Was able to IM with about half of the class members over the course of the term. I was able to use the audio, the whiteboard (I didn't have the problems that other people had the first half of the term when trying to use it), and transfer files. I rarely saw Dr. Green on when I was but most every one else was on at least once during the strange hours that I kept.
I don't care for it and will not use it unless I begin teaching an online course.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Blogging Away
Wow- I've really been deficient in posting to this blog. I know it was a class assignment but honestly, I've talked to my class members enough for the term :)
I'll take the hit in points to have accomplished something else in that time. I have begun 3 blogs since the second half of the term and they are going great! One is for the 4th-6th graders on audiobooks that they are listening to. Another is for my media techs and I to share ideas, discuss issues and just generally communicate with one another. The last one I just recently started for tech issues. Right now it has limited access to those of us on the tech committee but the goal is once people become a little comfortable is to open it up to the district.
I also created my first and second wikis. One for Jason's Gold by Will Hobbs for a 6th grade class to contribute to (I hope). The other is, again, for the tech committee to begin working on implementing our tech plan and writing the next version.
What an exciting term! I became comfortable enough with some of these ideas to really get moving on them.
I'll take the hit in points to have accomplished something else in that time. I have begun 3 blogs since the second half of the term and they are going great! One is for the 4th-6th graders on audiobooks that they are listening to. Another is for my media techs and I to share ideas, discuss issues and just generally communicate with one another. The last one I just recently started for tech issues. Right now it has limited access to those of us on the tech committee but the goal is once people become a little comfortable is to open it up to the district.
I also created my first and second wikis. One for Jason's Gold by Will Hobbs for a 6th grade class to contribute to (I hope). The other is, again, for the tech committee to begin working on implementing our tech plan and writing the next version.
What an exciting term! I became comfortable enough with some of these ideas to really get moving on them.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Open Source Software- Advantages versus Disadvantages?
So what do you think wins out- the advantages or the disadvantages and why?
Do you personally or professionally use any open source software (besides Moodle)
Do you personally or professionally use any open source software (besides Moodle)
Open Source Software- Try one!
If open source software is something you have been hoping to explore, take this opportunity to find a program in your interest area and let us know the name and your evaluation.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Podcasting in Gaylord, Michigan
How I would like to begin using podcasts/screencasts as a librarian:
4-6th and 9-12 grade buildings- booktalks, reading short selections of books, inviting students to create booktalks, research skill reviews and hints, new events in the media center....other ideas you would like to share with me?
How I would like to encourage teachers to begin using podcasts/screencasts: capture lecture (for review by students absent or needing review), anticipatory set type material (to capture interest and promote better understanding of classroom activities), student produced podcasts (to provide a wider audience than just the teacher and promote deeper understanding of material)...other ideas you would like to share with me?
4-6th and 9-12 grade buildings- booktalks, reading short selections of books, inviting students to create booktalks, research skill reviews and hints, new events in the media center....other ideas you would like to share with me?
How I would like to encourage teachers to begin using podcasts/screencasts: capture lecture (for review by students absent or needing review), anticipatory set type material (to capture interest and promote better understanding of classroom activities), student produced podcasts (to provide a wider audience than just the teacher and promote deeper understanding of material)...other ideas you would like to share with me?
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Open-ended Learning Environments
I found it interesting that I could find no articles in the Walden database for anything close to “open-ended learning environments” even though the phrase has been used since at least 1994 by Hannafin et. al. Placing “computers” and “learning environments” phrases together began to occur even before 1994. Then why was OLE not found in the database in any peer reviewed articles?
For our assignment, I reviewed the bibliography in the back of the chapter and began searching for actual articles referenced and related articles by the same authors or pointed to through their own bibliographies.
I had already spent some time exploring Jonassen when researching for another class and was happy to revisit his work on MindTools to see what was new and remind myself of his mantra to use technology to help create understanding and not just as another way of delivering content.
I found a new name to add to my growing list of preferred scholars: Michael Hannafin’s work with Land (especially) and/or Hall, Oliver, and Hill. I used Hannifin’s work in the discussion board. I especially like his propensity to avoid obfuscation :)
Hannafin, M.J., Hall, C., Land, S., &Hill, J. (1994). Learning in open-ended environements: Assumptions, methods, and implications. Educational Technology, 34(8), 48.55.
Hannafin, M.J. (n.d.). Learning in open-ended environments: Tools and technologies for the next millennium. IT Forum. Paper 34. Retrieved October 2, 2007 from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/paper34/paper34.html
Hannafin, M.J. (n.d.) Technology and the design of open-ended learning environments. IT Forum. Paper 14. Retrieved October 2, 2007 from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/paper14/paper14.html
For our assignment, I reviewed the bibliography in the back of the chapter and began searching for actual articles referenced and related articles by the same authors or pointed to through their own bibliographies.
I had already spent some time exploring Jonassen when researching for another class and was happy to revisit his work on MindTools to see what was new and remind myself of his mantra to use technology to help create understanding and not just as another way of delivering content.
I found a new name to add to my growing list of preferred scholars: Michael Hannafin’s work with Land (especially) and/or Hall, Oliver, and Hill. I used Hannifin’s work in the discussion board. I especially like his propensity to avoid obfuscation :)
Hannafin, M.J., Hall, C., Land, S., &Hill, J. (1994). Learning in open-ended environements: Assumptions, methods, and implications. Educational Technology, 34(8), 48.55.
Hannafin, M.J. (n.d.). Learning in open-ended environments: Tools and technologies for the next millennium. IT Forum. Paper 34. Retrieved October 2, 2007 from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/paper34/paper34.html
Hannafin, M.J. (n.d.) Technology and the design of open-ended learning environments. IT Forum. Paper 14. Retrieved October 2, 2007 from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/paper14/paper14.html
Monday, September 24, 2007
BookMooch!
Absolutely must tell everyone about this one...
I discovered BookMooch just this evening because of one of the feeds I chose for librarians at www.bloglines.com. Free service: list 10 books you are willing to trade and earn points. Earn more points by sending a book to someone. Mooch a book from someone else (costs you 1 point, earns them a point). The ratio is that you must give away at least one book for every 5 you receive. Keep what you want or put it back online when finished to trade it to the next person. Online trading rather than buying! I am definitely going to be signing up this week-end in between homework.
I discovered BookMooch just this evening because of one of the feeds I chose for librarians at www.bloglines.com. Free service: list 10 books you are willing to trade and earn points. Earn more points by sending a book to someone. Mooch a book from someone else (costs you 1 point, earns them a point). The ratio is that you must give away at least one book for every 5 you receive. Keep what you want or put it back online when finished to trade it to the next person. Online trading rather than buying! I am definitely going to be signing up this week-end in between homework.
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