~Week 8~

 “Aha” moments for me included realizing:

·         I can make a wiki.

·         I can develop an e-portfolio

·         I CAN make a podcast ( a biggy for me)

·         I can increase my knowledge of how to determine credible websites.

Ok, so I can do these things…now what?

When I reflect over the last eight weeks in this course I recognize that I developed many technology projects I had never created before.  My knowledge was enhanced to see the bigger picture of the benefits of technology and its relevance to our global society.  Podcasting my proudest and most fulfilling accomplishment.   I am now more self-assured in my own competency to propel myself onward in my expedition to stay at the forefront of educational technology to augment my instruction and while developing/mploying my own creativity.   I feel better equipped to prepare my students for  the future while implementing the technologies within the curriculum I teach.  In addition, I always struggle to express myself creatively.  Now I have new methods to do so and my inhibitions more readily diminish.

 My educational technology philosophy has expanded since the beginning of the course.  Specifically, it has been broadened from the narrow perspective I had at the beginning of the course.  I am more motivated to implement my new knowledge of instructional technology within my lessons.  With this greater understanding has come less hesitation.

In the future, my newfound awareness in regards to the content of this course will allow me to be a better educator and therefore have improved products from my students.  A deepened appreciation has developed within me with consideration of what role technology plays in my students and my own life.  Additionally,  I can take action to prepare for the future and equip myself (and students) to welcome technology and all the changes that come with it!

Week 7

~Week 7 - Reflection #7~

This week you had a chance to think about delivering instruction through a technological lens. Why did you develop the learning objective you developed and what was your rationale for selecting the technologies you selected for integration? What are your expectations for the learning outcome?

I elected to develop my lesson with the Google application Google Earth.  I chose this because it is somewhat unfamiliar to me and I have heard a great deal about the unlimited potential it has.  Using a podcast to relay the information was a choice I made based on how enlightened I was last week.  This “healthy skepticism” I possess about technology holds me back some so I wanted to experience podcasting more. My expectations for  the learning outcome include extending student knowledge of how to utilize Google Earth, map skills, and distance calculations.  Also students will be able to experience the opportunity to employ the given technological tools to accomplish this task.   The learner will be assessed by completing the accompanying learning tool and through teacher observations of student technological motivation and compliance.

How are you viewing your instruction differently now?

The view on my instruction is much more panoramic, if you will.  I can see the importance of implementing current educational technology much more clearly. 

A basic understanding and appreciation is what I had at the beginning of this course.  Now my knowledge of educational technology has been scaffolded to an entirely new level.  At the same time, I feel that with these technological resources being implemented the expectation for student achievement must be raised as well.  The possibilities are unlimited (with the exception of my own creativity/imagination) ;)

Week 6: CAN You HEAR me Now?

Week 6 - Can you hear me now?

This week we explored tools for creating podcasts and discussed ways to build learning communities to facilitate interaction and critical thinking. With all these tools available, what are the implications for changing the way we work, teach and learn? 

First, I must state that I had a great deal of anxiety in relation to developing a podcast.  I had never done this before and found the task quiet intimidating.  However, once I began to delve into the development of my podcast, I began to realize that I AM capable of creating such a thing and that it is not near as threatening as I had originally thought.  I feel very technologically accomplished. 

While technology is no stranger to fast pace, now it is taking education by the hand and bringing it up to speed as well with a “Welcome to the virtual world-hold on tight” attitude.  The tools that are available today broaden instruction to a whole new level/world.  The days of pencil and paper are still necessary but now to take note of the Learner-Learner, Learner-Content, and Learner-Instructor opportunities available in education.  There are certain roles that the student and instructor must take-on to make this transition to the virtual world more facilitated and successful as the online learning communities sprout up around us.

What is preventing us from such changes?

