Wow! This chapter has a lot of information and it makes me want to look into a lot of the tools that are available. Overall, I continue to get this feel for Web 2.0 as being interactive and the internet no longer is simply something that we get information from, but a place where students and teachers can engage in learning and make it more of a lifestyle. However, with this notion comes a caution, in my opinion. If students and teachers are engaging in this online educational community, isn't there a danger in loosing human interaction. On one hand I see the valuable resources, but on the other hand, some aspect of the tangible human connection is lost and is replaced with technological connection. Nonetheless this is how students today are viewing connection and meaning so we must meet them there. Although, I still think we should strive to find a balance between social skills online and social interaction face-to-face.
A couple of the tools that were mentioned in this chapter really got me excited for the opportunities that await in the classroom. One of the main ones are wikis. We talked about these yesterday, but today through class discussion and readings, I am beginning to see how helpful they can be in the classroom. One of the main connections and uses I can use is with 4th grade writing portfolios. When I was in 4th grade I had a portfolio that was several folders bound together. In here we kept the brainstorming, drafts and the final copies. If wikis were used for this process, it could be an online community where other students are giving feedback and the student is taking more pride in their work. This can also be shown on an electronic portfolio platform, as mentioned in the chapter.
Secondly, I found that the discussion of blogs was especially helpful in giving pointers on how to use it in the classroom. I found that it was interesting that the author commented on the authority and validity of most blogs. It used to be that you couldn't really trust things that you found online, but more and more there are really some valuable resources and information that can be found online. Even so, obviously, there still needs to be discretion. I wonder if educational blogs will become more like the "scholarly journal" community in the future. I also liked the mention of Class Blogmeister. In a world that is more open and the possibility for potential mis-use of the internet are more prevalent, safety should be a top concern for your students. I like that this community is safe and protected, but the students are still exposed to the technology in order to enhance learning.
Finally, a few miscellaneous notes about the chapter. One of the things that I was wondering about is if there was an open-source version of a pdf creator. Based on the discussion of other desktop applications being available, I would assume that there would be, however, I have not run across this service. Secondly, I thought that the social bookmarking discussed makes a lot of sense. Just as with a lot of Web 2.0 it encourages working together and sharing resources. This is a skill that will be helpful for the students even after they graduate your class. Finally, I thought that the concept of Mashups was ingenious. With the possibility of working with churches in the future, these kinds of tools will prove to be invaluable. Furthermore, the use of these applications could prove helpful in administration, which I hope to be involved with, at some level, some day.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Chapter 2: Students and Learning
This chapter brought a good overview of several aspects of technology in education. In general the chapter deals with how students are viewing technology differently than teachers would view it. It is no longer something that we simply go to for information, but a source of interaction, engagement and resource within education. I remember 3rd grade very vividly because we were very engaged in the activities that we did. We did a lot of "hands-on" learning. Likewise, the "hands-on" learning may have shifted to included more "technology-on" learning, for lack of a better word. Just as I enjoyed and engaged in learning on a kinesthetic path, the students today engage both on a kinesthetic path and a technological path, which are often integrated. Moreover, the students in today's school systems are becoming more literate than the teachers so much so that the students are ahead of the teachers. For example, I interned at Mt. Olive 1st grade and they were using a Smartboard, and catching on with the use within days of learning.
Futhermore, this chapter discussed how today's technologies are interactive, which further builds on the "technology-on" concept. Like it was mentioned in class, students probably know how to manage social networking programs more effectively and thoroughly than "an educational site". The challenge then becomes for teachers to tap into those social networking skills in order to more effectively educate the students. For example, I have heard of a teacher that used Facebook for use in Social Studies. They had the students create a facebook for account for Abraham Lincoln. I believe that activities like this one would both achieve educational objectives and reach the students at their level.
Another one of the big ideas that I have continued to grapple with is this concept of differentiated instruction. For years, that has been a topic that educators have delved deep into with the purpose of meeting the needs of each student. To me that seems intuitive. We are being paid as teachers to educate students. No where in our contract does it say, "Only the Jones and Smiths of the class". Intuitively we would want to find ways to individualize instruction because no two students are alike. That being said, I do agree that technology would more effectively bring tools to the forefront for students to be able to be engaged in a more beneficial education.
Finally, in this chapter it deals with PBL once again. This method has been used and proposed in the field of gifted education (of which I am studying). For gifted students, particularly, they grasp tightly to working for "real-world" reasons in order to find "real-world" solutions. In my opinion, to some extent, especially in this technology era, all students, both gifted and mainstream students can use this method. As a consumer, or student, you want to know that what you are doing in the classroom, or the immediate present, will benefit you in the future.
