Higher Learning

Well… what can I say?  It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know the three of you.  We had some pretty good blogging times, haven’t we?

Anyways, I just wanted to drop a short message to let you know that I have enjoyed  this last semester… and good luck to all of you.

Take Care…

Laura

That’s All Folks!  I wish everyone in group 3 the best of luck in whatever you will be doing after this semester; it went by quite quickly and I am sure you all wish it would have dragged on.  For my , sniff sniff, final blog I have decided to share a few last comments on educational technology as a whole in regards to my definition of it and the first objective of this class (I believe this one was the most significant).

Educational Technology: When reflecting upon my previous definition of educational technology written at the beginning of the semester, I still agree with it.  However, I would also like to place a strong emphasis on how it is incorporated into the classroom.  Educational technology would not exist if there was no teacher who could effectively bring it to the students, teach them the necessary skills and knowledge, and ensure everyone experiences success.  Today’s students require technology in their daily lives in order to grow accustomed to it and understand its benefits; this can be accomplished in a seemingly endless amount of ways that will be demonstrated throughout the portfolio.  Throughout this course, I have come to understand that educational technology is not taught in a course on its own; for instance, students do not have to wait until computers or practical applied arts class to learn about technology.  Technology can, and must, be taught through all subjects.  For example, in grade eight arts education the curriculum suggests a theme of constructed environments (http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/artsed/g8arts_ed/g8vu11ae.html).  Here the students can use digital technology to capture images of a constructed environment within the school or on the playground; this will enhance their observation skills and provide insights into their cultures’ values and beliefs.  Once pictures have been collected students can express their work in a variety of ways, such as slide shows, videos, and computerized graphic enhancements.  Although my definition of educational technology has grown since the beginning of the semester, I believe it will never be complete because technology is always changing; therefore, there can never be a fully developed definition.  It is my goal to constantly be using technology in both my personal and professional lifestyles.  I can assure all parents/guardians of my future students, that their child will receive a high level of technology understanding and experience!

Objective #1: Develop knowledge, skills, and confidence in using technology appropriate to K-12 classrooms (objective #1). 
Upon partaking in ECMP 355 I was confident with computers; however, my confidence simply circulated around personal use and entertainment.  I was able to conduct the basics with computers, such as checking email, creating word documents, uploading photos, listening to music and playing video games.  After taking this course, I now have a new found sense of confidence with computers in regards to professionalism.  I have gained valuable skills and knowledge in technology, while understanding how to successfully integrate technology into the classroom.  I have been presented with new programs and possibilities in which I have experienced success with.  I truly feel fortunate to have taken this class because I am more confident in my own abilities with technologies; I will not hesitate to teach computers.  I believe I can use technology in any grade level from kindergarten to grade twelve; the ideas would be fairly constant.  Technologies offer a wide range of specialties from simple to complex; therefore, I would be able to adapt appropriately to meet the needs’ of my students.

There is a quote that goes, “The end is a new beginning”, and I thought we could all use some inspiration for continuing our education or beginning a new stage of our lives.

For teachers, I think this is one of the best forwards I have ever received and I would like to share it with you all.  I know it doesn’t have anything to do with educational technology but read it anyway!

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?” He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” To stress his point he said to another guest, “You’re a teacher, Susan. Be honest. What do you make?” Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math and perfect their final drafts in English. I make them understand that if you have the brains, and follow your heart, and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you must pay no attention because they just didn’t learn.” Susan paused and then continued, “You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?”

~Linsey~

I just wanted to say that it has been very nice blogging with all of you.  I think that I would have been better off taking this class last year at this time, or in my second year.  There are so many things I would have like to try in my internship but the big things I want to do will take me awhile to implement – so maybe it’s best we are just learning about them now.  However you want to look at it, this class has been very beneficial.  Before starting this class I thought that I was probably at an average capability for implementing technology into my classroom.  Boy, was I wrong!  The first day I learned how much I still needed to learn, and I know that I’m not done yet.  I wish you well and take care!

 ~Linsey~

I can’t believe this class is over.  Well first off good luck to the three of you Laura, Linsey, and Kyle in having a degree. That must be a good feeling to know it has finally come to an end and now it’s time to make the big buck you have been training for.  I have one and a half years left before I get the grand title of teacher.  I still can’t believe this is it.  This is actually one class I enjoyed and learned so much in (I can actually use all of this).  I would like to learn more but right now I need to sit back and absorb this information and put it into a little more practice so I become comfortable with it. All the best in the future, and think of me slaving away as a poor student while you’re out there in the working/traveling world.  Best of Luck.

Janick

http://portal.bu.ac.th/mybu/funny/images/joke1.gif

http://stuff.ratjed.com/computer%20jokes%20-%20sign%20off%20and%20come%20down.gif

http://www.4to40.com/images/jokes/mc_pherson_computer_CD_Rom.gif

~Linsey~

            In response to Kyle, I hope to do not a whole lot for the summer.  I have about five weddings, am a bridesmaid in two of them, and am going to be busy catching up with family and friends so that when I move to Calgary I’ll have had my fill!  Now about educational technology, or the technology that is less obvious.  I know that when I was pre-interning in Pense they had a program on the computer that would read books to students.  I think that Gloria has talked about these, but that is another example of a technology that could be used much more in schools to help struggling readers.  As Laura said though, you have to make sure that students are learning how to do such things are reading, writing, and math on their own as well.  We do not want to make our students dependent on technology to carry out these activities.