I am able to accomplish many more tasks efficiently with the use of technology.  Instruction can be developed and distributed quicker than ever before.   I do believe special consideration must be given to student understanding in these times of virtual-ness.   Not all students will be proficient online learners but that number is increasing as I type.  With special consideration to the student who struggles with online learning, it is important that educators maintain there will always be a need for teacher-to-student interaction.

In addition, there is a large assortment of technological advancements available.  Instructors must be willing to try new technologies and find what works best for them.  This can be time consuming and frustrating.  Minds must be broadened and methods must be changed.  People are creatures of habit but technology is not.  There must be a common middle ground that is found so the knowledge is facilitated without lag.

If I could wave a magic wand the first thing I would change are attitudes-even that of my own.  To many, technology is threatening and often times if we don’t fully understand the concept, avoidance and apprehension set in.  In these cases, educators must remember that the student is our focus and their learning is our product.  Web 2.0 tools enhance the learner while developing the skill in ways never even thought of before.  With this knowledge, districts must redesign their missions and focus on creating the learning environments to prepare students for the 21^st century and all the technological advancements it will send our way.  I’ll be honest…I’m a little frightened but A LOT excited.  I’m only human, right?

Week 5

After completing the MAPping information activity, what are your reactions to your findings? What will you do differently while searching on the Internet for information now? How confident are you with the information you've used in the past (as part of your college career and/or in your profession)?

The pre-test opened my eyes to the lack of knowledge I have in relations to understanding websites from their URL.    Through the activity I learned how to confirm the authenticity of websites and decipher the intent of the site developer.  Acquiring the history of the site was another skill I learned.  When searching I discovered quickly that site that appear quite credible were personally developed sites with no credentials whatsoever.   I quickly added these helpful sites to my Delicious account for further utilization.  Learning how search engines develop their lists from searches was also very enlightening for me. 

What are some implications for the future of our students if we fail to teach them these skills in school? After all, the schools may block access to sites, but students still have access at home.

This week’s activity assisted my train of thought regarding in online information inquiry to a great degree.  While I’ve long understood the importance of teaching students these skills, my own comprehension has been fragmented.  This gave me a better foundation to build from when developing lessons to prepare students to do online research.  If students do not have instruction on critical thinking skills such as this, they will be susceptible and defenseless throughout their lives.  I’m reminded of the expressions “You can’t judge a book by it’s cover” and “You can’t believe every thing you read.”  In our world this is reinforced again in the virtual world more than ever.  It’s frightening to think of the power the world wide web can have on our future civilizations if these skills are not nurtured in young learners and well-developed before they are adults.

Do you see any advantages for organizing your information via Delicious? What else did you find when exploring the other bookmarking applications? What are some ways you think you could use tools like these in the future?

I have used Delicious before per an instructor request, but had not utilized it to it’s full potential.  Before I didn’t realize that users could be networked or that each site could be tagged.  I had seen the word tag when bookmarking sites but had paid little attention to its purpose.  Delicious is fabulous for users in that it  can be accessed from any computer.  When exploring other bookmarking applications, I wasn’t as impressed.  Stumble Upon has the right idea by guiding by preferences but I don’t believe it allows it users to be as proficient as Delicious.  I can see using Delicious as part of the newsletter to parents in general education.  It could provided helpful links to homework assistance or instruction enhancement.  I could also see it being used by a librarian to help students, staff, and parents utilized sites that provide book trailers, games, and information regarding children’s literature.



~Week 4~

My Site:   https://sites.google.com/site/myeportfolioetec524/

Reflection 4

Which tenant did you most relate to and why?

I most related to "AFL develops learners’ capacity for self-assessment so that they can become reflective and self-managing".  This is an integral part learning in that self-assessment and reflection lead to a higher level of understanding.  It’s the “icing on the cake” if you will.  If knowledge is expanded for the learner, the magnitude of   comprehension is taken to a higher capacity and can be retrieved and synthesized much more efficiently and successfully.  Wikis, blogs, and e-portfolios are ideal examples of this.

