Where Are We Going?

With the plethora of technological advances taking place literally as we speak, we are confronted with issues and information that at one time were foreign to us. What are the big developments coming up in the next ten years?

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Post Secret

Found this after playing around in post secret - too funny - maybe I need to get a postcard too:-(



Sometimes, I wonder what people think when they post 'secretive' information about themselves and others. I got this link from the class discussion, and already, I've passed it on to a number of friends - ranting about the absurdity of if. Yet, upon reflection, what makes me any better than them - I am the one passing it around?

Tee Hee

Thought this was cute! It reminds me of all the times when I rely on my students for help.

It Hit Me!

I have been touched . . . no, not in that way . . . by technology!!!! The most amazing thing happened today.

I needed to pick up ingredients for a recipe we were making in Home Economics this afternoon, but didn't have the recipe with me. After fretting for a bit, I remembered the wiki I am working on for this class - and low and behold - the recipe was there!

At one time, I wondered if the whole wiki creation idea was just 'busy work', or if I'd actually continue with it after this class. Now that I see the value in it , I think I've answered my own question. I can also see how it can fit into my other classes as well. I do, however, still fear the day when someone gets on and deletes everything I've done - now, I do realize that there is a way of preventing this - but I've yet to figure it out!

Thanks for forcing me to expand my repetoire of tools and introducing me to wikis. It is so important to actually experience the benefits something like this can bring to the classroom. I can't wait to introduce the concept to my students!!

Uninhibited Learning!

After two hours of trying to post eight sentences, I started getting a bit frustrated -- but I managed to make it work in the end. What is it? Well, it's voicethread - and it's cool - if you can figure it out!!! Here is my take on class this past Tuesday and my experience with Edtechtalk.

Vocaroo

I'm exploring - and procrastinating!!

Just thought I'd check out something new - vocaroo is cool - but the messages you leave must be short! (If only the paper I am supposed to be writing right now could be short . . . hmmm!)

Animoto

Okay, talk about simplifying video making!!! I stumbled upon animoto and was wowwed by its capabilities. My students would love it and it is so easy to use. I am considering creating a video as part of my masters presentation - I may have to consider this tool! I threw together a quick video in less than five minutes to check out how it worked and this is how my masterpiece turned out . . . oh . . . you have to check it out by going to the widget on the page - I couldn't figure out how to embed it :-(

Web 3.0

Just when I thought I was finally catching on to the term Web2.0 - along comes Web3.0! Now, I'm a bit leary about jumping on the bandwagon with this one - for fear that Web4.0 is just around the corner - but I am willing to give it a try. I did some searching - in hopes of better understanding the concept - and came up with a video that left things clear as mud for me. The lingo seemed a bit complex for this beginner, but here it is in case you wish to give it a try . . .

Web 3.0 explained with a stamp (pt II: techniques)

View more presentations from Freek Bijl.

So, what does all this mean?

Well, from my understanding - Web2.0 allows the user to network, share, publish, participate and interact with others via numerous web-based tools and applications. Web3.0 (Web 3.0 = (4C + P + VS), on the other hand, is another term for a group of applications that will provide the user with more personalized information. Rather than the user searching out the product or information - the information can search out the user - kinda scary!

For those of you who know more about Web3.0 - am I on the right track?

Here is a video that help explain The Semantic Web. It is a bit long but it does provide a pretty good explanation . . .

Bridging the Gap

A wonderful thing happened this past week -- I had the opportunity to put a face to a name!

I attended part two of Dr. Mohammed's talk about PLCs in North Battleford and although I took much from his insights and interesting experiences, I took much more from the opportunity to meet people from the LaRonge cohort in person. I was pleasantly surprised when two handsome men approached me and introduced themselves as my classmates. I took a quick glance at their name tags and although I didn't immediately recognize them, I did manage to figure out that they were indeed the masterminds - Stephen and Guy! We made some small talk before they pulled me over to meet Ronelda and Jackie - which was another unexpected surprise. They continued to point out others at the conference who were from the 'north' and this feeling of total - I don't know - easiness washed over me. It sounds pretty corny, but, being the old-fashioned girl I am, I really enjoyed meeting these people 'in the flesh' to make them seem more 'real'. Although I did respond to their blogs in the past . . . I have asked Stephen for assistance on numerous occasions and received tons of support and encouragement from him recently . . . I still felt odd about 'chatting' with strangers during class. I feel more like I know them now and we'll see - maybe there will be a bit more interaction during the next Elluminate session.