            In response to Janick, in my internship I had the opportunity to teach students in Grade 3-5 Computers.  You would not believe the things they are capable of.  I think that Gloria has touched on this many times.  There are programs out there specifically created for young children.  I have many little cousins who are not even in school yet, as young as three years old, who have no problem finding their favourite Dora site and navigating through it to find the games or colouring book.  They can do it all on their own if you let them try.  Of course, they would need some instruction but computer technology is so interesting and captivating for them that they internalize what they have learned quite quickly.  In a way I think that it is so cool that little kids can be that smart when sometimes I have trouble finding what I need on a site when I know it’s there.  At the same time, instead of colouring with dump bucket in paint, it is important for small children to sit at the kitchen table and try to stay in the lines with crayons.  We need to make sure that those fine and gross motor skills are still being developed so that they can navigate with a mouse and use a keyboard.

            I want to make a comment on using Publisher and Excel.  To me, Publisher is quite easy to use because it has similar tools you find in Word and PowerPoint, programs that I am used to using.  Excel, on the other hand, is and has always been quite difficult for me to use.  I think the little tricks Gloria showed us in class will definitely help me out a bit.  If you’ve ever applied for a government job they look for people who can easily use Excel and other spreadsheets.  I was never one of those people that got a government summer job!

            Reflecting back to the very first blog that I made, I think that it would have been beneficial for me to take computer class in high school.  I know that Information Processing and Computer Science would have helped me to know more about specific programs.  Now with digital cameras it would be very cool if I knew how to make a movie using clips of the digital camera.  There has been so much to cover in this class that I feel, even though I have improved my ability and skill level when using educational technology, there is still so much more to learn.

~Linsey~     

Hey Team, the tears are building up in my eyes knowing that we will be parting soon, but I hope the blog will live forever!  However, I will be sure to dry my tears with my degree considering I am finally done school—well I suppose not really because I will be in one for the rest of my life teaching.  What is everyone planning to do after this semester?  I will be heading up to La Loche, SK (http://www.saskschools.ca/~dene/)

 and doing some teaching in the school; as well as Turnor Lake, Buffalo Narrows, and Bear Creek. Additionally, I will be living in the bush for 3 – 4 weeks working at a bear camp (it’s about a 14 hour drive north of Regina).  For summer months I plan to be back packing the east coast of Canada.

When I was reading through all the blogs that have been posted this semester I noticed one topic that was not touched on; less obvious technologies.  When we speak about technology in the classroom, most of us immediately think of computers, digital cameras, LCD projectors, etc.  However, there are other technologies that exist mainly for students with special needs.  For instance, I have worked in classrooms with hearing impaired students and was required to wear a headset with microphone that would amplify my voice to speakers surrounding the student.  I felt like Ricky Martin with the contraption on and got a little carried away with some Elvis impersonations as well.  The point of this example is just to ensure individuals think of less obvious technologies that can be incorporated into the classroom.  As well, it is important to note that technologies do not exist only to better the majority of students’ skills and knowledge but that without some technologies some students would never experience success (equity vs equality: do you really need me to give you the eye glasses example?)

Cheers,

Kyle

Awesome question Janick- I guess that I have never really thought about it!  It is kind of a toss up, and my opinions are slightly swayed by the information and programs that we are being introduced to in ECMP.  I think that Gloria has done a really good job of introducing technology in a non-threatening that makes it seem like the “ideal” tool- which it is becoming as time goes on.  Anywyas, I think that it is extremely important for our students to be familiar with the computer and what it has to offer.  Within the last fifteen years… think about the changes that technology has brought to our society?  It really is unbelievable.  Now, think about the changes that will be occuring in the next fifteen years?  I guess that I think that it is important for children to be technologically literate because of all of these changes.

Now, do I think that technology takes away from the uniqueness of the child?  No.  I see technology as another outlet for creativity and individualism.  Children may even be able to express themselves better with the tools that technology offers.  Ofcourse, the time that one spends with technology should be monitered… and you can’t let electronics rule your life.

I think that this is all for now!

Laura

My question is:  What is a good age to introduce children or students to computers?

I don’t think there is an answer for this and I’m sure everyone has different points that can be valid to argue any age.  Should a mouse be intoduced as the main tool of navigation or should the keyboard?  I think that the keyborad is more imporant than the mousse.  The mouse is just point and click.  Not to hard, except if you are younger and only have a tiny box to click on, that may be hard to get the mouse there and stay there.  Using the kayboard can have many advantages like learning learning the alphabet, but can also be challanging for youngsters to push and lto let go creating only one letter not many of the same one.  Also creating a dependency on a computer can discourage handwriting, spelling, grammar (anything to do with English really).  This taking away from the child’s unique styles and signatures.  I think one problem we will face as a teacher is when is it going to be to much or will there ever be such a thing?

Janick