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.