The blog listings in Thing #4 were of various genres. One that opened my eyes to the effective use of blogging was one that was addressing cyberbullying. The style of writing was a profound strong position of how parents and teachers need to be aware of this danger.
Another blog targeted the focus of how beneficial the video games are on developing of the mind and coordination toward good health. The author presented a position of being for this game playing, that being the mental ability to think across the board of multi-tasks was developed greatly. Conversely, many teachers see the negative effects of video games in the classroom in the lack of focus and behavior exhibited.
In reading these posts in Thing 4, I have noticed that blogging involves a great deal of time and effort. It is not only reading, but taking the responsibility to reflect and present questions to the blogger. Time is lost if we don't work through the article processing it in our mind. Our mental growth depends on this if we want to expand our thinking.
The topics of blogging are extensive in scope: "If you think of it, someone's most certainly blogging about it." In Technorati's article, it was reported that there were 70 million weblogs at this time. Wow!
The article, "Patrick's Update", helped me to note how blogging can be used in the classroom.
I plan in fourth grade this year to provide this tool as an interactive way for student's to learn writing, goal-making, working out plans, reading, and reflecting on one another's work.
This really has opened my eyes. Getting a slower start in the class due to extended family needs, I acknowledge that we must learn all we can learn about this Web 2.0 and its possibilities. It relates to us as teachers but also as responsible citizens. We can get our own platform and make our words count! http://www.techylearningmawmaw.blogspot.com
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
My Thoughts About Web 2.0 Thing #2
My reflection regarding my initial thoughts about Web 2.0 and its role in 21st Century teaching and learning. Years have passed since technology required so many controls to initiate writing. Web 1. 0 only allowed the users to read. Due to the many detailed and difficult to understand codes, people were derailed who were desirous to write and publish writings. Technical knowledge was needed to do anything that was involved. Particular software and server space was required, and yet, expensive.
My initial thoughts regarding Web 2.0 was rather limited. I have always heard of other people "zooming ahead" - accomplishing this and that in technology areas. It has amazed me, and yet, I have stepped back. Never did I think that I would welcome the use of Web 2.0. This was an area unknown to me. I have not claimed it for myself. I just believed they were technology savvy and I assumed that it would be too difficult. This was a "roped off area" in my thinking. Using blogs, wikis, podcasts, social networking and social bookmarking sites, tagging, photo- and video-sharing, RSS, and other Web 2.0 capabilities have not been in my vocabulary until taking the 23 Things class.
After reading the blogs regarding Web 2.0, I am amazed! It will be attainable for anyone who will try, and if need be, try again. Rather than just reading, the Web 2.0 supports the reader and the writer to share their thoughts. The whole idea is to "work collaboratively". The computer is connecting people and ideas rather than isolating people as in the past.
Why do I want to use the Web 2.0 tools? I plan to use these new tools in my future classes with potential "digital learners". In today's classes, technology is a must! Students want to be heard. They want to learn. They will not respond to constant books and "dry" teaching..."in the box" learning...because of the "tech" society of which we all are a part. Six months or so after a "new" technology tool comes out, it loses its newness and something replaces or updates it. Because many students have grown up with accessing the internet with their parents, many need the computer to feel "normal". Using the technology tools will release and enhance their learning in the classroom.
How might I use these new tools to engage today's "digital learners?" When technology is used in the classroom, it promotes mental processing. In addition to a student's use of manually writing to respond, the teacher could encourage the use of the "writeboard" (in the web browser) for the student to respond to the subject's content. Higher learning questions could be placed on the Writeboard and because it is a collaborative word processor, the student could write his/her response. Another student could be invited to share their thoughts, and on and on, and the teacher could interact with the lesson focus with the groups. This facilitates the "brainstorming" in groups.
How might I be able to use these tools to support my own learning? Web 2.0 tools are amazing and captivating! So many "free" tutorials are out on the web and until this class, I had no idea of the availability of this knowledge. I love the idea of "people doing things together on the web" as stated by Mitchell Baker of the Mozilla Foundation. As I process the capabilities of each tool, I plan to implement the Web 2.0 tools with my faculty and students.
