Reflections

I learned a great deal from this class and more important, I learned different ways of approaching teaching and learning.

Blogs

This is the first time I seriously posted and began reading blogs on a regular basis. They are great and I know I will continue to read and write and use them in class. I feel blogs offer a student a way to read and write about the subject focusing on what interests them. This type of teaching will result in a more engaged student who feels more in control and a sense of ownership in the process. Many of the articles I looked at for this class talk about going into a classroom where the students are blogging and they are more focused and self-motivated. I am a little concerned that as a teacher if I assign students to post and comment on each other’s posts it can be a little confusing to keep track of posts and comments because they are not in one place. There is also a bit of an added risk of the students reading material that is not appropriate but all students should be signing a contract detailing policies.

Google reader and RSS

I did not know google reader existed and I had not used RSS before although I had a vague idea that it existed. This has been a great addition to my reading of blogs and keeping track of comments on my blog. I added other blogs to my reader and realized I could never keep up with all the posts and would need a method of filtering what to read and what to scan. I am still working on how to keep up with blogs I wish to read.

Wikis

I knew about wikipedia and that some of the websites I had bookmarked were wikis. I had a clue of the collaborations they allowed but learned a great deal through experience in this class. This was a good experience because I did not know about using wikis as a way to manage communication in the class. We had an effective collaboration in the wiki project but I wish we had formed groups and worked on the project all through the class adding small pieces as we went along. This would have been similar to the way we added things to the blog as we covered them in class.

Podcasting

This was my first experience creating a podcast. I especially appreciated listening to the student’s podcasts describing their take on the events important to them. When I played my posts for others, they asked where the video was. It didn’t take long for us to become the youtube generation but each school still has announcements in the morning so I think podcasts have their place.

Elluminate

I appreciated the guest speaker and the lesson on how to use illuminate shared white board features. It was nice to meet Sheryl online and learn more about k12online. There are not enough women in the field.

Siemens

I usually like to read a text on knowledge but found this surprisingly a slog with all the interesting quick blog post read. It appreciated the choice, as it is a different twist on the subject and very relevant to the subjects we learning.

Second Life

There is something to look forward to in the future. SL is not yet supported on Vista on my new machine and my old machine does not have a powerful enough graphics card. The lesson here is technology does not always work. I will be sure to check the specifications for any software I plan to use. You need an alternate plan with or without technology.

Online class

I always miss the opportunity to meet others in person but this class had an added advantage of the personal information that was shared in the blogs. It does seem extraordinary that we can all be part of a class and never meet in person. I would have liked to have a hybrid if that was possible for this class.

One computer per Student

The last issue I am happy we touched on is how to get a computer device for every student. Communities give lip service and some funds for technology but need more training for teachers and integration of more than office products into the technology programs in the classroom.

I definitely have a better idea of what a networked classroom is and how to lead one as a teacher and a learner.

Amazed

Yesterday I posted an article on one computer per student and mentioned a company, which is involved in low cost hardware solutions. I never put the company name is a label or tag. I understood that anyone on the Internet could potentially read the post and was still very surprised when a complete stranger from the company commented. Blogs can be a great equalizer for opinions and I can appreciate that a company would want to scan the blogs for misinformation or critical data. I am not yet a purchase decision maker but I may be one day and it’s good business practice to keep the information about your company in a positive light.

Comparing one-to-one Solutions

Many school districts are starting to implement various one-to-one solutions. When I read about the implementations, I realize one-to-one is so much more than a hardware project. One-to-one computing is generally defined as the ability to provide a student with an individual personal wireless computing device on a continuous basis throughout the school day and afterwards, if possible. Laptops, PDAs and cellphones all have pros and cons as devices to implement a one-to-one program. Laptops seem to be favored although they are the largest and most expensive. In addition to comparing the devices, the programs themselves can be implemented in many different ways.

One-to-one allows students to be more self-directed and creates a learning environment where the student is more invested in the outcome because the process is personalized. The best programs recognize that a teacher should know the individual student; know his or her strengths and weakness; know their preferred learning style; know their interests and develop and present lesson plans that differentiate the teaching and learning for the individual student. I feel the one-to-one programs with their access to vast amounts and diversity of data on the Internet (public and private) can allow for collaboration and the best opportunity to learn.

One Computer For Every Student

An example of the one computer for every student concept is the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project. I read Naomi’s blog on OLPC post with interest as I recalled the segment on the television news program 60 minutes. I had mixed feelings about this particular project and googled the project. The founder, Nicholas Negroponte states on the OLPC website, “It's an education project, not a laptop project.” The project’s approach toward education is among several criticisms of OLPC. I share Pam’s concern about the best use of funds in third world. For instance, there is no money allocated for maintenance, schools or teachers. Children may learn some valuable skills on their own; however, I believe children need some guidance and machines need maintenance. Training is a crucial part of integrating technology in a classroom and maintenance is an essential component for an effective computer lab.