Overall, technology in education brings the world that our students are living in to life. We must adapt to the culture in order to continue to provide quality education.
Futhermore, this chapter discussed how today's technologies are interactive, which further builds on the "technology-on" concept. Like it was mentioned in class, students probably know how to manage social networking programs more effectively and thoroughly than "an educational site". The challenge then becomes for teachers to tap into those social networking skills in order to more effectively educate the students. For example, I have heard of a teacher that used Facebook for use in Social Studies. They had the students create a facebook for account for Abraham Lincoln. I believe that activities like this one would both achieve educational objectives and reach the students at their level.
Another one of the big ideas that I have continued to grapple with is this concept of differentiated instruction. For years, that has been a topic that educators have delved deep into with the purpose of meeting the needs of each student. To me that seems intuitive. We are being paid as teachers to educate students. No where in our contract does it say, "Only the Jones and Smiths of the class". Intuitively we would want to find ways to individualize instruction because no two students are alike. That being said, I do agree that technology would more effectively bring tools to the forefront for students to be able to be engaged in a more beneficial education.
Finally, in this chapter it deals with PBL once again. This method has been used and proposed in the field of gifted education (of which I am studying). For gifted students, particularly, they grasp tightly to working for "real-world" reasons in order to find "real-world" solutions. In my opinion, to some extent, especially in this technology era, all students, both gifted and mainstream students can use this method. As a consumer, or student, you want to know that what you are doing in the classroom, or the immediate present, will benefit you in the future.
Overall, technology in education brings the world that our students are living in to life. We must adapt to the culture in order to continue to provide quality education.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Chapter 1: New World, New Web, New Skills
CHIP: Chapter 1
This chapter makes me excited to be a teacher in this day and age. From the discussion in class today and the reading from today's chapter, one of the things that I wonder about is Web 4.0. Dr. Krug described it as something of a predictive nature based on analysis of data for students. I know that it is not yet completely out there, but how beneficial it would to be put out there for the students and teachers. I wonder if it was specifically designed for students and educational uses or if it is something that was designed with something else in mind and has just evolved with the educational community in mind. As more concerning the chapter, several things came to mind. I think about the different blogs that I have read over the past couple of years. One of the points is made that "Bloggers often have an effect on their readers". I first think about a movie that was made around a food blog that was created. The readers responded to what the lady had to say. In a growing technology educational community, what a great opportunity for our students to be able to have an effect on the world that they live in at the time. The big push now is to teach the test, but I hope that we don't loose the fact that our students have the potential to impact the world around them. This would extend outside the four walls of our classroom. Blogs would afford them the opportunity to have that impact while still meeting educational objectives. Of course the issue of digital citizenship would have to be observed, and so perhaps a blog could be set up as a classroom. What a great opportunity to have the students share their ideas and have other people respond to their ideas.
Another topic that was brought to my attention in the reading. The issue of Digital-age literacy. When we are working in the schools, we may be confronted with parents or grandparents that do not know how to effectively use the the technology that we might use in our classrooms. Our students will probably know a lot more than we might think by the time that we become their teachers, however we must not overlook the issue of educating their caregivers as well. This would foster a learning community with the parents, students and school, which is an invaluable resource for the educational process. This could be accomplished through workshops or parent/student internet scavenger hunts throughout the school year. Hopefully through this class I will be able to gain more tools that can be used to increase educational experiences through the use of technology.
The final component that caught my attention in the reading was the idea of problem-based learning. I am not very educated on this concept, however I look forward to using it in my classroom. In my opinion this very concept is the bridge that needs to be used from the classroom into real world application. I want my future students to be able to think for themselves and not simply "plug and chug" information that is given to them. I believe that PBL reaches these objectives. I think that these objectives can be met through science instruction but also in math instruction and in other content areas.
The blog that I reviewed was Practical Theory. I like this blog because it offers many different links to other sites that this education technology guru has found helpful. I like how he uses Delicious for his bookmarks and offers current news stories on the right panel. These features will be helpful to learn how to do when I am setting up my classroom blog in order to maximize the students' exposure to helpful, relevant and safe resources. I also appreciate that this blogger is someone who is in the field, with his involvement with his school. That gives me as a future educator that opportunity to connect with relevant and helpful information that will benefit my students.
