Dr. Alice Christie is a twenty-five year veteran teacher who has created a website that compiles useful information for teachers. Dr. Christie now teaches classes and conducts workshops both in the United States and abroad on integrating technology into the classroom. As future teachers with the ever changing world of technology that we currently live in, integrating technology into our classrooms will be vital for the success of our students. Dr. Christie's website is an easy and free resource to help teachers.
Dr. Christie's website has many links such as Educational Technology, GPS and Geocaching, Searching the Web, Web design, plus more. I checked out the Educational Technology tab and spent a little time looking around. Dr. Christie gives many helpful tips and online presentations on almost every aspect of using technology in an educational manner. These tips span from anything such as digital cameras and their use to a list of text message lingo. This website will definitely be an import resource to me as a teacher.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wikipedia
After reading the three assigned articles I was shocked. I always assumed Wikipedia was a trusty reliable online encyclopedia. I have personally used and quoted Wikipedia in many research papers for school. It amazes me that none of my teachers have read these articles and decided to not accept Wikipedia as a source.
While I'm sure that most of the information is correct, the fact that it can be edited by anyone still makes it somewhat unreliable. According to NPR, "It isn't illegal. The whole point of the online encyclopedia is that it is collaborative and multi-sourced. Wikipedia calls itself "the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit," which is another way of saying it is not fact-checked." I wasn't aware of this. I assumed an online encyclopedia was as reliable as a book encyclopedia.
While I'm sure that most of the information is correct, the fact that it can be edited by anyone still makes it somewhat unreliable. According to NPR, "It isn't illegal. The whole point of the online encyclopedia is that it is collaborative and multi-sourced. Wikipedia calls itself "the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit," which is another way of saying it is not fact-checked." I wasn't aware of this. I assumed an online encyclopedia was as reliable as a book encyclopedia.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
The Best of the Fischbowl- July 2007
The Best of the Fischbowl, July 2007 post talks about Fisch's experience at the NECC conference. The blog reflects on the fact that while the conference was a great experience, it was adults sitting around talking about what's best for students. there weren't students present to add their input on whats best for them. Fisch says, "I can’t help but wonder how much more powerful it would be to have students involved in these discussions as well. Particularly at my level – high school – I believe student voices would add a ton."
I think Fisch is correct. So many times students are left out of decisions that impact them. I think that if students are given more authority and decision making within a school their experience is more beneficial. Students have valuable ideas, and while adults may think they know what is best, many times adult decisions are distant from those students would prefer. I believe this creates a wider gap between teachers and students.
One comment left on the blog suggested having students Skype into the the conference and add their opinion and that way they are "virtually" present. Fisch agreed this is a good idea but still not the same as students being present. However, I think it brings up a good idea.
I think Fisch is correct. So many times students are left out of decisions that impact them. I think that if students are given more authority and decision making within a school their experience is more beneficial. Students have valuable ideas, and while adults may think they know what is best, many times adult decisions are distant from those students would prefer. I believe this creates a wider gap between teachers and students.
One comment left on the blog suggested having students Skype into the the conference and add their opinion and that way they are "virtually" present. Fisch agreed this is a good idea but still not the same as students being present. However, I think it brings up a good idea.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The Best of the Fischbowl
First of all, I guess I should start by saying thank you to Dr. Strange for introducing me to this site. Fisch's blog on whether or not it is acceptable for teachers to be technologically illiterate was so enlightening. I sometimes feel that even though I'm only 23, I'm settling for knowing only the basics. I'm hesitant to learn and use the computer for anything more than I have to. However, through this class and websites such as this I'm learning that being a technologically illiterate teacher is not only putting me at a disadvantage, its robbing my students of valuable skills and information.
I find that I get frustrated when I have teachers who don't really know how to use the computer for the basic things such as checking email- so I don't know why students would feel any differently. Computers and technology in general are such a huge part of a child's life today that its our responsibility to incorporate them into education as well. Being a technologically literate teacher will make children more responsive and interested in what is going on in the classroom. I really enjoyed Ficsh's website and plan on checking it out often.
I find that I get frustrated when I have teachers who don't really know how to use the computer for the basic things such as checking email- so I don't know why students would feel any differently. Computers and technology in general are such a huge part of a child's life today that its our responsibility to incorporate them into education as well. Being a technologically literate teacher will make children more responsive and interested in what is going on in the classroom. I really enjoyed Ficsh's website and plan on checking it out often.
Monday, September 8, 2008
International School Blog Sites
Finding two international blog sites was really interesting. I really liked playing around the sites and reading their blogs. I enjoyed comparing and contrasting the ways of the school in Switzerland and the school in Indonesia as opposed to our schools here in the United States.