In an article in eSchoolNews, senior editor Corey Murray profiles a product from nComputing with a different twist on providing one computer per student for under $100.00. Rather than provide students with their own CPU, the technology operates similar to a thin-client solution. Dukker, the company CEO “demonstrated how nComputing's product--when connected to a host computer--could perform more intensive, multimedia-type functions such as streaming internet video, while still maintaining near-seamless integration and image quality.” Basically, a piece of hardware allows multiple users to work from one machine. Drawbacks include, potential licensing violations, the cost of monitors and other add-ons. The main complaint I hear about thin clients is the lack of acceptable performance for certain types of activities and I would want to ensure the viability of this solution. Also, hardware is only part of the total cost of owner for technology. As Naomi points out, first we need to get teachers (and others) on board and recognize that cost of hardware is only part of the cost for a successful technology program in our schools.

Student Assessment

We are a society that loves success and hates failure. Relative student success in learning has historically been judged by testing or sampling knowledge. I believe this hold over from the 19^th century is overdue for an overhaul. Test scores are too often used to judge success in an individual, a school or a district. Teachers and administrators often hear that we do not want to be held accountable when we disparage standardized tests as a sole basis for assessment. Not true. I believe standardized test are a one-dimensional and at times lazy method to assess learning. Critical thinking and the genuine ability to transfer and apply skills are better evaluated in different form. Using blogs and wikis as teaching and learning tools holds part of the assessment solution.

I am advocate for the rubric. I believe a rubric helps remove much of the subjectivity of assessment. In assessing a blog or blog entry, I propose the following:

1. Did the student post an entry for the appropriate topic?

No post 0 – points Not on topic – 1 point Related to topic - 3 points
Precisely on topic - 5 points

2. Did the student use appropriate English syntax, spelling and grammar in their paragraph of five complete sentences?

Three or more errors per line – 1 point Two errors per line – 2 points
One error per line – 4 points Fewer than one error per line – 5 points

3. Did the student post the assignment on time?

No post – 0 points 4 days late – 1 point 3 days late – 2 points
2 days late – 3 points 1 day late – 4 points On time – 5 points

4. Did the post ask high-level/fat questions that prompted critical thinking for comments?

No – 0 points 1 low-level/skinny question – 2 points 1 high-level question – 4 points More than one high level question – 5 points

5. Did the student leave well thought-out comments on other blogs?

No – 0 points 1 comment – 3 points 2 or more comments – 5 points

6. Did the student respond to the comments of others on their own blog?
   No – 0 points 1 comment – 2 points 2 or more comments – 4 points

7. Did the student post contain a link?
   No – 0 points 1 link – 2 points More than 1 link – 3 points

8. Does the student blog contain images?
   No – 0 points 1 image – 2 points More than 1 image – 3 points

9. Does the student blog contain video?

No – 0 points 1 video – 2 points More than 2 videos – 3 points

Personal Learning Network

The google reader and RSS feeds have been helpful in organizing my interests and finding new blogs by linking from those sites to others. I had previously used bookmarks as my method of keeping track of all sites I wanted to read but the RSS feeds provide a much more efficient way of knowing if there is something new to look at. This is only true for blogs and wikis but I find that websites are more stable and I use them for reference more than the magazine or newspaper type posts I read in blogs.

Admitting that I am not able to read ever post on every blog I have on my reader was a big step for me. I realized early on that one cannot follow all the links and read all the referenced sites and blogs but initially I wanted to read all the posts of the blogs I felt were worthy of being included in my reader. It’s OK to read, comment, scan or skip. You own the blog, the blog does not own you.

My PLN includes everyone and anyone I can learn from. I ask questions and opinions and I find that my use of reader has dramatically changed by taking advantage of other people’s tricks and tips and recommendations. Knowing how to learn and how to think has always been very important but more so now in the fast changing information environment.

Web 2.0

It might not be an official or O’Reilly definition but I see web 2.0 as the transition that confers on the computer an integral role in the mainstream culture. The Internet began as a tool of government and research institutions and progressed to a business necessity and home luxury. Today, an individual who doesn’t have access to high tech is missing out on participating in a significant part of modern culture. Our electronic gadgets are pervasive in the culture and allow for a cross-cultural communication that did not exist a generation ago. I don’t feel you can define web 2.0 in terms of new software tools because these are not exactly new. Web 2.0 to me is a different way of thinking.

In the words of John Lennon, “Power to the people.”

VLEs

This summer I have been learning a new course management system (CMS) called moodle. A CMS is also referred to as a virtual learning environment (VLE), a learning management system (LMS), managed learning environment (LME), learning support system (LSS) or learning platform (LP). These computer applications provide a framework for learning electronically. The learning subject may be anything. These tools provide a significant and important side benefit of further building technological literacy.