This chapter makes me excited to be a teacher in this day and age. From the discussion in class today and the reading from today's chapter, one of the things that I wonder about is Web 4.0. Dr. Krug described it as something of a predictive nature based on analysis of data for students. I know that it is not yet completely out there, but how beneficial it would to be put out there for the students and teachers. I wonder if it was specifically designed for students and educational uses or if it is something that was designed with something else in mind and has just evolved with the educational community in mind. As more concerning the chapter, several things came to mind. I think about the different blogs that I have read over the past couple of years. One of the points is made that "Bloggers often have an effect on their readers". I first think about a movie that was made around a food blog that was created. The readers responded to what the lady had to say. In a growing technology educational community, what a great opportunity for our students to be able to have an effect on the world that they live in at the time. The big push now is to teach the test, but I hope that we don't loose the fact that our students have the potential to impact the world around them. This would extend outside the four walls of our classroom. Blogs would afford them the opportunity to have that impact while still meeting educational objectives. Of course the issue of digital citizenship would have to be observed, and so perhaps a blog could be set up as a classroom. What a great opportunity to have the students share their ideas and have other people respond to their ideas.
Another topic that was brought to my attention in the reading. The issue of Digital-age literacy. When we are working in the schools, we may be confronted with parents or grandparents that do not know how to effectively use the the technology that we might use in our classrooms. Our students will probably know a lot more than we might think by the time that we become their teachers, however we must not overlook the issue of educating their caregivers as well. This would foster a learning community with the parents, students and school, which is an invaluable resource for the educational process. This could be accomplished through workshops or parent/student internet scavenger hunts throughout the school year. Hopefully through this class I will be able to gain more tools that can be used to increase educational experiences through the use of technology.
The final component that caught my attention in the reading was the idea of problem-based learning. I am not very educated on this concept, however I look forward to using it in my classroom. In my opinion this very concept is the bridge that needs to be used from the classroom into real world application. I want my future students to be able to think for themselves and not simply "plug and chug" information that is given to them. I believe that PBL reaches these objectives. I think that these objectives can be met through science instruction but also in math instruction and in other content areas.
The blog that I reviewed was Practical Theory. I like this blog because it offers many different links to other sites that this education technology guru has found helpful. I like how he uses Delicious for his bookmarks and offers current news stories on the right panel. These features will be helpful to learn how to do when I am setting up my classroom blog in order to maximize the students' exposure to helpful, relevant and safe resources. I also appreciate that this blogger is someone who is in the field, with his involvement with his school. That gives me as a future educator that opportunity to connect with relevant and helpful information that will benefit my students.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Thoughts from an Education Grad Student...
So I am in grad school... and I am really enjoying it. It has been an opportunity for me to really dive into the heart and soul of education. Throughout the next year I am going to be learning a lot and experiencing a lot and I wanted to be able to log those experiences.. so here are my thoughts, ideas for the future or ramblings from the mind of an education grad student...
* Stream of Conscious writing is effective in classroom instruction because you discover unique things about why you do what you do
*Some of the things that I have discovered from this writing... I think that I originally wanted to become a teacher because I wanted control of the classroom...one of the most vivid mental pictures I have deals with a group of people...
* Maybe a way to keep students' attention is to do a "3-2-1 recap"... what are 3 things that you learned, 2 connections made, 1 question you still have.
So these are some of my thoughts right now, but I hope that there are more to come.
-Monica
* Stream of Conscious writing is effective in classroom instruction because you discover unique things about why you do what you do
*Some of the things that I have discovered from this writing... I think that I originally wanted to become a teacher because I wanted control of the classroom...one of the most vivid mental pictures I have deals with a group of people...
* Maybe a way to keep students' attention is to do a "3-2-1 recap"... what are 3 things that you learned, 2 connections made, 1 question you still have.
So these are some of my thoughts right now, but I hope that there are more to come.
-Monica
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Newsletter Screenshots
Here is a screen shot of the newsletter... Thanks again for your love, support and encouragement over the years! You are a blessing.
God Bless,
Monica S.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
So I know that this has taken me a while... I don't think I could count on both hands and toes the amount of things that I have done in the past month... so needless to say I have been a bit busy. But finally I was able to create a newsletter from our trip to the Dominican Republic. I have sent a hard copy out (and if you would like a hard copy, please let me know) but I will include a screen shot of the newsletter. Know that I am absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of love and support and encouragement over the years. You are a blessing! I hope that you are doing well! God Bless!
Love,
Monica
Love,
Monica
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Prayer Calendar- DR 2010
Below you will find the prayer calendar for our team... thank you for your love and support...
Dominican Republic Trip 2010: Prayer Calendar
Thank you for committing to pray for our team over the week that we will be in the Dominican Republic partnering with Orphanage Outreach (March 27- April 3). You are truly a blessing! This trip would not be possible without you.
