Very good articles in Edutopia on integrating technology in the classroom. Where was this idea when I was struggling thru Algebra. I never could imagine those two trains leaning the station problem.
"Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals." (
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Virtual Gifts
I recently read an article on cnn.com about the trend of virtual gift. Things like Second Life avatar clothes or champagne in Facebook. From the cnn article "In the first two weeks of November alone, the company that created Second Life says there were almost 3 million digital objects sold on its site, though it's not possible to tell which of those were given as gifts."
Some people think it is a waste of money to pour resources into a virtual world. "Others call virtual gifts a waste of money -- a way of "pouring millions down the virtual drain," says Michael Bugeja, the director of Iowa State University's journalism school. He's been a vocal critic of the resources universities and students are dedicating to virtual worlds." I do not agree with Bugeje in his opinion that it is a waste of resources. If you get enjoyment from the gift then it has fulfilled its purpose. Whether or not a gift is a waste of money is very subjective.
I would just leave with the old saying "It's the thought that counts." ----and no ---I do not want a virtual gift this year.
Happy Holidays!
cnn article
Some people think it is a waste of money to pour resources into a virtual world. "Others call virtual gifts a waste of money -- a way of "pouring millions down the virtual drain," says Michael Bugeja, the director of Iowa State University's journalism school. He's been a vocal critic of the resources universities and students are dedicating to virtual worlds." I do not agree with Bugeje in his opinion that it is a waste of resources. If you get enjoyment from the gift then it has fulfilled its purpose. Whether or not a gift is a waste of money is very subjective.
I would just leave with the old saying "It's the thought that counts." ----and no ---I do not want a virtual gift this year.
Happy Holidays!
cnn article
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Elluminate Live! Sessions
My inner voice doesn't have a whole lot to say today. Other than I thought Andrea's Elluminate session was fun last week. I have used Centra (product Elluminate is replacing)and Elluminate seems like a much better product.
In Centra it was always a pain to find the right session and the text chat was a little harder to use. With the sessions in chronological order---inside of Blackboard---it is much easier to find them.
My inner voice now is telling me to go home and to say good job Andrea.
thanks for listening.
In Centra it was always a pain to find the right session and the text chat was a little harder to use. With the sessions in chronological order---inside of Blackboard---it is much easier to find them.
My inner voice now is telling me to go home and to say good job Andrea.
thanks for listening.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Native American School Melds Tradition and Technology
I ran across this article that I found very interesting. Using technology to promote cultural awareness within this tribal school. I also find it interesting that they are also still going to public school part of the time. I am not sure how they are locking down the ipods. To be honest I didn't know you could lock them down by content.
"Native American School Melds Tradition and Technology
The state-of-the-art Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School on the Seminole Tribe's Brighton Reservation in Florida, puts some of the tribe's casino earning to work providing students with a 21st century education.
The school, which opened in August and cost $10 million to build, sports laptop computers, iPods, highly-qualified teachers and a marked respect for the students' culture. While students in one classroom use podcasts to learn language arts, others are busy learning Creek, the Seminole language.
Tribal elders know they are educating children who will take over the tribe's extensive business holdings, but they want these future leaders to be rooted in Seminole tradition. Central to maintaining tradition is the effort to keep the Creek language alive. Not only are the children learning , but so are parents, many of whom do not speak Creek and have to turn grandparents and other tribal elders for help. Pemayetv Emahakv is operating as a charter school, building on an earlier "pull-out" program the tribe operated that allowed Seminole students attending nearby public schools to remain on the reservation once a week for cultural classes.
Like all Florida schools, Pemayetv Emahakv students will take the FCAT, but operating as a charter allows teachers more freedom to tailor instruction to students' needs. And technology is a big part of individualizing instruction at Pemayetv Emahakv.
Teachers say that students are much more focused when using technology tools and seem to take in more information. To prevent problems, the school's iPods are programmed to work with only school approved material, like a hip- hop multiplication tables program and maps that display on the iPod screen."
"Native American School Melds Tradition and Technology
The state-of-the-art Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School on the Seminole Tribe's Brighton Reservation in Florida, puts some of the tribe's casino earning to work providing students with a 21st century education.
The school, which opened in August and cost $10 million to build, sports laptop computers, iPods, highly-qualified teachers and a marked respect for the students' culture. While students in one classroom use podcasts to learn language arts, others are busy learning Creek, the Seminole language.
Tribal elders know they are educating children who will take over the tribe's extensive business holdings, but they want these future leaders to be rooted in Seminole tradition. Central to maintaining tradition is the effort to keep the Creek language alive. Not only are the children learning , but so are parents, many of whom do not speak Creek and have to turn grandparents and other tribal elders for help. Pemayetv Emahakv is operating as a charter school, building on an earlier "pull-out" program the tribe operated that allowed Seminole students attending nearby public schools to remain on the reservation once a week for cultural classes.
Like all Florida schools, Pemayetv Emahakv students will take the FCAT, but operating as a charter allows teachers more freedom to tailor instruction to students' needs. And technology is a big part of individualizing instruction at Pemayetv Emahakv.
Teachers say that students are much more focused when using technology tools and seem to take in more information. To prevent problems, the school's iPods are programmed to work with only school approved material, like a hip- hop multiplication tables program and maps that display on the iPod screen."
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Second Life Lawsuit
I Ran across an intersting article (in PCWorld) about a Second Life lawsuit. A federal district court in Brooklyn, New York is hearinga case involving the theft and resale of Second Life products (cloths, shoes etc...).
"Six Second Life merchants that sell their wears in the virtual world of Second Life are suing a Queens' man for the theft of their – go figure -- "adult-themed virtual objects." Most objects are not adult-themed and include shoes and clothes. But others are more exotic."