There are so many ways that Web 2.0 tools has changed and can change my technology practice professionally.There are so many ways that I will be able to manipulate the use of the tech tools for professional use. For one, I will be able to use the Library Wiki at my school. In the past, it intimidated me...now, I feel like I will know the answers to the questions. Secondly, we as teachers will be familiar with the Web 2.0 tools and be able to work collaboratively with our students, fellow teachers, and our professional world. Because the tools are browser-based and user-driven, we just have to learn how... and then, we become "powerful"!
In fourth grade next year, I plan to support the New Jersey writing with these programs which have tools for publishing, connecting, sharing, organizing and remixing.
The effectiveness of this technology will be the springboard to learning for myself and my fourth grade class next year!
My initial thoughts regarding Web 2.0 was rather limited. I have always heard of other people "zooming ahead" - accomplishing this and that in technology areas. It has amazed me, and yet, I have stepped back. Never did I think that I would welcome the use of Web 2.0. This was an area unknown to me. I have not claimed it for myself. I just believed they were technology savvy and I assumed that it would be too difficult. This was a "roped off area" in my thinking. Using blogs, wikis, podcasts, social networking and social bookmarking sites, tagging, photo- and video-sharing, RSS, and other Web 2.0 capabilities have not been in my vocabulary until taking the 23 Things class.
After reading the blogs regarding Web 2.0, I am amazed! It will be attainable for anyone who will try, and if need be, try again. Rather than just reading, the Web 2.0 supports the reader and the writer to share their thoughts. The whole idea is to "work collaboratively". The computer is connecting people and ideas rather than isolating people as in the past.
Why do I want to use the Web 2.0 tools? I plan to use these new tools in my future classes with potential "digital learners". In today's classes, technology is a must! Students want to be heard. They want to learn. They will not respond to constant books and "dry" teaching..."in the box" learning...because of the "tech" society of which we all are a part. Six months or so after a "new" technology tool comes out, it loses its newness and something replaces or updates it. Because many students have grown up with accessing the internet with their parents, many need the computer to feel "normal". Using the technology tools will release and enhance their learning in the classroom.
How might I use these new tools to engage today's "digital learners?" When technology is used in the classroom, it promotes mental processing. In addition to a student's use of manually writing to respond, the teacher could encourage the use of the "writeboard" (in the web browser) for the student to respond to the subject's content. Higher learning questions could be placed on the Writeboard and because it is a collaborative word processor, the student could write his/her response. Another student could be invited to share their thoughts, and on and on, and the teacher could interact with the lesson focus with the groups. This facilitates the "brainstorming" in groups.
How might I be able to use these tools to support my own learning? Web 2.0 tools are amazing and captivating! So many "free" tutorials are out on the web and until this class, I had no idea of the availability of this knowledge. I love the idea of "people doing things together on the web" as stated by Mitchell Baker of the Mozilla Foundation. As I process the capabilities of each tool, I plan to implement the Web 2.0 tools with my faculty and students.
There are so many ways that Web 2.0 tools has changed and can change my technology practice professionally.There are so many ways that I will be able to manipulate the use of the tech tools for professional use. For one, I will be able to use the Library Wiki at my school. In the past, it intimidated me...now, I feel like I will know the answers to the questions. Secondly, we as teachers will be familiar with the Web 2.0 tools and be able to work collaboratively with our students, fellow teachers, and our professional world. Because the tools are browser-based and user-driven, we just have to learn how... and then, we become "powerful"!
In fourth grade next year, I plan to support the New Jersey writing with these programs which have tools for publishing, connecting, sharing, organizing and remixing.
The effectiveness of this technology will be the springboard to learning for myself and my fourth grade class next year!
#1 Reflections on Lifelong Learning
Several years ago as I was in a Master's program, the underlying thread of discussion wrapped around the term "lifelong" learning. My mind was challenged with this new revelational thought. My grip on my self demands released as I soaked this idea up in my thinking.
Our class dissected this term in cooperative groups. Through this effort, I processed that "lifelong learning" meant that we could relax and know that learning was a process...not a "finale"- not a commanded performance. It was accepting each day as "one minute at a time" - offered to everyone. We could choose to have the mindset of each moment being a blessing in our learning. I was in my fifties at the time. The ultimate "aha" was that no one is too young or too old to learn! Wow!
Up to this time, I had struggled with evaluating all learning, always desiring the absolute best of anything that I would tackle in personal and educational experiences. I had to accomplish the most and be the best. Maybe to others, this would seem the ultimate -most positive way!
