After completing the interest inventory, I was not surprised to find out that my strengths were interpersonal and linguistic. In past learning style assessments, I have had similar results. This is not a surprise to me as I think about my strengths as an individual, as a student, and as a teacher.
I have always been good with words and writing is a strength of mine. As a student, I was always relieved to be given a writing option on choice projects or be asked to take an essay test vs. multiple choice. As for the interpersonal strengths, I felt like those were fostered in collaborative work and I learned content on a deeper level when given the opportunity to manipulate it within a social learning setting. I was less apt, especially in math classes, to do individual work.
In my classroom experiences and in my position in a coaching role, I place great emphasis on student choice. By utilizing choice boards or choice assignments, students are able to select work that fits with their learning style. For an assignment or project where you offer choice, not every singe intelligence needs to have a corresponding assignment as students usually have multiple strengths. Even 3-4 options empower learners and allows them to show their understanding in a way that showcases a strength. When offering choice assignments, it is essential that teachers have clearly and explicitly communicated the learning goals and objectives to students. I like to turn my goals into 'I can' statements and help kids think about being able to show me that they 'can' demonstrate a specific skill or understanding in a diverse array of products.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Creative Commons Images
This image could be used in our SIG proposal. We are focusing on online learning systems and will need images to support the presentation. Because Moodle will be explored in our SIG proposal, adding one or more images of the LMS system would help our presentation's visual appeal.
Original Image: "Moodle"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewsaunders/3496815255/sizes/m/in/photostream/
By: Matthew Saunders
Released under an Attribution- Non-Commercial -Share Alike License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
Flickr Page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70277158@N04/
My image:
Original Image: "Chicago Skyline"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70277158@N04/6382703037/sizes/s/in/photostream/
By: Elise Jury
Released Under an Attribution- Non-Commercial -Share Alike License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
Original Image: "Moodle"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewsaunders/3496815255/sizes/m/in/photostream/
By: Matthew Saunders
Released under an Attribution- Non-Commercial -Share Alike License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
Flickr Page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70277158@N04/
My image:
Original Image: "Chicago Skyline"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70277158@N04/6382703037/sizes/s/in/photostream/
By: Elise Jury
Released Under an Attribution- Non-Commercial -Share Alike License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/
Monday, November 7, 2011
PC Maintenance
After having gone through the PC maintenance module, I learned some information about computer security and safety that is honestly not at the forefront of my mind when I think about utilizing technology in the classroom. After viewing three video tutorials on the Atomic Learning site, I have gained a new perspective on being aware of this aspect of 21st century learning as well.
1. Cookies:
I was unaware that there were different types of cookies and that there were different ways you could protect your computer from them. Before this tutorial I thought users were only able to clear cookies. I did not know users could block cookies all together or disable them. This is a piece of information I would also pass along. As computers and internet surfing become increasingly more personal based on our activity, this means that cookies become more active. I was also surprised that cookies fostered this personalization.
2. PC updates:
I use my computers and have automatic updates run once per week. For the most part these updates are helpful and keep my computer running smoothly. I am a personal mac user so most of the updates are for specific programs and not as much for security. My work computer, however, is a PC and there are more updates run on a daily basis. Because my PC is owned by my district, I don't have control over when or what updates are run. One thing I learned is to back up both of my computers more often. I usually do this once per year or twice per year, but I will definitely make it a more routine maintenance activity.
3. Unprotected Computers
I learned why it is so important to use a safe browser. I am a firefox user by default but I have a lot of teachers or students who use Explorer. I was unaware that Explorer has more holes and security breeches than Firefox. I will now suggest and remind teachers and students to use Firefox for safer browsing.
1. Cookies:
I was unaware that there were different types of cookies and that there were different ways you could protect your computer from them. Before this tutorial I thought users were only able to clear cookies. I did not know users could block cookies all together or disable them. This is a piece of information I would also pass along. As computers and internet surfing become increasingly more personal based on our activity, this means that cookies become more active. I was also surprised that cookies fostered this personalization.
2. PC updates:
I use my computers and have automatic updates run once per week. For the most part these updates are helpful and keep my computer running smoothly. I am a personal mac user so most of the updates are for specific programs and not as much for security. My work computer, however, is a PC and there are more updates run on a daily basis. Because my PC is owned by my district, I don't have control over when or what updates are run. One thing I learned is to back up both of my computers more often. I usually do this once per year or twice per year, but I will definitely make it a more routine maintenance activity.
