Week 5

This week, i got the exciting opportunity to go to the Games In Education Symposium 2012 presented by 1st Playable Games in Troy. Held at the Esteves School of Education at Sage College, they focused on using games and technology in education. It was an amazing experience that not only showcased the technologies but also the ways in which teachers were using this technology. Teachers from all over presented their ideas on how they used these technologies to engage their students and get them thinking.

 UStream - Games In Education

I also got to talk to a number of educators who were excited about integrating technology in their classroom. I'm upset with myself for not getting more contact information when the opportunity presented itself to me as there were a number of conversation i would have loved to continue with. You would think that these teachers would mainly be technology or techie type teachers, but that was absolutely not the case. There were a varied number of skill levels and interest presented at this symposium, along with a wide variety of activities to engage it. This was the 6th Annual Games In Education Symposium, and my very first one. I can assure you it will not be my last.

Game In Education

Week 4

Standards...Sometimes, i feel like it's a dirty word. It brings to mind a bar that everyone must reach and you don't reach it at the same time and in the same way that everyone else does then you must be a failure. For teachers, if your students fail to grasp the concept, not only have you failed them, but you have failed the futures of the individual student and the world. But, if you take the time to look at the standards and what they are really meant to be you begin to understand that they aren't meant to oppressive iron thumb, but rather a golden goal to reach for. This week, in class, we have been reviewing technology standards that have been set forth by organizations, such as ISTE. Honestly, sometimes i think they don't go far enough, but i realize the difficulty in setting such standards. I also see the difficulty of creating curriculum to reach such standards. Many of these are basic ideas that, i personally believe, that a student who doesn't grasp it will not be able to function in our ever growing technological society. How can you compile data without knowing simple formulas in excel? If you don't know how to conduct yourself online, you might find yourself singled out, or embarrassed beyond belief on a global stage. A global stage that won't die out within a couple of days, but that will kept as a record for a lifetime and beyond. It scares me when i see people graduate without those basic skills.

Week 3

Standards and Organizations were the focus of this weeks class. There are a boatload of technology organizations out there dedicated to the facilitating the adaption and integration of technology in the classroom. A simple Google search would show you a hundred and one pages on technology being used in the classroom. I am a student member in a number of these organizations that are very good in keeping me in the loop regarding upcoming events and information that can help me. What i would like to see, however, is more local organizations and networks. I've attempted to cultivate a number of my own professional contacts in hopes that it becomes a bit more than a random newsgroup. I find this group invaluable as i can talk to them about plans, ideas, and brainstorm when needed. I think this is something that more teachers should do, regardless the focus. In the pass, I've observed at schools where each class is a type of micro-system on it's own and i find it sad that more collaboration isn't incorporated. Imagine 2 brilliant minds instead of 1 leading the future!!

Week 2

As I was looking through the timelines (timerimes) of my peers, I noticed a trend. The pictures, events, important times all clustered up as we got closer to the present. I know it's not a surprise that in the past 20-30 years we have made leaps and bounds in technology improvement, but actually seeing in that way made it very obvious. We have moved ahead at such a rapid pace, it’s no wonder that students are learning so differently we have to struggle to keep up. I keep thinking, that in today’s society, teachers need to work extra hard to stay on top of emerging trends and tech. That can be exceedingly difficult. What can I do in order to stay on top of them and still continue to take care of all the responsibilities that comes with being an educator.

Week 1

I know all about my addiction to technology; the instantaneous connection, and amount of information I have at the palm of my hand makes me a virtual genius on any topic with little notice. I took it for granted that, while I didn't grow up with the technology, it evolved as I evolved into adulthood. I expected that the generation following me would be leaps and bounds ahead of what I knew. The reality is so far from what I thought it would be. In the past decade we have done a grave injustice to the generation growing up. We have systematically impressed a need to score higher and do better, without giving them the tools they need to advance. Ed tech is not just about handing students computers, but teaching them how to use it effectively and responsibly; How to weed out misinformation and explore topics they might be interested or curious in. Working in various schools I have seen the sad state of graduates who can barely put together a professional looking resume or research paper, and while I first blamed lack of funding (which I still think is a big problem), I recognize that teachers are not being prepared to handle this technological transition. When I read the definition this week, it struck a chord with me. The wording says it all beautifully…it’s not just about access, it’s about improving, creating, and managing all areas where I need to improve in order to be an advocate for other educators

New Class...New Uses

I've let this blog fall wayside since I've been done with the class. I have my own personal blog and myriad of social networking where i usually share my thought, but having just recently started another class that requires me to have a blog, I thought I would continue to share my thoughts and ideas here. I've redesigned the color since the last color scheme was meant to coincide with the webquest i created for that class. I will probably continue to tweak the colors and such until i find one that reflex my thoughts and feelings. I'm never gonna be truly happy with is. Anyway, in the past couple of years i have continued my education and my goals have continually shifted. I'm still interested in Educational Technology, but i think my ideas have shifted slightly to the more administrative side of it. An IT coordinator type of position. Now that i have gotten a position in a school, along with the courses i am continuing to take, I've gotten to see a whole new perspective of teaching and the challenges presented. Sometimes i get frustrated at what i see and yet sometimes i see the hope and future in these kids. Kids! Such enigmas!

Site Redesign

I've learned a lot about myself and my skills while participating in my Educational Technology class. Learning how students interact with technology and how different my perception is of that. I've run into a number of technologies which i have been unaware of how to use, or how to use them effectively, but i find learning those skills an exciting challenge that i am eager to take on.
Recently, with the culmination of a number of projects, I've decided that i need to solidify the look of my projects and add-ons.
Currently, my learning project consist of an collaboration with an Italian school (which i hope one day to make a reality) and i decided that my blog should mirror the frame of mind. Especially, since they both originate from the same source.
So I'm introducing my new color scheme.
I would like to devote more time into learning how to individually design the sites and then i can use this when creating sites; but until then how does this color scheme work for everyone?