No, on the other hand, this had been much the more frustrating because of the judgment that I would put on myself. So much in my past had always come easily to learn. The mountain I was climbing was with the demands of technology. I judged myself and raised the standard for myself even if other people did not. I would so struggle with the terms, computer command strokes, manipulating the applications, and the whole idea...one reason was that I was a "heart person". The computer interrupted my life. It was taking so much time to learn.
One might say, "You're not understanding! The computer is the way to go!" Well, to me, the whole scene of this object was stealing my time from people. This, coupled with the struggle of mastering the keyboard...was overwhelming in challenge. I would stay hours at school working on programs so that it would be faster during the day.
Being a lifelong learner, I have processed that rather than perfection...I seek excellence!
When I need to learn, I know the first step is the hardest! I know that because life has proven that to me. To keep going is the key...press on! I love the saying shared in the video...that
"Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! Yeah, Confucius!
With learning to play the piano, keyboard, typing, and any skill that I have acquired has been through cycles of struggle and rest...self-evaluation...reflection...and yes, jumping back in - for the end result of "learning"!
To keep up this mindset, there are habits of which I must challenge myself :
*Habit #1: I must ask myself, "What do I want to achieve?" and determine to begin with the end in mind.
*Habit #2: I must accept and take ownership of my own learning by being an active participant, completing all requirements, and learn all expectations. If I do not know, I need to ask someone and surround myself with a network of a support group of learners.
*Habit #3: View problems as challenges - learn from learning opportunity.
*Habit #4: Have confidence in myself - as a confident effective learner!
Yeah, everyone has to start from somewhere. The words I say will be reality!
*Habit #5: I need to create my own toolbox: Friends, classes, mentors, books, technology, web pages, and network of ones who have already processed this.
*Habit #6: Use technology to make my life easier! There are tutorials on everything!
*Habit #7: I need to teach/ mentor others because to really learn something is to be able
to share with others in a way that they can understand the true meaning of the lesson.
*Habit #7 1/2: Give back to community! Know the value of play because it's an important part of brain development.
PLAY! - BE CURIOUS! - READ!
Habits:
*The most challenging habit for me to employ as part of my Learning 2.0 experience probably would be #2 in the part of asking others to help. I have always had a struggle with admitting that I had a problem. I don't want to cause others to get off their focus or slow them down with my concerns. In my past, I always give time to others for them. I need to request help for myself and I intend to focus on the fact that "if we are networked together, it makes the whole picture better". I will keep the saying in mind, "When a heavy load is shared with a friend, the
weight is 1/2 as much." / Another challenging habit would be #6 due to the fact that I am learning and during that time...technology is not easy for me. I intend to have it make my life easier. I am already enjoying the writing on the blog. That is fun for me.
*The easiest habits are: #1 - I always write goals with the end in mind - daily!
#3 - I already know that problems are expected as we learn. I have the mindset that life is hard, but God is good. He is always there for me and breaks my mountains down for me.
#4-I choose to have confidence. I watch very intently that my words
will be confident and sure...I have learned that what we say...will become reality.
#7- Mentoring others: I have already shared so much of this course to others as that is the best way to cement learning. I use this process in school and with my own
reading/ learning.
*The habits that will be most important will be #1: Begin with the end in mind: I need to focus
on this as I do allow other demands to take over at times. This course is important to me! As much as this is so, other people need me also. If there are heart related issues troubling my loved ones, I do put their needs ahead of mine most of the time.
Another of the most important is habit #6: I will purpose to learn the most that is possible in order to be able to manipulate its use in my class in the coming years. I want technology to zoom up into the place of making my life easier. I need to claim the use of all the tutorials!
I have sometimes been pretty much "in the box" and I desire to "break out"! I know it is never too late! As I would encourage others to grab on, stick to the goal, press on, and claim the learning... I will encourage - I will do "self talk" and will exhibit the behavior... mindset of a "lifelong learner"! Yeah! It's never too late to learn!
Our class dissected this term in cooperative groups. Through this effort, I processed that "lifelong learning" meant that we could relax and know that learning was a process...not a "finale"- not a commanded performance. It was accepting each day as "one minute at a time" - offered to everyone. We could choose to have the mindset of each moment being a blessing in our learning. I was in my fifties at the time. The ultimate "aha" was that no one is too young or too old to learn! Wow!