I guess what I'm getting at is . . . yes, relationships can be built on line . . . but in my world, the F2F far outweighs this online presence. I understand the benefits of online connections - and the vast capabilities and possibilities - but I still enjoy making true contacts!

It was nice meeting you !!

Right On Track!

I've come so far is this short time that we've been gathering for this class. I think back to the first day when, to be perfectly honest, you scared the living daylights out of me with your big talk and mighty vocabulary! I feel like I've grown quite a bit since those days and I know my knowledge level has certainly increased as to what the world has to offer - technologically speaking! Don't get me wrong - it is only the tip of the iceberg that I have uncovered . . . but . . . a whole new world has opened up to me and now - my progress is in my hands! What I decide to do with this new information is up to me - will I quit the moment this class is finished - or will I venture out on my own and continue challenging myself?

My old, feeble mind never could have imagined all the possibilities available online. Ever so slowly, I find myself revealing more and more of myself to others and establishing online relationships and even more importantly - sharing! I greatly admire those, who upon finding new applications and tools, immediately share with others as opposed to guarding the new information as to elevate their individual 'smarts' status. I see the importance of helping one another. Frankly, I have enjoyed this open, giving and encouraging experience and am in disbelief at how guarded and individual I once was. I believe social networking IS here to stay and that the benefits ARE plentiful and that it is up to each one of us to ensure that we are supportive to those who reach out for help. Thanks for all the help many of you have given me though this experience!

Wow! Upon proofreading - I realize how sappy this sounds - but nonetheless - it is the truth!

Playing

Since tonight's class was all about our learning thus far in class, I thought I'd take some time to experiment with a few of the tools/applications discussed during the course. I'd like to share some of my experiments with you - in the hope that you may find a purpose for their use.


This photo was from The Hero Factory and I'm quite sure students would love to play with all the choices. Yep . . . the hero is supposed to be me - can you see the resemblance?








Here is yet another attempt at creating myself - in the likeliness of Homer Simpson - using ToonDoo. My personal opinion - wow - it takes a looong time to figure it out! I didn't find it overly user friendly - as a matter of fact - it frustrated me. Sad to admit - but I think I'll have to get an elementary kid to explain it to me! I hope you have better luck than me!

Now this was easy to use and fun! Switchzoo has a number of activities that would hold younger people's interest. I plan on using this when I teach a French unit on animals with the Grade 5s. There are even some pretty cool games that had me thinking!

Wordle is amazing! You can do so many neat projects with it! I highly recommend you trying it with your students - or even for yourself!

"We Have To Change . . . We Cannot Stand Still Any Longer"

Will Richardson's comment about change really resonated with me. I must face facts - I am not living in a stagnant society! It is rapidly changing, and if I don't keep up, I will find myself in, dare I say, great danger! I am problably one of the few people left doing my banking by phone . . . I have never used Ebay . . . I don't download my pictures from my digital camera myself . . . I have no idea what students are talking about when they tell me about the new gadgets they get for Christmas . . . I don't know how to set the alarm in my own home . . . I am completely out of touch with modern society!!

As a teacher, I am expected to 'model' and encourage the use of technology -- when I don't have a clue what I am doing! I am to engage students digitally, encourage global participation/interaction and create links to social networks. I am to update my personal skills and share my experiences with others. I am to grow from my mistakes and 'never stop learning'. As Angela stated, "teachers must be learners, actively adapting, adjusting and evolving." The traditional form of education is no longer adequate. I must prepare kids for the future they will realistically live in - which is not at all the future I envisioned us to be in!

I do, however, see myself moving in the right direction. Through this class, I see myself experimenting and enjoying learning. I feel the energy and confidence growing. I am at the point where I WANT to learn! I am willing to try new things in class and I know that my students will be supportive - I do, however, worry about parent perception - do they see the importance in technology? Are they supportive and do they model the use of technology in their home? Are they 'old school' in their views of education, and want their children to be sitting in rows at desks working page to page in textbooks? Where do they stand?

500 Million Dollars

As unbelievable as it may sound, perhaps now IS the time to jump on the bandwagon and start twittering. Apparantly, Facebook offered to purchase the search engine for $500,000,000.00 - now that's a lot of zeros!!! Check out this video that Donna located (and I found while stalking, oops, I mean lurking, on my yammer account).

Multitasking

The ability to effectively engage in numerous tasks at one time - something I thought I was totally incapable of - happened during Tuesday night's class!

