Thing #23

Wow, what a journey! Again I reference the youtube video Pay Attention. If you haven't seen it already, take a peek.




I do wish someone would develop a course for "Phase II" of the 23 Things. It has been the best professional development I've had in some time. Since I've begun this course, I've shared everything I've learned with others in a weekly "Teacher Geekers" get together. We now have a handful of teachers using blogs and wikis that wouldn't have done so on their own. They are amazed how well students are responding to their style of learning!

So, what has taken the educational professional so long? Fear of the unknown.... They don't know what's out there, they aren't sure how to use it, they are worried it will take a long time to learn, they aren't sure if the learning curve is worth it to progress student knowledge, etc. Fear enables resistency. I've heard over and over again, "I don't have the time." True. Teachers don't have the time to waste on simple lecture and outdated lessons. Students need to know much more than in the 50's, 60's, etc. They will definitely need to know more than their teachers do now to be productive citizens in the next century. Boy, does that sound scary! The only way to build that type of capacity is to let go, encourage creativity and collaboration with the tools we have available - learning with and by technical means.

Since I've taken the leap, I've talked with others about developing a course similar to this for students as well. Maybe if more teachers see students applying these skills, they will be more motivated to change their delivery methods. Students will definitely need these skills as they leap into the post-secondary or employment scene. We definitely need to make rigorous course work relevant by applying the technology component that allows for intrinsic learning, collaboration, and creativity - all in the skill set for the next century.

Congratulations on a job very well done! I have taken the plunge and am forever "changed".

Thing #22

Here is a great video on global warming by the Blue Man Group.



I liked it so much that I used it in my wiki as well. I first saw this video on a class project page called Flat Planet. I know students would love it and it would spark great discussions on global warming. Again, it's that relevancy piece that students respond to. They'll like the music, the content, and the Blue Man Group! I can't wait to see what videos others have posted :-)

Thing #21

I love youtube, teachertube, and schooltube. I like the video entitled Pay Attention (which was where I left my comment). It talks about the need to include technology in classroom. What I found interesting in reading the other comments was the negativity. The resistant attitude is classic of folks who want to justify why they don't use technology to enhance learning. However, one comment from a high school student who recently graduated remarked how boring school was and how it added little to what he/she needed to know unless it was relevant. Technology is RELEVANT to students which is why they enjoy it so much. Again, the 3R's hit us smack where it hurts. We will never get to the rigor component unless we teach for relevancy! Teachers must stop trying to be the sage on the stage and teach for learning!

Unfortunately, our school does not allow us to download youtube videos. We can use teachertube or schooltube. Yes, there is a fear that some videos may not be appropriate. All the instructional videos we've viewed have been great as most people are visual learners. There is a lot of research out there that comments that long-term learning is based on several modes, not just the auditory model that many teachers rely on.

Thing #20

Can you believe I have finally gotten back to read my RSS feeds! One of interest came from the 2cents worth blog site called 26 Games to change the world. Kind of cool, check it out. The one issue I am having is that my RSS feeds are listed under "Microsoft Feeds" and don't go into my bloglines account. I can read them through the Vista application though. When I tried to go through the "links" button to bloglines I get an error. I was able to include the de.licio.us tags on my bloglines account. Am I addicted to RSS feeds? No, not at all. It's something I occasionally look at when I have time. I do know folks who are addicted to it though.

Thing #19

I can see where social bookmarks could be a wonderful addition to the classroom. For example, say you wanted your students to explore topics on the web and then blog their responses to those web searches. Students could log onto del.icio.us and see the web links under that topic chosen and move on. With the list readily accessible at any time, students could then use the links as study tools for tests, exams, or just for interest at a later time. And, as students do further research or finish early, they could add additional links to those already listed. Teachers don't have to come up with all the web links. Hence, the data base isn't individualized but shared among the entire class - another sign of true collaboration. Plus, it teaches them another skill necessary for post-secondary education. In order to see my list of bookmarks, log onto delicious and search for cwawro.

Thing #18

Social bookmarking is definitely a useful way to organize digital resources. I find I would use the bookmarks more if I could access them from any computer. Right now, I have certain bookmarks on my home computer and others on the computer at work. It would be advantageous to be able to pull them from one source. Tags sort of remind me of a library card catalogue (guess I'm dating myself here). Even with a digital version, you can look up the book with a keyword search. What one person would think is an obvious keyword, someone else might think it's obsecure. Anyway, you can use keywords or "tags" that you would most identify with on a certain topic instead of relying on other "experts". The key is to be logical in using identifying tags and to use several to describe the topic so you can find it later. The advantages are that you can not only find yours that you've spent time on, on can also connect to others increasing your resource list - hence, the term "social" bookmarking. You can add to the others' lists and they can add to yours! Becareful that your tags are correct and don't lead others in the wrong (and sometimes unsafe) direction.

Thing #17

Slideshare is awesome! I've always wondered how do you put a slideshow into your presentation - now I know. I explored the aspects of using virtual worlds, such as Second Life, in education (Exploring a Virtual 3D Environment and Its Possibilities for Teaching and Learning). I can only imagine how engaged students might be in this type of environment. My thought would be that attendance issues would be non-existent and EVERY would complete the homework! Also checked out the most downloadable, most featured, etc. - all very cool. Many of the ones I particularly liked were not downloadable unfortunately. Although I understand the whole plagerism piece, I say why create the wheel when someone else already has? Anyway, you could show any slideshow in the classroom simply by logging on. Something different to try would be to have students actually pick one on a "safe" topic and put together their own verbal presentation to go along with the slides already prepared.