My favorite activity I gained experience with is digital storytelling. I would really like for my students to be able to publish their writing in more than one way this year. As a student I would be really inspired and excited to create a story knowing that I could publish a final draft for my peers to read, as well as create an iMovie to show my story in a different way (maybe with pictures and narration). I really like the idea of students being able to post projects like that to a class wiki or blog and parents being able to log on and see what their students have been doing. What a great way for students to take ownership of their work and be proud of their accomplishments while learning a new skill.
I have transformed my thinking about learning in the classroom by realizing that we can learn together. I don't have to do everything for my students where technology is concerned. We can build our wikis, blogs, etc. together and students can establish what they want and how they can use their skills individually and make it their own. Students can build their knowledge not just by my modeling but by participating themselves.
An unexpected outcome I came to realize was a renewed appreciation for digital responsibility. I was really surprised that I forgot about the whole aspect of digital citizenship. I have been immersed in a digital world so long that some important issues that need to be addressed and practiced with students seem second nature to me. It's an important step to be sure to model digitally responsible behavior and guidelines for appropriate use of online tools. Students need that practice and knowledge to be able to conquer online obstacles when using their skills outside the classroom.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
#11 As a citizen of the digital world...
As a citizen of the digital world I find it second nature to remember things like security, etiquette, and rights. It is important that we, as teachers, are reminded that these lessons and responsibilities must be taught to our students as we make progress towards being fully immersed in a digital world.
Three essential things for students to understand are:
privileges v. rights- It is a privilege for a student to have access to technology, it is not a right. Although, it is important for them to be able to have access/learn about a technological world- they must first posses the maturity that accompanies that exposure. Dually, rights also applies to what can be borrowed or taken from them or from someone else. Kids need to understand that they cannot pull pictures from any site and use them as their own. In my past experiences, Copyright is a foreign topic to students. They need to understand that when creating their own materials and using other's resources.
etiquette- Respect of others and respect for self are important in the digital world. Students need to understand that just as respect is required in the classroom, respect in required in the online classroom. This includes respect for boundaries set for them. Students need to respect a class Wiki or blog and be sure that they can be proud of what they post.
security- Just as parents teach their children to be weary of strangers, we need to teach our students to be weary of the Internet. Most situations pose a certain level of danger (even on a playground) and you have to teach children fallback phrases to live by. If you come to something on the playground that you know shouldn't be there, get away from it, and find the nearest adult. This same principle can be applied to the Internet. If you aren't sure, ask. These simple lessons that they've most likely already heard before just need to be redirected and applied to the digital world.
I think the only way to teach these lessons are through experience and practice. Being able to work with students in small groups to introduce possible dangers/troublesome situations and work through those questions with them is invaluable. Allowing students to try new things (within reason) and assist them after modeling is a great way to help guide students into the digital world.
Three essential things for students to understand are:
privileges v. rights- It is a privilege for a student to have access to technology, it is not a right. Although, it is important for them to be able to have access/learn about a technological world- they must first posses the maturity that accompanies that exposure. Dually, rights also applies to what can be borrowed or taken from them or from someone else. Kids need to understand that they cannot pull pictures from any site and use them as their own. In my past experiences, Copyright is a foreign topic to students. They need to understand that when creating their own materials and using other's resources.
etiquette- Respect of others and respect for self are important in the digital world. Students need to understand that just as respect is required in the classroom, respect in required in the online classroom. This includes respect for boundaries set for them. Students need to respect a class Wiki or blog and be sure that they can be proud of what they post.
security- Just as parents teach their children to be weary of strangers, we need to teach our students to be weary of the Internet. Most situations pose a certain level of danger (even on a playground) and you have to teach children fallback phrases to live by. If you come to something on the playground that you know shouldn't be there, get away from it, and find the nearest adult. This same principle can be applied to the Internet. If you aren't sure, ask. These simple lessons that they've most likely already heard before just need to be redirected and applied to the digital world.
I think the only way to teach these lessons are through experience and practice. Being able to work with students in small groups to introduce possible dangers/troublesome situations and work through those questions with them is invaluable. Allowing students to try new things (within reason) and assist them after modeling is a great way to help guide students into the digital world.