The first blog that I found was the blog site for the Zurich International School located in Wadenswil, Switzerland. It seems that the main use of their school blog is to act as newsletters to the parents. There were many posts with updates on the different sports teams, community service projects as well as a new post to sign up for lockers in the locker room. I think this is a great way to keep open the communication between parents and the school. So many times students are told things, but often forget by the time they get home. This is an easy, efficient way to relay information.
http://moodle.zis.ch/blogs/
The second site was The Green School in Bali, Indonesia. As opposed the the Zurich International School which seemed alot like schools here in the United States, The Green School was like no school I've ever seen before. Set in a beautiful lush campus, The Green School tries to inspire children to not only love an appreciate the nature in which they live but to inspire education through nature. The Green School uses classroom blogs to give the students an opportunity to reflect and share what they have learned with others. This gives the parents a chance to actively talk and read about what their child is doing in school. They have a blog for each grade level, I checked out the years 3-4 blogs (I guess our equivalent of 3rd and 4th grade). This is the first year that the school is open, so the blog is very active. they are trying to encourage as much support and participation as possible. I was really blown away by this school and their concepts of education. I found it really amazing. Everyone should check it out.
http://www.greenschool.org/
The first blog that I found was the blog site for the Zurich International School located in Wadenswil, Switzerland. It seems that the main use of their school blog is to act as newsletters to the parents. There were many posts with updates on the different sports teams, community service projects as well as a new post to sign up for lockers in the locker room. I think this is a great way to keep open the communication between parents and the school. So many times students are told things, but often forget by the time they get home. This is an easy, efficient way to relay information.http://moodle.zis.ch/blogs/
The second site was The Green School in Bali, Indonesia. As opposed the the Zurich International School which seemed alot like schools here in the United States, The Green School was like no school I've ever seen before. Set in a beautiful lush campus, The Green School tries to inspire children to not only love an appreciate the nature in which they live but to inspire education through nature. The Green School uses classroom blogs to give the students an opportunity to reflect and share what they have learned with others. This gives the parents a chance to actively talk and read about what their child is doing in school. They have a blog for each grade level, I checked out the years 3-4 blogs (I guess our equivalent of 3rd and 4th grade). This is the first year that the school is open, so the blog is very active. they are trying to encourage as much support and participation as possible. I was really blown away by this school and their concepts of education. I found it really amazing. Everyone should check it out.
http://www.greenschool.org/
Sunday, September 7, 2008
K-12 Blogs in the US
The first blog I found was Grandview Elementary School's Library Blog site. Grandview Elementary is located in Monsey, NY. The librarian, Mrs. Chauncey has created blog sites for the third grade classes. Students are allowed to go to their classroom blog site and share their stories or anything they feel is newsworthy. The are also allowed to publish podcasts to the site. The blogs are used to practice editing, writing and publishing different types of works. However, for the students safety their names will never be published on the site and all works must be approved by a teacher before being posted.
http://www.grandviewlibrary.org/StudentBlogs.aspx
The second blog that I found was Mr. Gordon Brune's 5th grade class blog at Manarameck Avenue School in New York. The main goal of Mr. Brune's class blog is to keep open the communication between the parents and himself. He updates his site weekly with pictures from the classroom and stories of what students are doing. This is important because parents can check student activities and have a better understanding of what is going on in their child's classroom. They can also comment, or email him with comments, questions, or concerns.
http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=251
Shift Happens
Watching the "Shift Happens" video amazed and scared me at the same time. It also made me so thankful that I'm taking this class. While I consider myself "computer literate" I'm learning so many things just in the first few weeks of this class that I never knew existed. These are vital tools that I will be using in the classroom to help ensure my students are receiving a 21st Century education.
I think many times we are scared of change. I'm hesitant to try new things that I'm uncomfortable with and I think the same is true for many of today's teachers. However, this video proves that there needs to be a shift in the way we use technology in the classroom. So much of today's world is dependent on computers and technology. If used appropriately, this is a vital tool and resource for today's students. The statistics prove students are using technology such as texting, myspace, and youtube at rates that ten years ago were unimaginable. Our job is to teach them how to use technology to enhance education. Also, to help them see the value of having a machine that is smarter than a human right at their finger tips.
I think many times we are scared of change. I'm hesitant to try new things that I'm uncomfortable with and I think the same is true for many of today's teachers. However, this video proves that there needs to be a shift in the way we use technology in the classroom. So much of today's world is dependent on computers and technology. If used appropriately, this is a vital tool and resource for today's students. The statistics prove students are using technology such as texting, myspace, and youtube at rates that ten years ago were unimaginable. Our job is to teach them how to use technology to enhance education. Also, to help them see the value of having a machine that is smarter than a human right at their finger tips.
Monday, September 1, 2008
ACCESS
Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators, and Students Statewide, commonly known as ACCESS is a program started by the Alabama Department of Education to enhance the learning opportunities across the state of Alabama. Students in Alabama can take advanced placement, college level or remedial classes using an online program. The main advantage of ACCESS is that it gives all students an equal chance to take higher level classes that many schools, especially in rural areas, don't have the teachers for. It also ensures that all students are using the same lesson plan and curriculum for these classes so they are all receiving top quality instruction.
In my opinion this is a huge step forward for the state of Alabama's education. This is such an innovative way to offer classes that otherwise, students may not be able to take. I think it will also begin to level out the playing field for students starting college. I'm anxious to visit and ACCESS lab and see it in working action. I'd never heard of ACCESS before this assignment but I think its a great program to offer to Alabama students.
In my opinion this is a huge step forward for the state of Alabama's education. This is such an innovative way to offer classes that otherwise, students may not be able to take. I think it will also begin to level out the playing field for students starting college. I'm anxious to visit and ACCESS lab and see it in working action. I'd never heard of ACCESS before this assignment but I think its a great program to offer to Alabama students.
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