Day 1: March 27th (Saturday)
Most of us will be leaving from Nashville at 6:15am. We will then meet Lucy and Brianna (who leave from Knoxville at 8:40am) in Miami and we will be flying into Santiago, Dominican Republic by 1:35pm. Please pray that plane schedules run on time, safety in the air and that all of our luggage reaches Santiago.
Day 2: March 28th (Sunday)
Today we will be going to church with the children as well as planning for the week’s upcoming VBS. We will be blending our preparation with the efforts of the other volunteers that we will be working with this week. Please pray for patience, wisdom, flexibility and creativity in this process. Please pray also that we are able to adjust to the new routine of a new place. Please pray for the new friendships that will be forming with the other volunteers that we would all work towards a mutual goal of serving Christ this week.
Please pray for Lucy Hayes. She asks that you bring the following prayer requests before our Lord.
o Safety traveling there and back and while we are there
o Ability to make a difference and serve to the best of my ability
o The energy and strength to keep up with all the kids!
Day 3: March 29th (Monday)
Today we will begin our first day at the VBS site. Please pray for flexibility and patience as we figure out the routine of the VBS. Please pray that we would begin to form friendships with the children that we are going to be serving all week. Pray that they would understand the love of Christ through our lessons and through our example.
Please pray for Brianna Lamke. She asks that you bring the following prayer requests before our Lord.
o Emotional preparation in being away from home
o Having strength to not get too attached to the children
o This is a bigger step for me as far as mission trips so I’m a little anxious, especially for travels there and not having my parents there to send me off.
Day 4: March 30th (Tuesday)
Today will be the second day of VBS. Please pray for wisdom, clarity, patience and flexibility as we continue to get in the grove of VBS. Pray that we continue to develop friendships with the children, conveying the love of Christ.
Please pray for Nikki Votaw. She asks that you bring the following prayer requests before our Lord.
o Language barrier
o Pray that I step out of my comfort zone and feel at ease in this new environment
o Acclimation to new routine; being able to sleep, stay healthy, have energy
Day 5: March 31st (Wednesday)
Today we will be our third day at VBS. Pray for continued stamina as we continue to work hard to present an effective lesson, but also for patience and flexibility when working with the children. Wednesdays are often the days that the students are most “antsy”, so pray for patience with the students that we would convey the love of Christ through our response and actions. Also pray for the continued friendships forming with the children at the orphanage that we would be a source of encouragement and vessels to share God’s love with those around us. Also pray for continued health for our team as we are in the middle of the week.
Please pray for Caleb Trimble. He asks that you would bring the following prayer concerns to the throne of our Lord.
o Our team would remain strong and yet flexible
o We would continually show Christ in our actions and in our speech
o It would be an uplifting week for the staff at the Orphanage
o We would remember that we are working a small part of a huge Kingdom and mission.
Day 6: April 1st (Thursday)
Today will be our last day working at VBS. Please pray that we will be able to clearly communicate the lessons, but also take time to send loud the message that these students are loved by the Savior of the world. Please pray also that we would be able to spend quality time with those children that we have formed friendships with, but in a way that would be most beneficial for the children. That the children would remember Christ’s love after we are gone.
Please pray for Melissa Swartzentruber. She asks that you bring the following prayer concerns to the throne of our Lord.
o Communication with the kids in the English class with the language barrier
o That the Holy Spirit would guide us into conversations where we can share the love of Jesus with the kids there.
Day 7: April 2nd (Friday)
Today we will spend the day touring Monte Cristi, a town in the Northwest corner of the Dominican Republic. Please pray that this day will afford ample opportunities for reflection and conversation that would help to digest the work that was accomplished and the relationships that were built this past week. Pray that God would instill in each team member the reason for their calling to this trip and what the “take homes” are from this trip.
Please pray for Monica Swartzentruber. She asks that you bring the following prayer concerns to the throne of our Lord.
o Wisdom and guidance in leading the team down to the Dominican Republic. Wisdom in making decisions throughout the week and guidance to know what would be the wisest thing to do.
o That I would focus on relationships and spreading the love of Christ in service to His kids.
o Comfort as I see and reconnect with the children that I met this past summer. Pray that I would continue to convey the love of Christ to each one. Also pray that leaving on Saturday would be smooth and that I would remember the sweet memories that I have with those children.
Day 8: April 3rd (Saturday)
Today we will be flying out of Santiago. Caleb will be on the 8am flight out of Santiago and the rest of us will be leaving out of Santiago at 3:00pm. Pray for safety traveling to the airport as well as safety as we all fly back to the United States. Brianna and Lucy will land in Knoxville by 11pm and the rest of us will be landing in Nashville by midnight. Pray that we would be safe traveling back to our final destinations and that we would be able to take time to reflect on the week that we have just been a part of.
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