Up to this time, I had struggled with evaluating all learning, always desiring the absolute best of anything that I would tackle in personal and educational experiences. I had to accomplish the most and be the best. Maybe to others, this would seem the ultimate -most positive way!
No, on the other hand, this had been much the more frustrating because of the judgment that I would put on myself. So much in my past had always come easily to learn. The mountain I was climbing was with the demands of technology. I judged myself and raised the standard for myself even if other people did not. I would so struggle with the terms, computer command strokes, manipulating the applications, and the whole idea...one reason was that I was a "heart person". The computer interrupted my life. It was taking so much time to learn.
One might say, "You're not understanding! The computer is the way to go!" Well, to me, the whole scene of this object was stealing my time from people. This, coupled with the struggle of mastering the keyboard...was overwhelming in challenge. I would stay hours at school working on programs so that it would be faster during the day.
Being a lifelong learner, I have processed that rather than perfection...I seek excellence!
When I need to learn, I know the first step is the hardest! I know that because life has proven that to me. To keep going is the key...press on! I love the saying shared in the video...that
"Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! Yeah, Confucius!
With learning to play the piano, keyboard, typing, and any skill that I have acquired has been through cycles of struggle and rest...self-evaluation...reflection...and yes, jumping back in - for the end result of "learning"!
To keep up this mindset, there are habits of which I must challenge myself :
*Habit #1: I must ask myself, "What do I want to achieve?" and determine to begin with the end in mind.
*Habit #2: I must accept and take ownership of my own learning by being an active participant, completing all requirements, and learn all expectations. If I do not know, I need to ask someone and surround myself with a network of a support group of learners.
*Habit #3: View problems as challenges - learn from learning opportunity.
*Habit #4: Have confidence in myself - as a confident effective learner!
Yeah, everyone has to start from somewhere. The words I say will be reality!
*Habit #5: I need to create my own toolbox: Friends, classes, mentors, books, technology, web pages, and network of ones who have already processed this.
*Habit #6: Use technology to make my life easier! There are tutorials on everything!
*Habit #7: I need to teach/ mentor others because to really learn something is to be able
to share with others in a way that they can understand the true meaning of the lesson.
*Habit #7 1/2: Give back to community! Know the value of play because it's an important part of brain development.
PLAY! - BE CURIOUS! - READ!
Habits:
*The most challenging habit for me to employ as part of my Learning 2.0 experience probably would be #2 in the part of asking others to help. I have always had a struggle with admitting that I had a problem. I don't want to cause others to get off their focus or slow them down with my concerns. In my past, I always give time to others for them. I need to request help for myself and I intend to focus on the fact that "if we are networked together, it makes the whole picture better". I will keep the saying in mind, "When a heavy load is shared with a friend, the
weight is 1/2 as much." / Another challenging habit would be #6 due to the fact that I am learning and during that time...technology is not easy for me. I intend to have it make my life easier. I am already enjoying the writing on the blog. That is fun for me.
*The easiest habits are: #1 - I always write goals with the end in mind - daily!
#3 - I already know that problems are expected as we learn. I have the mindset that life is hard, but God is good. He is always there for me and breaks my mountains down for me.
#4-I choose to have confidence. I watch very intently that my words
will be confident and sure...I have learned that what we say...will become reality.
#7- Mentoring others: I have already shared so much of this course to others as that is the best way to cement learning. I use this process in school and with my own
reading/ learning.
*The habits that will be most important will be #1: Begin with the end in mind: I need to focus
on this as I do allow other demands to take over at times. This course is important to me! As much as this is so, other people need me also. If there are heart related issues troubling my loved ones, I do put their needs ahead of mine most of the time.
Another of the most important is habit #6: I will purpose to learn the most that is possible in order to be able to manipulate its use in my class in the coming years. I want technology to zoom up into the place of making my life easier. I need to claim the use of all the tutorials!
I have sometimes been pretty much "in the box" and I desire to "break out"! I know it is never too late! As I would encourage others to grab on, stick to the goal, press on, and claim the learning... I will encourage - I will do "self talk" and will exhibit the behavior... mindset of a "lifelong learner"! Yeah! It's never too late to learn!
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