3. Unprotected Computers
I learned why it is so important to use a safe browser. I am a firefox user by default but I have a lot of teachers or students who use Explorer. I was unaware that Explorer has more holes and security breeches than Firefox. I will now suggest and remind teachers and students to use Firefox for safer browsing.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Blog Tracking Through RSS
One of the blogs I’ve added to my RSS feed and am actively following is the Edutopia blog. I’ve used Edutopia as a resource for a few years and find that it is always a great wealth of knowledge. Quickly upon adding the Edutopia blog to my RSS feed, I came across a post that caught my eye. It was on the idea of the ‘Flipped Classroom.’ This is a term some of my colleagues are tossing around. From their description, I’ve had a difficult time wrapping my head around the idea. Essentially the Flipped model means that the kids learn the skills at home and get to practice them at school; the idea that the homework is done at school and is facilitated by the teacher. I think it could possibly be a great addition to a classroom, however, I don’t think it will work for all kids. Obviously in education, we know that this idea or problem is common to many teaching strategies. So, I if we think about flipping our classrooms as an option or one strategy, that’s when it can work. I expanded upon this notion in my response to the blog post and got two other respondents who shared their feelings toward the idea of flipping.
This was very powerful for me. Much like the first time I posted a question on a Ning and got responses, I was almost surprised to see that real, live teachers responded back. Obviously they, like me, have a personal learning network, but its those simple moments where the collaboration actually takes place that are still amazing to me.
Since these posts back have been added to the blog I initially commented on, I almost feel more empowered to communicate on other blogs. It was not that I didn’t feel like I could or that I was nervous to do that before, but it was the act of actually having others reach back that makes blogs so powerful as learning networks or collaborative spaces.
Below are screen shots of the edutopia posting and my comment.
Click here to view the blog post and additional comments on Edutopia.
This was very powerful for me. Much like the first time I posted a question on a Ning and got responses, I was almost surprised to see that real, live teachers responded back. Obviously they, like me, have a personal learning network, but its those simple moments where the collaboration actually takes place that are still amazing to me.
Since these posts back have been added to the blog I initially commented on, I almost feel more empowered to communicate on other blogs. It was not that I didn’t feel like I could or that I was nervous to do that before, but it was the act of actually having others reach back that makes blogs so powerful as learning networks or collaborative spaces.
Below are screen shots of the edutopia posting and my comment.
RSS Growth
A few years ago I set up my google reader feature, and made up my mind that I’d follow news related to my new teaching interest, technology. Well, it didn’t take long for that summer to end and to get bogged down with the stresses of the classroom once again. Needless to say, the checking of my rss feeds ended. As CEP 810 began and maintaining and checking RSS feeds became an assignment, I quickly remembered why I intented to keep track of my Google reader a few years back. I was quickly thrust back into real-time, instant professional development, and in my current role as a teacher leader for technology, was filled with ideas I couldn’t wait to bring up to teachers.
Checking and maintaining my RSS feeds, gives me hopeful opportunities for what teaching with technology can be. I am inspired by reading accounts of successful experiences with Project Based Learning (Buck Institute of Education’s Blog), state-wide roll outs of new 21st century devices (Education Week: Technology), and discussions of what quality, 21st Centiry professional development can look like (Edutopia). When I found other resources for my RSS feed, I tried to seek out sources that were not only tied to specific ed. tech ideas, but good teaching practice as well.
In terms of changes or trends to the story topics on each of the feeds, I’m not noticing specific trends or patterns in postings aside from the fact that they all focus on innovations in the classroom and in education as a whole. There are obviously themes that the feeds incorporate. Some common topics I’ve come across as I’ve read the feeds over the last few days are: teacher-training, discourse on legislative actions/decisions related to education, the application of 21st century learning on the adoption of the Common Core standards, and device adoption (i.e. ipads).
As I think about honing my craft of providing 21st century resources to my staff and students, I am happy to have re-discovered the value of keeping up with the educational technology community. I am in a very interesting job situation, and feel strange about my role, as my district is pouring money into equipment and even positions like mine, but yet, are not willing to create a workable plan or goals for the future of 21st century learning in my district. Just in the short time I’ve been following the news feeds, I’ve already gotten some great ideas for how to develop a district-wide technology plan that relates to teaching and learning rather than just the adoption of more devices and network capabilities.