"The plaintiffs are suing for an undisclosed amount, but in claiming jurisdiction, the New York court says "the amount in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000."
It doesn't surprise me so much that there is a lawsuit involving the copyright of these items. When ever there is money involved lawsuts are soon to follow. What surprised me was that the Linden Labs official claims that there is $1 million in transaction in Second Life everyday. I knew it is popular but that level of commercialism surprised me.
"As trivial as a lawsuit over virtual matters may seem, we are talking real money here. Second Life's owner Linden Labs says the virtual world has over 9 million users and that nearly $1 million of transactions take place on Second Life each day. Put that in your virtual pipe."
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/005816.html
"Six Second Life merchants that sell their wears in the virtual world of Second Life are suing a Queens' man for the theft of their – go figure -- "adult-themed virtual objects." Most objects are not adult-themed and include shoes and clothes. But others are more exotic."
"The plaintiffs are suing for an undisclosed amount, but in claiming jurisdiction, the New York court says "the amount in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000."
It doesn't surprise me so much that there is a lawsuit involving the copyright of these items. When ever there is money involved lawsuts are soon to follow. What surprised me was that the Linden Labs official claims that there is $1 million in transaction in Second Life everyday. I knew it is popular but that level of commercialism surprised me.
"As trivial as a lawsuit over virtual matters may seem, we are talking real money here. Second Life's owner Linden Labs says the virtual world has over 9 million users and that nearly $1 million of transactions take place on Second Life each day. Put that in your virtual pipe."
http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/005816.html
Friday, October 26, 2007
From Toy to Tool---Cell Phones as Learning Tools (K12 online 2007 conference)
Led by Liz Kolb http://toytotool.blogspot.com, from the University of Michigan.
The session itself was a mix of PowerPoint and live camera. Her session was very informative and the speaker kept a good pace. She presented a mix of class related cell phone uses and resource demonstrations.
Before watching this presentation I would have immediately said no cell phones in any classroom. After watching the presentation I would still say no phones in class, but I can see the uses outside of the class. I would say they are still a supplement to learning not a requirement. Purely because not all kids can afford a cell phone or have access to them. I suppose the same could be said about computers.
“A 2006 study by market research firm the Yankee Group found that if trends continue, more than 50 percent of the “tween” population (8- to 12-year-olds) will be using cell phones by 2010.” –Hunter, 2007
Classroom related uses:
Cell phones can be data collection tools not just social toys.
--Record audio, take pictures, take video…
Cell phones can be used in collaboration with curriculum-based projects.
--Ring tones, wallpaper, text messaging
Cell phones as a research and organizational tool
--Mobile web, calendars, calculator
One of the resources that I found interesting is the free sites she demonstrated in which you can create podcasts with your cell phone. The students access the podcast with their phone or go to your blog and listen. Many of these sites can post to your blog, automatically---create audio greetings, and host conference calls. Student project ideas are things like collect sound clips from field trips, conduct interviews, practice speech skills etc…
Interesting resources:
Gabcast http://gabcast.com (free)
Gcast http://gcast.com (free)
FreeConferencePro http://freeconferencepro.com/(Free)
Phonezoo http://phonezoo.com (free ringtones)
Textforfree http://www.textforfree.com (free texting)
Mobiode http://mobiode.com (create surveys—send to phone list—free)
Homework Now http://homeworknow.com
A couple of examples of schools using cell phones are:
Southeastern Louisiana University-
http://www.selu.edu/library/askref/index.html (you can text questions to librarian)
New Hampshire schools-twenty-five schools are encouraging their students who own web-enabled cell phones to use them to access homework, class assignments, and other content.
The session itself was a mix of PowerPoint and live camera. Her session was very informative and the speaker kept a good pace. She presented a mix of class related cell phone uses and resource demonstrations.
Before watching this presentation I would have immediately said no cell phones in any classroom. After watching the presentation I would still say no phones in class, but I can see the uses outside of the class. I would say they are still a supplement to learning not a requirement. Purely because not all kids can afford a cell phone or have access to them. I suppose the same could be said about computers.
“A 2006 study by market research firm the Yankee Group found that if trends continue, more than 50 percent of the “tween” population (8- to 12-year-olds) will be using cell phones by 2010.” –Hunter, 2007
Classroom related uses:
Cell phones can be data collection tools not just social toys.
--Record audio, take pictures, take video…
Cell phones can be used in collaboration with curriculum-based projects.
--Ring tones, wallpaper, text messaging
Cell phones as a research and organizational tool
--Mobile web, calendars, calculator
One of the resources that I found interesting is the free sites she demonstrated in which you can create podcasts with your cell phone. The students access the podcast with their phone or go to your blog and listen. Many of these sites can post to your blog, automatically---create audio greetings, and host conference calls. Student project ideas are things like collect sound clips from field trips, conduct interviews, practice speech skills etc…
Interesting resources:
Gabcast http://gabcast.com (free)
Gcast http://gcast.com (free)
FreeConferencePro http://freeconferencepro.com/(Free)
Phonezoo http://phonezoo.com (free ringtones)
Textforfree http://www.textforfree.com (free texting)
Mobiode http://mobiode.com (create surveys—send to phone list—free)
Homework Now http://homeworknow.com
A couple of examples of schools using cell phones are:
Southeastern Louisiana University-
http://www.selu.edu/library/askref/index.html (you can text questions to librarian)
New Hampshire schools-twenty-five schools are encouraging their students who own web-enabled cell phones to use them to access homework, class assignments, and other content.
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