I've always been the type to finish one project before moving on to the next - it gave me a sense of accomplishment or maybe pride is the word I am looking for - proud that I successfully completed a thought! I tend to get flustered when confronted with too many options or tasks at once. I did discover, however, during this week's session, that I can carry on more than one task at a time and be quite successful at it! I think about the students in my class and me, standing at the front -waiting for total eye contact before delivering my lesson. Maybe my class is paying attention, but in their own way -while doing something else! Dare I say, they are multitasking!

I found myself asking students lots of questions this week at school. I asked them about what I had just said or about what was going on on the other side of the room - and surprisingly - they had a pretty good grasp of all the actions taking place - and here I thought it was always just the teacher with eyes in the back of her head. I noticed this too in the computer lab at noon - students would be talking with their friends, working on the computer, and scribbling something down - all while music was blasting from their earbuds! Technology has enabled me to carry on multiple tasks. I do research, listen to my class, comment on blogs, write my own blog, follow the conversation in the chat room, and converse with my fiance. . . while still watching a batch of cookies in the oven! Technology has somewhat allowed me to do this . . . but sometimes I wonder if it is too much! Are all these jobs completed as efficiently?

Saya

A robot teacher -- what next?

A new Japanese teacher was welcomed into the world today. Her name is Saya and she is an android. Surprisingly (or dare I say scarily), she comes with many human-like traits and emotions. Technology has definitely come a long way!

"Japan and other nations are hopeful robotics will provide a solution for their growing labour shortage problem as populations age. But scientists express concern about using a machine to take care of children and the elderly."

With the dawn of teacher robots, how long will it be before we (humans) are replaced? Are we rendering ourselves obsolete? Can robots effectively simulate an actual human being? Do they have the capability to feel, understand and sympathize as we do? Am I being too pessimistic - after all, we currently have teachers in the workforce who possess few of these traits and skills themselves - perhaps the androids will do a better job!

Hmmm . . . I wonder if they'll ever come up with an android husband . . . one I can program to my exact specifications - one can only hope!!!

Blast From the Past!

I accidently came across the Obsolete Technology Website and memories of my youth flashed before me. It seemed like only yesterday when I was sitting in front of one of these big clunkers. My, have things changed! It is scary to see where we will be even five or ten years from now!

Personal Learning Networks

Our school division had a professional development day focusing on Building and Sustaining PLCs with Dr. Anthony Muhammed. As he spoke, my unfocused mind drifted to the world of PLNs - noticing the similarities - both in the structure and the purpose!

DuFour defines PLCs as "a group of educators committed to working collaboratively in ongoing processes of collective inquiry and action research in order to achieve better results for the students they serve." Likewise, PLNs are a collection of experts or resources that are shared and available to assist in locating information, verifying facts or just conversing with on a personal level in order to achieve greater understanding or establish meaningful relationships with those who share similar interests. It is a supportive group of people that assist in personal and professional growth and development.

Incorporating technology in school takes into consideration many of the points Muhammed mentioned such as the building of a supportive culture (or community). We must be willing to embrace technology and act as positive spokespersons if we are to get others on board and make meaningful, lasting changes. Sharing our successes with colleagues and students and supporting them during their learning phase is important if we want to establish a culture that supports technology. Getting staff to buy-in and try new technologies is perhaps the most difficult step in making change - but well worth the effort upon viewing the finished result. Just as the previous students from this class came to realize the benefits of some of the applications and tools available and continued using them, so will the staff once they understand the capabilities and their simplicity of use. It is much like the Smart Boards - all that is needed is some support and time - and once the interest builds - teachers will take over with self-directed learning. Many teachers who swore up and down that they didn't want them, now would never do without them!

Dr. Muhammed also categorized school culture as consisting of Believers, Tweeners, Survivors, and Fundamentalists. Again, my mind wandered to this class . . . when it comes to technology, where do we lie and how do we get people to where we want them to be? Believers have high expectations and are willing to embrace change. They want to try new things. Tweeners are still finding their place in the system - they don't want to rock the boat but will go with the flow. Survivors are barely afloat. They are hardly one step ahead - and sometimes even one step back! Fundamentalists love to leave things as is. They are rigid and narrow in understanding and often refuse to change, challenge or alter the current paradigm. When it comes to technology, I am a drowning survivor, striving to become a believer!