Moodle is designed with technology integration in mind and helps educators create an online component of their courses. The product is sometimes called a free alternative to blackboard and many teachers and students feel moodle offers several ease of use and other features that are superior. Moodle offers a free license and open source availability; however, the cost of use is not zero. Training is a requirement for success in using any of these tools. The biggest draw is probably the price but many schools are successfully implementing this tool as their eLearning solution.

wiki Project

Leah, Amber and Susan are part of a team working on a wiki on children’s literature. Our initial idea was simply something on children’s literature and we planned to get together to refine the topic. Upon reflection, I believe we needed set a method of communication as well as a time frame from the start. I have historically used email because I feel it sends a personal message to the recipients and includes them in the conversation more than posting to my blog, which is meant for whomever. Leah and I bounced a few ideas off each other via email and I liked her suggestions and started to make entries to the wiki. Our collaboration was email and even when Leah looked at the wiki her response was via email. This maybe because I started the conversation with email and if I had used my blog we might be talking through the blog. I did get a handle on where in the world everyone was by reading the blogs. We need to use skype or continue to use email for me to get a feel of collaboration. Blogs work well for posting and commenting and wikis work great for collaborating on the pages but you need a tool such as im or skype or email for the back and forth in my experience.

Teaching dad or grandpa or great grandpa

Today I sat with my 77-year-old father and showed him how to use the google reader to set up feeds for his favorite blogs. He loves technology and uses his computer to keep up to date on many events of the day and to communicate with his children and grandchildren. I think technology is a way to keep the generations communicating. We could set up blogs and wikis where the collaboration is between students and their grandparents or great-grandparents. I believe we would enrich the lives of both groups. It can be very difficult for a young person to communicate and technology may offer a safe environment for some exchange between family members that would not occur otherwise. It’s a improvement over, “what did you do in school” answered by “nothing.” Of course, there would be educational goals for the students. Elderly grandparents and great grandparents can become isolated and find they are not benefiting from exercising their minds. I know many do not have access to a computer but this is a project that can include community support at libraries and community centers (read: senior centers.)

Elluminate session

We had a class demonstration on the product called elluminate last night. This was a very informative session. elluminate is an online meeting environment with a shared white board and collaboration features. I normally take copious notes for reference but in this case, I just listened and chatted. I understand the tool will record our complete session for later review. How can I listen again to last night’s class to reinforce the lesson? This is a very different experience for me as a student. I am often concerned that I will forget something and concentrate on taking down the data. This is especially the case in my science classes where recalling information for quizzes and tests is integral to success in the course. I like the idea of being able to listen and take in what I am able and then later perhaps listen again. Note taking is part of my learning process and I may try to incorporate the two in this type of environment in the future. This is something I consider when working with my students because some need to see and/or hear and many need to repeat the process to really take in the information and apply the new knowledge. This is a great tool for students who were absent or want/need to join the class from home if they are ill or have a long-term illness. I also feel this offers home schooled students a way to participate without attending the school full-time. The opportunities for including others in the class is a great feature. Thanks so much to Sheryl.

Virtual Learning environments - SL

My graduate class (Teaching and Learning in Networked Classroom) recently met in the Second Life (SL) site for a tour. I was unable with my connection to join the group but have since been able to install SL and visit Orientation Island. I find without a guide I am not able to do much. My first goal is to go back to the creation of my avatar and fix some of the quick decisions I made in the beginning while trying to join my class. The initial body type and age do appear to be things that are easily changed at a later date. For some reason I appear as a disembodied torso at times. I cannot seem to place hair on my head. I can talk to people, teleport, chat, fly and edit my appearance.n I was not able to figure out how to do anything else yet. There is so much help and documentation, it is difficult to know where to begin and I find much of the information assumes prior knowledge. I am not sure how I would SL in a teaching environment but I am looking forward to a more experience tour guide. I am also looking forward to visiting classes and watching lectures and going to fun places on SL.

Children's Literature wiki

I just created my first wiki as part of a group project on children's literature. I used a free site called wetpaint because I had some familiarity with the product. I did not have any difficulties in creating the wiki or editing the home page. I was able to send email to others to invite them to participate as part of the initial process.

class in wiki and blog versus blackboard

I am finding that using the wiki and blogs rather than the webct does not allow for me to look at one place for a/the class discussion. I am accustomed to no face-to-face but I miss not having a central meeting place during the week. I am reading the blogs and they are great but when I post or respond I wonder if I am talking to only the blog owner or maybe someone who might read and respond to a particular post. I am not sure what the rest of the class is reading. I understand I am talking to all who read the blog entry and not just classmates and that enriches the dialog. Also, just because we are supposed to read and/or listen to everyone in class that is not necessarily what happens in class or on webct. All students tune out sometimes and maybe it works better to give some choice in where to focus or to which posts to reply.

I make these comments to be sure to raise the issue for those using wikis or blogs to run their class. I think wikis and blogs have great potential for learning. It may take traditional students and teachers a while to feel secure that they are talking and meeting and being heard in this type of environment. This is not the old linear presentation or a sage on the stage classroom.