Below is a picture of my current RSS feed:
Checking and maintaining my RSS feeds, gives me hopeful opportunities for what teaching with technology can be. I am inspired by reading accounts of successful experiences with Project Based Learning (Buck Institute of Education’s Blog), state-wide roll outs of new 21st century devices (Education Week: Technology), and discussions of what quality, 21st Centiry professional development can look like (Edutopia). When I found other resources for my RSS feed, I tried to seek out sources that were not only tied to specific ed. tech ideas, but good teaching practice as well.
In terms of changes or trends to the story topics on each of the feeds, I’m not noticing specific trends or patterns in postings aside from the fact that they all focus on innovations in the classroom and in education as a whole. There are obviously themes that the feeds incorporate. Some common topics I’ve come across as I’ve read the feeds over the last few days are: teacher-training, discourse on legislative actions/decisions related to education, the application of 21st century learning on the adoption of the Common Core standards, and device adoption (i.e. ipads).
As I think about honing my craft of providing 21st century resources to my staff and students, I am happy to have re-discovered the value of keeping up with the educational technology community. I am in a very interesting job situation, and feel strange about my role, as my district is pouring money into equipment and even positions like mine, but yet, are not willing to create a workable plan or goals for the future of 21st century learning in my district. Just in the short time I’ve been following the news feeds, I’ve already gotten some great ideas for how to develop a district-wide technology plan that relates to teaching and learning rather than just the adoption of more devices and network capabilities.
Below is a picture of my current RSS feed:
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
GTD
Project planning and managing my to do list has been a craft that I've honed over the years. Before reading the GTD materials, I regularly utilized my Google Calendar and task lists within the calendar to keep track of tasks and projects on my radar. I also utilize a three subject spiral notebook to keep track of tasks, notes, ideas, meeting information, etc. This method is extremely low-tech, but its always worked really well for me, especially when I use my Google calendar in conjunction. On a daily basis, I make to do lists in my notebook and transfer those to my google calendar. I still feel that the act of physically writing things down is an important processing task for me.
In the spirit of class assignments, I decided to try one of the tech tools that can assist the GTD process. I set up an account with Simple GTD and began the process through that lens. I used the list of tasks I already had on my Google Calendar and put them onto the GTD tool. I grouped the tasks by project type and ordered them in order of importance. Initially when I transfered my small tasks to this online tool and ordered them into bigger projects and in terms of importance, I felt like the tool would be helpful. Once I ordered them and grouped small tasks with projects, I didn't really find that the tool was helpful beyond that. And in all reality, my Google Calendar (and to do list within Google Calendars) and paper and pencil methods really were no different than what I did with the online tool. It felt as though I was just repeating the process, and in all reality I didn't have any more clarity.
I think processes of project management are essential to productivity. I have always been a learner that needs to see the process and chunk it into smaller bits in order to accomplish the big task. The processes described in this module are those that I engage in on a regular basis. I will continue planning tasks and projects in this way, but I feel that my Google Calendar management along with my trusty spiral notebook, have served me well in terms of managing and completing projects.
In the spirit of class assignments, I decided to try one of the tech tools that can assist the GTD process. I set up an account with Simple GTD and began the process through that lens. I used the list of tasks I already had on my Google Calendar and put them onto the GTD tool. I grouped the tasks by project type and ordered them in order of importance. Initially when I transfered my small tasks to this online tool and ordered them into bigger projects and in terms of importance, I felt like the tool would be helpful. Once I ordered them and grouped small tasks with projects, I didn't really find that the tool was helpful beyond that. And in all reality, my Google Calendar (and to do list within Google Calendars) and paper and pencil methods really were no different than what I did with the online tool. It felt as though I was just repeating the process, and in all reality I didn't have any more clarity.
I think processes of project management are essential to productivity. I have always been a learner that needs to see the process and chunk it into smaller bits in order to accomplish the big task. The processes described in this module are those that I engage in on a regular basis. I will continue planning tasks and projects in this way, but I feel that my Google Calendar management along with my trusty spiral notebook, have served me well in terms of managing and completing projects.
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