 

What potential if, if any, do you see for portfolio assessment?

The potential for portfolio assessment is to some degree limitless.  It allows all the crucial learning components of creation, review, editing, and in one central location.   Not only this, but students easily become lifelong learners.   The access to e-portfolios is worldwide which in itself enhances the possible benefits to an exponential degree.  The insight one could gain has not boundaries through an e-portfolio.  Student achievement can be raised much easier and creativity is sparked much more effortlessly.

What do you think the creation and development of your portfolio will do for your learning?

With any new skill or technological innovation, I go through a cycle of emotions.  Generally, it begins with anxiety and a little dread,  then I delve into the task and begin the learning process.  Once I continue to investigate and experience the skill/innovation, it becomes easier and more stimulating to me.  My horizons have already been expanded to a more comprehensive level.  I would say this is the case with blogs and wikis too.  I feel that the skills I am developing become much more embedded in my brain due to the opportunities for reflection and self-expression/creation.  One key component that  appeals to me the most is that the process is constantly changing and evolving.  This takes out the element of worry in regards to failure.  With the freedom that comes along with these tools, the possibilities and learning outcomes are unlimited.



Week 3 Blog Posting ETEC 524

~Wiki-Week 3~

 

~My Wiki:  http://aimees-educational-resource-wiki.wikispaces.com/ ~

When I began developing my wiki, I gave special contemplation to how I could contribute to the needs on my campus in such a way the librarian would.  After careful consideration, I chose to utilize my wiki as a location for educational resource links.  So often, we as educators, come across sites we like and want to implement within our aligned instruction/curriculum.  However, in our fast-paced career we soon forget them never to be though of again.  My idea is that if we can put them in a central location (and what better than my wiki?), they would be more easily accessed and therefore employed more effectively.

Advantages I see in utilizing wikis:

·        Wikis are easy to learn for any user-even those with little technological background.

·        Wikis are focused around editing which allows for continually improving the wiki product.

·        Users can always access the most up-to-date version of the product being worked on.

·        Wikis can be used from anywhere with only and internet connection.

·        Wikis are great for collaboration and can reduce the number of emails between collaborators tremendously.

Disadvantages I see in utilizing wikis:

·        Since anyone can edit a wiki, this leads to probable issues with copyright and confidentiality.

·        Disorganization could occur when the wiki becomes extremely large.

·        Users may experience hesitations to edit a wiki that they feel belongs to someone else.

I believe wikis boast huge promise for engaging the digital native.  I base my opinion on the fact that wikis are interactive and continually evolving. Digital natives are already proverbial texters and utilizers of social websites.  Their feelings are showcased regularly and this has developed a foundation within them to find wikis appealing.

Week 2 Blog Posting

Educational Technology is a plethora of instructional methods combined to facilitate instruction and knowledge.  For me as a student, it means convenience in that I don’t have to go anywhere but my home office to work towards my Master’s degree.  Is it more than that?  Most definately, and for me as the educator it is an application that allows one to facilitate their knowledge with technological tools to enrich instruction and enhance comprehension.  Again, the term “enhanced overall student achievement” applies directly to educational technology.

          It is astonishing to realize the magnitude with which our world creates digital learners of today.  The numbers presented in the two videos were overwhelming to my mind in regards to how teachers must adapt to the technological world of today.  An acute awareness was brought to me in regard to students having to turn their power off at school.  That seems very oppositional to our achieving desired learning outcomes.  Ultimately with technology being in an ever-evolving state, we must learn to evolve with it.  This means we should “Roll with the punches” -if you will, but also “Wallow in the delight” of the opportunities for unrestricted success that technology presents.

Reflective Blog Post #1

Reflective Blog Post #1

Aimee’ Breault-Ryan’s Educational Technology Philosophy:

Technology has made its strong foothold in our world today and there’s no room for retrospection with the exception of honing in on the more perfect designs of the future.  Hence, learn from the past in an effort to perfect the future.  Our current educational technology has to possibilities to generate a magnitude of successes  with adequate integration.  

