Where do I begin? I have learned so much from this course and from each of you who invested time in this online world of technology. Though I did not comment on all of your blogs, I visited you and read your musings. I am exploding with ideas. I have used technology in my classroom but not to the extent this course has taught me.
I feel I have a responsibility to my "digital learners" to get on board with this - to learn from them and to have the real techies help support my efforts. I worry that there will not be enough time to put into practice what I have learned. I am also afraid of forgetting the "how to."
I am going to set up a classroom blog site with Lori's help. I have encouraged my grade partner for next year to do the same. I would definitely like to attempt a Wiki. I will encourage others in my school to take this online course.
I look forward to seeing how all of you implement the ideas we have found here.
Friday, July 13, 2007
School 2.0 - Assignment 11
Anyone who has been reading my blog knows that I am amazed about using technology in a way that opens the world to students. You also know that I am somewhat fearful, hesitant, worried, and though much older than most of you, I am still willing to learn.
After visiting School 2.0, I am filled with wonder. We say that technology is another way for students to learn. We have heard that we in America are behind our European and Asian counterparts. The implications of School 2.0 reach far beyond a school system. My first reaction was that I had left Earth and was now on another planet. (I am now thinking that will be a possiblity some day. It probably already is and I don't know about it yet.) Every stakeholder in the community must be invested if this concept is to take off.
I just returned from vacation in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Along the way in the service areas and hotels, I took advantage of their "wireless" connections. I never really paid attention before now. It seems that every major stakeholder would have to have access to the internet. I know that some of the students I have taught did not have computers in their homes, so it means that for them to be "effective" learners in this technological age, they need the community at large to support them by providing connections easily accessible to them.
Is our part of the world able to financially invest? Who will do the education necessary for a school 2.0 to happen? What about our schools in the city? When I taught at School 28, we had one computer - in the main office - no place else in school. I know that there has been some improvement but our city is a long way off from being "wireless."
I would like to see everyone in our community work as collaboratively as the map of school 2.0 demonstrates. I wonder if we could even get everyone in our schools to agree that this is an important model to look at. I don't know if I would change anything about this vision of tomorrow's schools. In some ways, I am relieved that I will be retired when, if this happens in our corner of the world.
After visiting School 2.0, I am filled with wonder. We say that technology is another way for students to learn. We have heard that we in America are behind our European and Asian counterparts. The implications of School 2.0 reach far beyond a school system. My first reaction was that I had left Earth and was now on another planet. (I am now thinking that will be a possiblity some day. It probably already is and I don't know about it yet.) Every stakeholder in the community must be invested if this concept is to take off.
I just returned from vacation in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Along the way in the service areas and hotels, I took advantage of their "wireless" connections. I never really paid attention before now. It seems that every major stakeholder would have to have access to the internet. I know that some of the students I have taught did not have computers in their homes, so it means that for them to be "effective" learners in this technological age, they need the community at large to support them by providing connections easily accessible to them.
Is our part of the world able to financially invest? Who will do the education necessary for a school 2.0 to happen? What about our schools in the city? When I taught at School 28, we had one computer - in the main office - no place else in school. I know that there has been some improvement but our city is a long way off from being "wireless."
I would like to see everyone in our community work as collaboratively as the map of school 2.0 demonstrates. I wonder if we could even get everyone in our schools to agree that this is an important model to look at. I don't know if I would change anything about this vision of tomorrow's schools. In some ways, I am relieved that I will be retired when, if this happens in our corner of the world.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Assignment 10
Dr. Zhao has challenged my conservative thinking about using technology in the classroom. I have used the computer for research, scavenger hunts, games. I have not considered the global implications, and responsibility to encourage our students to communicate with learners in other cultures. At one point he asked us to "imagine what is possible" - I heard myself add "within restraints". I am still bound by tradition, yet I am unsettled by the realization that styles of learning must include digital learners. Unsettled because I am not one but I need to prepare to be a better teacher for and with my students who are!
I totally would like to see an online course designed for our students. A language course seems the most viable. I liked hearing about Dr. Zhao's Mandarin Game. I have used the Oregon Trail when teaching the westward movement. I have led my students through scavenger hunts during our study of Medieval Times. There is so much more to think about. I see that I limit how and what I want them to learn. Yet, I smiled when the video mentioned using cell phones
to complete a given assignment. It reminds me that we must provide meaningful homework to capture and engage the interests of our learners.
Dr. Zhao reminds us to believe in the power and creativity of our students. I do. He asks us to trust them. Perhaps it is myself or people who would use technology incorrectly that I do not trust. I feel I need to be savvy enough to help children respond to a global world.
I totally would like to see an online course designed for our students. A language course seems the most viable. I liked hearing about Dr. Zhao's Mandarin Game. I have used the Oregon Trail when teaching the westward movement. I have led my students through scavenger hunts during our study of Medieval Times. There is so much more to think about. I see that I limit how and what I want them to learn. Yet, I smiled when the video mentioned using cell phones
to complete a given assignment. It reminds me that we must provide meaningful homework to capture and engage the interests of our learners.
Dr. Zhao reminds us to believe in the power and creativity of our students. I do. He asks us to trust them. Perhaps it is myself or people who would use technology incorrectly that I do not trust. I feel I need to be savvy enough to help children respond to a global world.
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