out to the state of Virginia.
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| Necklace |
Learn—Although
this book is somewhat dated (1997), the relevant concepts that I pulled
from
this book involves the actual concept of digital literacy—the
ability to access
and use information found on the web. It
also talks about how you check information for validity.
Synthesizing information and making sense of
the vast amount of data and information available to learners. Know—To
be effective, digitally literate students you must have good
information/judgement
skills to be literate on the web. No bogus information regardless
of grade level. Act—From
my perspective, I will continue to be sure students are good users of
information and require multiple sources to provide verification of
facts found
online. Cross reference and check
everything on the Internet. In my class,
students constantly use Internet resources to search and find good
content for
projects and research content. Artifact: Necklace/pendent image
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| Cruise Ship School |
Collin's Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology: Learn—Good
background on the
history of educational Know—All
schools should
strive to be an engaging place to match what students are looking for
from a
learning perspective. It might possibly
be fun. The best type of learning takes
place when the students are engaged and having fun.
They do not know that they are learning--but
are. Collaborative environments are best
here as well. Act—I
will be more collaborative
in class and offload more. I will
attempt to be a voice for technology—always.
Keyboarding and computers are in my blood.
I will strive to keep students motivated and
by doing authentic problem projects throughout. Artifact: Cruise Ship image |
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Learn—Although a
sci-fi novel, there
were some great educational concepts that can be applied.
Using simulations, gaming and
technology. The battlefield school,
where Ender goes, is very structured, student driven,
technology/simulation
rich. Has relevance in our school
system. Know—Ender represents
the next
generation or net gen with a need for speed, freedom, collaboration,
and information
integrity. Learning through doing (here
it is a gaming/simulation based environment) proves effective here as
the means
justifies the ends. Also, there are
elements of customization and freedom for the rules and he uses them to
his
advantage. I also loved the use of the
authentic situation and how he wound up saving the earth. Act—I mentioned the
authentic problem
above and in other course notes. This AP
will now be the driving force in my classroom projects—to make
them more
integrated with the way I teach. I do 12
projects and not all have AP’s—only 5 or so.
I will be re-engineering them to reflect AP’s and
engage the students
with real world business problems. Artifact: None |
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| Database
Pamphlet Presidential Want Ad |
Norton and Sprague's Chapter 5 - Databases: Learn--First exposure to academic scenarios for types of databases, sources, and projects to engage students in using databases to solve problems.Know--The principles that emerged from me on this reading were great: Offloading, Authentic Problem, another way to use technology to increase critical thinking and problem solving skills. Act--I have employed offloading more in my classroom--both as a form of classroom management and to increase critical/peer thinking. As I noted in my Designer's Journal, this has greatly improved the quality of projects and the students enjoy working together. If I am working with another student, I can ask one of the project managers to step in and help. This emulates real world concepts in that you are more likely to bounce ideas and thoughts off "coworkers" before putting them to paper and presenting them to "the boss." It gives students a chance to develop ideas and exchange content.
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Norton and Sprague's Chapter 6 - Telecommunications: Norton and Sprague’s,
Chapter 6,
Telecommunications Learn—Provided a good
background for
different types of telecommunications tools and how they could
potentially be
used in class. Know—The introduction
of the AP to
engage students in the classroom. If the
scenario is more “real world” students will be more prone
to stay focused and
engaged in the topic at hand. Act—This was my
pivotal, a-ha
moment. Although it has been introduced
before, the magnitude of the insertion of the AP into ANY classroom
activity/project is a must. Benefits
include: lower classroom management, increase collaborative learning
(where
applicable), empowerment, better understanding of topic and content,
“Learning
by doing,” which is favored by both teacher and student. Artifacts--None |