Although technology began to influence human endeavor as soon as people began using tools, few had the vision of precisely how it would evolve-particularly in the field of education.  In the domain of education,  as educators, we must use align technology and curriculum to provide students of today to be prepared not only to function but excel in the all-encompassing global community of tomorrow.  How this is accomplished is the key.  Educators have a keen responsibility to utilize current technology concurrently with excellent instructional strategies to allow students to develop concepts that provide a self-promoted learning environment.  As educators, we are only the facilitators and observers of these happenings. 

As an educator, the philosophy of constructivism most closely aligns with that of my own thoughts and perspectives.  The theory or Constructivism suggests that the knowledge one attains/creates  is through interaction connecting existing knowledge or beliefs with that of new ideas and conditions encountered.   Essentially, students learn information and  build on prior knowledge.   Along with this, learning and cognitive thinking is a constant process.  One is accountable for taking charge of their own learning and must put theories to test to allow for the accommodation of new ideas to reconstruct those of our own. 

Although, my beliefs align most accordingly with the constructivist perspective, that is not to say there is one and only one correct approach to teaching.  Often times, it is necessary to borrow teaching strategies from other learning theories to assist students in mastery of skills.  All students learn but not all students learn in the same way.  With this, an educator must have an extensive repertoire of philosophical views on education coupled with a variety of approaches to educating students.  At the same time, the constructivist approach  is highly recognized for it’s emphasis on student-centered learning and allowing for individual reflection.  Ultimately, students must be prepared to demonstrate their knowledge on a standardized test which in itself calls for the educator to implement the realistic philosophy in preparation.

The expectation of any learner today is to accomplish goals in an exemplary manner through practice which effectively utilizes technology as a instrument to increase productivity.  With motivation to elicit involvement in self-learning,  a willingness to collaborate, and a readiness to welcome the technological advances of the future as a catalyst for success, education can occur at a magnitude like never before.  I personally can’t wait.

Discuss how this exercise can/will possibly assist you in identifying future technology projects for this class and in other areas:

            Developing an educational technology philosophy has been a big “A-HA” for me in several ways.  I am greater aligned in being cognizant of my beliefs in relation to teaching and technology.  Having in in black and white benefits me greatly as I am a visual learner.  Although developing an educational technology philosophy may not be considered hard, the challenge is there and it leads to a blessed self-awareness.  With this self-awareness comes a responsiveness as to what technology projects I can implement within my classroom and the ultimate goals of the assignments.  I am also more aware of the route to reach my goal in making my students much more technologically literate.

At this point, what potential uses do you see for blogging? 

After reading  Stephen Downes' article on Educational Blogging, I find myself recognizing where we stand with blogging today.  Although his article was written seven years ago and much headway has happened since then, there is plenty of room for enhancement.  This is particularly my view in regards to the classroom.    I see obstacles in the way in regards to number of students who do not have home computers at my current school.  Until then, I believe the utilization of blogging will only improve and those who don’t recognize it’s many benefits will suffer technological loss.

November's article, Creating a Culture for Teaching and Learning outlines six areas to think about and changes on the horizon with technology and education. Which one stood out to you the most and why?

The area that stood out to me the most was “If it’s on the Internet, is it true?”  Wow, that is the question and the answer is, “NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT!”  The adage that you can’t believe everything you read is absolutely relevant to the Internet.  As educators, a big part of our responsibility lies in teaching students how to locate information of merit.  This can only be accomplished by developing a gauge of credibility within the student themselves.  As a future librarian, this issue will be a primary focus of mine.

And finally, what are some of your expectations for this class?

I look forward to developing a greater understanding of myself as an educator and facilitator with regards to technology implementation.My primary expectation is to become even more comfortable with blogs by expanding my comfort zone.  It scares me to put that in print J