PLE's

I’ll admit; I think I’m probably a little lost on the ideas of Personal Learning Environments (PLE’s). The concept is great. Create learning environments where tailored to the individual so they can learn in a way that is comfortable for them. It allows them to, not only to tackle the information they want to learn, but engage themselves in a way to see the relevancy in what they are learning. The problem is how to enable everyone to create those PLE’s. When you are in a class with 30+ students, how to ensure that you are giving them all the tools to customize PLE’s? In reading the article on Personal Learning Environments the author references the idea that you should work by using backwards design. You need to look at where you are going in order to know where you are headed and this is a very popular way of designing curriculum. You can’t just throw tools at students and expect them to create a masterpiece but guide them and allow them explore the tools you allow the, but how can you do this when your time with each student is limited?
The author also touches on the idea of PLE’s becoming “PGGE’s”, meaning that the system is designed to teach them to memorize facts and not learn and understand ideas. How do you ensure the PLE’s are not turning into those kinds of systems when you have to monitor so many students at once? I’ll admit to not having a lot of classroom experience and would love to know how teachers manage that kid of thing.
Sources:
http://andremalan.net/blog/2009/06/26/personal-learning-environments/

Smartphones In The Classrooms

I came across an article that really piqued my interest.  There is a program being put in place, called K-Nect, where they supply students with cellphones in order to engage them in the learning process.  The examples given in this article references specific Math curriculum.  Students are given the opportunity to explain the process of problem solving, which shows their mastery of the subject.  This program turns a technology that is already being inundated into society into a learning tool.  Classes as young as 5th graders are being used to test this concept in schools with a high rate of low and reduced-rate lunches and so far the effects have been positive.
There are a number of proponents to the project, stating that it’s just cell phone carriers, and suppliers attempting to inject their products into the classroom, but I see it at more as that.   Companies want to get there products into student hands in order to familiarize them with their product.  They are looking at the long term gains from investing in these projects, and I don’t think it’s a bad idea to allow companies to invest in education.  That is a revenue stream that should be tapped in order to get these technologies into classrooms, by willing suppliers. 
Parents as well as educational leaders are weary of technology and the growing effect of it on student.  They should be aware of the corporate effect on students and should be taught about media tactics, but i don't see why corporate dollars should not be used to advance the education of their future CEO's and Investors.

Source:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/140/cellphonometry.html

Wiki's In Education

Wikipedia’s are a great innovation that allows people to collaborate and gather useful information, but there are positive and negatives to using them.  It’s important you know how to utilize them properly.  I’ve always been wary about how to use Wikipedia’s properly since they are a wealth of knowledge, yet being user-editable means they risk being wildly inaccurate. 

However, with proper direction and management Wiki’s can be invaluable to an educational curriculum.  I’ve had a chance to read, not only opinions of implementing wikipedia’s in the classroom, but some actually Wikipedia pages created for educational purposes.  Being able to document and collaborate on projects help students learn skills such as team work, online etiquette and online collaboration which is necessary for their future success.   Educators need to learn to utilize and direct those Wikipedia postings so that they are successfully meeting their goals.

During my educational career I have been very careful about using wikipeida in my research.   I find that they can be a great starting point and usually site their sources for me to do my own research.    I’ve always believed in the idea that if I were to give an assignment I would allow Wikipedia as a research point, but not as the only source. 

After reading a number of articles I’ve had a number of ideas of how to utilize wiki’s that I had not thought of before.  I’m excited about how I can possibly utilize these ideas to create a winning curriculum in my own classroom.

Sources

http://mindswonderings.blogspot.com/

http://wikisineducation.wetpaint.com/page/Wikis+in+the+Classroom

http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Wiki_in_a_K-12_classroom

What Does Technology Destroy?

"How Technology will Destroy Our Future"  was the headline that first grabed my attention.  As a educational technology advocate I was shocked, but compelled to read this article which I was sure was to cause me to bring up words not spoken in polite company, but I soon learned you can not always judge a blog by it's title. 

I completely agree with this article and applaud the points it makes so clear.  I think to many people look at today's generation and immediately dissmiss their controbutions.  Technology has opened doors and opportunity that were not open before and created a generation that is forward thinking and innovating.  The challenge is to engage them in activities that cultivate that knowledge.  This creates an  scenario where older generations must adapt in order to find predecessors that can continue along their ideals.  Ridged institutions must embrace the new trend or risk becoming irrelevant and obsolete.

The post refers to a situation where a high school biology teacher reversed their way of teaching using technology in order to maximize class room time.  By moving the lecture portion out of class-time, he was able to fully engage the students, answer questions, and provide more one-on-one learning.  I see this of great example of how educators need to look for opportunities and sieze what they can to help eliminate learning frustrations and obstacles.

Change is difficult for most people, but in order to continue to strive change must be accepted.  Instead of creating those "impenetrable fortresses" institutions must be flexible enough to ride the  wave of technology and embrace new generation ways of thinking. 

CCSS & RSS

The Common Core State Standards were created to provide a guide for designing curriculums in order to effectively supply students with the tools they need for choices they will be presented  with in the future.  In today's society blogging and RSS are essential tools needed for gathering data and collecting information in order to make informed choices.    Whether making a new purchase or researching information for new development in their chosen field, they will need to know how to navigate and extract information as well as collaborate and organize their ideas. 

It is imperative that teachers are life long students who can adapt to change and new ideas.  Teachers need to be constantly trained and on the ready to adapt to new technologies in order to effectively teach it.  I would look to ongoing education for teachers.  Keep them informed of new emerging technologies and have them attend training on how to use these technologies. Blogging can be innovative inspiration for teachers and allow them to discover new ideas.  They can focus on projects that can efficiently reach CCSS goals and help develop strategies building on other teacher successes.  RSS feeds keep them informed and allow them to share information between other teachers/students/parents. 

Blogging in Education

Blogging changes the traditional classroom by allowing students a positive outlet for self expression as well as encouraging exploration and meaningful discussion.  Teachers historically have been appointed the task of being great and mighty oracles to students; all-knowing, wise sages of information.  While a flattering position to be in, it's nearly impossible to reach every student and open possibilities for them.   Hard working educators are constantly looking towards new technologies to help them engage their classrooms so that every child has a chance to succeed.  Blogging and other forms of online communities can help. 

Let's first consider how we can use this technology in the classroom.  Blogging creates an open forum where students can not only share their ideas, but connect to others all over the world.  Student blogs can be an open forum for feedback as well as being used a digital portfolio to showcase progression.  Being able to connect with peers and professionals in a field can make the classwork more relevant; sparking interest and creating a sense of community.  Students can experience new cultures and begin to really see how interconnected the world really is.  With photo, video, and audio capabilities it's possible to experience life in another country as it happens.   I envision a modern day global pen pal system where students can connect to several contacts and fully explore their passion. 

Class blogs could concentrate on enhancing and enriching classroom experiences.  Teacher can continue lessons outside the classroom by giving students direct access to valuable information encouraging them to explore on their own time.  Assignments can be updated, revised, and even submitted in comment form.  Teachers can receive valuable feedback about what worked and what didn't work in their lesson plans.  Parents can keep up to date tabs on how classrooms are functioning and the development of their child's progress.  Teacher can also collaborate on their own successes and share them with teachers around the globe to improve teaching methods. 

These kinds of creative outlets can improve the chances for student success.  Creating connections with what they learn in the classroom, they can develop the skill they will need when they enter the real world.  They can find the voice within them and learn to listen to others as well.