2012年2月23日星期四

Chapter 5 - professional development


In the past few decades, a transformation has occurred in American public education; now, teachers are expected and required to use educational technology in one form or another in their classrooms (Collier, Weinburgh, & Rivera, 2004). In order to accomplish this transition from teachers' teaching to technology teaching. The government published the National Educational Technology Plan (U.S. Department of Education, 2004).
The plan lists seven major steps and recommendations for implementing technology in the schools:
  1. Strengthen leadership
  2. Consider innovative budgeting
  3. Improve teacher training
  4. Support e-learning and virtual schools
  5. Encourage broadband access
  6. Move toward digital content
  7. Integrate data systems (U.S. Department of Education, 2004, n.p.)
Beside this, communities of practice also are assisted by following suggestions in organizing and planning the way these communities are structured (Susan Taylor, 2006, n.p.).
  • Establish regular times for team interaction
  • Send agendas to participants beforehand
  • Designate a team librarian
  • Build and maintain a team archive
  • Use visual forms of communication where possible
  • Set formal rules for communication and/or technology use (n.p.)
Professional development and web 2.0 tools
Below is a PowerPoint of professional development and Web 2.0 tools, hope it is may give you some inspiration and help you understand this chapter.

 
Blogging
Blogs can be used to promote teachers' comfort with and understanding of Web 2.0 tools, and some teachers already use them to create their own professional and personal networks. Individuals within learning communities can determine their topics of interest, identify ways to find information, and share conversations and knowledge (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).
*Recommend website: The Fischbowl

Podcasting
Schools are starting to make professional development training sessions, lectures, and ideas available through podcasts, which leads to individualized professional development on demand (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).
* Recommend website: LearningTimes 

Wikis 
One of the most exciting opportunities for professional development is to allow all members of a community to participate in the creation of a goal, plan, or direction or to simply discuss the way a new activity is working. Wikis present the ideal manner in which to accomplish this and, at the same time, educators learn about the potential for using this tool in their classrooms (Solomon & Schrum, 2007).
* Recommend website: Wikispaces

NETS-T (National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers)
All classroom teachers should be prepared to meet the following standards and performance indicators.

3. Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum
Teachers implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning. Teachers:
A. facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.
B. use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
C. apply technology to develop students' higher-order skills and creativity.
D. manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment.

Citations
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0, new tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: Intl Society for Technology in educ.

2012年2月14日星期二

Chapter 4 - new tools in schools

This chapter has presented the web 2.0 tools we mentioned before that offer new opportunities for students to learn, explore, and present their knowledge. The concrete examples of the new tools are being used or could be used in various subject areas and with learners at all age or grade levels (Solomon and Schrum, 2007).

What is the New Tech High?


The New Tech High Learning System contains curriculum, assessment rubrics, living grade books, and communication tools. Solomon and Schrum, (2007) also mentioned it is uses in-depth project and problem-based learning that involvs teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills. Students are assessed with authentic outcomes and get real-time feedback, and technology is used to bind the collaborative learning communitiy together.
Beside the New Tech High, the Lemon Grove School District of California also support to develop this collaborative learning environment by delivering high-speed intranet connectivity between the district and students' homes.

Classroom applications: using the tools for learning 

Writing Process (Blogs)
-Tools for writing instruction
 Collaborative Writing (Wikis)
-Tools for teachers to monitor progress

Student Feedback (Podcasting)
-Tools for take risk and get feedback

Digital Storytelling (Flickr)
-Tools for create a multimedia story

Digital Diplomacy
-Tools for share everything through a digital story format

Classroom applications: teaching content

- English and Literature
- Media Literacy
- Social Studies
- Journalism, Broadcasting, and Video Production
- Math
- Geography
- English as a Second Language and English Language Learners
- Science

NETS·T
1. Technology Operations and Concepts
Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts. Teachers:
A. demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology.
B. demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies. 

2. Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences
Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology: Teachers:
B. apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences.
D. plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.

Citations

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0, new tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: Intl Society for Technology in educ.

2012年2月9日星期四

Chapter3 - new tools

We already knew what is web 2.0 in chapter 1, so let's talk a little about web 2.0 tools. You can see there are so many tools in the picture below, those tools change the nature of the Web from distributed to participatory.


Web 2.0 "is not a technological revolution; it is a social revolution. It's about enabling and encouraging participation through open applications and services with rights granted to use the content in new and exciting contexts" (Solomon & Schrum, 2007. pp46).

Those tools for word, data and business processing that companies, in some degree, web 2.0 tools replace traditional application software installed on the computer desktop. As this book mentioned "the genesisi of Web 2.0 tools is the open-source movement, whose proponents believe that the source code for programs should be available for anyone else to study, use, enhance, and distribute."

What's the difference between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0, let's take a look:



Since you learned the process from the Web to Web 2.0, I would like to give you all a tour of some useful Web 2.0 tools.

Basic web 2.0 tools: 
❀Click all the links!
❀ blogs
· Drupal
❀ Podcasts
Podcasts are portable and students are used to listenting on iPods and MP3 players.
Wikis
· Pbwiki

Other popular web 2.0 tools:  
❀Click all the links!
· Furl
· Videoegg 
    
Beside those tools I mentioned before, there still have many different tools. Such as web 2.0 versions of desktop tools (google docs & spreadsheets, zoho writer, etc), web 2.0 management tools (technorati, elgg and moodle, etc) and other web 2.0 tools for education (google earth, myspace, etc).

NETS·T
1. Technology Operations and Concepts
Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts. Teachers:
A. demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology.
B. demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies.

Citations
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0, new tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: Intl Society for Technology in educ.

2012年2月7日星期二

Chapter2 - students and learning

Before we go over this chapter, let's look at this video first! 
This video is talk about the difference between 21st Century Education and 20th Century Education. We'll see how did the new technology changed our education.


Okay, after we watched this video, I am pretty sure you all have an idea about the difference. So, since the education is changing, how could our learner follow the new style education? What points they need to pay attention? 
Let's look at the next video - The 21st Century Learner


In this video, education experts say digital technologies could transform the way kids learn and participate in their communities. This is the topic that we need discuss in this chapter.
I need to say both of the videos are really interesting, technology affects how students live and communicate and when, where, and how they learn. Having digital technology at their fingertips all the time means that students think, work, and play differently from previous generations.
From cell phone and video games to Facebook and YouTube, digital media are changing the way young people play and socialize in the 21st century.

Here is the Bloom's Taxonomy (Bloom, 1956). It is described learning in six cognitive process dimensions: remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating.
 
To help students acquire these skills and become synthesizers means not just providing access to technological tools but also employing the pedagogical tools that are more powerful when combined with technology.

NETS-S
1. Creativity and Innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or process.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
d. identify trends and forecast possibilities.

Citation
Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0, new tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: Intl Society for Technology in educ.