Hmm . . . upon reflection, I am thinking I need to work on 'focusing'. It seems as though I spent more time inside my own head than paying attention to what was being said. Sorry Dr. M - but thanks for making me think!!

"If schools are to be transformed into learning communities, educators must be prepared first of all to acknowledge that the traditional guiding model of education is no longer relevant in a post-industrial, knowledge-based society. Second, they must embrace ideas and assumptions that are radically different than those that have guided schools in the past." (Dufour & Eaker)

Responsibility ???

Here is some food for thought . . .

We've discussed the issue of internet safety and the protection of privacy on-line -- what happens in such cases when we are requiring a student to complete projects (blogs, wikis, photo editing, etc.) for credit in a class where some aspect of the student's life is revealed on line? Do we avoid these types of assignments at all costs? For example, in this class, we share our thoughts in a blog, share a journal in googledocs and start a project to share with others such as a wiki (which I am attempting to make for my project) which is available for all to see. What would happen if I did all the required work to pass the course, but in the meantime, was found by someone through my on-line identity - would I be held responsible for revealing too much of myself or would the university be responsible for asking me to 'expose' myself on line?

Sharing

Interestingly enough - much of our class thus far has dealt with the issue of sharing - the sharing of ones knowledge, resources, and support. Tonight's class emphasized the importance of this act. It speaks volumes when people take time out of their already busy day to share their personal experiences with others. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to make contact with those who were 'once in my place' even though I was just a parasite and 'lurked' about in the chat room, eavesdropping (or would it be eavesreading) on their thoughts and opinions.

My confidence level definitely grew when I heard how far your previous students had come in such a short period of time - some of whom possessed the same skill level, apprehension and attitude as myself. Like many others suggested, I can see how a class such as this one can drastically alter one's perspective of teaching and learning - I only wish I had been exposed to it earlier in the program! I also enjoy your teaching style of self-exploration. Let's face it - you only get out of a class, what you put in to it! You (as well as fellow classmates) provide ample opportunities, tools and applications to examine - it is up to us to explore and pick those that fit our needs and interests.

Establishing a PLN definitely allows for the building of strong relationships - many of which are with people we will never meet in person, yet feel so close to on-line. It fosters a comfortable, supportive feeling that allows me to grow in my profession and personal life. As Cindy stated, "it is an intellectual challenge -- putting your ideas out there and having them challenged". Being completely 'immersed' in technology may be intimidating and scary at first, but the equipment we use today is so forgiving should we make a mistake and the assistance available is overwhelming. I understand how this class is an opportunity to freely 'get out of our comfort level' and experiment with new tools - not those that we are 'forced' to use - but those that we may actually find useful/valuable in our everyday lives. In an odd way - this class is all about 'play' (as Kyle so eloquently put it). It is so nice to hear that many of your previous students are continuing their journey into 'technology' and have kept up their participation.

One thing I did really reflect upon at the end of the class was Shaun's statement about technology communication and the absence of body language and tone, leading to misunderstood or misinterpreted messages. Being the sarcastic person that I am - it is an area I must definitely be aware of - as people who don't know me may be easily offended by my often flippant remarks. Thanks for the heads up!

Yippee

Okay, I am thrilled. I received a phone call last night saying I had won a 50 inch Panasonic plasma television. (It beats the heck out of my 27 inch RCA piece of crap!) My fiance picked it up this afternoon and hooked it up for me - wow - I am now officially part of the plasma world. The Simpsons have never looked so clear! I was so excited that I explored and played with every feature it had. I even stuck a SD card in and was mesmorized as pictures of my last holiday flashed before my eyes. Unfortunately, I did hear my poor iMac in the next room crying, "Please give me some attention too - you've had me for over two years now and haven't played with any of my buttons yet!" It kinda reminded me of the gingerbread man and its gumdrop buttons (yeah, my mind wanders). Anyhow, to make a long story short, I hopped on the iMac and finally gave it some attention. It has some incredible features - and garage band is amazing! I really do need to dedicate more time to exploring and learning.

By the way, I just ran out and bought a Millionaire For Life ticket - let's hope the winning streak continues!!!

Slideshare

Although slidshow.com may be old news to you . . . I just stumbled upon it this morning! It contains some very interesting shows covering a range of topics. Two of special interest to this class are posted here - thanks Donna for introducing me to the site!

Technology...it's all around us...

View more presentations from Melanie Wiscount. (tags: web2.0 digital)

The 21st Century Learner

View more presentations from Kim Cofino. (tags: learner k-12)