#10
After reviewing some of the apps available for students, I think it will be interesting to see the ones the kids are actually excited to use. They always seem to get a kick out of the things you never would have expected. It's sort of like the 'big box' occurence. You buy a kid this great toy that came in a big box. What do they end up playing with? The box. So, true to form, I'm excited to see what they are drawn to.
I have an iPhone so I am familiar with all the great ways you can use an iTouch. It is essentially a mini-computer. The iPad is a bigger version of this. I think the iPad is a great resource for kids to be able to manipulate a class Wiki or create an i Movie. The touch screen is very user-friendly.
As for apps that I like... I think the app that tells the weather could be cool for class. A student could choose a place anywhere in the world and find out the weather there. This could spark conversation about the differences in weather in the upper and lower atmospheres, etc. The kids' curiousity will take them a long way. There really IS an app for everything they could possibly want to find out.
I have an iPhone so I am familiar with all the great ways you can use an iTouch. It is essentially a mini-computer. The iPad is a bigger version of this. I think the iPad is a great resource for kids to be able to manipulate a class Wiki or create an i Movie. The touch screen is very user-friendly.
As for apps that I like... I think the app that tells the weather could be cool for class. A student could choose a place anywhere in the world and find out the weather there. This could spark conversation about the differences in weather in the upper and lower atmospheres, etc. The kids' curiousity will take them a long way. There really IS an app for everything they could possibly want to find out.
#9 Automated teaching and video conferencing
I feel like Jing could be used in the same ways an iMovie if you did it the right way. You could post a document just as you would post a picture in an iMovie to explain/teach about a topic. You could use the voiceover tool to make explainations. I suppose Jing would be better at creating animated pictures to teach, but in essence they could be used in the same ways.
I am a veteran Skype user. When you are out of the country it is a life saver. Phone cards should be a thing of the past, as long as there is an Internet connection available (which I never had a problem with). BUT, with this said, there are better sites which do the same thing but more effectively. Oovoo does the exact same thing as Skype but you can have more people involved in the same call and the video quality is far better. I think a video chat would be a great way for students to connect from different schools which would make it possible to work on a collaborative project, discuss a shared experience or trade ideas for a project. The possibilities are endless... it could replace the pen pal system that teachers use now to connect with other classes.
I have accounts on both Skype and Oovoo... are extremely easy to set up, especially if you already have a microphone/camera built in to your computer. You pick your name, pick your password, test your equipment, fill in information about yourself on your profile, and you're up and running.
I am a veteran Skype user. When you are out of the country it is a life saver. Phone cards should be a thing of the past, as long as there is an Internet connection available (which I never had a problem with). BUT, with this said, there are better sites which do the same thing but more effectively. Oovoo does the exact same thing as Skype but you can have more people involved in the same call and the video quality is far better. I think a video chat would be a great way for students to connect from different schools which would make it possible to work on a collaborative project, discuss a shared experience or trade ideas for a project. The possibilities are endless... it could replace the pen pal system that teachers use now to connect with other classes.
I have accounts on both Skype and Oovoo... are extremely easy to set up, especially if you already have a microphone/camera built in to your computer. You pick your name, pick your password, test your equipment, fill in information about yourself on your profile, and you're up and running.
#8
Sometimes a video will teach a child much more simply that I could. During a conversation I was having with my class, the topic of tsunamis came up. The kids had no idea what they were or how they were made. A short video was able to illustrate far more effectively than I could.
from YouTube
I also use videos in my class to introduce topics. If I can begin a lesson with a funny video or something that will SET the mood in the class, I always have a better outcome. For instance, this teacher has some really silly stuff that the kids get a kick out of and also teaches short reference points that kids can remember easily through rhyme.
Converting Measurements Rap! from TeacherTube
from YouTube
I also use videos in my class to introduce topics. If I can begin a lesson with a funny video or something that will SET the mood in the class, I always have a better outcome. For instance, this teacher has some really silly stuff that the kids get a kick out of and also teaches short reference points that kids can remember easily through rhyme.
Converting Measurements Rap! from TeacherTube
Sunday, August 1, 2010
#7 I heart iMovie.
I love, love, love this! I created a video showing some pictures/videos from when I lived in Costa Rica. I think this would be a really cool tool for kids to document school events/field trips, turn a short story into a short film, or create a final project on something learned in class. All of which could be posted on a class Wiki page. I'm so happy I learned how to do this!
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